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Wu M, Yuan H, Zou W, Xu S, Liu S, Gao Q, Guo Q, Han Y, An X. Circular RNAs: characteristics, functions, mechanisms, and potential applications in thyroid cancer. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:808-824. [PMID: 37864677 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03324-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is one of the most common endocrine malignancies, and its incidence has increased globally. Despite extensive research, the underlying molecular mechanisms of TC remain partially understood, warranting continued exploration of molecular markers for diagnostic and prognostic applications. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently garnered significant attention owing to their distinct roles in cancers. This review article introduced the classification and biological functions of circRNAs and summarized their potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers in TC. Further, the interplay of circRNAs with PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK/ERK, Notch, JAK/STAT, and AMPK pathways is elaborated upon. The article culminates with an examination of circRNA's role in drug resistance of TC and highlights the challenges in circRNA research in TC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Wu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Haibin Yuan
- Department of Health Management, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Zou
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujian Xu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingqun Guo
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Han
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xingguo An
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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Jin Y, Liu M, Sa R, Fu H, Cheng L, Chen L. Mouse models of thyroid cancer: Bridging pathogenesis and novel therapeutics. Cancer Lett 2019; 469:35-53. [PMID: 31589905 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Due to a global increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer, numerous novel mouse models were established to reveal thyroid cancer pathogenesis and test promising therapeutic strategies, necessitating a comprehensive review of translational medicine that covers (i) the role of mouse models in the research of thyroid cancer pathogenesis, and (ii) preclinical testing of potential anti-thyroid cancer therapeutics. The present review article aims to: (i) describe the current approaches for mouse modeling of thyroid cancer, (ii) provide insight into the biology and genetics of thyroid cancers, and (iii) offer guidance on the use of mouse models for testing potential therapeutics in preclinical settings. Based on research with mouse models of thyroid cancer pathogenesis involving the RTK, RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, SRC, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways, inhibitors of VEGFR, MEK, mTOR, SRC, and STAT3 have been developed as anti-thyroid cancer drugs for "bench-to-bedside" translation. In the future, mouse models of thyroid cancer will be designed to be ''humanized" and "patient-like," offering opportunities to: (i) investigate the pathogenesis of thyroid cancer through target screening based on the CRISPR/Cas system, (ii) test drugs based on new mouse models, and (iii) explore the underlying mechanisms based on multi-omics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Jin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Ri Sa
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hao Fu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lin Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Libo Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
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Altinoz MA, Ozpinar A, Alturfan EE, Elmaci I. Vinorelbine's anti-tumor actions may depend on the mitotic apoptosis, autophagy and inflammation: hypotheses with implications for chemo-immunotherapy of advanced cancers and pediatric gliomas. J Chemother 2018; 30:203-212. [PMID: 30025492 DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2018.1487149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Vinorelbine is a very potent chemotherapeutic agent which is used to treat a number of cancers including breast and non-small cell lung tumors. Vinorelbine mainly acts via blocking microtubules and induces a specific type of cell death called 'mitotic catastrophe/apoptosis' subsequent to mitotic slippage, which is the failure of cells to stay in a mitotic arrested state and replicating their DNA without cytokinesis. Glial tumor cells are especially sensitive to mitotic slippage. In recent years, vinorelbine demonstrated potency in pediatric optic and pontine gliomas. In this manuscript, we propose that vinorelbine's anti-tumor actions involve mitotic apoptosis, autophagy and inflammation. Intravenous infusion of vinorelbine induces a peculiar severe pain in the tumor site and patients with highly vascularized, oedematous and necrotic tumors are particularly vulnerable to this pain. Severe pain is a sign of robust inflammation and anti-inflammatory agents are used in treatment of this side effect. However, no one has questioned whether inflammation contributes to anti-tumor effects of vinorelbine, despite the existing data that vinorelbine induces Toll-Like Receptor-4 (TLR4), cytokines and cell death in endothelial cells especially under hypoxia. Robust inflammation may contribute to tumor necrosis such as seen during immunotherapy with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Evidence also emerges that enhanced cyclooxygenase activity may increase cancer cell death in certain contexts. There are data indicating that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could block anti-tumor efficacy of taxanes, which also work mainly via anti-microtubule actions. Further, combining vinorelbine with immunostimulant cytokines provided encouraging results in far advanced melanoma and renal cell carcinoma, which are highly antigenic tumors. Vinorelbine also showed potential in treatment of inflammatory breast cancer. Finally, pontine gliomas - where partial activity of vinorelbine is shown by some studies - are also tumors which partially respond to immune stimulation. Animal experiments shall be conducted whether TLR4-activating molecules or immune-checkpoint inhibitors could augment anti-tumor actions of vinorelbine. Noteworthy, TLR4-activation seems as the most promising way of cancer immunotherapy, as a high percentage of molecules which demonstrated clinical benefits in cancer treatment are activators of TLR4, including BCG vaccine, monophosphoryl lipid A and picibanil (OKT-432). The provided data would be meaningful for the oncological practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meric A Altinoz
- a Department of Neurosurgery , Neuroacademy Group, Memorial Hospital , Istanbul , Turkey
| | - Aysel Ozpinar
- b Department of Medical Biochemistry , Acibadem University , Istanbul , Turkey
| | | | - Ilhan Elmaci
- a Department of Neurosurgery , Neuroacademy Group, Memorial Hospital , Istanbul , Turkey
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Nozhat Z, Hedayati M, Pourhassan H. Signaling pathways in medullary thyroid carcinoma: therapeutic implications. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINE ONCOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.2217/ije-2016-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is the third most frequent thyroid cancer arising from thyroid parafollicular cells. Surgery is the first-line strategy in treatment of MTC but disease relapse and patient's death have been observed in approximately two out of three of MTC cases. Identification of molecular mechanisms and different signaling pathways has offered new insights for disease treatment. The development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting these pathways has provided a promising landscape for prevention of progression in patients with advanced metastatic MTC. In this review article different altered molecular pathways implicated in the development of MTC and the therapeutic strategies based on targeting the identified signaling pathways have been summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Nozhat
- Cellular & Molecular Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Biotechnology Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Hedayati
- Cellular & Molecular Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hoda Pourhassan
- Clinical Instructor Faculty, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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Munakata A, Naraoka M, Katagai T, Shimamura N, Ohkuma H. Role of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Relation to Nitric Oxide and Endothelin-1 on Pathogenesis of Cerebral Vasospasm After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rabbit. Transl Stroke Res 2016; 7:220-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s12975-016-0466-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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The inhibitory effect of pseudolaric acid B on gastric cancer and multidrug resistance via Cox-2/PKC-α/P-gp pathway. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107830. [PMID: 25250794 PMCID: PMC4176716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim To investigate the inhibitory effect of pseudolaric acid B on subcutaneous xenografts of human gastric adenocarcinoma and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in its multidrug resistance. Methods Human gastric adenocarcinoma SGC7901 cells and drug-resistant SGC7901/ADR cells were injected into nude mice to establish a subcutaneous xenograft model. The effects of pseudolaric acid B with or without adriamycin treatment were compared by determining the tumor size and weight. Cyclo-oxygenase-2, protein kinaseC-α and P-glycoprotein expression levels were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Results Pseudolaric acid B significantly suppressed the tumor growth induced by SGC7901 cells and SGC7901/ADR cells. The combination of pseudolaric acid B and the traditional chemotherapy drug adriamycin exhibited more potent inhibitory effects on the growth of gastric cancer in vivo than treatment with either pseudolaric acid B or adriamycin alone. Protein expression levels of cyclo-oxygenase-2, protein kinaseC-α and P-glycoprotein were inhibited by pseudolaric acid B alone or in combination with adriamycin in SGC7901/ADR cell xenografts. Conclusion Pseudolaric acid B has a significant inhibitory effect and an additive inhibitory effect in combination with adriamycin on the growth of gastric cancer in vivo, which reverses the multidrug resistance of gastric neoplasm to chemotherapy drugs by downregulating the Cox-2/PKC-α/P-gp/mdr1 signaling pathway.
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Meng X, Zhang Q, Zheng G, Pang R, Hua T, Yang S, Li J. Doxorubicin combined with celecoxib inhibits tumor growth of medullary thyroid carcinoma in xenografted mice. Oncol Lett 2014; 7:2053-2058. [PMID: 24932288 PMCID: PMC4049724 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.2050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the antitumor effect of celecoxib (CXB) combined with doxorubicin (DOX) on the subcutaneous xenograft tumor of medullary thyroid carcinoma in nude mice, and to analyze the possible mechanism of action. Nude mice with xenografted medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) were randomly divided into the control, CXB, DOX and DOX plus CXB groups, and the drug treatment was administered for three weeks. It was found that the tumor inhibition rates and the apoptosis index in the treatment groups were higher than in the control group (P<0.01), and that these values were higher in the combination group compared with the single-drug group (P<0.01). DOX alone upregulated the cyclooxygenase-2 and multidrug-resistance 1 expression levels, and the combination of CXB and DOX or CXB alone notably decreased the expression level of the two proteins compared with no treatment. The results of the present study provide evidence that a combination of DOX and CXB is a potential drug candidate for the treatment of MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianying Meng
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Guibin Zheng
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Renzhu Pang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Tebo Hua
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Yang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Geratology, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
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Selimovic D, Badura HE, El-Khattouti A, Soell M, Porzig BBOW, Spernger A, Ghanjati F, Santourlidis S, Haikel Y, Hassan M. Vinblastine-induced apoptosis of melanoma cells is mediated by Ras homologous A protein (Rho A) via mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial-dependent mechanisms. Apoptosis 2014; 18:980-97. [PMID: 23564313 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-013-0844-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the availability of melanoma treatment at the primary site, the recurrence of local melanoma can metastasize to any distant organ. Currently, the available therapies for the treatment of metastatic melanoma are of limited benefit. Thus, the functional analysis of conventional therapies may help to improve their efficiency in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. In the present study, the exposure of melanoma cells to vinblastine was found to trigger apoptosis as evidenced by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, the release of both cytochrome c and apoptosis inducing factor, activation of caspase-9 and 3, and cleavage of Poly (ADP-ribose)-Polymerase. Also, vinblastine enhances the phosphorylation of Ras homologous protein A, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, the release of intracellular Ca(2+), as well as the activation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1, c-jun-N-terminal kinase, p38, inhibitor of kappaBα (IκBα) kinase, and inositol requiring enzyme 1α. In addition, vinblastine induces the DNA-binding activities of the transcription factor NF-κB, HSF1, AP-1, and ATF-2, together with the expression of HSP70 and Bax proteins. Moreover, inhibitory experiments addressed a central role for Rho A in the regulation of vinblastine-induced apoptosis of melanoma cells via mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial-dependent mechanisms. In conclusion, the present study addresses for the first time a central role for Rho A in the modulation of vinblastine-induced apoptosis of melanoma cells and thereby provides an insight into the molecular action of vinblastine in melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Selimovic
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U 977, Faculty of Medicine and Dental Faculty, 11 Rue Humann, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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Inhibition of COX-2 in colon cancer modulates tumor growth and MDR-1 expression to enhance tumor regression in therapy-refractory cancers in vivo. Neoplasia 2013; 14:624-33. [PMID: 22904679 DOI: 10.1593/neo.12486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Revised: 06/04/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Higher cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression is often observed in aggressive colorectal cancers (CRCs). Here, we attempt to examine the association between COX-2 expression in therapy-refractory CRC, how it affects chemosensitivity, and whether, in primary tumors, it is predictive of clinical outcomes. Our results revealed higher COX-2 expression in chemoresistant CRC cells and tumor xenografts. In vitro, the combination of either aspirin or celecoxib with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was capable of improving chemosensitivity in chemorefractory CRC cells, but a synergistic effect with 5-FU could only be demonstrated with celecoxib. To examine the potential clinical significance of these observations, in vivo studies were undertaken, which also showed that the greatest tumor regression was achieved in chemoresistant xenografts after chemotherapy in combination with celecoxib, but not aspirin. We also noted that these chemoresistant tumors with higher COX-2 expression had a more aggressive growth rate. Given the dramatic response to a combination of celecoxib + 5-FU, the possibility that celecoxib may modulate chemosensitivity as a result of its ability to inhibit MDR-1 was examined. In addition, assessment of a tissue microarray consisting of 130 cases of CRCs revealed that, in humans, higher COX-2 expression was associated with poorer survival with a 68% increased risk of mortality, indicating that COX-2 expression is a marker of poor clinical outcome. The findings of this study point to a potential benefit of combining COX-2 inhibitors with current regimens to achieve better response in the treatment of therapy-refractory CRC and in using COX-2 expression as a prognostic marker to help identify individuals who would benefit the greatest from closer follow-up and more aggressive therapy.
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Wang X, Zhang L, O'Neill A, Bahamon B, Alsop DC, Mier JW, Goldberg SN, Signoretti S, Atkins MB, Wood CG, Bhatt RS. Cox-2 inhibition enhances the activity of sunitinib in human renal cell carcinoma xenografts. Br J Cancer 2013; 108:319-26. [PMID: 23322198 PMCID: PMC3566808 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2012.591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sunitinib (Su), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of VEGFR, is effective at producing tumour response in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (cRCC), but resistance to therapy is inevitable. As COX-2 is a known mediator of tumour growth, we explored the potential benefit of COX-2 inhibition in combination with VEGFR inhibition in attempts at delaying tumour progression on Su. METHODS COX-2 expression was compared with areas of hypoxia in tumours that progressed on Su vs untreated tumours. Mice bearing human cRCC xenografts were treated with Su and the COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, and the effects on tumour growth were assessed. Sequential vs concurrent regimens were compared. RESULTS COX-2 expression was increased in cRCC xenografts in areas of tumour hypoxia. The combination of Su and celecoxib achieved longer times to tumour progression compared to treatment with either agent alone or to untreated control animals in four models. This effect was seen with concurrent but not with sequential therapy. CONCLUSION COX-2 inhibition can extend the effectiveness of VEGFR inhibition. This effect is dependent on the timing of therapy. Clinical trials combining Su and COX-2 inhibitors should be considered as a means delaying time to progression on sunitinib in patients with metastatic cRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Wang
- Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - L Zhang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - A O'Neill
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - B Bahamon
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - D C Alsop
- Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - J W Mier
- Division of Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - S N Goldberg
- Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Radiology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, PO Box 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - S Signoretti
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - M B Atkins
- Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3970 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - C G Wood
- Department of Urology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe-Unit1373, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - R S Bhatt
- Division of Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Giunti S, Antonelli A, Amorosi A, Santarpia L. Cellular signaling pathway alterations and potential targeted therapies for medullary thyroid carcinoma. Int J Endocrinol 2013; 2013:803171. [PMID: 23509459 PMCID: PMC3594951 DOI: 10.1155/2013/803171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2012] [Revised: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parafollicular C-cell-derived medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) comprises 3% to 4% of all thyroid cancers. While cytotoxic treatments have been shown to have limited efficacy, targeted molecular therapies that inhibit rearranged during transfection (RET) and other tyrosine kinase receptors that are mainly involved in angiogenesis have shown great promise in the treatment of metastatic or locally advanced MTC. Multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as vandetanib, which is already approved for the treatment of progressive MTC, and cabozantinib have shown distinct advantages with regard to rates of disease response and control. However, these types of tyrosine kinase inhibitor compounds are able to concurrently block several types of targets, which limits the understanding of RET as a specific target. Moreover, important resistances to tyrosine kinase inhibitors can occur, which limit the long-term efficacy of these treatments. Deregulated cellular signaling pathways and genetic alterations in MTC, particularly the activation of the RAS/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) cascades and RET crosstalk signaling, are now emerging as novel and potentially promising therapeutic treatments for aggressive MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Giunti
- Department of Pathology, Centro Oncologico Fiorentino, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa School of Medicine, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Amorosi
- Department of Pathology, Centro Oncologico Fiorentino, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Libero Santarpia
- Translational Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Istituto Toscano Tumori, 59100 Prato, Italy
- *Libero Santarpia:
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12
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Young MR. Endothelial cells in the eyes of an immunologist. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2012; 61:1609-16. [PMID: 22903347 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-012-1335-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2012] [Accepted: 07/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cell activation in the process of tumor angiogenesis and in various aspects of vascular biology has been extensively studied. However, endothelial cells also function in other capacities, including in immune regulation. Compared to the more traditional immune regulatory populations (Th1, Th2, Treg, etc.), endothelial cells have received far less credit as being immune regulators. Their regulatory capacity is multifaceted. They are critical in both limiting and facilitating the trafficking of various immune cell populations, including T cells and dendritic cells, out of the vasculature and into tissue. They also can be induced to stimulate immune reactivity or to be immune inhibitory. In each of these parameters (trafficking, immune stimulation and immune inhibition), their role can be physiological, whereby they have an active role in maintaining health. Alternatively, their role can be pathological, whereby they contribute to disease. In theory, endothelial cells are in an ideal location to recruit cells that can mediate immune reactivity to tumor tissue. Furthermore, they can activate the immune cells as they transmigrate across the endothelium into the tumor. However, what is seen is the absence of these protective effects of endothelial cells and, instead, the endothelial cells succumb to the defense mechanisms of the tumor, resulting in their acquisition of a tumor-protective role. To understand the immune regulatory potential of endothelial cells in protecting the host versus the tumor, it is useful to better understand the other circumstances in which endothelial cells modulate immune reactivities. Which of the multitude of immune regulatory roles that endothelial cells can take on seems to rely on the type of stimulus that they are encountering. It also depends on the extent to which they can be manipulated by potential dangers to succumb and contribute toward attack on the host. This review will explore the physiological and pathological roles of endothelial cells as they regulate immune trafficking, immune stimulation and immune inhibition in a variety of conditions and will then apply this information to their role in the tumor environment. Strategies to harness the immune regulatory potential of endothelial cells are starting to emerge in the non-tumor setting. Results from such efforts are expected to be applicable to being able to skew endothelial cells from having a tumor-protective role to a host-protective role.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rita Young
- Research Services, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, USA.
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Tzanetou E, Liekens S, Kasiotis KM, Fokialakis N, Haroutounian SA. Novel Pyrazole and Indazole Derivatives: Synthesis and Evaluation of Their Anti-Proliferative and Anti-Angiogenic Activities. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2012; 345:804-11. [DOI: 10.1002/ardp.201200057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2012] [Revised: 05/09/2012] [Accepted: 05/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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