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Hayashi Y, Millen JC, Ramos RI, Linehan JA, Wilson TG, Hoon DSB, Bustos MA. Cell-free and extracellular vesicle microRNAs with clinical utility for solid tumors. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 39129372 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
As cutting-edge technologies applied for the study of body fluid molecular biomarkers are continuously evolving, clinical applications of these biomarkers improve. Diverse forms of circulating molecular biomarkers have been described, including cell-free DNA (cfDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and cell-free microRNAs (cfmiRs), although unresolved issues remain in their applicability, specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility. Translational studies demonstrating the clinical utility and importance of cfmiRs in multiple cancers have significantly increased. This review aims to summarize the last 5 years of translational cancer research in the field of cfmiRs and their potential clinical applications to diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring disease recurrence or treatment responses with a focus on solid tumors. PubMed was utilized for the literature search, following rigorous exclusion criteria for studies based on tumor types, patient sample size, and clinical applications. A total of 136 studies on cfmiRs in different solid tumors were identified and divided based on tumor types, organ sites, number of cfmiRs found, methodology, and types of biofluids analyzed. This comprehensive review emphasizes clinical applications of cfmiRs and summarizes underserved areas where more research and validations are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinori Hayashi
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Janelle-Cheri Millen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Romela Irene Ramos
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer A Linehan
- Department of Urology and Urologic Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Timothy G Wilson
- Department of Urology and Urologic Oncology, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Dave S B Hoon
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
- Department of Genome Sequencing Center, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Matias A Bustos
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
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Guo QY, Song JN, Chen YM, Yuan HN, Xue WS, Sun Y, Niu XL, Wang Y, Chen X. IL-6 regulates epithelial ovarian cancer EMT, invasion, and metastasis by modulating Let-7c and miR-200c through the STAT3/HIF-1α pathway. Med Oncol 2024; 41:155. [PMID: 38744773 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02328-2] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) play important roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and tumor development. Previous studies have demonstrated that IL-6 promotes EMT, invasion, and metastasis in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells by activating the STAT3/HIF-1α pathway. MicroRNA (miRNA) is non-coding small RNAs that also play an important role in tumor development. Notably, Let-7 and miR-200 families are prominently altered in EOC. However, whether IL-6 regulates the expression of Let-7 and miR-200 families through the STAT3/HIF-1α signaling to induce EMT in EOC remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted in vitro and in vivo investigations using two EOC cell lines, SKOV3, and OVCAR3 cells. Our findings demonstrate that IL-6 down-regulates the mRNA levels of Let-7c and miR-200c while up-regulating their target genes HMGA2 and ZEB1 through the STAT3/HIF-1α signaling in EOC cells and in vivo. Additionally, to explore the regulatory role of HIF-1α on miRNAs, both exogenous HIF blockers YC-1 and endogenous high expression or inhibition of HIF-1α can be utilized. Both approaches can confirm that the downstream molecule HIF-1α inhibits the expression and function of Let-7c and miR-200c. Further mechanistic research revealed that the overexpression of Let-7c or miR-200c can reverse the malignant evolution of EOC cells induced by IL-6, including EMT, invasion, and metastasis. Consequently, our results suggest that IL-6 regulates the expression of Let-7c and miR-200c through the STAT3/HIF-1α pathway, thereby promoting EMT, invasion, and metastasis in EOC cells.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Female
- Humans
- Mice
- Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial/pathology
- Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial/genetics
- Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics
- Interleukin-6/metabolism
- Interleukin-6/genetics
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- Neoplasm Invasiveness/genetics
- Neoplasm Metastasis
- Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/pathology
- Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/genetics
- Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/metabolism
- Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology
- Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics
- Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Yun Guo
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.10 Poyang Lake Road, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China
- School of Pharmacy and Biological Technology, Tianjin Medical College, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Jiang Nan Song
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Characteristic Medical Center of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, No.220, Chenglin Road, Dongli District, Tianjin, 300162, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100080, China
| | - Yu Meng Chen
- College of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Hai Ning Yuan
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.10 Poyang Lake Road, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Wen Shu Xue
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.10 Poyang Lake Road, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Characteristic Medical Center of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, No.220, Chenglin Road, Dongli District, Tianjin, 300162, China
| | - Xiu Long Niu
- Institute of Prevention and Treatment of Dermatosis in Alpine Environment of Plateau, Characteristic Medical Center of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, China
| | - Yue Wang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.10 Poyang Lake Road, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China.
| | - Xiao Chen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Characteristic Medical Center of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, No.220, Chenglin Road, Dongli District, Tianjin, 300162, China
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Xu J, Zhao Y, Chen Z, Wei L. Clinical Application of Different Liquid Biopsy Components in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Pers Med 2024; 14:420. [PMID: 38673047 PMCID: PMC11051574 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14040420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer, usually occurring in the background of chronic liver disease. HCC lethality rate is in the third highest place in the world. Patients with HCC have concealed early symptoms and possess a high-level of heterogeneity. Once diagnosed, most of the tumors are in advanced stages and have a poor prognosis. The sensitivity and specificity of existing detection modalities and protocols are suboptimal. HCC calls for more sophisticated and individualized therapeutic regimens. Liquid biopsy is non-invasive, repeatable, unaffected by location, and can be monitored dynamically. It has emerged as a useable aid in achieving precision malignant tumor treatment. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating nucleic acids, exosomes and tumor-educated platelets are the commonest components of a liquid biopsy. It possesses the theoretical ability to conquer the high heterogeneity and the difficulty of early detection for HCC patients. In this review, we summarize the common enrichment techniques and the clinical applications in HCC for different liquid biopsy components. Tumor recurrence after HCC-related liver transplantation is more insidious and difficult to treat. The clinical use of liquid biopsy in HCC-related liver transplantation is also summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lai Wei
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education; NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430030, China; (J.X.); (Y.Z.); (Z.C.)
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Zenlander R, Salter H, Gilg S, Eggertsen G, Stål P. MicroRNAs as Plasma Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis-A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2414. [PMID: 38397091 PMCID: PMC10888674 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042414] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis has a poor sensitivity for small tumors. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been explored as HCC biomarkers, but results are diverging. Here, we evaluate if miRNAs up-regulated in HCC tissue can be detected in plasma and used as screening biomarkers for HCC. In this cross-sectional study, plasma, HCC tissue and surrounding non-tumorous liver tissue were collected from liver resections. Tissue miRNAs were identified and quantitated by RNA-sequencing analysis, and the fold-changes between HCC and surrounding liver tissue were calculated. The miRNAs up-regulated in HCCs were then re-analyzed in plasma from the same patients, and the miRNAs with the highest plasma levels were subsequently measured in plasma from an independent cohort of patients with cirrhosis or HCC. In tissues from 84 resected patients, RNA-sequencing detected 197 differentially expressed miRNAs, 40 of which had a raw count above 200 and were analyzed in plasma from the same cohort. Thirty-one miRNAs were selected for further analysis in 200 patients with HCC or cirrhosis. Of these, eleven miRNAs were significantly increased in HCC as compared to cirrhosis patients. Only miR-93-5p and miR-151a-3p were significantly associated with HCC, with an AUC of 0.662. In comparison, alpha-fetoprotein and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin yielded an AUC of 0.816, which increased to 0.832 if miR-93-5p and miR-151a-3p were added. When including sex and age, the addition of miR-93-5p and miR-151a-3p did not further improve the AUC (from 0.910 to 0.911). In conclusion, micro-RNAs up-regulated in HCCs are detectable in plasma but have a poor performance as screening biomarkers of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Zenlander
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden (P.S.)
| | - Hugh Salter
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Gilg
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden (P.S.)
| | - Gösta Eggertsen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden (P.S.)
| | - Per Stål
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden (P.S.)
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Upper GI Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
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You J, Xia H, Huang Z, He R, Zhao X, Chen J, Liu S, Xu Y, Cui Y. Research progress of circulating non-coding RNA in diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1204715. [PMID: 37546394 PMCID: PMC10400719 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1204715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant tumor that carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. This type of cancer is prevalent in Asia due to the widespread presence of risk factors. Unfortunately, HCC often goes undetected until it has reached an advanced stage, making early detection and treatment critical for better outcomes. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is commonly used in clinical practice for diagnosing HCC, but its sensitivity and specificity are limited. While surgery and liver transplantation are the main radical treatments, drug therapy and local interventions are better options for patients with advanced HCC. Accurately assessing treatment efficacy and adjusting plans in a timely manner can significantly improve the prognosis of HCC. Non-coding RNA gene transcription products cannot participate in protein production, but they can regulate gene expression and protein function through the regulation of transcription and translation processes. These non-coding RNAs have been found to be associated with tumor development in various types of tumors. Noncoding RNA released by tumor or blood cells can circulate in the blood and serve as a biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and efficacy assessment. This article explores the unique role of circulating noncoding RNA in HCC from various perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqi You
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Haoming Xia
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ziyue Huang
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Risheng He
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xudong Zhao
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jiali Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Sidi Liu
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yunfu Cui
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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Bosi C, Rimini M, Casadei-Gardini A. Understanding the causes of recurrent HCC after liver resection and radiofrequency ablation. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2023; 23:503-515. [PMID: 37060290 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2023.2203387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation are preferred options for early-stage disease, with 5-year recurrence rates as high as 70% when patients are treated according to guidelines. With increasing availability of therapeutic options, including but not limited to, immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), tyrosine kinase inhibitors, antiangiogenics, and adoptive cell therapies, understanding the causes of recurrence and identifying its predictors should be priorities in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) research agenda. AREAS COVERED Current knowledge of HCC predictors of recurrence is reviewed, and recent insights about its underlying mechanisms are presented. In addition, results from recent clinical trials investigating treatment combinations are critically appraised. EXPERT OPINION HCC recurrence is either due to progressive growth of microscopic residual disease, or to de novo cancer development in the context of a diseased liver, each occurring in an early (<2years) vs. late (≥2 years) fashion. Collectively, morphological, proteomic, and transcriptomic data suggest vascular invasion and angiogenesis as key drivers of HCC recurrence. Agents aimed at blocking either of these two hallmarks should be prioritized at the moment of early-stage HCC clinical trial design. Emerging results from clinical trials testing ICI in early-stage HCC underscore the importance of defining the best treatment sequence and the most appropriate combination strategies. Lastly, as different responses to systemic therapies are increasingly defined according to the HCC etiology, patient enrolment into clinical trials should take into account the biological characteristics of their inherent disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Bosi
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, 20132, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University School of Medicine, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Margherita Rimini
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, 20132, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University School of Medicine, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Andrea Casadei-Gardini
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, 20132, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University School of Medicine, Milan, 20132, Italy
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