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Atwani R, Nagare RP, Rogers A, Prasad M, Lazar V, Sandusky G, Tong Y, Pin F, Condello S. Integrin-linked kinase-frizzled 7 interaction maintains cancer stem cells to drive platinum resistance in ovarian cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:156. [PMID: 38822429 PMCID: PMC11143768 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03083-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Platinum-based chemotherapy regimens are a mainstay in the management of ovarian cancer (OC), but emergence of chemoresistance poses a significant clinical challenge. The persistence of ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) at the end of primary treatment contributes to disease recurrence. Here, we hypothesized that the extracellular matrix protects CSCs during chemotherapy and supports their tumorigenic functions by activating integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a key enzyme in drug resistance. METHODS TCGA datasets and OC models were investigated using an integrated proteomic and gene expression analysis and examined ILK for correlations with chemoresistance pathways and clinical outcomes. Canonical Wnt pathway components, pro-survival signaling, and stemness were examined using OC models. To investigate the role of ILK in the OCSC-phenotype, a novel pharmacological inhibitor of ILK in combination with carboplatin was utilized in vitro and in vivo OC models. RESULTS In response to increased fibronectin secretion and integrin β1 clustering, aberrant ILK activation supported the OCSC phenotype, contributing to OC spheroid proliferation and reduced response to platinum treatment. Complexes formed by ILK with the Wnt receptor frizzled 7 (Fzd7) were detected in tumors and correlated with metastatic progression. Moreover, TCGA datasets confirmed that combined expression of ILK and Fzd7 in high grade serous ovarian tumors is correlated with reduced response to chemotherapy and poor patient outcomes. Mechanistically, interaction of ILK with Fzd7 increased the response to Wnt ligands, thereby amplifying the stemness-associated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Notably, preclinical studies showed that the novel ILK inhibitor compound 22 (cpd-22) alone disrupted ILK interaction with Fzd7 and CSC proliferation as spheroids. Furthermore, when combined with carboplatin, this disruption led to sustained AKT inhibition, apoptotic damage in OCSCs and reduced tumorigenicity in mice. CONCLUSIONS This "outside-in" signaling mechanism is potentially actionable, and combined targeting of ILK-Fzd7 may lead to new therapeutic approaches to eradicate OCSCs and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rula Atwani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Rohit Pravin Nagare
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Amber Rogers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Mayuri Prasad
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Virginie Lazar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - George Sandusky
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Yan Tong
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Fabrizio Pin
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Salvatore Condello
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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Bhavsar D, Raguraman R, Kim D, Ren X, Munshi A, Moore K, Sikavitsas V, Ramesh R. Exosomes in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of ovarian cancer. J Ovarian Res 2024; 17:113. [PMID: 38796525 PMCID: PMC11127348 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-024-01417-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer accounts for more deaths than any other female reproductive tract cancer. The major reasons for the high mortality rates include delayed diagnoses and drug resistance. Hence, improved diagnostic and therapeutic options for ovarian cancer are a pressing need. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), that include exosomes provide hope in both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. They are natural lipid nanovesicles secreted by all cell types and carry molecules that reflect the status of the parent cell. This facilitates their potential use as biomarkers for an early diagnosis. Additionally, EVs can be loaded with exogenous cargo, and have features such as high stability and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. This makes them ideal for tumor-targeted delivery of biological moieties. The International Society of Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) based on the Minimal Information for Studies on Extracellular Vesicles (MISEV) recommends the usage of the term "small extracellular vesicles (sEVs)" that includes exosomes for particles that are 30-200 nm in size. However, majority of the studies reported in the literature and relevant to this review have used the term "exosomes". Therefore, this review will use the term "exosomes" interchangeably with sEVs for consistency with the literature and avoid confusion to the readers. This review, initially summarizes the different isolation and detection techniques developed to study ovarian cancer-derived exosomes and the potential use of these exosomes as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of this devastating disease. It addresses the role of exosome contents in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer, discusses strategies to limit exosome-mediated ovarian cancer progression, and provides options to use exosomes for tumor-targeted therapy in ovarian cancer. Finally, it states future research directions and recommends essential research needed to successfully transition exosomes from the laboratory to the gynecologic-oncology clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhaval Bhavsar
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE, 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 800 NE, 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Rajeswari Raguraman
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE, 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 800 NE, 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Dongin Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1110 N, Stonewall Ave, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 800 NE, 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Ren
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1110 N, Stonewall Ave, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE, 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 800 NE, 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Kathleen Moore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 800 NE, 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 800 NE, 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Vassilios Sikavitsas
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 800 NE, 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Department of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, Oklahoma University, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE, 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 800 NE, 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
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Al-Alem L, Prendergast JM, Clark J, Zarrella B, Zarrella DT, Hill SJ, Growdon WB, Pooladanda V, Spriggs DR, Cramer D, Elias KM, Nazer RI, Skates SJ, Behrens J, Dransfield DT, Rueda BR. Sialyl-Tn serves as a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. J Ovarian Res 2024; 17:71. [PMID: 38566237 PMCID: PMC10985924 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-024-01397-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer remains the deadliest of the gynecologic cancers in the United States. There have been limited advances in treatment strategies that have seen marked increases in overall survival. Thus, it is essential to continue developing and validating new treatment strategies and markers to identify patients who would benefit from the new strategy. In this report, we sought to further validate applications for a novel humanized anti-Sialyl Tn antibody-drug conjugate (anti-STn-ADC) in ovarian cancer. METHODS We aimed to further test a humanized anti-STn-ADC in sialyl-Tn (STn) positive and negative ovarian cancer cell line, patient-derived organoid (PDO), and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Furthermore, we sought to determine whether serum STn levels would reflect STn positivity in the tumor samples enabling us to identify patients that an anti-STn-ADC strategy would best serve. We developed a custom ELISA with high specificity and sensitivity, that was used to assess whether circulating STn levels would correlate with stage, progression-free survival, overall survival, and its value in augmenting CA-125 as a diagnostic. Lastly, we assessed whether the serum levels reflected what was observed via immunohistochemical analysis in a subset of tumor samples. RESULTS Our in vitro experiments further define the specificity of the anti-STn-ADC. The ovarian cancer PDO, and PDX models provide additional support for an anti-STn-ADC-based strategy for targeting ovarian cancer. The custom serum ELISA was informative in potential triaging of patients with elevated levels of STn. However, it was not sensitive enough to add value to existing CA-125 levels for a diagnostic. While the ELISA identified non-serous ovarian tumors with low CA-125 levels, the sample numbers were too small to provide any confidence the STn ELISA would meaningfully add to CA-125 for diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Our preclinical data support the concept that an anti-STn-ADC may be a viable option for treating patients with elevated STn levels. Moreover, our STn-based ELISA could complement IHC in identifying patients with whom an anti-STn-based strategy might be more effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linah Al-Alem
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | | | - Justin Clark
- Siamab Therapeutics, Inc, Newton, MA, 02458, USA
| | - Bianca Zarrella
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Dominique T Zarrella
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Sarah J Hill
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Whitfield B Growdon
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Venkatesh Pooladanda
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - David R Spriggs
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Daniel Cramer
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kevin M Elias
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | | | - Steven J Skates
- Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Jeff Behrens
- Siamab Therapeutics, Inc, Newton, MA, 02458, USA
| | | | - Bo R Rueda
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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Yi SY, Wei MZ, Zhao L. Targeted immunotherapy to cancer stem cells: A novel strategy of anticancer immunotherapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 196:104313. [PMID: 38428702 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major disease that endangers human health. Cancer drug resistance and relapse are the two main causes contributing to cancer treatment failure. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small fraction of tumor cells that are responsible for tumorigenesis, metastasis, relapse, and resistance to conventional anticancer therapies. Therefore, CSCs are considered to be the root of cancer recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. Novel anticancer strategies need to face this new challenge and explore their efficacy against CSCs. Recently, immunotherapy has made rapid advances in cancer treatment, and its potential against CSCs is also an interesting area of research. Meanwhile, immunotherapy strategies are novel therapeutic modalities with promising results in targeting CSCs. In this review, we summarize the targeting of CSCs by various immunotherapy strategies such as monoclonal antibodies(mAb), tumor vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and chimeric antigen receptor-T cells(CAR-T) in pre-clinical and clinical studies. This review provides new insights into the application of these immunotherapeutic approaches to potential anti-tumor therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Yong Yi
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, Henan Province 450007, China.
| | - Mei-Zhuo Wei
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, Henan Province 450007, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, Henan Province 450007, China.
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Atwani R, Rogers A, Nagare R, Prasad M, Lazar V, Sandusky G, Pin F, Condello S. Integrin-linked kinase-frizzled 7 interaction maintains cancer stem cells to drive platinum resistance in ovarian cancer. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4086737. [PMID: 38559125 PMCID: PMC10980163 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4086737/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Background Platinum-based chemotherapy regimens are a mainstay in the management of ovarian cancer (OC), but emergence of chemoresistance poses a significant clinical challenge. The persistence of ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) at the end of primary treatment contributes to disease recurrence. Here, we hypothesized that the extracellular matrix protects CSCs during chemotherapy and supports their tumorigenic functions by activating integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a key enzyme in drug resistance. Methods TCGA datasets and OC models were investigated using an integrated proteomic and gene expression analysis and examined ILK for correlations with chemoresistance pathways and clinical outcomes. Canonical Wnt pathway components, pro-survival signaling, and stemness were examined using OC models. To investigate the role of ILK in the OCSC-phenotype, a novel pharmacological inhibitor of ILK in combination with carboplatin was utilized in vitro and in vivo OC models. Results In response to increased fibronectin (FN) secretion and integrin β1 clustering, aberrant ILK activation supported the OCSC phenotype, contributing to OC spheroid proliferation and reduced response to platinum treatment. Complexes formed by ILK with the Wnt receptor frizzled 7 (Fzd7) were detected in tumors and showed a strong correlation with metastatic progression. Moreover, TCGA datasets confirmed that combined expression of ILK and Fzd7 in high grade serous ovarian tumors is correlated with reduced response to chemotherapy and poor patient outcomes. Mechanistically, interaction of ILK with Fzd7 increased the response to Wnt ligands, thereby amplifying the stemness-associated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Notably, preclinical studies showed that the novel ILK inhibitor compound 22 (cpd-22) alone disrupted ILK interaction with Fzd7 and CSC proliferation as spheroids. Furthermore, when combined with carboplatin, this disruption led to sustained AKT inhibition, apoptotic damage in OCSCs and reduced tumorigenicity in mice. Conclusions This "outside-in" signaling mechanism is potentially actionable, and combined targeting of ILK-Fzd7 may represent a new therapeutic strategy to eradicate OCSCs and improve patient outcomes.
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6
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Singh V, Nandi S, Ghosh A, Adhikary S, Mukherjee S, Roy S, Das C. Epigenetic reprogramming of T cells: unlocking new avenues for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:175-195. [PMID: 38233727 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10167-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
T cells, a key component of cancer immunotherapy, undergo a variety of histone modifications and DNA methylation changes since their bone marrow progenitor stages before developing into CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. These T cell types can be categorized into distinct subtypes based on their functionality and properties, such as cytotoxic T cells (Tc), helper T cells (Th), and regulatory T cells (Treg) as subtypes for CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Among these, the CD4+ CD25+ Tregs potentially contribute to cancer development and progression by lowering T effector (Teff) cell activity under the influence of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This contributes to the development of therapeutic resistance in patients with cancer. Subsequently, these individuals become resistant to monoclonal antibody therapy as well as clinically established immunotherapies. In this review, we delineate the different epigenetic mechanisms in cancer immune response and its involvement in therapeutic resistance. Furthermore, the possibility of epi-immunotherapeutic methods based on histone deacetylase inhibitors and histone methyltransferase inhibitors are under investigation. In this review we highlight EZH2 as the principal driver of cancer cell immunoediting and an immune escape regulator. We have addressed in detail how understanding T cell epigenetic regulation might bring unique inventive strategies to overcome drug resistance and increase the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Singh
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Sandhik Nandi
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Aritra Ghosh
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Santanu Adhikary
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
- Structural Biology & Bio-Informatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Shravanti Mukherjee
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India
| | - Siddhartha Roy
- Structural Biology & Bio-Informatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Chandrima Das
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India.
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India.
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Kuru Cİ, Ulucan-Karnak F, Dayıoğlu B, Şahinler M, Şendemir A, Akgöl S. Affinity-Based Magnetic Nanoparticle Development for Cancer Stem Cell Isolation. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:196. [PMID: 38256995 PMCID: PMC10818538 DOI: 10.3390/polym16020196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is still the leading cause of death in the world despite the developing research and treatment opportunities. Failure of these treatments is generally associated with cancer stem cells (CSCs), which cause metastasis and are defined by their resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. Although known stem cell isolation methods are not sufficient for CSC isolation, they also bring a burden in terms of cost. The aim of this study is to develop a high-efficiency, low-cost, specific method for cancer stem cell isolation with magnetic functional nanoparticles. This study, unlike the stem cell isolation techniques (MACS, FACS) used today, was aimed to isolate cancer stem cells (separation of CD133+ cells) with nanoparticles with specific affinity and modification properties. For this purpose, affinity-based magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by providing surface activity and chemical reactivity, as well as making surface modifications necessary for both lectin affinity and metal affinity interactions. In the other part of the study, synthesized and characterized functional polymeric magnetic nanoparticles were used for the isolation of CSC from the human osteosarcoma cancer cell line (SAOS-2) with a cancer stem cell subpopulation bearing the CD133 surface marker. The success and efficiency of separation after stem cell isolation were evaluated via the MACS and FACS methods. As a result, when the His-graft-mg-p(HEMA) nanoparticle was used at a concentration of 0.1 µg/mL for 106 and 108 cells, superior separation efficiency to commercial microbeads was obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cansu İlke Kuru
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 İzmir, Turkey; (C.İ.K.); (S.A.)
| | - Fulden Ulucan-Karnak
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 İzmir, Turkey; (C.İ.K.); (S.A.)
| | - Büşra Dayıoğlu
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, 35100 İzmir, Turkey; (B.D.); (M.Ş.); (A.Ş.)
| | - Mert Şahinler
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, 35100 İzmir, Turkey; (B.D.); (M.Ş.); (A.Ş.)
| | - Aylin Şendemir
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, 35100 İzmir, Turkey; (B.D.); (M.Ş.); (A.Ş.)
| | - Sinan Akgöl
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35100 İzmir, Turkey; (C.İ.K.); (S.A.)
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Tadić V, Zhang W, Brozovic A. The high-grade serous ovarian cancer metastasis and chemoresistance in 3D models. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189052. [PMID: 38097143 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most frequent and aggressive type of epithelial ovarian cancer, with high recurrence rate and chemoresistance being the main issues in its clinical management. HGSOC is specifically challenging due to the metastatic dissemination via spheroids in the ascitic fluid. The HGSOC spheroids represent the invasive and chemoresistant cellular fraction, which is impossible to investigate in conventional two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cell cultures lacking critical cell-to-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Three-dimensional (3D) HGSOC cultures, where cells aggregate and exhibit relevant interactions, offer a promising in vitro model of peritoneal metastasis and multicellular drug resistance. This review summarizes recent studies of HGSOC in 3D culture conditions and highlights the role of multicellular HGSOC spheroids and ascitic environment in HGSOC metastasis and chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanja Tadić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Str. 54, Zagreb HR-10000, Croatia
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Linggong Road 2, Dalian CN-116024, China
| | - Anamaria Brozovic
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Str. 54, Zagreb HR-10000, Croatia.
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Ling L, Wen Y, Xiong Y, Liu X, Chen J, Liu T, Zhang B. Anisomycin inhibits the activity of human ovarian cancer stem cells via regulating antisense RNA NCBP2-AS2/MEK/ERK/STAT3 signaling. J Gene Med 2024; 26:e3571. [PMID: 37483091 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) are the main cause of relapse and drug resistance in patients with ovarian cancer. Anisomycin has been shown to be an effective antitumor agent, but its mechanism of action in ovarian cancer remains elusive. METHODS CD44+/CD133+ human OCSCs were isolated from human ovarian cancer tissues. OCSCs were interfered with using anisomycin and specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA). Microarray assay, MTT, in vivo tumorigenic experiments, transwell assay, cell cycle assay, colony formation assay, angiogenesis assay, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to detect the mechanism of anisomycin with respect to inhibiting the activity of OCSCs. Expression of the NCBP2-AS2/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway was examined using western blotting, a quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunofluorescence staining. Bioinformatics analysis was used for predictive analysis of NCBP2-AS2 expression in urogenital tumors. RESULTS Microarray analysis showed that treatment with anisomycin significantly decreased the expression of antisense RNA NCBP2-AS2 in OCSCs. In vitro cellular experiments showed that interfering with endogenous antisense RNA NCBP2-AS2 using siRNA distinctly inhibited the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of OCSCs, whereas in vivo animal experiments revealed decreased tumorigenesis in nude mice. Moreover, the results of RT-qPCR and western blotting demonstrated that both anisomycin treatment and NCBP2-AS2 silencing led to significant reductions in the mRNA and protein expression levels of NCBP2-AS2, MEK, ERK and STAT3. From a bioinformatic point of view, antisense RNA NCBP2-AS2 exhibited significantly differential expression between urogenital tumors and normal controls, and a similar expression pattern was found in the genes NCBP2, RPL35A, DNAJC19 and ECE2, which have similarity to NCBP2-AS2. CONCLUSIONS Anisomycin suppresses the in vivo and in vitro activity of human OCSCs by downregulating the antisense RNA NCBP2-AS2/MEK/ERK/STAT3 signaling pathway, whereas the antisense RNA NCBP2-AS2 and genes with similarity have the potential to serve as markers for clinical diagnosis and prognosis of urogenital tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lele Ling
- Department of Acupuncture, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yichao Wen
- Shanghai Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Xiong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Gongli Hospital Affiliated to the Second Military Medicical University in Pudong New Area of Shanghai City, Shanghai, China
| | - Te Liu
- Shanghai Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bimeng Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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10
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Mejia Peña C, Skipper TA, Hsu J, Schechter I, Ghosh D, Dawson MR. Metronomic and single high-dose paclitaxel treatments produce distinct heterogenous chemoresistant cancer cell populations. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19232. [PMID: 37932310 PMCID: PMC10628134 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46055-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
More than 75% of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients experience disease recurrence after initial treatment, highlighting our incomplete understanding of how chemoresistant populations evolve over the course of EOC progression post chemotherapy treatment. Here, we show how two paclitaxel (PTX) treatment methods- a single high dose and a weekly metronomic dose for four weeks, generate unique chemoresistant populations. Using mechanically relevant alginate microspheres and a combination of transcript profiling and heterogeneity analyses, we found that these PTX-treatment regimens produce distinct and resilient subpopulations that differ in metabolic reprogramming signatures, acquisition of resistance to PTX and anoikis, and the enrichment for cancer stem cells (CSCs) and polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) with the ability to replenish bulk populations. We investigated the longevity of these metabolic reprogramming events using untargeted metabolomics and found that metabolites associated with stemness and therapy-induced senescence were uniquely abundant in populations enriched for CSCs and PGCCs. Predictive network analysis revealed that antioxidative mechanisms were likely to be differentially active dependent on both time and exposure to PTX. Our results illustrate how current standard chemotherapies contribute to the development of chemoresistant EOC subpopulations by either selecting for intrinsically resistant subpopulations or promoting the evolution of resistance mechanisms. Additionally, our work describes the unique phenotypic signatures in each of these distinct resistant subpopulations and thus highlights potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited for more effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Mejia Peña
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Thomas A Skipper
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Jeffrey Hsu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Ilexa Schechter
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Deepraj Ghosh
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Michelle R Dawson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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11
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Yuan J, Guan W, Li X, Wang F, Liu H, Xu G. RBM15‑mediating MDR1 mRNA m 6A methylation regulated by the TGF‑β signaling pathway in paclitaxel‑resistant ovarian cancer. Int J Oncol 2023; 63:112. [PMID: 37594126 PMCID: PMC10552772 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2023.5560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) lacks effective biomarkers for diagnosis at an early stage and often develops chemoresistance after the initial treatment at an advanced stage. RNA‑binding motif protein 15 (RBM15) is an RNA m6A methylation mediator that serves an oncogenic role in some cancers. However, the function and molecular mechanisms of RBM15 in ovarian tumorigenesis and chemoresistance remain to be elucidated. The present study identified the overexpression of RBM15 in OC tissues and paclitaxel (PTX)‑resistant cells using reverse transcription‑quantitative (q)PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Clinical data analyses showed that high expression of RBM15 was associated with poor prognosis in patients with OC. Overexpression of RBM15 led to an increase in cell viability and colony formation and a decrease in cell sensitivity to PTX and apoptosis, whereas the knockdown of RBM15 resulted in the inhibition of cell viability and colony formation in vitro and tumor formation in vivo and increased cell apoptosis and sensitivity to PTX in a time‑ and dose‑dependent manner. Furthermore, RBM15 knockdown reduced the spheroid formation of PTX‑resistant OC cells. Silencing of RBM15 decreased multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) mRNA m6A methylation detected by the methylated RNA immunoprecipitation‑qPCR assay and downregulated the expression of a chemo‑drug efflux pump MDR1 at the mRNA and protein levels. Finally, RBM15 expression was suppressed by the activation of the TGF‑β signaling pathway. Thus, the findings revealed a TGF‑β/RBM15/MDR1 regulatory mechanism. Targeting RBM15 may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PTX‑resistant OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yuan
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032
| | - Wencai Guan
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508
| | - Xin Li
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032
| | - Fanchen Wang
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032
| | - Huiqiang Liu
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032
| | - Guoxiong Xu
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032
- Center for Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, P.R. China
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12
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Bhat BA, Saifi I, Khamjan NA, Hamdani SS, Algaissi A, Rashid S, Alshehri MM, Ganie SA, Lohani M, Abdelwahab SI, Dar SA. Exploring the tumor immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer: a way-out to the therapeutic roadmap. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:841-860. [PMID: 37712621 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2259096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite cancer treatment strides, mortality due to ovarian cancer remains high globally. While immunotherapy has proven effective in treating cancers with low cure rates, it has limitations. Growing evidence suggests that both tumoral and non-tumoral components of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) play a significant role in cancer growth. Therefore, developing novel and focused therapy for ovarian cancer is critical. Studies indicate that TIME is involved in developing ovarian cancer, particularly genome-, transcriptome-, and proteome-wide studies. As a result, TIME may present a prospective therapeutic target for ovarian cancer patients. AREAS COVERED We examined several TIME-targeting medicines and the connection between TIME and ovarian cancer. The key protagonists and events in the TIME and therapeutic strategies that explicitly target these events in ovarian cancer are discussed. EXPERT OPINION We highlighted various targeted therapies against TIME in ovarian cancer, including anti-angiogenesis therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. While these therapies are in their infancy, they have shown promise in controlling ovarian cancer progression. The use of 'omics' technology is helping in better understanding of TIME in ovarian cancer and potentially identifying new therapeutic targets. TIME-targeted strategies could account for an additional treatment strategy when treating ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basharat Ahmad Bhat
- Department of Bioresources, Amar Singh College Campus, Cluster University, Srinagar, India
| | - Ifra Saifi
- Department of Botany, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut India
| | - Nizar A Khamjan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Suhail Hamdani
- Department of Bioresources, Amar Singh College Campus, Cluster University, Srinagar, India
| | - Abdullah Algaissi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
- Medical Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Safeena Rashid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | | | - Showkat Ahmad Ganie
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Mohtashim Lohani
- Department of Emergency Medical Services, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Sajad Ahmad Dar
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
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13
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Kim JS, Shin MJ, Lee SY, Kim DK, Choi KU, Suh DS, Kim D, Kim JH. CD109 Promotes Drug Resistance in A2780 Ovarian Cancer Cells by Regulating the STAT3-NOTCH1 Signaling Axis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10306. [PMID: 37373457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecological malignancy owing to relapse caused by resistance to chemotherapy. We previously reported that cluster of differentiation 109 (CD109) expression is positively correlated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance in patients with EOC. To further explore the role of CD109 in EOC, we explored the signaling mechanism of CD109-induced drug resistance. We found that CD109 expression was upregulated in doxorubicin-resistant EOC cells (A2780-R) compared with that in their parental cells. In EOC cells (A2780 and A2780-R), the expression level of CD109 was positively correlated with the expression level of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, such as ABCB1 and ABCG2, and paclitaxel (PTX) resistance. Using a xenograft mouse model, it was confirmed that PTX administration in xenografts of CD109-silenced A2780-R cells significantly attenuated in vivo tumor growth. The treatment of CD109-overexpressed A2780 cells with cryptotanshinone (CPT), a signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor, inhibited the CD109 overexpression-induced activation of STAT3 and neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 (NOTCH1), suggesting a STAT3-NOTCH1 signaling axis. The combined treatment of CD109-overexpressed A2780 cells with CPT and N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT), a NOTCH inhibitor, markedly abrogated PTX resistance. These results suggest that CD109 plays a key role in the acquisition of drug resistance by activating the STAT3-NOTCH1 signaling axis in patients with EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Se Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Joo Shin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo Yul Lee
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Kyung-Un Choi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Soo Suh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayea Kim
- New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (K-MEDI hub), Daegu 41061, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
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14
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Yang L, Yang M, Cui C, Long X, Li Y, Dai W, Lang T, Zhou Q. The myo-inositol biosynthesis rate-limiting enzyme ISYNA1 suppresses the stemness of ovarian cancer via Notch1 pathway. Cell Signal 2023; 107:110688. [PMID: 37105506 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a central role in ovarian cancer (OC), understanding regulatory mechanisms governing their stemness is critical. Here, we report ISYNA1, the rate-limiting enzyme in myo-inositol biosynthesis, as a suppressor of OC regulating cancer stemness. We identified ISYNA1 as a differentially expressed gene in normal ovary and ovarian cancer tissues, as well as OC cells and OCSCs. Low ISYNA1 expression correlated with poor prognosis in OC patients. In addition, ISYNA1 was negatively correlated with CSC markers, and ISYNA1-related pathways were enriched in Wnt, Notch, and other critical cancer pathways. ISYNA1 deficiency promoted OC cell growth, migration, and invasion ability in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of ISYNA1 increased stemness of OC cells, including self-renewal, CSC markers expression, ALDH activity, and proportion of CD44+/CD117+ CSCs. Conversely, ectopic overexpression of ISYNA1 suppresses cell proliferation, migration, invasion and stemness of OC cells. Mechanistically, ISYNA1 inhibits OC stemness by regulating myo-inositol to suppress Notch1 signaling. In summary, these data provide evidence that ISYNA1 act as a tumor suppressor in OC and a regulator of stemness, providing insight into potentially targetable pathways for ovarian cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Yang
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Muyao Yang
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenxi Cui
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingtao Long
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunzhe Li
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Weili Dai
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingyuan Lang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qi Zhou
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China; Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Holmberg R, Robinson M, Gilbert SF, Lujano-Olazaba O, Waters JA, Kogan E, Velasquez CLR, Stevenson D, Cruz LS, Alexander LJ, Lara J, Mu EM, Camillo JR, Bitler BG, Huxford T, House CD. TWEAK-Fn14-RelB Signaling Cascade Promotes Stem Cell-like Features that Contribute to Post-Chemotherapy Ovarian Cancer Relapse. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:170-186. [PMID: 36214671 PMCID: PMC9890141 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-22-0486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Disease recurrence in high-grade serous ovarian cancer may be due to cancer stem-like cells (CSC) that are resistant to chemotherapy and capable of reestablishing heterogeneous tumors. The alternative NF-κB signaling pathway is implicated in this process; however, the mechanism is unknown. Here we show that TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its receptor, Fn14, are strong inducers of alternative NF-κB signaling and are enriched in ovarian tumors following chemotherapy treatment. We further show that TWEAK enhances spheroid formation ability, asymmetric division capacity, and expression of SOX2 and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition genes VIM and ZEB1 in ovarian cancer cells, phenotypes that are enhanced when TWEAK is combined with carboplatin. Moreover, TWEAK in combination with chemotherapy induces expression of the CSC marker CD117 in CD117- cells. Blocking the TWEAK-Fn14-RelB signaling cascade with a small-molecule inhibitor of Fn14 prolongs survival following carboplatin chemotherapy in a mouse model of ovarian cancer. These data provide new insights into ovarian cancer CSC biology and highlight a signaling axis that should be explored for therapeutic development. IMPLICATIONS This study identifies a unique mechanism for the induction of ovarian cancer stem cells that may serve as a novel therapeutic target for preventing relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryne Holmberg
- Department of Chemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Mikella Robinson
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Samuel F. Gilbert
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | | | - Jennifer A. Waters
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Emily Kogan
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | | | - Denay Stevenson
- Department of Chemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Luisjesus S. Cruz
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Logan J. Alexander
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Jacqueline Lara
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Emily M. Mu
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | | | - Benjamin G. Bitler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Tom Huxford
- Department of Chemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Carrie D. House
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.,Corresponding Author: Carrie D. House, Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, Shiley Bioscience Center 2104, San Diego, CA 92182. Phone: 619-594-3053; E-mail:
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16
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Han S, Chen X, Li Z. Innate Immune Program in Formation of Tumor-Initiating Cells from Cells-of-Origin of Breast, Prostate, and Ovarian Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030757. [PMID: 36765715 PMCID: PMC9913549 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-initiating cells (TICs), also known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), are cancer cells that can initiate a tumor, possess self-renewal capacity, and can contribute to tumor heterogeneity. TICs/CSCs are developed from their cells-of-origin. In breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers, progenitor cells for mammary alveolar cells, prostate luminal (secretory) cells, and fallopian tube secretory cells are the preferred cellular origins for their corresponding cancer types. These luminal progenitors (LPs) express common innate immune program (e.g., Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling)-related genes. Microbes such as bacteria are now found in breast, prostate, and fallopian tube tissues and their corresponding cancer types, raising the possibility that their LPs may sense the presence of microbes and trigger their innate immune/TLR pathways, leading to an inflammatory microenvironment. Crosstalk between immune cells (e.g., macrophages) and affected epithelial cells (e.g., LPs) may eventually contribute to formation of TICs/CSCs from their corresponding LPs, in part via STAT3 and/or NFκB pathways. As such, TICs/CSCs can inherit expression of innate-immunity/TLR-pathway-related genes from their cells-of-origin; the innate immune program may also represent their unique vulnerability, which can be explored therapeutically (e.g., by enhancing immunotherapy via augmenting TLR signaling).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Han
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xueqing Chen
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhe Li
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-617-525-4740
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17
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Ding J, Zhang Y, Che Y. Ovarian cancer stem cells: Critical roles in anti-tumor immunity. Front Genet 2022; 13:998220. [PMID: 36437919 PMCID: PMC9685611 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.998220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Over the past 3 decades, there has been a high incidence of recurrent chemoresistant disease, despite the relative effectiveness of current treatment strategies. This is partly attributed to cancer stem cells (CSC), a subpopulation that has acquired stem cell properties that allow these cells to evade standard chemotherapy and cause disease recurrence. Therefore, there is an urgent need for basic knowledge about CSC to develop innovative therapeutic approaches for ovarian cancer. These CSC subpopulations have been identified in ovarian cancer cell lines, tumors or ascites, and findings suggest that ovarian CSCs may be as heterogeneous as the disease itself. CSCs regulate the phenotype and function of immune cells involved in antitumor immunity, so a better understanding of the signaling pathways that interact between CSCs, immune cells and tumor cells will pave the way for the clinical application of CS in cancer immunotherapy. This review will focus on the markers currently used to identify and isolate these cells summarize current knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for CSC-dependent regulation of antitumor immune responses. We will discuss the signaling pathways involved in CSC survival, replication, and differentiation as well as potential therapeutic targeting strategies.
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Targeting EZH2 Promotes Chemosensitivity of BCL-2 Inhibitor through Suppressing PI3K and c-KIT Signaling in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911393. [PMID: 36232694 PMCID: PMC9569949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common hematological malignancies with high heterogeneity, characterized by a differentiating block at the early progenitor stage. The selective BCL-2 inhibitor, Venetoclax (Ven), has shown exciting clinical results in a certain group of AML patients. However, Ven alone is insufficient to reach an enduringly complete response, which leads to the concern of Ven resistance. Alternative combined therapies with Ven are demanded in AML. Here, we reported the synergistic effect and molecular mechanism of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) inhibitor DZNeP with Ven in AML cells. Results showed that the combination of DZNeP with Ven significantly induces cell proliferation arrest compared to single-drug control in AML cells and primary samples, and CalcuSyn analysis showed their significant synergy. The combination also significantly promotes apoptosis and increases the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins. The whole transcriptome analysis showed that phosphoinositide-3-kinase-interacting protein1 (PIK3IP1), the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling suppressor, is upregulated upon DZNeP treatment. Moreover, EZH2 is upregulated but PIK3IP1 is downregulated in 88 newly diagnosed AML cohorts compared to 70 healthy controls, and a higher expression of EZH2 is associated with poor outcomes in AML patients. Particularly, the combination of DZNeP with Ven dramatically eliminated CD117 (c-KIT) (+) AML blasts, suggesting the effect of the combination on tumor stem cells. In summary, our data indicated that DZNeP increases the sensitivity of Ven in AML by affecting PI3K and c-KIT signaling in AML. Our results also suggested that the therapeutic targeting of both EZH2 and BCL-2 provides a novel potential combined strategy against AML.
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19
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Zhang J, Li Y, Zou J, Lai CT, Zeng T, Peng J, Zou WD, Cao B, Liu D, Zhu LY, Li H, Li YK. Comprehensive analysis of the glutathione S-transferase Mu (GSTM) gene family in ovarian cancer identifies prognostic and expression significance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:968547. [PMID: 35965498 PMCID: PMC9366399 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.968547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common types of gynecologic tumor over the world. The Glutathione S-transferase Mu (GSTM) has five members, including GSTM1-5. These GSTMs is involved in cell metabolism and detoxification, but their role in OC remains unknown. Methods Data from multiple public databases associated with OC and GSTMs were collected. Expression, prognosis, function enrichment, immune infiltration, stemness index, and drug sensitivity analysis was utilized to identify the roles of GSTMs in OC progression. RT-qPCR analysis confirmed the effect of AICAR, AT-7519, PHA-793887 and PI-103 on the mRNA levels of GSTM3/4. Results GSTM1-5 were decreased in OC samples compared to normal ovary samples. GSTM1/5 were positively correlated with OC prognosis, but GSTM3 was negatively correlated with OC prognosis. Function enrichment analysis indicated GSTMs were involved in glutathione metabolism, drug metabolism, and drug resistance. Immune infiltration analysis indicated GSTM2/3/4 promoted immune escape in OC. GSTM5 was significantly correlated with OC stemness index. GSTM3/4 were remarkedly associated with OC chemoresistance, especially in AICAR, AT-7519, PHA-793887 and PI-103. Conclusion GSTM3 was negatively correlated with OC prognosis, and associated with OC chemoresistance and immune escape. This gene may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic target for OC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Zhang
- Department of Assisted Reproductive Centre, Zhuzhou central hospital, Xiangya hospital Zhuzhou central south university, Central south university, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Assisted Reproductive Centre, Zhuzhou central hospital, Xiangya hospital Zhuzhou central south university, Central south university, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Juan Zou
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Chun-tian Lai
- Department of Assisted Reproductive Centre, Zhuzhou central hospital, Xiangya hospital Zhuzhou central south university, Central south university, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Tian Zeng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Juan Peng
- Department of Assisted Reproductive Centre, Zhuzhou central hospital, Xiangya hospital Zhuzhou central south university, Central south university, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Wen-da Zou
- Department of Assisted Reproductive Centre, Zhuzhou central hospital, Xiangya hospital Zhuzhou central south university, Central south university, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Bei Cao
- Department of Assisted Reproductive Centre, Zhuzhou central hospital, Xiangya hospital Zhuzhou central south university, Central south university, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Assisted Reproductive Centre, Zhuzhou central hospital, Xiangya hospital Zhuzhou central south university, Central south university, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Li-yu Zhu
- Department of Assisted Reproductive Centre, Zhuzhou central hospital, Xiangya hospital Zhuzhou central south university, Central south university, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Assisted Reproductive Centre, Zhuzhou central hospital, Xiangya hospital Zhuzhou central south university, Central south university, Zhuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Li, ; Yu-kun Li,
| | - Yu-kun Li
- Department of Assisted Reproductive Centre, Zhuzhou central hospital, Xiangya hospital Zhuzhou central south university, Central south university, Zhuzhou, China
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Li, ; Yu-kun Li,
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Using GPCRs as Molecular Beacons to Target Ovarian Cancer with Nanomedicines. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102362. [PMID: 35625966 PMCID: PMC9140059 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The five-year survival rate for women with ovarian cancer is very poor despite radical cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy. Although most patients initially respond to platinum-based chemotherapy, the majority experience recurrence and ultimately develop chemoresistance, resulting in fatal outcomes. The current administration of cytotoxic compounds is hampered by dose-limiting severe adverse effects. There is an unmet clinical need for targeted drug delivery systems that transport chemotherapeutics selectively to tumor cells while minimizing off-target toxicity. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane receptors, and many are overexpressed in solid tumors, including ovarian cancer. This review summarizes the progress in engineered nanoparticle research for drug delivery for ovarian cancer and discusses the potential use of GPCRs as molecular entry points to deliver anti-cancer compounds into ovarian cancer cells. A newly emerging treatment paradigm could be the personalized design of nanomedicines on a case-by-case basis.
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21
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Hu J, Lai Y, Huang H, Ramakrishnan S, Pan Y, Ma VWS, Cheuk W, So GYK, He Q, Geoffrey Lau C, Zhang L, Cho WCS, Chan KM, Wang X, Rebecca Chin Y. TCOF1 upregulation in triple-negative breast cancer promotes stemness and tumour growth and correlates with poor prognosis. Br J Cancer 2022; 126:57-71. [PMID: 34718356 PMCID: PMC8727631 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01596-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis. By performing multiomic profiling, we recently uncovered super-enhancer heterogeneity between breast cancer subtypes. Our data also revealed TCOF1 as a putative TNBC-specific super-enhancer-regulated gene. TCOF1 plays a critical role in craniofacial development but its function in cancer remains unclear. METHODS Overall survival and multivariant Cox regression analyses were conducted using the METABRIC data set. The effect of TCOF1 knockout on TNBC growth and stemness was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo assays. RNA-seq and rescue experiments were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS TCOF1 is frequently upregulated in TNBC and its elevated expression correlates with shorter overall survival. TCOF1 depletion significantly inhibits the growth and stemness of basal-like TNBC, but not of mesenchymal-like cells, highlighting the distinct molecular dependency in different TNBC subgroups. RNA-seq uncovers several stem cell molecules regulated by TCOF1. We further demonstrate that KIT is a downstream effector of TCOF1 in mediating TNBC stemness. TCOF1 expression in TNBC is regulated by the predicted super-enhancer. CONCLUSIONS TCOF1 depletion potently attenuates the growth and stemness of basal-like TNBC. Expression of TCOF1 may serve as a TNBC prognostic marker and a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyang Hu
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuni Lai
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Hao Huang
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Saravanan Ramakrishnan
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Yilin Pan
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Victor W S Ma
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Wah Cheuk
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Grace Y K So
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Qingling He
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - C Geoffrey Lau
- Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Liang Zhang
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - William C S Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Kui Ming Chan
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Y Rebecca Chin
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
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22
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Zhang Y, Wei YJ, Zhang YF, Liu HW, Zhang YF. Emerging Functions and Clinical Applications of Exosomal ncRNAs in Ovarian Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:765458. [PMID: 34804970 PMCID: PMC8604153 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.765458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the deadliest gynecological malignancies worldwide and has a high mortality rate. Its dismal prognosis is closely related to late diagnosis and drug resistance. Exosomes are a novel means of intercellular communication that are involved in the genesis and development of tumors by delivering a variety of biologically active molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. As an important component, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are selectively enriched in exosomes and participate in the regulation of specific aspects of OC development, such as proliferation, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, immune escape, and treatment resistance. Therefore, strategies that specifically target exosomal ncRNAs may be attractive therapeutic options. Exosomes are readily available in almost all types of human biological fluids and are biocompatible, making them promising biomarkers of OC as well as targets for therapeutic applications. In this review, we briefly summarize the biology of exosomes, the function of exosomal ncRNAs in OC development, and their potential clinical applications as biomarkers and therapeutic tools. Ideally, exosomal ncRNAs will become increasingly valuable in the diagnosis and treatment of OC in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yi-Jing Wei
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yi-Fei Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hao-Wen Liu
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yin-Feng Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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Mendoza-Martinez AK, Loessner D, Mata A, Azevedo HS. Modeling the Tumor Microenvironment of Ovarian Cancer: The Application of Self-Assembling Biomaterials. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5745. [PMID: 34830897 PMCID: PMC8616551 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is one of the leading causes of gynecologic malignancies. Despite treatment with surgery and chemotherapy, OvCa disseminates and recurs frequently, reducing the survival rate for patients. There is an urgent need to develop more effective treatment options for women diagnosed with OvCa. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a key driver of disease progression, metastasis and resistance to treatment. For this reason, 3D models have been designed to represent this specific niche and allow more realistic cell behaviors compared to conventional 2D approaches. In particular, self-assembling peptides represent a promising biomaterial platform to study tumor biology. They form nanofiber networks that resemble the architecture of the extracellular matrix and can be designed to display mechanical properties and biochemical motifs representative of the TME. In this review, we highlight the properties and benefits of emerging 3D platforms used to model the ovarian TME. We also outline the challenges associated with using these 3D systems and provide suggestions for future studies and developments. We conclude that our understanding of OvCa and advances in materials science will progress the engineering of novel 3D approaches, which will enable the development of more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Karen Mendoza-Martinez
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK;
- Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Daniela Loessner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia;
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V., 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Alvaro Mata
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK;
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Helena S. Azevedo
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK;
- Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
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Mani C, Tripathi K, Omy TR, Reedy M, Manne U, Palle K. GLI1-targeting drugs induce replication stress and homologous recombination deficiency and synergize with PARP-targeted therapies in triple negative breast cancer cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1868:166300. [PMID: 34748904 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive and highly metastatic subtype of breast cancer. Glioma-associated oncogene 1 (GLI1) is a transcription factor and effector of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, and is predictive of poor survival for TNBC patients. A nanostring DNA Damage Response (DDR) mRNA panel was used to identify GLI1-induced regulation of DDR genes. Western blots, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate protein expression. Colony assays and mammosphere formation assays were utilized to assess survival of cancer cells. Flow cytometry analyses were employed to evaluate changes in the cell cycle profile, and DNA fiber assays were used to analyze alterations in replication dynamics in TNBC cells. The UALCAN portal and Ensemble programs were used for computational analysis of TCGA data. CompuSyn software was used to calculate combination index (CI) values to assess synergism in drug combination experiments. Inhibition of GLI1 in TNBC cells transcriptionally downregulate expression of FANCD2 and its foci formation, and causes a homologous recombination repair (HR) deficiency. As HR-deficient cancer cells are sensitive to PARP-targeted therapies, we evaluated a combination of the GLI1 inhibitor, GANT61, and a PARP inhibitor (olaparib) in TNBC cells. Combination of GANT61 and olaparib elevated DNA damage levels and these drug combinations caused synergistic lethality to TNBC cells. Aberrantly activated GLI1 regulates HR-mediated DNA repair by transcriptionally regulating FANCD2 to overcome chemotherapy-induced replication stress and DNA damage, and it contributes to resistance of TNBC cells to therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinnadurai Mani
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.
| | - Kaushlendra Tripathi
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36904, USA
| | - Tasmin R Omy
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Mark Reedy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Upender Manne
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Komaraiah Palle
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.
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Gorczyca G, Wartalski K, Wiater J, Samiec M, Tabarowski Z, Duda M. Anabolic Steroids-Driven Regulation of Porcine Ovarian Putative Stem Cells Favors the Onset of Their Neoplastic Transformation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111800. [PMID: 34769230 PMCID: PMC8583785 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nandrolone (Ndn) and boldenone (Bdn), the synthetic testosterone analogues with strong anabolic effects, despite being recognized as potentially carcinogenic compounds, are commonly abused by athletes and bodybuilders, which includes women, worldwide. This study tested the hypothesis that different doses of Ndn and Bdn can initiate neoplastic transformation of porcine ovarian putative stem cells (poPSCs). Immunomagnetically isolated poPSCs were expanded ex vivo in the presence of Ndn or Bdn, for 7 and 14 days. Results show that pharmacological doses of both Ndn and Bdn, already after 7 days of poPSCs culture, caused a significant increase of selected, stemness-related markers of cancer cells: CD44 and CD133. Notably, Ndn also negatively affected poPSCs growth not only by suppressing their proliferation and mitochondrial respiration but also by inducing apoptosis. This observation shows, for the first time, that chronic exposure to Ndn or Bdn represents a precondition that might enhance risk of poPSCs neoplastic transformation. These studies carried out to accomplish detailed molecular characterization of the ex vivo expanded poPSCs and their potentially cancerous derivatives (PCDs) might be helpful to determine their suitability as nuclear donor cells (NDCs) for further investigations focused on cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Such investigations might also be indispensable to estimate the capabilities of nuclear genomes inherited from poPSCs and their PCDs to be epigenetically reprogrammed (dedifferentiated) in cloned pig embryos generated by SCNT. This might open up new possibilities for biomedical research aimed at more comprehensively recognizing genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying not only tumorigenesis but also reversal/retardation of pro-tumorigenic intracellular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Gorczyca
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9 Street, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Kamil Wartalski
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7 Street, 31-034 Krakow, Poland; (K.W.); (J.W.)
| | - Jerzy Wiater
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7 Street, 31-034 Krakow, Poland; (K.W.); (J.W.)
| | - Marcin Samiec
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology and Cryoconservation, National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krakowska 1 Street, 32-083 Balice near Kraków, Poland
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (M.D.)
| | - Zbigniew Tabarowski
- Department of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9 Street, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Duda
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9 Street, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (M.D.)
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26
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Huang X, Dong H, Liu Y, Yu F, Yang S, Chen Z, Li J. Silencing of let-7b-5p inhibits ovarian cancer cell proliferation and stemness characteristics by Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp-box helicase 19A. Bioengineered 2021; 12:7666-7677. [PMID: 34612147 PMCID: PMC8806929 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1982276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence and recurrence of ovarian cancer are associated with ovarian cancer stem cells. For cancer treatment, gene delivery of microbubbles (MB)-mediated microRNA (miRNA) is considered as a promising approach. In this study, our aim is to investigate the effects of MB-mediated let-7b-5p inhibitor on the proliferation and stemness characteristics of ovarian cancer (OVCA) cells. Let-7b-5p inhibitor mediated by MB was prepared (termed MB-let-7b-5p inhibitor), and the effects of MB-let-7b-5p inhibitor and let-7b-5p inhibitor on OVCA cell viability, proliferation and stemness characteristics were investigated. We found that MB-let-7b-5p inhibitor presented a higher transfection efficiency than let-7b-5p inhibitor alone. The inhibitory effect of MB-let-7b-5p inhibitor on OVCA cells was more significant than let-7b-5p inhibitor. Let-7b-5p targeted DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp)-box helicase 19A (DDX19A), which was downregulated in OVCA cells. The downregulation of DDX19A reversed the inhibitory effects of MB-let-7b-5p inhibitor on OVCA cells. To sum up, we found that MB-let-7b-5p suppressed OVCA cell malignant behaviors by targeting DDX19A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Huang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Hubei, China
| | - Hongxia Dong
- Department of Ultrasound, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Hubei, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Hubei, China
| | - Fen Yu
- Department of Ultrasound, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Hubei, China
| | - Shunshi Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Hubei, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Emergency, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Hubei, China
| | - Jueying Li
- Department of Ultrasound, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Hubei, China
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NK Cell-Mediated Eradication of Ovarian Cancer Cells with a Novel Chimeric Antigen Receptor Directed against CD44. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101339. [PMID: 34680456 PMCID: PMC8533227 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of gynecological cancer-related death in the developed world. Disease recurrence and chemoresistance are major causes of poor survival rates in ovarian cancer patients. Ovarian cancer stem cells (CSCs) were shown to represent a source of tumor recurrence owing to the high resistance to chemotherapy and enhanced tumorigenicity. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based adoptive immunotherapy represents a promising strategy to reduce the risk for recurrent disease. In this study, we developed a codon-optimized third-generation CAR to specifically target CD44, a marker widely expressed on ovarian cancer cells and associated with CSC-like properties and intraperitoneal tumor spread. We equipped NK-92 cells with the anti-CD44 CAR (CD44NK) and an anti-CD19 control CAR (CD19NK) using lentiviral SIN vectors. Compared to CD19NK and untransduced NK-92 cells, CD44NK showed potent and specific cytotoxic activity against CD44-positive ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3 and OVCAR3) and primary ovarian cancer cells harvested from ascites. In contrast, CD44NK had less cytotoxic activity against CD44-negative A2780 cells. Specific activation of engineered NK cells was also demonstrated by interferon-γ (IFNγ) secretion assays. Furthermore, CD44NK cells still demonstrated cytotoxic activity under cisplatin treatment. Most importantly, the simultaneous treatment with CD44NK and cisplatin showed higher anti-tumor activity than sequential treatment.
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Nowicki A, Kulus M, Wieczorkiewicz M, Pieńkowski W, Stefańska K, Skupin-Mrugalska P, Bryl R, Mozdziak P, Kempisty B, Piotrowska-Kempisty H. Ovarian Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells-Cellular and Molecular Characteristics, Signaling Pathways, and Usefulness as a Diagnostic Tool in Medicine and Oncology. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164178. [PMID: 34439332 PMCID: PMC8394875 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ovarian cancer is still a high-risk, metastatic disease, often diagnosed at a late stage. Difficulties in its treatment are associated with high resistance to chemotherapy and recurrence. Responsible for the malignant features of cancer are considered to be cancer stem cells (CSCs), which generate new cells by modifying various signaling pathways. Signaling pathways are crucial for the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and self-renewal of CSCs. New therapies based on the use of inhibitors that block CSC growth and proliferation signals are being investigated. The current histological classification of ovarian tumors, their epidemiology, and the recent knowledge of ovarian CSCs, with particular emphasis on their molecular basis, are important considerations. Abstract Despite the increasing development of medicine, ovarian cancer is still a high-risk, metastatic disease that is often diagnosed at a late stage. In addition, difficulties in its treatment are associated with high resistance to chemotherapy and frequent relapse. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), recently attracting significant scientific interest, are considered to be responsible for the malignant features of tumors. CSCs, as the driving force behind tumor development, generate new cells by modifying different signaling pathways. Moreover, investigations on different types of tumors have shown that signaling pathways are key to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulation, metastasis, and self-renewal of CSCs. Based on these established issues, new therapies are being investigated based on the use of inhibitors to block CSC growth and proliferation signals. Many reports indicate that CSC markers play a key role in cancer metastasis, with hopes placed in their targeting to block this process and eliminate relapses. Current histological classification of ovarian tumors, their epidemiology, and the most recent knowledge of ovarian CSCs, with particular emphasis on their molecular background, are important aspects for consideration. Furthermore, the importance of signaling pathways involved in tumor growth, development, and metastasis, is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Nowicki
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-631 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Kulus
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland; (M.K.); (B.K.)
| | - Maria Wieczorkiewicz
- Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
| | - Wojciech Pieńkowski
- Division of Perinatology and Women’s Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Stefańska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Paulina Skupin-Mrugalska
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-780 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Rut Bryl
- Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Paul Mozdziak
- Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA;
| | - Bartosz Kempisty
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland; (M.K.); (B.K.)
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland;
- Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland;
- Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA;
| | - Hanna Piotrowska-Kempisty
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-631 Poznan, Poland;
- Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
- Correspondence:
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Bindhya S, Sidhanth C, Krishnapriya S, Garg M, Ganesan TS. Development and in vitro characterisation of an induced pluripotent stem cell model of ovarian cancer. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2021; 138:106051. [PMID: 34343671 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.106051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer recurs despite advances in treatment and is due to drug resistance. The persistence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is one of the causes. It has been challenging to maintain CSCs long term in culture from primary malignant cells. Reprogramming cancer cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could be an approach to achieve this. An ovarian cancer cell line, PEO4, was initially reprogrammed into iPSCs using the classical four factors OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and MYC (OSKM) using lentivirus transduction. The PEO4-OSKM-cells had all the hallmarks of iPSCs. As MYC is oncogenic, we have replaced it with GLIS1 and show that PEO4 cells could be transformed into iPSCs. The transfection efficiency was two-fold better with OCT4-SOX2-KLF4-GLIS1 (OSKG) with larger colonies. Further, normal fallopian tube epithelial cells were also transformed using OSKG into iPSCs. iPSCs expressed CSCs markers such as CD133, EPHA1, ALDH1A1 and LGR5 prominently and were more resistant to cisplatin and taxol as compared to parental PEO4 cells. PEO4-OSKM-iPSCs cells formed more colonies in a clonogenic assay as compared to PEO4-OSKG-iPSCs and parental cells. These results provide a first insight that both an ovarian cancer cell line and fallopian tube epithelial cells can be reprogrammed and GLIS1 can successfully replace MYC as a transcription factor. This in vitro model is useful for future experiments to understand the characteristics of CSCs in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bindhya
- Laboratory for Cancer Biology, Department of Medical Oncology and Clinical Research, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, India
| | - C Sidhanth
- Laboratory for Cancer Biology, Department of Medical Oncology and Clinical Research, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, India
| | - S Krishnapriya
- Laboratory for Cancer Biology, Department of Medical Oncology and Clinical Research, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, India
| | - Manoj Garg
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - T S Ganesan
- Laboratory for Cancer Biology, Department of Medical Oncology and Clinical Research, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, India.
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Motohara T, Yoshida GJ, Katabuchi H. The hallmarks of ovarian cancer stem cells and niches: Exploring their harmonious interplay in therapy resistance. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 77:182-193. [PMID: 33812986 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The concept of a "cancer stem cell" has evolved over the past decades, and research on cancer stem cell biology has entered into a stage of remarkable progress. Cancer stem cells are a major determining factor contributing to the establishment of phenotypic and functional intratumoral heterogeneity in synchronization with their surrounding "cancer stem cell niches." They serve as the driving force for cancer initiation, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance in various types of malignancies. In verity, reciprocal interplay between ovarian cancer stem cells and their niches involves a complex but ingeniously orchestrated tumor microenvironment within the intraperitoneal milieu and especially contribute to chemotherapy resistance in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Herein, we review the principles of our current understanding of the biological features of ovarian cancer stem cells, focusing mainly on the precise mechanisms underlying acquired chemotherapy resistance. Furthermore, we highlight the specific roles of various cancer-associated stromal and immune cells in creating possible cancer stem cell niches that regulate ovarian cancer stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Motohara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.
| | - Go J Yoshida
- Department of Immunological Diagnosis, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Katabuchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
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Chesnokov MS, Khan I, Park Y, Ezell J, Mehta G, Yousif A, Hong LJ, Buckanovich RJ, Takahashi A, Chefetz I. The MEK1/2 Pathway as a Therapeutic Target in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1369. [PMID: 33803586 PMCID: PMC8003094 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the deadliest of gynecological cancers due to its high recurrence rate and acquired chemoresistance. RAS/MEK/ERK pathway activation is linked to cell proliferation and therapeutic resistance, but the role of MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway in HGSOC is poorly investigated. We evaluated MEK1/2 pathway activity in clinical HGSOC samples and ovarian cancer cell lines using immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and RT-qPCR. HGSOC cell lines were used to assess immediate and lasting effects of MEK1/2 inhibition with trametinib in vitro. Trametinib effect on tumor growth in vivo was investigated using mouse xenografts. MEK1/2 pathway is hyperactivated in HGSOC and is further stimulated by cisplatin treatment. Trametinib treatment causes cell cycle arrest in G1/0-phase and reduces tumor growth rate in vivo but does not induce cell death or reduce fraction of CD133+ stem-like cells, while increasing expression of stemness-associated genes instead. Transient trametinib treatment causes long-term increase in a subpopulation of cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)1 activity that can survive and grow in non-adherent conditions. We conclude that MEK1/2 inhibition may be a promising approach to suppress ovarian cancer growth as a maintenance therapy. Promotion of stem-like properties upon MEK1/2 inhibition suggests a possible mechanism of resistance, so a combination with CSC-targeting drugs should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail S. Chesnokov
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA; (M.S.C.); (I.K.); (A.Y.); (A.T.)
| | - Imran Khan
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA; (M.S.C.); (I.K.); (A.Y.); (A.T.)
| | - Yeonjung Park
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (Y.P.); (J.E.); (R.J.B.)
| | - Jessica Ezell
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (Y.P.); (J.E.); (R.J.B.)
| | - Geeta Mehta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Abdelrahman Yousif
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA; (M.S.C.); (I.K.); (A.Y.); (A.T.)
| | - Linda J. Hong
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA;
| | - Ronald J. Buckanovich
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (Y.P.); (J.E.); (R.J.B.)
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Akimasa Takahashi
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA; (M.S.C.); (I.K.); (A.Y.); (A.T.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga 5202152, Japan
| | - Ilana Chefetz
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA; (M.S.C.); (I.K.); (A.Y.); (A.T.)
- Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Shivdas S, Rajatharangani T, Rathod PS, Pallavi VR, Bafna UD, Vijay CR, Shobha K, Kundargi R. A Prospective Study on Metronomic Scheduling of Non-chemotherapeutic Drugs in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancers. Indian J Surg Oncol 2021; 12:127-132. [PMID: 33814842 PMCID: PMC7960812 DOI: 10.1007/s13193-020-01261-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study are to assess the role of non-chemotherapeutic combination of drugs as maintenance therapy, after standard treatment, for advanced epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC) and to determine the recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). One hundred women with advanced high-grade EOC who had completed standard treatment by primary/interval debulking surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy were randomised to either receive (study group) or not to receive (control group) the non-chemotherapeutic maintenance therapy (oral metformin, anastrozole, aspirin, atorvastatin, vitamin D, injection zoledronic acid). Both groups were followed up, and trends of RFS and CSS were analysed. One hundred patients were analysed. Median RFS was 18 months (95% CI: 13-24) in study group versus 16 (95% CI: 14-20) in the control group (P value = 0.57). Median CSS in the study group was lesser than that in the control group (47 months (95% CI: 31-68) versus 51 (95% CI: 32-66), P value = 0.76). Five-year CSS was not significantly different between the groups (47% study vs 40% control, P value = 0.51). The use of combination of non-chemotherapeutic drugs as maintenance therapy was found to have no significant impact on the survival or reduction of recurrences in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13193-020-01261-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruthi Shivdas
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology campus, No. 5, AB Type, Block- 1, Dr M H Marigowda Road, Bangalore, 560029 India
| | - T. Rajatharangani
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology campus, No. 5, AB Type, Block- 1, Dr M H Marigowda Road, Bangalore, 560029 India
| | - Praveen S. Rathod
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology campus, No. 5, AB Type, Block- 1, Dr M H Marigowda Road, Bangalore, 560029 India
| | - V. R. Pallavi
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology campus, No. 5, AB Type, Block- 1, Dr M H Marigowda Road, Bangalore, 560029 India
| | - Uttam D. Bafna
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology campus, No. 5, AB Type, Block- 1, Dr M H Marigowda Road, Bangalore, 560029 India
| | - C. R. Vijay
- Department of Biostatistics, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India
| | - K. Shobha
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology campus, No. 5, AB Type, Block- 1, Dr M H Marigowda Road, Bangalore, 560029 India
| | - Rajashekar Kundargi
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology campus, No. 5, AB Type, Block- 1, Dr M H Marigowda Road, Bangalore, 560029 India
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Harris KS, Shi L, Foster BM, Mobley ME, Elliott PL, Song CJ, Watabe K, Langefeld CD, Kerr BA. CD117/c-kit defines a prostate CSC-like subpopulation driving progression and TKI resistance. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1465. [PMID: 33446896 PMCID: PMC7809150 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81126-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are associated with cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence, and may also represent a subset of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). In our prior study, CTCs in advanced prostate cancer patients were found to express CD117/c-kit in a liquid biopsy. Whether CD117 expression played an active or passive role in the aggressiveness and migration of these CTCs remained an open question. In this study, we show that CD117 expression in prostate cancer patients is associated with decreased overall and progression-free survival and that activation and phosphorylation of CD117 increases in prostate cancer patients with higher Gleason grades. To determine how CD117 expression and activation by its ligand stem cell factor (SCF, kit ligand, steel factor) alter prostate cancer aggressiveness, we used C4-2 and PC3-mm human prostate cancer cells, which contain a CD117+ subpopulation. We demonstrate that CD117+ cells display increased proliferation and migration. In prostaspheres, CD117 expression enhances sphere formation. In both 2D and 3D cultures, stemness marker gene expression is higher in CD117+ cells. Using xenograft limiting dilution assays and serial tumor initiation assays, we show that CD117+ cells represent a CSC population. Combined, these data indicate that CD117 expression potentially promotes tumor initiation and metastasis. Further, in cell lines, CD117 activation by SCF promotes faster proliferation and invasiveness, while blocking CD117 activation with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) decreased progression in a context-dependent manner. We demonstrate that CD117 expression and activation drives prostate cancer aggressiveness through the CSC phenotype and TKI resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koran S Harris
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Lihong Shi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Brittni M Foster
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Mary E Mobley
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Phyllis L Elliott
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Conner J Song
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Kounosuke Watabe
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.,Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Carl D Langefeld
- Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Bethany A Kerr
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA. .,Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA. .,Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
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Martincuks A, Li PC, Zhao Q, Zhang C, Li YJ, Yu H, Rodriguez-Rodriguez L. CD44 in Ovarian Cancer Progression and Therapy Resistance-A Critical Role for STAT3. Front Oncol 2020; 10:589601. [PMID: 33335857 PMCID: PMC7736609 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.589601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress in cancer therapy over the last decades, ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecologic malignancy worldwide with the five-year overall survival rate less than 30% due to frequent disease recurrence and chemoresistance. CD44 is a non-kinase transmembrane receptor that has been linked to cancer metastatic progression, cancer stem cell maintenance, and chemoresistance development via multiple mechanisms across many cancers, including ovarian, and represents a promising therapeutic target for ovarian cancer treatment. Moreover, CD44-mediated signaling interacts with other well-known pro-tumorigenic pathways and oncogenes during cancer development, such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Given that both CD44 and STAT3 are strongly implicated in the metastatic progression and chemoresistance of ovarian tumors, this review summarizes currently available evidence about functional crosstalk between CD44 and STAT3 in human malignancies with an emphasis on ovarian cancer. In addition to the role of tumor cell-intrinsic CD44 and STAT3 interaction in driving cancer progression and metastasis, we discuss how CD44 and STAT3 support the pro-tumorigenic tumor microenvironment and promote tumor angiogenesis, immunosuppression, and cancer metabolic reprogramming in favor of cancer progression. Finally, we review the current state of therapeutic CD44 targeting and propose superior treatment possibilities for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antons Martincuks
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Pei-Chuan Li
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Qianqian Zhao
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Chunyan Zhang
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Yi-Jia Li
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Hua Yu
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United States
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Behera A, Ashraf R, Srivastava AK, Kumar S. Bioinformatics analysis and verification of molecular targets in ovarian cancer stem-like cells. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04820. [PMID: 32984578 PMCID: PMC7492822 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a lethal and aggressive gynecological malignancy. Despite recent advances, existing therapies are challenged by a high relapse rate, eventually resulting in disease recurrence and chemoresistance. Emerging evidence indicates that a subpopulation of cells known as cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) exists with non-tumorigenic cancer cells (non-CSCs) within a bulk tumor and is thought to be responsible for tumor recurrence and drug-resistance. Therefore, identifying the molecular drivers for cancer stem cells (CSCs) is critical for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of EOC. METHODS Two gene datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database based on our search criteria. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in both datasets were obtained by the GEO2R web tool. Based on log2 (fold change) >2, the top thirteen up-regulated genes and log2 (fold change) < -1.5 top thirteen down-regulated genes were selected, and the association between their expressions and overall survival was analyzed by OncoLnc web tool. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Reactome pathways analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were performed for all the common DEGs found in both datasets. SK-OV-3 cells were cultured in an adherent culture medium and spheroids were generated in suspension culture with CSCs specific medium. RNA from both cell population was extracted to validate the selected DEGs expression by q-PCR. Growth inhibition assay was performed in SK-OV-3 cells after carboplatin treatment. RESULTS A total of 200 DEGs, 117 up-regulated and 83 down-regulated genes were commonly identified in both datasets. Analysis of pathways and enrichment tests indicated that the extracellular matrix part, cell proliferation, tissue development, and molecular function regulation were enriched in CSCs. Biological pathways such as interferon-alpha/beta signaling, molecules associated with elastic fibers, and synthesis of bile acids and bile salts were significantly enriched in CSCs. Among the top 13 up-regulated and down-regulated genes, MMP1 and PPFIBP1 expression were associated with overall survival. Higher expression of ADM, CXCR4, LGR5, and PTGS2 in carboplatin treated SK-OV-3 cells indicate a potential role in drug resistance. CONCLUSIONS The molecular signature and signaling pathways enriched in ovarian CSCs were identified by bioinformatics analysis. This analysis could provide further research ideas to find the new mechanism and novel potential therapeutic targets for ovarian CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijeet Behera
- Division of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Rahail Ashraf
- Division of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Amit Kumar Srivastava
- Cancer Biology & Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, WB, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Division of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Dzobo K, Senthebane DA, Ganz C, Thomford NE, Wonkam A, Dandara C. Advances in Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer Stem Cells within the Tumor Microenvironment: An Updated Review. Cells 2020; 9:E1896. [PMID: 32823711 PMCID: PMC7464860 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite great strides being achieved in improving cancer patients' outcomes through better therapies and combinatorial treatment, several hurdles still remain due to therapy resistance, cancer recurrence and metastasis. Drug resistance culminating in relapse continues to be associated with fatal disease. The cancer stem cell theory posits that tumors are driven by specialized cancer cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are a subpopulation of cancer cells known to be resistant to therapy and cause metastasis. Whilst the debate on whether CSCs are the origins of the primary tumor rages on, CSCs have been further characterized in many cancers with data illustrating that CSCs display great abilities to self-renew, resist therapies due to enhanced epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) properties, enhanced expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporters, activation of several survival signaling pathways and increased immune evasion as well as DNA repair mechanisms. CSCs also display great heterogeneity with the consequential lack of specific CSC markers presenting a great challenge to their targeting. In this updated review we revisit CSCs within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and present novel treatment strategies targeting CSCs. These promising strategies include targeting CSCs-specific properties using small molecule inhibitors, immunotherapy, microRNA mediated inhibitors, epigenetic methods as well as targeting CSC niche-microenvironmental factors and differentiation. Lastly, we present recent clinical trials undertaken to try to turn the tide against cancer by targeting CSC-associated drug resistance and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Dzobo
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Wernher and Beit Building (South), UCT Medical Campus, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (D.A.S.); (C.G.)
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Dimakatso Alice Senthebane
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Wernher and Beit Building (South), UCT Medical Campus, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (D.A.S.); (C.G.)
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Chelene Ganz
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Wernher and Beit Building (South), UCT Medical Campus, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (D.A.S.); (C.G.)
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Nicholas Ekow Thomford
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (N.E.T.); (A.W.); (C.D.)
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Ambroise Wonkam
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (N.E.T.); (A.W.); (C.D.)
| | - Collet Dandara
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (N.E.T.); (A.W.); (C.D.)
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Bouberhan S, Philp L, Hill S, Al-Alem LF, Rueda B. Exploiting the Prevalence of Homologous Recombination Deficiencies in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1206. [PMID: 32403357 PMCID: PMC7281458 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) remains the most lethal gynecologic cancer in the United States. Genomic analysis revealed roughly half of HGSOC display homologous repair deficiencies. An improved understanding of the genomic and somatic mutations that influence DNA repair led to the development of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors for the treatment of ovarian cancer. In this review, we explore the preclinical and clinical studies that led to the development of FDA approved drugs that take advantage of the synthetic lethality concept, the implementation of the early phase trials, the development of companion diagnostics and proposed mechanisms of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bouberhan
- Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lauren Philp
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sarah Hill
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Linah F. Al-Alem
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bo Rueda
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Abstract
Introduction: Ovarian carcinoma (OC) is the leading cause of death in women with gynecologic cancers. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage with a low five-year survival rate of 20-30%. Discovering novel biomarkers for early detection and outcome prediction of OC is an urgent medical need. miRNAs, a group of small non-coding RNAs, play critical roles in multiple biologic processes and cancer pathogenesis.Areas covered: We provide an in-depth look at the functions of miRNAs in OC, particularly focusing on their roles in chemoresistance and metastasis in OC. We also discuss the biological and clinical significance of miRNAs in exosomes and expand on long non-coding RNA which acts as ceRNA of miRNAs.Expert opinion: miRNAs participate in many biological processes including proliferation, apoptosis, chemoresistance, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and cancer stem cell. They will substantially contribute to our understanding of OC pathogenesis. Given their resistance to the degradation of ribonucleases and availability in plasma exosomes, miRNAs may serve as emerging biomarkers for cancer detection, therapeutic assessment, and prognostic prediction. Being a messenger, exosomal miRNAs are crucial for the crosstalk between cancer cells and stromal cells in tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huilin Zhang
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Bingjian Lu
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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Gao Y, Li H, Han Q, Li Y, Wang T, Huang C, Mao Y, Wang X, Zhang Q, Tian J, Irwin DM, Tan H, Guo H. Overexpression of DUSP6 enhances chemotherapy-resistance of ovarian epithelial cancer by regulating the ERK signaling pathway. J Cancer 2020; 11:3151-3164. [PMID: 32231719 PMCID: PMC7097933 DOI: 10.7150/jca.37267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: DUSP6 is a negative regulator of the ERK signaling pathway and plays an important role in chemotherapy-resistance. Previously we showed that DUSP6 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer side population (SP) cells that possess cancer stem cell-like properties and are quiescent and chemotherapy-resistant. Here, we explore the effects of DUSP6 on chemotherapy-resistance by examining its regulation of the ERK signaling pathway and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Methods: mRNA and protein expression of DUSP6 and G0/G1 cell cycle checkpoint regulating proteins (CyclinD1, CyclinD3 and CyclinE2) was evaluated among ovarian cancer cell lines and tissue samples. Ovarian cancer cells were transiently transfected to overexpress DUSP6. After treatment with cisplatin, cell viability was measured by the MTS assay at 48 hours and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for each cell line was calculated. Subcellular localization and cell cycle analysis were determined by using immunofluorescence and FACS, respectively. Results: SKOV3 and OVCAR8 SP cells were shown to express higher levels of DUSP6 and lower levels of CyclinD3 compared with non-SP (NSP) cells (P<0.001). Among 39 ovarian cancer tissue samples, expression of DUSP6 in the chemotherapy-resistant group (12 samples) was higher than in the chemotherapy-sensitive group (27 samples) (P<0.05). While a lower level of expression of CyclinD3 was seen in the chemotherapy-resistant group, it was not statistically different from the chemotherapy-sensitive group. HO8910 cells where shown to have higher IC50 to cisplatin than SKOV3 or OVCAR8 cells, and this correlated with higher levels of DUSP6 expression. Overexpression of DUSP6 in SKOV3 cells led to an increase in cisplatin IC50 values (P<0.05), and also markedly reduced the expression levels of phospho-ERK1/2 and CyclinD3 and to the predominance of cells in the G0/G1 phase. Conclusion: Our findings reveal an enhancement of chemotherapy-resistance and a predominance of cells in G1 cell cycle arrest in DUSP6-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells. This suggests that overexpression of DUSP6 promotes chemotherapy-resistance through the negative regulation of the ERK signaling pathway, increasing the G0/G1 phase ratio among ovarian cancer cells, and leading to cellular quiescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing
| | - Qing Han
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing
| | - Tongxia Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing
| | - Cuiyu Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing
| | - Yiqing Mao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing
| | - Qun Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing
| | - Junrui Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing
| | - David M Irwin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Huanran Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing
| | - Hongyan Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing
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Huang W, Li BR, Feng H. PLAG1 silencing promotes cell chemosensitivity in ovarian cancer via the IGF2 signaling pathway. Int J Mol Med 2020; 45:703-714. [PMID: 31922228 PMCID: PMC7015041 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal gynecological diseases. Novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for OC are urgently required. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms that govern how pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1) influences the biological processes and chemosensitivity of OC cells via the insulin‑like growth factor‑2 (IGF2) signaling pathway. Differentially expressed genes in OC were selected based on bioinformatics data. OC and adjacent tissue specimen were collected, followed by the determination of the expression of PLAG1 and IGF2 signaling pathway‑associated genes. The regulatory mechanisms of PLAG1 in OC cells were analyzed following treatment with pcDNA or small interfering RNA (siRNA), and included the assessment of cell proliferation, migration, invasion and cisplatin resistance. PLAG1 was identified as an upregulated gene in OC. OC tissues exhibited increased expression of PLAG1 and IGF2 compared with the controls. Moreover, PLAG1 was observed to positively regulate the IGF2 signaling pathway. The siRNA‑mediated silencing of PLAG1 resulted in decreased expression of IGF2, IGF1 receptor and insulin receptor substrate 1, as well as inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion and cisplatin resistance of OC cells. Furthermore, the effect of PLAG1 was dependent on IGF2. PLAG1 may therefore be considered as a possible target for the treatment of OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Department of Gynecology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410005, P.R. China
| | - Bi-Rong Li
- Department of Gynecology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410005, P.R. China
| | - Hao Feng
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410005, P.R. China
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Keyvani V, Farshchian M, Esmaeili SA, Yari H, Moghbeli M, Nezhad SRK, Abbaszadegan MR. Ovarian cancer stem cells and targeted therapy. J Ovarian Res 2019; 12:120. [PMID: 31810474 PMCID: PMC6896744 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-019-0588-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer has the highest ratio of mortality among gynecologic malignancies. Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatment options for ovarian cancer. However, tumor relapse in patients with advanced tumor stage is still a therapeutic challenge for its clinical management. Main body Therefore, it is required to clarify the molecular biology and mechanisms which are involved in chemo resistance to improve the survival rate of ovarian cancer patients. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a sub population of tumor cells which are related to drug resistance and tumor relapse. Conclusion In the present review, we summarized the recent findings about the role of CSCs in tumor relapse and drug resistance among ovarian cancer patients. Moreover, we focused on the targeted and combinational therapeutic methods against the ovarian CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahideh Keyvani
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Moein Farshchian
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Khorasan Razavi Branch, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed-Alireza Esmaeili
- Immunology Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hadi Yari
- Human Genetics Division, Medical Biotechnology Department, National Institute of Genetics Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
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Kaipio K, Chen P, Roering P, Huhtinen K, Mikkonen P, Östling P, Lehtinen L, Mansuri N, Korpela T, Potdar S, Hynninen J, Auranen A, Grénman S, Wennerberg K, Hautaniemi S, Carpén O. ALDH1A1-related stemness in high-grade serous ovarian cancer is a negative prognostic indicator but potentially targetable by EGFR/mTOR-PI3K/aurora kinase inhibitors. J Pathol 2019; 250:159-169. [PMID: 31595974 DOI: 10.1002/path.5356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Poor chemotherapy response remains a major treatment challenge for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC). Cancer stem cells are the major contributors to relapse and treatment failure as they can survive conventional therapy. Our objectives were to characterise stemness features in primary patient-derived cell lines, correlate stemness markers with clinical outcome and test the response of our cells to both conventional and exploratory drugs. Tissue and ascites samples, treatment-naive and/or after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, were prospectively collected. Primary cancer cells, cultured under conditions favouring either adherent or spheroid growth, were tested for stemness markers; the same markers were analysed in tissue and correlated with chemotherapy response and survival. Drug sensitivity and resistance testing was performed with 306 oncology compounds. Spheroid growth condition HGSC cells showed increased stemness marker expression (including aldehyde dehydrogenase isoform I; ALDH1A1) as compared with adherent growth condition cells, and increased resistance to platinum and taxane. A set of eight stemness markers separated treatment-naive tumours into two clusters and identified a distinct subgroup of HGSC with enriched stemness features. Expression of ALDH1A1, but not most other stemness markers, was increased after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and its expression in treatment-naive tumours correlated with chemoresistance and reduced survival. In drug sensitivity and resistance testing, five compounds, including two PI3K-mTOR inhibitors, demonstrated significant activity in both cell culture conditions. Thirteen compounds, including EGFR, PI3K-mTOR and aurora kinase inhibitors, were more toxic to spheroid cells than adherent cells. Our results identify stemness markers in HGSC that are associated with a decreased response to conventional chemotherapy and reduced survival if expressed by treatment-naive tumours. EGFR, mTOR-PI3K and aurora kinase inhibitors are candidates for targeting this cell population. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Kaipio
- Research Center for Cancer, Infections and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Ping Chen
- Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre (ICMC), Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Pia Roering
- Research Center for Cancer, Infections and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Kaisa Huhtinen
- Research Center for Cancer, Infections and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Piia Mikkonen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Östling
- Science for Life Laboratory Department of Oncology & Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura Lehtinen
- Research Center for Cancer, Infections and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Naziha Mansuri
- Research Center for Cancer, Infections and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Taina Korpela
- Research Center for Cancer, Infections and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Swapnil Potdar
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, High Throughput Biomedicine Unit (HTB), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Hynninen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Annika Auranen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Seija Grénman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Krister Wennerberg
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, High Throughput Biomedicine Unit (HTB), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sampsa Hautaniemi
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology and Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Carpén
- Research Center for Cancer, Infections and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology and Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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43
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Wnt Signaling in Ovarian Cancer Stemness, EMT, and Therapy Resistance. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8101658. [PMID: 31614568 PMCID: PMC6832489 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8101658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancers represent the deadliest among gynecologic malignancies and are characterized by a hierarchical structure with cancer stem cells (CSCs) endowed with self-renewal and the capacity to differentiate. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, known to regulate stemness in a broad spectrum of stem cell niches including the ovary, is thought to play an important role in ovarian cancer. Importantly, Wnt activity was shown to correlate with grade, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, chemotherapy resistance, and poor prognosis in ovarian cancer. This review will discuss the current knowledge of the role of Wnt signaling in ovarian cancer stemness, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and therapy resistance. In addition, the alleged role of exosomes in the paracrine activation of Wnt signaling and pre-metastatic niche formation will be reviewed. Finally, novel potential treatment options based on Wnt inhibition will be highlighted.
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44
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Guo F, Yang Z, Kulbe H, Albers AE, Sehouli J, Kaufmann AM. Inhibitory effect on ovarian cancer ALDH+ stem-like cells by Disulfiram and Copper treatment through ALDH and ROS modulation. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 118:109371. [PMID: 31545281 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disulfiram (DSF) is a drug used for treatment of alcoholism that has also displayed promising anti-cancer activity. It unfolds its effects by inhibiting the enzyme activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isoforms. METHODS MTT assay, spheroid formation, clonogenicity assay, qRT-PCR, and ALDH enzyme activity analysis were performed using ovarian cancer cell lines IGROV1, SKOV3 and SKOV3IP1. Cell cycle analyses and measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were carried out by flow cytometry. ALDH+ and ALDH- cells were isolated by FACS sorting. RESULTS ALDH activity was inhibited in ovarian cancer stem cells (the proportion of ALDH+ cells was reduced from 21.7% to 0.391%, 8.4% to 0%, 6.88% to 0.05% in cell lines IGROV1, SKOV3, and SKOV3IP1, respectively). DSF with or without the cofactor copper (Cu2+) exhibited cytotoxicity dose- and time-dependent and enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis. DSF + Cu2+ increased intracellular ROS levels triggering apoptosis of ovarian cancer stem cells (CSC). Significantly more colony and spheroid formation was observed in ALDH+ compared with ALDH- cells (P < 0.01). Moreover, ALDH+ cells were more resistant to cisplatin treatment compared with ALDH-cells (P < 0.05) and also exhibited a lower basal level of ROS. However, no significant difference in ROS accumulation nor in cellular viability was observed in ALDH + cells in comparison to ALDH- cells after pre-treatment with DSF (0.08 μM). CONCLUSION Our findings provide evidence that DSF might be employed as a novel adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent in combination with cisplatin for treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Guo
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zhi Yang
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hagen Kulbe
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas E Albers
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jalid Sehouli
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas M Kaufmann
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
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45
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Barbato L, Bocchetti M, Di Biase A, Regad T. Cancer Stem Cells and Targeting Strategies. Cells 2019; 8:cells8080926. [PMID: 31426611 PMCID: PMC6721823 DOI: 10.3390/cells8080926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance is a major problem in cancer therapy as cancer cells develop mechanisms that counteract the effect of chemotherapeutic compounds, leading to relapse and the development of more aggressive cancers that contribute to poor prognosis and survival rates of treated patients. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a key role in this event. Apart from their slow proliferative property, CSCs have developed a range of cellular processes that involve drug efflux, drug enzymatic inactivation and other mechanisms. In addition, the microenvironment where CSCs evolve (CSC niche), effectively contributes to their role in cancer initiation, progression and chemoresistance. In the CSC niche, immune cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), endothelial cells and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to the maintenance of CSC malignancy via the secretion of factors that promote cancer progression and resistance to chemotherapy. Due to these factors that hinder successful cancer therapies, CSCs are a subject of intense research that aims at better understanding of CSC behaviour and at developing efficient targeting therapies. In this review, we provide an overview of cancer stem cells, their role in cancer initiation, progression and chemoresistance, and discuss the progress that has been made in the development of CSC targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Barbato
- The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Marco Bocchetti
- The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Di Biase
- The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Tarik Regad
- The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK.
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Ovarian Cancer Stemness: Biological and Clinical Implications for Metastasis and Chemotherapy Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11070907. [PMID: 31261739 PMCID: PMC6678827 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11070907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer is a highly lethal gynecological malignancy that is characterized by the early development of disseminated metastasis. Though ovarian cancer has been generally considered to preferentially metastasize via direct transcoelomic dissemination instead of the hematogenous route, emerging evidence has indicated that the hematogenous spread of cancer cells plays a larger role in ovarian cancer metastasis than previously thought. Considering the distinctive biology of ovarian cancer, an in-depth understanding of the biological and molecular mechanisms that drive metastasis is critical for developing effective therapeutic strategies against this fatal disease. The recent “cancer stem cell theory” postulates that cancer stem cells are principally responsible for tumor initiation, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. Even though the hallmarks of ovarian cancer stem cells have not yet been completely elucidated, metastasized ovarian cancer cells, which have a high degree of chemoresistance, seem to manifest cancer stem cell properties and play a key role during relapse at metastatic sites. Herein, we review our current understanding of the cell-biological mechanisms that regulate ovarian cancer metastasis and chemotherapy resistance, with a pivotal focus on ovarian cancer stem cells, and discuss the potential clinical implications of evolving cancer stem cell research and resultant novel therapeutic approaches.
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47
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Targeting Mitochondria for Treatment of Chemoresistant Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20010229. [PMID: 30626133 PMCID: PMC6337358 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancy in the Western world. This is due, in part, to the fact that despite standard treatment of surgery and platinum/paclitaxel most patients recur with ultimately chemoresistant disease. Ovarian cancer is a unique form of solid tumor that develops, metastasizes and recurs in the same space, the abdominal cavity, which becomes a unique microenvironment characterized by ascites, hypoxia and low glucose levels. It is under these conditions that cancer cells adapt and switch to mitochondrial respiration, which becomes crucial to their survival, and therefore an ideal metabolic target for chemoresistant ovarian cancer. Importantly, independent of microenvironmental factors, mitochondria spatial redistribution has been associated to both tumor metastasis and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer while specific sets of genetic mutations have been shown to cause aberrant dependence on mitochondrial pathways in the most aggressive ovarian cancer subtypes. In this review we summarize on targeting mitochondria for treatment of chemoresistant ovarian cancer and current state of understanding of the role of mitochondria respiration in ovarian cancer. We feel this is an important and timely topic given that ovarian cancer remains the deadliest of the gynecological diseases, and that the mitochondrial pathway has recently emerged as critical in sustaining solid tumor progression.
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48
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Ruan Z, Yang X, Cheng W. OCT4 accelerates tumorigenesis through activating JAK/STAT signaling in ovarian cancer side population cells. Cancer Manag Res 2018; 11:389-399. [PMID: 30643464 PMCID: PMC6314052 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s180418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy eliminate clinically apparent ovarian tumor, the 5-year survival rate is no more than 45%. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified for precaution of tumor metastasis and recurrence in many kinds of cancers including ovarian cancer. AIM This study aims to explore the function of OCT4, a CSC marker, in ovarian cancer progression and to investigate its underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS By Hoechst side population (SP) technique, CSC-like SP cells from human ovarian cancer SKOV3 and A2780 cells were isolated and used for this study. shRNA and lentivirus targeting human OCT4 gene were used to knock down OCT4 in SP cells and upregulate OCT4 in non-SP (NSP) cells stably. Peficitinib was used to inhibit JAK/STAT signaling. Cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry, and in vivo xenograft model were used to evaluate the effects of OCT4/JAK/STAT on the viability, drug resistance, apoptosis, cycle, and tumorigenesis of the SP cells. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the location of STAT6. RESULTS Results showed that OCT4 was upregulated in the SP of SKOV3 and A2780 cells when compared with the NSP cells. Downregulation of OCT4 inhibited SP cell viability, tumorigenesis, and reduced cell drug resistance and induced a G2/M phase arrest, while upregulation of OCT4 conferred NSP cell malignant features. Besides, OCT4 upregulation in NSP cells increased the phosphorylated levels of proteins in JAK and STAT families, especially in JAK1 and STAT6. Furthermore, the roles of apoptosis inhibition and viability, invasion, and tumorigenesis promotions induced by OCT4 in NSP cells were all abolished when adding peficitinib. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that OCT4 accelerated ovarian cancer progression through activating JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyi Ruan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China,
| | - Xingyu Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China,
| | - Weiwei Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China,
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Alharbi M, Zuñiga F, Elfeky O, Guanzon D, Lai A, Rice GE, Perrin L, Hooper J, Salomon C. The potential role of miRNAs and exosomes in chemotherapy in ovarian cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2018; 25:R663-R685. [PMID: 30400025 DOI: 10.1530/erc-18-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chemoresistance is one of the major obstacles in the treatment of cancer patients. It poses a fundamental challenge to the effectiveness of chemotherapy and is often linked to relapse in patients. Chemoresistant cells can be identified in different types of cancers; however, ovarian cancer has one of the highest rates of chemoresistance-related relapse (50% of patients within 5 years). Resistance in cells can either develop through prolonged cycles of treatment or through intrinsic pathways. Mechanistically, the problem of drug resistance is complex mainly because numerous factors are involved, such as overexpression of drug efflux pumps, drug inactivation, DNA repair mechanisms and alterations to and/or mutations in the drug target. Additionally, there is strong evidence that circulating miRNAs participate in the development of chemoresistance. Recently, miRNAs have been identified in exosomes, where they are encapsulated and hence protected from degradation. These miRNAs within exosomes (exo-miRNAs) can regulate the gene expression of target cells both locally and systemically. Exo-miRNAs play an important role in disease progression and can potentially facilitate chemoresistance in cancer cells. In addition, and from a diagnostic perspective, exo-miRNAs profiles may contribute to the development of predictive models to identify responder and non-responder chemotherapy. Such model may also be used for monitoring treatment response and disease progression. Exo-miRNAs may ultimately serve as both a predictive biomarker for cancer response to therapy and as a prognostic marker for the development of chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, this review examines the potential role of exo-miRNAs in chemotherapy in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Alharbi
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Queensland, Australia
| | - Felipe Zuñiga
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Omar Elfeky
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Queensland, Australia
| | - Dominic Guanzon
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew Lai
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Queensland, Australia
| | - Gregory E Rice
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Queensland, Australia
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Lewis Perrin
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
- Mater Ovarian Cancer Research Collaborative, Mater Adult Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - John Hooper
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
- Mater Ovarian Cancer Research Collaborative, Mater Adult Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carlos Salomon
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Queensland, Australia
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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Zhao X, Cheng Z, Wang J. Long Noncoding RNA FEZF1-AS1 Promotes Proliferation and Inhibits Apoptosis in Ovarian Cancer by Activation of JAK-STAT3 Pathway. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:8088-8095. [PMID: 30416194 PMCID: PMC6243867 DOI: 10.12659/msm.911194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been acknowledged as important regulators in human cancers, including ovarian cancer. Several reports identified lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 as an oncogene in gastric cancer, colorectal carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the function of FEZF1-AS1 in ovarian cancer remains largely unknown. This study was aimed to investigate the role of FEZF1-AS1 in ovarian cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS FEZF1-AS1 expression levels in pairs of ovarian cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Kaplan-Meier curve analysis was used to determine the correlation between FEZF1-AS1 expression and prognosis in ovarian cancer patients. The effects of FEZF1-AS1 knockdown on ovarian cancer cell proliferation, cell-cycle, and apoptosis were analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) and Fluorescence activated Cell Sorting (FACS) assays. Western blot was utilized to assess the effect of FEZF1-AS1 on the activation of JAK-STAT3 pathway. RESULTS FEZF1-AS1 was overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Consistently, FEZF1-AS1 expression was also upregulated in ovarian cancer cell lines compared with normal cell line. Furthermore, higher expression of FEZF1-AS1 in ovarian cancer patients contributed to poorer prognosis. FEZF1-AS1 knockdown significantly suppressed the proliferation and promoted apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. In mechanism, FEZF1-AS1 regulated activation of JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway by modulating STAT3 phosphorylation. Knockdown of FEZF1-AS1 significantly impaired the phosphorylation of STAT3. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that FEZF1-AS1 exerted an oncogenic role in ovarian cancer via modulating JAK-STAT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The People's Hospital of Zhangqiu District, Jinan, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Zhaofang Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The People's Hospital of Zhangqiu District, Jinan, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zaozhuang Municipal Hospital, Zaozhuang, Shandong, China (mainland)
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