1
|
Zarei B, Akrami M, Rezaei N, Mahdavi M, Kamankesh M, Haririan I, Asadi M, Navaei-Nigjeh M. A doxycycline-loaded microfiber of poly-metformin/PCL for eradicating melanoma stem cells. Int J Pharm 2024; 660:124358. [PMID: 38897492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124358] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Nowadays, electrospun fibrous mats are used as drug delivery systems for loading of potential drugs in order to kill cancer cells. In the study, a skin patch for treating melanoma cancer after surgery was made using polycaprolactone and polymetformin microfibers that were loaded with doxycycline (PolyMet/PCL@DOX), an anti-cancer stem cell agent. The morphology, structure, mechanical characteristics, swelling, and porosity of the electrospun microfibers were examined. Drug release andanticancereffectiveness of PolyMet/PCL@DOXwas evaluated against A375 melanoma cancer stem cells using the MTS, Flow cytometry, colony formation and CD44 expression assays. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) verified the micro fibrous structure with a diameter of about 2.31 µm. The porosity and swelling percentages for microfibers was 73.5 % and 2.9 %, respectively. The tensile strength at the breaking point was equal to 3.84 MPa. The IC50 of PolyMet/PCL@DOX was 7.4 μg/mL. The survival rate of A375 cells after 72 h of PolyMet/PCL@DOX treatment was 43.9 %. The colony formation capacity of A375 cells decreased after PolyMet/PCL@DOX treatment. The level of CD44 expression in the PolyMet/PCL@DOX group decreased compared to the control group. Generally, PolyMet/PCL@DOX microfibers can be a promising candidate as a patch after surgery to eradicate cancer stem cells, effectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Behnoosh Zarei
- School of Pharmacy, International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Akrami
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Institute of Biomaterials, University of Tehran & Tehran University of Medical Sciences (IBUTUMS), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Niloufar Rezaei
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahdavi
- Endocrinology & Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Kamankesh
- Department of Polymer Chemistry, School of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Tehran, Iran
| | - Ismaeil Haririan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Institute of Biomaterials, University of Tehran & Tehran University of Medical Sciences (IBUTUMS), Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Asadi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mona Navaei-Nigjeh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chu X, Tian W, Ning J, Xiao G, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Zhai Z, Tanzhu G, Yang J, Zhou R. Cancer stem cells: advances in knowledge and implications for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:170. [PMID: 38965243 PMCID: PMC11224386 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01851-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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small subset of cells in tumors that are characterized by self-renewal and continuous proliferation, lead to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and maintain tumor heterogeneity. Cancer continues to be a significant global disease burden. In the past, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were the main cancer treatments. The technology of cancer treatments continues to develop and advance, and the emergence of targeted therapy, and immunotherapy provides more options for patients to a certain extent. However, the limitations of efficacy and treatment resistance are still inevitable. Our review begins with a brief introduction of the historical discoveries, original hypotheses, and pathways that regulate CSCs, such as WNT/β-Catenin, hedgehog, Notch, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, TGF-β, PI3K/AKT, PPAR pathway, and their crosstalk. We focus on the role of CSCs in various therapeutic outcomes and resistance, including how the treatments affect the content of CSCs and the alteration of related molecules, CSCs-mediated therapeutic resistance, and the clinical value of targeting CSCs in patients with refractory, progressed or advanced tumors. In summary, CSCs affect therapeutic efficacy, and the treatment method of targeting CSCs is still difficult to determine. Clarifying regulatory mechanisms and targeting biomarkers of CSCs is currently the mainstream idea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianjing Chu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Wentao Tian
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jiaoyang Ning
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yunqi Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Zhuofan Zhai
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Guilong Tanzhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410008, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Waqar MA, Zaman M, Khan R, Shafeeq Ur Rahman M, Majeed I. Navigating the tumor microenvironment: mesenchymal stem cell-mediated delivery of anticancer agents. J Drug Target 2024; 32:624-634. [PMID: 38652480 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2024.2347356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Scientific knowledge of cancer has advanced greatly throughout the years, with most recent studies findings includes many hallmarks that capture disease's multifaceted character. One of the novel approach utilised for the delivery of anti-cancer agents includes mesenchymal stem cell mediated drug delivery. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are non-haematopoietic progenitor cells that may be extracted from bone marrow, tooth pulp, adipose tissue and placenta/umbilical cord blood dealing with adult stem cells. MSCs are mostly involved in regeneration of tissue, they have also been shown to preferentially migrate to location of several types of tumour in-vivo. Usage of MSCs ought to improve both effectiveness and safety of anti-cancer drugs by enhancing delivery efficiency of anti-cancer therapies to tumour site. Numerous researches has demonstrated that various drugs, when delivered via mesenchymal stem cell mediated delivery can elicit anti-tumour effect of cells in cancers of breast cells and thyroid cells. MSCs have minimal immunogenicity because to lack of co-stimulatory molecule expression, which means there is no requirement for immunosuppression after allogenic transplantation. This current review elaborates recent advancements of mesenchyma stem cell mediated drug delivery of anti-cancer agents along with its mechanism and previously reported studies of drugs manufactured via this drug delivery system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ahsan Waqar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Zaman
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Rabeel Khan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Imtiaz Majeed
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhou L, Zeng Y, Liu Y, Du K, Luo Y, Dai Y, Pan W, Zhang L, Zhang L, Tian F, Gu C. Cellular senescence and metabolic reprogramming model based on bulk/single-cell RNA sequencing reveals PTGER4 as a therapeutic target for ccRCC. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:451. [PMID: 38605343 PMCID: PMC11007942 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12234-5] [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: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the prevailing histological subtype of renal cell carcinoma and has unique metabolic reprogramming during its occurrence and development. Cell senescence is one of the newly identified tumor characteristics. However, there is a dearth of methodical and all-encompassing investigations regarding the correlation between the broad-ranging alterations in metabolic processes associated with aging and ccRCC. We utilized a range of analytical methodologies, such as protein‒protein interaction network analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, to form and validate a risk score model known as the senescence-metabolism-related risk model (SeMRM). Our study demonstrated that SeMRM could more precisely predict the OS of ccRCC patients than the clinical prognostic markers in use. By utilizing two distinct datasets of ccRCC, ICGC-KIRC (the International Cancer Genome Consortium) and GSE29609, as well as a single-cell dataset (GSE156632) and real patient clinical information, and further confirmed the relationship between the senescence-metabolism-related risk score (SeMRS) and ccRCC patient progression. It is worth noting that patients who were classified into different subgroups based on the SeMRS exhibited notable variations in metabolic activity, immune microenvironment, immune cell type transformation, mutant landscape, and drug responsiveness. We also demonstrated that PTGER4, a key gene in SeMRM, regulated ccRCC cell proliferation, lipid levels and the cell cycle in vivo and in vitro. Together, the utilization of SeMRM has the potential to function as a dependable clinical characteristic to increase the accuracy of prognostic assessment for patients diagnosed with ccRCC, thereby facilitating the selection of suitable treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lijie Zhou
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
- Unit of Day Surgery Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
| | - Youmiao Zeng
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Department of Urology, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Urological Tumor Research, Henan Institute of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yuanhao Liu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Unit of Day Surgery Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Kaixuan Du
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Unit of Day Surgery Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yongbo Luo
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Unit of Day Surgery Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yiheng Dai
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Department of Urology, Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Urological Tumor Research, Henan Institute of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Wenbang Pan
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Unit of Day Surgery Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Lailai Zhang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Unit of Day Surgery Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
| | - Fengyan Tian
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
| | - Chaohui Gu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
- Unit of Day Surgery Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hsu CY, Mustafa MA, Kumar A, Pramanik A, Sharma R, Mohammed F, Jawad IA, Mohammed IJ, Alshahrani MY, Ali Khalil NAM, Shnishil AT, Abosaoda MK. Exploiting the immune system in hepatic tumor targeting: Unleashing the potential of drugs, natural products, and nanoparticles. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 256:155266. [PMID: 38554489 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155266] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic tumors present a formidable challenge in cancer therapeutics, necessitating the exploration of novel treatment strategies. In recent years, targeting the immune system has attracted interest to augment existing therapeutic efficacy. The immune system in hepatic tumors includes numerous cells with diverse actions. CD8+ T lymphocytes, T helper 1 (Th1) CD4+ T lymphocytes, alternative M1 macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells provide the antitumor immunity. However, Foxp3+ regulatory CD4+ T cells (Tregs), M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are the key immune inhibitor cells. Tumor stroma can also affect these interactions. Targeting these cells and their secreted molecules is intriguing for eliminating malignant cells. The current review provides a synopsis of the immune system components involved in hepatic tumor expansion and highlights the molecular and cellular pathways that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention. It also overviews the diverse range of drugs, natural products, immunotherapy drugs, and nanoparticles that have been investigated to manipulate immune responses and bolster antitumor immunity. The review also addresses the potential advantages and challenges associated with these approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chou-Yi Hsu
- Department of Pharmacy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan City 71710, Taiwan
| | | | - Ashwani Kumar
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560069, India; Department of Pharmacy, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303012, India
| | - Atreyi Pramanik
- Institute of Pharma Sciences and Research, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Rajiv Sharma
- Institute of Pharma Sciences and Research, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Faraj Mohammed
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Manara College for Medical Sciences, Maysan, Iraq
| | | | - Imad Jasim Mohammed
- College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
| | - Mohammad Y Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
| | | | | | - Munther Kadhim Abosaoda
- College of technical engineering, the Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq; College of technical engineering, the Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Iraq; College of technical engineering, the Islamic University of Babylon, Iraq
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zou G, Huang Y, Zhang S, Ko KP, Kim B, Zhang J, Venkatesan V, Pizzi MP, Fan Y, Jun S, Niu N, Wang H, Song S, Ajani JA, Park JI. E-cadherin loss drives diffuse-type gastric tumorigenesis via EZH2-mediated reprogramming. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20230561. [PMID: 38411616 PMCID: PMC10899090 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20230561] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Diffuse-type gastric adenocarcinoma (DGAC) is a deadly cancer often diagnosed late and resistant to treatment. While hereditary DGAC is linked to CDH1 mutations, the role of CDH1/E-cadherin inactivation in sporadic DGAC tumorigenesis remains elusive. We discovered CDH1 inactivation in a subset of DGAC patient tumors. Analyzing single-cell transcriptomes in malignant ascites, we identified two DGAC subtypes: DGAC1 (CDH1 loss) and DGAC2 (lacking immune response). DGAC1 displayed distinct molecular signatures, activated DGAC-related pathways, and an abundance of exhausted T cells in ascites. Genetically engineered murine gastric organoids showed that Cdh1 knock-out (KO), KrasG12D, Trp53 KO (EKP) accelerates tumorigenesis with immune evasion compared with KrasG12D, Trp53 KO (KP). We also identified EZH2 as a key mediator promoting CDH1 loss-associated DGAC tumorigenesis. These findings highlight DGAC's molecular diversity and potential for personalized treatment in CDH1-inactivated patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gengyi Zou
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yuanjian Huang
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shengzhe Zhang
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kyung-Pil Ko
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bongjun Kim
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vishwa Venkatesan
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Melissa P. Pizzi
- Department of GI Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yibo Fan
- Department of GI Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sohee Jun
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Na Niu
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Huamin Wang
- Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shumei Song
- Department of GI Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jaffer A. Ajani
- Department of GI Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jae-Il Park
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Genetics and Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Aebisher D, Woźnicki P, Bartusik-Aebisher D. Photodynamic Therapy and Adaptive Immunity Induced by Reactive Oxygen Species: Recent Reports. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:967. [PMID: 38473328 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050967] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most significant causes of death worldwide. Despite the rapid development of modern forms of therapy, results are still unsatisfactory. The prognosis is further worsened by the ability of cancer cells to metastasize. Thus, more effective forms of therapy, such as photodynamic therapy, are constantly being developed. The photodynamic therapeutic regimen involves administering a photosensitizer that selectively accumulates in tumor cells or is present in tumor vasculature prior to irradiation with light at a wavelength corresponding to the photosensitizer absorbance, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species are responsible for the direct and indirect destruction of cancer cells. Photodynamically induced local inflammation has been shown to have the ability to activate an adaptive immune system response resulting in the destruction of tumor lesions and the creation of an immune memory. This paper focuses on presenting the latest scientific reports on the specific immune response activated by photodynamic therapy. We present newly discovered mechanisms for the induction of the adaptive response by analyzing its various stages, and the possible difficulties in generating it. We also present the results of research over the past 10 years that have focused on improving the immunological efficacy of photodynamic therapy for improved cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Aebisher
- Department of Photomedicine and Physical Chemistry, Medical College of the University of Rzeszów, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Paweł Woźnicki
- Students English Division Science Club, Medical College of the University of Rzeszów, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher
- Department of Biochemistry and General Chemistry, Medical College of the University of Rzeszów, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhao Q, Zong H, Zhu P, Su C, Tang W, Chen Z, Jin S. Crosstalk between colorectal CSCs and immune cells in tumorigenesis, and strategies for targeting colorectal CSCs. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:6. [PMID: 38254219 PMCID: PMC10802076 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00474-x] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy in the treatment of colorectal cancer, and relapse after tumor immunotherapy has attracted increasing attention. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small subset of tumor cells with self-renewal and differentiation capacities, are resistant to traditional therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Recently, CSCs have been proven to be the cells driving tumor relapse after immunotherapy. However, the mutual interactions between CSCs and cancer niche immune cells are largely uncharacterized. In this review, we focus on colorectal CSCs, CSC-immune cell interactions and CSC-based immunotherapy. Colorectal CSCs are characterized by robust expression of surface markers such as CD44, CD133 and Lgr5; hyperactivation of stemness-related signaling pathways, such as the Wnt/β-catenin, Hippo/Yap1, Jak/Stat and Notch pathways; and disordered epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and noncoding RNA action. Moreover, colorectal CSCs express abnormal levels of immune-related genes such as MHC and immune checkpoint molecules and mutually interact with cancer niche cells in multiple tumorigenesis-related processes, including tumor initiation, maintenance, metastasis and drug resistance. To date, many therapies targeting CSCs have been evaluated, including monoclonal antibodies, antibody‒drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, tumor vaccines adoptive cell therapy, and small molecule inhibitors. With the development of CSC-/niche-targeting technology, as well as the integration of multidisciplinary studies, novel therapies that eliminate CSCs and reverse their immunosuppressive microenvironment are expected to be developed for the treatment of solid tumors, including colorectal cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Hong Zong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Pingping Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Chang Su
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Wenxue Tang
- The Research and Application Center of Precision Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 2 Jing‑ba Road, Zhengzhou, 450014, China.
| | - Zhenzhen Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Shuiling Jin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Du Y, Pollok KE, Shen J. Unlocking Glioblastoma Secrets: Natural Killer Cell Therapy against Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5836. [PMID: 38136381 PMCID: PMC10741423 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245836] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) represents a paramount challenge as the most formidable primary brain tumor characterized by its rapid growth, aggressive invasiveness, and remarkable heterogeneity, collectively impeding effective therapeutic interventions. The cancer stem cells within GBM, GBM stem cells (GSCs), hold pivotal significance in fueling tumor advancement, therapeutic refractoriness, and relapse. Given their unique attributes encompassing self-renewal, multipotent differentiation potential, and intricate interplay with the tumor microenvironment, targeting GSCs emerges as a critical strategy for innovative GBM treatments. Natural killer (NK) cells, innate immune effectors recognized for their capacity to selectively detect and eliminate malignancies without the need for prior sensitization, offer substantial therapeutic potential. Harnessing the inherent capabilities of NK cells can not only directly engage tumor cells but also augment broader immune responses. Encouraging outcomes from clinical investigations underscore NK cells as a potentially effective modality for cancer therapy. Consequently, NK cell-based approaches hold promise for effectively targeting GSCs, thereby presenting an avenue to enhance treatment outcomes for GBM patients. This review outlines GBM's intricate landscape, therapeutic challenges, GSC-related dynamics, and elucidates the potential of NK cell as an immunotherapeutic strategy directed towards GSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanning Du
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA;
| | - Karen E. Pollok
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jia Shen
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA;
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yang SJ, Pai JA, Yao CJ, Huang CH, Chen JL, Wang CH, Chen KC, Shieh MJ. SN38-loaded nanomedicine mediates chemo-radiotherapy against CD44-expressing cancer growth. Cancer Nanotechnol 2023. [DOI: 10.1186/s12645-022-00151-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Chemo-radiotherapy is the combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy on tumor treatment to obtain the local radiosensitization and local cytotoxicity of the tumor and to control the microscopic metastatic disease.
Methods
In this study, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38) molecules could be successfully loaded into human serum albumin (HSA)–hyaluronic acid (HA) nanoparticles (SH/HA NPs) by the hydrophobic side groups of amino acid in HSA.
Results
HSA could be used to increase the biocompatibility and residence time of the nanoparticles in the blood, whereas HA could improve the benefits and overall treatment effect on CD44-expressing colorectal cancer (CRC), and reduce drug side effects. In addition to its role as a chemotherapeutic agent, SN38 could be used as a radiosensitizer, able to arrest the cell cycle, and allowing cells to stay in the G2/M stage, to improve the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation. In vivo results demonstrated that SH/HA NPs could accumulate in the tumor and produce significant tumor suppression, with no adverse effects observed when combined with γ-ray irradiation. This SH/HA NPs-medicated chemo-radiotherapy could induce an anti-tumor immune response to inhibit the growth of distal tumors, and produce an abscopal effect.
Conclusions
Therefore, this SN38-loaded and HA-incorporated nanoparticle combined with radiotherapy may be a promising therapeutic artifice for CRC in the future.
Collapse
|
11
|
Cheng Q, Hu X, Zhang X, Yang D, Zhao G, Sun L, Jiang M, Yang L, Cai J, Wang B, Zhang M, Han F, Li Y, Nie H. N-glycosylation at N57/100/110 affects CD44s localization, function and stability in hepatocellular carcinoma. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151360. [PMID: 37703748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The glycosylation levels of proteins in cancer cells are closely related to cancer invasion and migration. CD44 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is significantly overexpressed in a variety of tumor cells and has been proven to promote the migration and motility of cancer cells, but the effect of its N-glycosylation modification on CD44 protein function in tumors is less studied. Here, we investigated the effect of six N-glycan chains (N25/57/100/110/120/255) on CD44s localization, function and stability in hepatocarcinoma cells. When the six sites were mutated, we found that CD44s lost its membrane localization in Huh7 and MHCC-97H cells. On this basis, we identified three glycosylation sites on CD44s (N57, N100 and N110) that played key roles in intracellular localization. When N57, N100 and N110 were mutated together, CD44 localized to the cytoplasm, while another three-site mutant (N25/N120/N255) was still anchored to the membrane. In addition, the ability of CD44-N57Q/N100Q/N110Q to promote the metastasis and invasion of Huh7 and 97H cells was weakened compared with that of CD44-N25Q/N120Q/N255Q. Furthermore, CD44-N57Q/N100Q/N110Q accumulated abnormally in the ER, and a high level of the ER stress (ERS) marker BiP was detected at the same time compared with wild-type CD44. When the lysosome inhibitor CQ was added, the content of mutant protein that triggered ERS significantly increased, which indicated that the degradation mode of CD44-N57Q/N100Q/N110Q after ERS was mainly through the lysosomal pathway (ERLAD). The results revealed that the N-glycosylation sites N57, N100 and N110 mutated on CD44s affected its function and degraded it by lysosomes after triggering ERS. These findings provide data for new studies on ER-related degradation, further promote the study of the glycan chain function of CD44 and furnish new ideas for the treatment of liver cancer metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qixiang Cheng
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Xibo Hu
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China; Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, China
| | - Depeng Yang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Guiping Zhao
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Liping Sun
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Meiyi Jiang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Lijun Yang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Jialing Cai
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Bing Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Fang Han
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Yu Li
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China.
| | - Huan Nie
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bushnell GG, Sharma D, Wilmot HC, Zheng M, Fashina TD, Hutchens CM, Osipov S, Wicha MS. Natural killer cell regulation of breast cancer stem cells mediates metastatic dormancy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.02.560493. [PMID: 37873211 PMCID: PMC10592904 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.02.560493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer patients with estrogen receptor positive tumors face a constant risk of disease recurrence for the remainder of their lives. Dormant tumor cells residing in tissues such as the bone marrow may generate clinically significant metastases many years after initial diagnosis. Previous studies suggest that dormant cells display "stem like" properties (CSCs), which may be regulated by the immune system. Although many studies have examined tumor cell intrinsic characteristics of dormancy, the role of the immune system in controlling dormancy and its escape is not well understood. This scientific gap is due, in part, to a lack of immunocompetent mouse models of breast cancer dormancy with many studies involving human xenografts in immunodeficient mice. To overcome this limitation, we studied dormancy in immunocompetent, syngeneic mouse breast cancer models. We find that PyMT, Met-1 and D2.0R cell lines contain CSCs that display both short- and long-term metastatic dormancy in vivo, which is dependent on the host immune system. Natural killer cells were key for the metastatic dormancy phenotype observed for D2.0R and the role of NK cells in regulating CSCs was further investigated.Quiescent D2.0R CSC are resistant to NK cytotoxicity, while proliferative D2.0R CSC were sensitive to NK cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo. This resistance was mediated, in part, by the expression of Bach1 and Sox2 transcription factors. NK killing was enhanced by the STING agonist MSA-2. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the important role of immune regulation of breast tumor dormancy and highlight the importance of utilizing immunocompetent models to study this phenomenon.
Collapse
|
13
|
Izadpanah A, Mohammadkhani N, Masoudnia M, Ghasemzad M, Saeedian A, Mehdizadeh H, Poorebrahim M, Ebrahimi M. Update on immune-based therapy strategies targeting cancer stem cells. Cancer Med 2023; 12:18960-18980. [PMID: 37698048 PMCID: PMC10557910 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating data reveals that tumors possess a specialized subset of cancer cells named cancer stem cells (CSCs), responsible for metastasis and recurrence of malignancies, with various properties such as self-renewal, heterogenicity, and capacity for drug resistance. Some signaling pathways or processes like Notch, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), Hedgehog (Hh), and Wnt, as well as CSCs' surface markers such as CD44, CD123, CD133, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) have pivotal roles in acquiring CSCs properties. Therefore, targeting CSC-related signaling pathways and surface markers might effectively eradicate tumors and pave the way for cancer survival. Since current treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy cannot eradicate all of the CSCs and tumor relapse may happen following temporary recovery, improving novel and more efficient therapeutic options to combine with current treatments is required. Immunotherapy strategies are the new therapeutic modalities with promising results in targeting CSCs. Here, we review the targeting of CSCs by immunotherapy strategies such as dendritic cell (DC) vaccines, chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)-engineered immune cells, natural killer-cell (NK-cell) therapy, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), checkpoint inhibitors, and the use of oncolytic viruses (OVs) in pre-clinical and clinical studies. This review will mainly focus on blood malignancies but also describe solid cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Izadpanah
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
| | - Niloufar Mohammadkhani
- Department of Clinical BiochemistrySchool of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Mina Masoudnia
- Department of ImmunologySchool of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Mahsa Ghasemzad
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology‐Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Advanced Technologies in BiologyUniversity of Science and CultureTehranIran
| | - Arefeh Saeedian
- Radiation Oncology Research CenterCancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of Radiation OncologyCancer Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Hamid Mehdizadeh
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
| | - Mansour Poorebrahim
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of CalgaryAlbertaCalgaryCanada
| | - Marzieh Ebrahimi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
- Department of regenerative medicineCell Science research Center, Royan Institute for stem cell biology and technology, ACECRTehranIran
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Guo F, Zhang Y, Bai L, Cui J. Natural killer cell therapy targeting cancer stem cells: Old wine in a new bottle. Cancer Lett 2023; 570:216328. [PMID: 37499742 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
A small proportion of cancer cells that have stem cell-like properties are known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). They can be used to identify malignant tumor phenotypes and patients with poor prognosis. Targeting these cells has been shown to improve the effectiveness of cancer therapies. Owing to the nature of CSCs, they are resistant to conventional treatment methods such as radio- and chemotherapy. Therefore, more effective anti-CSC therapies are required. Immunotherapy, including natural killer (NK) and T cell therapy, has demonstrated the ability to eliminate CSCs. NK cells have demonstrated superior anti-CSC capabilities compared to T cells in recognizing low levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression. However, CSC escape also occurs during NK cell therapy. It is important to determine CSC-specific immune evasion mechanisms and find out potential solutions to optimize NK cell function. Therefore, this review discusses promising strategies that can improve the efficiency of NK cell therapy in treating CSCs, and aims to provide a reference for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Guo
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Ling Bai
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jiuwei Cui
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tan G, Spillane KM, Maher J. The Role and Regulation of the NKG2D/NKG2D Ligand System in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1079. [PMID: 37626965 PMCID: PMC10452210 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The family of human NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) consists of eight stress-induced molecules. Over 80% of human cancers express these ligands on the surface of tumour cells and/or associated stromal elements. In mice, NKG2D deficiency increases susceptibility to some types of cancer, implicating this system in immune surveillance for malignancy. However, NKG2DL can also be shed, released via exosomes and trapped intracellularly, leading to immunosuppressive effects. Moreover, NKG2D can enhance chronic inflammatory processes which themselves can increase cancer risk and progression. Indeed, tumours commonly deploy a range of countermeasures that can neutralise or even corrupt this surveillance system, tipping the balance away from immune control towards tumour progression. Consequently, the prognostic impact of NKG2DL expression in human cancer is variable. In this review, we consider the underlying biology and regulation of the NKG2D/NKG2DL system and its expression and role in a range of cancer types. We also consider the opportunities for pharmacological modulation of NKG2DL expression while cautioning that such interventions need to be carefully calibrated according to the biology of the specific cancer type.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ge Tan
- CAR Mechanics Group, Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | | | - John Maher
- CAR Mechanics Group, Guy’s Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK;
- Department of Immunology, Eastbourne Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne BN21 2UD, UK
- Leucid Bio Ltd., Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lučić I, Kurtović M, Mlinarić M, Piteša N, Čipak Gašparović A, Sabol M, Milković L. Deciphering Common Traits of Breast and Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells and Possible Therapeutic Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10683. [PMID: 37445860 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) are among the most common and deadly cancers affecting women worldwide. Both are complex diseases with marked heterogeneity. Despite the induction of screening programs that increase the frequency of earlier diagnosis of BC, at a stage when the cancer is more likely to respond to therapy, which does not exist for OC, more than 50% of both cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Initial therapy can put the cancer into remission. However, recurrences occur frequently in both BC and OC, which are highly cancer-subtype dependent. Therapy resistance is mainly attributed to a rare subpopulation of cells, named cancer stem cells (CSC) or tumor-initiating cells, as they are capable of self-renewal, tumor initiation, and regrowth of tumor bulk. In this review, we will discuss the distinctive markers and signaling pathways that characterize CSC, their interactions with the tumor microenvironment, and the strategies they employ to evade immune surveillance. Our focus will be on identifying the common features of breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) and ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSC) and suggesting potential therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Lučić
- Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matea Kurtović
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Monika Mlinarić
- Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikolina Piteša
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Čipak Gašparović
- Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Sabol
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lidija Milković
- Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhou H, Tan L, Liu B, Guan XY. Cancer stem cells: Recent insights and therapies. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 209:115441. [PMID: 36720355 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Tumors are intricate ecosystems containing malignant components that generate adaptive and evolutionarily driven abnormal tissues. Through self-renewal and differentiation, cancers are reconstructed by a dynamic subset of stem-like cells that enforce tumor heterogeneity and remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME). Through recent technology advances, we are now better equipped to investigate the fundamental role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in cancer biology. In this review, we discuss the latest insights into characteristics, markers and mechanism of CSCs and describe the crosstalk between CSCs and other cells in TME. Additionally, we explore the performance of single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptome analysis in CSCs studies and summarize the therapeutic strategies to eliminate CSCs, which could broaden the understanding of CSCs and exploit for therapeutic benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Zhou
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Licheng Tan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Beilei Liu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Advanced Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Technology Research Center, Advanced Energy Science and Technology Guangdong Laboratory, Huizhou, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Singh B, Aggarwal S, Das P, Srivastava SK, Sharma SC, Das SN. Over Expression of Cancer Stem Cell Marker CD44 and Its Clinical Significance in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 75:109-114. [PMID: 37007900 PMCID: PMC10050459 DOI: 10.1007/s12070-022-03200-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cell marker CD44 is a cell-surface glycoprotein which is involved in various cellular functions such as cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion, haematopoiesis and tumour metastasis. The CD44 gene transcription is partly activated by beta-catenin and Wnt signalling pathway, the later pathway being linked to tumour development. However, the role of CD44 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is not well understood. We investigated the expression of CD44 in peripheral circulation, tumour tissues of oral cancer patients and oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines by ELISA and quantitative (q)-RTPCR. Relative CD44s mRNA expression was significantly higher in peripheral circulation (p = 0.04), tumour tissues (p = 0.049) and in oral cancer cell lines (SCC4, SCC25 p = 0.02, SCC9 p = 0.03). Circulating CD44total protein levels were also significantly (p < 0.001) higher in OSCC patients that positively correlated with increasing tumour load and loco-regional spread of the tumour. The circulating tumour stem cell marker CD44 appears to be a potent indicator of tumour progression and may be useful for developing suitable therapeutics strategies for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baldeep Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029 India
| | - Sadhna Aggarwal
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029 India
| | - Priyanka Das
- Department of ENT, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Medical College, Raipur, 492001 Chhattisgarh India
| | - Sunil K. Srivastava
- Department of Microbiology, Swami Shraddhanand College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110036 India
| | - Suresh C. Sharma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029 India
| | - Satya N. Das
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029 India
- Emeritus Scientist, Indian Council of Medical Research, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029 India
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhou Y, Cheng L, Liu L, Li X. NK cells are never alone: crosstalk and communication in tumour microenvironments. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:34. [PMID: 36797782 PMCID: PMC9933398 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01737-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune escape is a hallmark of cancer. The dynamic and heterogeneous tumour microenvironment (TME) causes insufficient infiltration and poor efficacy of natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy, which becomes a key factor triggering tumour progression. Understanding the crosstalk between NK cells and the TME provides new insights for optimising NK cell-based immunotherapy. Here, we present new advances in direct or indirect crosstalk between NK cells and 9 specialised TMEs, including immune, metabolic, innervated niche, mechanical, and microbial microenvironments, summarise TME-mediated mechanisms of NK cell function inhibition, and highlight potential targeted therapies for NK-TME crosstalk. Importantly, we discuss novel strategies to overcome the inhibitory TME and provide an attractive outlook for the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Zhou
- grid.32566.340000 0000 8571 0482The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000 China ,grid.412643.60000 0004 1757 2902Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China ,Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lu Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lu Liu
- grid.412643.60000 0004 1757 2902Department of Pediatrics, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xun Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou, 730000, China. .,Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
New Horizons in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Prognostic Role of CD44 Expression. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041212. [PMID: 36831554 PMCID: PMC9953769 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041212] [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: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transmembrane glycoprotein CD44, the major hyaluronan (HA) receptor, has been proven to regulate cell growth, survival, differentiation, and migration. It is therefore widely considered to be involved in carcinogenesis. Its role as a new therapeutic target in solid tumors is under evaluation in clinical trials. The prognostic value remains controversial. Here, we aimed to investigate the correlation between CD44 expression and the clinicopathological features and survival in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. METHODS Data from 65 mCRC patients of the Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital and University of Cagliari were retrospectively collected from 2008 to 2021. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed at the Pathology Division, University Hospital of Cagliari on 3 μm thick sections obtained from paraffin blocks. The intensity of immunohistochemical staining was subclassified into four groups: score 0 if negative or weak membrane staining in less than 10% of tumor cells; score 1+ if weak membrane staining in at least 10% of tumor cells or moderate membrane staining in less than 10% of tumor cells; score 2+ if moderate membrane staining in at least 10% of tumor cells or intensive membrane staining in less than 10% of tumor cells; score 3+ if intense membrane staining in at least 10% of tumor cells. Based on this score, we distinguished patients into low CD44 expression (score 0, 1+, 2+) and high CD44 expression (score 3+). Statistical analysis was performed with MedCalc (survival distribution: Kaplan-Meier; survival comparison: log-rank test; association between categorical variables: Fisher's exact test). RESULTS Patients' median age was 66 years (range 49-85). Regarding CD44 expression, score was 0 in 18 patients, 1+ in 15 patients, 2+ in 18 patients, and 3+ in 14 patients. Median overall survival (mOS) was 28.1 months (95%CI: 21.3-101). CD44 overexpression (3+) was correlated with poor prognosis (p = 0.0011; HR = 0.2), with a mOS of 14.5 months (95%CI 11.7 to 35.9) versus 30.7 months (95%CI 27.8 to 101) in lower CD44 expression. Higher CD44 expression was associated with clinically poor prognostic features: age ≥ 70 years (p = 0.0166); inoperable disease (p = 0.0008); stage IV at diagnosis (p = 0.0241); BRAF mutated (p = 0.0111), high-grade tumor (p = 0.0084). CONCLUSIONS CD44 markedly correlated with aggressive tumor behavior and contributed to the earlier progression of disease, thus suggesting its role as a novel prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for mCRC patients.
Collapse
|
21
|
Kolarikova M, Hosikova B, Dilenko H, Barton-Tomankova K, Valkova L, Bajgar R, Malina L, Kolarova H. Photodynamic therapy: Innovative approaches for antibacterial and anticancer treatments. Med Res Rev 2023. [PMID: 36757198 DOI: 10.1002/med.21935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy is an alternative treatment mainly for cancer but also for bacterial infections. This treatment dates back to 1900 when a German medical school graduate Oscar Raab found a photodynamic effect while doing research for his doctoral dissertation with Professor Hermann von Tappeiner. Unexpectedly, Raab revealed that the toxicity of acridine on paramecium depends on the intensity of light in his laboratory. Photodynamic therapy is therefore based on the administration of a photosensitizer with subsequent light irradiation within the absorption maxima of this substance followed by reactive oxygen species formation and finally cell death. Although this treatment is not a novelty, there is an endeavor for various modifications to the therapy. For example, selectivity and efficiency of the photosensitizer, as well as irradiation with various types of light sources are still being modified to improve final results of the photodynamic therapy. The main aim of this review is to summarize anticancer and antibacterial modifications, namely various compounds, approaches, and techniques, to enhance the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marketa Kolarikova
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Hosikova
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Hanna Dilenko
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Barton-Tomankova
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Valkova
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Bajgar
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Malina
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Kolarova
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Moderate Constraint Facilitates Association and Force-Dependent Dissociation of HA-CD44 Complex. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032243. [PMID: 36768572 PMCID: PMC9917194 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032243] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Binding of cell surface glycoprotein CD44 to hyaluronic acid (HA) is a key event for mediating cell adhesion, motility, metastasis, inflammatory responses and tumor development, but the regulation mechanism and its molecular basis under diverse mechanical constraints remain unclear. We herein investigated interaction of CD44 HABD (HA binding site domain) to HA through free and steered molecular dynamics (MD) simulations as well as atomic force microscope (AFM) measurement using different constraints on HA. The middle, two ends or both of the constrained HA chains were fixed for MD simulations, while one and two biotin-avidin linkage or physical absorption were used to immobilize HA on substrates for AFM experiments, to model HA chains with low, moderate and high HA flexibilities, respectively. We found that binding of CD44 to moderate fixed HA was possessed of a better thermo-stability, a lower mechanical strength and a higher dissociation probability, while higher adhesive frequency, smaller rupture force and shorter lifetime were assigned to CD44 on the two biotin-immobilized HA rather than one biotin-immobilized or physically absorbed HA on substrates, suggesting a moderate HA flexibility requirement in favor of association and force-induced dissociation of CD44-HA complex. Tensile-induced convex conformation of HA chain was responsible for reduction of complex mechano-stability and did inversely a shrunken CD44 HABD under stretching; transition from catch bond to slip bond governed CD44-HA interaction. This study uncovered the regulation mechanism and its molecular basis for CD44-HA affinity under diverse mechano-microenvironments and provided a new insight into CD44-HA interaction-mediated cell inflammatory responses and tumor development.
Collapse
|
23
|
An J, Hu X, Liu F. Current understanding of cancer stem cells: Immune evasion and targeted immunotherapy in gastrointestinal malignancies. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1114621. [PMID: 36910604 PMCID: PMC9996315 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1114621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
As a relatively rare population of cancer cells existing in the tumor microenvironment, cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess properties of immune privilege to evade the attack of immune system, regulated by the microenvironment of CSCs, the so-called CSCs niche. The bidirectional interaction of CSCs with tumor microenvironment (TME) components favors an immunosuppressive shelter for CSCs' survival and maintenance. Gastrointestinal cancer stem cells (GCSCs) are broadly regarded to be intimately involved in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis and recurrence, with elevated tumor resistance to conventional therapies, which pose a major hindrance to the clinical efficacy for treated patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Thus, a multitude of efforts have been made to combat and eradicate GCSCs within the tumor mass. Among diverse methods of targeting CSCs in gastrointestinal malignancies, immunotherapy represents a promising strategy. And the better understanding of GCSCs immunomodulation and immunoresistance mechanisms is beneficial to guide and design novel GCSCs-specific immunotherapies with enhanced immune response and clinical efficacy. In this review, we have gathered available and updated information to present an overview of the immunoevasion features harbored by cancer stem cells, and we focus on the description of immune escape strategies utilized by CSCs and microenvironmental regulations underlying CSCs immuno-suppression in the context of gastrointestinal malignancies. Importantly, this review offers deep insights into recent advances of CSC-targeting immunotherapeutic approaches in gastrointestinal cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junyi An
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohua Hu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
CAR-NK as a Rapidly Developed and Efficient Immunotherapeutic Strategy against Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010117. [PMID: 36612114 PMCID: PMC9817948 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cell therapy has been rapidly developing in recent years, ultimately revolutionizing immunotherapeutic strategies and providing significant anti-tumor potency, mainly in treating hematological neoplasms. However, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and other adverse effects, such as cytokine release syndromes (CRS) and neurotoxicity associated with CAR-T cell infusion, have raised some concerns about the broad application of this therapy. Natural killer (NK) cells have been identified as promising alternative platforms for CAR-based therapies because of their unique features, such as a lack of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matching restriction, superior safety, and better anti-tumor activity when compared with CAR-T cells. The lack of CRS, neurotoxicity, or GVHD, in the case of CAR-NK therapy, in addition to the possibility of using allogeneic NK cells as a CAR platform for "off-the-shelf" therapy, opens new windows for strategic opportunities. This review underlines recent design achievements in CAR constructs and summarizes preclinical studies' results regarding CAR-NK therapies' safety and anti-tumor potency. Additionally, new approaches in CAR-NK technology are briefly described, and currently registered clinical trials are listed.
Collapse
|
25
|
Manni W, Min W. Signaling pathways in the regulation of cancer stem cells and associated targeted therapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e176. [PMID: 36226253 PMCID: PMC9534377 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are defined as a subpopulation of malignant tumor cells with selective capacities for tumor initiation, self-renewal, metastasis, and unlimited growth into bulks, which are believed as a major cause of progressive tumor phenotypes, including recurrence, metastasis, and treatment failure. A number of signaling pathways are involved in the maintenance of stem cell properties and survival of CSCs, including well-established intrinsic pathways, such as the Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog signaling, and extrinsic pathways, such as the vascular microenvironment and tumor-associated immune cells. There is also intricate crosstalk between these signal cascades and other oncogenic pathways. Thus, targeting pathway molecules that regulate CSCs provides a new option for the treatment of therapy-resistant or -refractory tumors. These treatments include small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies that target key signaling in CSCs, as well as CSC-directed immunotherapies that harness the immune systems to target CSCs. This review aims to provide an overview of the regulating networks and their immune interactions involved in CSC development. We also address the update on the development of CSC-directed therapeutics, with a special focus on those with application approval or under clinical evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wang Manni
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduP. R. China
| | - Wu Min
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health SciencesUniversity of North DakotaGrand ForksNorth DakotaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Kobayashi G, Hayashi T, Sentani K, Takemoto K, Sekino Y, Uraoka N, Hanamoto M, Nose H, Teishima J, Arihiro K, Hinata N, Oue N. Clinicopathological significance of the overexpression of MUC1 in upper tract urothelial carcinoma and possible application as a diagnostic marker. Pathol Int 2022; 72:606-616. [PMID: 36169278 DOI: 10.1111/pin.13274] [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: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mucin 1 (MUC1) overexpression has been reported in many malignancies and is associated with a poor prognosis. However, the clinicopathological significance of MUC1 in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) has not been investigated. We analyzed the expression and distribution of MUC1 in UTUC by immunohistochemistry. In normal urothelium, MUC1 expression was observed on the surface of umbrella cells. Meanwhile, the strong expression of MUC1 was observed in cell membranes and cytoplasm in UTUC tissues, and it was detected in 64 (58%) of a total of 110 UTUC cases. MUC1-positive UTUC cases were associated with nodular/flat morphology, high grade, high T stage, and lymphatic and venous invasion and poor prognosis. Additionally, MUC1 expression was associated with high expression of Ki-67, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), CD44 variant 9 (CD44v9), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and p53 in UTUC. Furthermore, immunocytochemistry for MUC1 on urine cytology slides demonstrated that the strong staining of MUC1 was more frequently found in tumor cells than in nonneoplastic cells. The diagnostic accuracy of urine cytology was improved by combining MUC1 immunostaining with cytology. These results suggest that MUC1 may be a prognostic biomarker in UTUC, and MUC1 exression has a potential application as a diagnostic immunomarker for urine cytology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Go Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Kure-Kyosai Hospital, Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tetsutaro Hayashi
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Sentani
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kenshiro Takemoto
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yohei Sekino
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Naohiro Uraoka
- Department of Pathology, Kure-Kyosai Hospital, Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Masanori Hanamoto
- Department of Urology, Kure-Kyosai Hospital, Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nose
- Department of Urology, Kure-Kyosai Hospital, Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Jun Teishima
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Koji Arihiro
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Hinata
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Naohide Oue
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Chen Q, Zou J, He Y, Pan Y, Yang G, Zhao H, Huang Y, Zhao Y, Wang A, Chen W, Lu Y. A narrative review of circulating tumor cells clusters: A key morphology of cancer cells in circulation promote hematogenous metastasis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:944487. [PMID: 36059616 PMCID: PMC9434215 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.944487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that survive in the blood are playing an important role in the metastasis process of tumor. In addition, they have become a tool for tumor diagnosis, prognosis and recurrence monitoring. CTCs can exist in the blood as individual cells or as clumps of aggregated cells. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that clustered CTCs have stronger metastasis ability compared to single CTCs. With the deepening of studies, scholars have found that cancer cells can combine not only with each other, but also with non-tumor cells present in the blood, such as neutrophils, platelets, etc. At the same time, it was confirmed that non-tumor cells bound to CTCs maintain the survival and proliferation of cancer cells through a variety of ways, thus promoting the occurrence and development of tumor. In this review, we collected information on tumorigenesis induced by CTC clusters to make a summary and a discussion about them. Although CTC clusters have recently been considered as a key role in the transition process, many characteristics of them remain to be deeply explored. A detailed understanding of their vulnerability can prospectively pave the way for new inhibitors for metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jueyao Zou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanhong Pan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Gejun Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Han Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, China
| | - Aiyun Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenxing Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Wenxing Chen, ; Yin Lu,
| | - Yin Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Wenxing Chen, ; Yin Lu,
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Panagiotou E, Syrigos NK, Charpidou A, Kotteas E, Vathiotis IA. CD24: A Novel Target for Cancer Immunotherapy. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12081235. [PMID: 36013184 PMCID: PMC9409925 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12081235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24) is a small, highly glycosylated cell adhesion protein that is normally expressed by immune as well as epithelial, neural, and muscle cells. Tumor CD24 expression has been linked with alterations in several oncogenic signaling pathways. In addition, the CD24/Siglec-10 interaction has been implicated in tumor immune evasion, inhibiting macrophage-mediated phagocytosis as well as natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity. CD24 blockade has shown promising results in preclinical studies. Although there are limited data on efficacy, monoclonal antibodies against CD24 have demonstrated clinical safety and tolerability in two clinical trials. Other treatment modalities evaluated in the preclinical setting include antibody–drug conjugates and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. In this review, we summarize current evidence and future perspectives on CD24 as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
|
29
|
Hu Y, Chen D, Napoleon JV, Srinivasarao M, Singhal S, Savran CA, Low PS. Efficient capture of circulating tumor cells with low molecular weight folate receptor-specific ligands. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8555. [PMID: 35595733 PMCID: PMC9122947 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12118-3] [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: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrieval of circulating tumor cells (CTC) has proven valuable for assessing a patient's cancer burden, evaluating response to therapy, and analyzing which drug might treat a cancer best. Although most isolation methods retrieve CTCs based on size, shape, or capture by tumor-specific antibodies, we explore here the use of small molecule tumor-specific ligands linked to magnetic beads for CTC capture. We have designed folic acid-biotin conjugates with different linkers for the capture of folate receptor (FR) + tumor cells spiked into whole blood, and application of the same technology to isolate FR + CTCs from the peripheral blood of both tumor-bearing mice and non-small cell lung patients. We demonstrate that folic acid linked via a rigid linker to a flexible PEG spacer that is in turn tethered to a magnetic bead enables optimal CTC retrieval, reaching nearly 100% capture when 100 cancer cells are spiked into 1 mL of aqueous buffer and ~ 90% capture when the same quantity of cells is diluted into whole blood. In a live animal model, the same methodology is shown to efficiently retrieve CTCs from tumor-bearing mice, yielding cancer cell counts that are proportional to total tumor burden. More importantly, the same method is shown to collect ~ 29 CTCs/8 mL peripheral blood from patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Since the ligand-presentation strategy optimized here should also prove useful in targeting other nanoparticles to other cells, the methods described below should have general applicability in the design of nanoparticles for cell-specific targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingwen Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Danyang Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - John V Napoleon
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Madduri Srinivasarao
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Sunil Singhal
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Cagri A Savran
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 1205 W. State St., West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Philip S Low
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Gu Y, Shen J. Pentraxin-3 promotes LPS-induced pyroptosis in human periodontal ligament stem cells. Cells Tissues Organs 2022; 211:601-610. [DOI: 10.1159/000524676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the function of Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) in cell viability, pyroptosis, inflammation, osteogenic differentiation and oxidative stress of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). In the study, hPDLSCs were stimulated by LPS from Porphyromonas gingivalis to establish an in vitro inflammatory cellular model. Protein expression was measured using western blotting. Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell viability, inflammatory cytokine production and caspase-1 activity was measured with commercially available kits. Oxidative stress was assessed by examining reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production. We found that PTX3 was upregulated in LPS-stimulated hPDLSCs. PTX3 overexpression aggravated LPS-induced cell viability loss, inflammatory cytokine production and oxidative stress, as well as suppressed the osteogenic differentiation in hPDLSCs, while silencing PTX3 had the opposite effects. Further, PTX3 overexpression promoted NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome overactivation and pyroptosis, evidenced by increased protein levels of NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) and N-terminal gasdermin D (GSDMD-N). Inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome and/or caspase-1 partially attenuated the effects of PTX3 on LPS-stimulated hPDLSCs. This study indicated that PTX3 promotes LPS-induced pyroptosis and inflammation in hPDLSCs through activation of the caspase-1-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome.
Collapse
|
31
|
Ruiu R, Di Lorenzo A, Cavallo F, Conti L. Are Cancer Stem Cells a Suitable Target for Breast Cancer Immunotherapy? Front Oncol 2022; 12:877384. [PMID: 35530300 PMCID: PMC9069673 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.877384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is substantial evidence to suggest that complete tumor eradication relies on the effective elimination of cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs have been widely described as mediators of resistance to conventional therapies, including chemo- and radiotherapy, as well as of tumor metastasization and relapse in different tumor types, including breast cancer. However, the resistant phenotype of CSCs makes their targeting a tough task, and immunotherapy may therefore be an interesting option. Nevertheless, although immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer treatment have generated great enthusiasm due to recent success in clinics, breast cancer treatment mostly relies on standard approaches. In this context, we review the existing literature on the immunological properties of breast CSC and immunotherapeutic approaches to them. We will thus attempt to clarify whether there is room for the immunotargeting of breast CSCs in the current landscape of breast cancer therapies. Finally, we will provide our opinion on the CSC-targeting immunotherapeutic strategies that could prospectively be attempted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Federica Cavallo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Guo Y, Ren Y, Dong X, Kan X, Zheng C. An Overview of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Insufficient Radiofrequency Ablation. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:343-355. [PMID: 35502292 PMCID: PMC9056053 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s358539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a commonly used treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, various complex conditions in clinical practice may lead to insufficient radiofrequency ablation (IRFA), allowing residual HCC to survive. In clinical practice and laboratory models, IRFA plays an important role in rapid tumor progression. Therefore, targeting the residual HCC and avoiding IRFA were worthwhile methods. A deeper understanding of IRFA is required; IRFA contributes to the improvement of proliferative activity, migration rates, and invasive capacity, and this may be due to the involvement of multiple complex processes or proteins, including epithelial mesenchymal transitions (EMTs), cancer stem cells (CSCs), autophagy, heat shock proteins (HSPs), changes of non-tumor cells and extracellular matrix, altered immune microenvironment, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), growth factors, epigenetic alterations, and metabolic reprogramming. We focus on the processes of the above mechanisms and possible therapeutic approach, with a review of the literature. Additionally, we recapitulated the construction methods of various experimental models of IRFA (in vivo and in vitro).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusheng Guo
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanqiao Ren
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiangjun Dong
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuefeng Kan
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuansheng Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Chuansheng Zheng, Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86-27-85726290, Email
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Zhou Q, Li J, Ge C, Chen J, Tian W, Tian H. SNX5 suppresses clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression by inducing CD44 internalization and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 24:87-100. [PMID: 35024436 PMCID: PMC8717386 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of SNX5 can contribute to tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis of several human cancers. However, the clinicopathological and biological significance of SNX5 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remain unclear. In this study, we found that SNX5 expression was downregulated and negatively correlated with tumor size, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, tumor thrombus of inferior vena cava, and poor prognosis in human ccRCC. Ectopic expression of SNX5 inhibited ccRCC cell proliferation and metastasis, whereas knockdown of SNX5 increased these activities both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, overexpression of SNX5 blocked internalization and intracellular trafficking of CD44 in ccRCC cells. Knockdown of SNX5 was associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ccRCC cells. Overexpression of SNX5 inhibited TGF-β-induced migration, invasion, and EMT in ccRCC cells. KLF9 directly bound to the SNX5 promoter and increased SNX5 transcription. Moreover, we found that the combination of SNX5 and CD44 or E-cadherin or KLF9 was a more powerful predictor of poor prognosis than either parameter alone. Collectively, our data reveal a mechanism that KLF9-mediated SNX5 expression was associated with poor prognosis via trafficking of CD44 and promoting EMT in ccRCC. SNX5 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with ccRCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinsi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
The Role of Podoplanin in Skin Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031310. [PMID: 35163233 PMCID: PMC8836045 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Podoplanin is a sialomucin-like type I transmembrane receptor glycoprotein that is expressed specifically in lymphatic vessels, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles in normal skin. However, under pathological conditions podoplanin expression is upregulated in various cells, such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, tumor cells, and inflammatory cells, and plays pivotal roles in different diseases. In psoriasis, podoplanin expression is induced in basal keratinocytes via the JAK-STAT pathway and contributes toward epidermal hyperproliferation. Podoplanin expression on keratinocytes can also promote IL-17 secretion from lymphocytes, promoting chronic inflammation. During wound healing, the podoplanin/CLEC-2 interaction between keratinocytes and platelets regulates re-epithelialization at the wound edge. In skin cancers, podoplanin expresses on tumor cells and promotes their migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thereby accelerating invasion and metastasis. Podoplanin is also expressed in normal peritumoral cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts in melanoma and keratinocytes in extramammary Paget's disease, which promote tumor progression and predict aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. This review provides an overview of our current understanding of the mechanisms via which podoplanin mediates these pathological skin conditions.
Collapse
|
35
|
Shokouhifar A, Firouzi J, Nouri M, Sarab GA, Ebrahimi M. NK cell upraise in the dark world of cancer stem cells. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:682. [PMID: 34923966 PMCID: PMC8684645 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02400-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the obstacles in treating different cancers, especially solid tumors, is cancer stem cells (CSCs) with their ability in resistance to chemo/radio therapy. The efforts for finding advanced treatments to overcome these cells have led to the emergence of advanced immune cell-based therapy (AICBT). Today, NK cells have become the center of attention since they have been proved to show an appropriate cytotoxicity against different cancer types as well as the capability of detecting and killing CSCs. Attempts for reaching an off-the-shelf source of NK cells have been made and resulted in the emergence of chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cells (CAR-NK cells). The CAR technology has then been used for generating more cytotoxic and efficient NK cells, which has increased the hope for cancer treatment. Since utilizing this advanced technology to target CSCs have been published in few studies, the present study has focused on discussing the characteristics of CSCs, which are detected and targeted by NK cells, the advantages and restrictions of using CAR-NK cells in CSCs treatment and the probable challenges in this process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Shokouhifar
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Genomic Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.,Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.,Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16635-148, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Firouzi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16635-148, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Nouri
- R&D Department, Royan Stem Cell Technology Co., Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Anani Sarab
- Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
| | - Marzieh Ebrahimi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16635-148, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Centre, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 14155-4364, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Decreased Levels of Soluble CD44 in a High-Risk Population following a Smoking Cessation Program. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182413174. [PMID: 34948786 PMCID: PMC8700947 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco is a risk factor of head and neck cancer (HNC) and smoking cessation alone may reduce HNC risk by 70%. Soluble CD44 (solCD44), a cell surface receptor linked to cell proliferation and migration, and total protein (TP) levels can detect early HNC. This study aims to determine whether salivary solCD44 and TP levels in oral rinses change following a smoking cessation program. 150 smokers provided oral rinse samples at baseline and at a 12-month follow-up after participation in a smoking cessation program. Assays to measure levels of solCD44, TP, and cotinine, a metabolite used as a biomarker of tobacco exposure, were completed. A paired-samples t-test was used to determine whether there was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) mean difference in biomarker levels before and after the program. Baseline and at 12-month follow-up data were available for 88 subjects, 21 of whom quit smoking entirely. Mean levels of solCD44 significantly decreased by 0.412 ng/mL from baseline to the 12-month follow-up, p = 0.010. There was no significant difference in mean TP levels, p = 0.975. Mean cotinine levels decreased significantly by 74.7 ng/mL, p = 0.035. This is the first work demonstrating an association between smoking cessation and decreased solCD44 levels in oral rinses. Decreased expression of the tumorigenic CD44 may be one mechanism by which smoking cessation lowers cancer risk.
Collapse
|
37
|
K-RAS Acts as a Critical Regulator of CD44 to Promote the Invasiveness and Stemness of GBM in Response to Ionizing Radiation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222010923. [PMID: 34681583 PMCID: PMC8539357 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy is a current standard-of-care treatment and is used widely for GBM patients. However, radiation therapy still remains a significant barrier to getting a successful outcome due to the therapeutic resistance and tumor recurrence. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of this resistance and recurrence would provide an efficient approach for improving the therapy for GBM treatment. Here, we identified a regulatory mechanism of CD44 which induces infiltration and mesenchymal shift of GBM. Ionizing radiation (IR)-induced K-RAS/ERK signaling activation elevates CD44 expression through downregulation of miR-202 and miR-185 expression. High expression of CD44 promotes SRC activation to induce cancer stemness and EMT features of GBM cells. In this study, we demonstrate that the K-RAS/ERK/CD44 axis is a key mechanism in regulating mesenchymal shift of GBM cells after irradiation. These findings suggest that blocking the K-RAS activation or CD44 expression could provide an efficient way for GBM treatment.
Collapse
|
38
|
Kurganovs N, Wang H, Huang X, Ignatchenko V, Macklin A, Khan S, Downes MR, Boutros PC, Liu SK, Kislinger T. A proteomic investigation of isogenic radiation resistant prostate cancer cell lines. Proteomics Clin Appl 2021; 15:e2100037. [PMID: 34152685 PMCID: PMC8448965 DOI: 10.1002/prca.202100037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
To model the problem of radiation resistance in prostate cancer, cell lines mimicking a clinical course of conventionally fractionated or hypofractionated radiotherapy have been generated. Proteomic analysis of radiation resistant and radiosensitive DU145 prostate cancer cells detected 4410 proteins. Over 400 proteins were differentially expressed across both radiation resistant cell lines and pathway analysis revealed enrichment in epithelial to mesenchymal transition, glycolysis and hypoxia. From the radiation resistant protein candidates, the cell surface protein CD44 was identified in the glycolysis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition pathways and may serve as a potential therapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Kurganovs
- Princess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
| | - Hanzhi Wang
- Sunnybrook Research InstituteSunnybrook Health Sciences CentreTorontoCanada
- Department of Medical BiophysicsUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Xiaoyong Huang
- Sunnybrook Research InstituteSunnybrook Health Sciences CentreTorontoCanada
| | | | - Andrew Macklin
- Princess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
| | - Shahbaz Khan
- Princess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
| | - Michelle R. Downes
- Division of Anatomic PathologyLaboratory Medicine and Molecular DiagnosticsSunnybrook Health Sciences CentreTorontoCanada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathobiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Paul C. Boutros
- Departments of Human Genetics & UrologyJonsson Comprehensive Cancer CenterLos AngelesUSA
- Institute for Precision HealthUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesUSA
| | - Stanley K. Liu
- Sunnybrook Research InstituteSunnybrook Health Sciences CentreTorontoCanada
| | - Thomas Kislinger
- Princess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity Health NetworkTorontoCanada
- Department of Medical BiophysicsUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Wang YY, Vadhan A, Chen PH, Lee YL, Chao CY, Cheng KH, Chang YC, Hu SCS, Yuan SSF. CD44 Promotes Lung Cancer Cell Metastasis through ERK-ZEB1 Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4057. [PMID: 34439211 PMCID: PMC8392539 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a malignancy with high mortality worldwide, and metastasis occurs at a high frequency even when cancer spread is not detectable at primary operation. Cancer stemness plays an important role in malignant cancer behavior, treatment resistance, and cancer metastasis. Therefore, understanding the molecular pathogenesis behind cancer-stemness-mediated metastasis and developing effective approaches to prevent metastasis are key issues for improving cancer treatment. In this study, we investigated the role of CD44 stemness marker in lung cancer using in vitro and clinical studies. Immunohistochemical staining of lung cancer tissue specimens revealed that primary tumors with higher CD44 expression showed increased metastasis to regional lymph nodes. Flow cytometry analysis suggested that CD44 positive cells were enriched in the metastatic lymph nodes compared to the primary tumors. CD44 overexpression significantly increased migration and invasion abilities of lung cancer cells through CD44-induced ERK phosphorylation, ZEB1 upregulation, and Claudin-1 downregulation. Furthermore, ERK inhibition suppressed the migration and invasion abilities of CD44-overexpressing lung cancer cells. In summary, our in vitro and clinical results indicate that CD44 may be a potential prognostic and therapeutic marker for lung cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Yun Wang
- Translational Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Anupama Vadhan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Ping-Ho Chen
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Lung Lee
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Chih-Yeh Chao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan;
| | - Kuang-Hung Cheng
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; (K.-H.C.); (Y.-C.C.)
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chiuan Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; (K.-H.C.); (Y.-C.C.)
| | - Stephen Chu-Sung Hu
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Shyng-Shiou F. Yuan
- Translational Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Karamanos NK, Piperigkou Z, Passi A, Götte M, Rousselle P, Vlodavsky I. Extracellular matrix-based cancer targeting. Trends Mol Med 2021; 27:1000-1013. [PMID: 34389240 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) operates in a coordinated mode with cancer and stroma cells to evoke the multistep process of metastatic potential. The remodeled tumor-associated matrix provides a point for direct or complementary therapeutic targeting. Here, we cover and critically address the importance of ECM networks and their macromolecules in cancer. We focus on the roles of key structural and functional ECM components, and their degradation enzymes and extracellular vesicles, aiming at improving our understanding of the mechanisms contributing to tumor initiation, growth, and dissemination, and discuss potential new approaches for ECM-based therapeutic targeting and diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikos K Karamanos
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras, Greece; Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH)/Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICE-HT), Patras, Greece.
| | - Zoi Piperigkou
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras, Greece; Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH)/Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICE-HT), Patras, Greece
| | - Alberto Passi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Martin Götte
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Münster University Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - Patricia Rousselle
- Laboratoire de Biologie Tissulaire et Ingénierie Thérapeutique, UMR 5305, CNRS-Université Lyon 1, SFR BioSciences Gerland-Lyon Sud, 7 Passage du Vercors, Lyon, France
| | - Israel Vlodavsky
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Lei MML, Lee TKW. Cancer Stem Cells: Emerging Key Players in Immune Evasion of Cancers. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:692940. [PMID: 34235155 PMCID: PMC8257022 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.692940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are subpopulations of undifferentiated cancer cells within the tumor bulk that are responsible for tumor initiation, recurrence and therapeutic resistance. The enhanced ability of CSCs to give rise to new tumors suggests potential roles of these cells in the evasion of immune surveillance. A growing body of evidence has described the interplay between CSCs and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent data have shown the pivotal role of some major immune cells in driving the expansion of CSCs, which concurrently elicit evasion of the detection and destruction of various immune cells through a number of distinct mechanisms. Here, we will discuss the role of immune cells in driving the stemness of cancer cells and provide evidence of how CSCs evade immune surveillance by exerting their effects on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), dendritic cells (DCs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), T-regulatory (Treg) cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). The knowledge gained from the interaction between CSCs and various immune cells will provide insight into the mechanisms by which tumors evade immune surveillance. In conclusion, CSC-targeted immunotherapy emerges as a novel immunotherapy strategy against cancer by disrupting the interaction between immune cells and CSCs in the TME.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Mang Leng Lei
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Terence Kin Wah Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Dzobo K, Sinkala M. Cancer Stem Cell Marker CD44 Plays Multiple Key Roles in Human Cancers: Immune Suppression/Evasion, Drug Resistance, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, and Metastasis. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2021; 25:313-332. [PMID: 33961518 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2021.0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
One of the most frequently utilized cancer stem cell markers in human cancers, including colorectal cancer and breast cancer, is CD44. A glycoprotein, CD44, traverses the cell membrane and binds to many ligands, including hyaluronan, resulting in activation of signaling cascades. There are conflicting data, however, on expression of CD44 in relationship to subtypes of cancers. Moreover, the associations of CD44 expression with drug resistance, immune infiltration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis, and clinical prognosis in several cancer types are not clear and call for further studies. We report here an original study on CD44 expression in several human cancers and its relationship with tumorigenesis. We harnessed data from the publicly available databases, including The Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, Oncomine, Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer, and the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource. Our analysis reveals that CD44 expression varies across cancer types and is significantly associated with cancer patients' survival, in gastric and pancreatic cancers (p < 0.05). In addition, CD44 expression is closely linked with immune infiltration and immune suppressive features in pancreatic, colon adenocarcinoma, and stomach cancer. High CD44 expression was significantly correlated with the expression of drug resistance, EMT, and metastasis associated genes. Tumors expressing high CD44 have higher mutation burden and afflict older patients compared to tumors expressing low CD44. Cell lines expressing high CD44 are more resistant to anticancer drugs compared to those expressing low CD44. Protein-protein interaction investigations and functional enrichment analysis showed that CD44 interacts with gene products related to cell-substrate adhesion, migration, platelet activation, and cellular response to stress. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that these genes play key roles in biological adhesion, cell component organization, locomotion, G-α-signaling, and the response to stimulus. In summary, these findings lend evidence for the multiple key roles played by CD44 in tumorigenesis and suggest that CD44 is considered further in future studies of cancer pathogenesis and the search for novel molecular targets and personalized medicine biomarkers in clinical oncology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Dzobo
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Musalula Sinkala
- Division of Computational Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Leivas A, Risueño RM, Guzmán A, Sánchez-Vega L, Pérez M, Megías D, Fernández L, Alonso R, Pérez-Martínez A, Rapado I, Martínez-López J. Natural killer cells efficiently target multiple myeloma clonogenic tumor cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:2911-2924. [PMID: 33693963 PMCID: PMC8423695 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02901-y] [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: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The multiple myeloma (MM) landscape has changed in the last few years, but most patients eventually relapse because current treatment modalities do not target clonogenic stem cells, which are drug-resistant and can self-renew. We hypothesized that side population (SP) cells represent myeloma clonogenic stem cells and, searching for new treatment strategies, analyzed the anti-myeloma activity of natural killer (NK) cells against clonogenic cells. Activated and expanded NK cells (NKAE) products were obtained by co-culturing NK cells from MM patients with K562-mb15-41BBL cell line and characterized by flow cytometry. Functional experiments against MM cells were performed by Eu-TDA release assays and methylcellulose clonogenic assays. Side population was detected by Dye Cycle Violet labeling and then characterized by flow cytometry and RNA-Seq. Self-renewal capacity was tested by clonogenic assays. Sorting of both kind of cells was performed for time-lapse microscopy experiments. SP cells exhibited self-renewal potential and overexpressed genes involved in stem cell metabolism. NK cells from MM patients exhibited dysregulation and had lower anti-tumor potential against clonogenic cells than healthy donors’ NK cells. Patients’ NK cells were activated and expanded. These cells recovered cytotoxic activity and could specifically destroy clonogenic myeloma cells. They also had a highly cytotoxic phenotype expressing NKG2D receptor. Blocking NKG2D receptor decreased NK cell activity against clonogenic myeloma cells, and activated NK cells were able to destroy SP cells, which expressed NKG2D ligands. SP cells could represent the stem cell compartment in MM. This is the first report describing NK cell activity against myeloma clonogenic cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Leivas
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Complutense University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain.,H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ruth M Risueño
- Leukemia Stem Cell Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alma Guzmán
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Complutense University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez-Vega
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Complutense University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain.,H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Pérez
- Confocal Microscopy Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Megías
- Confocal Microscopy Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Fernández
- H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Alonso
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Complutense University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Inmaculada Rapado
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Complutense University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain.,H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Martínez-López
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Complutense University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain. .,H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Donini C, Rotolo R, Proment A, Aglietta M, Sangiolo D, Leuci V. Cellular Immunotherapy Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: Preclinical Evidence and Clinical Perspective. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030543. [PMID: 33806296 PMCID: PMC8001974 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The term “cancer stem cells” (CSCs) commonly refers to a subset of tumor cells endowed with stemness features, potentially involved in chemo-resistance and disease relapses. CSCs may present peculiar immunogenic features influencing their homeostasis within the tumor microenvironment. The susceptibility of CSCs to recognition and targeting by the immune system is a relevant issue and matter of investigation, especially considering the multiple emerging immunotherapy strategies. Adoptive cellular immunotherapies, especially those strategies encompassing the genetic redirection with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR), hold relevant promise in several tumor settings and might in theory provide opportunities for selective elimination of CSC subsets. Initial dedicated preclinical studies are supporting the potential targeting of CSCs by cellular immunotherapies, indirect evidence from clinical studies may be derived and new studies are ongoing. Here we review the main issues related to the putative immunogenicity of CSCs, focusing on and highlighting the existing evidence and opportunities for cellular immunotherapy approaches with T and non-T antitumor lymphocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Donini
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (C.D.); (A.P.); (M.A.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO–IRCCS, Str. Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; (R.R.); (V.L.)
| | - Ramona Rotolo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO–IRCCS, Str. Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; (R.R.); (V.L.)
| | - Alessia Proment
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (C.D.); (A.P.); (M.A.)
| | - Massimo Aglietta
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (C.D.); (A.P.); (M.A.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO–IRCCS, Str. Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; (R.R.); (V.L.)
| | - Dario Sangiolo
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy; (C.D.); (A.P.); (M.A.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO–IRCCS, Str. Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; (R.R.); (V.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-011-993-3503; Fax: +39-011-993-3522
| | - Valeria Leuci
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO–IRCCS, Str. Prov. 142, km 3,95, 10060 Candiolo (TO), Italy; (R.R.); (V.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Alternative splicing modulates cancer aggressiveness: role in EMT/metastasis and chemoresistance. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:897-914. [PMID: 33400075 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-06094-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Enhanced metastasis and disease recurrence accounts for the high mortality rates associated with cancer. The process of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) contributes towards the augmentation of cancer invasiveness along with the gain of stem-like and the subsequent drug-resistant behavior. Apart from the well-established transcriptional regulation, EMT is also controlled post-transcriptionally by virtue of alternative splicing (AS). Numerous genes including Fibroblast Growth Factor receptor (FGFR) as well as CD44 are differentially spliced during this trans-differentiation process which, in turn, governs cancer progression. These splicing alterations are controlled by various splicing factors including ESRP, RBFOX2 as well as hnRNPs. Here, we have depicted the mechanisms governing the splice isoform switching of FGFR and CD44. Moreover, the role of the splice variants generated by AS of these gene transcripts in modulating the metastatic potential and stem-like/chemoresistant behavior of cancer cells has also been highlighted. Additionally, the involvement of splicing factors in regulating EMT/invasiveness along with drug-resistance as well as the metabolic properties of the cells has been emphasized. Tumorigenesis is accompanied by a remodeling of the cellular splicing profile generating diverse protein isoforms which, in turn, control the cancer-associated hallmarks. Therefore, we have also briefly discussed about a wide variety of genes which are differentially spliced in the tumor cells and promote cancer progression. We have also outlined different strategies for targeting the tumor-associated splicing events which have shown promising results and therefore this approach might be useful in developing therapies to reduce cancer aggressiveness in a more specific manner.
Collapse
|
46
|
The Tumor Microenvironment as a Driving Force of Breast Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123863. [PMID: 33371274 PMCID: PMC7766255 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer stem cells are a subset of transformed cells that sustain tumor growth and can metastasize to secondary organs. Since metastasis accounts for most cancer deaths, it is of paramount importance to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate this subgroup of cells. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the habitat in which transformed cells evolve, and it is composed by many different cell types and the extracellular matrix (ECM). A body of evidence strongly indicates that microenvironmental cues modulate stemness in breast cancer, and that the coevolution of the TME and cancer stem cells determine the fate of breast tumors. In this review, we summarize the studies providing links between the TME and the breast cancer stem cell phenotype and we discuss their specific interactions with immune cell subsets, stromal cells, and the ECM. Abstract Tumor progression involves the co-evolution of transformed cells and the milieu in which they live and expand. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a specialized subset of cells that sustain tumor growth and drive metastatic colonization. However, the cellular hierarchy in breast tumors is rather plastic, and the capacity to transition from one cell state to another depends not only on the intrinsic properties of transformed cells, but also on the interplay with their niches. It has become evident that the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major player in regulating the BCSC phenotype and metastasis. The complexity of the TME is reflected in its number of players and in the interactions that they establish with each other. Multiple types of immune cells, stromal cells, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) form an intricate communication network with cancer cells, exert a highly selective pressure on the tumor, and provide supportive niches for BCSC expansion. A better understanding of the mechanisms regulating these interactions is crucial to develop strategies aimed at interfering with key BCSC niche factors, which may help reducing tumor heterogeneity and impair metastasis.
Collapse
|
47
|
He L, Yu A, Deng L, Zhang H. Eradicating the Roots: Advanced Therapeutic Approaches Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:2009-2021. [PMID: 32183663 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200317132949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidences have demonstrated that the existence of breast cancer-initiating cells, which drives the original tumorigenicity, local invasion and migration propensity of breast cancer. These cells, termed as breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), possess properties including self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation and proliferative potential, and are believed to play important roles in the intrinsic drug resistance of breast cancer. One of the reasons why BCBCs cause difficulties in breast cancer treating is that BCBCs can control both genetic and non-genetic elements to keep their niches safe and sound, which allows BCSCs for constant self-renewal and differentiation. Therapeutic strategies designed to target BCSCs may ultimately result in effective interventions for the treatment of breast cancer. Novel strategies including nanomedicine, oncolytic virus therapy, immunotherapy and induced differentiation therapy are emerging and proved to be efficient in anti-BCSCs therapy. In this review, we summarized breast tumor biology and the current challenges of breast cancer therapies, focused on breast cancer stem cells, and introduced promising therapeutic strategies targeting BCSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili He
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Anran Yu
- The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 12246, United States
| | - Li Deng
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, MCPHS University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Park DJ, Sung PS, Kim JH, Lee GW, Jang JW, Jung ES, Bae SH, Choi JY, Yoon SK. EpCAM-high liver cancer stem cells resist natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity by upregulating CEACAM1. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:jitc-2019-000301. [PMID: 32221015 PMCID: PMC7206970 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Natural killer (NK) cells can recognize and kill cancer cells directly, but their activity can be attenuated by various inhibitory molecules expressed on the surface. The expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), a potential marker for cancer stem cells (CSCs), is known to be strongly associated with poor clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NK cells targeting CSCs may be a promising strategy for anti-tumor therapy, but little is known about how they respond to EpCAMhigh CSCs in HCC. Methods EpCAM expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 280 human HCC tissues obtained from curative surgery. To investigate the functional activity of NK cells against liver CSCs, EpCAMhigh and EpCAMlow Huh-7 cells were sorted by flow cytometry. The functional role of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), which is related to NK cells, was determined by in vitro co-culture of NK cells and hepatoma cells using Hepa1–6 mouse hepatoma cells, as well as in vivo experiments using C57/BL6 mice. Results The frequency of recurrence after curative surgery was higher in patients with positive EpCAM expression than in those with negative EpCAM expression. In subsequent analysis based on the anatomical location of EpCAM expression, patients with peritumoral EpCAM expression showed worse prognosis than those with pantumoral EpCAM expression. Co-culture experiments demonstrated that CEACAM1 was upregulated on the surface of EpCAMhigh HCC cells, resulting in resistance to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Inversely, silencing CEACAM1 restored cytotoxicity of NK cells against EpCAMhigh Huh-7 cells. Moreover, neutralizing CEACAM1 on the NK cell surface enhanced killing of Huh-7 cells, suggesting that homophilic interaction of CEACAM1 is responsible for attenuated NK cell–mediated killing of CEACAM1high cells. In mouse experiments with Hepa1–6 cells, EpCAMhigh Hepa1–6 cells formed larger tumors and showed higher CEACAM1 expression after NK cell depletion. NK-mediated cytotoxicity was enhanced after blocking CEACAM1 expression using the anti-CEACAM1 antibody, thereby facilitating tumor regression. Moreover, CEACAM1 expression positively correlated with EpCAM expression in human HCC tissues, and serum CEACAM1 levels were also significantly higher in patients with EpCAM+ HCC. Conclusion Our data demonstrated that EpCAMhigh liver CSCs resist NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity by upregulation of CEACAM1 expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Jun Park
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Pil Soo Sung
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hee Kim
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gil Won Lee
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Won Jang
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Sun Jung
- Department of Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Hyun Bae
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Young Choi
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Kew Yoon
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Sathe G, George IA, Deb B, Jain AP, Patel K, Nayak B, Karmakar S, Seth A, Pandey A, Kumar P. Urinary glycoproteomic profiling of non-muscle invasive and muscle invasive bladder carcinoma patients reveals distinct N-glycosylation pattern of CD44, MGAM, and GINM1. Oncotarget 2020; 11:3244-3255. [PMID: 32922663 PMCID: PMC7456616 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical management of bladder carcinomas (BC) remains a major challenge and demands comprehensive multi-omics analysis for better stratification of the disease. Identification of patients on risk requires identification of signatures predicting prognosis risk of the patients. Understanding the molecular alterations associated with the disease onset and progression could improve the routinely used diagnostic and therapy procedures. In this study, we investigated the aberrant changes in N-glycosylation pattern of proteins associated with tumorigenesis as well as disease progression in bladder cancer. We integrated and compared global N-glycoproteomic and proteomic profile of urine samples from bladder cancer patients at different clinicopathological stages (non-muscle invasive and muscle-invasive patients [n = 5 and 4 in each cohort]) with healthy subjects (n = 5) using SPEG method. We identified 635 N-glycopeptides corresponding to 381 proteins and 543 N-glycopeptides corresponding to 326 proteins in NMIBC and MIBC patients respectively. Moreover, we identified altered glycosylation in 41 NMIBC and 21 MIBC proteins without any significant change in protein abundance levels. In concordance with the previously published bladder cancer cell line N-glycoproteomic data, we also observed dysregulated glycosylation in ECM related proteins. Further, we identified distinct N-glycosylation pattern of CD44, MGAM, and GINM1 between NMIBC and MIBC patients, which may be associated with disease progression in bladder cancer. These aberrant protein glycosylation events would provide a novel approach for bladder carcinoma diagnosis and further define novel mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gajanan Sathe
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal 576104, India.,Center for Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore 560029, India.,These authors contributed equally to this work and share the first authorship
| | - Irene A George
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal 576104, India.,These authors contributed equally to this work and share the first authorship
| | - Barnali Deb
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal 576104, India.,These authors contributed equally to this work and share the second authorship
| | - Ankit P Jain
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India.,These authors contributed equally to this work and share the second authorship
| | - Krishna Patel
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India.,School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam 690525, India
| | - Brusabhanu Nayak
- Department of Urology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India
| | - Subhradip Karmakar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India
| | - Amlesh Seth
- Department of Urology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110070, India
| | - Akhilesh Pandey
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal 576104, India.,Center for Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore 560029, India.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, Bangalore 560066, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal 576104, India
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Lorusso G, Rüegg C, Kuonen F. Targeting the Extra-Cellular Matrix-Tumor Cell Crosstalk for Anti-Cancer Therapy: Emerging Alternatives to Integrin Inhibitors. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1231. [PMID: 32793493 PMCID: PMC7387567 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network composed of a multitude of different macromolecules. ECM components typically provide a supportive structure to the tissue and engender positional information and crosstalk with neighboring cells in a dynamic reciprocal manner, thereby regulating tissue development and homeostasis. During tumor progression, tumor cells commonly modify and hijack the surrounding ECM to sustain anchorage-dependent growth and survival, guide migration, store pro-tumorigenic cell-derived molecules and present them to enhance receptor activation. Thereby, ECM potentially supports tumor progression at various steps from initiation, to local growth, invasion, and systemic dissemination and ECM-tumor cells interactions have long been considered promising targets for cancer therapy. Integrins represent key surface receptors for the tumor cell to sense and interact with the ECM. Yet, attempts to therapeutically impinge on these interactions using integrin inhibitors have failed to deliver anticipated results, and integrin inhibitors are still missing in the emerging arsenal of drugs for targeted therapies. This paradox situation should urge the field to reconsider the role of integrins in cancer and their targeting, but also to envisage alternative strategies. Here, we review the therapeutic targets implicated in tumor cell adhesion to the ECM, whose inhibitors are currently in clinical trials and may offer alternatives to integrin inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Girieca Lorusso
- Experimental and Translational Oncology, Department of Oncology Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Curzio Rüegg
- Experimental and Translational Oncology, Department of Oncology Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - François Kuonen
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hôpital de Beaumont, Lausanne University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|