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Pothuraju R, Khan I, Jain M, Bouvet M, Malafa M, Roy HK, Kumar S, Batra SK. Colorectal cancer murine models: Initiation to metastasis. Cancer Lett 2024; 587:216704. [PMID: 38360138 PMCID: PMC11257378 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216704] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Despite significant advancements in prevention and treatment, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Animal models, including xenografts, syngeneic, and genetically engineered, have emerged as indispensable tools in cancer research. These models offer a valuable platform to address critical questions regarding molecular pathogenesis and test therapeutic interventions before moving on to clinical trials. Advancements in CRC animal models have also facilitated the advent of personalized and precision medicine. Patient-derived xenografts and genetically engineered mice that mirror features of human tumors allow for tailoring treatments to specific CRC subtypes, improving treatment outcomes and quality of life. To overcome the limitations of individual model systems, recent studies have employed a multi-modal approach, combining different animal models, 3D organoids, and in vitro studies. This integrative approach provides a comprehensive understanding of CRC biology, including the tumor microenvironment and therapeutic responses, driving the development of more effective and personalized therapeutic interventions. This review discusses the animal models used for CRC research, including recent advancements and limitations of these animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Pothuraju
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Imran Khan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, California, USA
| | - Mokenge Malafa
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Hemant K Roy
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX-77030, USA
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA.
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA.
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2
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Sun MA, Yang R, Liu H, Wang W, Song X, Hu B, Reynolds N, Roso K, Chen LH, Greer PK, Keir ST, McLendon RE, Cheng SY, Bigner DD, Ashley DM, Pirozzi CJ, He Y. Repurposing Clemastine to Target Glioblastoma Cell Stemness. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4619. [PMID: 37760589 PMCID: PMC10526458 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184619] [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: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumor-initiating cells (BTICs) and tumor cell plasticity promote glioblastoma (GBM) progression. Here, we demonstrate that clemastine, an over-the-counter drug for treating hay fever and allergy symptoms, effectively attenuated the stemness and suppressed the propagation of primary BTIC cultures bearing PDGFRA amplification. These effects on BTICs were accompanied by altered gene expression profiling indicative of their more differentiated states, resonating with the activity of clemastine in promoting the differentiation of normal oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) into mature oligodendrocytes. Functional assays for pharmacological targets of clemastine revealed that the Emopamil Binding Protein (EBP), an enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, is essential for BTIC propagation and a target that mediates the suppressive effects of clemastine. Finally, we showed that a neural stem cell-derived mouse glioma model displaying predominantly proneural features was similarly susceptible to clemastine treatment. Collectively, these results identify pathways essential for maintaining the stemness and progenitor features of GBMs, uncover BTIC dependency on EBP, and suggest that non-oncology, low-toxicity drugs with OPC differentiation-promoting activity can be repurposed to target GBM stemness and aid in their treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Sun
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Pathology Graduate Program, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Rui Yang
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Heng Liu
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Pathology Graduate Program, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Wenzhe Wang
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Xiao Song
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (X.S.); (B.H.); (S.-Y.C.)
| | - Bo Hu
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (X.S.); (B.H.); (S.-Y.C.)
| | - Nathan Reynolds
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kristen Roso
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lee H. Chen
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Paula K. Greer
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Stephen T. Keir
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Roger E. McLendon
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Shi-Yuan Cheng
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; (X.S.); (B.H.); (S.-Y.C.)
| | - Darell D. Bigner
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - David M. Ashley
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Christopher J. Pirozzi
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yiping He
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.A.S.); (R.Y.); (H.L.); (W.W.); (N.R.); (K.R.); (L.H.C.); (P.K.G.); (S.T.K.); (R.E.M.); (D.D.B.); (D.M.A.)
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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3
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Ceresa D, Alessandrini F, Lucchini S, Marubbi D, Piaggio F, Mena Vera JM, Ceccherini I, Reverberi D, Appolloni I, Malatesta P. Early clonal extinction in glioblastoma progression revealed by genetic barcoding. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:1466-1479.e9. [PMID: 37541243 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma progression in its early stages remains poorly understood. Here, we transfer PDGFB and genetic barcodes in mouse brain to initiate gliomagenesis and enable direct tracing of glioblastoma evolution from its earliest possible stage. Unexpectedly, we observe a high incidence of clonal extinction events and progressive divergence in clonal sizes, even after the acquisition of malignant phenotype. Computational modeling suggests these dynamics result from clonal-based cell-cell competition. Through bulk and single-cell transcriptome analyses, coupled with lineage tracing, we reveal that Myc transcriptional targets have the strongest correlation with clonal size imbalances. Moreover, we show that the downregulation of Myc expression is sufficient to drive competitive dynamics in intracranially transplanted gliomas. Our findings provide insights into glioblastoma evolution that are inaccessible using conventional retrospective approaches, highlighting the potential of combining clonal tracing and transcriptomic analyses in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ceresa
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Alessandrini
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Sara Lucchini
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Daniela Marubbi
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Jorge Miguel Mena Vera
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Irene Appolloni
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Malatesta
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy.
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4
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Shen X, Li M, Shao K, Li Y, Ge Z. Post-ischemic inflammatory response in the brain: Targeting immune cell in ischemic stroke therapy. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1076016. [PMID: 37078089 PMCID: PMC10106693 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1076016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply is obstructed to the vascular basin, causing the death of nerve cells and forming the ischemic core. Subsequently, the brain enters the stage of reconstruction and repair. The whole process includes cellular brain damage, inflammatory reaction, blood–brain barrier destruction, and nerve repair. During this process, the proportion and function of neurons, immune cells, glial cells, endothelial cells, and other cells change. Identifying potential differences in gene expression between cell types or heterogeneity between cells of the same type helps to understand the cellular changes that occur in the brain and the context of disease. The recent emergence of single-cell sequencing technology has promoted the exploration of single-cell diversity and the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of ischemic stroke, thus providing new ideas and directions for the diagnosis and clinical treatment of ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyang Shen
- Department of Neurology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mingming Li
- Department of Neurology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Provincial Neurology Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Expert Workstation of Academician Wang Longde, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Kangmei Shao
- Department of Neurology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yongnan Li
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Yongnan Li,
| | - Zhaoming Ge
- Department of Neurology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Provincial Neurology Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Expert Workstation of Academician Wang Longde, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhaoming Ge,
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5
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Ion Channel Drugs Suppress Cancer Phenotype in NG108-15 and U87 Cells: Toward Novel Electroceuticals for Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061499. [PMID: 35326650 PMCID: PMC8946312 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a lethal brain cancer that commonly recurs after tumor resection and chemotherapy treatment. Depolarized resting membrane potentials and an acidic intertumoral extracellular pH have been associated with a proliferative state and drug resistance, suggesting that forced hyperpolarization and disruption of proton pumps in the plasma membrane could be a successful strategy for targeting glioblastoma overgrowth. We screened 47 compounds and compound combinations, most of which were ion-modulating, at different concentrations in the NG108-15 rodent neuroblastoma/glioma cell line. A subset of these were tested in the U87 human glioblastoma cell line. A FUCCI cell cycle reporter was stably integrated into both cell lines to monitor proliferation and cell cycle response. Immunocytochemistry, electrophysiology, and a panel of physiological dyes reporting voltage, calcium, and pH were used to characterize responses. The most effective treatments on proliferation in U87 cells were combinations of NS1643 and pantoprazole; retigabine and pantoprazole; and pantoprazole or NS1643 with temozolomide. Marker analysis and physiological dye signatures suggest that exposure to bioelectric drugs significantly reduces proliferation, makes the cells senescent, and promotes differentiation. These results, along with the observed low toxicity in human neurons, show the high efficacy of electroceuticals utilizing combinations of repurposed FDA approved drugs.
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Appolloni I, Alessandrini F, Menotti L, Avitabile E, Marubbi D, Piga N, Ceresa D, Piaggio F, Campadelli-Fiume G, Malatesta P. Specificity, Safety, Efficacy of EGFRvIII-Retargeted Oncolytic HSV for Xenotransplanted Human Glioblastoma. Viruses 2021; 13:1677. [PMID: 34578259 PMCID: PMC8473268 DOI: 10.3390/v13091677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a lethal primary brain tumor lacking effective therapy. The secluded onset site, combined with the infiltrative properties of this tumor, require novel targeted therapies. In this scenario, the use of oncolytic viruses retargeted to glioblastoma cells and able to spread across the tumor cells represent an intriguing treatment strategy. Here, we tested the specificity, safety and efficacy of R-613, the first oncolytic HSV fully retargeted to EGFRvIII, a variant of the epidermal growth factor receptor carrying a mutation typically found in glioblastoma. An early treatment with R-613 on orthotopically transplanted EGFRvIII-expressing human glioblastoma significantly increased the median survival time of mice. In this setting, the growth of human glioblastoma xenotransplants was monitored by a secreted luciferase reporter and showed that R-613 is able to substantially delay the development of the tumor masses. When administered as late treatment to a well-established glioblastomas, R-613 appeared to be less effective. Notably the uninfected tumor cells derived from the explanted tumor masses were still susceptible to R-613 infection ex vivo, thus suggesting that multiple treatments could enhance R-613 therapeutic efficacy, making R-613 a promising oncolytic HSV candidate for glioblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Appolloni
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (I.A.); (D.M.); (N.P.); (F.P.)
| | | | - Laura Menotti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.M.); (E.A.)
| | - Elisa Avitabile
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.M.); (E.A.)
| | - Daniela Marubbi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (I.A.); (D.M.); (N.P.); (F.P.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.A.); (D.C.)
| | - Noemi Piga
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (I.A.); (D.M.); (N.P.); (F.P.)
| | - Davide Ceresa
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.A.); (D.C.)
| | - Francesca Piaggio
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (I.A.); (D.M.); (N.P.); (F.P.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.A.); (D.C.)
| | - Gabriella Campadelli-Fiume
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Paolo Malatesta
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (I.A.); (D.M.); (N.P.); (F.P.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy; (F.A.); (D.C.)
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Guo X, Wang T, Huang G, Li R, Da Costa C, Li H, Lv S, Li N. Rediscovering potential molecular targets for glioma therapy through the analysis of the cell of origin, microenvironment, and metabolism. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2021; 21:558-574. [PMID: 33949933 DOI: 10.2174/1568009621666210504091722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common type of malignant brain tumors. Despite significant medical advances, gliomas remain incurable and are associated with high mortality. Although numerous biomarkers of diagnostic value have been identified and significant progress in the prognosis of the outcome has been made, the treatment has not been parallelly improved during the last three decades. This review summarizes and discusses three aspects of recent discoveries related to glioma, with the objective to highlight the advantages of glioma-specific drugs targeting the cell of origin, microenvironment, and metabolism. Given the heterogeneous nature of gliomas, various cell populations have been implicated as likely sources of the tumor. Depending on the mutation(s) acquired by the cells, it is believed that neuronal stem/progenitor cells, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, mature neurons, and glial cells can initiate cell transformation into a malignant phenotype. The level of tumorigenicity appears to be inversely correlated with the maturation of a given cell population. The microenvironment of gliomas includes non-cancer cells such as immune cells, fibroblasts, and cells of blood vessels, as well as secreted molecules and the extracellular matrix, and all these components play a vital role during tumor initiation and progression. We will discuss in detail how the tumor microenvironment can stimulate and drive the transformation of non-tumor cell populations into tumor-supporting cells or glioma cells. Metabolic reprogramming is a key feature of gliomas and is thought to reflect the adaptation to the increased nutritional requirements of tumor cell proliferation, growth, and survival. Mutations in the IDH gene can shape metabolic reprogramming and may generate some vulnerabilities in glioma cells, such as abnormal lipid metabolism and sensitivity to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). We will analyze the prominent metabolic features of malignant gliomas and the key pathways regulating glioma metabolism. This review is intended to provide a conceptual background for the development of glioma therapies based on the properties of tumor cell populations, microenvironment, and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoran Guo
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), No.628, Zhenyuan Rd, Guangming Dist., Shenzhen 518107. China
| | - Tao Wang
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), No.628, Zhenyuan Rd, Guangming Dist., Shenzhen 518107. China
| | - Guohao Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, No. 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing City 400037. China
| | - Ruohan Li
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), No.628, Zhenyuan Rd, Guangming Dist., Shenzhen 518107. China
| | - Clive Da Costa
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT. United Kingdom
| | - Huafu Li
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), No.628, Zhenyuan Rd, Guangming Dist., Shenzhen 518107. China
| | - Shengqing Lv
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, No. 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing City 400037. China
| | - Ningning Li
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), No.628, Zhenyuan Rd, Guangming Dist., Shenzhen 518107. China
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8
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Yu J, Xie M, Ge S, Chai P, Zhou Y, Ruan J. Hierarchical Clustering of Cutaneous Melanoma Based on Immunogenomic Profiling. Front Oncol 2020; 10:580029. [PMID: 33330057 PMCID: PMC7735560 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.580029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive malignancy with high heterogeneity. Several studies have been performed to identify cutaneous melanoma subtypes based on genomic profiling. However, few classifications based on assessments of immune-associated genes have limited clinical implications for cutaneous melanoma. Using 470 cutaneous melanoma samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we calculated the enrichment levels of 29 immune-associated gene sets in each sample and hierarchically clustered them into Immunity High (Immunity_H, n=323, 68.7%), Immunity Medium (Immunity_M, n=135, 28.7%), and Immunity Low (Immunity_L, n=12, 2.6%) based on the ssGSEA score. The ESTIMATE algorithm was used to calculate stromal scores (range: -1,800.51-1,901.99), immune scores (range: -1,476.28-3,780.33), estimate scores (range: -2,618.28-5,098.14) and tumor purity (range: 0.216-0.976) and they were significantly correlated with immune subtypes (Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.001). The Immunity_H group tended to have higher expression levels of HLA and immune checkpoint genes (Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.05). The Immunity_H group had the highest level of naïve B cells, resting dendritic cells, M1 macrophages, resting NK cells, plasma cells, CD4 memory activated T cells, CD8 T cells, follicular helper T cells and regulatory T cells, and the Immunity_L group had better overall survival. The GO terms identified in the Immunity_H group were mainly immune related. In conclusion, immune signature-associated cutaneous melanoma subtypes play a role in cutaneous melanoma prognosis stratification. The construction of immune signature-associated cutaneous melanoma subtypes predicted possible patient outcomes and provided possible immunotherapy candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Peiwei Chai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yixiong Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Ruan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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