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Guo Z, Ashrafizadeh M, Zhang W, Zou R, Sethi G, Zhang X. Molecular profile of metastasis, cell plasticity and EMT in pancreatic cancer: a pre-clinical connection to aggressiveness and drug resistance. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:29-53. [PMID: 37453022 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10125-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The metastasis is a multistep process in which a small proportion of cancer cells are detached from the colony to enter into blood cells for obtaining a new place for metastasis and proliferation. The metastasis and cell plasticity are considered major causes of cancer-related deaths since they improve the malignancy of cancer cells and provide poor prognosis for patients. Furthermore, enhancement in the aggressiveness of cancer cells has been related to the development of drug resistance. Metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells has been considered one of the major causes of death in patients and their undesirable prognosis. PC is among the most malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and in addition to lifestyle, smoking, and other factors, genomic changes play a key role in its progression. The stimulation of EMT in PC cells occurs as a result of changes in molecular interaction, and in addition to increasing metastasis, EMT participates in the development of chemoresistance. The epithelial, mesenchymal, and acinar cell plasticity can occur and determines the progression of PC. The major molecular pathways including STAT3, PTEN, PI3K/Akt, and Wnt participate in regulating the metastasis of PC cells. The communication in tumor microenvironment can provide by exosomes in determining PC metastasis. The components of tumor microenvironment including macrophages, neutrophils, and cancer-associated fibroblasts can modulate PC progression and the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenli Guo
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, 128 Jinling Road, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, 341000, China
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Rongjun Zou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
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Xing L, Lv L, Ren J, Yu H, Zhao X, Kong X, Xiang H, Tao X, Dong D. Advances in targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115717. [PMID: 37862965 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115717] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) represents a group of malignant tumours originating from pancreatic duct epithelial cells and acinar cells, and the 5-year survival rate of PC patients is only approximately 12%. Molecular targeted drugs are specific drugs designed to target and block oncogenes, and they have become promising strategies for the treatment of PC. Compared to traditional chemotherapy drugs, molecular targeted drugs have greater targeting precision, and they have significant therapeutic effects and minimal side effects. This article reviews several molecular targeted drugs that are currently in the experimental stage for the treatment of PC; these include antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), aptamer-drug conjugates (ApDCs) and peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs). ADCs can specifically recognize cell surface antigens and reduce systemic exposure and toxicity of chemotherapy drugs. By delivering nucleic acid drugs to target cells, the targeting RNA of ApDCs can inhibit the expression or translation of mutated genes, thereby inhibiting tumour development. Moreover, PDCs can effectively penetrate tumour cells, and the peptide groups in PDCs preferentially target tumour cells with minimal side effects. In the targeted therapy of PC, molecular targeted drugs have very broad prospects, which provides new hope for the clinical treatment of PC patients and is worth further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xing
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China; School of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Linlin Lv
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Jiaqi Ren
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Hao Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Xinya Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Xin Kong
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Hong Xiang
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.
| | - Xufeng Tao
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.
| | - Deshi Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.
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Ajmal MR. Protein Misfolding and Aggregation in Proteinopathies: Causes, Mechanism and Cellular Response. Diseases 2023; 11:diseases11010030. [PMID: 36810544 PMCID: PMC9944956 DOI: 10.3390/diseases11010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins are central to life functions. Alterations in the structure of proteins are reflected in their function. Misfolded proteins and their aggregates present a significant risk to the cell. Cells have a diverse but integrated network of protection mechanisms. Streams of misfolded proteins that cells are continuously exposed to must be continually monitored by an elaborated network of molecular chaperones and protein degradation factors to control and contain protein misfolding problems. Aggregation inhibition properties of small molecules such as polyphenols are important as they possess other beneficial properties such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and pro-autophagic properties and help neuroprotection. A candidate with such desired features is important for any possible treatment development for protein aggregation diseases. There is a need to study the protein misfolding phenomenon so that we can treat some of the worst kinds of human ailments related to protein misfolding and aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Rehan Ajmal
- Physical Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
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Shen M, Kang Y. Cancer fitness genes: emerging therapeutic targets for metastasis. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:69-82. [PMID: 36184492 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Development of cancer therapeutics has traditionally focused on targeting driver oncogenes. Such an approach is limited by toxicity to normal tissues and treatment resistance. A class of 'cancer fitness genes' with crucial roles in metastasis have been identified. Elevated or altered activities of these genes do not directly cause cancer; instead, they relieve the stresses that tumor cells encounter and help them adapt to a changing microenvironment, thus facilitating tumor progression and metastasis. Importantly, as normal cells do not experience high levels of stress under physiological conditions, targeting cancer fitness genes is less likely to cause toxicity to noncancerous tissues. Here, we summarize the key features and function of cancer fitness genes and discuss their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhong Shen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Michigan, MI, USA; Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Tumor Biology and Microenvironment Research Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Michigan, MI, USA.
| | - Yibin Kang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Princeton Branch, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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Khan SU, Khan MU, Gao Y, Khan MI, Puswal SM, Zubair M, Khan MA, Farwa R, Gao S, Ali R, Hussain N. Unique therapeutic potentialities of exosomes based nanodrug carriers to target tumor microenvironment in cancer therapy. OPENNANO 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.onano.2022.100091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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