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Fang T, Hu S, Song X, Wang J, Zuo R, Yun S, Jiang S, Guo D. Combination of monensin and erlotinib synergistically inhibited the growth and cancer stem cell properties of triple-negative breast cancer by simultaneously inhibiting EGFR and PI3K signaling pathways. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2024; 207:435-451. [PMID: 38958784 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-024-07374-y] [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: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are recognized as a highly challenging subset of cells, renowned for their heightened propensity for relapse and unfavorable prognosis. Monensin, an ionophoric antibiotic, has been reported to exhibit significant therapeutic efficacy against various cancers, especially CSCs. Erlotinib is classified as one of the EGFR-TKIs and has been previously identified as a promising therapeutic target for TNBC. Our research aims to assess the effectiveness of combination of monensin and erlotinib as a potential treatment strategy for TNBC. METHODS The combination of monensin and erlotinib was assessed for its potential anticancer activity through various in vitro assays, including cytotoxicity assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay, mammosphere formation assay, and proportion of CSCs assay. Additionally, an in vivo study using tumor-bearing nude mice was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the monensin and erlotinib combination on tumor growth. RESULTS The results indicated that combination of monensin with erlotinib synergistically inhibited cell proliferation, the migration rate, the invasion ability and decreased the CSCs proportion, and CSC markers SOX2 and CD133 in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the primary proteins involved in the signaling pathways of the EGFR/ERK and PI3K/AKT are simultaneously inhibited by the combination treatment of monensin and erlotinib in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSIONS The simultaneous inhibition of the EGFR/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways by the combination of monensin and erlotinib exhibited a synergistic effect on suppressing tumor proliferation and cancer cell stemness in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Fang
- Engineering Center of Innovativennovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Medicine School, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, China
| | - Shiheng Hu
- Engineering Center of Innovativennovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xinhao Song
- Engineering Center of Innovativennovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Junqi Wang
- Engineering Center of Innovativennovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Runan Zuo
- Engineering Center of Innovativennovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Shifeng Yun
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Medicine School, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, China
| | - Shanxiang Jiang
- Engineering Center of Innovativennovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China.
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China.
| | - Dawei Guo
- Engineering Center of Innovativennovative Veterinary Drugs, Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China.
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing, 210095, China.
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Li S, Jin Z, Song X, Ma J, Peng Z, Yu H, Song J, Zhang Y, Sun X, He M, Yu X, Jin F, Zheng A. The small nucleolar RNA SNORA51 enhances breast cancer stem cell-like properties via the RPL3/NPM1/c-MYC pathway. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:1117-1132. [PMID: 38421204 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23713] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are key players in carcinogenesis and development. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) seem to have a crucial influence on regulating stem cell-like properties in various cancers, but the underlying mechanism in breast cancer has not been determined. In this study, we first found that the expression of SNORA51 might be strongly and positively related to BCSCs-like properties. SNORA51 expression was assessed in breast cancer tissues (n = 158 patients) by in situ hybridization. Colony formation, cell counting kit-8, and sphere formation assays were used to detect cell proliferation and self-renewal, respectively. Wound healing and transwell assays were used to detect cell migration. Coimmunoprecipitation and molecular docking were used to determine the underlying mechanism through which SNORA51 regulates BCSCs-like properties. High SNORA51 expression was associated with a worse prognosis, overall survival, and disease-free survival, in 158 breast cancer patients and was also closely related to lymph node status, ER status, the Ki-67 index, histological grade, and TNM stage. Further analysis proved that SNORA51 could enhance and maintain stem cell-like properties, including cell proliferation, self-renewal, and migration, in breast cancer. Moreover, high SNORA51 expression could reduce nucleolar RPL3 expression, induce changes in the expression of NPM1 in the nucleolus and nucleoplasm, and ultimately increase c-MYC expression. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that SNORA51 could enhance BCSCs-like properties via the RPL3/NPM1/c-MYC pathway both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, SNORA51 might be a significant biomarker and potential therapeutic target and might even provide a new viewpoint on the regulatory mechanism of snoRNAs in breast cancer or other malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Zining Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinyue Song
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jinfei Ma
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ziqi Peng
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Hao Yu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jian Song
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yiqi Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Miao He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinmiao Yu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Feng Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ang Zheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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3
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Yi SY, Wei MZ, Zhao L. Targeted immunotherapy to cancer stem cells: A novel strategy of anticancer immunotherapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 196:104313. [PMID: 38428702 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104313] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major disease that endangers human health. Cancer drug resistance and relapse are the two main causes contributing to cancer treatment failure. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small fraction of tumor cells that are responsible for tumorigenesis, metastasis, relapse, and resistance to conventional anticancer therapies. Therefore, CSCs are considered to be the root of cancer recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. Novel anticancer strategies need to face this new challenge and explore their efficacy against CSCs. Recently, immunotherapy has made rapid advances in cancer treatment, and its potential against CSCs is also an interesting area of research. Meanwhile, immunotherapy strategies are novel therapeutic modalities with promising results in targeting CSCs. In this review, we summarize the targeting of CSCs by various immunotherapy strategies such as monoclonal antibodies(mAb), tumor vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and chimeric antigen receptor-T cells(CAR-T) in pre-clinical and clinical studies. This review provides new insights into the application of these immunotherapeutic approaches to potential anti-tumor therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Yong Yi
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, Henan Province 450007, China.
| | - Mei-Zhuo Wei
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, Henan Province 450007, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, Henan Province 450007, China.
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4
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Saleh RO, Ibrahim FM, Pallathadka H, Kaur I, Ahmad I, Ali SHJ, Redhee AH, Ghildiyal P, Jawad MA, Alsaadi SB. Nucleic acid vaccines-based therapy for triple-negative breast cancer: A new paradigm in tumor immunotherapy arena. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e3992. [PMID: 38551221 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Nucleic acid vaccines (NAVs) have the potential to be economical, safe, and efficacious. Furthermore, just the chosen antigen in the pathogen is the target of the immune responses brought on by NAVs. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment shows great promise for nucleic acid-based vaccines, such as DNA (as plasmids) and RNA (as messenger RNA [mRNA]). Moreover, cancer vaccines offer a compelling approach that can elicit targeted and long-lasting immune responses against tumor antigens. Bacterial plasmids that encode antigens and immunostimulatory molecules serve as the foundation for DNA vaccines. In the 1990s, plasmid DNA encoding the influenza A nucleoprotein triggered a protective and targeted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, marking the first instance of DNA vaccine-mediated immunity. Similarly, in vitro transcribed mRNA was first successfully used in animals in 1990. At that point, mice were given an injection of the gene encoding the mRNA sequence, and the researchers saw the production of a protein. We begin this review by summarizing our existing knowledge of NAVs. Next, we addressed NAV delivery, emphasizing the need to increase efficacy in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raed Obaid Saleh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Al-Maarif University College, Al-Anbar, Iraq
| | - Fatma M Ibrahim
- Community Health Nursing, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
- Geriatric Nursing, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | | - Irwanjot Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Irfan Ahmad
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Hayif Jasim Ali
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Health and Medical Technololgy, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
| | - Ahmed Huseen Redhee
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
| | - Pallavi Ghildiyal
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | | | - Salim B Alsaadi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Al-Hadi University College, Baghdad, Iraq
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5
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Yu D, Huang C, Zhu L, Wei Y, Li M. In-depth analysis of prognostic markers associated with the tumor immune microenvironment and genetic mutations in breast cancer based on an NK cell-related risk model. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23930. [PMID: 38226219 PMCID: PMC10788542 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23930] [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: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The natural killer (NK) cell population is unique because it consists of innate lymphocytes capable of detecting and eliminating tumors and virus-infected cells. This research aims to identify a new prognostic signal in breast cancer (BRCA) based on NK-cell-related genes (NKRGs). A variety of sequencing and gene mutation data, along with clinical information, were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Database (GEO). COX regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analyses were conducted to identify prognostic genes. In addition, the immune-related analysis was performed to evaluate the association between the immune microenvironment and clusters and risk model. The Edu assay, colony assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay were performed to evaluate the cell proliferative and invasive abilities. A 4-NKRG-based prognostic model was constructed. Patients in high-risk groups were associated with poorer OS in TCGA and GSE42568. Further, a nomogram was constructed for better prediction of the prognosis of patients with BRCA. Finally, it was discovered that the over-expression of IFNE could suppress the proliferative and invasive abilities of BRCA cells, which might be a promising biomarker for patients with BRCA. As a result, we developed a novel 4-NKRG signal and nomogram capable of predicting the prognosis of patients with BRCA. Additionally, this model was closely associated with the immune microenvironment, which opened new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmin Yu
- Department of Breast Disease Comprehensive Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Huang
- Nail and Breast Surgery, Suqian First People's Hospital, Suqian, 223800, People's Republic of China
| | - Luochen Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Nantong, 226361, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxi Wei
- First Clinical Medical College of Gannan Medical College, Ganzhou, 341000, People's Republic of China
| | - Meifang Li
- Department of Breast Disease Comprehensive Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, People's Republic of China
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Chiru ED, Oseledchyk A, Schoetzau A, Kurzeder C, Mosimann R, Vetter M, Grašič Kuhar C. Application of a 21-Gene Recurrence Score in a Swiss Single-Center Breast Cancer Population: A Comparative Analysis of Treatment Administration before and after TAILORx. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 14:97. [PMID: 38201405 PMCID: PMC10795714 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14010097] [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: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In patients with hormone receptor positive, human epidermal receptor 2 negative (HR+/HER2-) negative breast cancer (BC), the TAILORx study showed the benefit of adding chemotherapy (CHT) to endocrine therapy (ET) in a subgroup of patients under 50 years with an intermediate Oncotype DX recurrence score (RS 11-25). The aim of the present study was to determine if the TAILORx findings, including the changes in the RS categories, impacted CHT use in the intermediate RS (11-25) group in daily practice, as well as to identify the main factors for CHT decisions. We conducted a retrospective study on 326 BC patients (59% node-negative), of which 165 had a BC diagnosis before TAILORx (Cohort A) and 161 after TAILORx publication (Cohort B). Changes in the RS categories led to shifts in patient population distribution, thereby leading to a 40% drop in the low RS (from 60% to 20%), which represented a doubling in the intermediate RS (from 30% to 60%) and an increase of 5% in the high RS (from 8-10% to 15%). The overall CHT recommendation and application did not differ significantly between cohort B when compared with A (19% vs. 22%, resp., p = 0.763). In the intermediate RS (11-25), CHT use decreased by 5%, while in the high-risk RS category (>25), there was an increase of 13%. The tumor board recommended CHT for 90% of the patients according to the new RS guidelines in cohort A and for 85% in cohort B. The decision for CHT recommendation was based on age (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.08-0.97, p = 0.001), nodal stage (OR 4.77, 95% CI 2.03-11.22, p < 0.001), and RS categories (RS 11-25 vs. RS 0-10: OR 0.06 (95% CI 0.02-0.17), p < 0.001; RS > 26 vs. RS 11-25: OR 618.18 95% CI 91.64-4169.91, p < 0.001), but did not depend on the cohort. In conclusion, while the tumor board recommendation for CHT decreased in the intermediate RS category, there was an increase being reported in the high RS category, thus leading to overall minor changes in CHT application. As expected, among the younger women with intermediate RS and unfavorable histopathological factors, CHT use increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Diana Chiru
- Medical Oncology, Basel University Hospital, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; (A.O.); (M.V.)
- Center of Oncology and Hematology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Anton Oseledchyk
- Medical Oncology, Basel University Hospital, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; (A.O.); (M.V.)
| | - Andreas Schoetzau
- Department of Biomedicine, Basel University, 4051 Basel, Switzerland;
| | | | - Raphael Mosimann
- Faculty of Medicine, Basel Medical University, 4051 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Marcus Vetter
- Medical Oncology, Basel University Hospital, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; (A.O.); (M.V.)
- Center of Oncology and Hematology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Basel University Hospital, 4051 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Cvetka Grašič Kuhar
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Basel University Hospital, 4051 Basel, Switzerland;
- Medical Oncology Department, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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7
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Yuan Y, Xiang Z, Xia Y, Xie J, Jiang X, Lu Z. The role of ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters in breast cancer: Evaluating prognosis, predicting immunity, and guiding treatment. Channels (Austin) 2023; 17:2273247. [PMID: 37905302 PMCID: PMC10761142 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2023.2273247] [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: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is currently the most prevalent form of cancer worldwide. Nevertheless, there remains limited clarity regarding our understanding of the tumor microenvironment and metabolic characteristics associated with it. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are the predominant transmembrane transporters found in organisms. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the role of ABC transporters in breast cancer. Transcriptome data from breast cancer patients were downloaded from the TCGA database. ABC transporter-related genes were obtained from the Genecards database. By LASSO regression, ABC-associated prognostic signature was constructed in breast cancer. Subsequently, immune microenvironment analysis was performed. Finally, cell experiments were performed to verify the function of ABCB7 in the breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Using the ABC transporter-associated signature, we calculated a risk score for each breast cancer patient. Patients with breast cancer were subsequently categorized into high-risk and low-risk groups, utilizing the median risk score as the threshold. Notably, patients in the high-risk group exhibited significantly worse prognosis (P<0.05). Additionally, differences were observed in terms of immune cell infiltration levels, immune correlations, and gene expression of immune checkpoints between the two groups. Functional experiments conducted on breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 demonstrated that ABCB7 knockdown significantly diminished cell activity, proliferation, invasion, and migration. These findings emphasize the significance of understanding ABC transporter-mediated metabolic and transport characteristics in breast cancer, offering promising directions for further research and potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Seventh People’s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhouhong Xiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Seventh People’s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhua Xia
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Jiaheng Xie
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiudi Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Seventh People’s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhicheng Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Seventh People’s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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8
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Qi F, Wang Y, Yu B, Li F. Identification of RECK as a protective prognostic indicator and a tumor suppressor through regulation of the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway in gastric cancer. J Transl Med 2023; 21:766. [PMID: 37904179 PMCID: PMC10614389 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04644-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) ranks as the fifth most common cancer worldwide and is characterized by its significant heterogeneity and unfavorable prognosis. Thus, identifying efficient prognostic factors and understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms in GC are essential for improving patient outcomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of RECK (reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs) in the prognostic significance and molecular mechanisms of its biological function in GC. METHODS Multiple bioinformatics strategies were performed to detect the potential functions and prognostic efficiency of RECK in GC. Rescue experiments revealed that the molecular mechanism by which RECK in inhibited tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion was mediated by ERK/MAPK signaling in AGS and HGC-27 cells. Using integrated bioinformatics analysis and western blot assay, we investigated the potential interaction between CALD1 and RECK. RESULTS Our findings revealed significantly decreased RECK expression in GC samples compared to normal samples and RECK was identified as a promising predictor for the prognosis of GC patients. Moreover, upregulation of RECK demonstrated a distinctly positive association with a high-immunity and low-metastasis microenvironment in GC. Mechanistically, the antitumour effects of RECK on hampering tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion were mediated by the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway. In addition, we also illustrated that RECK inhibited the phosphorylation of CALD1 mediated by decreased phosphorylation of ERK. CONCLUSIONS RECK is a promising prognostic biomarker and may shape a high-tumor-immunity and low-metastasis microenvironment in patients with GC. Moreover, RECK exerted its tumor-suppressive effects by the inactivation of ERK/MAPK signaling in GC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Qi
- The Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Department of Pathogenobiology, Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin University, No. 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaru Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Department of Pathogenobiology, Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin University, No. 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingxin Yu
- Department of Ultrasound, The Third Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Li
- The Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Department of Pathogenobiology, Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin University, No. 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
- The Key Laboratory for Bionics Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.
- Engineering Research Center for Medical Biomaterials of Jilin Province, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory for Health Biomedical Materials of Jilin Province, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Ruzzi F, Semprini MS, Scalambra L, Palladini A, Angelicola S, Cappello C, Pittino OM, Nanni P, Lollini PL. Virus-like Particle (VLP) Vaccines for Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12963. [PMID: 37629147 PMCID: PMC10454695 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612963] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer vaccines are increasingly being studied as a possible strategy to prevent and treat cancers. While several prophylactic vaccines for virus-caused cancers are approved and efficiently used worldwide, the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines needs to be further implemented. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are self-assembled protein structures that mimic native viruses or bacteriophages but lack the replicative material. VLP platforms are designed to display single or multiple antigens with a high-density pattern, which can trigger both cellular and humoral responses. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of preventive VLP-based vaccines currently approved worldwide against HBV and HPV infections or under evaluation to prevent virus-caused cancers. Furthermore, preclinical and early clinical data on prophylactic and therapeutic VLP-based cancer vaccines were summarized with a focus on HER-2-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ruzzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Maria Sofia Semprini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Laura Scalambra
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Arianna Palladini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Stefania Angelicola
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Chiara Cappello
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Olga Maria Pittino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Patrizia Nanni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) and Alma Mater Institute on Healthy Planet, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (F.R.); (M.S.S.); (L.S.); (S.A.); (C.C.); (O.M.P.); (P.N.)
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10
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Xu F, Wang J, Zhen S, Duan Y, Li Q, Liu L. C1ql4 regulates breast cancer cell stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition through PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1192482. [PMID: 37324011 PMCID: PMC10265994 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1192482] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The stemness characteristic of breast cancer (BC) is a crucial factor underlying cancer recurrence and metastasis after operative therapy and chemoradiotherapy. Understanding the potential mechanism of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) may ameliorate the prognosis of patients. Methods We collected clinical specimens of BC patients for staining and statistical analysis to verify the expression status and clinical significance of complement C1q-like 4 (C1ql4). Western blot and qRT-PCR were employed to detect the expression of molecules. Flow cytometry was used to examine cell cycle, cell apoptosis and the portion of BCSCs. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to detect cell metastasis. The effect of C1ql4 on breast cancer progression in vivo was examined in a nude mouse tumor bearing model. Results Our clinical analysis showed that C1ql4 was highly expressed in BC tissues and cell lines, and the high expression of C1ql4 was significantly corelated with the malignancy of BC patients. Moreover, we also found that C1ql4 was overexpressed in BCSCs. C1ql4 knockdown suppressed the BCSC and EMT properties, promoted cell cycle progression, enhanced BC cell apoptosis, and inhibited cell migration and invasion, whereas the C1ql4 overexpression exhibited the opposite effects. Mechanistically, C1ql4 promoted the activation and nuclear location of NF-κB and the expression of downstream factors TNF-α and IL-1β. Moreover, inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling suppressed the C1ql4-induced stemness and EMT. Conclusions Our findings suggest that C1ql4 promotes the BC cell stemness and EMT via modulating the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling, and provides a promising target for BC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Xu
- Department of Tumor Immunotherapy, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Departments of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Jiali Wang
- Department of Tumor Immunotherapy, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shuman Zhen
- Department of Tumor Immunotherapy, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuqing Duan
- Department of Tumor Immunotherapy, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Qingshan Li
- Departments of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Lihua Liu
- Department of Tumor Immunotherapy, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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11
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Preclinical and Clinical Trials of New Treatment Strategies Targeting Cancer Stem Cells in Subtypes of Breast Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050720. [PMID: 36899854 PMCID: PMC10001180 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) can be classified into various histological subtypes, each associated with different prognoses and treatment options, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy. Despite advances in this area, many patients still face treatment failure, the risk of metastasis, and disease recurrence, which can ultimately lead to death. Mammary tumors, like other solid tumors, contain a population of small cells known as cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) that have high tumorigenic potential and are involved in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, tumor recurrence, and resistance to therapy. Therefore, designing therapies specifically targeting at CSCs could help to control the growth of this cell population, leading to increased survival rates for BC patients. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of CSCs, their surface biomarkers, and the active signaling pathways associated with the acquisition of stemness in BC. We also cover preclinical and clinical studies that focus on evaluating new therapy systems targeted at CSCs in BC through various combinations of treatments, targeted delivery systems, and potential new drugs that inhibit the properties that allow these cells to survive and proliferate.
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12
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Hu Y, Li Y, Yao Z, Huang F, Cai H, Liu H, Zhang X, Zhang J. Immunotherapy: Review of the Existing Evidence and Challenges in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030563. [PMID: 36765522 PMCID: PMC9913569 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a representative malignant tumor that affects women across the world, and it is the main cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Although a large number of treatment methods have been developed for BC in recent years, the results are sometimes unsatisfying. In recent years, treatments of BC have been expanded with immunotherapy. In our article, we list some tumor markers related to immunotherapy for BC. Moreover, we introduce the existing relatively mature immunotherapy and the markers' pathogenesis are involved. The combination of immunotherapy and other therapies for BC are introduced in detail, including the combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy, the combined use of immunosuppressants and chemotherapy drugs, immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy. We summarize the clinical effects of these methods. In addition, this paper also makes a preliminary exploration of the combination of immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and nanotechnology for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Hu
- Department of Breast Cancer, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Radiology, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Zhangcheng Yao
- Department of Radiology, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Fenglin Huang
- Department of Radiology, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Hongzhou Cai
- Department of Radiology, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Hanyuan Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210012, China
| | - Xiaoyi Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Junying Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (J.Z.)
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13
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Liu Q, Liu YY, Chen XM, Tao BY, Chen K, Li WM, Xu CT, Shi Y, Li H, Liu HR. KIF5A upregulation in hepatocellular carcinoma: A novel prognostic biomarker associated with unique tumor microenvironment status. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1071722. [PMID: 36686769 PMCID: PMC9853384 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1071722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is one of the most common liver malignancies with high mortality and morbidity. Thus, it is crucial to identify potential biomarker that is capable of accurately predicting the prognosis and therapeutic response of LIHC. Kinesin family member 5A (KIF5A) is a microtubule-based motor protein involved in the transport of macromolecules such as organelle proteins in cells. Recent studies have illustrated that the high expression of KIF5A was related to poor prognosis of solid tumors, including bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. However, little is currently known concerning the clinical significance of KIF5A expression in LIHC. Herein, by adopting multi-omics bioinformatics analysis, we comprehensively uncovered the potential function and the predictive value of KIF5A in stratifying clinical features among patients with LIHC, for which a high KIF5A level predicted an unfavorable clinical outcome. Results from KIF5A-related network and enrichment analyses illustrated that KIF5A might involve in microtubule-based process, antigen processing and presentation of exogenous peptide antigen via MHC class II. Furthermore, immune infiltration and immune function analyses revealed upregulated KIF5A could predict a unique tumor microenvironment with more CD8+T cells and a higher level of anti-tumor immune response. Evidence provided by immunohistochemistry staining (IHC) further validated our findings at the protein level. Taken together, KIF5A might serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for predicting immunotherapy response and could be a potential target for anti-cancer strategies for LIHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China,Department of Hepatobiliary, The Eighth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-yang Liu
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-min Chen
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China,Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Kuang Chen
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-min Li
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China,Department of Hepatobiliary, The Eighth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chang-tao Xu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China,Department of Hepatobiliary, The Eighth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Shi
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao-run Liu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China,Department of Hepatobiliary, The Eighth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Hao-run Liu,
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14
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Mu J, Gong J, Lin P, Zhang M, Wu K. Machine learning methods revealed the roles of immune-metabolism related genes in immune infiltration, stemness, and prognosis of neuroblastoma. Cancer Biomark 2023; 38:241-259. [PMID: 37545226 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-230119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunometabolism plays an important role in neuroblastoma (NB). However, the mechanism of immune-metabolism related genes (IMRGs) in NB remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects of IMRGs on the prognosis, immune infiltration and stemness of patients with NB using machine learning methods. METHODS R software (v4.2.1) was used to identify the differentially expressed IMRGs, and machine learning algorithm was used to screen the prognostic genes from IMRGs. Then we constructed a prognostic model and calculated the risk scores. The NB patients were grouped according to the prognosis scores. In addition, the genes most associated with the immune infiltration and stemness of NB were analyzed by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). RESULTS There were 89 differentially expressed IMRGs between the MYCN amplification and the MYCN non-amplification group, among which CNR1, GNAI1, GLDC and ABCC4 were selected by machine learning algorithm to construct the prognosis model due to their better prediction effect. Both the K-M survival curve and the 5-year Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that the prognosis model could predict the prognosis of NB patients, and there was significant difference in immune infiltration between the two groups according to the median of risk score. CONCLUSIONS We verified the effects of IMRGs on the prognosis, immune infiltration and stemness of NB. These findings could provide help for predicting prognosis and developing immunotherapy in NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Mu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianan Gong
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Peng Lin
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mengzhen Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kai Wu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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15
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Carvalho de Oliveira J, Mathias C, Oliveira VC, Pezuk JA, Brassesco MS. The Double Face of miR-708: A Pan-Cancer Player with Dissociative Identity Disorder. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122375. [PMID: 36553642 PMCID: PMC9777992 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122375] [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: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades, accumulating evidence has shown tumor-dependent profiles of miR-708, being either up- or downregulated, and thus, acting as a "Janus" regulator of oncogenic pathways. Herein, its functional duality was assessed through a thorough review of the literature and further validation in silico using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. In the literature, miR-708 was found with an oncogenic role in eight tumor types, while a suppressor tumor role was described in seven cancers. This double profile was also found in TCGA and GEO databases, with some tumor types having a high expression of miR-708 and others with low expression compared with non-tumor counterparts. The investigation of validated targets using miRBase, miRTarBase, and miRecords platforms, identified a total of 572 genes that appeared enriched for PI3K-Akt signaling, followed by cell cycle control, p53, Apellin and Hippo signaling, endocrine resistance, focal adhesion, and cell senescence regulations, which are all recognized contributors of tumoral phenotypes. Among these targets, a set of 15 genes shared by at least two platforms was identified, most of which have important roles in cancer cells that influence either tumor suppression or progression. In a clinical scenario, miR-708 has shown to be a good diagnostic and prognosis marker. However, its multitarget nature and opposing roles in diverse human tumors, aligned with insufficient experimental data and the lack of proper delivery strategies, hamper its potential as a sequence-directed therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carolina Mathias
- Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 80060-000, Brazil
- Laboratory of Applied Science and Technology in Health, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
| | - Verônica Cristina Oliveira
- Department of Biotechnology and Health Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, Pirituba 05145-200, Brazil
| | - Julia Alejandra Pezuk
- Department of Biotechnology and Health Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, Pirituba 05145-200, Brazil
| | - María Sol Brassesco
- Biology Department, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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16
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Barutello G, Di Lorenzo A, Gasparetto A, Galiazzi C, Bolli E, Conti L, Cavallo F. Immunotherapy against the Cystine/Glutamate Antiporter xCT Improves the Efficacy of APR-246 in Preclinical Breast Cancer Models. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2843. [PMID: 36359363 PMCID: PMC9688020 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women. Despite recent clinical advances, new therapeutic approaches are still required. The cystine-glutamate antiporter xCT, encoded by the SLC7A11 gene, which imports cystine in exchange with glutamate, is a potentially new target for breast cancer therapy, being involved in tumor cell redox balance and resistance to therapies. xCT expression is regulated by the oncosuppressor p53, which is mutated in many breast cancers. Indeed, mutant p53 (mut-p53) can induce xCT post-transcriptional down modulation, rendering mut-p53 tumors susceptible to oxidative damage. Interestingly, the drug APR-246, developed to restore the wild-type function of p53 in tumors harboring its mutation, alters the cell redox balance in a p53-independent way, possibly rendering the cells more sensitive to xCT inhibition. Here, we propose a combinatorial treatment based on xCT immunetargeting and APR-246 treatment as a strategy for tackling breast cancer. We demonstrate that combining the inhibition of xCT with the APR-246 drug significantly decreased breast cancer cell viability in vitro and induced apoptosis and affected cancer stem cells' self-renewal compared to the single treatments. Moreover, the immunetargeting of xCT through DNA vaccination in combination with APR-246 treatment synergistically hinders tumor progression and prevents lung metastasis formation in vivo. These effects can be mediated by the production of anti-xCT antibodies that are able to induce the antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity of tumor cells. Overall, we demonstrate that DNA vaccination against xCT can synergize with APR-246 treatment and enhance its therapeutic effect. Thus, APR-246 treatment in combination with xCT immunetargeting may open new perspectives in the management of breast cancer.
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17
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Ding Y, Li X, Li J. COVID-19–associated lncRNAs as predictors of survival in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma: A prognostic model. Front Genet 2022; 13:986453. [PMID: 36147497 PMCID: PMC9486303 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.986453] [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: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Patients with uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) may be susceptible to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Long non–coding RNAs take on a critical significance in UCEC occurrence, development, and prognosis. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop a novel model related to COVID-19–related lncRNAs for optimizing the prognosis of endometrial carcinoma. Methods: The samples of endometrial carcinoma patients and the relevant clinical data were acquired in the Carcinoma Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. COVID-19–related lncRNAs were analyzed and obtained by coexpression. Univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to establish a COVID-19–related lncRNA risk model. Kaplan–Meier analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and functional enrichment annotation were used to analyze the risk model. Finally, the potential immunotherapeutic signatures and drug sensitivity prediction targeting this model were also discussed. Results: The risk model comprising 10 COVID-19–associated lncRNAs was identified as a predictive ability for overall survival (OS) in UCEC patients. PCA analysis confirmed a reliable clustering ability of the risk model. By regrouping the patients with this model, different clinic-pathological characteristics, immunotherapeutic response, and chemotherapeutics sensitivity were also observed in different groups. Conclusion: This risk model was developed based on COVID-19–associated lncRNAs which would be conducive to the precise treatment of patients with UCEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, HongKong, China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Heze Municipal Hospital, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Jiena Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Heze Municipal Hospital, Heze, Shandong, China
- *Correspondence: Jiena Li, ; Liqun Zhu,
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18
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Eini L, Naseri M, Karimi-Busheri F, Bozorgmehr M, Ghods R, Madjd Z. Preventive cancer stem cell-based vaccination modulates tumor development in syngeneic colon adenocarcinoma murine model. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022:10.1007/s00432-022-04303-8. [PMID: 36040667 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04303-8] [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: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a rare sub-fraction of tumor cells, with the capability of self-renewal and strong oncogenicity are tightly responsible for chemo and radio resistance and tumor metastasis in colorectal cancer. Hence, CSCs targeting would improve the efficacy of therapeutic strategies and clinical outcomes. METHODS Here, using three-dimensional CSC spheroids and syngeneic mice model, we evaluated the cancer preventive impact of CSCs-based vaccination. CSCs enrichment was performed via colonosphere formation from CT-26 cell line and CT-26-derived tumor biopsy and characterized by confirming high expression of key stemness genes (OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG) and CSC-related surface biomarkers (CD166, DCLK1, and CD133) via real-time PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. Then, the stemness phenotype and self-renewal in CSC-enriched spheroids were further confirmed by showing serial sphere formation capacity, clonogenicity potential, and enhanced in vivo tumorigenic capacity compared to their parental counterparts. CSCs lysates were used as vaccines in prophylactic settings compared to the parental cell lysate and PBS groups. RESULT Immunization of syngeneic mice with CSCs lysates was effective in the prevention of tumor establishment and significantly decreased tumor growth rate accompanied by an improvement in survival rate in tumor-bearing mice compared to groups subjected to parental cells lysate and PBS. These results, for the first time, showed that mice immunized with cell lysate from tumor biopsy-derived spheroids are resistant to tumor induction. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that only the serum antibodies from CSC-vaccinated mice reacted with colonospheres. CONCLUSIONS These findings represent CSCs lysate-based vaccination as a potential approach to hampering immunotherapy failure of colorectal cancer which along with other traditional therapies may effectively apply to prevent the establishment of aggressive tumors harboring stemness features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Eini
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Division of Histology, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Naseri
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Mahmood Bozorgmehr
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Ghods
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Zahra Madjd
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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19
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Di Lorenzo A, Bolli E, Ruiu R, Ferrauto G, Di Gregorio E, Avalle L, Savino A, Poggio P, Merighi IF, Riccardo F, Brancaccio M, Quaglino E, Cavallo F, Conti L. Toll-like receptor 2 promotes breast cancer progression and resistance to chemotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2086752. [PMID: 35756841 PMCID: PMC9225225 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2086752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the main drivers of disease progression and chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer. Tumor progression and chemoresistance might then be prevented by CSC-targeted therapies. We previously demonstrated that Toll-like Receptor (TLR)2 is overexpressed in CSCs and fuels their self-renewal. Here, we show that high TLR2 expression is linked to poor prognosis in breast cancer patients, therefore representing a candidate target for breast cancer treatment. By using a novel mammary cancer-prone TLR2KO mouse model, we demonstrate that TLR2 is required for CSC pool maintenance and for regulatory T cell induction. Accordingly, cancer-prone TLR2KO mice display delayed tumor onset and increased survival. Transplantation of TLR2WT and TLR2KO cancer cells in either TLR2WT or TLR2KO hosts shows that tumor initiation is mostly sustained by TLR2 expression in cancer cells. TLR2 host deficiency partially impairs cancer cell growth, implying a pro-tumorigenic effect of TLR2 expression in immune cells. Finally, we demonstrate that doxorubicin-induced release of HMGB1 activates TLR2 signaling in cancer cells, leading to a chemotherapy-resistant phenotype. Unprecedented use of TLR2 inhibitors in vivo reduces tumor growth and potentiates doxorubicin efficacy with no negative impact on the host immune system, opening new perspectives for the treatment of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Di Lorenzo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Ruiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Enza Di Gregorio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Lidia Avalle
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Poggio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Irene Fiore Merighi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Mara Brancaccio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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20
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Zhang L, Zhou X, Sha H, Xie L, Liu B. Recent Progress on Therapeutic Vaccines for Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:905832. [PMID: 35734599 PMCID: PMC9207208 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.905832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy worldwide. Advanced breast cancer is still an incurable disease mainly because of its heterogeneity and limited immunogenicity. The great success of cancer immunotherapy is paving the way for a new era in cancer treatment, and therapeutic cancer vaccination is an area of interest. Vaccine targets include tumor-associated antigens and tumor-specific antigens. Immune responses differ in different vaccine delivery platforms. Next-generation sequencing technologies and computational analysis have recently made personalized vaccination possible. However, only a few cases benefiting from neoantigen-based treatment have been reported in breast cancer, and more attention has been given to overexpressed antigen-based treatment, especially human epidermal growth factor 2-derived peptide vaccines. Here, we discuss recent advancements in therapeutic vaccines for breast cancer and highlight near-term opportunities for moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianru Zhang
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xipeng Zhou
- Department of oncology, Yizheng People's Hospital, Yangzhou, China
| | - Huizi Sha
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Xie
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Baorui Liu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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21
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Zhang Q, Li W. Correlation between amino acid metabolism and self-renewal of cancer stem cells: Perspectives in cancer therapy. World J Stem Cells 2022; 14:267-286. [PMID: 35662861 PMCID: PMC9136564 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v14.i4.267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess self-renewal and differentiation potential, which may be related to recurrence, metastasis, and radiochemotherapy resistance during tumor treatment. Understanding the mechanisms via which CSCs maintain self-renewal may reveal new therapeutic targets for attenuating CSC resistance and extending patient life-span. Recent studies have shown that amino acid metabolism plays an important role in maintaining the self-renewal of CSCs and is involved in regulating their tumorigenicity characteristics. This review summarizes the relationship between CSCs and amino acid metabolism, and discusses the possible mechanisms by which amino acid metabolism regulates CSC characteristics particularly self-renewal, survival and stemness. The ultimate goal is to identify new targets and research directions for elimination of CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Cancer Center, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Wei Li
- Cancer Center, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
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22
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Ruiu R, Di Lorenzo A, Cavallo F, Conti L. Are Cancer Stem Cells a Suitable Target for Breast Cancer Immunotherapy? Front Oncol 2022; 12:877384. [PMID: 35530300 PMCID: PMC9069673 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.877384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is substantial evidence to suggest that complete tumor eradication relies on the effective elimination of cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs have been widely described as mediators of resistance to conventional therapies, including chemo- and radiotherapy, as well as of tumor metastasization and relapse in different tumor types, including breast cancer. However, the resistant phenotype of CSCs makes their targeting a tough task, and immunotherapy may therefore be an interesting option. Nevertheless, although immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer treatment have generated great enthusiasm due to recent success in clinics, breast cancer treatment mostly relies on standard approaches. In this context, we review the existing literature on the immunological properties of breast CSC and immunotherapeutic approaches to them. We will thus attempt to clarify whether there is room for the immunotargeting of breast CSCs in the current landscape of breast cancer therapies. Finally, we will provide our opinion on the CSC-targeting immunotherapeutic strategies that could prospectively be attempted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Federica Cavallo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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23
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Guo Y, Xie Y, Luo Y. The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:851004. [PMID: 35222443 PMCID: PMC8863945 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.851004] [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: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is a complicated process caused by successive genetic and epigenetic alterations. The past decades demonstrated that the immune system affects tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis. Although increasing immunotherapies are revealed, only a tiny proportion of them are effective. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of single-stranded RNA molecules larger than 200 nucleotides and are essential in the molecular network of oncology and immunology. Increasing researches have focused on the connection between lncRNAs and cancer immunotherapy. However, the in-depth mechanisms are still elusive. In this review, we outline the latest studies on the functions of lncRNAs in the tumor immune microenvironment. Via participating in various biological processes such as neutrophil recruitment, macrophage polarization, NK cells cytotoxicity, and T cells functions, lncRNAs regulate tumorigenesis, tumor invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and angiogenesis. In addition, we reviewed the current understanding of the relevant strategies for targeting lncRNAs. LncRNAs-based therapeutics may represent promising approaches in serving as prognostic biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets in cancer, providing ideas for future research and clinical application on cancer diagnosis and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingli Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Yajuan Xie
- Department of Orthodontics, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
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24
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Saha T, Lukong KE. Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells in Drug Resistance: A Review of Mechanisms and Novel Therapeutic Strategies to Overcome Drug Resistance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:856974. [PMID: 35392236 PMCID: PMC8979779 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.856974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequent type of malignancy in women worldwide, and drug resistance to the available systemic therapies remains a major challenge. At the molecular level, breast cancer is heterogeneous, where the cancer-initiating stem-like cells (bCSCs) comprise a small yet distinct population of cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) that can differentiate into cells of multiple lineages, displaying varying degrees of cellular differentiation, enhanced metastatic potential, invasiveness, and resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. Based on the expression of estrogen and progesterone hormone receptors, expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and/or BRCA mutations, the breast cancer molecular subtypes are identified as TNBC, HER2 enriched, luminal A, and luminal B. Management of breast cancer primarily involves resection of the tumor, followed by radiotherapy, and systemic therapies including endocrine therapies for hormone-responsive breast cancers; HER2-targeted therapy for HER2-enriched breast cancers; chemotherapy and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors for TNBC, and the recent development of immunotherapy. However, the complex crosstalk between the malignant cells and stromal cells in the breast TME, rewiring of the many different signaling networks, and bCSC-mediated processes, all contribute to overall drug resistance in breast cancer. However, strategically targeting bCSCs to reverse chemoresistance and increase drug sensitivity is an underexplored stream in breast cancer research. The recent identification of dysregulated miRNAs/ncRNAs/mRNAs signatures in bCSCs and their crosstalk with many cellular signaling pathways has uncovered promising molecular leads to be used as potential therapeutic targets in drug-resistant situations. Moreover, therapies that can induce alternate forms of regulated cell death including ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and immunotherapy; drugs targeting bCSC metabolism; and nanoparticle therapy are the upcoming approaches to target the bCSCs overcome drug resistance. Thus, individualizing treatment strategies will eliminate the minimal residual disease, resulting in better pathological and complete response in drug-resistant scenarios. This review summarizes basic understanding of breast cancer subtypes, concept of bCSCs, molecular basis of drug resistance, dysregulated miRNAs/ncRNAs patterns in bCSCs, and future perspective of developing anticancer therapeutics to address breast cancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taniya Saha
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Kiven Erique Lukong
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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25
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Kisoda S, Mouri Y, Kitamura N, Yamamoto T, Miyoshi K, Kudo Y. The role of partial-EMT in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Oral Biosci 2022; 64:176-182. [DOI: 10.1016/j.job.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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26
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Kyte JA. Strategies for Improving the Efficacy of CAR T Cells in Solid Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030571. [PMID: 35158839 PMCID: PMC8833730 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cell therapy with genetically retargeted T cells shows strong clinical efficacy against leukaemia and lymphoma. To make this therapy efficient against solid cancers, a series of hurdles must be addressed. This includes the need to enable the T cells to survive long term in patients and to overcome immunosuppressive mechanisms in the tumour. Further, it is essential to prevent tumour cells from escaping by losing the protein that is recognised by the infused cells. The present article provides an overview of the key strategies that are currently being investigated to overcome these hurdles. A series of approaches have been described in preclinical models, but these remain untested in patients. The further progress of the field will depend on evaluating more strategies in a proper clinical setting. Abstract Therapy with T cells equipped with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) shows strong efficacy against leukaemia and lymphoma, but not yet against solid cancers. This has been attributed to insufficient T cell persistence, tumour heterogeneity and an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. The present article provides an overview of key strategies that are currently investigated to overcome these hurdles. Basic aspects of CAR design are revisited, relevant for tuning the stimulatory signal to the requirements of solid tumours. Novel approaches for enhancing T cell persistence are highlighted, based on epigenetic or post-translational modifications. Further, the article describes CAR T strategies that are being developed for overcoming tumour heterogeneity and the escape of cancer stem cells, as well as for countering prevalent mechanisms of immune suppression in solid cancers. In general, personalised medicine is faced with a lack of drugs matching the patient’s profile. The advances and flexibility of modern gene engineering may allow for the filling of some of these gaps with tailored CAR T approaches addressing mechanisms identified as important in the individual patient. At this point, however, CAR T cell therapy remains unproved in solid cancers. The further progress of the field will depend on bringing novel strategies into clinical evaluation, while maintaining safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Amund Kyte
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Mail Box 4950 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway;
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Mail Box 4950 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
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27
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Huang F, Pan N, Wei Y, Zhao J, Aldarouish M, Wang X, Sun X, Wen Z, Chen Y, Wang L. Effects of Combinatorial Ubiquitinated Protein-Based Nanovaccine and STING Agonist in Mice With Drug-Resistant and Metastatic Breast Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:707298. [PMID: 34589084 PMCID: PMC8475273 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.707298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that enriched ubiquitinated proteins (UPs) from tumor cells have the potential to be used as immunotherapy vaccine against cancer. Here we enriched UPs from epirubicin (EPB)-induced multi-drug-resistant cancer stem-like breast cancer cell line (4T1/EPB) and tested the efficacy of α-Al2O3-UPs-4T1/EPB (short for UPs-4T1/EPB) as therapeutic vaccine alone and in combination with the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist in mice with drug-resistant and metastatic breast cancer. Vaccination with UPs-4T1/EPB exerted profound anti-tumor effects through augmented specific CD8+ T cell responses and amplified T cell receptor diversity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Importantly, the combination with STING agonist further facilitated the migration of mature CD8α+ dendritic cells to the lymph nodes and the infiltration of TILs within tumors, resulting in primary tumor regression and pulmonary metastasis eradication in mice. Moreover, the cured mice were completely resistant against a subsequent rechallenge with the same tumor. Our study indicates that this novel combinatorial immunotherapy with UPs-4T1/EPB vaccine and STING agonist is effective in mice with drug-resistant and metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Pan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yiting Wei
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinjin Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mohanad Aldarouish
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuru Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaotong Sun
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhifa Wen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongqiang Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lixin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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28
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Cui X, Liu R, Duan L, Cao D, Zhang Q, Zhang A. CAR-T therapy: Prospects in targeting cancer stem cells. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:9891-9904. [PMID: 34585512 PMCID: PMC8572776 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a group of tumour cells with stem cell characteristics, have the ability of self-renewal, multi-lineage differentiation and tumour formation. Since CSCs are resistant to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, their existence may be one of the root causes of cancer treatment failure and tumour progression. The elimination of CSCs may be effective for eventual tumour eradication. Because of the good therapeutic effects without major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction and the unique characteristics of CSCs, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is expected to be an important method to eliminate CSCs. In this review, we have discussed the feasibility of CSCs-targeted CAR-T therapy for cancer treatment, summarized current research and clinical trials of targeting CSCs with CAR-T cells and forecasted the challenges and future direction from the perspectives of toxicity, persistence and potency, trafficking, infiltration, immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, and tumour heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Cui
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Lian Duan
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Dan Cao
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Qiaoling Zhang
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Aijie Zhang
- Basic Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, China
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29
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Zhang R, Tu J, Liu S. Novel molecular regulators of breast cancer stem cell plasticity and heterogeneity. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 82:11-25. [PMID: 33737107 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tumors consist of heterogeneous cell populations, and tumor heterogeneity plays key roles in regulating tumorigenesis, metastasis, recurrence and resistance to anti-tumor therapies. More and more studies suggest that cancer stem cells (CSCs) promote tumorigenesis, metastasis, recurrence and drug resistance as well as are the major source for heterogeneity of cancer cells. CD24-CD44+ and ALDH+ are the most common markers for breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Previous studies showed that different BCSC markers label different BCSC populations, indicating the heterogeneity of BCSCs. Therefore, defining the regulation mechanisms of heterogeneous BCSCs is essential for precisely targeting BCSCs and treating breast cancer. In this review, we summarized the novel regulators existed in BCSCs and their niches for BCSC heterogeneity which has been discovered in recent years, and discussed their regulation mechanisms and the latest corresponding cancer treatments, which will extend our understanding on BCSC heterogeneity and plasticity, and provide better prognosis prediction and more efficient novel therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Institutes, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Juchuanli Tu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Institutes, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Suling Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Institutes, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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30
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Salemme V, Centonze G, Cavallo F, Defilippi P, Conti L. The Crosstalk Between Tumor Cells and the Immune Microenvironment in Breast Cancer: Implications for Immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:610303. [PMID: 33777750 PMCID: PMC7991834 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.610303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer progression is a complex process controlled by genetic and epigenetic factors that coordinate the crosstalk between tumor cells and the components of tumor microenvironment (TME). Among those, the immune cells play a dual role during cancer onset and progression, as they can protect from tumor progression by killing immunogenic neoplastic cells, but in the meanwhile can also shape tumor immunogenicity, contributing to tumor escape. The complex interplay between cancer and the immune TME influences the outcome of immunotherapy and of many other anti-cancer therapies. Herein, we present an updated view of the pro- and anti-tumor activities of the main immune cell populations present in breast TME, such as T and NK cells, myeloid cells, innate lymphoid cells, mast cells and eosinophils, and of the underlying cytokine-, cell–cell contact- and microvesicle-based mechanisms. Moreover, current and novel therapeutic options that can revert the immunosuppressive activity of breast TME will be discussed. To this end, clinical trials assessing the efficacy of CAR-T and CAR-NK cells, cancer vaccination, immunogenic cell death-inducing chemotherapy, DNA methyl transferase and histone deacetylase inhibitors, cytokines or their inhibitors and other immunotherapies in breast cancer patients will be reviewed. The knowledge of the complex interplay that elapses between tumor and immune cells, and of the experimental therapies targeting it, would help to develop new combination treatments able to overcome tumor immune evasion mechanisms and optimize clinical benefit of current immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Salemme
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Giorgia Centonze
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Paola Defilippi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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31
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Yang W, Zhang W, Wang X, Tan L, Li H, Wu J, Wu Q, Sun W, Chen J, Yin Y. HCA587 Protein Vaccine Induces Specific Antitumor Immunity Mediated by CD4 + T-cells Expressing Granzyme B in a Mouse Model of Melanoma. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 21:738-746. [PMID: 32723258 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200728131951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The antigen HCA587 (also known as MAGE-C2), which is considered a cancer-testis antigen, exhibits upregulated expression in a wide range of malignant tumors with unique immunological properties, and may thus serve as a promising target for tumor immunotherapy. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to explore the antitumor effect of the HCA587 protein vaccine and the response of humoral and cell-mediated immunity. METHODS The HCA587 protein vaccine was formulated with adjuvants CpG and ISCOM. B16 melanoma cells were subcutaneously inoculated to C57BL/6 mice, followed by treatment with HCA587 protein vaccine subcutaneously. Mouse survival was monitored daily, and tumor volume was measured every 2 to 3 days. The tumor sizes, survival time and immune cells in tumor tissues were detected. And the vital immune cell subset and effector molecules were explored. RESULTS After treatment with HCA587 protein vaccine, the vaccination elicited significant immune responses, which delayed tumor growth and improved animal survival. The vaccination increased the proportion of CD4+ T cells expressing IFN-γ and granzyme B in tumor tissues. The depletion of CD4+T cells resulted in an almost complete abrogation of the antitumor effect of the vaccination, suggesting that the antitumor efficacy was mediated by CD4+ T cells. In addition, knockout of IFN-γ resulted in a decrease in granzyme B levels, which were secreted by CD4+ T cells, and the antitumor effect was also significantly attenuated. CONCLUSION The HCA587 protein vaccine may increase the levels of granzyme B expressed by CD4+ T cells, and this increase is dependent on IFN-γ, and the vaccine resulted in a specific tumor immune response and subsequent eradication of the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Weiheng Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Xiaozhong Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Liming Tan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Hua Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Jiemin Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuyuan County People's Hospital, Wuyuan 333200, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Wanlei Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Juanjuan Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Yanhui Yin
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology of Ministry of Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
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32
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LncRNAs and microRNAs as Essential Regulators of Stemness in Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11030380. [PMID: 33802575 PMCID: PMC7998729 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is an aggressive disease with a high incidence in women worldwide. Two decades ago, a controversial hypothesis was proposed that cancer arises from a subpopulation of “tumor initiating cells” or “cancer stem cells-like” (CSC). Today, CSC are defined as small subset of somatic cancer cells within a tumor with self-renewal properties driven by the aberrant expression of genes involved in the maintenance of a stemness-like phenotype. The understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the maintenance of CSC subpopulation are fundamental in the development and persistence of breast cancer. Nowadays, the hypothesis suggests that genetic and epigenetic alterations give rise to breast cancer stem cells (bCSC), which are responsible for self-renewal, tumor growth, chemoresistance, poor prognosis and low survival in patients. However, the prominence of bCSC, as well as the molecular mechanisms that regulates and promotes the malignant phenotypes, are still poorly understood. The role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes has been recently highlighted by a plethora of studies in breast cancer. These ncRNAs positively or negatively impact on different signaling pathways that govern the cancer hallmarks associated with bCSC, making them attractive targets for therapy. In this review, we present a current summary of the studies on the pivotal roles of lncRNAs and microRNAs in the regulation of genes associated to stemness of bCSC.
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33
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Teneurins: Role in Cancer and Potential Role as Diagnostic Biomarkers and Targets for Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052321. [PMID: 33652578 PMCID: PMC7956758 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Teneurins have been identified in vertebrates as four different genes (TENM1-4), coding for membrane proteins that are mainly involved in embryonic and neuronal development. Genetic studies have correlated them with various diseases, including developmental problems, neurological disorders and congenital general anosmia. There is some evidence to suggest their possible involvement in cancer initiation and progression, and drug resistance. Indeed, mutations, chromosomal alterations and the deregulation of teneurins expression have been associated with several tumor types and patient survival. However, the role of teneurins in cancer-related regulatory networks is not fully understood, as both a tumor-suppressor role and pro-tumoral functions have been proposed, depending on tumor histotype. Here, we summarize and discuss the literature data on teneurins expression and their potential role in different tumor types, while highlighting the possibility of using teneurins as novel molecular diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and as targets for cancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, in some tumors.
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34
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Ruiu R, Barutello G, Arigoni M, Riccardo F, Conti L, Peppino G, Annaratone L, Marchiò C, Mengozzi G, Calogero RA, Cavallo F, Quaglino E. Identification of TENM4 as a Novel Cancer Stem Cell-Associated Molecule and Potential Target in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040894. [PMID: 33672732 PMCID: PMC7924390 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) experience shorter overall survival compared to non-TNBC patients because of the high incidence of recurrences and metastases. This is due to the capacity of aggressive cancer cell subpopulations named cancer stem cells (CSC) to resist current therapies. To design more effective therapeutic strategies for TNBC patients, in this study we sought to identify functional targets expressed on CSC. Our analyses led us to propose teneurin 4 (TENM4) as a promising candidate for drug- and immune-based therapies due to its role in CSC self-renewal and migratory capacity and the inverse correlation between its expression and survival of TNBC patients. In addition, TENM4 detection in the plasma of tumor-bearing patients endorses its potentiality as a disease detection marker. Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is insensitive to endocrine and Her2-directed therapies, making the development of TNBC-targeted therapies an unmet medical need. Since patients with TNBC frequently show a quicker relapse and metastatic progression compared to other breast cancer subtypes, we hypothesized that cancer stem cells (CSC) could have a role in TNBC. To identify putative TNBC CSC-associated targets, we compared the gene expression profiles of CSC-enriched tumorspheres and their parental cells grown as monolayer. Among the up-regulated genes coding for cell membrane-associated proteins, we selected Teneurin 4 (TENM4), involved in cell differentiation and deregulated in tumors of different histotypes, as the object for this study. Meta-analysis of breast cancer datasets shows that TENM4 mRNA is up-regulated in invasive carcinoma specimens compared to normal breast and that high expression of TENM4 correlates with a shorter relapse-free survival in TNBC patients. TENM4 silencing in mammary cancer cells significantly impaired tumorsphere-forming ability, migratory capacity and Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) phosphorylation. Moreover, we found higher levels of TENM4 in plasma from tumor-bearing mice and TNBC patients compared to the healthy controls. Overall, our results indicate that TENM4 may act as a novel biomarker and target for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ruiu
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Maddalena Arigoni
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Laura Conti
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Giulia Peppino
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Laura Annaratone
- Unit of Pathology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (L.A.); (C.M.)
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy;
| | - Caterina Marchiò
- Unit of Pathology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (L.A.); (C.M.)
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy;
| | - Giulio Mengozzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy;
- Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Raffaele Adolfo Calogero
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (R.R.); (G.B.); (M.A.); (F.R.); (L.C.); (G.P.); (R.A.C.); (F.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0116706457
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Liu L, Borlak J. Advances in Liver Cancer Stem Cell Isolation and their Characterization. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:1215-1238. [PMID: 33432485 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-020-10114-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade research on cancer stem cells (CSC) significantly contributed to a better understanding of tumor biology. Given their similarity to normal stem cells, i.e. self-renewal and pluripotency the need arises to develop robust protocols for the isolation and characterization of CSCs. As with other malignancies, hepatic tumors are composed of a heterogeneous population of cells including liver cancer stem cells (LCSC). Yet, a precise understanding of why stem cells become cancerous is still lacking. There is unmet need to develop robust protocols for the successful isolation of LCSCs from human tissue resection material as to assist in the development of molecular targeted therapies. Here we review the research progress made in the isolation and characterization of LCSCs by considering a wide range of cell surface markers and sorting methods, as applied to side populations, microsphere cultures and the gradient centrifugation method. We emphasize the different fluorescence activated cell sorting methods and the possibility to enrich LCSCs by immunomagnetic beads. We review the specificity of functional assays by considering ABCG transporter and ALDH1 enzyme activities and evaluate the in vivo tumorigenicity of LCSCs in highly sensitive bioassays. Finally, we evaluate different LCSC markers in association with viral and non-viral liver disease and explore the potential of novel drug delivery systems targeting CD133, EpCAM, CD13 and CD90 for the development of molecular targeted therapies. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jürgen Borlak
- Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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Magri J, Gasparetto A, Conti L, Calautti E, Cossu C, Ruiu R, Barutello G, Cavallo F. Tumor-Associated Antigen xCT and Mutant-p53 as Molecular Targets for New Combinatorial Antitumor Strategies. Cells 2021; 10:108. [PMID: 33430127 PMCID: PMC7827209 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cystine/glutamate antiporter xCT is a tumor-associated antigen that has been newly identified in many cancer types. By participating in glutathione biosynthesis, xCT protects cancer cells from oxidative stress conditions and ferroptosis, and contributes to metabolic reprogramming, thus promoting tumor progression and chemoresistance. Moreover, xCT is overexpressed in cancer stem cells. These features render xCT a promising target for cancer therapy, as has been widely reported in the literature and in our work on its immunotargeting. Interestingly, studies on the TP53 gene have revealed that both wild-type and mutant p53 induce the post-transcriptional down modulation of xCT, contributing to ferroptosis. Moreover, APR-246, a small molecule drug that can restore wild-type p53 function in cancer cells, has been described as an indirect modulator of xCT expression in tumors with mutant p53 accumulation, and is thus a promising drug to use in combination with xCT inhibition. This review summarizes the current knowledge of xCT and its regulation by p53, with a focus on the crosstalk of these two molecules in ferroptosis, and also considers some possible combinatorial strategies that can make use of APR-246 treatment in combination with anti-xCT immunotargeting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Correspondence: (G.B.); (F.C.); Tel.: +39-011-670-6458 (G.B.); +39-011-670-6457 (F.C.)
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Correspondence: (G.B.); (F.C.); Tel.: +39-011-670-6458 (G.B.); +39-011-670-6457 (F.C.)
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Toll-Like Receptor 2 at the Crossroad between Cancer Cells, the Immune System, and the Microbiota. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249418. [PMID: 33321934 PMCID: PMC7763461 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expressed on myeloid cells mediates the recognition of harmful molecules belonging to invading pathogens or host damaged tissues, leading to inflammation. For this ability to activate immune responses, TLR2 has been considered a player in anti-cancer immunity. Therefore, TLR2 agonists have been used as adjuvants for anti-cancer immunotherapies. However, TLR2 is also expressed on neoplastic cells from different malignancies and promotes their proliferation through activation of the myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB) pathway. Furthermore, its activation on regulatory immune cells may contribute to the generation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment and of the pre-metastatic niche, promoting cancer progression. Thus, TLR2 represents a double-edge sword, whose role in cancer needs to be carefully understood for the setup of effective therapies. In this review, we discuss the divergent effects induced by TLR2 activation in different immune cell populations, cancer cells, and cancer stem cells. Moreover, we analyze the stimuli that lead to its activation in the tumor microenvironment, addressing the role of danger, pathogen, and microbiota-associated molecular patterns and their modulation during cancer treatments. This information will contribute to the scientific debate on the use of TLR2 agonists or antagonists in cancer treatment and pave the way for new therapeutic avenues.
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Zeng X, Liu C, Yao J, Wan H, Wan G, Li Y, Chen N. Breast cancer stem cells, heterogeneity, targeting therapies and therapeutic implications. Pharmacol Res 2020; 163:105320. [PMID: 33271295 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Both hereditary and sporadic breast cancer are suggested to develop from a stem cell subcomponent retaining most key stem cell properties but with dysregulation of self-renewal pathways, which drives tumorigenic differentiation and cellular heterogeneity. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), characterized by their self-renewal and differentiation potential, have been reported to contribute to chemo-/radio-resistance and tumor initiation and to be the main reason for the failure of current therapies in breast cancer and other CSC-bearing cancers. Thus, CSC-targeted therapies, such as those inducing CSC apoptosis and differentiation, inhibiting CSC self-renewal and division, and targeting the CSC niche to combat CSC activity, are needed and may become an important component of multimodal treatment. To date, the understanding of breast cancer has been extended by advances in CSC biology, providing more accurate prognostic and predictive information upon diagnosis. Recent improvements have enhanced the prospect of targeting breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), which has shown promise for increasing the breast cancer remission rate. However, targeted therapy for breast cancer remains challenging due to tumor heterogeneity. One major challenge is determining the CSC properties that can be exploited as therapeutic targets. Another challenge is identifying suitable BCSC biomarkers to assess the efficacy of novel BCSC-targeted therapies. This review focuses mainly on the characteristics of BCSCs and the roles of BCSCs in the formation, maintenance and recurrence of breast cancer; self-renewal signaling pathways in BCSCs; the BCSC microenvironment; potential therapeutic targets related to BCSCs; and current therapies and clinical trials targeting BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobin Zeng
- Center Lab of Longhua Branch and Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Medicine School of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518037, PR China
| | - Chengxiao Liu
- Center Lab of Longhua Branch and Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, PR China
| | - Jie Yao
- Center Lab of Longhua Branch and Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, PR China
| | - Haoqiang Wan
- Center Lab of Longhua Branch and Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Medicine School of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518037, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, (Longhua Branch), Shenzhen People's Hospital, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518120, PR China
| | - Guoqing Wan
- Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, 201318, PR China
| | - Yingpeng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, (Longhua Branch), Shenzhen People's Hospital, 2nd Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518120, PR China.
| | - Nianhong Chen
- Center Lab of Longhua Branch and Department of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, PR China; Department of Cell Biology & University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA; Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, 10065, USA.
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Quaglino E, Cavallo F, Conti L. Cancer stem cell antigens as targets for new combined anti-cancer therapies. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2020; 129:105861. [PMID: 33031926 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2020.105861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has ushered in a new, golden age for cancer immunotherapy. However, their clinical success remains limited in several solid cancer types because of the low intrinsic immunogenicity of tumors and the development of immune escape mechanisms. Cancer stem cells (CSC), a small population of cancer cells that are responsible for tumor onset, metastatic spread and relapse after treatment, play a pivotal role in resistance to ICIs. The development of novel therapies that can target CSCs would thus improve the outcomes of current immunotherapy regimens. In this light, vaccines that target CSCs are a promising strategy. This paper briefly describes the immunologic properties of CSCs and their antigenic profile, and reviews current preclinical and clinical approaches that combine CSC-targeting vaccines with different synergistic therapies for the development of more effective antineoplastic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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Jiang J, Zhang Y, Xu R, Ren L, Chen J, Lu H. PRIM1 promotes the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. J Cancer 2020; 11:6601-6611. [PMID: 33046981 PMCID: PMC7545666 DOI: 10.7150/jca.47870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PRIM1 plays an important role during oncogenesis, however it has never been reported in liver cancer, and thus our objective is to explore the role of PRIM1 in liver cancer. We selected RNAseq data of 50 paired liver cancer samples from the Cancer Gene Atlas (TCGA), and then bioinformatics methods and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the correlation between PRIM1 and the clinical pathological stage of liver cancer. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) was used to detect mRNA expression of PRIM1 in BEL-7404, BCL-7402, HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cell lines. LV-PRIM1-RNAi was transfected into BEL-7404 and SMMC-7721 cells by lentivirus, and then Celigo imaging cytometer, Caspase3/7 Assay, flow cytometry and MTT assay were used to detect the proliferation and apoptosis of BEL-7404 and SMMC-7721 cells with ≥50% gene reduction rate after lentivirus transfection detected by QPCR. BEL-7404 and SMMC-7721 carrying PRIM1 gene were used for oncogenesis in vitro to observe the weight and fluorescence intensity of the tumor. Bioinformatics method was used to obtain the information about PRIM1 gene, and the correlation between PRIM1 and clinical pathological stage of liver cancer was analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. QPCR results showed that PRIM1 was expressed in BEL-7404, BCL-7402, HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cell lines, which was highest in BCL-7404 cell line. Celigo imaging cytometer, Caspase3/7 Assay, flow cytometry and MTT assay showed that the proliferative ability of BEL-7404 and SMMC-7721 were decreased after LV-PRIM1-RNAi transfection. Furthermore, the weight and the fluorescence intensity of the tumors in vitro formed by LV-PRIM1-RNAi cells on SCID mice were decreased. So, interference of PRIM1 expression can inhibit the proliferation of BEL-7404 and SMMC-7721 cells, as well as induce the apoptosis of liver cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinqun Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Yuebei People's Hospital, Shaoguan, Guangdong Province 512026 P.R. China
| | - YuZhu Zhang
- Department of Breast Disease, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510282 P.R. China
| | - Rui Xu
- Department of Breast Disease, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510282 P.R. China
| | - Liping Ren
- Department of Breast Disease, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510282 P.R. China
| | - Junqian Chen
- Department of Breast Disease, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510282 P.R. China
| | - Hai Lu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou University of Chinese Medicine , Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510282 P.R. China.,The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510282 P.R. China
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Harwansh RK, Deshmukh R. Breast cancer: An insight into its inflammatory, molecular, pathological and targeted facets with update on investigational drugs. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2020; 154:103070. [PMID: 32871325 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a heterogeneous disease, occurs due to transcriptional changes in genetic and epigenetic including numerous genes and proteins. Worldwide, breast cancer (BC) is the life-threatening malignancies in women, is characterized by the occurrence of more than one molecular alteration. The incidence and mortality of BC are growing every day because of the adoption of western living standards, metropolitanization, and more life expectancy. Even though many modern approaches are available for the detection and treatment of BC, despite of these, it remains the topmost cause of death in women. This review highlights various approaches, including the importance of clinical, pathological, and molecular aspects of BC. Moreover, risk factors, biomarkers, immunotherapy, investigational drugs, and their role through tumor targets and immune systems have been discussed for management of BC. Furthermore, various targeting approaches for tumors through nanocarriers and their clinical trials have been elaborated in BC challenges and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjit K Harwansh
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, India.
| | - Rohitas Deshmukh
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, India.
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Caudatin Isolated from Cynanchum auriculatum Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem Cell Formation via a GR/YAP Signaling. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060925. [PMID: 32570844 PMCID: PMC7355644 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the complex tumor microenvironment, cancer stem cells (CSCs), a rare population of cells, are responsible for malignant tumor initiation, metastasis, drug resistance and recurrence. Controlling breast CSCs (BCSCs) using natural compounds is a novel potential therapeutic strategy for clinical cancer treatment. In this study, a mammosphere assay-guided isolation protocol including silica gel, a C18 column, gel filtration, and high-pressure liquid chromatography was used to isolate an inhibitory compound from Cynanchum auriculatum extracts. The isolated inhibitory compound was identified as caudatin. Caudatin inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, mammosphere formation and tumor growth. Caudatin decreased the CD44+/CD24− and aldehyde dehydrogenase+ cell proportions and the levels of c-Myc, Oct4, Sox2, and CD44. Caudatin induced ubiquitin (Ub)-dependent glucocorticoid receptor (GR) degradation and blocked subsequent Yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear accumulation and target gene transcription signals in BCSCs. These results show that the GR/YAP signaling pathway regulates BCSC formation and that caudatin may be a potential chemopreventive agent that targets breast cancer cells and CSCs.
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Conti L, Bolli E, Di Lorenzo A, Franceschi V, Macchi F, Riccardo F, Ruiu R, Russo L, Quaglino E, Donofrio G, Cavallo F. Immunotargeting of the xCT Cystine/Glutamate Antiporter Potentiates the Efficacy of HER2-Targeted Immunotherapies in Breast Cancer. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:1039-1053. [PMID: 32532810 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-20-0082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite HER2-targeted therapies improving the outcome of HER2+ breast cancer, many patients experience resistance and metastatic progression. Cancer stem cells (CSC) play a role in this resistance and progression, thus combining HER2 targeting with CSC inhibition could improve the management of HER2+ breast cancer. The cystine-glutamate antiporter, xCT, is overexpressed in mammary CSCs and is crucial for their redox balance, self-renewal, and resistance to therapies, representing a potential target for breast cancer immunotherapy. We developed a combined immunotherapy targeting HER2 and xCT using the Bovine Herpes virus-4 vector, a safe vaccine that can confer immunogenicity to tumor antigens. Mammary cancer-prone BALB-neuT mice, transgenic for rat Her2, were immunized with the single or combined vaccines. Anti-HER2 vaccination slowed primary tumor growth, whereas anti-xCT vaccination primarily prevented metastasis formation. The combination of the two vaccines exerted a complementary effect by mediating the induction of cytotoxic T cells and of HER2 and xCT antibodies that induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and hinder cancer cell proliferation. Antibodies targeting xCT, but not those targeting HER2, directly affected CSC viability, self-renewal, and migration, inducing the antimetastatic effect of xCT vaccination. Our findings present a new therapy for HER2+ breast cancer, demonstrating that CSC immunotargeting via anti-xCT vaccination synergizes with HER2-directed immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Antonino Di Lorenzo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Macchi
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ruiu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Russo
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Gaetano Donofrio
- Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
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Meng Y, Fan XY, Yang LJ, Xu BQ, He D, Xu Z, Wu D, Wang B, Cui HY, Wang SJ, Wang LJ, Wu XQ, Jiang JL, Xu L, Chen ZN, Li L. Detachment Activated CyPA/CD147 Induces Cancer Stem Cell Potential in Non-stem Breast Cancer Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:543856. [PMID: 33195186 PMCID: PMC7640948 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.543856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs), responsible for cancer metastasis and recurrence, are generated from non-CSCs after chemo-radiation therapy. This study investigated the induction of CSC potential in non-stem breast cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms in detachment culture. METHODS Bulk breast cancer cells, or sorted non-CSCs and CSCs were cultured under an attached or detached condition to assess CSC numbers, ability to form tumor spheres, expression of stemness markers, and chemoresistance. Lentivirus carrying CD147 shRNA or cDNA was used to manipulate CD147 expression, while CD147 ligand recombinant cyclophilin A (CyPA) or its inhibitor was used to activate or inhibit CD147 signaling. RESULTS Detachment promoted anoikis resistance, chemoresistance, sphere formation, self-renewal, and expression of stemness markers in breast cancer cells. Detachment increased functional ALDH+ or CD44highCD24-/low CSCs, and induced CSC potential in ALDH- or CD44 low CD24high non-CSCs. Upon detachment, both CD147 expression and CyPA secretion were enhanced, and CyPA-CD147 activation mediated detachment induced CSC potential in non-CSCs via STAT3 signaling. Clinically, CD147 and pSTAT3 were highly co-expressed and correlated with poor overall survival and tumor recurrence in breast cancer patients. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that detachment induces the generation of CSCs from non-stem breast cancer cells via CyPA-CD147 signaling, indicating that targeting CD147 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic strategy for lethal metastatic breast cancer by eliminating induced CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Meng
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi’an, China
| | - Xin-Yu Fan
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Li-Jun Yang
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Bao-Qing Xu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Pathology, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Fuzhou, China
| | - Duo He
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhe Xu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Dong Wu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Bin Wang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hong-Yong Cui
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shi-Jie Wang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Li-Juan Wang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Wu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Jian-Li Jiang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Liang Xu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Zhi-Nan Chen
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Zhi-Nan Chen,
| | - Ling Li
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Ling Li,
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