MAT1A Suppression by the CTBP1/HDAC1/HDAC2 Transcriptional Complex Induces Immune Escape and Reduces Ferroptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Ferroptosis in Cancer: A new perspective on T cells

T cells occupy a pivotal position in the immune response against cancer by recognizing and eliminating cancer cells. However, the tumor microenvironment often suppresses the function of T cells, leading to immune evasion and cancer progression. Recent research has unveiled novel connections among T cells, ferroptosis, and cancer. Ferroptosis is a type of regulated cell death that relies iron and reactive oxygen species and is distinguished by the proliferation of lipid peroxides. Emerging scientific findings underscore the potential of ferroptosis to modulate the function and survival of T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, T cells or immunotherapy can also affect cancer by modulating ferroptosis in cancer cells. This review delved into the intricate crosstalk between T cells and ferroptosis in the context of cancer, highlighting the molecular mechanisms involved. We also explored the therapeutic potential of targeting ferroptosis to enhance the anticancer immune response mediated by T cells. Understanding the interplay among T cells, ferroptosis, and cancer may provide new insights into developing innovative cancer immunotherapies.

Ferroptosis and the tumor microenvironment

Ferroptosis is a type of regulated cell death characterized by its non-apoptotic, iron-dependent and oxidative nature. Since its discovery in 2012, extensive research has demonstrated its pivotal roles in tumorigenesis, metastasis and cancer therapy. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex ecosystem comprising cancer cells, non-cancer cells, extracellular matrix, metabolites and cytokines. Recent studies have underscored a new paradigm in which non-cancer cells in the TME, such as immune and stromal cells, also play significant roles in regulating tumor progression and therapeutic resistance typically through complicated crosstalk with cancer cells. Notably, this crosstalk in the TME were partially mediated through ferrotopsis-related mechanisms. This review provides a comprehensive and systematic summary of the current findings concerning the roles of ferroptosis in the TME and how ferroptosis-mediated TME reprogramming impacts cancer therapeutic resistance and progression. Additionally, this review outlines various ferroptosis-related therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting the TME.

Ferroptosis: insight into the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignances in the world, with high morbidity and mortality. Due to the hidden onset of symptoms, there are huge obstacles in early diagnosis, recurrence, metastasis and drug resistance. Although great strides have been made in the treatment of HCC, effective treatment options are still limited and achieving longer survival for patients remains urgent. Ferroptosis is a novel type of programmed cell death that is mainly caused by iron-dependent oxidative damage. With further investigations, ferroptosis has been proved to be associated with the occurrence and development of various tumors. This article reviews the regulatory mechanism and signal transduction pathways of ferroptosis, investigates the complex relationship between autophagy, sorafenib resistance and immunotherapy with ferroptosis involved in HCC, providing new ideas and directions for the treatment of HCC.

Computational pipeline predicting cell death suppressors as targets for cancer therapy

Identification of promising targets for cancer therapy is a global effort in precision medicine. Here, we describe a computational pipeline integrating transcriptomic and vulnerability responses to cell-death inducing drugs, to predict cell-death suppressors as candidate targets for cancer therapy. The prediction is based on two modules; the transcriptomic similarity module to identify genes whose targeting results in similar transcriptomic responses of the death-inducing drugs, and the correlation module to identify candidate genes whose expression correlates to the vulnerability of cancer cells to the same death-inducers. The combined predictors of these two modules were integrated into a single metric. As a proof-of-concept, we selected ferroptosis inducers as death-inducing drugs in triple negative breast cancer. The pipeline reliably predicted candidate genes as ferroptosis suppressors, as validated by computational methods and cellular assays. The described pipeline might be used to identify repressors of various cell-death pathways as potential therapeutic targets for different cancer types.

Identify CTBP1-DT as an immunological biomarker that promotes lipid synthesis and apoptosis resistance in KIRC

Recently, mounting evidence has highlighted the essential function of the C-terminal binding protein-1 divergent transcript (CTBP1-DT) in malignancies. However, its role in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) remains largely unknown. Our study aimed to identify the potential function of CTBP1-DT in KIRC. RT-qPCR, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Cox regression analysis, and nomogram analysis were utilized to determine the expression and effects of CTBP1-DT on survival. The subcellular localization of CTBP1-DT was determined using RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). To investigate the functions of CTBP1-DT in regulating KIRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, lipid synthesis, and apoptosis, we conducted CCK8, EdU, Transwell, and Oil Red O staining and cell apoptosis staining assays. The relationships between CTBP1-DT and the tumor microenvironment were investigated with multiple bioinformatics analysis algorithms and databases, including CYBERSORT, TIMER2, Spearman correlation test, tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and immunophenoscore (IPS). According to our results, CTBP1-DT is a lncRNA located in the nucleus that is significantly upregulated in KIRC and is correlated with better clinical outcomes. Downregulating CTBP1-DT inhibited cell viability, migration, invasion, and lipid synthesis but triggered cell apoptosis. Additionally, we explored the potential effect of CTBP1-DT in regulating immune cell infiltration in KIRC and other malignancies. Furthermore, CTBP1-DT could be used to predict the effectiveness of targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In conclusion, we identified CTBP1-DT as a potential immunological biomarker and discovered the potential role of CTBP1-DT in regulating lipid synthesis and apoptosis resistance.

HDAC1-Mediated Downregulation of NEU1 Exacerbates the Aggressiveness of Cervical Cancer

HDAC1 functions as an oncogene in multi-type cancers. This study aimed to investigate the roles of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) in cervical cancer (CC). mRNA expression was determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The protein-protein complexes was analyzed using co-immunoprecipitation assay. The binding sites between NRF2 and NEU1 were confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8. Cell proliferation was measured using CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Cell migrative and invasive ability were determined using transwell assay. We found that HDAC1 was upregulated in CC patients and cells. Trichostatin A (TSA) treatment decreased the number of colonies and migrated and invaded cells. Moreover, HDAC1 interacted with NRF2 to downregulate NEU1 expression. NEU1 knockdown attenuated the effects of TSA and enhanced the aggressiveness of CC cells. In conclusion, HDAC1 functions as an oncogene in CC. Targeting HDAC1 may be an alternative strategy for CC.