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Ueda H, Takahashi H, Kobayashi S, Kubo M, Sasaki K, Iwagami Y, Yamada D, Tomimaru Y, Asaoka T, Noda T, Shimizu J, Doki Y, Eguchi H. miR-6855-5p Enhances Radioresistance and Promotes Migration of Pancreatic Cancer by Inducing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via Suppressing FOXA1: Potential of Plasma Exosomal miR-6855-5p as an Indicator of Radiosensitivity in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2024:10.1245/s10434-024-16115-w. [PMID: 39269634 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-024-16115-w] [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: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether radiation should be added to neoadjuvant treatment remains controversial, and liquid biopsy has not been reported to predict radioresistance in pancreatic cancer (PC). We aimed to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) governing radioresistance in PC by utilizing peripheral plasma exosome samples and to verify their usefulness as biomarkers. METHODS miRNA microarray analysis was conducted using pretreatment peripheral plasma exosomes from 10 patients with PC receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) in the discovery cohort. Patients were categorized into two groups (good and poor responders) based on treatment responses, and candidate miRNAs exhibiting differential expression between the two groups were identified. The radiosensitivity of PC cells was examined after miR-6855-5p overexpression. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and TargetScan were used to explore the mechanisms of radioresistance. We investigated the correlation between miR-6855-5p expression levels in the pretreatment peripheral plasma exosomes of 28 patients in the validation cohort and the response to NACRT. RESULTS miR-6855-5p expression was higher in poor responders than in good responders. miR-6855-5p induces radioresistance in PC cells. NGS showed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was involved in miR-6855-5p-related radioresistance. Forkhead box protein A1 (FOXA1) was identified as a direct target of miR-6855-5p using NGS and TargetScan. Clinical examination of samples from the validation cohort revealed a tendency for patients with higher expression of miR-6855-5p in peripheral plasma exosomes to exhibit increased radioresistance (r = -0.5964). CONCLUSIONS miR-6855-5p regulates the radioresistance of PC by inducing EMT via suppressing FOXA1, and miR-6855-5p in peripheral plasma exosomes may be a biomarker for radioresistance of PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Ueda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidenori Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Shogo Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kubo
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuki Sasaki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Iwagami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisaku Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshito Tomimaru
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tadafumi Asaoka
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takehiro Noda
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Junzo Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Doki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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Tomić G, Sheridan C, Refermat AY, Baggelaar MP, Sipthorp J, Sudarshan B, Ocasio CA, Suárez-Bonnet A, Priestnall SL, Herbert E, Tate EW, Downward J. Palmitoyl transferase ZDHHC20 promotes pancreatic cancer metastasis. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114224. [PMID: 38733589 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114224] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is one of the defining features of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) that contributes to poor prognosis. In this study, the palmitoyl transferase ZDHHC20 was identified in an in vivo short hairpin RNA (shRNA) screen as critical for metastatic outgrowth, with no effect on proliferation and migration in vitro or primary PDAC growth in mice. This phenotype is abrogated in immunocompromised animals and animals with depleted natural killer (NK) cells, indicating that ZDHHC20 affects the interaction of tumor cells and the innate immune system. Using a chemical genetics platform for ZDHHC20-specific substrate profiling, a number of substrates of this enzyme were identified. These results describe a role for palmitoylation in enabling distant metastasis that could not have been detected using in vitro screening approaches and identify potential effectors through which ZDHHC20 promotes metastasis of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Tomić
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Clare Sheridan
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | | | - Marc P Baggelaar
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; Imperial College London, Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - James Sipthorp
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; Imperial College London, Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | | | - Cory A Ocasio
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Alejandro Suárez-Bonnet
- The Royal Veterinary College, Department of Pathobiology & Population Sciences, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK; Experimental Histopathology, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Simon L Priestnall
- The Royal Veterinary College, Department of Pathobiology & Population Sciences, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK; Experimental Histopathology, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Eleanor Herbert
- The Royal Veterinary College, Department of Pathobiology & Population Sciences, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK; Experimental Histopathology, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Edward W Tate
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; Imperial College London, Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Julian Downward
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK.
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3
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Hebert JD, Xu H, Tang YJ, Ruiz PA, Detrick CR, Wang J, Hughes NW, Donosa O, Andrejka L, Karmakar S, Aboiralor I, Tang R, Sage J, Cong L, Petrov DA, Winslow MM. Efficient and multiplexed somatic genome editing with Cas12a mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.07.583774. [PMID: 38496463 PMCID: PMC10942438 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.07.583774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Somatic genome editing in mouse models has increased our understanding of the in vivo effects of genetic alterations in areas ranging from neuroscience to cancer biology and beyond. However, existing models are limited in their ability to create multiple targeted edits. Thus, our understanding of the complex genetic interactions that underlie development, homeostasis, and disease remains incomplete. Cas12a is an RNA-guided endonuclease with unique attributes that enable simple targeting of multiple genes with crRNA arrays containing tandem guides. To accelerate and expand the generation of complex genotypes in somatic cells, we generated transgenic mice with Cre-regulated and constitutive expression of enhanced Acidaminococcus sp. Cas12a (enAsCas12a). In these mice, enAsCas12a-mediated somatic genome editing robustly generated compound genotypes, as exemplified by the initiation of diverse cancer types driven by homozygous inactivation of trios of tumor suppressor genes. We further integrated these modular crRNA arrays with clonal barcoding to quantify the size and number of tumors with each array, as well as the efficiency of each crRNA. These Cas12a alleles will enable the rapid generation of disease models and broadly facilitate the high-throughput investigation of coincident genomic alterations in somatic cells in vivo .
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4
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Jiang Z, Jiang C, Teng X, Hou Y, Dai S, Liu C, Tuo Z, Bi L, Yang C, Wang J. Exploring the crosstalk of immune cells: The impact of dysregulated RUNX family genes in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29870. [PMID: 38707395 PMCID: PMC11066633 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Abnormally expressed Runt-associated transcription factor (RUNX) family has been reported in multiple tumors. Nevertheless, the immunological role of RUNX family in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) remains unknown. Methods We studied the RNA-seq data regarding tumor and healthy subjects from several public databases in detail for evaluating the prognostic and immunological functions owned by three RUNX genes in cancer patients. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining served for detecting their expressions in tumor and normal samples. Results We observed that KIRC patients presented high expressions of RUNX1, RUNX2, and RUNX3. The expressions of three genes were validated by qRT-PCR, which was same as bioinformatical results. Prognostic analysis indicated that the overexpression of RUNX1 and RUNX2 negatively affects the outcomes in patients with KIRC. Related functional predictions indicated that the RUNXs and co-expression genes were significantly related to the immune response pathway. Moreover, three RUNX members were associated with immune infiltration cells and their related gene markers. The expression of RUNX family in several immune cells is positively or negatively correlated, and its dysregulation is obviously associated with the differential distribution of immune cells. RUNX family genes were abnormally expressed in KIRC patients, and were closely related to the crosstalk of immune cells. Conclusions Our findings may help to understand the pathogenesis and immunologic roles of the RUNX family in KIRC patients from new perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Jiang
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Xiangyu Teng
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Yidong Hou
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Shuxin Dai
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Zhouting Tuo
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Liangkuan Bi
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
- Department of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Jinyou Wang
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
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5
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Jamali M, Barar E, Shi J. Unveiling the Molecular Landscape of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Insights into the Role of the COMPASS-like Complex. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5069. [PMID: 38791111 PMCID: PMC11121229 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105069] [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: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is poised to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Genetic and epigenetic alterations, including those involving the COMPASS-like complex genes, have emerged as critical drivers of PDAC progression. This review explores the genetic and epigenetic landscape of PDAC, focusing on the role of the COMPASS-like complex in regulating chromatin accessibility and gene expression. Specifically, we delve into the functions of key components such as KDM6A, KMT2D, KMT2C, KMT2A, and KMT2B, highlighting their significance as potential therapeutic targets. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of these findings for developing novel treatment modalities for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Jamali
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Erfaneh Barar
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, Iran
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Department of Pathology & Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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6
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Lloyd EG, Henríquez JA, Biffi G. Modelling the micro- and macro- environment of pancreatic cancer: from patients to pre-clinical models and back. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050624. [PMID: 38639944 PMCID: PMC11051978 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050624] [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] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy with very low survival rates. Over the past 50 years, improvements in PDAC survival have significantly lagged behind the progress made in other cancers. PDAC's dismal prognosis is due to typical late-stage diagnosis combined with lack of effective treatments and complex mechanisms of disease. We propose that improvements in survival are partly hindered by the current focus on largely modelling and targeting PDAC as one disease, despite it being heterogeneous. Implementing new disease-representative pre-clinical mouse models that capture this complexity could enable the development of transformative therapies. Specifically, these models should recapitulate human PDAC late-stage biology, heterogeneous genetics, extensive non-malignant stroma, and associated risk factors and comorbidities. In this Perspective, we focus on how pre-clinical mouse models could be improved to exemplify key features of PDAC micro- and macro- environments, which would drive clinically relevant patient stratification, tailored treatments and improved survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise G. Lloyd
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Joaquín Araos Henríquez
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Giulia Biffi
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
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7
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Tsanov KM, Barriga FM, Ho YJ, Alonso-Curbelo D, Livshits G, Koche RP, Baslan T, Simon J, Tian S, Wuest AN, Luan W, Wilkinson JE, Masilionis I, Dimitrova N, Iacobuzio-Donahue CA, Chaligné R, Pe’er D, Massagué J, Lowe SW. Metastatic site influences driver gene function in pancreatic cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.17.585402. [PMID: 38562717 PMCID: PMC10983983 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.17.585402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Driver gene mutations can increase the metastatic potential of the primary tumor1-3, but their role in sustaining tumor growth at metastatic sites is poorly understood. A paradigm of such mutations is inactivation of SMAD4 - a transcriptional effector of TGFβ signaling - which is a hallmark of multiple gastrointestinal malignancies4,5. SMAD4 inactivation mediates TGFβ's remarkable anti- to pro-tumorigenic switch during cancer progression and can thus influence both tumor initiation and metastasis6-14. To determine whether metastatic tumors remain dependent on SMAD4 inactivation, we developed a mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) that enables Smad4 depletion in the pre-malignant pancreas and subsequent Smad4 reactivation in established metastases. As expected, Smad4 inactivation facilitated the formation of primary tumors that eventually colonized the liver and lungs. By contrast, Smad4 reactivation in metastatic disease had strikingly opposite effects depending on the tumor's organ of residence: suppression of liver metastases and promotion of lung metastases. Integrative multiomic analysis revealed organ-specific differences in the tumor cells' epigenomic state, whereby the liver and lungs harbored chromatin programs respectively dominated by the KLF and RUNX developmental transcription factors, with Klf4 depletion being sufficient to reverse Smad4's tumor-suppressive activity in liver metastases. Our results show how epigenetic states favored by the organ of residence can influence the function of driver genes in metastatic tumors. This organ-specific gene-chromatin interplay invites consideration of anatomical site in the interpretation of tumor genetics, with implications for the therapeutic targeting of metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaloyan M. Tsanov
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francisco M. Barriga
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yu-Jui Ho
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Direna Alonso-Curbelo
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Geulah Livshits
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard P. Koche
- Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Timour Baslan
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Janelle Simon
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sha Tian
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexandra N. Wuest
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wei Luan
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - John E. Wilkinson
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ignas Masilionis
- Computational & Systems Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nevenka Dimitrova
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christine A. Iacobuzio-Donahue
- David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronan Chaligné
- Computational & Systems Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dana Pe’er
- Computational & Systems Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Joan Massagué
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott W. Lowe
- Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
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Chen X, Wang L, Yang M, Zhao W, Tu J, Liu B, Yuan X. RUNX transcription factors: biological functions and implications in cancer. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:50. [PMID: 38430423 PMCID: PMC10908630 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01281-0] [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: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Runt-related transcription factors (RUNX) are a family of transcription factors that are essential for normal and malignant hematopoietic processes. Their most widely recognized role in malignancy is to promote the occurrence and development of acute myeloid leukemia. However, it is worth noting that during the last decade, studies of RUNX proteins in solid tumors have made considerable progress, suggesting that these proteins are directly involved in different stages of tumor development, including tumor initiation, progression, and invasion. RUNX proteins also play a role in tumor angiogenesis, the maintenance of tumor cell stemness, and resistance to antitumor drugs. These findings have led to the consideration of RUNX as a tumor biomarker. All RUNX proteins are involved in the occurrence and development of solid tumors, but the role of each RUNX protein in different tumors and the major signaling pathways involved are complicated by tumor heterogeneity and the interacting tumor microenvironment. Understanding how the dysregulation of RUNX in tumors affects normal biological processes is important to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which RUNX affects malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Chen
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Mu Yang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Weiheng Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jingyao Tu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Xianglin Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
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9
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Suda K, Okabe A, Matsuo J, Chuang LSH, Li Y, Jangphattananont N, Mon NN, Myint KN, Yamamura A, So JBY, Voon DCC, Yang H, Yeoh KG, Kaneda A, Ito Y. Aberrant Upregulation of RUNX3 Activates Developmental Genes to Drive Metastasis in Gastric Cancer. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:279-292. [PMID: 38240752 PMCID: PMC10836196 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Gastric cancer metastasis is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Inhibition of RUNX3 in gastric cancer cell lines reduced migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth in vitro. Following splenic inoculation, CRISPR-mediated RUNX3-knockout HGC-27 cells show suppression of xenograft growth and liver metastasis. We interrogated the potential of RUNX3 as a metastasis driver in gastric cancer by profiling its target genes. Transcriptomic analysis revealed strong involvement of RUNX3 in the regulation of multiple developmental pathways, consistent with the notion that Runt domain transcription factor (RUNX) family genes are master regulators of development. RUNX3 promoted "cell migration" and "extracellular matrix" programs, which are necessary for metastasis. Of note, we found pro-metastatic genes WNT5A, CD44, and VIM among the top differentially expressed genes in RUNX3 knockout versus control cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and HiChIP analyses revealed that RUNX3 bound to the enhancers and promoters of these genes, suggesting that they are under direct transcriptional control by RUNX3. We show that RUNX3 promoted metastasis in part through its upregulation of WNT5A to promote migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth in various malignancies. Our study therefore reveals the RUNX3-WNT5A axis as a key targetable mechanism for gastric cancer metastasis. SIGNIFICANCE Subversion of RUNX3 developmental gene targets to metastasis program indicates the oncogenic nature of inappropriate RUNX3 regulation in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuto Suda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Atsushi Okabe
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Junichi Matsuo
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Ying Li
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Naing Naing Mon
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Khine Nyein Myint
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Akihiro Yamamura
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jimmy Bok-Yan So
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dominic Chih-Cheng Voon
- Innovative Cancer Model Research Unit, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Japan
| | - Henry Yang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Khay Guan Yeoh
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Atsushi Kaneda
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Ito
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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10
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Hasselluhn MC, Schlösser D, Versemann L, Schmidt GE, Ulisse M, Oschwald J, Zhang Z, Hamdan F, Xiao H, Kopp W, Spitalieri J, Kellner C, Schneider C, Reutlinger K, Nagarajan S, Steuber B, Sastra SA, Palermo CF, Appelhans J, Bohnenberger H, Todorovic J, Kostyuchek I, Ströbel P, Bockelmann A, König A, Ammer-Herrmenau C, Schmidleitner L, Kaulfuß S, Wollnik B, Hahn SA, Neesse A, Singh SK, Bastians H, Reichert M, Sax U, Olive KP, Johnsen SA, Schneider G, Ellenrieder V, Hessmann E. An NFATc1/SMAD3/cJUN Complex Restricted to SMAD4-Deficient Pancreatic Cancer Guides Rational Therapies. Gastroenterology 2024; 166:298-312.e14. [PMID: 37913894 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The highly heterogeneous cellular and molecular makeup of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) not only fosters exceptionally aggressive tumor biology, but contradicts the current concept of one-size-fits-all therapeutic strategies to combat PDAC. Therefore, we aimed to exploit the tumor biological implication and therapeutic vulnerabilities of a clinically relevant molecular PDAC subgroup characterized by SMAD4 deficiency and high expression of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (SMAD4-/-/NFATc1High). METHODS Transcriptomic and clinical data were analyzed to determine the prognostic relevance of SMAD4-/-/NFATc1High cancers. In vitro and in vivo oncogenic transcription factor complex formation was studied by immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation assays, and validated cross model and species. The impact of SMAD4 status on therapeutically targeting canonical KRAS signaling was mechanistically deciphered and corroborated by genome-wide gene expression analysis and genetic perturbation experiments, respectively. Validation of a novel tailored therapeutic option was conducted in patient-derived organoids and cells and transgenic as well as orthotopic PDAC models. RESULTS Our findings determined the tumor biology of an aggressive and chemotherapy-resistant SMAD4-/-/NFATc1High subgroup. Mechanistically, we identify SMAD4 deficiency as a molecular prerequisite for the formation of an oncogenic NFATc1/SMAD3/cJUN transcription factor complex, which drives the expression of RRM1/2. RRM1/2 replenishes nucleoside pools that directly compete with metabolized gemcitabine for DNA strand incorporation. Disassembly of the NFATc1/SMAD3/cJUN complex by mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling inhibition normalizes RRM1/2 expression and synergizes with gemcitabine treatment in vivo to reduce the proliferative index. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that PDAC characterized by SMAD4 deficiency and oncogenic NFATc1/SMAD3/cJUN complex formation exposes sensitivity to a mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling inhibition and gemcitabine combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie C Hasselluhn
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Denise Schlösser
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Lennart Versemann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Geske E Schmidt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Maria Ulisse
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Joana Oschwald
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Feda Hamdan
- Gene Regulatory Mechanisms and Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Harry Xiao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Waltraut Kopp
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jessica Spitalieri
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Christin Kellner
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Carolin Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Kristina Reutlinger
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Sankari Nagarajan
- Manchester Breast Centre and Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Steuber
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Stephen A Sastra
- Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Carmine F Palermo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Jennifer Appelhans
- Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Hanibal Bohnenberger
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jovan Todorovic
- Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Irina Kostyuchek
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Aiko Bockelmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Alexander König
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Ammer-Herrmenau
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Laura Schmidleitner
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany; Translational Pancreatic Research Cancer Center, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Silke Kaulfuß
- Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wollnik
- Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells, University of Goettingen, Germany
| | - Stephan A Hahn
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Gastrointestinal Oncology, Bochum, Germany
| | - Albrecht Neesse
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Shiv K Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Holger Bastians
- Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Department of Molecular Oncology, Section for Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Reichert
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany; Translational Pancreatic Research Cancer Center, Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (a partnership between Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum and University Hospital Klinikum Rechts der Isar), Munich, Germany; Center for Protein Assemblies, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany; Center for Organoid Systems and Tissue Engineering, Technical University Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Ulrich Sax
- Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Department of Medical Informatics, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Kenneth P Olive
- Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Steven A Johnsen
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Günter Schneider
- Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Lower Saxony, Goettingen and Hannover, Germany
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Lower Saxony, Goettingen and Hannover, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Lower Saxony, Goettingen and Hannover, Germany.
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11
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Wang J, Zhang S, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Xu X, Guo J. RUNX3 pathway signature predicts clinical benefits of immune checkpoint inhibition plus tyrosine kinase inhibition in advanced renal cell carcinoma. BMC Urol 2024; 24:8. [PMID: 38172737 PMCID: PMC10765845 DOI: 10.1186/s12894-023-01356-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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor (IO/TKI) have been recently recommended as standard first-line therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma, while no clinical-available biomarker has been applied. This study aimed to investigate the associations between RUNX3 pathway signature and IO/TKI benefits in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS Two IO/TKI cohorts (ZS-MRCC, JAVELIN-101) and one high-risk localized RCC cohort (ZS-HRRCC) were included. All samples were evaluated by RNA-sequencing, and RUNX Family Transcription Factor 3 (RUNX3) pathway were determined by single sample gene set enrichment analysis. Flow cytometry were applied for immune cell infiltration and function. RESULTS RUNX3 signature was elevated in RCC samples, compared non-tumor tissues (P < 0.001). High-RUNX3 signature was associated with shorter progression-free survival (PFS) in both IO/TKI cohorts (ZS-MRCC cohort, P = 0.025; JAVELIN-101 cohort, P = 0.019). RUNX3 signature also predicted IO/TKI benefit in advanced RCC, compared with TKI monotherapy (interaction p = 0.027). RUNX3 signature was associated with decreased number of GZMB + CD8 + T cells (Spearman's ρ=-0.42, P = 0.006), and increased number of PD1 + CD8 + T cells (Spearman's ρ = 0.29, P = 0.072). Moreover, the integration of RUNX3 signature and GZMB expression showed predictive potential for TKI/IO (log-rank P < 0.001). In addition, the predictive value of RUNX3 signature for IO/TKI benefit was restricted in SETD2-wild type patients (log-rank P < 0.001). Finally, a risk score was established by random forest for IO/TKI benefit, showing remarkable predictive potency (Log-rank P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS RUNX3 pathway signature could be a potential predictive biomarker for IO/TKI treatment in advanced RCC, for both prognosis and treatment selection between IO/TKI and TKI monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No.180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Sihong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No.180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yanjun Zhu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No.180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Xianglai Xu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No.180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Jianming Guo
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No.180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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12
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Xia M, Tong S, Gao L. Identification of MDK as a Hypoxia- and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Related Gene Biomarker of Glioblastoma Based on a Novel Risk Model and In Vitro Experiments. Biomedicines 2024; 12:92. [PMID: 38255198 PMCID: PMC10813330 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010092] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor cells are commonly exposed to a hypoxic environment, which can easily induce the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells, further affecting tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. However, the predictive role of hypoxia and EMT-related genes in glioblastoma (GBM) has not been investigated. METHODS Intersection genes were identified by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and differential expression analyses, and a risk model was further constructed by LASSO and Cox analyses. Clinical, immune infiltration, tumor mutation, drug treatment, and enrichment profiles were analyzed based on the risk model. The expression level of the MDK gene was tested using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. CCK8 and EdU were employed to determine the GBM cells' capacity for proliferation while the migration and invasion ability were detected by a wound healing assay and transwell assay, respectively. RESULTS Based on the GBM data of the TCGA and GTEx databases, 58 intersection genes were identified, and a risk model was constructed. The model was verified in the CGGA cohort, and its accuracy was confirmed by the ROC curve (AUC = 0.807). After combining clinical subgroups, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that risk score and age were independent risk factors for GBM patients. Furthermore, our subsequent analysis of immune infiltration, tumor mutation, and drug treatment showed that risk score and high- and low-risk groups were associated with multiple immune cells, mutated genes, and drugs. Enrichment analysis indicated that the differences between high- and low-risk groups were manifested in tumor-related pathways, including the PI3K-AKT and JAK-STAT pathways. Finally, in vivo experiments proved that the hypoxia environment promoted the expression of MDK, and MDK knockdown reduced the proliferation, migration, and EMT of GBM cells induced by hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS Our novel prognostic correlation model provided more potential treatment strategies for GBM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minqi Xia
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Shiao Tong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Ling Gao
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
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13
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Krauß L, Schneider C, Hessmann E, Saur D, Schneider G. Epigenetic control of pancreatic cancer metastasis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1113-1131. [PMID: 37659057 PMCID: PMC10713713 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10132-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Surgical resection, when combined with chemotherapy, has been shown to significantly improve the survival rate of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, this treatment option is only feasible for a fraction of patients, as more than 50% of cases are diagnosed with metastasis. The multifaceted process of metastasis is still not fully understood, but recent data suggest that transcriptional and epigenetic plasticity play significant roles. Interfering with epigenetic reprogramming can potentially control the adaptive processes responsible for metastatic progression and therapy resistance, thereby enhancing treatment responses and preventing recurrence. This review will focus on the relevance of histone-modifying enzymes in pancreatic cancer, specifically on their impact on the metastatic cascade. Additionally, it will also provide a brief update on the current clinical developments in epigenetic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Krauß
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Carolin Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- CCC-N (Comprehensive Cancer Center Lower Saxony), 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- Institute for Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy, Technical University Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Günter Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
- CCC-N (Comprehensive Cancer Center Lower Saxony), 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
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14
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Brandt VP, Holland H, Wallenborn M, Koschny R, Frydrychowicz C, Richter M, Holland L, Nestler U, Sander C. SNP array genomic analysis of matched pairs of brain and liver metastases in primary colorectal cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:18173-18183. [PMID: 38010391 PMCID: PMC10725338 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05505-4] [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: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Brain metastasis formation is a rare and late event in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and associated with poor survival. In contrast to other metastatic sites, the knowledge on chromosomal aberrations in brain metastases is very limited. METHODS Therefore, we carried out single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analyses on matched primary CRC and brain metastases of four patients as well as on liver metastases of three patients. RESULTS Brain metastases showed more chromosomal aberrations than primary tumors or liver metastases. Commonly occurring aberrations were gain of 8q11.1-q24.3 (primary CRC), gain of 13q12.13-q12.3 (liver metastases), and gain of 20q11.1-q13.33 (brain metastases). Furthermore, we found one copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (cn-LOH) region on chromosome 3 in primary CRC, three cn-LOH regions in liver metastases and 23 cn-LOH regions in brain metastases, comprising 26 previously undescribed sites. CONCLUSION The more frequent occurrence of cn-LOHs and subsequently affected genes in brain metastases shed light on the pathophysiology of brain metastasis formation. Further pairwise genetic analyses between primary tumors and their metastases will help to define the role of affected genes in cn-LOH regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian-Pascal Brandt
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany.
- Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany.
| | - Heidrun Holland
- Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Marco Wallenborn
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
- Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Ronald Koschny
- Interdisciplinary Endoscopy Center (IEZ), Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
| | - Clara Frydrychowicz
- Paul Flechsig Institute of Neuropathology, University Medicine Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Mandy Richter
- Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Lydia Holland
- Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Ulf Nestler
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Caroline Sander
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
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Tsai YC, Hsin MC, Liu RJ, Li TW, Ch’ang HJ. Krüppel-like Factor 10 as a Prognostic and Predictive Biomarker of Radiotherapy in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5212. [PMID: 37958386 PMCID: PMC10648792 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215212] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains poor, with a 5-year survival rate of 12%. Although radiotherapy is effective for the locoregional control of PDAC, it does not have survival benefits compared with systemic chemotherapy. Most patients with localized PDAC develop distant metastasis shortly after diagnosis. Upfront chemotherapy has been suggested so that patients with localized PDAC with early distant metastasis do not have to undergo radical local therapy. Several potential tissue markers have been identified for selecting patients who may benefit from local radiotherapy, thereby prolonging their survival. This review summarizes these biomarkers including SMAD4, which is significantly associated with PDAC failure patterns and survival. In particular, Krüppel-like factor 10 (KLF10) is an early response transcription factor of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Unlike TGF-β in advanced cancers, KLF10 loss in two-thirds of patients with PDAC was associated with rapid distant metastasis and radioresistance; thus, KLF10 can serve as a predictive and therapeutic marker for PDAC. For patients with resectable PDAC, a combination of KLF10 and SMAD4 expression in tumor tissues may help select those who may benefit the most from additional radiotherapy. Future trials should consider upfront systemic therapy or include molecular biomarker-enriched patients without early distant metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chih Tsai
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan; (Y.-C.T.); (M.-C.H.)
| | - Min-Chieh Hsin
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan; (Y.-C.T.); (M.-C.H.)
| | - Rui-Jun Liu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan; (Y.-C.T.); (M.-C.H.)
| | - Ting-Wei Li
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan; (Y.-C.T.); (M.-C.H.)
| | - Hui-Ju Ch’ang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350, Taiwan; (Y.-C.T.); (M.-C.H.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Department of Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
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Qiang L, Hoffman MT, Ali LR, Castillo JI, Kageler L, Temesgen A, Lenehan P, Wang SJ, Bello E, Cardot-Ruffino V, Uribe GA, Yang A, Dougan M, Aguirre AJ, Raghavan S, Pelletier M, Cremasco V, Dougan SK. Transforming Growth Factor-β Blockade in Pancreatic Cancer Enhances Sensitivity to Combination Chemotherapy. Gastroenterology 2023; 165:874-890.e10. [PMID: 37263309 PMCID: PMC10526623 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Transforming growth factor-b (TGFb) plays pleiotropic roles in pancreatic cancer, including promoting metastasis, attenuating CD8 T-cell activation, and enhancing myofibroblast differentiation and deposition of extracellular matrix. However, single-agent TGFb inhibition has shown limited efficacy against pancreatic cancer in mice or humans. METHODS We evaluated the TGFβ-blocking antibody NIS793 in combination with gemcitabine/nanoparticle (albumin-bound)-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX (folinic acid [FOL], 5-fluorouracil [F], irinotecan [IRI] and oxaliplatin [OX]) in orthotopic pancreatic cancer models. Single-cell RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate changes in tumor cell state and the tumor microenvironment. RESULTS Blockade of TGFβ with chemotherapy reduced tumor burden in poorly immunogenic pancreatic cancer, without affecting the metastatic rate of cancer cells. Efficacy of combination therapy was not dependent on CD8 T cells, because response to TGFβ blockade was preserved in CD8-depleted or recombination activating gene 2 (RAG2-/-) mice. TGFβ blockade decreased total α-smooth muscle actin-positive fibroblasts but had minimal effect on fibroblast heterogeneity. Bulk RNA sequencing on tumor cells sorted ex vivo revealed that tumor cells treated with TGFβ blockade adopted a classical lineage consistent with enhanced chemosensitivity, and immunofluorescence for cleaved caspase 3 confirmed that TGFβ blockade increased chemotherapy-induced cell death in vivo. CONCLUSIONS TGFβ regulates pancreatic cancer cell plasticity between classical and basal cell states. TGFβ blockade in orthotropic models of pancreatic cancer enhances sensitivity to chemotherapy by promoting a classical malignant cell state. This study provides scientific rationale for evaluation of NIS793 with FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine/nanoparticle (albumin-bound) paclitaxel chemotherapy backbone in the clinical setting and supports the concept of manipulating cancer cell plasticity to increase the efficacy of combination therapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Qiang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Megan T Hoffman
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lestat R Ali
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jaime I Castillo
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lauren Kageler
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ayantu Temesgen
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Patrick Lenehan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - S Jennifer Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elisa Bello
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Victoire Cardot-Ruffino
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Giselle A Uribe
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Annan Yang
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael Dougan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrew J Aguirre
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Srivatsan Raghavan
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marc Pelletier
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Viviana Cremasco
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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17
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Krajnović M, Kožik B, Božović A, Jovanović-Ćupić S. Multiple Roles of the RUNX Gene Family in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Their Potential Clinical Implications. Cells 2023; 12:2303. [PMID: 37759525 PMCID: PMC10527445 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182303] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent cancers in humans, characterised by a high resistance to conventional chemotherapy, late diagnosis, and a high mortality rate. It is necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in hepatocarcinogenesis to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes. The Runt-related (RUNX) family of transcription factors (RUNX1, RUNX2, and RUNX3) participates in cardinal biological processes and plays paramount roles in the pathogenesis of numerous human malignancies. Their role is often controversial as they can act as oncogenes or tumour suppressors and depends on cellular context. Evidence shows that deregulated RUNX genes may be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis from the earliest to the latest stages. In this review, we summarise the topical evidence on the roles of RUNX gene family members in HCC. We discuss their possible application as non-invasive molecular markers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and development of novel treatment strategies in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bojana Kožik
- Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, Vinča, 11351 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.K.); (A.B.); (S.J.-Ć.)
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18
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Pasquier C, Guerlais V, Pallez D, Rapetti-Mauss R, Soriani O. A network embedding approach to identify active modules in biological interaction networks. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201550. [PMID: 37339804 PMCID: PMC10282331 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification of condition-specific gene sets from transcriptomic experiments is important to reveal regulatory and signaling mechanisms associated with a given cellular response. Statistical methods of differential expression analysis, designed to assess individual gene variations, have trouble highlighting modules of small varying genes whose interaction is essential to characterize phenotypic changes. To identify these highly informative gene modules, several methods have been proposed in recent years, but they have many limitations that make them of little use to biologists. Here, we propose an efficient method for identifying these active modules that operates on a data embedding combining gene expressions and interaction data. Applications carried out on real datasets show that our method can identify new groups of genes of high interest corresponding to functions not revealed by traditional approaches. Software is available at https://github.com/claudepasquier/amine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Pasquier
- Laboratoire d'Informatique, Signaux et Systèmes de Sophia-Antipolis, I3S - UMR7271 - UNS CNRS, Les Algorithmes - bât. Euclide B, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Vincent Guerlais
- Laboratoire d'Informatique, Signaux et Systèmes de Sophia-Antipolis, I3S - UMR7271 - UNS CNRS, Les Algorithmes - bât. Euclide B, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Denis Pallez
- Laboratoire d'Informatique, Signaux et Systèmes de Sophia-Antipolis, I3S - UMR7271 - UNS CNRS, Les Algorithmes - bât. Euclide B, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Raphaël Rapetti-Mauss
- iBV - Institut de Biologie Valrose, Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, Faculté des Sciences, Parc Valrose, Nice cedex 2, France
| | - Olivier Soriani
- iBV - Institut de Biologie Valrose, Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, Faculté des Sciences, Parc Valrose, Nice cedex 2, France
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19
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Chiu YF, Liu TW, Shan YS, Chen JS, Li CP, Ho CL, Hsieh RK, Hwang TL, Chen LT, Ch'ang HJ. Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 Response to Initial Adjuvant Chemotherapy Predicts Survival and Failure Pattern of Resected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma but Not Which Patients Are Suited for Additional Adjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy: From a Prospective Randomized Study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:74-86. [PMID: 37055279 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.02.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The predictive value of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) for adjuvant chemo(radiation) therapy of resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is undefined. METHODS AND MATERIALS We analyzed CA19-9 levels in patients with resected PDAC in a prospective randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with or without additional chemoradiation therapy (CRT). Patients with postoperative CA19-9 ≤92.5 U/mL and serum bilirubin ≤2 mg/dL were randomized to 2 arms: patients in 1 arm received 6 cycles of gemcitabine, whereas those in the other received 3 cycles of gemcitabine followed by CRT and another 3 cycles of gemcitabine. Serum CA19-9 was measured every 12 weeks. Those who had CA19-9 levels always <3 U/mL were excluded from the exploratory analysis. RESULTS One hundred forty-seven patients were enrolled in this randomized trial. Twenty-two patients with CA19-9 levels always ≤3 U/mL were excluded from the analysis. For the 125 participants, median overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival were 23.1 and 12.1 months, respectively, with no significant differences between the study arms. Postresection CA19-9 levels and, to a lesser extent, CA19-9 change predicted OS (P = .040 and .077, respectively). For the 89 patients who completed the initial 3 cycles of adjuvant gemcitabine, the CA19-9 response was significantly correlated with initial failure over the distant site (P = .023) and OS (P = .0022). Despite a trend of less initial failure over the locoregional area (P = .031), neither postoperative CA19-9 level nor CA19-9 response helped to select patients who might have a survival benefit from additional adjuvant CRT. CONCLUSIONS CA19-9 response to initial adjuvant gemcitabine predicts survival and distant failure of PDAC after resection; however, it cannot select patients suited for additional adjuvant CRT. Monitoring CA19-9 levels during adjuvant therapy for postoperative patients with PDAC may guide therapeutic decisions to prevent distant failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Feng Chiu
- Institute of Public Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Tsang-Wu Liu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Shen Shan
- Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Shi Chen
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Linkou Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Pin Li
- Divisions of Clinical Skills Training, Department of Medical Education, Taipei, Taiwan; Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Liang Ho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ruey-Kuen Hsieh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsann-Long Hwang
- Department of Surgery, Linkou Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Li-Tzong Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ju Ch'ang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Taipei Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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20
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Izdebska WM, Daniluk J, Niklinski J. Microbiome and MicroRNA or Long Non-Coding RNA-Two Modern Approaches to Understanding Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5643. [PMID: 37685710 PMCID: PMC10488817 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175643] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of humans' most common and fatal neoplasms. Nowadays, a number of PDAC studies are being conducted in two different fields: non-coding RNA (especially microRNA and long non-coding RNA) and microbiota. It has been recently discovered that not only does miRNA affect particular bacteria in the gut microbiome that can promote carcinogenesis in the pancreas, but the microbiome also has a visible impact on the miRNA. This suggests that it is possible to use the combined impact of the microbiome and noncoding RNA to suppress the development of PDAC. Nevertheless, insufficient research has focused on bounding both approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In this article, we summarize the recent literature on the molecular basis of carcinogenesis in the pancreas, the two-sided impact of particular types of non-coding RNA and the pancreatic cancer microbiome, and possible medical implications of the discovered phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiktoria Maria Izdebska
- Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Jaroslaw Daniluk
- Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Jacek Niklinski
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
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21
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Jan IS, Ch'ang HJ. Selection of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who may benefit from radiotherapy. Radiat Oncol 2023; 18:137. [PMID: 37596627 PMCID: PMC10439654 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-023-02328-y] [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: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite combination chemotherapy demonstrating a positive effect on survival, the clinical outcomes of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain poor. Radiotherapy was previously a component of the curative treatment of PDAC. Advances in imaging and computer sciences have enabled the prescription of higher dosage of radiation focused on tumours with minimal toxicity to normal tissue. However, the role of radiotherapy has not been established in the curative treatment of localized PDAC because of the conflicting results from large prospective trials. Most studies have demonstrated improved locoregional control but no survival benefit from additional chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in addition to chemotherapy for resectable, borderline or locally advanced PDAC. The improved locoregional control enabled by CRT does not cause extended survival because of rapid distant progression in a significant proportion of patients with PDAC. Several single-institute studies of prescribing intensive chemotherapy with modern ablative radiotherapy for locally advanced PDAC have demonstrated extended survival with an acceptable safety profile. In an analysis after long-term follow-up, the PREOPANC study demonstrated a survival benefit from neoadjuvant gemcitabine-based CRT in resected PDAC relative to upfront surgery followed by adjuvant gemcitabine only. These observations indicated that the role of radiotherapy in PDAC should be evaluated in a subgroup of patients without rapid distant progression because systemic therapy for PDAC remains underdeveloped. We reviewed critical imaging, tissue, liquid and clinical biomarkers to differentiate the heterogeneous biologic spectra of patients with PDAC to identify those who may benefit the most from local radiotherapy. Exclusion of patients with localised PDAC who develop distant progression in a short time and undergo extended upfront chemotherapy for over 4 months may enable the identification of a survival benefit of local radiotherapy. Though promising, the effectiveness of biomarkers must be validated in a multi-institutional prospective study of patients with PDAC receiving CRT or not receiving CRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Shiow Jan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui Ju Ch'ang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
- Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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22
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Yang J, Liu Y, Liu S. The role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and autophagy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma invasion. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:506. [PMID: 37550301 PMCID: PMC10406904 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06032-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Of all pancreatic cancer (PC) cases, approximately 90% are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which progress rapidly due to its high degree of invasiveness and high metastatic potential. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a prerequisite for cancer cell invasion and spread, and it is mediated by the specific cellular behaviors and the tumor microenvironment. Autophagy has long been a target of cancer therapy, and it has been considered to play a dual and contradictory role, particularly regarding EMT-mediated PDAC invasion. This review discusses the characteristics and the biological role of EMT and autophagy from a cellular perspective, explaining invasion as a survival behavior of PDAC, with the aim of providing novel insights into targeting EMT and autophagy to overcome PDAC invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yang
- Central Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, 161000, Heilongjiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, 161000, Heilongjiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Shi Liu
- Central Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, 161000, Heilongjiang Province, P.R. China.
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23
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Racu ML, Bernardi D, Chaouche A, Zindy E, Navez J, Loi P, Maris C, Closset J, Van Laethem JL, Decaestecker C, Salmon I, D’Haene N. SMAD4 Positive Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas Are Associated with Better Outcomes in Patients Receiving FOLFIRINOX-Based Neoadjuvant Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3765. [PMID: 37568581 PMCID: PMC10417261 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153765] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SMAD4 is inactivated in 50-55% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). SMAD4 loss of expression has been described as a negative prognostic factor in PDAC associated with an increased rate of metastasis and resistance to therapy. However, the impact of SMAD4 inactivation in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is not well characterized. The aim of our study was to investigate whether SMAD4 status is a prognostic and predictive factor in patients receiving NAT. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 59 patients from a single center who underwent surgical resection for primary PDAC after NAT. SMAD4 nuclear expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and its relationship to clinicopathologic variables and survival parameters was evaluated. Interaction testing was performed between SMAD4 status and the type of NAT. RESULTS 49.15% of patients presented loss of SMAD4. SMAD4 loss was associated with a higher positive lymph node ratio (p = 0.03), shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.02), and metastasis-free survival (MFS) (p = 0.02), but it was not an independent prognostic biomarker in multivariate analysis. Interaction tests demonstrated that patients with SMAD4-positive tumors receiving FOLFIRINOX-based NAT showed the best outcome. CONCLUSION This study highlights the potential prognostic and predictive role of SMAD4 status in PDAC patients receiving FOLFIRINOX-based NAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Lucie Racu
- Departement of Pathology, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (D.B.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (I.S.); (N.D.)
| | - Dana Bernardi
- Departement of Pathology, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (D.B.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (I.S.); (N.D.)
| | - Aniss Chaouche
- Departement of Pathology, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (D.B.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (I.S.); (N.D.)
| | - Egor Zindy
- Digital Image Analysis in Pathology (DIAPath), Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 6041 Gosselies, Belgium; (E.Z.); (C.D.)
- Laboratory of Image Synthesis and Analysis (LISA), Brussels School of Engineering/École Polytechnique de Bruxelles, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Julie Navez
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (J.N.); (P.L.); (J.C.); (J.-L.V.L.)
| | - Patrizia Loi
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (J.N.); (P.L.); (J.C.); (J.-L.V.L.)
| | - Calliope Maris
- Departement of Pathology, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (D.B.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (I.S.); (N.D.)
| | - Jean Closset
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (J.N.); (P.L.); (J.C.); (J.-L.V.L.)
| | - Jean-Luc Van Laethem
- Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (J.N.); (P.L.); (J.C.); (J.-L.V.L.)
| | - Christine Decaestecker
- Digital Image Analysis in Pathology (DIAPath), Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 6041 Gosselies, Belgium; (E.Z.); (C.D.)
- Laboratory of Image Synthesis and Analysis (LISA), Brussels School of Engineering/École Polytechnique de Bruxelles, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Salmon
- Departement of Pathology, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (D.B.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (I.S.); (N.D.)
- Digital Image Analysis in Pathology (DIAPath), Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 6041 Gosselies, Belgium; (E.Z.); (C.D.)
| | - Nicky D’Haene
- Departement of Pathology, CUB Hôpital Erasme, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (D.B.); (A.C.); (C.M.); (I.S.); (N.D.)
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24
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Oei V, Chuang LSH, Matsuo J, Srivastava S, Teh M, Ito Y. RUNX3 inactivates oncogenic MYC through disruption of MYC/MAX complex and subsequent recruitment of GSK3β-FBXW7 cascade. Commun Biol 2023; 6:689. [PMID: 37400551 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05037-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC is one of the most commonly dysregulated proto-oncogenes in cancer. MYC promotes cancer initiation and maintenance by regulating multiple biological processes, such as proliferation and stem cell function. Here, we show that developmental regulator RUNX3 targets MYC protein for rapid degradation through the glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta-F-box/WD repeat-containing protein 7 (GSK3β-FBXW7) proteolytic pathway. The evolutionarily conserved Runt domain of RUNX3 interacts directly with the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper of MYC, resulting in the disruption of MYC/MAX and MYC/MIZ-1 interactions, enhanced GSK3β-mediated phosphorylation of MYC protein at threonine-58 and its subsequent degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasomal pathway. We therefore uncover a previously unknown mode of MYC destabilization by RUNX3 and provide an explanation as to why RUNX3 inhibits early-stage cancer development in gastrointestinal and lung mouse cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Oei
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Graduate School, Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Linda Shyue Huey Chuang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Junichi Matsuo
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Supriya Srivastava
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ming Teh
- Department of Pathology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yoshiaki Ito
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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25
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Torres AJF, Duryea J, McDonald OG. Pancreatic cancer epigenetics: adaptive metabolism reprograms starving primary tumors for widespread metastatic outgrowth. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:389-407. [PMID: 37316634 PMCID: PMC10591521 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10116-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a paradigm for adaptation to extreme stress. That is because genetic drivers are selected during tissue injury with epigenetic imprints encoding wound healing responses. Ironically, epigenetic memories of trauma that facilitate neoplasia can also recreate past stresses to restrain malignant progression through symbiotic tumor:stroma crosstalk. This is best exemplified by positive feedback between neoplastic chromatin outputs and fibroinflammatory stromal cues that encase malignant glands within a nutrient-deprived desmoplastic stroma. Because epigenetic imprints are chemically encoded by nutrient-derived metabolites bonded to chromatin, primary tumor metabolism adapts to preserve malignant epigenetic fidelity during starvation. Despite these adaptations, stromal stresses inevitably awaken primordial drives to seek more hospitable climates. The invasive migrations that ensue facilitate entry into the metastatic cascade. Metastatic routes present nutrient-replete reservoirs that accelerate malignant progression through adaptive metaboloepigenetics. This is best exemplified by positive feedback between biosynthetic enzymes and nutrient transporters that saturate malignant chromatin with pro-metastatic metabolite byproducts. Here we present a contemporary view of pancreatic cancer epigenetics: selection of neoplastic chromatin under fibroinflammatory pressures, preservation of malignant chromatin during starvation stresses, and saturation of metastatic chromatin by nutritional excesses that fuel lethal metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaldo J Franco Torres
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Rosenstiel Medical Sciences Building Room 4086A, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jeffrey Duryea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Rosenstiel Medical Sciences Building Room 4086A, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Oliver G McDonald
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Rosenstiel Medical Sciences Building Room 4086A, Miami, FL, USA.
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
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26
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Roy A, Chauhan S, Bhattacharya S, Jakhmola V, Tyagi K, Sachdeva A, Wasai A, Mandal S. Runt-related transcription factors in human carcinogenesis: a friend or foe? J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023:10.1007/s00432-023-04769-0. [PMID: 37081242 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04769-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer is one of the deadliest pathologies with more than 19 million new cases and 10 million cancer-related deaths across the globe. Despite development of advanced therapeutic interventions, cancer remains as a fatal pathology due to lack of early prognostic biomarkers, therapy resistance and requires identification of novel drug targets. METHODS Runt-related transcription factors (Runx) family controls several cellular and physiological functions including osteogenesis. Recent literatures from PubMed was mined and the review was written in comprehensive manner RESULTS: Recent literature suggests that aberrant expression of Runx contributes to tumorigenesis of many organs. Conversely, cell- and tissue-specific tumor suppressor roles of Runx are also reported. In this review, we have provided the structural/functional properties of Runx isoforms and its regulation in context of human cancer. Moreover, in an urgent need to discover novel therapeutic interventions against cancer, we comprehensively discussed the reported oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles of Runx isoforms in several tumor types and discussed the discrepancies that may have risen on Runx as a driver of malignant transformation. CONCLUSION Runx may be a novel therapeutic target against a battery of deadly human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adhiraj Roy
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201303, India.
| | - Shivi Chauhan
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201303, India
| | - Sujata Bhattacharya
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201303, India
| | - Vibhuti Jakhmola
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201303, India
| | - Komal Tyagi
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201303, India
| | - Abha Sachdeva
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201303, India
| | - Abdul Wasai
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201303, India
| | - Supratim Mandal
- Department of Microbiology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, 741235, India
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27
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Ito K, Otani S, Date Y. p53 Deficiency-Dependent Oncogenicity of Runx3. Cells 2023; 12:cells12081122. [PMID: 37190031 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081122] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The RUNX transcription factors are frequently dysregulated in human cancers, suggesting their potential as attractive targets for drug treatment. However, all three transcription factors have been described as both tumor suppressors and oncogenes, indicating the need to determine their molecular mechanisms of action. Although RUNX3 has long been considered a tumor suppressor in human cancers, several recent studies have shown that RUNX3 is upregulated during the development or progression of various malignant tumors, suggesting it may act as a "conditional" oncogene. Resolving this paradox and understanding how a single gene can exhibit both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive properties is essential for successful drug targeting of RUNX. This review describes the evidence for the activities of RUNX3 in human cancer and proposes an explanation for the duality of RUNX3 involving the status of p53. In this model, p53 deficiency causes RUNX3 to become oncogenic, leading to aberrant upregulation of MYC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosei Ito
- Department of Molecular Bone Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8588, Japan
| | - Shohei Otani
- Department of Molecular Bone Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8588, Japan
| | - Yuki Date
- Department of Molecular Bone Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8588, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
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28
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Hurwitz E, Parajuli P, Ozkan S, Prunier C, Nguyen TL, Campbell D, Friend C, Bryan AA, Lu TX, Smith SC, Razzaque MS, Xu K, Atfi A. Antagonism between Prdm16 and Smad4 specifies the trajectory and progression of pancreatic cancer. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202203036. [PMID: 36828547 PMCID: PMC9999015 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202203036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Prdm16 functions as a potent suppressor of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling, whose inactivation is deemed essential to the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Using the KrasG12D-based mouse model of human PDAC, we surprisingly found that ablating Prdm16 did not block but instead accelerated PDAC formation and progression, suggesting that Prdm16 might function as a tumor suppressor in this malignancy. Subsequent genetic experiments showed that ablating Prdm16 along with Smad4 resulted in a shift from a well-differentiated and confined neoplasm to a highly aggressive and metastatic disease, which was associated with a striking deviation in the trajectory of the premalignant lesions. Mechanistically, we found that Smad4 interacted with and recruited Prdm16 to repress its own expression, therefore pinpointing a model in which Prdm16 functions downstream of Smad4 to constrain the PDAC malignant phenotype. Collectively, these findings unveil an unprecedented antagonistic interaction between the tumor suppressors Smad4 and Prdm16 that functions to restrict PDAC progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Hurwitz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Parash Parajuli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Seval Ozkan
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Centre, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Celine Prunier
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, Paris, France
| | - Thien Ly Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Centre, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Deanna Campbell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Creighton Friend
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Allyn Austin Bryan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Ting-Xuan Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | | | - Keli Xu
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Centre, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Azeddine Atfi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, Paris, France
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29
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Role of RUNX3 in Restriction Point Regulation. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050708. [PMID: 36899846 PMCID: PMC10000377 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050708] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A cell cycle is a series of events that takes place in a cell as it grows and divides. At the G1 phase of cell cycle, cells monitor their cumulative exposure to specific signals and make the critical decision to pass through the restriction (R)-point. The R-point decision-making machinery is fundamental to normal differentiation, apoptosis, and G1-S transition. Deregulation of this machinery is markedly associated with tumorigenesis. Therefore, identification of the molecular mechanisms that govern the R-point decision is one of the fundamental issues in tumor biology. RUNX3 is one of the genes frequently inactivated in tumors by epigenetic alterations. In particular, RUNX3 is downregulated in most K-RAS-activated human and mouse lung adenocarcinomas (ADCs). Targeted inactivation of Runx3 in the mouse lung induces adenomas (ADs), and markedly shortens the latency of ADC formation induced by oncogenic K-Ras. RUNX3 participates in the transient formation of R-point-associated activator (RPA-RX3-AC) complexes, which measure the duration of RAS signals and thereby protect cells against oncogenic RAS. This review focuses on the molecular mechanism by which the R-point participates in oncogenic surveillance.
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30
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The RUNX Family Defines Trk Phenotype and Aggressiveness of Human Neuroblastoma through Regulation of p53 and MYCN. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040544. [PMID: 36831211 PMCID: PMC9954111 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX) family, which is essential for the differentiation of cells of neural crest origin, also plays a potential role in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. Consecutive studies in various tumor types have demonstrated that the RUNX family can play either pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic roles in a context-dependent manner, including in response to chemotherapeutic agents. However, in primary neuroblastomas, RUNX3 acts as a tumor-suppressor, whereas RUNX1 bifunctionally regulates cell proliferation according to the characterized genetic and epigenetic backgrounds, including MYCN oncogenesis. In this review, we first highlight the current knowledge regarding the mechanism through which the RUNX family regulates the neurotrophin receptors known as the tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk) family, which are significantly associated with neuroblastoma aggressiveness. We then focus on the possible involvement of the RUNX family in functional alterations of the p53 family members that execute either tumor-suppressive or dominant-negative functions in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. By examining the tripartite relationship between the RUNX, Trk, and p53 families, in addition to the oncogene MYCN, we endeavor to elucidate the possible contribution of the RUNX family to neuroblastoma tumorigenesis for a better understanding of potential future molecular-based therapies.
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31
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RUNX3 in Stem Cell and Cancer Biology. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030408. [PMID: 36766749 PMCID: PMC9913995 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The runt-related transcription factors (RUNX) play prominent roles in cell cycle progression, differentiation, apoptosis, immunity and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. There are three members in the mammalian RUNX family, each with distinct tissue expression profiles. RUNX genes play unique and redundant roles during development and adult tissue homeostasis. The ability of RUNX proteins to influence signaling pathways, such as Wnt, TGFβ and Hippo-YAP, suggests that they integrate signals from the environment to dictate cell fate decisions. All RUNX genes hold master regulator roles, albeit in different tissues, and all have been implicated in cancer. Paradoxically, RUNX genes exert tumor suppressive and oncogenic functions, depending on tumor type and stage. Unlike RUNX1 and 2, the role of RUNX3 in stem cells is poorly understood. A recent study using cancer-derived RUNX3 mutation R122C revealed a gatekeeper role for RUNX3 in gastric epithelial stem cell homeostasis. The corpora of RUNX3R122C/R122C mice showed a dramatic increase in proliferating stem cells as well as inhibition of differentiation. Tellingly, RUNX3R122C/R122C mice also exhibited a precancerous phenotype. This review focuses on the impact of RUNX3 dysregulation on (1) stem cell fate and (2) the molecular mechanisms underpinning early carcinogenesis.
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32
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Matsumura K, Hayashi H, Uemura N, Ogata Y, Zhao L, Sato H, Shiraishi Y, Kuroki H, Kitamura F, Kaida T, Higashi T, Nakagawa S, Mima K, Imai K, Yamashita YI, Baba H. Thrombospondin-1 overexpression stimulates loss of Smad4 and accelerates malignant behavior via TGF-β signal activation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Transl Oncol 2022; 26:101533. [PMID: 36115074 PMCID: PMC9483797 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by abundant stroma and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) provide a favorable tumor microenvironment. Smad4 is known as tumor suppressor in several types of cancers including PDAC, and loss of Smad4 triggers accelerated cell invasiveness and metastatic potential. The thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) can act as a major activator of latent transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in vivo. However, the roles of TSP-1 and the mediator of Smad4 loss and TGF-β signal activation during PDAC progression have not yet been addressed. The aim is to elucidate the biological role of TSP-1 in PDAC progression. METHODS AND RESULTS High substrate stiffness stimulated TSP-1 expression in CAFs, and TSP-1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation with suppressed profibrogenic and activated stroma-related gene expressions in CAFs. Paracrine TSP-1 treatment for PDAC cells promoted cell proliferation and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) with activated TGF-β signals such as phosphorylated Akt and Smad2/3 expressions. Surprisingly, knockdown of DPC4 (Smad4 gene) induced TSP-1 overexpression with TGF-β signal activation in PDAC cells. Interestingly, TSP-1 overexpression also induced downregulation of Smad4 expression and enhanced cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with LSKL peptide, which antagonizes TSP-1-mediated latent TGF-β activation, attenuated cell proliferation, migration and chemoresistance with enhanced apoptosis in PDAC cells. CONCLUSIONS TSP-1 derived from CAFs stimulates loss of Smad4 expression in cancer cells and accelerates malignant behavior by TGF-β signal activation in PDAC. TSP-1 could be a novel therapeutic target, not only for CAFs in stiff stroma, but also for cancer cells in the PDAC microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Matsumura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Norio Uemura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yoko Ogata
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Liu Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hiroki Sato
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yuta Shiraishi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Kuroki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Fumimasa Kitamura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Kaida
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Takaaki Higashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Shigeki Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Kosuke Mima
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Katsunori Imai
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yo-Ichi Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan.
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33
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RUNX Proteins as Epigenetic Modulators in Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223687. [PMID: 36429115 PMCID: PMC9688118 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RUNX proteins are highly conserved in metazoans and perform critical functions during development. Dysregulation of RUNX proteins through various molecular mechanisms facilitates the development and progression of various cancers, where different RUNX proteins show tumor type-specific functions and regulate different aspects of tumorigenesis by cross-talking with different signaling pathways such as Wnt, TGF-β, and Hippo. Molecularly, they could serve as transcription factors (TFs) to activate their direct target genes or interact with many other TFs to modulate chromatin architecture globally. Here, we review the current knowledge on the functions and regulations of RUNX proteins in different cancer types and highlight their potential role as epigenetic modulators in cancer.
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34
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Won Y, Choi E. Mouse models of Kras activation in gastric cancer. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:1793-1798. [PMID: 36369466 PMCID: PMC9723172 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00882-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer has one of the highest incidence rates and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Sequential steps within the carcinogenic process are observed in gastric cancer as well as in pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer. Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is the most well-known oncogene and can be constitutively activated by somatic mutations in the gene locus. For over 2 decades, the functions of Kras activation in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers have been studied to elucidate its oncogenic roles during the carcinogenic process. Different approaches have been utilized to generate distinct in vivo models of GI cancer, and a number of mouse models have been established using Kras-inducible systems. In this review, we summarize the genetically engineered mouse models in which Kras is activated with cell-type and/or tissue-type specificity that are utilized for studying carcinogenic processes in gastric cancer as well as pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer. We also provide a brief description of histological phenotypes and characteristics of those mouse models and the current limitations in the gastric cancer field to be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoonkyung Won
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Eunyoung Choi
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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35
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Fleming Martinez AK, Döppler HR, Bastea LI, Edenfield BH, Liou GY, Storz P. Ym1 + macrophages orchestrate fibrosis, lesion growth, and progression during development of murine pancreatic cancer. iScience 2022; 25:104327. [PMID: 35602933 PMCID: PMC9118688 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmoplasia around pancreatic lesions is a barrier for immune cells and a hallmark of developing and established pancreatic cancer. However, the contribution of the innate immune system to this process is ill-defined. Using the KC mouse model and primary cells in vitro, we show that alternatively activated macrophages (AAM) crosstalk with pancreatic lesion cells and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) to mediate fibrosis and progression of lesions. TGFβ1 secreted by AAM not only drives activation of quiescent PSCs but also in activated PSCs upregulates expression of TIMP1, a factor previously shown as crucial in fibrosis. Once activated, PSCs auto-stimulate proliferation via CXCL12. Furthermore, we found that TIMP1/CD63 signaling mediates PanIN lesion growth and TGFβ1 contributes to a cadherin switch and drives structural collapse of lesions, indicating a potential progression step. Taken together, our data indicate TGFβ1 produced by Ym1+ AAM as a major driver of processes that initiate the development of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heike R. Döppler
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Ligia I. Bastea
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Brandy H. Edenfield
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Geou-Yarh Liou
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA,Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Cancer Research & Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
| | - Peter Storz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA,Corresponding author
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36
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Connor AA, Gallinger S. Pancreatic cancer evolution and heterogeneity: integrating omics and clinical data. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:131-142. [PMID: 34789870 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00418-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), already among the deadliest epithelial malignancies, is rising in both incidence and contribution to overall cancer deaths. Decades of research have improved our understanding of PDAC carcinogenesis, including characterizing germline predisposition, the cell of origin, precursor lesions, the sequence of genetic alterations, including simple and structural alterations, transcriptional changes and subtypes, tumour heterogeneity, metastatic progression and the tumour microenvironment. These fundamental advances inform contemporary translational efforts in primary prevention, screening and early detection, multidisciplinary management and survivorship, as prospective clinical trials begin to adopt molecular-based selection criteria to guide targeted therapies. Genomic and transcriptomic data on PDAC were also included in the international pan-cancer analysis of approximately 2,600 cancers, a milestone in cancer research that allows further insight through comparison with other tumour types. Thus, this is an ideal time to review our current knowledge of PDAC evolution and heterogeneity, gained from the study of preclinical models and patient biospecimens, and to propose a model of PDAC evolution that takes into consideration findings from varied sources, with a particular focus on the genomics of human PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashton A Connor
- Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steven Gallinger
- Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic Surgical Oncology Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Ontario Pancreas Cancer Study, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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37
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McDonald OG. The biology of pancreatic cancer morphology. Pathology 2022; 54:236-247. [PMID: 34872751 PMCID: PMC8891077 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal of all human malignancies. PDAC precursor lesions, invasive primary PDAC, and metastatic PDAC each display distinct morphologies that reflect unique biology. This 'biomorphology' is determined by a complex neoplastic history of clonal phylogenetic relationships, geographic locations, external environmental exposures, intrinsic metabolic demands, and tissue migration patterns. Understanding the biomorphological evolution of PDAC progression is not only of academic interest but also of great practical value. Applying this knowledge to surgical pathology practice facilitates the correct diagnosis on routine H&E stains without additional ancillary studies in most cases. Here I provide a concise overview of the entire biomorphological spectrum of PDAC progression beginning with initial neoplastic transformation and ending in terminal distant metastasis. Most biopsy and resection specimens are currently obtained prior to treatment. As such, our understanding of untreated PDAC biomorphology is mature. The biomorphology of treated PDAC is less defined but will assume greater importance as the frequency of neoadjuvant therapy increases. Although this overview is slanted towards pathology, it is written so that pathologists, clinicians, and scientists alike might find it instructive for their respective disciplines.
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38
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Krauß L, Urban BC, Hastreiter S, Schneider C, Wenzel P, Hassan Z, Wirth M, Lankes K, Terrasi A, Klement C, Cernilogar FM, Öllinger R, de Andrade Krätzig N, Engleitner T, Schmid RM, Steiger K, Rad R, Krämer OH, Reichert M, Schotta G, Saur D, Schneider G. HDAC2 Facilitates Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis. Cancer Res 2022; 82:695-707. [PMID: 34903606 PMCID: PMC9359718 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The mortality of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is strongly associated with metastasis, a multistep process that is incompletely understood in this disease. Although genetic drivers of PDAC metastasis have not been defined, transcriptional and epigenetic rewiring can contribute to the metastatic process. The epigenetic eraser histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) has been connected to less differentiated PDAC, but the function of HDAC2 in PDAC has not been comprehensively evaluated. Using genetically defined models, we show that HDAC2 is a cellular fitness factor that controls cell cycle in vitro and metastasis in vivo, particularly in undifferentiated, mesenchymal PDAC cells. Unbiased expression profiling detected a core set of HDAC2-regulated genes. HDAC2 controlled expression of several prosurvival receptor tyrosine kinases connected to mesenchymal PDAC, including PDGFRα, PDGFRβ, and EGFR. The HDAC2-maintained program disabled the tumor-suppressive arm of the TGFβ pathway, explaining impaired metastasis formation of HDAC2-deficient PDAC. These data identify HDAC2 as a tractable player in the PDAC metastatic cascade. The complexity of the function of epigenetic regulators like HDAC2 implicates that an increased understanding of these proteins is needed for implementation of effective epigenetic therapies. SIGNIFICANCE HDAC2 has a context-specific role in undifferentiated PDAC and the capacity to disseminate systemically, implicating HDAC2 as targetable protein to prevent metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Krauß
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Bettina C. Urban
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Sieglinde Hastreiter
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Carolin Schneider
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Patrick Wenzel
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Zonera Hassan
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Matthias Wirth
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, German
| | - Katharina Lankes
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Andrea Terrasi
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Christine Klement
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Filippo M. Cernilogar
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Rupert Öllinger
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Niklas de Andrade Krätzig
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Thomas Engleitner
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Roland M. Schmid
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Katja Steiger
- Institute of Pathology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roland Rad
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver H. Krämer
- Department of Toxicology, University of Mainz Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Maximilian Reichert
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gunnar Schotta
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute for Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
| | - Günter Schneider
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, München, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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The Role of SMAD4 Inactivation in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: The Missing Link? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040973. [PMID: 35205719 PMCID: PMC8870198 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is currently one of the deadliest cancers. Despite the progress that has been made in the research of patient care and the understanding of pancreatic cancer, the survival rate remains mediocre. SMAD4, a tumor-suppressor gene, is specifically inactivated in 50–55% of pancreatic cancers. The role of SMAD4 protein loss in PDAC remains controversial, but seems to be associated with worse overall survival and metastasis. Here, we review the function of SMAD4 inactivation in the context of a specific biological process called epithelial–mesenchymal transition, as it has been increasingly associated with tumor formation, metastasis and resistance to therapy. By improving our understanding of these molecular mechanisms, we hope to find new targets for therapy and improve the care of patients with PDAC. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a five-year survival rate of 10% and its incidence increases over the years. It is, therefore, essential to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that promote metastasis and chemoresistance in PDAC, which are the main causes of death in these patients. SMAD4 is inactivated in 50% of PDACs and its loss has been associated with worse overall survival and metastasis, although some controversy still exists. SMAD4 is the central signal transducer of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) pathway, which is notably known to play a role in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is a biological process where epithelial cells lose their characteristics to acquire a spindle-cell phenotype and increased motility. EMT has been increasingly studied due to its potential implication in metastasis and therapy resistance. Recently, it has been suggested that cells undergo EMT transition through intermediary states, which is referred to as epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity (EMP). The intermediary states are characterized by enhanced aggressiveness and more efficient metastasis. Therefore, this review aims to summarize and analyze the current knowledge on SMAD4 loss in patients with PDAC and to investigate its potential role in EMP in order to better understand its function in PDAC carcinogenesis.
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Nienhüser H, Büchler MW, Schneider M. Resection of Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer: Who Can Benefit? Visc Med 2022; 38:42-48. [PMID: 35295892 PMCID: PMC8874245 DOI: 10.1159/000519754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recurrence after resection of pancreatic cancer occurs in up to 80% of patients in the first 2 years after complete resection. While most patients are not eligible for surgical treatment due to disseminated disease, a certain group of patients can be evaluated for re-resection of local recurrence. This review summarizes the current literature on surgical treatment of recurrent pancreatic cancer and potential prognostic factors. Summary Re-resection of recurrent pancreatic cancer provides a significant survival benefit to selected patients with acceptable procedure-related mortality. Median overall survival after re-resection of recurrent pancreatic cancer is up to 28 months. The most relevant clinical parameters associated with a prognostic benefit are young patient age (<65 years), time to initial resection (>10 months), and preoperative chemotherapy before re-resection. Molecular markers are currently under investigation and might help to improve patient selection in the future. Key Message Re-resection of recurrent pancreatic cancer is safe and feasible in experienced hands. Selected patients benefit from surgical treatment, but future studies are needed to identify reliable prognostic markers predicting survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Nienhüser
- Department of General, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus W Büchler
- Department of General, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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Otani S, Date Y, Ueno T, Ito T, Kajikawa S, Omori K, Taniuchi I, Umeda M, Komori T, Toguchida J, Ito K. Runx3 is required for oncogenic Myc upregulation in p53-deficient osteosarcoma. Oncogene 2022; 41:683-691. [PMID: 34803166 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02120-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) in human patients is characterized by genetic alteration of TP53. Osteoprogenitor-specific p53-deleted mice (OS mice) have been widely used to study the process of osteosarcomagenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of OS upon p53 inactivation remain largely unknown. In this study, we detected prominent RUNX3/Runx3 expression in human and mouse p53-deficient OS. Myc was aberrantly upregulated by Runx3 via mR1, a consensus Runx site in the Myc promoter, in a manner dependent on p53 deficiency. Reduction of the Myc level by disruption of mR1 or Runx3 knockdown decreased the tumorigenicity of p53-deficient OS cells and effectively suppressed OS development in OS mice. Furthermore, Runx inhibitors exerted therapeutic effects on OS mice. Together, these results show that p53 deficiency promotes osteosarcomagenesis in human and mouse by allowing Runx3 to induce oncogenic Myc expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohei Otani
- Department of Molecular Bone Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan
- Department of Clinical Oral Oncology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan
| | - Yuki Date
- Department of Molecular Bone Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0083, Japan
| | - Tomoya Ueno
- Department of Molecular Bone Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ito
- Department of Molecular Bone Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan
| | - Shuhei Kajikawa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, 1-3 Ikoinooka, Imabari, Ehime, 794-8555, Japan
| | - Keisuke Omori
- Department of Molecular Bone Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan
- Department of Clinical Oral Oncology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan
| | - Ichiro Taniuchi
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Masahiro Umeda
- Department of Clinical Oral Oncology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan
| | - Toshihisa Komori
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan
| | - Junya Toguchida
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kosei Ito
- Department of Molecular Bone Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan.
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van Roey R, Brabletz T, Stemmler MP, Armstark I. Deregulation of Transcription Factor Networks Driving Cell Plasticity and Metastasis in Pancreatic Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:753456. [PMID: 34888306 PMCID: PMC8650502 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.753456] [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: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a very aggressive disease with 5-year survival rates of less than 10%. The constantly increasing incidence and stagnant patient outcomes despite changes in treatment regimens emphasize the requirement of a better understanding of the disease mechanisms. Challenges in treating pancreatic cancer include diagnosis at already progressed disease states due to the lack of early detection methods, rapid acquisition of therapy resistance, and high metastatic competence. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent type of pancreatic cancer, frequently shows dominant-active mutations in KRAS and TP53 as well as inactivation of genes involved in differentiation and cell-cycle regulation (e.g. SMAD4 and CDKN2A). Besides somatic mutations, deregulated transcription factor activities strongly contribute to disease progression. Specifically, transcriptional regulatory networks essential for proper lineage specification and differentiation during pancreas development are reactivated or become deregulated in the context of cancer and exacerbate progression towards an aggressive phenotype. This review summarizes the recent literature on transcription factor networks and epigenetic gene regulation that play a crucial role during tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruthger van Roey
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marc P Stemmler
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Isabell Armstark
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Douchi D, Yamamura A, Matsuo J, Melissa Lim YH, Nuttonmanit N, Shimura M, Suda K, Chen S, Pang S, Kohu K, Abe T, Shioi G, Kim G, Shabbir A, Srivastava S, Unno M, Bok-Yan So J, Teh M, Yeoh KG, Chuang LSH, Ito Y. Induction of Gastric Cancer by Successive Oncogenic Activation in the Corpus. Gastroenterology 2021; 161:1907-1923.e26. [PMID: 34391772 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Metaplasia and dysplasia in the corpus are reportedly derived from de-differentiation of chief cells. However, the cellular origin of metaplasia and cancer remained uncertain. Therefore, we investigated whether pepsinogen C (PGC) transcript-expressing cells represent the cellular origin of metaplasia and cancer using a novel Pgc-specific CreERT2 recombinase mouse model. METHODS We generated a Pgc-mCherry-IRES-CreERT2 (Pgc-CreERT2) knock-in mouse model. Pgc-CreERT2/+ and Rosa-EYFP mice were crossed to generate Pgc-CreERT2/Rosa-EYFP (Pgc-CreERT2/YFP) mice. Gastric tissues were collected, followed by lineage-tracing experiments and histologic and immunofluorescence staining. We further established Pgc-CreERT2;KrasG12D/+ mice and investigated whether PGC transcript-expressing cells are responsible for the precancerous state in gastric glands. To investigate cancer development from PGC transcript-expressing cells with activated Kras, inactivated Apc, and Trp53 signaling pathways, we crossed Pgc-CreERT2/+ mice with conditional KrasG12D, Apcflox, Trp53flox mice. RESULTS Expectedly, mCherry mainly labeled chief cells in the Pgc-CreERT2 mice. However, mCherry was also detected throughout the neck cell and isthmal stem/progenitor regions, albeit at lower levels. In the Pgc-CreERT2;KrasG12D/+ mice, PGC transcript-expressing cells with KrasG12D/+ mutation presented pseudopyloric metaplasia. The early induction of proliferation at the isthmus may reflect the ability of isthmal progenitors to react rapidly to Pgc-driven KrasG12D/+ oncogenic mutation. Furthermore, Pgc-CreERT2;KrasG12D/+;Apcflox/flox mice presented intramucosal dysplasia/carcinoma and Pgc-CreERT2;KrasG12D/+;Apcflox/flox;Trp53flox/flox mice presented invasive and metastatic gastric carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS The Pgc-CreERT2 knock-in mouse is an invaluable tool to study the effects of successive oncogenic activation in the mouse corpus. Time-course observations can be made regarding the responses of isthmal and chief cells to oncogenic insults. We can observe stomach-specific tumorigenesis from the beginning to metastatic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Douchi
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Akihiro Yamamura
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Junichi Matsuo
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yi Hui Melissa Lim
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Napat Nuttonmanit
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mitsuhiro Shimura
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kazuto Suda
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Pediatric General and Urogenital Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sabirah Chen
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - ShuChin Pang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kazuyoshi Kohu
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Takaya Abe
- Laboratory for Animal Resources and Genetic Engineering, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - Go Shioi
- Laboratory for Animal Resources and Genetic Engineering, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - Guowei Kim
- Department of Surgery, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Asim Shabbir
- Department of Surgery, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Michiaki Unno
- Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Jimmy Bok-Yan So
- Department of Surgery, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ming Teh
- Department of Pathology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Khay Guan Yeoh
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Yoshiaki Ito
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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Schmidtlein PM, Volz C, Hackel A, Thürling I, Castven D, Braun R, Wellner UF, Konukiewitz B, Riemekasten G, Lehnert H, Marquardt JU, Ungefroren H. Activation of a Ductal-to-Endocrine Transdifferentiation Transcriptional Program in the Pancreatic Cancer Cell Line PANC-1 Is Controlled by RAC1 and RAC1b through Antagonistic Regulation of Stemness Factors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215541. [PMID: 34771704 PMCID: PMC8583136 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary For patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) there is currently no cure; hence, novel effective therapies are desperately needed. Among PDAC patients, the tumor cell phenotypes are heterogeneous as a result of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, a process that endows them with the ability to metastasize, resist therapy, and generate cancer stem cells. The heightened plasticity of quasimesenchymal and potentially metastatic tumor cells may, however, also be exploited for their transdifferentiation into benign, highly differentiated or post-mitotic cells. Since PDAC patients often have a need for replacement of insulin-producing cells, conversion of tumor cells with a ductal/exocrine origin to endocrine β cell-like cells is an attractive therapeutic option. Successful transdifferentiation into insulin-producing cells has been reported for the quasimesenchymal cell line PANC-1; however, the mechanistic basis of this transformation process is unknown. Here, we show that the small GTPases, RAC1 and RAC1b control this process by antagonistic regulation of stemness genes. Abstract Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a driving force for tumor growth, metastatic spread, therapy resistance, and the generation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the regained stem cell character may also be exploited for therapeutic conversion of aggressive tumor cells to benign, highly differentiated cells. The PDAC-derived quasimesenchymal-type cell lines PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 have been successfully transdifferentiated to endocrine precursors or insulin-producing cells; however, the underlying mechanism of this increased plasticity remains elusive. Given its crucial role in normal pancreatic endocrine development and tumor progression, both of which involve EMT, we analyzed here the role of the small GTPase RAC1. Ectopic expression in PANC-1 cells of dominant negative or constitutively active mutants of RAC1 activation blocked or enhanced, respectively, the cytokine-induced activation of a ductal-to-endocrine transdifferentiation transcriptional program (deTDtP) as revealed by induction of the NEUROG3, INS, SLC2A2, and MAFA genes. Conversely, ectopic expression of RAC1b, a RAC1 splice isoform and functional antagonist of RAC1-driven EMT, decreased the deTDtP, while genetic knockout of RAC1b dramatically increased it. We further show that inhibition of RAC1 activation attenuated pluripotency marker expression and self-renewal ability, while depletion of RAC1b dramatically enhanced stemness features and clonogenic potential. Finally, rescue experiments involving pharmacological or RNA interference-mediated inhibition of RAC1 or RAC1b, respectively, confirmed that both RAC1 isoforms control the deTDtP in an opposite manner. We conclude that RAC1 and RAC1b antagonistically control growth factor-induced activation of an endocrine transcriptional program and the generation of CSCs in quasimesenchymal PDAC cells. Our results have clinical implications for PDAC patients, who in addition to eradication of tumor cells have a need for replacement of insulin-producing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Marie Schmidtlein
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (P.M.S.); (C.V.); (I.T.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Clara Volz
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (P.M.S.); (C.V.); (I.T.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Alexander Hackel
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (A.H.); (G.R.)
| | - Isabel Thürling
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (P.M.S.); (C.V.); (I.T.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Darko Castven
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (P.M.S.); (C.V.); (I.T.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Rüdiger Braun
- Clinic for Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (R.B.); (U.F.W.)
| | - Ulrich Friedrich Wellner
- Clinic for Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (R.B.); (U.F.W.)
| | - Björn Konukiewitz
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, D-24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Gabriela Riemekasten
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (A.H.); (G.R.)
| | | | - Jens-Uwe Marquardt
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (P.M.S.); (C.V.); (I.T.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
| | - Hendrik Ungefroren
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; (P.M.S.); (C.V.); (I.T.); (D.C.); (J.-U.M.)
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, D-24105 Kiel, Germany;
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Kim J, Ekstrom T, Yang W, Donahue G, Grygoryev D, Ngo TT, Muschler JL, Morgan T, Zaret KS. Longitudinal Analysis of Human Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Development Reveals Transient Gene Expression Signatures. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:1854-1867. [PMID: 34330844 PMCID: PMC9398181 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0483] [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: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Previous transcriptome studies of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) compare non-cancerous pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanIN) with late-stage PDAC obtained from different patients, thus have limited ability to discern network dynamics that contribute to the disease progression. We demonstrated previously that the 10-22 cell line, an induced pluripotent stem cell-like line reprogrammed from late-stage human PDAC cells, recapitulated the progression from PanINs to PDAC upon transplantation into NOD/LtSz-scid/IL2R-gammanull mice. Herein, we investigated the transition from precursor to PDAC using the isogenic model. We analyzed transcriptomes of genetically tagged 10-22 cells progressing from PanINs to PDAC in mice and validated the results using The Cancer Genome Atlas PDAC dataset, human clinical PanIN and PDAC tissues, and a well-established murine PDAC model. We functionally studied candidate proteins using human normal (H6C7) and cancerous (Miapaca2, Aspc1) pancreatic ductal epithelial cell lines. 10-22 cell-derived PDAC displayed the molecular signature of clinical human PDAC. Expression changes of many genes were transient during PDAC progression. Pathways for extracellular vesicle transport and neuronal cell differentiation were derepressed in the progression of PanINs to PDAC. HMG-box transcription factor 1 (HBP1) and BTB domain and CNC homolog 1 (BACH1) were implicated in regulating dynamically expressed genes during PDAC progression, and their expressions inversely correlated with PDAC patients' prognosis. Ectopic expression of HBP1 increased proliferation and migration of normal and cancerous pancreatic cells, indicating that HBP1 may confer the cell dissemination capacity in early PDAC progression. This unique longitudinal analysis provides insights into networks underlying human PDAC progression and pathogenesis. IMPLICATIONS: Manipulation of HBP1, BACH1, and RUN3 networks during PDAC progression can be harnessed to develop new targets for treating PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungsun Kim
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon.,Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon.,Knight Cancer Institute (Cancer Biology Research Program), Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon.,Corresponding Author: Jungsun Kim, Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics, Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute. Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239. Phone: 503-346-1967; E-mail:
| | - Taelor Ekstrom
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon
| | - Wenli Yang
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Greg Donahue
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Abramson Cancer Center (Tumor Biology Program), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Dmytro Grygoryev
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon
| | - Thuy T.M. Ngo
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon.,Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - John L. Muschler
- Knight Cancer Institute (Cancer Biology Research Program), Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Terry Morgan
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, Oregon.,Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Kenneth S. Zaret
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Abramson Cancer Center (Tumor Biology Program), University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Hu HF, Ye Z, Qin Y, Xu XW, Yu XJ, Zhuo QF, Ji SR. Mutations in key driver genes of pancreatic cancer: molecularly targeted therapies and other clinical implications. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1725-1741. [PMID: 33574569 PMCID: PMC8563973 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00584-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers, with a minimal difference between its incidence rate and mortality rate. Advances in oncology over the past several decades have dramatically improved the overall survival of patients with multiple cancers due to the implementation of new techniques in early diagnosis, therapeutic drugs, and personalized therapy. However, pancreatic cancers remain recalcitrant, with a 5-year relative survival rate of <9%. The lack of measures for early diagnosis, strong resistance to chemotherapy, ineffective adjuvant chemotherapy and the unavailability of molecularly targeted therapy are responsible for the high mortality rate of this notorious disease. Genetically, PDAC progresses as a complex result of the activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressors. Although next-generation sequencing has identified numerous new genetic alterations, their clinical implications remain unknown. Classically, oncogenic mutations in genes such as KRAS and loss-of-function mutations in tumor suppressors, such as TP53, CDNK2A, DPC4/SMAD4, and BRCA2, are frequently observed in PDAC. Currently, research on these key driver genes is still the main focus. Therefore, studies assessing the functions of these genes and their potential clinical implications are of paramount importance. In this review, we summarize the biological function of key driver genes and pharmaceutical targets in PDAC. In addition, we conclude the results of molecularly targeted therapies in clinical trials and discuss how to utilize these genetic alterations in further clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-feng Hu
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Zeng Ye
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Yi Qin
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Xiao-wu Xu
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Xian-jun Yu
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Qi-feng Zhuo
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Shun-rong Ji
- grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.452404.30000 0004 1808 0942Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
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Chuang LSH, Ito Y. The Multiple Interactions of RUNX with the Hippo-YAP Pathway. Cells 2021; 10:2925. [PMID: 34831147 PMCID: PMC8616315 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo-YAP signaling pathway serves roles in cell proliferation, stem cell renewal/maintenance, differentiation and apoptosis. Many of its functions are central to early development, adult tissue repair/regeneration and not surprisingly, tumorigenesis and metastasis. The Hippo pathway represses the activity of YAP and paralog TAZ by modulating cell proliferation and promoting differentiation to maintain tissue homeostasis and proper organ size. Similarly, master regulators of development RUNX transcription factors have been shown to play critical roles in proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and cell fate determination. In this review, we discuss the multiple interactions of RUNX with the Hippo-YAP pathway, their shared collaborators in Wnt, TGFβ, MYC and RB pathways, and their overlapping functions in development and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yoshiaki Ito
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, #12-01, Singapore 117599, Singapore
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48
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Perez VM, Kearney JF, Yeh JJ. The PDAC Extracellular Matrix: A Review of the ECM Protein Composition, Tumor Cell Interaction, and Therapeutic Strategies. Front Oncol 2021; 11:751311. [PMID: 34692532 PMCID: PMC8526858 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.751311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is notorious for a dense fibrotic stroma that is interlaced with a collagen-based extracellular matrix (ECM) that plays an important role in tumor biology. Traditionally thought to only provide a physical barrier from host responses and systemic chemotherapy, new studies have demonstrated that the ECM maintains biomechanical and biochemical properties of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and restrains tumor growth. Recent studies have shown that the ECM augments tumor stiffness, interstitial fluid pressure, cell-to-cell junctions, and microvascularity using a mix of biomechanical and biochemical signals to influence tumor fate for better or worse. In addition, PDAC tumors have been shown to use ECM-derived peptide fragments as a nutrient source in nutrient-poor conditions. While collagens are the most abundant proteins found in the ECM, several studies have identified growth factors, integrins, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans in the ECM. This review focuses on the dichotomous nature of the PDAC ECM, the types of collagens and other proteins found in the ECM, and therapeutic strategies targeting the PDAC ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent M Perez
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Joseph F Kearney
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jen Jen Yeh
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Tasdogan A, Ubellacker JM, Morrison SJ. Redox Regulation in Cancer Cells during Metastasis. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:2682-2692. [PMID: 34649956 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-0558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is an inefficient process in which the vast majority of cancer cells are fated to die, partly because they experience oxidative stress. Metastasizing cancer cells migrate through diverse environments that differ dramatically from their tumor of origin, leading to redox imbalances. The rare metastasizing cells that survive undergo reversible metabolic changes that confer oxidative stress resistance. We review the changes in redox regulation that cancer cells undergo during metastasis. By better understanding these mechanisms, it may be possible to develop pro-oxidant therapies that block disease progression by exacerbating oxidative stress in cancer cells. SIGNIFICANCE: Oxidative stress often limits cancer cell survival during metastasis, raising the possibility of inhibiting cancer progression with pro-oxidant therapies. This is the opposite strategy of treating patients with antioxidants, an approach that worsened outcomes in large clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alpaslan Tasdogan
- Children's Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jessalyn M Ubellacker
- Children's Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Sean J Morrison
- Children's Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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Role of non-coding RNAs in tumor progression and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:761-776. [PMID: 34591242 PMCID: PMC8556175 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-09995-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal types of cancer with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. The 1-year survival rate of patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease is abysmal. The aggressive nature of cancer cells, hypovascularization, extensive desmoplastic stroma, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) endows PDAC tumors with multiple mechanisms of drug resistance. With no obvious genetic mutation(s) driving tumor progression or metastatic transition, the challenges for understanding the biological mechanism(s) of these processes are paramount. A better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of these processes could lead to new diagnostic tools for patient management and new targets for therapeutic intervention. microRNAs (miRNAs) are an evolutionarily conserved gene class of short non-coding regulatory RNAs. miRNAs are an extensive regulatory layer that controls gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. This review focuses on preclinical models that functionally dissect miRNA activity in tumor progression or metastatic processes in PDAC. Collectively, these studies suggest an influence of miRNAs and RNA-RNA networks in the processes of epithelial to mesenchymal cell transition and cancer cell stemness. At a cell-type level, some miRNAs mainly influence cancer cell–intrinsic processes and pathways, whereas other miRNAs predominantly act in distinct cellular compartments of the TME to regulate fibroblast and immune cell functions and/or influence other cell types’ function via cell-to-cell communications by transfer of extracellular vesicles. At a molecular level, the influence of miRNA-mediated regulation often converges in core signaling pathways, including TGF-β, JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB.
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