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Dang Q, Zuo L, Hu X, Zhou Z, Chen S, Liu S, Ba Y, Zuo A, Xu H, Weng S, Zhang Y, Luo P, Cheng Q, Liu Z, Han X. Molecular subtypes of colorectal cancer in the era of precision oncotherapy: Current inspirations and future challenges. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e70041. [PMID: 39054866 PMCID: PMC11272957 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.70041] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most hackneyed malignancies. Even patients with identical clinical symptoms and the same TNM stage still exhibit radically different clinical outcomes after receiving equivalent treatment regimens, indicating extensive heterogeneity of CRC. Myriad molecular subtypes of CRC have been exploited for decades, including the most compelling consensus molecular subtype (CMS) classification that has been broadly applied for patient stratification and biomarker-drug combination formulation. Encountering barriers to clinical translation, however, CMS classification fails to fully reflect inter- or intra-tumor heterogeneity of CRC. As a consequence, addressing heterogeneity and precisely managing CRC patients with unique characteristics remain arduous tasks for clinicians. REVIEW In this review, we systematically summarize molecular subtypes of CRC and further elaborate on their clinical applications, limitations, and future orientations. CONCLUSION In recent years, exploration of subtypes through cell lines, animal models, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), organoids, and clinical trials contributes to refining biological insights and unraveling subtype-specific therapies in CRC. Therapeutic interventions including nanotechnology, clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9), gut microbiome, and liquid biopsy are powerful tools with the possibility to shift the immunologic landscape and outlook for CRC precise medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Dang
- Department of Interventional RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
- Department of Colorectal SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Lulu Zuo
- Center for Reproductive MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Xinru Hu
- Department of Cardiology, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Zhaokai Zhou
- Department of UrologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Shuang Chen
- Center for Reproductive MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Shutong Liu
- Department of Interventional RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Yuhao Ba
- Department of Interventional RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Anning Zuo
- Department of Interventional RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Interventional RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Siyuan Weng
- Department of Interventional RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Yuyuan Zhang
- Department of Interventional RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan ProvinceZhengzhouHenanChina
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
- Institute of Basic Medical SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Xinwei Han
- Department of Interventional RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan ProvinceZhengzhouHenanChina
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
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2
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Hasibuan PAZ, Simanjuntak Y, Hey-Hawkins E, Lubis MF, Rohani AS, Park MN, Kim B, Syahputra RA. Unlocking the potential of flavonoids: Natural solutions in the fight against colon cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116827. [PMID: 38850646 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, underscoring the importance of understanding the diverse molecular and genetic underpinnings of CRC to improve its diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. This review delves into the adenoma-carcinoma-metastasis model, emphasizing the "APC-KRAS-TP53" signature events in CRC development. CRC is categorized into four consensus molecular subtypes, each characterized by unique genetic alterations and responses to therapy, illustrating its complexity and heterogeneity. Furthermore, we explore the role of chronic inflammation and the gut microbiome in CRC progression, emphasizing the potential of targeting these factors for prevention and treatment. This review discusses the impact of dietary carcinogens and lifestyle factors and the critical role of early detection in improving outcomes, and also examines conventional chemotherapy options for CRC and associated challenges. There is significant focus on the therapeutic potential of flavonoids for CRC management, discussing various types of flavonoids, their sources, and mechanisms of action, including their antioxidant properties, modulation of cell signaling pathways, and effects on cell cycle and apoptosis. This article presents evidence of the synergistic effects of flavonoids with conventional cancer therapies and their role in modulating the gut microbiome and immune response, thereby offering new avenues for CRC treatment. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to CRC research and treatment, incorporating insights from genetic, molecular, and lifestyle factors. Further research is needed on the preventive and therapeutic potential of natural compounds, such as flavonoids, in CRC, underscoring the need for personalized and targeted treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yogi Simanjuntak
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
| | - Evamarie Hey-Hawkins
- Leipzig University, Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BBZ), Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Deutscher Platz 5, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Muhammad Fauzan Lubis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
| | - Ade Sri Rohani
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
| | - Moon Nyeo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea; College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegidong Dongdaemungu, Seoul 05253, Republic of Korea
| | - Bonglee Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea; College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Hoegidong Dongdaemungu, Seoul 05253, Republic of Korea
| | - Rony Abdi Syahputra
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
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3
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Huang A, Sun Z, Hong H, Yang Y, Chen J, Gao Z, Gu J. Novel hypoxia- and lactate metabolism-related molecular subtyping and prognostic signature for colorectal cancer. J Transl Med 2024; 22:587. [PMID: 38902737 PMCID: PMC11191174 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05391-5] [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: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious global health burden because of its high morbidity and mortality rates. Hypoxia and massive lactate production are hallmarks of the CRC microenvironment. However, the effects of hypoxia and lactate metabolism on CRC have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to develop a novel molecular subtyping based on hypoxia-related genes (HRGs) and lactate metabolism-related genes (LMRGs) and construct a signature to predict the prognosis of patients with CRC and treatment efficacy. METHODS Bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing and clinical data of CRC were downloaded from the TCGA and GEO databases. HRGs and LMRGs were obtained from the Molecular Signatures Database. The R software package DESeq2 was used to perform differential expression analysis. Molecular subtyping was performed using unsupervised clustering. A predictive signature was developed using univariate Cox regression, random forest model, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Finally, the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents before and after hypoxia was verified using in vitro experiments. RESULTS We classified 575 patients with CRC into three molecular subtypes and were able to distinguish their prognoses clearly. The C1 subtype, which exhibits high levels of hypoxia, has a low proportion of CD8 + T cells and a high proportion of macrophages. The expression of immune checkpoint genes is generally elevated in C1 patients with severe immune dysfunction. Subsequently, we constructed a predictive model, the HLM score, which effectively predicts the prognosis of patients with CRC and the efficacy of immunotherapy. The HLM score was validated in GSE39582, GSE106584, GSE17536, and IMvigor210 datasets. Patients with high HLM scores exhibit high infiltration of CD8 + exhausted T cells (Tex), especially terminal Tex, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS)-Tex in the immune microenvironment. Finally, in vitro experiments confirmed that CRC cell lines were less sensitive to 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan under hypoxic conditions. CONCLUSION We constructed novel hypoxia- and lactate metabolism-related molecular subtypes and revealed their immunological and genetic characteristics. We also developed an HLM scoring system that could be used to predict the prognosis and efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Huang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery III, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Zhuang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery III, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Haopeng Hong
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery III, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing, 100144, China
| | - Jiajia Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing, 100144, China
| | - Zhaoya Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing, 100144, China
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Jin Gu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery III, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China.
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing, 100144, China.
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4
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Kisakol B, Matveeva A, Salvucci M, Kel A, McDonough E, Ginty F, Longley DB, Prehn JHM. Identification of unique rectal cancer-specific subtypes. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1809-1818. [PMID: 38532103 PMCID: PMC11130168 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02656-0] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing colorectal cancer subtyping methods were generated without much consideration of potential differences in expression profiles between colon and rectal tissues. Moreover, locally advanced rectal cancers at resection often have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy which likely has a significant impact on gene expression. METHODS We collected mRNA expression profiles for rectal and colon cancer samples (n = 2121). We observed that (i) Consensus Molecular Subtyping (CMS) had a different prognosis in treatment-naïve rectal vs. colon cancers, and (ii) that neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy exposure produced a strong shift in CMS subtypes in rectal cancers. We therefore clustered 182 untreated rectal cancers to find rectal cancer-specific subtypes (RSSs). RESULTS We identified three robust subtypes. We observed that RSS1 had better, and RSS2 had worse disease-free survival. RSS1 showed high expression of MYC target genes and low activity of angiogenesis genes. RSS2 exhibited low regulatory T cell abundance, strong EMT and angiogenesis signalling, and high activation of TGF-β, NF-κB, and TNF-α signalling. RSS3 was characterised by the deactivation of EGFR, MAPK and WNT pathways. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that RSS subtyping allows for more accurate prognosis predictions in rectal cancers than CMS subtyping and provides new insight into targetable disease pathways within these subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batuhan Kisakol
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland
- Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland
| | - Anna Matveeva
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland
- Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland
| | - Manuela Salvucci
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland
- Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Daniel B Longley
- Centre for Cancer Research & Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Jochen H M Prehn
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland.
- Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 2, Ireland.
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Hussain MS, Moglad E, Afzal M, Bansal P, Kaur H, Deorari M, Ali H, Shahwan M, Hassan Almalki W, Kazmi I, Alzarea SI, Singh SK, Dua K, Gupta G. Circular RNAs in the KRAS pathway: Emerging players in cancer progression. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 256:155259. [PMID: 38503004 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been recognized as key components in the intricate regulatory network of the KRAS pathway across various cancers. The KRAS pathway, a central signalling cascade crucial in tumorigenesis, has gained substantial emphasis as a possible therapeutic target. CircRNAs, a subgroup of non-coding RNAs known for their closed circular arrangement, play diverse roles in gene regulation, contributing to the intricate landscape of cancer biology. This review consolidates existing knowledge on circRNAs within the framework of the KRAS pathway, emphasizing their multifaceted functions in cancer progression. Notable circRNAs, such as Circ_GLG1 and circITGA7, have been identified as pivotal regulators in colorectal cancer (CRC), influencing KRAS expression and the Ras signaling pathway. Aside from their significance in gene regulation, circRNAs contribute to immune evasion, apoptosis, and drug tolerance within KRAS-driven cancers, adding complexity to the intricate interplay. While our comprehension of circRNAs in the KRAS pathway is evolving, challenges such as the diverse landscape of KRAS mutant tumors and the necessity for synergistic combination therapies persist. Integrating cutting-edge technologies, including deep learning-based prediction methods, holds the potential for unveiling disease-associated circRNAs and identifying novel therapeutic targets. Sustained research efforts are crucial to comprehensively unravel the molecular mechanisms governing the intricate interplay between circRNAs and the KRAS pathway, offering insights that could potentially revolutionize cancer diagnostics and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Sadique Hussain
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jagatpura, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302017, India
| | - Ehssan Moglad
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Afzal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pooja Bansal
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560069, India; Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303012, India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Shobhit University, Gangoh, Uttar Pradesh 247341, India; Department of Health & Allied Sciences, Arka Jain University, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand 831001, India
| | - Mahamedha Deorari
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Haider Ali
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, India; Department of Pharmacology, Kyrgyz State Medical College, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Moyad Shahwan
- Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman 346, United Arab Emirates; Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman 346, United Arab Emirates
| | - Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sami I Alzarea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sachin Kumar Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India; Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Kamal Dua
- Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia; Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Centre of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman 346, United Arab Emirates; School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun 248007, India.
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Cai L, Chen A, Tang D. A new strategy for immunotherapy of microsatellite-stable (MSS)-type advanced colorectal cancer: Multi-pathway combination therapy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Immunology 2024. [PMID: 38517066 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13785] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a frequent gastrointestinal malignancy with high rates of morbidity and mortality; 85% of these tumours are proficient mismatch repair (pMMR)-microsatellite instability-low (MSI-L)/microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC known as 'cold' tumours that are resistant to immunosuppressive drugs. Monotherapy with programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors is ineffective for treating MSS CRC, making immunotherapy for MSS CRC a bottleneck. Recent studies have found that the multi-pathway regimens combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors can enhance the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 in MSS CRC by increasing the number of CD8+ T cells, upregulating PD-L1 expression and improving the tumour microenvironment. This paper reviews the research progress of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in combination with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, oncolytic virus, intestinal flora, antiangiogenic agents, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and epigenetic drugs for the treatment of pMMR-MSI-L/MSS CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingli Cai
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Anqi Chen
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dong Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, China
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7
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Voutsadakis IA. Targeting super-enhancer activity for colorectal cancer therapy. Am J Transl Res 2024; 16:700-719. [PMID: 38586095 PMCID: PMC10994804 DOI: 10.62347/qkhb5897] [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: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
In addition to genetic variants and copy number alterations, epigenetic deregulation of oncogenes and tumor suppressors is a major contributor in cancer development and propagation. Regulatory elements for gene transcription regulation can be found in promoters which are located in the vicinity of transcription start sites but also at a distance, in enhancer sites, brought to interact with proximal sites when occupied by enhancer protein complexes. These sites provide most of the specific regulatory sequences recognized by transcription factors. A sub-set of enhancers characterized by a longer structure and stronger activity, called super-enhancers, are critical for the expression of specific genes, usually associated with individual cell type identity and function. Super-enhancers show deregulation in cancer, which may have profound repercussions for cancer cell survival and response to therapy. Dysfunction of super-enhancers may result from multiple mechanisms that include changes in their sequence, alterations in the topological neighborhoods where they belong, and alterations in the proteins that mediate their function, such as transcription factors and epigenetic modifiers. These can become potential targets for therapeutic interventions. Genes that are targets of super-enhancers are cell and cancer type specific and could also be of interest for therapeutic targeting. In colorectal cancer, a super-enhancer regulated and over-expressed oncogene is MYC, under the influence of the WNT/β-catenin pathway. Identification and targeting of additional oncogenes regulated by super-enhancers in colorectal cancer may pave the way for combination therapies targeting the super-enhancer machinery and signal transduction pathways that regulate the specific transcription factors operative on them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis A Voutsadakis
- Algoma District Cancer Program, Sault Area HospitalSault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada
- Division of Clinical Sciences, Section of Internal Medicine, Northern Ontario School of MedicineSudbury, ON, Canada
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8
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Duan XP, Qin BD, Jiao XD, Liu K, Wang Z, Zang YS. New clinical trial design in precision medicine: discovery, development and direction. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:57. [PMID: 38438349 PMCID: PMC10912713 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01760-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In the era of precision medicine, it has been increasingly recognized that individuals with a certain disease are complex and different from each other. Due to the underestimation of the significant heterogeneity across participants in traditional "one-size-fits-all" trials, patient-centered trials that could provide optimal therapy customization to individuals with specific biomarkers were developed including the basket, umbrella, and platform trial designs under the master protocol framework. In recent years, the successive FDA approval of indications based on biomarker-guided master protocol designs has demonstrated that these new clinical trials are ushering in tremendous opportunities. Despite the rapid increase in the number of basket, umbrella, and platform trials, the current clinical and research understanding of these new trial designs, as compared with traditional trial designs, remains limited. The majority of the research focuses on methodologies, and there is a lack of in-depth insight concerning the underlying biological logic of these new clinical trial designs. Therefore, we provide this comprehensive review of the discovery and development of basket, umbrella, and platform trials and their underlying logic from the perspective of precision medicine. Meanwhile, we discuss future directions on the potential development of these new clinical design in view of the "Precision Pro", "Dynamic Precision", and "Intelligent Precision". This review would assist trial-related researchers to enhance the innovation and feasibility of clinical trial designs by expounding the underlying logic, which be essential to accelerate the progression of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Peng Duan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bao-Dong Qin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Jiao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan-Sheng Zang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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9
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Zhou R, Li L, Zhang Y, Liu Z, Wu J, Zeng D, Sun H, Liao W. Integrative analysis of co-expression pattern of solute carrier transporters reveals molecular subtypes associated with tumor microenvironment hallmarks and clinical outcomes in colon cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e22775. [PMID: 38163210 PMCID: PMC10754711 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent findings have suggested that solute carrier (SLC) transporters play an important role in tumor development and progression, and alterations in the expression of individual SLC genes are critical for fulfilling the heightened metabolic requirements of cancerous cells. However, the global influence of the co-expression pattern of SLC transporters on the clinical stratification and characteristics of the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unexplored. In this study, we identified five SLC gene subtypes based on transcriptome co-expression patterns of 187 SLC transporters by consensus clustering analysis. These subtypes, which were characterized by distinct TME and biological characteristics, were successfully employed for prognostic and chemotherapy response prediction in colon cancer patients, as well as demonstrated associations with immunotherapy benefits. Then, we generated an SLC score model comprising 113 genes to quantify SLC gene co-expression patterns and validated it as an independent prognostic factor and drug response predictor in several independent colon cancer cohorts. Patients with a high SLC score possessed distinct characteristics of copy number variation, genomic mutations, DNA methylation, and indicated an SLC-S2 subtype, which was characterized by strong stromal cell infiltration, stromal pathway activation, poor prognosis, and low predicted fluorouracil and immunotherapeutic responses. Furthermore, the analysis of the Cancer Therapeutics Response Portal database revealed that inhibitors targeting PI3K catalytic subunits could serve as promising chemosensitizing agents for individuals exhibiting high SLC scores. In conclusion, the co-expression patterns of SLC transporters aided the disease classification, and the SLC score proved to be a reliable tool for distinguishing SLC gene subtypes and guiding precise treatment in patients with colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Lingbo Li
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jianhua Wu
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Dongqiang Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Huiying Sun
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Wangjun Liao
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
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10
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Valdeolivas A, Amberg B, Giroud N, Richardson M, Gálvez EJC, Badillo S, Julien-Laferrière A, Túrós D, Voith von Voithenberg L, Wells I, Pesti B, Lo AA, Yángüez E, Das Thakur M, Bscheider M, Sultan M, Kumpesa N, Jacobsen B, Bergauer T, Saez-Rodriguez J, Rottenberg S, Schwalie PC, Hahn K. Profiling the heterogeneity of colorectal cancer consensus molecular subtypes using spatial transcriptomics. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:10. [PMID: 38200223 PMCID: PMC10781769 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-023-00488-4] [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: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The consensus molecular subtypes (CMS) of colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most widely-used gene expression-based classification and has contributed to a better understanding of disease heterogeneity and prognosis. Nevertheless, CMS intratumoral heterogeneity restricts its clinical application, stressing the necessity of further characterizing the composition and architecture of CRC. Here, we used Spatial Transcriptomics (ST) in combination with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to decipher the spatially resolved cellular and molecular composition of CRC. In addition to mapping the intratumoral heterogeneity of CMS and their microenvironment, we identified cell communication events in the tumor-stroma interface of CMS2 carcinomas. This includes tumor growth-inhibiting as well as -activating signals, such as the potential regulation of the ETV4 transcriptional activity by DCN or the PLAU-PLAUR ligand-receptor interaction. Our study illustrates the potential of ST to resolve CRC molecular heterogeneity and thereby help advance personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Valdeolivas
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Bettina Amberg
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Giroud
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marion Richardson
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eric J C Gálvez
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Solveig Badillo
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alice Julien-Laferrière
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Demeter Túrós
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Isabelle Wells
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Benedek Pesti
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amy A Lo
- Genentech, Inc, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emilio Yángüez
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael Bscheider
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marc Sultan
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Kumpesa
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Björn Jacobsen
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Bergauer
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julio Saez-Rodriguez
- Faculty of Medicine and Heidelberg University Hospital, Institute of Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sven Rottenberg
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine (BCPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Petra C Schwalie
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Hahn
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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11
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Darvish M. LncRNA FTH1P3: A New Biomarker for Cancer-Related Therapeutic Development. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:576-584. [PMID: 37491858 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230724141353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a persistent and urgent health problem that affects the entire world. Not long ago, regulatory biomolecules referred to as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) might have value for their innate abundance and stability. These single-stranded RNAs potentially interfere with several physiological and biochemical cellular processes involved in many human pathological situations, particularly cancer diseases. Ferritin heavy chain1 pseudogene 3 (FTH1P3), a lncRNA that is ubiquitously transcribed and belongs to the ferritin heavy chain (FHC) family, represents a novel class of lncRNAs primarily found in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Further research has shown that FTH1P3 is involved in other malignancies such as uveal melanoma, glioma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and cervical cancer. Accordingly, FTH1P3 significantly enhances cancer symptoms, including cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, chemoresistance, and inhibition of apoptosis through many specific mechanisms. Notably, the clinical data significantly demonstrated the association of FTH1P3 overexpression with poor prognosis and poor overall survival within the examined samples. Here, we summarize all the research published to date (13 articles) on FTH1P3, focusing on the biological function underlying the regulatory mechanism and its possible clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Darvish
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
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12
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Krell M, Llera B, Brown ZJ. Circulating Tumor DNA and Management of Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:21. [PMID: 38201448 PMCID: PMC10778183 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010021] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has decreased as a result of increased screening and awareness, it still remains a major cause of cancer-related death. Additionally, early detection of CRC recurrence by conventional means such as CT, endoscopy, and CEA has not translated into an improvement in survival. Liquid biopsies, such as the detection circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), have been investigated as a biomarker for patients with CRC in terms of prognosis and recurrence, as well as their use to guide therapy. In this manuscript, we provide an overview of ctDNA as well as its utility in providing prognostic information, using it to guide therapy, and monitoring for recurrence in patients with CRC. In addition, we discuss the influence the site of disease may have on the ability to detect ctDNA in patients with metastatic CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zachary J. Brown
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, NYU Langone Health, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY 11501, USA; (M.K.); (B.L.)
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13
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Wei T, Liu J, Ma S, Wang M, Yuan Q, Huang A, Wu Z, Shang D, Yin P. A Nucleotide Metabolism-Related Gene Signature for Risk Stratification and Prognosis Prediction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on an Integrated Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Approach. Metabolites 2023; 13:1116. [PMID: 37999212 PMCID: PMC10673507 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13111116] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The in-depth study of genes and metabolites related to nucleotide metabolism will provide new ideas for predicting the prognosis of HCC patients. This study integrated the transcriptome data of different cancer types to explore the characteristics and significance of nucleotide metabolism-related genes (NMGRs) in different cancer types. Then, we constructed a new HCC classifier and prognosis model based on HCC samples from TCGA and GEO, and detected the gene expression level in the model through molecular biology experiments. Finally, nucleotide metabolism-related products in serum of HCC patients were examined using untargeted metabolomics. A total of 97 NMRGs were obtained based on bioinformatics techniques. In addition, a clinical model that could accurately predict the prognostic outcome of HCC was constructed, which contained 11 NMRGs. The results of PCR experiments showed that the expression levels of these genes were basically consistent with the predicted trends. Meanwhile, the results of untargeted metabolomics also proved that there was a significant nucleotide metabolism disorder in the development of HCC. Our results provide a promising insight into nucleotide metabolism in HCC, as well as a tailored prognostic and chemotherapy sensitivity prediction tool for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianfu Wei
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China; (T.W.)
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Jifeng Liu
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China; (T.W.)
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Shurong Ma
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China; (T.W.)
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Mimi Wang
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Qihang Yuan
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China; (T.W.)
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Anliang Huang
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Zeming Wu
- iPhenome Biotechnology (Yun Pu Kang) Inc., Dalian 116000, China
| | - Dong Shang
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China; (T.W.)
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
| | - Peiyuan Yin
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China; (T.W.)
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, China
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14
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Chen S, Du W, Cao Y, Kong J, Wang X, Wang Y, Lu Y, Li X. Preoperative contrast-enhanced CT imaging and clinicopathological characteristics analysis of mismatch repair-deficient colorectal cancer. Cancer Imaging 2023; 23:97. [PMID: 37828626 PMCID: PMC10568855 DOI: 10.1186/s40644-023-00591-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) can develop through various pathogenetic pathways, and one of the primary pathways is high microsatellite instability (MSI-H)/deficient mismatch repair (dMMR). This study investigated the correlation between preoperative contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) and clinicopathologic characteristics of colorectal cancer (CRC) according to different mismatch repair (MMR) statuses. METHODS From April 2021 to July 2022, a total of 281 CRC patients with preoperative CECT and available MMR status were enrolled from a single centre for this retrospective study. Preoperative CECT features and clinicopathologic characteristics were analysed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used for statistical analysis. A nomogram was established based on the multivariate logistic regression results. Preoperative and postoperative dynamic nomogram prediction models were established. The C-index, a calibration plot, and clinical applicability of the two models were evaluated, and internal validation was performed using three methods. RESULTS In total, 249 patients were enrolled in the proficient mismatch repair (pMMR) group and 32 patients in the deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) group. In multivariate analysis, tumour location (right-hemi colon vs. left-hemi colon, odds ratio (OR) = 2.90, p = .036), the hypoattenuation-within-tumour ratio (HR) (HR > 2/3 vs. HR < 1/3, OR = 36.7, p < .001; HR 1/3-2/3 vs. HR < 1/3, OR = 6.05, p = .031), the number of lymph nodes with long diameter ≥ 8 mm on CECT (OR = 1.32, p = .01), CEA status (CEA positive vs. CEA negative, OR = 0.07, p = .002) and lymph node metastasis (OR = 0.45, p = .008) were independent risk factors for dMMR. Pre- and postoperative C-statistic were 0.861 and 0.908, respectively. CONCLUSION The combination of pre-operative CECT and clinicopathological characteristics of CRC correlates with MMR status, providing possible non-invasive MMR prediction. Particularly for dMMR CRC, tumour-draining lymph node status should be prudently evaluated by CECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road No.467, Shahekou District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, China
| | - Wenzhe Du
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road No.467, Shahekou District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, China
| | - Yuhai Cao
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road No.467, Shahekou District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, China
| | - Jixia Kong
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road No.467, Shahekou District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road No.467, Shahekou District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, China
| | - Yisen Wang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road No.467, Shahekou District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, China
| | - Yang Lu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road No.467, Shahekou District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, China.
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road No.467, Shahekou District, Dalian, Liaoning, 116023, China.
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15
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Holubekova V, Loderer D, Grendar M, Mikolajcik P, Kolkova Z, Turyova E, Kudelova E, Kalman M, Marcinek J, Miklusica J, Laca L, Lasabova Z. Differential gene expression of immunity and inflammation genes in colorectal cancer using targeted RNA sequencing. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1206482. [PMID: 37869102 PMCID: PMC10586664 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1206482] [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: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease caused by molecular changes, as driver mutations, gene methylations, etc., and influenced by tumor microenvironment (TME) pervaded with immune cells with both pro- and anti-tumor effects. The studying of interactions between the immune system (IS) and the TME is important for developing effective immunotherapeutic strategies for CRC. In our study, we focused on the analysis of expression profiles of inflammatory and immune-relevant genes to identify aberrant signaling pathways included in carcinogenesis, metastatic potential of tumors, and association of Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) gene mutation. Methods A total of 91 patients were enrolled in the study. Using NGS, differential gene expression analysis of 11 tumor samples and 11 matching non-tumor controls was carried out by applying a targeted RNA panel for inflammation and immunity genes containing 475 target genes. The obtained data were evaluated by the CLC Genomics Workbench and R library. The significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed in Reactome GSA software, and some selected DEGs were used for real-time PCR validation. Results After prioritization, the most significant differences in gene expression were shown by the genes TNFRSF4, IRF7, IL6R, NR3CI, EIF2AK2, MIF, CCL5, TNFSF10, CCL20, CXCL11, RIPK2, and BLNK. Validation analyses on 91 samples showed a correlation between RNA-seq data and qPCR for TNFSF10, RIPK2, and BLNK gene expression. The top differently regulated signaling pathways between the studied groups (cancer vs. control, metastatic vs. primary CRC and KRAS positive and negative CRC) belong to immune system, signal transduction, disease, gene expression, DNA repair, and programmed cell death. Conclusion Analyzed data suggest the changes at more levels of CRC carcinogenesis, including surface receptors of epithelial or immune cells, its signal transduction pathways, programmed cell death modifications, alterations in DNA repair machinery, and cell cycle control leading to uncontrolled proliferation. This study indicates only basic molecular pathways that enabled the formation of metastatic cancer stem cells and may contribute to clarifying the function of the IS in the TME of CRC. A precise identification of signaling pathways responsible for CRC may help in the selection of personalized pharmacological treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Holubekova
- Laboratory of Genomics and Prenatal Diagnostics, Biomedical Center in Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Dusan Loderer
- Laboratory of Genomics and Prenatal Diagnostics, Biomedical Center in Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Marian Grendar
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Biomedical Center in Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Peter Mikolajcik
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin University Hospital, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Kolkova
- Laboratory of Genomics and Prenatal Diagnostics, Biomedical Center in Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Eva Turyova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Eva Kudelova
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin University Hospital, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Michal Kalman
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin University Hospital, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Marcinek
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin University Hospital, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Miklusica
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin University Hospital, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Ludovit Laca
- Clinic of Surgery and Transplant Center, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin University Hospital, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Zora Lasabova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
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16
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Lu J, Kornmann M, Traub B. Role of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14815. [PMID: 37834263 PMCID: PMC10573312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular reprogramming process that occurs during embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. This process involves epithelial cells acquiring a mesenchymal phenotype. Through EMT, cancer cells acquire properties associated with a more aggressive phenotype. EMT and its opposite, mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), have been described in more tumors over the past ten years, including colorectal cancer (CRC). When EMT is activated, the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin is decreased and the expression of the mesenchymal marker vimentin is raised. As a result, cells temporarily take on a mesenchymal phenotype, becoming motile and promoting the spread of tumor cells. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) has become a hot issue in CRC because strong inducers of EMT (such as transforming growth factor β, TGF-β) can initiate EMT and regulate metastasis, microenvironment, and immune system resistance in CRC. In this review, we take into account the significance of EMT-MET in CRC and the impact of the epithelial cells' plasticity on the prognosis of CRC. The analysis of connection between EMT and colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs) will help to further clarify the current meager understandings of EMT. Recent advances affecting important EMT transcription factors and EMT and CCSCs are highlighted. We come to the conclusion that the regulatory network for EMT in CRC is complicated, with a great deal of crosstalk and alternate paths. More thorough research is required to more effectively connect the clinical management of CRC with biomarkers and targeted treatments associated with EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Benno Traub
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (J.L.); (M.K.)
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17
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He X, Lan H, Jin K, Liu F. Can immunotherapy reinforce chemotherapy efficacy? a new perspective on colorectal cancer treatment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1237764. [PMID: 37790928 PMCID: PMC10543914 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1237764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
As one of the main threats to human life (the fourth most dangerous and prevalent cancer), colorectal cancer affects many people yearly, decreases patients' quality of life, and causes irreparable financial and social damages. In addition, this type of cancer can metastasize and involve the liver in advanced stages. However, current treatments can't completely eradicate this disease. Chemotherapy and subsequent surgery can be mentioned among the current main treatments for this disease. Chemotherapy has many side effects, and regarding the treatment of this type of tumor, chemotherapy can lead to liver damage, such as steatohepatitis, steatosis, and sinus damage. These damages can eventually lead to liver failure and loss of its functions. Therefore, it seems that other treatments can be used in addition to chemotherapy to increase its efficiency and reduce its side effects. Biological therapies and immunotherapy are one of the leading suggestions for combined treatment. Antibodies (immune checkpoint blockers) and cell therapy (DC and CAR-T cells) are among the immune system-based treatments used to treat tumors. Immunotherapy targets various aspects of the tumor that may lead to 1) the recruitment of immune cells, 2) increasing the immunogenicity of tumor cells, and 3) leading to the elimination of inhibitory mechanisms established by the tumor. Therefore, immunotherapy can be used as a complementary treatment along with chemotherapy. This review will discuss different chemotherapy and immunotherapy methods for colorectal cancer. Then we will talk about the studies that have dealt with combined treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinhua Wenrong Hospital, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huanrong Lan
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ketao Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fanlong Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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18
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Bhandari YR, Krishna V, Powers R, Parmar S, Thursby SJ, Gupta E, Kulak O, Gokare P, Reumers J, Van Wesenbeeck L, Bachman KE, Baylin SB, Easwaran H. Transcription factor expression repertoire basis for epigenetic and transcriptional subtypes of colorectal cancers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2301536120. [PMID: 37487069 PMCID: PMC10401032 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301536120] [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: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancers (CRCs) form a heterogenous group classified into epigenetic and transcriptional subtypes. The basis for the epigenetic subtypes, exemplified by varying degrees of promoter DNA hypermethylation, and its relation to the transcriptional subtypes is not well understood. We link cancer-specific transcription factor (TF) expression alterations to methylation alterations near TF-binding sites at promoter and enhancer regions in CRCs and their premalignant precursor lesions to provide mechanistic insights into the origins and evolution of the CRC molecular subtypes. A gradient of TF expression changes forms a basis for the subtypes of abnormal DNA methylation, termed CpG-island promoter DNA methylation phenotypes (CIMPs), in CRCs and other cancers. CIMP is tightly correlated with cancer-specific hypermethylation at enhancers, which we term CpG-enhancer methylation phenotype (CEMP). Coordinated promoter and enhancer methylation appears to be driven by downregulation of TFs with common binding sites at the hypermethylated enhancers and promoters. The altered expression of TFs related to hypermethylator subtypes occurs early during CRC development, detectable in premalignant adenomas. TF-based profiling further identifies patients with worse overall survival. Importantly, altered expression of these TFs discriminates the transcriptome-based consensus molecular subtypes (CMS), thus providing a common basis for CIMP and CMS subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuba R. Bhandari
- CRB1, Department of Oncology and The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Vinod Krishna
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Therapeutic Area, Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA19477
| | - Rachael Powers
- CRB1, Department of Oncology and The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Sehej Parmar
- CRB1, Department of Oncology and The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Sara-Jayne Thursby
- CRB1, Department of Oncology and The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Ekta Gupta
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Ozlem Kulak
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Prashanth Gokare
- Oncology Therapeutic Area, Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA19477
| | - Joke Reumers
- Discovery Technologies and Molecular Pharmacology, Therapeutics Discovery, Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340Beerse, Belgiumg
| | - Liesbeth Van Wesenbeeck
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Therapeutic Area, Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340Beerse, Belgium
| | - Kurtis E. Bachman
- Oncology Therapeutic Area, Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA19477
| | - Stephen B. Baylin
- CRB1, Department of Oncology and The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
| | - Hariharan Easwaran
- CRB1, Department of Oncology and The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21287
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19
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Zhou W, He MM, Wang F, Xu RH, Wang F, Zhao Q. Latent class analysis-derived classification improves the cancer-specific death stratification of molecular subtyping in colorectal cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2023; 7:60. [PMID: 37353681 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-023-00412-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular subtypes of colorectal cancer (CRC) represent a comprehensive dissection of CRC heterogeneity. However, molecular feature-based classification systems have limitations in accurately prognosticating stratification due to the inability to distinguish cancer-specific deaths. This study aims to establish a classification system that bridges clinical characteristics, cause-specific deaths, and molecular features. We adopted latent class analysis (LCA) on 491,107 first primary CRC patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to reveal hidden profiles of CRC. The LCA-derived classification scheme was further applied to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to assess its effectiveness in improving the accurate stratification of molecular-based subtypes of CRC. Four classes were identified based on latent class analysis integrating demographic and clinicopathological information of CRC patients. The LCA-derived Class 1 (LCAC1) and the LCAC2 showed a high risk of dying from non-CRC, while patients in LCAC3 had a risk of dying from CRC 1.41 times that of LCAC1 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.39-1.43). LCAC4 had the lowest probability to die from non-CRC (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.21-0.24) compared with LCAC1. Since the LCA-derived classification can identify patients susceptible to CRC-specific death, adjusting for this classification allows molecular-based subtypes to achieve more accurate survival stratification. We provided a classification system capable of distinguish CRC-specific death, which will improve the accuracy of consensus molecular subtypes for CRC patients' survival stratification. Further studies are warranted to confirm the molecular features of LCA-derived classification to inform potential therapeutic strategies and treatment recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ming-Ming He
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Rui-Hua Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
| | - Qi Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
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20
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Rejali L, Seifollahi Asl R, Sanjabi F, Fatemi N, Asadzadeh Aghdaei H, Saeedi Niasar M, Ketabi Moghadam P, Nazemalhosseini Mojarad E, Mini E, Nobili S. Principles of Molecular Utility for CMS Classification in Colorectal Cancer Management. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2746. [PMID: 37345083 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102746] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cause of cancer-related deaths in both sexes globally and presents different clinical outcomes that are described by a range of genomic and epigenomic alterations. Despite the advancements in CRC screening plans and treatment strategies, the prognosis of CRC is dismal. In the last two decades, molecular biomarkers predictive of prognosis have been identified in CRC, although biomarkers predictive of treatment response are only available for specific biological drugs used in stage IV CRC. Translational clinical trials mainly based on "omic" strategies allowed a better understanding of the biological heterogeneity of CRCs. These studies were able to classify CRCs into subtypes mainly related to prognosis, recurrence risk, and, to some extent, also to treatment response. Accordingly, the comprehensive molecular characterizations of CRCs, including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and consensus molecular subtype (CMS) classifications, were presented to improve the comprehension of the genomic and epigenomic landscapes of CRCs for a better patient management. The CMS classification obtained by the CRC subtyping consortium categorizes CRC into four consensus molecular subtypes (CMS1-4) characterized by different prognoses. In this review, we discussed the CMS classification in different settings with a focus on its relationships with precursor lesions, tumor immunophenotype, and gut microbiota, as well as on its role in predicting prognosis and/or response to pharmacological treatments, as a crucial step towards precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leili Rejali
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 19875-17411, Iran
| | - Romina Seifollahi Asl
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 19875-17411, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sanjabi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 14496-14535, Iran
| | - Nayeralsadat Fatemi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 19875-17411, Iran
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 19875-17411, Iran
| | - Mahsa Saeedi Niasar
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 19875-17411, Iran
| | - Pardis Ketabi Moghadam
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 19875-17411, Iran
| | - Ehsan Nazemalhosseini Mojarad
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Yaman Street, Chamran Expressway, Tehran P.O. Box 19857-17411, Iran
| | - Enrico Mini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Stefania Nobili
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-NEUROFARBA-Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy
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21
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El Harane S, Zidi B, El Harane N, Krause KH, Matthes T, Preynat-Seauve O. Cancer Spheroids and Organoids as Novel Tools for Research and Therapy: State of the Art and Challenges to Guide Precision Medicine. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071001. [PMID: 37048073 PMCID: PMC10093533 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Spheroids and organoids are important novel players in medical and life science research. They are gradually replacing two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures. Indeed, three-dimensional (3D) cultures are closer to the in vivo reality and open promising perspectives for academic research, drug screening, and personalized medicine. A large variety of cells and tissues, including tumor cells, can be the starting material for the generation of 3D cultures, including primary tissues, stem cells, or cell lines. A panoply of methods has been developed to generate 3D structures, including spontaneous or forced cell aggregation, air-liquid interface conditions, low cell attachment supports, magnetic levitation, and scaffold-based technologies. The choice of the most appropriate method depends on (i) the origin of the tissue, (ii) the presence or absence of a disease, and (iii) the intended application. This review summarizes methods and approaches for the generation of cancer spheroids and organoids, including their advantages and limitations. We also highlight some of the challenges and unresolved issues in the field of cancer spheroids and organoids, and discuss possible therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanae El Harane
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bochra Zidi
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nadia El Harane
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karl-Heinz Krause
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Matthes
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Preynat-Seauve
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Experimental Cell Therapy, Department of Diagnostics, Geneva University Hospitals, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
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22
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High-Throughput Sequencing Reveals That Rotundine Inhibits Colorectal Cancer by Regulating Prognosis-Related Genes. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13030550. [PMID: 36983731 PMCID: PMC10052610 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13030550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Rotundine is an herbal medicine with anti-cancer effects. However, little is known about the anti-cancer effect of rotundine on colorectal cancer. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the specific molecular mechanism of rotundine inhibition of colorectal cancer. Methods: MTT and cell scratch assay were performed to investigate the effects of rotundine on the viability, migration, and invasion ability of SW480 cells. Changes in cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. DEGs were detected by high-throughput sequencing after the action of rotundine on SW480 cells, and the DEGs were subjected to function enrichment analysis. Bioinformatics analyses were performed to screen out prognosis-related DEGs of COAD. Followed by enrichment analysis of prognosis-related DEGs. Furthermore, prognostic models were constructed, including ROC analysis, risk curve analysis, PCA and t-SNE, Nomo analysis, and Kaplan–Meier prognostic analysis. Results: In this study, we showed that rotundine concentrations of 50 μM, 100 μM, 150 μM, and 200 μM inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SW480 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Rotundine does not induce SW480 cell apoptosis. Compared to the control group, high-throughput results showed that there were 385 DEGs in the SW480 group. And DEGs were associated with the Hippo signaling pathway. In addition, 16 of the DEGs were significantly associated with poorer prognosis in COAD, with MEF2B, CCDC187, PSD2, RGS16, PLXDC1, HELB, ASIC3, PLCH2, IGF2BP3, CLHC1, DNHD1, SACS, H1-4, ANKRD36, and ZNF117 being highly expressed in COAD and ARV1 being lowly expressed. Prognosis-related DEGs were mainly enriched in cancer-related pathways and biological functions, such as inositol phosphate metabolism, enterobactin transmembrane transporter activity, and enterobactin transport. Prognostic modeling also showed that these 16 DEGs could be used as predictors of overall survival prognosis in COAD patients. Conclusions: Rotundine inhibits the development and progression of colorectal cancer by regulating the expression of these prognosis-related genes. Our findings could further provide new directions for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
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23
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A novel molecular classification method for osteosarcoma based on tumor cell differentiation trajectories. Bone Res 2023; 11:1. [PMID: 36588108 PMCID: PMC9806110 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-022-00233-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Subclassification of tumors based on molecular features may facilitate therapeutic choice and increase the response rate of cancer patients. However, the highly complex cell origin involved in osteosarcoma (OS) limits the utility of traditional bulk RNA sequencing for OS subclassification. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) holds great promise for identifying cell heterogeneity. However, this technique has rarely been used in the study of tumor subclassification. By analyzing scRNA-seq data for six conventional OS and nine cancellous bone (CB) samples, we identified 29 clusters in OS and CB samples and discovered three differentiation trajectories from the cancer stem cell (CSC)-like subset, which allowed us to classify OS samples into three groups. The classification model was further examined using the TARGET dataset. Each subgroup of OS had different prognoses and possible drug sensitivities, and OS cells in the three differentiation branches showed distinct interactions with other clusters in the OS microenvironment. In addition, we verified the classification model through IHC staining in 138 OS samples, revealing a worse prognosis for Group B patients. Furthermore, we describe the novel transcriptional program of CSCs and highlight the activation of EZH2 in CSCs of OS. These findings provide a novel subclassification method based on scRNA-seq and shed new light on the molecular features of CSCs in OS and may serve as valuable references for precision treatment for and therapeutic development in OS.
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24
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Wang S, Cao J, Pei L. Knockdown of circ_0004585 enhances the chemosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil via the miR-874-3p/CCND1 axis. Histol Histopathol 2023; 38:99-112. [PMID: 35900059 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious threat to human health and is drug-resistant. Circular RNA _0004585 (circ_0004585) has been shown to be expressed in CRC, but whether it plays a role in CRC with chemoresistance remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential role of circ_0004585 in CRC with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance. METHODS The expression of related genes was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the protein expressions of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, and cyclin D1 (CCND1) were detected by western blot. Cell functions were identified using CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, tube formation and transwell assays. The putative relationships between miR-874-3p and circ_0004585 or CCND1 were validated by dual-luciferase reporter assays. Animal experiments were conducted to verify the effect of circ_0004585 on 5-FU resistance in vivo. RESULTS Circ_0004585 was highly expressed in CRC tissues and cells, particularly in 5-FU-resistant CRC tissues and cells. Circ_0004585 knockdown enhanced 5-FU sensitivity to further inhibit CRC cell viability, colony formation, cell migration and invasion, and accelerate cell apoptosis. MiR-874-3p was the target of circ_0004585, and miR-874-3p depletion partially recovered the malignant behaviors of 5-FU-resistant CRC cells that were blocked by silencing of circ_0004585. In addition, CCND1 was the target of miR-874-3p, and overexpression of CCND1 was able to restore the malignant effects of 5-FU-resistant CRC cells that were repressed by miR-874-3p enrichment. Animal experiments confirmed that circ_0004585 knockdown inhibited the growth of CRC tumors and enhanced 5-FU sensitivity in vivo. CONCLUSION Circ_0004585 promotes the development of CRC and increases 5-FU resistance in CRC through the miR-874-3p/CCND1 axis. These results suggest that circ_0004585 may be a therapeutic target for 5-FU-ressitant CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Wang
- Department of Emergency, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing City, China
| | - Juan Cao
- Department of Emergency, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing City, China
| | - Lijuan Pei
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing City, China.
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25
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Meng H, Nan M, Li Y, Ding Y, Yin Y, Zhang M. Application of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology in basic research, diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1148412. [PMID: 37020597 PMCID: PMC10067930 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1148412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and its progression is accompanied by a complex array of genetic variations. CRISPR/Cas9 can identify new drug-resistant or sensitive mutations in colon cancer, and can use gene editing technology to develop new therapeutic targets and provide personalized treatments, thereby significantly improving the treatment of colon cancer patients. CRISPR/Cas9 systems are driving advances in biotechnology. RNA-directed Cas enzymes have accelerated the pace of basic research and led to clinical breakthroughs. This article reviews the rapid development of CRISPR/Cas in colon cancer, from gene editing to transcription regulation, gene knockout, genome-wide CRISPR tools, therapeutic targets, stem cell genomics, immunotherapy, metabolism-related genes and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, the limitations and future development of CRISPR/Cas9 in colon cancer studies are reviewed. In conclusion, this article reviews the application of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology in basic research, diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Meng
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- *Correspondence: Mingzhi Zhang, ; Hui Meng,
| | - Manman Nan
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yizhen Li
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yi Ding
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yuhui Yin
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Mingzhi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- *Correspondence: Mingzhi Zhang, ; Hui Meng,
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26
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Dobre M, Trandafir B, Milanesi E, Salvi A, Bucuroiu I, Vasilescu C, Niculae AM, Herlea V, Hinescu ME, Constantinescu G. Molecular profile of the NF-κB signalling pathway in human colorectal cancer. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:5966-5975. [PMID: 36433652 PMCID: PMC9753446 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been associated with inflammation processes that involve the overactivation of the NF-κB signalling pathway. The characterization of the NF-κB expression profile in CRC is an important topic since the suppression of NF-κB represents a potential therapeutic approach. In this study, we assessed the expression levels of 84 NF-κB-related genes in paired tumoral (T) and peritumoral (PT) tissues from 18 CRC patients and 18 normal colonic mucosae, and the expression levels of three miRNAs targeting the most dysregulated genes revealed by the case-control analysis. Comparing the gene expression profile of T and controls, 60 genes were dysregulated. The comparison of T and PT revealed 17 dysregulated genes in the tumoral tissues, with IL1B, CXCL8, IL1A, and CSF2 being the most upregulated. Notably, through a bioinformatics analysis, the differential gene expression of 11 out of the 17 genes was validated on a larger cohort of 308 CRC patients compared with 41 controls. Moreover, a decrease in the levels of RELA, NOD1, CASP8, BCL2L1, ELK1, and IKBKB was identified in poorly differentiated tumours compared to moderately differentiated tumours. The analysis of the three miRNAs targeting IL1B, CXCL8, IL1A, and CSF2 showed that miR-182-5p was upregulated in T compared with PT, whereas miR-10b-5p was downregulated in T compared with PT and control tissues. Our results may contribute to the design of new experimental therapeutic strategies based on endogenous molecules, such as miRNAs, to target the genetic key players of the NF- κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dobre
- Victor Babes National Institute of PathologyBucharestRomania
| | - Bogdan Trandafir
- Faculty of MedicineCarol Davila University of Medicine and PharmacyBucharestRomania,Fundeni Clinical InstituteBucharestRomania
| | - Elena Milanesi
- Victor Babes National Institute of PathologyBucharestRomania
| | - Alessandro Salvi
- Division of Biology and Genetics, Department of Molecular and Translational MedicineUniversity of BresciaBresciaItaly
| | - Ioana Alina Bucuroiu
- Faculty of MedicineCarol Davila University of Medicine and PharmacyBucharestRomania
| | - Catalin Vasilescu
- Faculty of MedicineCarol Davila University of Medicine and PharmacyBucharestRomania,Fundeni Clinical InstituteBucharestRomania
| | - Andrei Marian Niculae
- Victor Babes National Institute of PathologyBucharestRomania,Faculty of MedicineCarol Davila University of Medicine and PharmacyBucharestRomania
| | | | - Mihail Eugen Hinescu
- Victor Babes National Institute of PathologyBucharestRomania,Faculty of MedicineCarol Davila University of Medicine and PharmacyBucharestRomania
| | - Gabriel Constantinescu
- Faculty of MedicineCarol Davila University of Medicine and PharmacyBucharestRomania,Clinical Emergency Hospital BucharestBucharestRomania
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27
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Fang J, Wang D, Fan X. Developing a taxonomy for colorectal cancer. eLife 2022; 11:84025. [DOI: 10.7554/elife.84025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Analyzing how gene interaction networks are perturbed in individuals can help identify different types of colorectal cancers, paving the way towards personalized care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dawei Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University
| | - Xiude Fan
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong Provincial Hospital
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28
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MSC-Derived exosomes suppress colorectal cancer cell proliferation and metastasis via miR-100/mTOR/miR-143 pathway. Int J Pharm 2022; 627:122214. [PMID: 36152993 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are mostly responsible for the therapeutic effects of MSCs. To show the therapeutic effects of the human bone marrow MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) on colorectal cancer (CRC) and explore the molecular cross-talks between them, CRC cells were treated with the MSC-Exos. We found that MSC-Exos were enriched with miR-100 and miR-143, which effectively downregulated mTOR, Cyclin D1, K-RAS, HK2 while upregulated p-27 expression. All these effects were reversed by concurrent treatment with MSC-Exos and antagomiR-100, confirming that they were caused by exosomal transfer of miR-100 into recipient CRC cells. Moreover, exosomal miR-100 promoted endogenous miR-143 expression. The flow cytometry, MTT and trypan blue assays revealed that MSC-Exos could efficiently suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of the CRC cells. Furthermore, wound healing, transwell migration and invasion assays confirmed their inhibitory effects on the migration and invasiveness of SW480 cells. We further confirmed these effects by analyzing the expression levels of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) factors and metastasis-related genes. Results showed that MSC-Exos significantly suppressed the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 (metastasis-related genes), SNAIL and TWIST (EMT-inducing transcription factors), Vimentin and N-cadherin (mesenchymal cell markers), whereas E-cadherin (epithelial cell marker) was remarkably up-regulated. Collectively, our data indicated that MSC-Exos could suppress proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis while inducing the apoptosis of the CRC cells via miR-100/mTOR/miR-143 axis. Our findings highlight that MSC-Exo treatment as well as miR-100 restoration might be considered as potential therapeutic strategies for CRC.
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Maslankova J, Vecurkovska I, Rabajdova M, Katuchova J, Kicka M, Gayova M, Katuch V. Regulation of transforming growth factor-β signaling as a therapeutic approach to treating colorectal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2022. [PMID: 36156927 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i33.4744.pmid:36156927;pmcid:pmc9476856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
According to data from 2020, Slovakia has long been among the top five countries with the highest incidence rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) worldwide, and the rate is continuing to rise every year. In approximately 80% of CRC cases, allelic loss (loss of heterozygosity, LOH) occurs in the long arm of chromosome 18q. The most important genes that can be silenced by 18q LOH or mutations are small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 2 and SMAD4, which are intracellular mediators of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily signals. TGF-β plays an important role in the pro-oncogenic processes, including such properties as invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (commonly known as EMT), promotion of angiogenesis, and immunomodulatory effects. Several recent studies have reported that activation of TGF-β signaling is related to drug resistance in CRC. Because the mechanisms of drug resistance are different between patients in different stages of CRC, personalized treatment is more effective. Therefore, knowledge of the activation and inhibition of factors that affect the TGF-β signaling pathway is very important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Maslankova
- Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Ivana Vecurkovska
- Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Miroslava Rabajdova
- Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Jana Katuchova
- First Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty of Safarik University, Kosice 04011, Kosicky kraj, Slovakia.
| | - Milos Kicka
- First Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty of Safarik University, Kosice 04011, Kosicky kraj, Slovakia
| | - Michala Gayova
- Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical Faculty at Safarik University and University Hospital, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Vladimir Katuch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty at Safarik University and University Hospital, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
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30
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Maslankova J, Vecurkovska I, Rabajdova M, Katuchova J, Kicka M, Gayova M, Katuch V. Regulation of transforming growth factor-β signaling as a therapeutic approach to treating colorectal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:4744-4761. [PMID: 36156927 PMCID: PMC9476856 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i33.4744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
According to data from 2020, Slovakia has long been among the top five countries with the highest incidence rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) worldwide, and the rate is continuing to rise every year. In approximately 80% of CRC cases, allelic loss (loss of heterozygosity, LOH) occurs in the long arm of chromosome 18q. The most important genes that can be silenced by 18q LOH or mutations are small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 2 and SMAD4, which are intracellular mediators of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily signals. TGF-β plays an important role in the pro-oncogenic processes, including such properties as invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (commonly known as EMT), promotion of angiogenesis, and immunomodulatory effects. Several recent studies have reported that activation of TGF-β signaling is related to drug resistance in CRC. Because the mechanisms of drug resistance are different between patients in different stages of CRC, personalized treatment is more effective. Therefore, knowledge of the activation and inhibition of factors that affect the TGF-β signaling pathway is very important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Maslankova
- Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Ivana Vecurkovska
- Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Miroslava Rabajdova
- Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Jana Katuchova
- First Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty of Safarik University, Kosice 04011, Kosicky kraj, Slovakia
| | - Milos Kicka
- First Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty of Safarik University, Kosice 04011, Kosicky kraj, Slovakia
| | - Michala Gayova
- Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical Faculty at Safarik University and University Hospital, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
| | - Vladimir Katuch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty at Safarik University and University Hospital, Kosice 04011, Slovakia
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Circ_0044556 Promotes the Progression of Colorectal Cancer via the miR-665-Dependent Expression Regulation of Diaphanous Homolog 1. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:4458-4470. [PMID: 34822025 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-07310-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer progression can be regulated by noncoding circular RNAs. A recent study has indicated that circ_0044556 facilitated the progression of colorectal cancer. AIM This research was performed to explore the regulatory mechanism of circ_0044556 in CRC. METHODS Circ_0044556, miR-665 and Diaphanous Homolog 1 levels were detected by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation analysis was performed by cell counting kit-8 assay and Edu assay. Cell cycle progression was assessed using flow cytometry. The protein examination was conducted using western blot. Transwell assay was used to analyze cell migration and invasion. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to validate the interaction between targets. In vivo research was implemented by xenograft tumor assay. RESULTS Circ_0044556 was upregulated in colorectal cancer samples and cells. Silencing circ_0044556 inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in CRC cells. Circ_0044556 could directly target miR-665 and the function of circ_0044556 was associated with the regulation of miR-665. In addition, Diaphanous Homolog 1 was a target gene for miR-665 and the anti-tumor role of miR-665 in colorectal cancer was dependent on the downregulation of Diaphanous Homolog 1. Diaphanous Homolog 1 level was regulated by circ_0044556 via sponging miR-665 in CRC cells. In vivo assay suggested that circ_0044556 promoted CRC tumor growth by regulating the miR-665 and Diaphanous Homolog 1 levels. CONCLUSION Our findings manifested that circ_0044556 functioned as an oncogenic circRNA in colorectal cancer by mediating the miR-665/Diaphanous Homolog 1 axis, elucidating the molecular mechanism of circ_0044556 in CRC progression.
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Banias L, Jung I, Chiciudean R, Gurzu S. From Dukes-MAC Staging System to Molecular Classification: Evolving Concepts in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169455. [PMID: 36012726 PMCID: PMC9409470 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This historical review aimed to summarize the main changes that colorectal carcinoma (CRC) staging systems suffered over time, starting from the creation of the classical Duke’s classification, modified Astler–Coller staging, internationally used TNM (T—primary tumor, N—regional lymph nodes’ status, M—distant metastases) staging system, and ending with molecular classifications and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) concept. Besides currently used staging parameters, this paper briefly presents the author’s contribution in creating an immunohistochemical (IHC)-based molecular classification of CRC. It refers to the identification of three molecular groups of CRCs (epithelial, mesenchymal and hybrid) based on the IHC markers E-cadherin, β-catenin, maspin, and vimentin. Maspin is a novel IHC antibody helpful for tumor budding assessment, which role depends on its subcellular localization (cytoplasm vs. nuclei). The long road of updating the staging criteria for CRC has not come to an end. The newest prognostic biomarkers, aimed to be included in the molecular classifications, exert predictive roles, and become more and more important for targeted therapy decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Banias
- Department of Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Ioan Jung
- Department of Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Rebeca Chiciudean
- Department of Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-745-673550; Fax: +40-265-210407
| | - Simona Gurzu
- Department of Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
- Research Center of Oncopathology and Transdisciplinary Research (CCOMT), George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
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DDX39B drives colorectal cancer progression by promoting the stability and nuclear translocation of PKM2. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:275. [PMID: 35973989 PMCID: PMC9381590 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01096-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is a major cause of colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality, but its molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. Here, we show that upregulated DDX39B correlates with liver metastases and aggressive phenotypes in CRC. DDX39B is an independent prognostic factor associated with poor clinical outcome in CRC patients. We demonstrate that Sp1 potently activates DDX39B transcription by directly binding to the GC box of the DDX39B promoter in CRC cells. DDX39B overexpression augments the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells, while the opposite results are obtained in DDX39B-deficient CRC cells. Mechanistically, DDX39B interacts directly with and stabilizes PKM2 by competitively suppressing STUB1-mediated PKM2 ubiquitination and degradation. Importantly, DDX39B recruits importin α5 to accelerate the nuclear translocation of PKM2 independent of ERK1/2-mediated phosphorylation of PKM2, leading to the transactivation of oncogenes and glycolysis-related genes. Consequently, DDX39B enhances glucose uptake and lactate production to activate Warburg effect in CRC. We identify that Arg319 of DDX39B is required for PKM2 binding as well as PKM2 nuclear accumulation and for DDX39B to promote CRC growth and metastasis. In addition, blocking PKM2 nuclear translocation or treatment with glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose efficiently abolishes DDX39B-triggered malignant development in CRC. Taken together, our findings uncover a key role for DDX39B in modulating glycolytic reprogramming and aggressive progression, and implicate DDX39B as a potential therapeutic target in CRC.
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Cancer Stem Cells in Tumor Microenvironment of Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach, Colon, and Rectum. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163948. [PMID: 36010940 PMCID: PMC9405851 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Gastrointestinal cancers have a high mortality rate worldwide, and the progression of the disease is related to cancer stem cells. Until now, its relationship with the microenvironment has been poorly understood. We describe the molecules and different pathways activated during this interaction and the new targeting therapies for cancer cells and microenvironment modulation. This approach could impact the way gastrointestinal cancers are managed. Abstract Gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas are one of the world’s deadliest cancers. Cancer stem cells and the tissue microenvironment are highly regulated by cell and molecular mechanisms. Cancer stem cells are essential for maintenance and progression and are associated with resistance to conventional treatments. This article reviews the current knowledge of the role of the microenvironment during the primary establishment of gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas in the stomach, colon, and rectum and its relationship with cancer stem cells. We also describe novel developments in cancer therapeutics, such as targeted therapy, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments for improving gastrointestinal cancer prognosis.
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Identification of Six Genes as Diagnostic Markers for Colorectal Cancer Detection by Integrating Multiple Expression Profiles. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:3850674. [PMID: 35909904 PMCID: PMC9337943 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3850674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Many studies have demonstrated the promising utility of DNA methylation and miRNA as biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) early detection. However, mRNA is rarely reported. This study aimed to identify novel fecal-based mRNA signatures. Methods The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were first determined between CRCs and matched normal samples by integrating multiple datasets. Then, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was used to reduce the number of candidates of aberrantly expressed genes. Next, the potential functions were investigated for the candidate signatures and their ability to detect CRC and pan-cancers was comprehensively evaluated. Results We identified 1841 common DEGs in two independent datasets. Functional enrichment analysis revealed they were mainly related to extracellular structure, biosynthesis, and cell adhesion. The CRC classifier was established based on six genes screened by LASSO regression. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) for CRC detection were 79.30%, 80.40%, and 0.85 (0.76–0.92) in the training set, and these indexes achieved 93.20%, 41.80%, and 0.73 (0.65–0.83) in the testing set. For validation set, the sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 98.90%, 98.00%, and 0.97 (0.94–0.99). The average sensitivities exceeded 90.00% for CRCs with different clinical features. For adenomas detection, the sensitivity and specificity were 74.50% and 64.00%. Besides, the six genes obtained an average AUC of 0.855 for pan-cancer detection. Conclusion The six-gene signatures showed ability to detect CRC and pan-cancer samples, which could be served as potential diagnostic markers.
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Dysregulation of Circadian Clock Genes Associated with Tumor Immunity and Prognosis in Patients with Colon Cancer. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:4957996. [PMID: 35880088 PMCID: PMC9308515 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4957996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Early research shows that disrupting the circadian rhythm increases the risk of various cancers. However, the roles of circadian clock genes in colorectal cancer, which is becoming more common and lethal in China, remained to be unclear. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that multiple CCGs were dysregulated and frequently mutated in CRC samples by analyzing the TCGA database. The higher expression levels of REV1, ADCYAP1, CSNK1D, NR1D1, CSNK1E, and CRY2 had a strong link with shorter DFS time in CRC patients, demonstrating that CCGs had an important regulatory role in CRC development. Moreover, 513 CRC tumor samples were divided into 3 categories, namely, cluster1 (n = 428), cluster2 (n = 83), and cluster 3 (n = 109), based on the expression levels of the CCGs. Clinical significance analysis showed that the overall survival and disease-free survival of cluster 2 and cluster 3 were significantly shorter than those of cluster 1. The stemness scores in cluster 1 and cluster 2 were significantly higher than those of cluster 3 CRC samples. Clinically, we found that the C3 subtype had significantly higher percentage of T3/T4, N1/N2, and grades III and IV than groups C1 or C2. In addition, we reported that different CRC clusters had significantly different tumor-infiltrating immune cell signatures. Finally, pancancer analysis showed that higher expression of CSNK1D was correlated with shorter DFS time in multiple cancer types, such as COAD and LIHC, and was dysregulated in various cancers. In conclusion, we effectively developed a CCG-related predictive model and opened up new avenues for research into immune regulatory mechanisms and the development of immunotherapy for CRC.
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Bahrami Y, Bouk S, Kakaei E, Taheri M. Natural Products from Actinobacteria as a Potential Source of New Therapies Against Colorectal Cancer: A Review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:929161. [PMID: 35899111 PMCID: PMC9310018 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.929161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common, and deadly disease. Despite the improved knowledge on CRC heterogeneity and advances in the medical sciences, there is still an urgent need to cope with the challenges and side effects of common treatments for the disease. Natural products (NPs) have always been of interest for the development of new medicines. Actinobacteria are known to be prolific producers of a wide range of bioactive NPs, and scientific evidence highlights their important protective role against CRC. This review is a holistic picture on actinobacter-derived cytotoxic compounds against CRC that provides a good perspective for drug development and design in near future. This review also describes the chemical structure of 232 NPs presenting anti-CRC activity with the being majority of quinones, lactones, alkaloids, peptides, and glycosides. The study reveals that most of these NPs are derived from marine actinobacteria followed by terrestrial and endophytic actinobacteria, respectively. They are predominantly produced by Streptomyces, Micromonospors, Saliniospors and Actinomadura, respectively, in which Streptomyces, as the predominant contributor generating over 76% of compounds exclusively. Besides it provides a valuable snapshot of the chemical structure-activity relationship of compounds, highlighting the presence or absence of some specific atoms and chemical units in the structure of compounds can greatly influence their biological activities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review on natural actinobacterial compounds affecting different types of CRC. Our study reveals that the high diversity of actinobacterial strains and their NPs derivatives, described here provides a new perspective and direction for the production of new anti-CRC drugs and paves the way to innovation for drugs discovery in the future. The knowledge obtain from this review can help us to understand the pivotal application of actinobacteria in future drugs development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadollah Bahrami
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Yadollah Bahrami, ; Mohammad Taheri,
| | - Sasan Bouk
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Elham Kakaei
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Yadollah Bahrami, ; Mohammad Taheri,
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38
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Chaudhari VS, Hole KC, Issa AM. Evaluating the quality of the economic evidence in colorectal cancer genomics studies. Per Med 2022; 19:361-375. [PMID: 35786999 DOI: 10.2217/pme-2021-0006] [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: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The increase in the use of genome-based screening and diagnostic tests adds to the overall costs of oncologic care for colorectal cancer. This, in turn, has resulted in an increase in published economic analyses. Aim: To perform a systematic literature review of the available economic evidence evaluating the value of genomic testing for colorectal cancer and appraise the quality of the economic studies conducted to date. Methods: A systematic review of the literature for economic studies of colorectal cancer genomics from January 2006 through October 2020, and evaluation of study quality using the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) instrument was conducted. The validated QHES was then applied to a final set of articles that met eligibility criteria. Results: Our search of the literature initially yielded 12,859 records. A final set of 49 articles met our inclusion criteria. The QHES score ranged from 24 to 100, with an average score of 82. Most of the studies (n = 40, 82%) scored above 75 and were considered of good quality. Conclusion: Our analysis revealed that most of the economic analyses of colorectal cancer genomic molecular diagnostics in the literature may be of good quality. There is, however, some variation in methodological rigor between the articles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek S Chaudhari
- Personalized Precision Medicine & Targeted Therapeutics, Springfield, PA 19064, USA.,Health Policy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kanchan C Hole
- Personalized Precision Medicine & Targeted Therapeutics, Springfield, PA 19064, USA
| | - Amalia M Issa
- Personalized Precision Medicine & Targeted Therapeutics, Springfield, PA 19064, USA.,Health Policy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3S 1Z1, Canada
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Identification and Validation of Prognosis-Related Necroptosis Genes for Prognostic Prediction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:3172099. [PMID: 35813858 PMCID: PMC9259286 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3172099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background The prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) survival is challenging because of its rapid progression. In recent years, necroptosis was found to be involved in the progression of multiple cancer types. However, the role of necroptosis in HCC remains unclear. Methods Clinicopathological parameters and transcriptomic data of 370 HCC patients were obtained from TCGA-LIHC dataset. Prognosis-related necroptosis genes (PRNGs) were identified and utilized to construct a LASSO risk model. The GEO cohorts (GSE54236 and GSE14520) were used for external validation. We evaluated the distribution of HCC patients, the difference in prognosis, and the accuracy of the prognostic prediction of the LASSO risk model. The immune microenvironment and functional enrichment of different risk groups were further clarified. Finally, we performed a drug sensitivity analysis on the PRNGs that constructed the LASSO model and verified their mRNA expression levels in vitro. Results: A total of 48 differentially expressed genes were identified, 23 of which were PRNGs. We constructed the LASSO risk model using nine genes: SQSTM1, FLT3, HAT1, PLK1, MYCN, KLF9, HSP90AA1, TARDBP, and TNFRSF21. The outcomes of low-risk patients were considerably better than those of high-risk patients in both the training and validation cohorts. In addition, stronger bile acid metabolism, xenobiotic metabolism, and more active immune cells and immune functions were observed in low-risk patients, and high expressions of TARDBP, PLK1, and FLT3 were associated with greater drug sensitivity. With the exception of FLT3, the mRNA expression of the other eight genes was verified in Huh7 and 97H cells. Conclusions. The PRNG signature provides a novel and effective method for predicting the outcome of HCC as well as potential targets for further research.
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Zhou R, Xie F, Liu K, Zhou X, Chen X, Chen J, Xi S, Huang Z, Rong X. Cross talk between acetylation and methylation regulators reveals histone modifier expression patterns posing prognostic and therapeutic implications on patients with colon cancer. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:70. [PMID: 35606881 PMCID: PMC9128235 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01290-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alterations in histone modifications have been reported to be related to tumorigenicity and tumor progression. However, whether histone modification can aid the classification of patients or influence clinical behavior in patients with colon cancer remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate histone modifier expression patterns using the unsupervised clustering of the transcriptomic expressions of 88 histone acetylation and methylation regulators. Results In this study, by consensus clustering analysis based on the transcriptome data of 88 histone modification regulators, we identified four distinct expression patterns of histone modifiers associated with different prognoses, intrinsic fluorouracil sensitivities, biological pathways, and tumor microenvironment characteristics among 1372 colon cancer samples. In these four clusters, the HMC4 cluster represented a stroma activation phenotype characterized by both the worst prognosis and lowest response rates to fluorouracil treatment. Then, we established a scoring scheme comprising 155 genes designated as “HM_score” by using the Boruta algorithm to distinguish colon cancer patients within the HMC4 cluster. Patients with a high HM_score were considered to have high stromal pathway activation, high stromal fraction, and an unfavorable prognosis. Further analyses indicated that a high HM_score also correlated with reduced therapeutic benefits from fluorouracil chemotherapy. Moreover, through CRISPR library screening, ZEB2 was found to be a critical driver gene that mediates fluorouracil resistance, which is associated with histone modifier expression patterns. Conclusions This study highlights that characterizing histone modifier expression patterns may help better understand the epigenetic mechanisms underlying tumor heterogeneity in patients with colon cancer and provide more personalized therapeutic strategies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13148-022-01290-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuli Xie
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Kuncai Liu
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuee Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Department of Radiotherapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinzhang Chen
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Hepatology Unit and Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaoyan Xi
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhenhua Huang
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaoxiang Rong
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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Wang W, Zhou L, Li Z, Lin G. Circ_0014130 is involved in the drug sensitivity of colorectal cancer through miR-197-3p/PFKFB3 axis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 37:908-918. [PMID: 35288979 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most deadly cancers in the world, with few treatments and a poor prognosis. In recent years, many circular RNAs have been studied in CRC, but the role of circ_0014130 in CRC has not been investigated. Therefore, this research is designed to investigate the impact of circ_0014130 on the resistance of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in CRC. METHODS Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to assess the expression of circ_0014130, microRNA-197-3p (miR-197-3p), and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2, 6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3). The expression of PFKFB3 protein was detected by Western blot. The effect of cric_0014130 on drug resistance in CRC was verified by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, clone formation assay, Transwell, and flow cytometry. The effect of circ_0014130 on tumor growth was evaluated by xenograft tumor model in vivo. RESULTS Circ_0014130 and PFKFB3 were increased, while miR-197-3p was reversed in CRC tissues and cells. Knocking down circ_0014130 can promote cell apoptosis, inhibit the proliferation of CRC cells, and reduced the IC50 of 5-FU. In addition, miR-197-3p inhibitors reversed the effect of si-circ_0014130 on CRC cells. Similarly, overexpression of PFKFB3 can regulate CRC cell behavior and 5-FU resistance caused by miR-197-3p. Finally, decrease of circ_0014130 was demonstrated to enhance the resistance of 5-FU in CRC tissues in vivo. CONCLUSION Circ_0014130 modulates 5-FU resistance in CRC by modulating the miR-197-3p/PFKFB3 axis, which is helpful for drug chemotherapy in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Lijiang Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Guanhong Lin
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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He R, Zhang M, He L, Huang J, Man C, Wang X, Lang Y, Fan Y. Integrated Analysis of Necroptosis-Related Genes for Prognosis, Immune Microenvironment Infiltration, and Drug Sensitivity in Colon Cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:845271. [PMID: 35479956 PMCID: PMC9036446 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.845271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Necroptosis, is intimately linked to tumor development and prognosis and has been considered as a target for anticancer therapy. However, the role of necroptosis-related genes (NRGs) in colon cancer is unclear. Methods In the present study, we screened 76 NRGs from previous studies and described the landscape of transcriptomic and genetic variation of NRGs in colon cancer (CC) patient samples. Molecular subtypes of necroptosis in colon cancer were identified by clustering analysis, and these molecular subtypes were linked to patient prognosis and TME cell infiltration characteristics. Then, the NRS-score for predicting overall survival (OS) was built based on the TCGA database and validated in the GSE39582 cohort for its predictive power in CC patients. Besides, the ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT algorithms were applied to explore the relationship between NRS-score and tumor immune microenvironment. Results We identified two molecular subtypes associated with necroptosis in CC, which have diverse prognosis and immune microenvironment characteristics. Based on the differentially expressed genes between the two molecular subtypes, we further developed a necroptosis risk score signature, referred to as NRS-score. High NRS-score was associated with poor prognosis in CC through immunosuppressive microenvironment and immune escape mechanisms. The nomogram based on NRS-score showed excellent ability to predict prognosis. In addition, NRS-score presented a positive correlation with tumor mutational burden (TMB) and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) expression and was closely correlated with multiple anticancer agent susceptibility. Conclusion This work revealed a close relationship between necroptosis and the prognosis and immune microenvironment of colon cancer. The NRS-score based on the 8-gene signature may be used to predict the sensitivity of immunotherapy and chemotherapy in colon cancer patients, and provides a foundation for future studies targeting necroptosis and its immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong He
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Meiling Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Suqian First People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suqian, China
| | - Lian He
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jiabin Huang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Changfeng Man
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Suqian First People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suqian, China
| | - Yakun Lang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- Yakun Lang
| | - Yu Fan
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Yu Fan
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Meng F, Cao Y, Su H, Liu T, Tian L, Zhang Y, Yang J, Xiao W, Li D. Newcastle disease virus expressing an angiogenic inhibitor exerts an enhanced therapeutic efficacy in colon cancer model. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264896. [PMID: 35381011 PMCID: PMC8982889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-mediated gene therapy is a promising new approach for treatment of cancer but shows limited anti-angiogenesis. VEGF-Trap plays a vital role in anti-angiogenesis. To enhance the anti-tumor effect of NDV, VEGF-Trap gene was incorporated into the genome of rNDV in this study (named rNDV-VEGF-Trap). Results showed that rNDV-VEGF-Trap reduced cell growth ratio by 85.37% and migration ratio by 87.9% in EA.hy926 cells. In vivo studies, rNDV-VEGF-Trap reduced tumor volume and weight of CT26-bearing mice by more than 3 folds. Immunohistochemistry analysis of CD34 showed rNDV-VEGF-Trap significantly decreased the number of vascular endothelial cells in the tumor tissues. Moreover, Western blot analysis demonstrated that treatment with rNDV-VEGF-Trap significantly decreased the phosphorylation levels of AKT, ERK1/2 and STAT3 and increased the expression levels of P53, BAX and cleaved caspase-3 in the tumor tissue. In addition, to evaluate the toxicity of rNDV-VEGF-Trap, serum chemistries were analyzed. The results showed that rNDV-VEGF-Trap caused insignificant changes of creatinine levels, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase. Furthermore, administration of rNDV-VEGF-Trap did not cause the diarrhoea, decreased appetite, weight decrease and haemorrhage of the experimental mice. These data suggest that rNDV-VEGF-Trap exhibits an enhanced inhibition of CT26-bearing mice by enhancing anti-angiogenesis and apoptosis and may be a potential candidate for carcinoma therapy especially for colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanrui Meng
- School of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Yukai Cao
- School of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Han Su
- School of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Tianyan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of New-Tech for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process, Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Lianyungang, China
| | - Limin Tian
- School of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of New-Tech for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process, Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Lianyungang, China
| | - Jiarui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of New-Tech for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process, Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Lianyungang, China
| | - Wei Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of New-Tech for Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process, Jiangsu Kanion Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Lianyungang, China
- * E-mail: (DL); (WX)
| | - Deshan Li
- School of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- * E-mail: (DL); (WX)
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Zhou R, Wen Z, Liao Y, Wu J, Xi S, Zeng D, Sun H, Wu J, Shi M, Bin J, Liao Y, Liao W. Evaluation of stromal cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment enable prediction of treatment sensitivity and prognosis in colon cancer. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:2153-2168. [PMID: 35615026 PMCID: PMC9118126 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Current clinical factors for screening candidates that might benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in colon cancer are inadequate. Tumor microenvironment, especially the stromal components, has the potential to determine treatment response. However, clinical translation of the tumor-associated stromal characterization into a practical biomarker for helping treatment decision has not been established. Using machine learning, we established a novel 31-gene signature, called stromal cell infiltration intensity score (SIIS), to distinguish patients characterized by the enrichment of abundant stromal cells in five colon cancer datasets from GEO (N = 990). Patients with high-SIIS were at higher risk for recurrence and mortality, and could not benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy due to their intrinsic drug resistance; however, the opposite was reported for patients with low-SIIS. The role of SIIS in detection of patients with high stromal cell infiltration and reduced drug efficiency was consistently validated in the TCGA-COAD cohort (N = 382), Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center cohort (N = 30), and could also be observed in TCGA pan-cancer settings (N = 4898) and four independent immunotherapy cohorts (N = 467). Based on multi-omics data analysis and the CRISPR library screen, we reported that lack of gene mutation, hypomethylation in ADCY4 promoter region, activation of WNT-PCP pathway and SIAH2-GPX3 axis were potential mechanisms responsible for the chemoresistance of patients within high-SIIS group. Our findings demonstrated that SIIS provide an important reference for those making treatment decisions for such special patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Zhaowei Wen
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Yifu Liao
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Jingjing Wu
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Shaoyan Xi
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Dongqiang Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Huiying Sun
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jianhua Wu
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Min Shi
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jianping Bin
- Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Yulin Liao
- Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Wangjun Liao
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
- Corresponding author at: Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
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Golla U, Sesham K, Dallavalasa S, Manda NK, Unnam S, Sanapala AK, Nalla S, Kondam S, Kumar R. ABHD11-AS1: An Emerging Long Non-Coding RNA (lncRNA) with Clinical Significance in Human Malignancies. Noncoding RNA 2022; 8:ncrna8020021. [PMID: 35314614 PMCID: PMC8938790 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna8020021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The aberrant expression of lncRNAs has been linked to the development and progression of different cancers. One such lncRNA is ABHD11 antisense RNA 1 (ABHD11-AS1), which has recently gained attention for its significant role in human malignancies. ABHD11-AS1 is highly expressed in gastric, lung, breast, colorectal, thyroid, pancreas, ovary, endometrium, cervix, and bladder cancers. Several reports highlighted the clinical significance of ABHD11-AS1 in prognosis, diagnosis, prediction of cancer progression stage, and treatment response. Significantly, the levels of ABHD11-AS1 in gastric juice had been exhibited as a clinical biomarker for the assessment of gastric cancer, while its serum levels have prognostic potential in thyroid cancers. The ABHD11-AS1 has been reported to exert oncogenic effects by sponging different microRNAs (miRNAs), altering signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, epigenetic mechanisms, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification. In contrast, the mouse homolog of AHD11-AS1 (Abhd11os) overexpression had exhibited neuroprotective effects against mutant huntingtin-induced toxicity. Considering the emerging research reports, the authors attempted in this first review on ABHD11-AS1 to summarize and highlight its oncogenic potential and clinical significance in different human cancers. Lastly, we underlined the necessity for future mechanistic studies to unravel the role of ABHD11-AS1 in tumor development, prognosis, progression, and targeted therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upendarrao Golla
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Kishore Sesham
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Mangalagiri 522503, India;
| | - Siva Dallavalasa
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CEMR), Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, Mysuru 570015, India;
| | - Naresh Kumar Manda
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India;
| | - Sambamoorthy Unnam
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Sree Dattha Institute of Pharmacy, Ibrahimpatnam 501510, India; (S.U.); (A.K.S.)
| | - Arun Kumar Sanapala
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Sree Dattha Institute of Pharmacy, Ibrahimpatnam 501510, India; (S.U.); (A.K.S.)
| | - Sharada Nalla
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palamuru University, Mahabubnagar 509001, India; (S.N.); (S.K.)
| | - Susmitha Kondam
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palamuru University, Mahabubnagar 509001, India; (S.N.); (S.K.)
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India;
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Sorrentino C, D'Antonio L, Fieni C, Ciummo SL, Di Carlo E. Colorectal Cancer-Associated Immune Exhaustion Involves T and B Lymphocytes and Conventional NK Cells and Correlates With a Shorter Overall Survival. Front Immunol 2022; 12:778329. [PMID: 34975867 PMCID: PMC8716410 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.778329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancer worldwide, with a growing impact on public health and clinical management. Immunotherapy has shown promise in the treatment of advanced cancers, but needs to be improved for CRC, since only a limited fraction of patients is eligible for treatment, and most of them develop resistance due to progressive immune exhaustion. Here, we identify the transcriptional, molecular, and cellular traits of the immune exhaustion associated with CRC and determine their relationships with the patient's clinic-pathological profile. Bioinformatic analyses of RNA-sequencing data of 594 CRCs from TCGA PanCancer collection, revealed that, in the wide range of immune exhaustion genes, those coding for PD-L1, LAG3 and T-bet were associated (Cramér's V=0.3) with MSI/dMMR tumors and with a shorter overall survival (log-rank test: p=0.0004, p=0.0014 and p=0.0043, respectively), whereas high levels of expression of EOMES, TRAF1, PD-L1, FCRL4, BTLA and SIGLEC6 were associated with a shorter overall survival (log-rank test: p=0.0003, p=0.0188, p=0.0004, p=0.0303, p=0.0052 and p=0.0033, respectively), independently from the molecular subtype of CRC. Expression levels of PD-L1, PD-1, LAG3, EOMES, T-bet, and TIGIT were significantly correlated with each other and associated with genes coding for CD4+ and CD8+CD3+ T cell markers and NKp46+CD94+EOMES+T-bet+ cell markers, (OR >1.5, p<0.05), which identify a subset of group 1 innate lymphoid cells, namely conventional (c)NK cells. Expression of TRAF1 and BTLA co-occurred with both T cell markers, CD3γ, CD3δ, CD3ε, CD4, and B cell markers, CD19, CD20 and CD79a (OR >2, p<0.05). Expression of TGFβ1 was associated only with CD4 + and CD8+CD3ε+ T cell markers (odds ratio >2, p<0.05). Expression of PD-L2 and IDO1 was associated (OR >1.5, p<0.05) only with cNK cell markers, whereas expression of FCRL4, SIGLEC2 and SIGLEC6 was associated (OR >2.5; p<0.05) with CD19+CD20+CD79a+ B cell markers. Morphometric examination of immunostained CRC tissue sections, obtained from a validation cohort of 53 CRC patients, substantiated the biostatistical findings, showing that the highest percentage of immune exhaustion gene expressing cells were found in tumors from short-term survivors and that functional exhaustion is not confined to T lymphocytes, but also involves B cells, and cNK cells. This concept was strengthened by CYBERSORTx analysis, which revealed the expression of additional immune exhaustion genes, in particular FOXP1, SIRT1, BATF, NR4A1 and TOX, by subpopulations of T, B and NK cells. This study provides novel insight into the immune exhaustion landscape of CRC and emphasizes the need for a customized multi-targeted therapeutic approach to overcome resistance to current immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Sorrentino
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Luigi D'Antonio
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristiano Fieni
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefania Livia Ciummo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Emma Di Carlo
- Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology and Immuno-Oncology Unit, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Ionica E, Gaina G, Tica M, Chifiriuc MC, Gradisteanu-Pircalabioru G. Contribution of Epithelial and Gut Microbiome Inflammatory Biomarkers to the Improvement of Colorectal Cancer Patients’ Stratification. Front Oncol 2022; 11:811486. [PMID: 35198435 PMCID: PMC8859258 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.811486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to ensure that primary endpoints of clinical studies are attained, the patients’ stratification is an important aspect. Selection criteria include age, gender, and also specific biomarkers, such as inflammation scores. These criteria are not sufficient to achieve a straightforward selection, however, in case of multifactorial diseases, with unknown or partially identified mechanisms, occasionally including host factors, and the microbiome. In these cases, the efficacy of interventions is difficult to predict, and as a result, the selection of subjects is often random. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly heterogeneous disease, with variable clinical features, outcomes, and response to therapy; the CRC onset and progress involves multiple sequential steps with accumulation of genetic alterations, namely, mutations, gene amplification, and epigenetic changes. The gut microbes, either eubiotic or dysbiotic, could influence the CRC evolution through a complex and versatile crosstalk with the intestinal and immune cells, permanently changing the tumor microenvironment. There have been significant advances in the development of personalized approaches for CRC screening, treatment, and potential prevention. Advances in molecular techniques bring new criteria for patients’ stratification—mutational analysis at the time of diagnosis to guide treatment, for example. Gut microbiome has emerged as the main trigger of gut mucosal homeostasis. This may impact cancer susceptibility through maintenance of the epithelial/mucus barrier and production of protective metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) via interactions with the hosts’ diet and metabolism. Microbiome dysbiosis leads to the enrichment of cancer-promoting bacterial populations, loss of protective populations or maintaining an inflammatory chronic state, all of which contribute to the development and progression of CRC. Meanwhile, variations in patient responses to anti-cancer immuno- and chemotherapies were also linked to inter-individual differences in intestine microbiomes. The authors aim to highlight the contribution of epithelial and gut microbiome inflammatory biomarkers in the improvement of CRC patients’ stratification towards a personalized approach of early diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ionica
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- *Correspondence: Elena Ionica,
| | - Gisela Gaina
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Experimental Miology, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihaela Tica
- Bucharest Emergency University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mariana-Carmen Chifiriuc
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Biological Science Division, Romanian Academy of Sciences, Bucharest, Romania
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Ex vivo organotypic cultures for synergistic therapy prioritization identify patient-specific responses to combined MEK and Src inhibition in colorectal cancer. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:219-231. [PMID: 35145327 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-021-00325-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Translating preclinical studies to effective treatment protocols and identifying specific therapeutic responses in individuals with cancer is challenging. This may arise due to the complex genetic makeup of tumor cells and the impact of their multifaceted tumor microenvironment on drug response. To find new clinically relevant drug combinations for colorectal cancer (CRC), we prioritized the top five synergistic combinations from a large in vitro screen for ex vivo testing on 29 freshly resected human CRC tumors and found that only the combination of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (Src) inhibition was effective when tested ex vivo. Pretreatment phosphorylated Src (pSrc) was identified as a predictive biomarker for MEK and Src inhibition only in the absence of KRASG12 mutations. Overall, we demonstrate the potential of using ex vivo platforms to identify drug combinations and discover MEK and Src dual inhibition as an effective drug combination in a predefined subset of individuals with CRC.
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Han B, Wang X, Yin X. Knockdown of circRAD23B Exerts Antitumor Response in Colorectal Cancer via the Regulation of miR-1205/TRIM44 axis. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:504-515. [PMID: 33634427 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-06859-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer with high metastatic property. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have important involvement in cancer processes. This study focused on the regulation of circRNA RAD23 homologue B (circRAD23B) in CRC. METHODS The levels of circRAD23B, microRNA-1205 (miR-1205), and tripartite motif-44 (TRIM44) were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Functional analyses were performed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) for cell proliferation, flow cytometry for cell cycle or cell apoptosis, and transwell assay for cell migration and invasion. Western blot was administrated for protein detection. The interaction of targets was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. The in vivo experiment was conducted via xenograft tumor in mice. RESULTS We identified that circRAD23B was overexpressed in CRC tissues and cells. CRC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and cell metastasis were inhibited, while apoptosis was promoted by downregulating circRAD23B. Target analysis indicated that circRAD23B-targeted miR-1205 and TRIM44 were downstream genes of miR-1205. Moreover, the antitumor response of circRAD23B downregulation and miR-1205 overexpression was, respectively, achieved by increasing miR-1205 and decreasing TRIM44. CircRAD23B could regulate TRIM44 level by sponging miR-1205. In vivo, circRAD23B knockdown also reduced CRC tumorigenesis via the miR-1205/TRIM44 axis. CONCLUSION These results suggested that the inhibition of circRAD23B retarded the progression of CRC via acting on the miR-1205/TRIM44 axis. CircRAD23B might be a novel target in CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, Weifang No.2 People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Health, Weifang No.2 People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Xia Yin
- Department of Neurology, Weifang No.2 People's Hospital, No.7 Yuanxiao Street, Kuiwen District 261042, Weifang, Shandong, China.
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Biomarkers to Detect Early-Stage Colorectal Cancer. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020255. [PMID: 35203465 PMCID: PMC8869393 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. The high incidence and the acceleration of incidence in younger people reinforces the need for better techniques of early detection. The use of noninvasive biomarkers has potential to more accurately inform how patients are prioritised for clinical investigation, which, in turn, may ultimately translate into improved survival for those subsequently found to have curable-stage CRC. This review surveys a wide range of CRC biomarkers that may (alone or in combination) identify symptomatic patients presenting in primary care who should be progressed for clinical investigation.
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