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Zhou L, Yu CW. Epigenetic modulations in triple-negative breast cancer: Therapeutic implications for tumor microenvironment. Pharmacol Res 2024; 204:107205. [PMID: 38719195 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and lacks HER2 overexpression. This absence of critical molecular targets poses significant challenges for conventional therapies. Immunotherapy, remarkably immune checkpoint blockade, offers promise for TNBC treatment, but its efficacy remains limited. Epigenetic dysregulation, including altered DNA methylation, histone modifications, and imbalances in regulators such as BET proteins, plays a crucial role in TNBC development and resistance to treatment. Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor gene promoters and the imbalance of histone methyltransferases such as EZH2 and histone deacetylases (HDACs) profoundly influence tumor cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. In addition, epigenetic alterations critically shape the tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cell composition, cytokine signaling, and immune checkpoint expression, ultimately contributing to immune evasion. Targeting these epigenetic mechanisms with specific inhibitors such as EZH2 and HDAC inhibitors in combination with immunotherapy represents a compelling strategy to remodel the TME, potentially overcoming immune evasion and enhancing therapeutic outcomes in TNBC. This review aims to comprehensively elucidate the current understanding of epigenetic modulation in TNBC, its influence on the TME, and the potential of combining epigenetic therapies with immunotherapy to overcome the challenges posed by this aggressive breast cancer subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhou
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chen-Wei Yu
- Department of Statistics and Information Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
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2
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Trnkova L, Buocikova V, Mego M, Cumova A, Burikova M, Bohac M, Miklikova S, Cihova M, Smolkova B. Epigenetic deregulation in breast cancer microenvironment: Implications for tumor progression and therapeutic strategies. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116559. [PMID: 38603889 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116559] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer comprises a substantial proportion of cancer diagnoses in women and is a primary cause of cancer-related mortality. While hormone-responsive cases generally have a favorable prognosis, the aggressive nature of triple-negative breast cancer presents challenges, with intrinsic resistance to established treatments being a persistent issue. The complexity intensifies with the emergence of acquired resistance, further complicating the management of breast cancer. Epigenetic changes, encompassing DNA methylation, histone and RNA modifications, and non-coding RNAs, are acknowledged as crucial contributors to the heterogeneity of breast cancer. The unique epigenetic landscape harbored by each cellular component within the tumor microenvironment (TME) adds great diversity to the intricate regulations which influence therapeutic responses. The TME, a sophisticated ecosystem of cellular and non-cellular elements interacting with tumor cells, establishes an immunosuppressive microenvironment and fuels processes such as tumor growth, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. These factors contribute to challenging conditions in cancer treatment by fostering a hypoxic environment, inducing metabolic stress, and creating physical barriers to drug delivery. This article delves into the complex connections between breast cancer treatment response, underlying epigenetic changes, and vital interactions within the TME. To restore sensitivity to treatment, it emphasizes the need for combination therapies considering epigenetic changes specific to individual members of the TME. Recognizing the pivotal role of epigenetics in drug resistance and comprehending the specificities of breast TME is essential for devising more effective therapeutic strategies. The development of reliable biomarkers for patient stratification will facilitate tailored and precise treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Trnkova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Verona Buocikova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Michal Mego
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia; 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine & National Cancer Institute, Bratislava 83310, Slovakia
| | - Andrea Cumova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Monika Burikova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Martin Bohac
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine & National Cancer Institute, Bratislava 83310, Slovakia; Regenmed Ltd., Medena 29, Bratislava 811 01, Slovakia; Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, Bratislava 811 08, Slovakia
| | - Svetlana Miklikova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Marina Cihova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Bozena Smolkova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia.
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3
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Rismanbaf A. Improving targeted small molecule drugs to overcome chemotherapy resistance. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024; 7:e1945. [PMID: 37994401 PMCID: PMC10809209 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1945] [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: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conventional cancer treatments face the challenge of therapeutic resistance, which causes poor treatment outcomes. The use of combination therapies can improve treatment results in patients and is one of the solutions to overcome this challenge. Chemotherapy is one of the conventional treatments that, due to the non-targeted and lack of specificity in targeting cancer cells, can cause serious complications in the short and long-term for patients by damaging healthy cells. Also, the employment of a wide range of strategies for chemotherapy resistance by cancer cells, metastasis, and cancer recurrence create serious problems to achieve the desired results of chemotherapy. Accordingly, targeted therapies can be used as a combination treatment with chemotherapy to both cause less damage to healthy cells, which as a result, they reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, and by targeting the factors that cause therapeutic challenges, can improve the results of chemotherapy in patients. RECENT FINDINGS Small molecules are one of the main targeted therapies that can be used for diverse targets in cancer treatment due to their penetration ability and characteristics. However, small molecules in cancer treatment are facing obstacles that a better understanding of cancer biology, as well as the mechanisms and factors involved in chemotherapy resistance, can lead to the improvement of this type of major targeted therapy. CONCLUSION In this review article, at first, the challenges that lead to not achieving the desired results in chemotherapy and how cancer cells can be resistant to chemotherapy are examined, and at the end, research areas are suggested that more focusing on them, can lead to the improvement of the results of using targeted small molecules as an adjunctive treatment for chemotherapy in the conditions of chemotherapy resistance and metastasis of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Rismanbaf
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical SciencesIslamic Azad UniversityTehranIran
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4
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Su MC, Nethi SK, Dhanyamraju PK, Prabha S. Nanomedicine Strategies for Targeting Tumor Stroma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4145. [PMID: 37627173 PMCID: PMC10452920 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor stroma, or the microenvironment surrounding solid tumors, can significantly impact the effectiveness of cancer therapies. The tumor microenvironment is characterized by high interstitial pressure, a consequence of leaky vasculature, and dense stroma created by excessive deposition of various macromolecules such as collagen, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid (HA). In addition, non-cancerous cells such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and the extracellular matrix (ECM) itself can promote tumor growth. In recent years, there has been increased interest in combining standard cancer treatments with stromal-targeting strategies or stromal modulators to improve therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, the use of nanomedicine, which can improve the delivery and retention of drugs in the tumor, has been proposed to target the stroma. This review focuses on how different stromal components contribute to tumor progression and impede chemotherapeutic delivery. Additionally, this review highlights recent advancements in nanomedicine-based stromal modulation and discusses potential future directions for developing more effective stroma-targeted cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Chi Su
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Susheel Kumar Nethi
- Nanovaccine Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
| | - Pavan Kumar Dhanyamraju
- Fels Cancer Institute of Personalized Medicine, Lewis-Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA;
| | - Swayam Prabha
- Fels Cancer Institute of Personalized Medicine, Lewis-Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA;
- Department of Cancer and Cellular Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
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5
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Masud MA, Kim JY, Kim E. Modeling the effect of acquired resistance on cancer therapy outcomes. Comput Biol Med 2023; 162:107035. [PMID: 37276754 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Adaptive therapy (AT) is an evolution-based treatment strategy that exploits cell-cell competition. Acquired resistance can change the competitive nature of cancer cells in a tumor, impacting AT outcomes. We aimed to determine if adaptive therapy can still be effective with cell's acquiring resistance. We developed an agent-based model for spatial tumor growth considering three different types of acquired resistance: random genetic mutations during cell division, drug-induced reversible (plastic) phenotypic changes, and drug-induced irreversible phenotypic changes. These three resistance mechanisms lead to different spatial distributions of resistant cells. To quantify the spatial distribution, we propose an extension of Ripley's K-function, Sampled Ripley's K-function (SRKF), which calculates the non-randomness of the resistance distribution over the tumor domain. Our model predicts that the emergent spatial distribution of resistance can determine the time to progression under both adaptive and continuous therapy (CT). Notably, a high rate of random genetic mutations leads to quicker progression under AT than CT due to the emergence of many small clumps of resistant cells. Drug-induced phenotypic changes accelerate tumor progression irrespective of the treatment strategy. Low-rate switching to a sensitive state reduces the benefits of AT compared to CT. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that drug-induced resistance necessitates aggressive treatment under CT, regardless of the presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts. However, there is an optimal dose that can most effectively delay tumor relapse under AT by suppressing resistance. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that diverse resistance mechanisms can shape the distribution of resistance and thus determine the efficacy of adaptive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Masud
- Natural Product Informatics Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Young Kim
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eunjung Kim
- Natural Product Informatics Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung 25451, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Uddin MN, Wang X. Identification of key tumor stroma-associated transcriptional signatures correlated with survival prognosis and tumor progression in breast cancer. Breast Cancer 2022; 29:541-561. [PMID: 35020130 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-022-01332-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aberrant expression of stromal gene signatures in breast cancer has been widely studied. However, the association of stromal gene signatures with tumor immunity, progression, and clinical outcomes remains lacking. METHODS Based on eight breast tumor stroma (BTS) transcriptomics datasets, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between BTS and normal breast stroma. Based on the DEGs, we identified dysregulated pathways and prognostic hub genes, hub oncogenes, hub protein kinases, and other key marker genes associated with breast cancer. Moreover, we compared the enrichment levels of stromal and immune signatures between breast cancer patients with bad and good clinical outcomes. We also investigated the association between tumor stroma-related genes and breast cancer progression. RESULTS The DEGs included 782 upregulated and 276 downregulated genes in BTS versus normal breast stroma. The pathways significantly associated with the DEGs included cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, chemokine signaling, T cell receptor signaling, cell adhesion molecules, focal adhesion, and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction. Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified the stromal hub genes with prognostic value in breast cancer, including two oncogenes (COL1A1 and IL21R), two protein kinases encoding genes (PRKACA and CSK), and a growth factor encoding gene (PLAU). Moreover, we observed that the patients with bad clinical outcomes were less enriched in stromal and antitumor immune signatures (CD8 + T cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes) but more enriched in tumor cells and immunosuppressive signatures (MDSCs and CD4 + regulatory T cells) compared with the patients with good clinical outcomes. The ratios of CD8 + /CD4 + regulatory T cells were lower in the patients with bad clinical outcomes. Furthermore, we identified the tumor stroma-related genes, including MCM4, SPECC1, IMPA2, and AGO2, which were gradually upregulated through grade I, II, and III breast cancers. In contrast, COL14A1, ESR1, SLIT2, IGF1, CH25H, PRR5L, ABCA6, CEP126, IGDCC4, LHFP, MFAP3, PCSK5, RAB37, RBMS3, SETBP1, and TSPAN11 were gradually downregulated through grade I, II, and III breast cancers. It suggests that the expression of these stromal genes has an association with the progression of breast cancers. These progression-associated genes also displayed an expression association with recurrence-free survival in breast cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS This study identified tumor stroma-associated biomarkers correlated with deregulated pathways, tumor immunity, tumor progression, and clinical outcomes in breast cancer. Our findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Nazim Uddin
- Biomedical Informatics Research Lab, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
- Cancer Genomics Research Center, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
- Big Data Research Institute, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Xiaosheng Wang
- Biomedical Informatics Research Lab, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
- Cancer Genomics Research Center, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
- Big Data Research Institute, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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7
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Metabolic Interactions Between Tumor and Stromal Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1350:101-121. [PMID: 34888846 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-83282-7_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In this chapter, we provide information about metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells, molecular interactions between tumor and stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment, focusing primarily on CAFs and tumor cell interaction. We have covered the role of cytokines, chemokines, and lactate in driving tumor-stroma interactions in the microenvironment. Here, we have discussed the pro-tumorigenic molecular interactions in between tumor cells and CAFs mediated via altered signaling pathways, cytokines, chemokines, and lactate in the tumor vicinity. A better understanding of the complex cancer cell-CAF interactions will help in designing successful therapeutic strategies targeting the stromal-rich tumors in the clinic.
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8
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Patra S, Elahi N, Armorer A, Arunachalam S, Omala J, Hamid I, Ashton AW, Joyce D, Jiao X, Pestell RG. Mechanisms Governing Metabolic Heterogeneity in Breast Cancer and Other Tumors. Front Oncol 2021; 11:700629. [PMID: 34631530 PMCID: PMC8495201 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.700629] [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: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of metabolic priorities promotes tumor progression. Our understanding of the Warburg effect, based on studies of cultured cancer cells, has evolved to a more complex understanding of tumor metabolism within an ecosystem that provides and catabolizes diverse nutrients provided by the local tumor microenvironment. Recent studies have illustrated that heterogeneous metabolic changes occur at the level of tumor type, tumor subtype, within the tumor itself, and within the tumor microenvironment. Thus, altered metabolism occurs in cancer cells and in the tumor microenvironment (fibroblasts, immune cells and fat cells). Herein we describe how these growth advantages are obtained through either “convergent” genetic changes, in which common metabolic properties are induced as a final common pathway induced by diverse oncogene factors, or “divergent” genetic changes, in which distinct factors lead to subtype-selective phenotypes and thereby tumor heterogeneity. Metabolic heterogeneity allows subtyping of cancers and further metabolic heterogeneity occurs within the same tumor mass thought of as “microenvironmental metabolic nesting”. Furthermore, recent findings show that mutations of metabolic genes arise in the majority of tumors providing an opportunity for the development of more robust metabolic models of an individual patient’s tumor. The focus of this review is on the mechanisms governing this metabolic heterogeneity in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayani Patra
- Pensylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, United States.,Xavier University School of Medicine at Aruba, Oranjestad, Aruba
| | - Naveed Elahi
- Pensylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, United States.,Xavier University School of Medicine at Aruba, Oranjestad, Aruba
| | - Aaron Armorer
- Pensylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, United States.,Xavier University School of Medicine at Aruba, Oranjestad, Aruba
| | - Swathi Arunachalam
- Pensylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, United States.,Xavier University School of Medicine at Aruba, Oranjestad, Aruba
| | - Joshua Omala
- Pensylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, United States.,Xavier University School of Medicine at Aruba, Oranjestad, Aruba
| | - Iman Hamid
- Pensylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, United States.,Xavier University School of Medicine at Aruba, Oranjestad, Aruba
| | - Anthony W Ashton
- Xavier University School of Medicine at Aruba, Oranjestad, Aruba.,Program in Cardiovascular Medicine, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA, United States
| | - David Joyce
- Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Xuanmao Jiao
- Pensylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, United States.,Xavier University School of Medicine at Aruba, Oranjestad, Aruba
| | - Richard G Pestell
- Pensylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Wynnewood, PA, United States.,Xavier University School of Medicine at Aruba, Oranjestad, Aruba.,Cancer Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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9
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Ni Y, Zhou X, Yang J, Shi H, Li H, Zhao X, Ma X. The Role of Tumor-Stroma Interactions in Drug Resistance Within Tumor Microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:637675. [PMID: 34095111 PMCID: PMC8173135 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.637675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells resistance to various therapies remains to be a key challenge nowadays. For a long time, scientists focused on tumor cells themselves for the mechanisms of acquired drug resistance. However, recent evidence showed that tumor microenvironment (TME) is essential for regulating immune escape, drug resistance, progression and metastasis of malignant cells. Reciprocal interactions between cancer cells and non-malignant cells within this milieu often reshape the TME and promote drug resistance. Therefore, advanced knowledge about these sophisticated interactions is significant for the design of effective therapeutic approaches. In this review, we highlight cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), T-regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs), and tumor endothelial cells (TECs) existing in TME, as well as their multiple cross-talk with tumor cells, which eventually endows tumor cells with therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanghong Ni
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoting Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jia Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Houhui Shi
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyi Li
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelei Ma
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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10
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The regulation mechanisms and the Lamarckian inheritance property of DNA methylation in animals. Mamm Genome 2021; 32:135-152. [PMID: 33860357 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-021-09870-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a stable and heritable epigenetic mechanism, of which the main functions are stabilizing the transcription of genes and promoting genetic conservation. In animals, the direct molecular inducers of DNA methylation mainly include histone covalent modification and non-coding RNA, whereas the fundamental regulators of DNA methylation are genetic and environmental factors. As is well known, competition is present everywhere in life systems, and will finally strike a balance that is optimal for the animal's survival and reproduction. The same goes for the regulation of DNA methylation. Genetic and environmental factors, respectively, are responsible for the programmed and plasticity changes of DNA methylation, and keen competition exists between genetically influenced procedural remodeling and environmentally influenced plastic alteration. In this process, genetic and environmental factors collaboratively decide the methylation patterns of corresponding loci. DNA methylation alterations induced by environmental factors can be transgenerationally inherited, and exhibit the characteristic of Lamarckian inheritance. Further research on regulatory mechanisms and the environmental plasticity of DNA methylation will provide strong support for understanding the biological function and evolutionary effects of DNA methylation.
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11
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Fasih Ramandi N, Faranoush M, Ghassempour A, Aboul-Enein HY. Mass Spectrometry: A Powerful Method for Monitoring Various Type of Leukemia, Especially MALDI-TOF in Leukemia's Proteomics Studies Review. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2021; 52:1259-1286. [PMID: 33499652 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2021.1871844] [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] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent success in studying the proteome, as a source of biomarkers, has completely changed our understanding of leukemia (blood cancer). The identification of differentially expressed proteins, such as relapse and drug resistance proteins involved in leukemia by using various ionization sources and mass analyzers of mass spectrometry techniques, has helped scientists find better diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies. With the aid of this powerful analytical technique, we can investigate the qualification/quantification of proteins, protein-protein interactions, post-translational modifications, and find the correlation between proteins and their genes with the hope of finding the missing parts of the successful therapy puzzle. In this review, we followed different MS sources and analyzers which used for monitoring various type of leukemia, then focused on MALDI-TOF MS as a quick and reliable method for studying proteins. Due to several review published for other techniques, the present review is the first work in this field. Also, by classifying more than 400 proteins, we have found 42 proteins are involved in two or three different stages of leukemia. Finally, we have suggested six specific biomarkers for AML, one for ALL, three biomarkers with a role in the etiology of leukemia and 13 markers with the potential for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negin Fasih Ramandi
- Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Faranoush
- Pediatric Growth and Development Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Ghassempour
- Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Y Aboul-Enein
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Division, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
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12
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Klutstein M. Cause and effect in epigenetics - where lies the truth, and how can experiments reveal it?: Epigenetic self-reinforcing loops obscure causation in cancer and aging. Bioessays 2020; 43:e2000262. [PMID: 33236359 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic changes are implicated in aging and cancer. Sometimes, it is clear whether the causing agent of the condition is a genetic factor or epigenetic. In other cases, the causative factor is unclear, and could be either genetic or epigenetic. Is there a general role for epigenetic changes in cancer and aging? Here, I present the paradigm of causative roles executed by epigenetic changes. I discuss cases with clear roles of the epigenome in cancer and aging, and other cases showing involvement of other factors. I also present the possibility that sometimes causality is difficult to assign because of the presence of self-reinforcing loops in epigenetic regulation. Such loops hinder the identification of the causative factor. I provide an experimental framework by which the role of the epigenome can be examined in a better setting and where the presence of such loops could be investigated in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Klutstein
- Institute of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
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13
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Lee YT, Tan YJ, Falasca M, Oon CE. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: Epigenetic Regulation and Therapeutic Intervention in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2949. [PMID: 33066013 PMCID: PMC7600259 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a heterogeneous population of cells in the solid tumour microenvironment. These cells are positively linked to breast cancer progression. Breast CAFs can be categorised into distinct subtypes according to their roles in breast carcinogenesis. Epigenetic modifications change gene expression patterns as a consequence of altered chromatin configuration and DNA accessibility to transcriptional machinery, without affecting the primary structure of DNA. Epigenetic dysregulation in breast CAFs may enhance breast cancer cell survival and ultimately lead to therapeutic resistance. A growing body of evidence has described epigenetic modulators that target histones, DNA, and miRNA as a promising approach to treat cancer. This review aims to summarise the current findings on the mechanisms involved in the epigenetic regulation in breast CAFs and discusses the potential therapeutic strategies via targeting these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeuan Ting Lee
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia; (Y.T.L.); (Y.J.T.)
| | - Yi Jer Tan
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia; (Y.T.L.); (Y.J.T.)
| | - Marco Falasca
- Metabolic Signalling Group, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Chern Ein Oon
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia; (Y.T.L.); (Y.J.T.)
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14
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Zhang X, de Oliveira Andrade F, Zhang H, Cruz I, Clarke R, Gaur P, Verma V, Hilakivi-Clarke L. Maternal obesity increases offspring's mammary cancer recurrence and impairs tumor immune response. Endocr Relat Cancer 2020; 27:469-482. [PMID: 32580156 PMCID: PMC7424355 DOI: 10.1530/erc-20-0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Over 50% of women at a childbearing age in the United States are overweight or obese, and this can adversely affect their offspring. We studied if maternal obesity-inducing high fat diet (HFD) not only increases offspring's mammary cancer risk but also impairs response to antiestrogen tamoxifen. Female rat offspring of HFD and control diet-fed dams, in which estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) mammary tumors were induced with the carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), exhibited similar initial responses to antiestrogen tamoxifen. However, after tamoxifen therapy was completed, almost all (91%) tumors recurred in HFD offspring, compared with only 29% in control offspring. The increase in local mammary tumor recurrence in HFD offspring was linked to an increase in the markers of immunosuppression (Il17f, Tgfβ1, VEGFR2) in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Protein and mRNA levels of the major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II), but not MHC-I, were reduced in the recurring DMBA tumors of HFD offspring. Further, infiltration of CD8+ effector T cells and granzyme B+ (GZMB+) cells were lower in their recurring tumors. To determine if maternal HFD can pre-program similar changes in the TME of allografted E0771 mammary tumors in offspring of syngeneic mice, flow cytometry analysis was performed. E0771 mammary tumor growth was significantly accelerated in the HFD offspring, and a reduction in the numbers of GZMB and non-significant reduction of interferon γ (IFNγ) secreting CD8+ T cells in the TME was seen. Thus, consumption of a HFD during pregnancy increases susceptibility of the female rat and mouse offspring to tumor immune suppression and mammary tumor growth and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Robert Clarke
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Pankaj Gaur
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Vivek Verma
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Leena Hilakivi-Clarke
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to L Hilakivi-Clarke:
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15
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Sher G, Salman NA, Khan AQ, Prabhu KS, Raza A, Kulinski M, Dermime S, Haris M, Junejo K, Uddin S. Epigenetic and breast cancer therapy: Promising diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 83:152-165. [PMID: 32858230 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The global burden of breast cancer (BC) is increasing significantly. This trend is caused by several factors such as late diagnosis, limited treatment options for certain BC subtypes, drug resistance which all lead to poor clinical outcomes. Recent research has reported the role of epigenetic alterations in the mechanism of BC pathogenesis and its hallmarks include drug resistance and stemness features. The understanding of these modifications and their significance in the management of BC carcinogenesis is challenging and requires further attention. Nevertheless, it promises to provide novel insight needed for utilizing these alterations as potential diagnostic, prognostic markers, predict treatment efficacy, as well as therapeutic agents. This highlights the importance of continuing research development to further advance the existing knowledge on epigenetics and BC carcinogenesis to overcome the current challenges. Hence, this review aims to shed light and discuss the current state of epigenetics research in the diagnosis and management of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulab Sher
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Nadia Aziz Salman
- Kingston University London, School of Life Science, Pharmacy and Chemistry, SEC Faculty, Kingston, upon Thames, London, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Kirti S Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Afsheen Raza
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Michal Kulinski
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Said Dermime
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Kulsoom Junejo
- General Surgery Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar.
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16
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Jena BC, Das CK, Bharadwaj D, Mandal M. Cancer associated fibroblast mediated chemoresistance: A paradigm shift in understanding the mechanism of tumor progression. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188416. [PMID: 32822826 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
One of the undeniable issues with cancer eradication is the evolution of chemoresistance in due course of treatment, and the mechanisms of chemoresistance have been the subject of extensive research for several years. The efficacy of chemotherapy is hindered by cancer epithelium, mostly in a cell-autonomous mechanism. However, recently the valid experimental evidence showed that the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) is equivalently responsible for the induction of chemoresistance. Of the verities of cells in the tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major cellular component of TME and act as a key regulator in the acquisition of cancer chemoresistance by providing a protective niche to the cancer cells against the anti-cancer drugs. Moreover, the symbiotic relationship between the tumor and CAFs to obtain key resources such as growth factors and nutrients for optimal tumor growth and proliferation favors the chemoresistance phenotype. Here, in this review, we provide an up-to-date overview of our knowledge of the role of the CAFs in inducing chemoresistance and tumor progression. We also further delineated the emerging events leading to the CAF origins and activation of normal fibroblasts to CAFs. Along with this, we also discuss the novel area of research confined to the CAF targeted therapies of cancer. The identification of CAF-specific markers may allow unveiling new targets and avenues for blunting or reverting the detrimental pro-tumorigenic potential of CAFs in the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Chandra Jena
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Chandan Kanta Das
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Deblina Bharadwaj
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Mahitosh Mandal
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India.
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17
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Lu A, Wang W, Wang-Renault SF, Ring BZ, Tanaka Y, Weng J, Su L. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine advances the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells by demethylating Sipa1 promoter-proximal elements. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:jcs.236125. [PMID: 32193333 PMCID: PMC7240297 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.236125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human breast cancer cells exhibit considerable diversity in the methylation status of genomic DNA CpGs that regulate metastatic transcriptome networks. In this study, we identified human Sipa1 promoter-proximal elements that contained a CpG island and demonstrated that the methylation status of the CpG island was inversely correlated with SIPA1 protein expression in cancer cells. 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, promoted the expression of Sipa1 in the MCF7 breast cancer cells with a low level of SIPA1 expression. On the contrary, in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with high SIPA1 expression levels, hypermethylation of the CpG island negatively regulated the transcription of Sipa1. In addition, the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) was reversed after knocking down Sipa1 in MDA-MB-231 cells. However, the EMT was promoted in MCF7 cells with over-expression of SIPA1 or treated with 5-Aza-CdR. Taken together, hypomethylation of the CpG island in Sipa1 promoter-proximal elements could enhance SIPA1 expression in breast cancer cells, which could facilitate EMT of cancer cells, possibly increasing a risk of cancer cell metastasis in individuals treated with 5-Aza-CdR. Summary: Hypomethylation by 5-Aza-CdR upregulates the SIPA1 expression and promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells, possibly increasing the risk of cancer cell metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Shu-Fang Wang-Renault
- INSERM UMR-S1147, CNRS SNC5014; Paris Descartes University, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Paris 75006, France
| | - Brian Z Ring
- Institute of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Yoshimasa Tanaka
- Center for Medical Innovation, Nagasaki University, 1-7-1, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8588, Japan
| | - Jun Weng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Li Su
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China .,Research Institute of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518063, China
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18
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Deepak KGK, Vempati R, Nagaraju GP, Dasari VR, S N, Rao DN, Malla RR. Tumor microenvironment: Challenges and opportunities in targeting metastasis of triple negative breast cancer. Pharmacol Res 2020; 153:104683. [PMID: 32050092 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is most aggressive subtype of breast cancers with high probability of metastasis as well as lack of specific targets and targeted therapeutics. TNBC is characterized with unique tumor microenvironment (TME), which differs from other subtypes. TME is associated with induction of proliferation, angiogenesis, inhibition of apoptosis and immune system suppression, and drug resistance. Exosomes are promising nanovesicles, which orchestrate the TME by communicating with different cells within TME. The components of TME including transformed ECM, soluble factors, immune suppressive cells, epigenetic modifications and re-programmed fibroblasts together hamper antitumor response and helps progression and metastasis of TNBCs. Therefore, TME could be a therapeutic target of TNBC. The current review presents latest updates on the role of exosomes in modulation of TME, approaches for targeting TME and combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and target chemotherapeutics. Finally, we also discussed various phytochemicals that alter genetic, transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of TME along with current challenges and future implications. Thus, as TME is associated with the hallmarks of TNBC, the understanding of the impact of different components can improve the clinical benefits of TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- K G K Deepak
- Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, 530045, India
| | - Rahul Vempati
- Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, 530045, India
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Venkata Ramesh Dasari
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Geisinger Clinic, 100 N. Academy Ave, Danville, PA, 17822, USA
| | - Nagini S
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, 608 002, India
| | - D N Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi, India
| | - Rama Rao Malla
- Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Institute of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, 530045, India.
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19
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Li W, Sang M, Hao X, Jia L, Wang Y, Shan B. Gene expression and DNA methylation analyses suggest that immune process-related ADCY6 is a prognostic factor of luminal-like breast cancer. J Cell Biochem 2019; 121:3537-3546. [PMID: 31886586 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that seriously threatens women's health, and luminal-like cancer subtypes account for the majority of the cases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among DNA methylation, gene expression profile, and the tumor-immune microenvironment of luminal-like breast cancer, and to identify the potential key genes that regulate immune cell infiltration in luminal-like breast cancer. The ESTIMATE algorithm was applied to calculate immune scores and stromal scores of patients with breast cancer. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated for survival analysis. The clusterProfile package was used for Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. Correlations between ADCY6 expression and immune cell infiltration-related pathways were analyzed by gene set variation analysis. R software was used for the statistical analysis and figure generation. Disease-free survival was higher in the immune score-high group than it was in the immune score-low group, while the stromal score had no correlation with prognosis. There were 515 genes that differed in both gene expression and DNA methylation levels, and these genes were mainly enriched in immune process-related pathways. ADCY6 was enriched in module A of the PPI network. Patients with downregulation and hypermethylation of ADCY6 associated with a better prognosis. ADCY6 expression was negatively correlated with the activation of immune process-related signaling pathways, immune checkpoint receptors, and ligands, except for CLEC4G. DNA methylation was found to be involved in the regulation of the key cellular pathways of luminal-like breast cancer immune cell infiltration. Additionally, ADCY6 was identified as a prognostic factor involved in the DNA methylation-regulated immune processes in luminal-like breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijing Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Meixiang Sang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Tumor Research Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaoguang Hao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Department of Radiological, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Li Jia
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Baoen Shan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Tumor Research Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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20
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Sylvestre M, Tarte K, Roulois D. Epigenetic mechanisms driving tumor supportive microenvironment differentiation and function: a role in cancer therapy? Epigenomics 2019; 12:157-169. [PMID: 31849241 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2019-0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a central role in tumor development and drug resistance. Within TME, the stromal cell subset, called cancer-associated fibroblasts, is a heterogeneous population originating from poorly characterized precursors. Since cancer-associated fibroblasts do not acquire somatic mutations, other mechanisms like epigenetic regulation, could be involved in the development of these cells and in the acquisition of tumor supportive phenotypes. Moreover, such epigenetic modulations have been correlated to the emergence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment facilitating tumor evasion. These findings underline the need to deepen our knowledge on epigenetic mechanisms driving TME development and function, and to understand the impact of epigenetic drugs that could be used in future to target both tumor cells and their TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Sylvestre
- UMR _S 1236, Université de Rennes 1, INSERM, Établissement français du sang (EFS) Bretagne, Rennes, France
| | - Karin Tarte
- UMR _S 1236, Université de Rennes 1, INSERM, Établissement français du sang (EFS) Bretagne, Rennes, France.,Laboratoire Suivi Immunologique des Thérapeutiques Innovantes (SITI), Centre Hospitalier Universitaires de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - David Roulois
- UMR _S 1236, Université de Rennes 1, INSERM, Établissement français du sang (EFS) Bretagne, Rennes, France.,Niches & Epigenetics of Tumors from Cancéropole Grand Ouest, France
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21
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Hernandez-Vargas H, Goldsmith C, Mathot P, Dante R. Stromal-associated cytokines bias the interplay between gene expression and DNA methylation in human breast cancers. Epigenetics 2019; 15:511-523. [PMID: 31838945 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1699893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In human tumours, the crosstalk between cancer cells and their microenvironment is involved in tumour progression, metastasis and resistance to anti-cancer therapies. Among the factors involved in this exchange of information pro-inflammatory cytokines seem to play a crucial role. We observed that a group of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 6 (IL6), interleukin 1-beta (IL1b), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa), preferentially activated genes exhibiting a high basal methylation level at their transcription start sites, in the human breast cancer cell line MCF7. In human breast tumours, these responding genes were also hypermethylated, and some of them (N = 104) were differentially methylated across human breast tumour samples (The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort). While their expression was positively correlated with the stromal content of the tumours and the expression of stromal-associated pro-inflammatory cytokines, the expression of this subset of genes was negatively correlated with their methylation level at their 5' end. Nevertheless, while the methylation level of this subset of genes was not correlated with the stromal cell content of the tumours, this negative correlation was partially lost in tumours with high stromal cell content. Consistently, we observed that the methylation level in this subset of genes influenced the correlation between gene expression and stromal cell content. Thus, these data indicated that the stromal component of breast tumours should be taken into account for DNA methylation and gene expression studies and suggest an additional pathway, via DNA methylation, in the cross-talk between cancer cells and their microenvironment in human breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Hernandez-Vargas
- Department of Immunity, Virus and Inflammation, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Inserm U 1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Université de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon CEDEX 08, France.,Department of Translational Research and Innovation, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon CEDEX 08, France
| | - Chloe Goldsmith
- Department of Immunity, Virus and Inflammation, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Inserm U 1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Université de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon CEDEX 08, France
| | - Pauline Mathot
- Dependence Receptors Cancer and Development Laboratory, Department of Signaling of Tumoral Escape, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Inserm U 1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Université de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon CEDEX 08, France
| | - Robert Dante
- Dependence Receptors Cancer and Development Laboratory, Department of Signaling of Tumoral Escape, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Inserm U 1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Université de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon CEDEX 08, France
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22
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Rahman MM, Brane AC, Tollefsbol TO. MicroRNAs and Epigenetics Strategies to Reverse Breast Cancer. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101214. [PMID: 31597272 PMCID: PMC6829616 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a sporadic disease with genetic and epigenetic components. Genomic instability in breast cancer leads to mutations, copy number variations, and genetic rearrangements, while epigenetic remodeling involves alteration by DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNAs (miRNAs) of gene expression profiles. The accrued scientific findings strongly suggest epigenetic dysregulation in breast cancer pathogenesis though genomic instability is central to breast cancer hallmarks. Being reversible and plastic, epigenetic processes appear more amenable toward therapeutic intervention than the more unidirectional genetic alterations. In this review, we discuss the epigenetic reprogramming associated with breast cancer such as shuffling of DNA methylation, histone acetylation, histone methylation, and miRNAs expression profiles. As part of this, we illustrate how epigenetic instability orchestrates the attainment of cancer hallmarks which stimulate the neoplastic transformation-tumorigenesis-malignancy cascades. As reversibility of epigenetic controls is a promising feature to optimize for devising novel therapeutic approaches, we also focus on the strategies for restoring the epistate that favor improved disease outcome and therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mijanur Rahman
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Andrew C Brane
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Trygve O Tollefsbol
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1802 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1675 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- Comprehensive Diabetes Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1825 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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23
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Kadel D, Zhang Y, Sun HR, Zhao Y, Dong QZ, Qin LX. Current perspectives of cancer-associated fibroblast in therapeutic resistance: potential mechanism and future strategy. Cell Biol Toxicol 2019; 35:407-421. [PMID: 30680600 PMCID: PMC6881418 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-019-09461-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The goal of cancer eradication has been overshadowed despite the continuous improvement in research and generation of novel cancer therapeutic drugs. One of the undeniable existing problems is drug resistance due to which the paradigm of killing all cancer cells is ineffective. Tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in inducing drug resistance besides cancer development and progression. Recently, many efforts have been devoted to understand the role of tumor microenvironment in cancer drug resistance as it provides the shelter, nutrition, and paracrine niche for cancer cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), one major component of tumor microenvironment, reside in symbiotic relationship with cancer cells, supporting them to survive from cancer drugs. The present review summarizes the recent understandings in the role of CAFs in drug resistance in various tumors. Acknowledging the fact that drug resistance depends not only upon cancer cells but also upon the microenvironment niche could guide us to formulate novel cancer drugs and provide the optimal cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhruba Kadel
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Cancer Metastasis institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Cancer Metastasis institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Hao-Ran Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Cancer Metastasis institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
- Cancer Metastasis institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Qiong-Zhu Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China.
- Cancer Metastasis institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Lun-Xiu Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China.
- Cancer Metastasis institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 131 Dong An Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Prasanna T, Wu F, Yip D, Rao S. Immune modulation via epigenetic targeting to overcome immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance. Immunotherapy 2019; 11:1263-1266. [PMID: 31462109 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2019-0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thiru Prasanna
- Epigenetics & Transcription Laboratory Melanie Swan Memorial Translational Centre, Sci-Tech, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, The Canberra Hospital, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia
| | - Fan Wu
- Epigenetics & Transcription Laboratory Melanie Swan Memorial Translational Centre, Sci-Tech, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Desmond Yip
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Canberra Hospital, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia.,ANU Medical School, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Sudha Rao
- Epigenetics & Transcription Laboratory Melanie Swan Memorial Translational Centre, Sci-Tech, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Abstract
Cancers are not composed merely of cancer cells alone; instead, they are complex 'ecosystems' comprising many different cell types and noncellular factors. The tumour stroma is a critical component of the tumour microenvironment, where it has crucial roles in tumour initiation, progression, and metastasis. Most anticancer therapies target cancer cells specifically, but the tumour stroma can promote the resistance of cancer cells to such therapies, eventually resulting in fatal disease. Therefore, novel treatment strategies should combine anticancer and antistromal agents. Herein, we provide an overview of the advances in understanding the complex cancer cell-tumour stroma interactions and discuss how this knowledge can result in more effective therapeutic strategies, which might ultimately improve patient outcomes.
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Klymenko Y, Nephew KP. Epigenetic Crosstalk between the Tumor Microenvironment and Ovarian Cancer Cells: A Therapeutic Road Less Traveled. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:E295. [PMID: 30200265 PMCID: PMC6162502 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10090295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic dissemination of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) predominantly occurs through direct cell shedding from the primary tumor into the intra-abdominal cavity that is filled with malignant ascitic effusions. Facilitated by the fluid flow, cells distribute throughout the cavity, broadly seed and invade through peritoneal lining, and resume secondary tumor growth in abdominal and pelvic organs. At all steps of this unique metastatic process, cancer cells exist within a multidimensional tumor microenvironment consisting of intraperitoneally residing cancer-reprogramed fibroblasts, adipose, immune, mesenchymal stem, mesothelial, and vascular cells that exert miscellaneous bioactive molecules into malignant ascites and contribute to EOC progression and metastasis via distinct molecular mechanisms and epigenetic dysregulation. This review outlines basic epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA regulators, and summarizes current knowledge on reciprocal interactions between each participant of the EOC cellular milieu and tumor cells in the context of aberrant epigenetic crosstalk. Promising research directions and potential therapeutic strategies that may encompass epigenetic tailoring as a component of complex EOC treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya Klymenko
- Cell, Molecular and Cancer Biology Program, Medical Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN 46617, USA.
| | - Kenneth P Nephew
- Cell, Molecular and Cancer Biology Program, Medical Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
- Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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Carlini MJ, Shrivastava N, Sosa MS. Epigenetic and Pluripotency Aspects of Disseminated Cancer Cells During Minimal Residual Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1100:1-18. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-97746-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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