LncRNA FAM13A-AS1, transcriptionally regulated by PHOX2B, modulates hepatocellular carcinoma chemoresistance via stabilizing PPARγ

Exploring non-coding RNA mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma: implications for therapy and prognosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant contributor to cancer-related deaths in the world. The development and progression of HCC are closely correlated with the abnormal regulation of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). Important biological pathways in cancer biology, such as cell proliferation, death, and metastasis, are impacted by these ncRNAs, which modulate gene expression. The abnormal expression of non-coding RNAs in HCC raises the possibility that they could be applied as new biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment targets. Furthermore, by controlling the expression of cancer-related genes, miRNAs can function as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes. On the other hand, lncRNAs play a role in the advancement of cancer by interacting with other molecules within the cell, which, in turn, affects processes such as chromatin remodeling, transcription, and post-transcriptional processes. The importance of ncRNA-driven regulatory systems in HCC is being highlighted by current research, which sheds light on tumor behavior and therapy response. This research highlights the great potential of ncRNAs to improve patient outcomes in this difficult disease landscape by augmenting the present methods of HCC care through the use of precision medicine approaches.

Roles of PPAR activation in cancer therapeutic resistance: Implications for combination therapy and drug development

Therapeutic resistance is a major obstacle to successful treatment or effective containment of cancer. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play an essential role in regulating energy homeostasis and determining cell fate. Despite of the pleiotropic roles of PPARs in cancer, numerous studies have suggested their intricate relationship with therapeutic resistance in cancer. In this review, we provided an overview of the roles of excessively activated PPARs in promoting resistance to modern anti-cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The mechanisms through which activated PPARs contribute to therapeutic resistance in most cases include metabolic reprogramming, anti-oxidant defense, anti-apoptosis signaling, proliferation-promoting pathways, and induction of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In addition, we discussed the mechanisms through which activated PPARs lead to multidrug resistance in cancer, including drug efflux, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and acquisition and maintenance of the cancer stem cell phenotype. Preliminary studies investigating the effect of combination therapies with PPAR antagonists have suggested the potential of these antagonists in reversing resistance and facilitating sustained cancer management. These findings will provide a valuable reference for further research on and clinical translation of PPAR-targeting treatment strategies.

MIR222HG/LIN28B/ATG5 Axis Drives M2 Macrophage Polarization and Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to investigate the potential of MIR222HG in HCC. HCC cells were co-cultured with U937 cells. Gene expression was determined using reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q) PCR and western blot. Functional analysis was performed using Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8), colony formation, and flow cytometry assays. We found that MIR222HG was overexpressed in HCC patients as well as HepG2 and Huh7 cells. MIR222HG-mediated upregulation of autophagy related 5 (ATG5) promoted tumor cell autophagy and the activation of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAM2). Moreover, MIR222HG-mediated the activation of TAM2 drove the proliferation of HCC cells. Additionally, MIR222HG increased the mRNA expression as well as promoted the mRNA stability of ATG5 via binding to lin-28 homolog B (LIN28B). In conclusion, MIR222HG-mediated autophagy and the activation of TAM2 promote the aggressiveness of HCC cells via regulating LIN28B/ATG5 signaling.