Microenvironmental IL1β promotes breast cancer metastatic colonisation in the bone via activation of Wnt signalling

Tumor microenvironment regulation by reactive oxygen species-mediated inflammasome activation

Tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of diverse cell types whose interactions, both direct and indirect, significantly influence tumorigenesis and therapeutic outcomes. Within TME, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by various cells and exhibit a dual role: moderate ROS levels promote tumor initiation and progression, whereas excessive levels induce cancer cell death, influencing the efficacy of anticancer therapies. Inflammasomes, cytosolic multiprotein complexes, are pivotal in multiple stages of tumorigenesis and play a crucial role in establishing the inflammatory TME. By releasing cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18, inflammasomes contribute to immune cell recruitment and sustain a chronic inflammatory state that supports tumor growth. ROS are critical regulators of inflammasome activation, with the impact of ROS-mediated activation differing across cell types, leading to distinct influences on tumor progression and therapeutic responses. This review explores how ROS drive inflammasome activation in various TME-associated cells and the reciprocal ROS generation induced by inflammasomes, examining their multifaceted impact on tumorigenesis and therapeutic efficacy. By elucidating the complex interplay between ROS and inflammasomes in TME, we provide insights into potential therapeutic approaches that could modulate cancer progression and enhance treatment outcomes.

IL-1β in Neoplastic Disease and the Role of Its Tumor-Derived Form in the Progression and Treatment of Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Since its discovery, IL-1β has taken center stage as a key mediator of a very broad spectrum of diseases revolving around immuno-mediated and inflammatory events. Predictably, the pleiotropic nature of this cytokine in human pathology has led to the development of targeted therapeutics with multiple treatment indications in the clinic. Following the accumulated findings of IL-1β's central modulatory role in the immune system and the implication of inflammatory pathways in cancer, the use of IL-1β antagonists was first proposed and then also pursued for oncology disorders. However, this approach has consistently relied on the perceived need of interfering with IL-1β synthesized and secreted by immune cells. Herein, we discuss the importance of IL-1β derived from cancer cells which impacts primary tumors, particularly metastatic lesions, separately from and in addition to its more recognized role in immune-mediated inflammatory events. To this end, we focus on the instrumental contribution of IL-1β in the establishment and progression of advanced prostate adenocarcinoma. Special emphasis is placed on the potential role that the standard-of-care treatment strategies for prostate cancer patients have in unleashing IL-1β expression and production at metastatic sites. We conclude by reviewing the therapeutics currently used for blocking IL-1β signaling and propose a rationale for their concomitant use with standard-of-care treatments to improve the clinical outcomes of advanced prostate cancer.

Investigation of potential anti-metastatic effect of metformin and caffeic acid combination therapy in breast cancer cell line in in-vitro culture model

The invasion and metastasis of cancer cells transform localized cancers into systemic and life-threatening diseases, posing one of the most significant challenges in cancer treatment. This study tested the hypothesis that combined treatment with Caffeic acid (CA) and metformin (MTF) could inhibit or reduce effective signaling pathways involved in the proliferation, survival, and metastasis of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Anti-proliferation analysis determined the IC50 values for MTF (4.5 mM) and CA (163 µM) after 72 h. Cell migration analysis showed that MTF and CA significantly inhibited MCF-7 cell migration by the 72nd hour, both alone and in combination, without affecting HME1 healthy cell migration from the 48th hour. Colony formation analysis revealed that CA completely inhibited colony formation in MCF-7 cells, while MTF reduced it by 19%. ELISA results indicated that neither CA nor MTF affected the levels of VEGF-A, E-cadherin, or TINAGL-1 proteins, which are involved in MCF-7 cell migration and invasion. However, MTF significantly reduced IL-1β protein levels, and CA significantly reduced IL-4 protein levels in MCF-7 cells. RT-qPCR results largely supported the ELISA findings. Overall, CA and MTF exhibited potential to inhibit MCF-7 cell apoptosis, migration, tumor microenvironment modulation, and metastasis.

Microenvironmental Regulation of Dormancy in Breast Cancer Metastasis: "An Ally that Changes Allegiances"

Breast cancer remission after treatment is sometimes long-lasting, but in about 30% of cases, there is a relapse after a so-called dormant state. Cellular cancer dormancy, the propensity of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) to remain in a nonproliferative state for an extended period, presents an opportunity for therapeutic intervention that may prevent reawakening and the lethal consequences of metastatic outgrowth. Therefore, identification of dormant DTCs and detailed characterization of cancer cell-intrinsic and niche-specific [i.e., tumor microenvironment (TME) mediated] mechanisms influencing dormancy in different metastatic organs are of great importance in breast cancer. Several microenvironmental drivers of DTC dormancy in metastatic organs, such as the lung, bone, liver, and brain, have been identified using in vivo models and/or in vitro three-dimensional culture systems. TME induction and persistence of dormancy in these organs are mainly mediated by signals from immune cells, stromal cells, and extracellular matrix components of the TME. Alterations of the TME have been shown to reawaken dormant DTCs. Efforts to capitalize on these findings often face translational challenges due to limited availability of representative patient samples and difficulty in designing dormancy-targeting clinical trials. In this chapter, we discuss current approaches to identify dormant DTCs and provide insights into cell-extrinsic (i.e., TME) mechanisms driving breast cancer cell dormancy in distant organs.

Targeting RNA helicase DDX3X with a small molecule inhibitor for breast cancer bone metastasis treatment

Patients who present with breast cancer bone metastasis only have limited palliative treatment strategies and efficacious drug treatments are needed. In breast cancer patient data, high levels of the RNA helicase DDX3 are associated with poor overall survival and bone metastasis. Consequently, our objective was to target DDX3 in a mouse breast cancer bone metastasis model using a small molecule inhibitor of DDX3, RK-33. Histologically confirmed live imaging indicated no bone metastases in the RK-33 treated cohort, as opposed to placebo-treated mice. We generated a cell line from a bone metastatic lesion in mouse and found that it along with a patient-derived bone metastasis cell line gained resistance to conventional chemotherapeutics but not to RK-33. Finally, differential levels of DDX3 were observed in breast cancer patient metastatic bone samples. Overall, this study indicates that DDX3 is a relevant clinical target in breast cancer bone metastasis and that RK-33 can be a safe and effective treatment for these patients.

Divergent iron regulatory states contribute to heterogeneity in breast cancer aggressiveness

Contact with dense collagen I (Col1) can induce collective invasion of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and transcriptional signatures linked to poor patient prognosis. However, this response is heterogeneous and not well understood. Using phenotype-guided sequencing analysis of invasive vs. noninvasive subpopulations, we show that these two phenotypes represent opposite sides of the iron response protein 1 (IRP1)-mediated response to cytoplasmic labile iron pool (cLIP) levels. Invasive cells upregulate iron uptake and utilization machinery characteristic of a low cLIP response, which includes contractility regulating genes that drive migration. Non-invasive cells upregulate iron sequestration machinery characteristic of a high cLIP response, which is accompanied by upregulation of actin sequestration genes. These divergent IRP1 responses result from Col1-induced transient expression of heme oxygenase I (HO-1), which cleaves heme and releases iron. These findings lend insight into the emerging theory that heme and iron fluxes regulate TNBC aggressiveness.

Balancing the Scales: The Dual Role of Interleukins in Bone Metastatic Microenvironments

Bone metastases, a common and debilitating consequence of advanced cancers, involve a complex interplay between malignant cells and the bone microenvironment. Central to this interaction are interleukins (ILs), a group of cytokines with critical roles in immune modulation and inflammation. This review explores the dualistic nature of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory interleukins in bone metastases, emphasizing their molecular mechanisms, pathological impacts, and therapeutic potential. Pro-inflammatory interleukins, such as IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8, have been identified as key drivers in promoting osteoclastogenesis, tumor proliferation, and angiogenesis. These cytokines create a favorable environment for cancer cell survival and bone degradation, contributing to the progression of metastatic lesions. Conversely, anti-inflammatory interleukins, including IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13, exhibit protective roles by modulating immune responses and inhibiting osteoclast activity. Understanding these opposing effects is crucial for developing targeted therapies aimed at disrupting the pathological processes in bone metastases. Key signaling pathways, including NF-κB, JAK/STAT, and MAPK, mediate the actions of these interleukins, influencing tumor cell survival, immune cell recruitment, and bone remodeling. Targeting these pathways presents promising therapeutic avenues. Current treatment strategies, such as the use of denosumab, tocilizumab, and emerging agents like bimekizumab and ANV419, highlight the potential of interleukin-targeted therapies in mitigating bone metastases. However, challenges such as therapeutic resistance, side effects, and long-term efficacy remain significant hurdles. This review also addresses the potential of interleukins as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, offering insights into patient stratification and personalized treatment approaches. Interleukins have multifaceted roles that depend on the context, including the environment, cell types, and cellular interactions. Despite substantial progress, gaps in research persist, particularly regarding the precise mechanisms by which interleukins influence the bone metastatic niche and their broader clinical implications. While not exhaustive, this overview underscores the critical roles of interleukins in bone metastases and highlights the need for continued research to fully elucidate their complex interactions and therapeutic potential. Addressing these gaps will be essential for advancing our understanding and treatment of bone metastases in cancer patients.

State of the Art Modelling of the Breast Cancer Metastatic Microenvironment: Where Are We?

Metastatic spread of tumour cells to tissues and organs around the body is the most frequent cause of death from breast cancer. This has been modelled mainly using mouse models such as syngeneic mammary cancer or human in mouse xenograft models. These have limitations for modelling human disease progression and cannot easily be used for investigation of drug resistance and novel therapy screening. To complement these approaches, advances are being made in ex vivo and 3D in vitro models, which are becoming progressively better at reliably replicating the tumour microenvironment and will in the future facilitate drug development and screening. These approaches include microfluidics, organ-on-a-chip and use of advanced biomaterials. The relevant tissues to be modelled include those that are frequent and clinically important sites of metastasis such as bone, lung, brain, liver for invasive ductal carcinomas and a distinct set of common metastatic sites for lobular breast cancer. These sites all have challenges to model due to their unique cellular compositions, structure and complexity. The models, particularly in vivo, provide key information on the intricate interactions between cancer cells and the native tissue, and will guide us in producing specific therapies that are helpful in different context of metastasis.

Combining TIGIT Blockade with MDSC Inhibition Hinders Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis by Activating Antitumor Immunity

Bone is the most common site of breast cancer metastasis. Bone metastasis is incurable and is associated with severe morbidity. Utilizing an immunocompetent mouse model of spontaneous breast cancer bone metastasis, we profiled the immune transcriptome of bone metastatic lesions and peripheral bone marrow at distinct metastatic stages, revealing dynamic changes during the metastatic process. We show that cross-talk between granulocytes and T cells is central to shaping an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Specifically, we identified the PD-1 and TIGIT signaling axes and the proinflammatory cytokine IL1β as central players in the interactions between granulocytes and T cells. Targeting these pathways in vivo resulted in attenuated bone metastasis and improved survival, by reactivating antitumor immunity. Analysis of patient samples revealed that TIGIT and IL1β are prominent in human bone metastasis. Our findings suggest that cotargeting immunosuppressive granulocytes and dysfunctional T cells may be a promising novel therapeutic strategy to inhibit bone metastasis. Significance: Temporal transcriptome profiling of the immune microenvironment in breast cancer bone metastasis revealed key communication pathways between dysfunctional T cells and myeloid derived suppressor cells. Cotargeting of TIGIT and IL1β inhibited bone metastasis and improved survival. Validation in patient data implicated these targets as a novel promising approach to treat human bone metastasis.

Targeting Tumor Heterogeneity by Breaking a Stem Cell and Epithelial Niche Interaction Loop

Tumor heterogeneity, the presence of multiple distinct subpopulations of cancer cells between patients or among the same tumors, poses a major challenge to current targeted therapies. The way these different subpopulations interact among themselves and the stromal niche environment, and how such interactions affect cancer stem cell behavior has remained largely unknown. Here, it is shown that an FGF-BMP7-INHBA signaling positive feedback loop integrates interactions among different cell populations, including mammary gland stem cells, luminal epithelial and stromal fibroblast niche components not only in organ regeneration but also, with certain modifications, in cancer progression. The reciprocal dependence of basal stem cells and luminal epithelium is based on basal-derived BMP7 and luminal-derived INHBA, which promote their respective expansion, and is regulated by stromal-epithelial FGF signaling. Targeting this interaction loop, for example, by reducing the function of one or more of its components, inhibits organ regeneration and breast cancer progression. The results have profound implications for overcoming drug resistance because of tumor heterogeneity in future targeted therapies.

The role of IL-1B in breast cancer bone metastasis

Interleukin-1B (IL-1B) is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays multiple, pivotal roles, in the complex interplay between breast cancer cells and the bone microenvironment. IL-1B is involved in the growth of the primary tumours, regulation of inflammation within the tumour microenvironment, promotion of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and invasion. Moreover, when breast cancer cells arrive in the bone microenvironment there is an upregulation of IL-1B which promotes the creation of a conducive niche for metastatic breast cancer cells as well as stimulating initiation of the vicious cycle of bone metastasis. Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that inhibition of IL-1 signalling reduces bone metastasis from oestrogen receptor positive/triple-negative breast cancers in various mouse models. However, effects on primary tumours and soft tissue metastasis remain controversial with some studies showing increased tumour growth in these sites, whilst others show no effects. Notably, combining anti-IL-1 therapy with standard-of-care treatments, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, has been demonstrated to reduce the growth of primary tumours, bone metastasis, as well as metastatic outgrowth in other organs. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which IL-1B promotes breast cancer bone metastasis.

Global research landscape and trends of cancer stem cells from 1997 to 2023: A bibliometric analysis

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of cells with self-renewal ability and tumor generating potential. Accumulated evidence has revealed that CSCs were shown to contribute to tumorigenesis, metastasis, recurrence and resistance to chemoradiotherapy. Therefore, CSCs were regarded as promising therapeutic targets in cancer. This study is the first to reveal the development process, research hotspots, and trends of entire CSCs research field through bibliometric methods. All relevant publications on CSCs with more than 100 citations (notable papers) and the 100 most cited papers (top papers) during 1997 to 2023 were extracted and analyzed. Cancer research published the largest number of papers (184 papers). The USA accounted for the most publications (1326 papers). Rich, JN was the author with the most publications (56 papers) and the highest M-index (3.111). The most contributive institution was the University of Texas System (164 papers). Before 2007, research mainly focused on the definition and recognition of CSCs. Between 2007 and 2016, with the emergence of the terms such as "sonic hedgehog," "metabolism," "oxidative phosphorylation," and "epithelial mesenchymal transition," research began to shift toward exploring the mechanisms of CSCs. In 2016, the focus transitioned to the tumor microenvironment and the ecological niches. The analysis of papers published in major journals since 2021 showed that "transcription," "inhibition," and "chemoresistance" emerged as new focused issues. In general, the research focus has gradually shifted from basic biology to clinical transformation. "Tumor microenvironment" and "chemo-resistance" should be given more attention in the future.

Intersecting Paths: Unraveling the Complex Journey of Cancer to Bone Metastasis

The phenomenon of bone metastases presents a significant challenge within the context of advanced cancer treatments, particularly pertaining to breast, prostate, and lung cancers. These metastatic occurrences stem from the dissemination of cancerous cells into the bone, thereby interrupting the equilibrium between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Such disruption results in skeletal complications, adversely affecting patient morbidity and quality of life. This review discusses the intricate interplay between cancer cells and the bone microenvironment, positing the bone not merely as a passive recipient of metastatic cells but as an active contributor to cancer progression through its distinctive biochemical and cellular makeup. A thorough examination of bone structure and the dynamics of bone remodeling is undertaken, elucidating how metastatic cancer cells exploit these processes. This review explores the genetic and molecular pathways that underpin the onset and development of bone metastases. Particular emphasis is placed on the roles of cytokines and growth factors in facilitating osteoclastogenesis and influencing osteoblast activity. Additionally, this paper offers a meticulous critique of current diagnostic methodologies, ranging from conventional radiography to advanced molecular imaging techniques, and discusses the implications of a nuanced understanding of bone metastasis biology for therapeutic intervention. This includes the development of targeted therapies and strategies for managing bone pain and other skeletal-related events. Moreover, this review underscores the imperative of ongoing research efforts aimed at identifying novel therapeutic targets and refining management approaches for bone metastases. It advocates for a multidisciplinary strategy that integrates advancements in medical oncology and radiology with insights derived from molecular biology and genetics, to enhance prognostic outcomes and the quality of life for patients afflicted by this debilitating condition. In summary, bone metastases constitute a complex issue that demands a comprehensive and informed approach to treatment. This article contributes to the ongoing discourse by consolidating existing knowledge and identifying avenues for future investigation, with the overarching objective of ameliorating patient care in the domain of oncology.

NF-κB in biology and targeted therapy: new insights and translational implications

NF-κB signaling has been discovered for nearly 40 years. Initially, NF-κB signaling was identified as a pivotal pathway in mediating inflammatory responses. However, with extensive and in-depth investigations, researchers have discovered that its role can be expanded to a variety of signaling mechanisms, biological processes, human diseases, and treatment options. In this review, we first scrutinize the research process of NF-κB signaling, and summarize the composition, activation, and regulatory mechanism of NF-κB signaling. We investigate the interaction of NF-κB signaling with other important pathways, including PI3K/AKT, MAPK, JAK-STAT, TGF-β, Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, and TLR signaling. The physiological and pathological states of NF-κB signaling, as well as its intricate involvement in inflammation, immune regulation, and tumor microenvironment, are also explicated. Additionally, we illustrate how NF-κB signaling is involved in a variety of human diseases, including cancers, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, and COVID-19. Further, we discuss the therapeutic approaches targeting NF-κB signaling, including IKK inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, proteasome inhibitors, nuclear translocation inhibitors, DNA binding inhibitors, TKIs, non-coding RNAs, immunotherapy, and CAR-T. Finally, we provide an outlook for research in the field of NF-κB signaling. We hope to present a stereoscopic, comprehensive NF-κB signaling that will inform future research and clinical practice.

It's all about the base: stromal cells are central orchestrators of metastasis

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is an integral part of tumors and plays a central role in all stages of carcinogenesis and progression. Each organ has a unique and heterogeneous microenvironment, which affects the ability of disseminated cells to grow in the new and sometimes hostile metastatic niche. Resident stromal cells, such as fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and astrocytes, are essential culprits in the modulation of metastatic progression: they transition from being sentinels of tissue integrity to being dysfunctional perpetrators that support metastatic outgrowth. Therefore, better understanding of the complexity of their reciprocal interactions with cancer cells and with other components of the TME is essential to enable the design of novel therapeutic approaches to prevent metastatic relapse.

Modulation of the pre-metastatic bone niche: molecular changes mediated by bone-homing prostate cancer extracellular vesicles

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading male malignancy worldwide, often progressing to bone metastasis, with limited curative options. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key players in cancer communication and metastasis, promoting the formation of supportive microenvironments in distant sites. Our previous studies have highlighted the role of PCa EVs in modulating osteoblasts and facilitating tumor progression. However, the early pre-metastatic changes induced by PCa EVs within the bone microenvironment remain poorly understood. To investigate the early effects of repeated exposure to PCa EVs in vivo, mimicking EVs being shed from the primary tumor, PCa EVs isolated from cell line PC3MLuc2a were fluorescently labelled and repeatedly administered via tail vein injection to adult CD1 NuNu male mice for a period of 4 weeks. In vivo imagining, histological analysis and gene expression profiling were performed to assess the impact of PCa EVs on the bone microenvironment. We demonstrate for the first time that PCa EVs home to both bone and lymph nodes following repeated exposures. Furthermore, the accumulation of EVs within the bone leads to distinct molecular changes indicative of disrupted bone homeostasis (e.g., changes to signaling pathways such as Paxillin p = 0.0163, Estrogen Receptor p = 0.0271, RHOA p = 0.0287, Ribonucleotide reductase p = 0.0307 and ERK/MAPK p = 0.0299). Changes in key regulators of these pathways were confirmed in vitro on human osteoblasts. In addition, our data compares the known gene signature of osteocytes and demonstrates a high proportion of overlap (52.2%), suggesting a potential role for this cell type in response to PCa EV exposure. No changes in bone histology or immunohistochemistry were detected, indicating that PCa EV mediated changes were induced at the molecular level. This study provides novel insights into the alterations induced by PCa EVs on the bone microenvironment. The observed molecular changes indicate changes in key pathways and suggest a role for osteocytes in these EV mediated early changes to bone. Further research to understand these early events may aid in the development of targeted interventions to disrupt the metastatic cascade in PCa.

Divergent iron-regulatory states contribute to heterogeneity in breast cancer aggressiveness

Primary tumors with similar mutational profiles can progress to vastly different outcomes where transcriptional state, rather than mutational profile, predicts prognosis. A key challenge is to understand how distinct tumor cell states are induced and maintained. In triple negative breast cancer cells, invasive behaviors and aggressive transcriptional signatures linked to poor patient prognosis can emerge in response to contact with collagen type I. Herein, collagen-induced migration heterogeneity within a TNBC cell line was leveraged to identify transcriptional programs associated with invasive versus non-invasive phenotypes and implicate molecular switches. Phenotype-guided sequencing revealed that invasive cells upregulate iron uptake and utilization machinery, anapleurotic TCA cycle genes, actin polymerization promoters, and a distinct signature of Rho GTPase activity and contractility regulating genes. The non-invasive cell state is characterized by actin and iron sequestration modules along with glycolysis gene expression. These unique tumor cell states are evident in patient tumors and predict divergent outcomes for TNBC patients. Glucose tracing confirmed that non-invasive cells are more glycolytic than invasive cells, and functional studies in cell lines and PDO models demonstrated a causal relationship between phenotype and metabolic state. Mechanistically, the OXPHOS dependent invasive state resulted from transient HO-1 upregulation triggered by contact with dense collagen that reduced heme levels and mitochondrial chelatable iron levels. This induced expression of low cytoplasmic iron response genes regulated by ACO1/IRP1. Knockdown or inhibition of HO-1, ACO1/IRP1, MRCK, or OXPHOS abrogated invasion. These findings support an emerging theory that heme and iron flux serve as important regulators of TNBC aggressiveness.

Infiltration of CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in association with inflammation and survival in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) have heterogeneous tumor microenvironments relatively devoid of infiltrating immune cells. We aimed to quantitatively assess infiltrating CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in a treatment-naïve patient cohort and assess associations with overall survival and microenvironment inflammatory proteins.

METHODS

Tissue microarrays were immunohistochemically stained for CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes and quantitatively assessed using QuPath. Levels of inflammation-associated proteins were quantified by multiplexed, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay panels on matching tumor and tissue samples.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed a significant increase in both CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes populations in PDAC compared with non-PDAC tissue, except when comparing CD8+ percentages in PDAC versus intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) (p = 0.5012). Patients with quantitatively assessed CD3+ low tumors (lower 50%) had shorter survival (median 273 days) compared to CD3+ high tumors (upper 50%) with a median overall survival of 642.5 days (p = 0.2184). Patients with quantitatively assessed CD8+ low tumors had significantly shorter survival (median 240 days) compared to CD8+ high tumors with a median overall survival of 1059 days (p = 0.0003). Of 41 proteins assessed in the inflammation assay, higher levels of IL-1B and IL-2 were significantly associated with decreased CD3+ infiltration (r = -0.3704, p = 0.0187, and r = -0.4275, p = 0.0074, respectively). Higher levels of IL-1B were also significantly associated with decreased CD8+ infiltration (r = -0.4299, p = 0.0045), but not IL-2 (r = -0.0078, p = 0.9616). Principal component analysis of the inflammatory analytes showed diverse inflammatory responses in PDAC.

CONCLUSION

In this work, we found a marked heterogeneity in infiltrating CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes and individual inflammatory responses in PDAC. Future mechanistic studies should explore personalized therapeutic strategies to target the immune and inflammatory components of the tumor microenvironment.

The Role of Breast Cancer Cells in Bone Metastasis: Suitable Seeds for Nourishing Soil

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review was to describe the characteristics of breast cancer cells prone to developing bone metastasis and determine how they are regulated by the bone microenvironment.

RECENT FINDINGS

The bone is a site of frequent breast cancer metastasis. Bone metastasis accounts for 70% of advanced breast cancer cases and remains incurable. It can lead to skeletal-related events, such as bone fracture and pain, and seriously affect the quality of life of patients. Breast cancer cells escape from the primary lesion and spread to the bone marrow in the early stages. They can then enter the dormant state and restore tumourigenicity after several years to develop overt metastasis. In the last few years, an increasing number of studies have reported on the factors promoting bone metastasis of breast cancer cells, both at the primary and metastatic sites. Identifying factors associated with bone metastasis aids in the early recognition of bone metastasis tendency. How to target these factors and minimize the side effects on the bone remains to be further explored.

Total flavonoids of Litchi chinensis Sonn. seed inhibit prostate cancer growth in bone by regulating the bone microenvironment via inactivation of the HGFR/NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Litchi chinensis Sonn. (Litchi) seed, a traditional Chinese medicine, is habitually used in the clinical treatment of prostate cancer (PCa)-induced bone pain. In our previous study, flavonoids have been identified as the active ingredient of litchi seed against PCa. However, its anti-tumor activities in bone and associated molecular mechanisms are still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of total flavonoids of litchi seed (TFLS) on the growth of PCa in bone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of TFLS on the growth of PCa in bone was observed using a mouse model constructed with tibial injection of luciferase-expressing RM1-luc cells. Conditioned medium (CM) from bone marrow stromal cells OP9 and CM treated with TFLS (T-CM) was used to investigate the effect on the proliferation, colony formation, and apoptosis of PCa cells (LNCaP, PC3, RM1). An antibody microarray was performed to detect cytokine expression in the supernatant fraction of OP9 cell cultures treated with TFLS or left untreated. Western blot assay was employed to determine the expression and activity of HGFR and its key downstream proteins, Akt, mTOR, NF-κB, and Erk, in PCa cells. The potential target was further verified using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays.

RESULTS

Treatment with TFLS (80 mg/kg, 24 days) significantly suppressed the growth of RM1 cells in bone. CM from bone marrow stromal cells OP9 stimulated the proliferation and colony formation of the PCa cells as well as inhibited the apoptosis of PC3 cells, while T-CM reversed the effects mediated by OP9 cells in vitro. In an antibody array assay, TFLS regulated the majority of cytokines in OP9 cell culture supernatant, among which HGF, HGFR, IGF-1R, and PDGF-AA showed the greatest fold changes. Mechanistically, CM upregulated HGFR and promoted phosphorylation of NF-κB while T-CM induced reduction of HGFR and dephosphorylation of NF-κB in PC3 cells. Moreover, T-CM inhibited NF-κB entry into PC3 cell nuclei. Data from in vivo experiments further confirmed the inhibitory effects of TFLS on NF-κB.

CONCLUSION

TFLS suppresses the growth of PCa in bone through regulating bone microenvironment and the underlying mechanism potentially involves attenuation of the HGFR/NF-κB signaling axis.

Research on the mechanism of antidepressive effect of Suanzaoren Decoction through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and Wnt/β-catenin pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Increased inflammatory response and disruption of neuroplasticity are important mechanisms in the hypothesis of the pathogenesis of depression. Thus, these two aspects are conducive to the development of treatments for depression. Suanzaoren Decoction (SZRD) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine compound for the treatment of insomnia, which can clinically relieve depression symptoms, but its antidepressant pharmacological mechanism remains to be elucidated.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

Based on the hypothesis of inflammation and neuroplasticity in depression, this study aimed to investigate the antidepressant effect of SZRD and its specific molecular mechanism through chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induced SD rat model and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced BV2 cell neuroinflammation model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The body weight and behavioral indexes of CUMS model rats treated with orally or without oral SZRD for 4 weeks were detected. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe brain pathological damage. Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl Transferase Mediated Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to observe neuronal apoptosis. Immunofluorescence, ELISA kit and Western blotting were used to detect the inflammatory index Iba-1 and inflammatory factors, as well as the important inflammatory pathway TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting were used to detect neuroplasticity indexes proteins-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), presynaptic membrane protein-synaptophysin (SYP), and postsynaptic protein- 95(PSD95), and the key pathway Wnt/β-catenin. The possible mechanism of SZRD antidepressant was further explored in LPS-induced BV2 cells.

RESULTS

In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that SZRD treatment significantly reversed the depression-like behaviors in rats, decreased the levels of inflammatory factors and increased the expression levels of BDNF, SYP, PSD95 in depression model rats. Furthermore, SZRD treatment inhibited the activation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways and reduced the massive nuclear translocation of NF-κB and β-catenin. The addition of NF-κB pathway agonists could partially offset the inhibitory effect of SZRD on the Wnt pathway, and the addition of Wnt pathway agonists could also partially offset the inhibitory effect of SZRD on the TLR4 pathway.

CONCLUSION

This study suggestted that SZRD may exert its antidepressant effect by regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and Wnt/β-catenin pathway in combination.

IL-1 Family Members in Bone Sarcomas

IL-1 family members have multiple pleiotropic functions affecting various tissues and cells, including the regulation of the immune response, hematopoietic homeostasis, bone remodeling, neuronal physiology, and synaptic plasticity. Many of these activities are involved in various pathological processes and immunological disorders, including tumor initiation and progression. Indeed, IL-1 family members have been described to contribute to shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME), determining immune evasion and drug resistance, and to sustain tumor aggressiveness and metastasis. This review addresses the role of IL-1 family members in bone sarcomas, particularly the highly metastatic osteosarcoma (OS) and Ewing sarcoma (EWS), and discusses the IL-1-family-related mechanisms that play a role in bone metastasis development. We also consider the therapeutic implications of targeting IL-1 family members, which have been proposed as (i) relevant targets for anti-tumor and anti-metastatic drugs; (ii) immune checkpoints for immune suppression; and (iii) potential antigens for immunotherapy.

Cell-cell communication characteristics in breast cancer metastasis

Breast cancer, a highly fatal disease due to its tendency to metastasize, is the most prevalent form of malignant tumors among women worldwide. Numerous studies indicate that breast cancer exhibits a unique predilection for metastasis to specific organs including the bone, liver, lung, and brain. However, different types of, The understanding of the heterogeneity of metastatic breast cancer has notably improved with the recent advances in high-throughput sequencing techniques. Focusing on the modification in the microenvironment of the metastatic organs and the crosstalk between tumor cells and in situ cells, noteworthy research points include the identification of two distinct modes of tumor growth in bone metastases, the influence of type II pneumocyte on lung metastases, the paradoxical role of Kupffer cells in liver metastases, and the breakthrough of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) breach in brain metastases. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of breast cancer metastases, shedding light on the pivotal roles of immune and resident cells in the development of distinct metastatic foci.

PLOD3 facilitated T cell activation in the colorectal tumor microenvironment and liver metastasis by the TNF-α/ NF-κB pathway

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been the third most prevalent cancer worldwide. Liver metastasis is the critical factor for the poor prognosis of CRC. Here, we investigated the expression and role of PLOD3 in CRC.

METHODS

Different liver metastasis models were established by injecting PLOD3 stable knockdown or overexpression CT26 or MC38 mouse CRC cells into the spleen of mice to verify the tumorigenicity and metastasis ability in vivo.

RESULTS

We identified PLOD3 is significantly overexpressed in liver metastasis samples of CRC. High expression of PLOD3 was significantly associated with poor survival of CRC patients. The knockdown of PLOD3 exhibited remarkable inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion in CRC cells, while the opposite results could be found in different PLOD3-overexpressed CRC cells. Stable knockdown of PLOD3 also significantly inhibited liver metastasis of CRC cells in different xenografts models, while stable overexpression of PLOD3 promotes liver metastasis and tumor progression. Further studies showed that PLOD3 facilitated the T cell activation in the tumor microenvironment and affected the TNF-α/ NF-κB pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed the essential biological functions of PLOD3 in colon cancer progression and metastasis, suggesting that PLOD3 is a promising translational medicine target and bioengineering targeting PLOD3 overcomes CRC liver metastasis.

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist: An alternative therapy for cancer treatment

The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine and a naturally occurring antagonist of the IL-1 receptor. It effectively counteracts the IL-1 signaling pathway mediated by IL-1α/β. Over the past few decades, accumulating evidence has suggested that IL-1 signaling plays an essential role in tumor formation, growth, and metastasis. Significantly, anakinra, the first United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved IL-1Ra drug, has demonstrated promising antitumor effects in animal studies. Numerous clinical trials have subsequently incorporated anakinra into their cancer treatment protocols. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the research progress on the role of IL-1 in tumors and summarize the significant contribution of IL-1Ra (anakinra) to tumor immunity. Additionally, we analyze the potential value of IL-1Ra as a biomarker from a clinical perspective. This review is aimed to highlight the important link between inflammation and cancer and provide potential drug targets for future cancer therapy.

The role of pyroptosis and gasdermin family in tumor progression and immune microenvironment

Pyroptosis, an inflammatory programmed cell death, distinguishes itself from apoptosis and necroptosis and has drawn increasing attention. Recent studies have revealed a correlation between the expression levels of many pyroptosis-related genes and both tumorigenesis and progression. Despite advancements in cancer treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, the persistent hallmark of cancer enables malignant cells to elude cell death and develop resistance to therapy. Recent findings indicate that pyroptosis can overcome apoptosis resistance amplify treatment-induced tumor cell death. Moreover, pyroptosis triggers antitumor immunity by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, augmenting macrophage phagocytosis, and activating cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. Additionally, it transforms "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors, thereby enhancing the antitumor effects of various treatments. Consequently, pyroptosis is intricately linked to tumor development and holds promise as an effective strategy for boosting therapeutic efficacy. As the principal executive protein of pyroptosis, the gasdermin family plays a pivotal role in influencing pyroptosis-associated outcomes in tumors and can serve as a regulatory target. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the relationship between pyroptosis and gasdermin family members, discusses their roles in tumor progression and the tumor immune microenvironment, and analyses the underlying therapeutic strategies for tumor treatment based on pyroptotic cell death.

STAT3-EphA7 axis contributes to the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Our previous study has revealed that EphA7 was upregulated in patient-derived esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) xenografts with hyper-activated STAT3, but its mechanism was still unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To assess the association between EphA7 and STAT3, western blotting, immunofluorescence, ChIP assay, and qRT-PCR were conducted. Truncated mutation and luciferase assay were performed to examine the promoter activity of EphA7. CCK-8 assay and colony formation were performed to assess the proliferation of ESCC. Cell-derived xenograft models were established to evaluate the effects of EphA7 on ESCC tumor growth. RNA-seq analyses were used to assess the effects of EphA7 on related signals.

RESULTS

In this study, EphA7 was found upregulated in ESCC cell lines with high STAT3 activation, and immunofluorescence also showed that EphA7 was co-localized with phospho-STAT3 in ESCC cells. Interestingly, suppressing STAT3 activation by the STAT3 inhibitor Stattic markedly inhibited the protein expression of EphA7 in ESCC cells, in contrast, activation of STAT3 by IL-6 obviously upregulated the protein expression of EphA7. Moreover, the transcription of EphA7 was also mediated by the activation of STAT3 in ESCC cells, and the -2000∼-1500 region was identified as the key promoter of EphA7. Our results also indicated that EphA7 enhanced the cell proliferation of ESCC, and silence of EphA7 significantly suppressed ESCC tumor growth. Moreover, EphA7 silence markedly abolished STAT3 activation-derived cell proliferation of ESCC. Additionally, RNA-seq analyses indicated that several tumor-related signaling pathways were significantly changed after EphA7 downregulation in ESCC cells.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that the transcriptional expression of EphA7 was increased by activated STAT3, and the STAT3 signaling may act through EphA7 to promote the development of ESCC.

Mechanisms of Organ-Specific Metastasis of Breast Cancer

Cancer metastasis, or the development of secondary tumors in distant tissues, accounts for the vast majority of fatalities in patients with breast cancer. Breast cancer cells show a striking proclivity to metastasize to distinct organs, specifically the lung, liver, bone, and brain, where they face unique environmental pressures and a wide variety of tissue-resident cells that together create a strong barrier for tumor survival and growth. As a consequence, successful metastatic colonization is critically dependent on reciprocal cross talk between cancer cells and host cells within the target organ, a relationship that shapes the formation of a tumor-supportive microenvironment. Here, we discuss the mechanisms governing organ-specific metastasis in breast cancer, focusing on the intricate interactions between metastatic cells and specific niche cells within a secondary organ, and the remarkable adaptations of both compartments that cooperatively support cancer growth. More broadly, we aim to provide a framework for the microenvironmental prerequisites within each distinct metastatic site for successful breast cancer metastatic seeding and outgrowth.

Differential expression of cancer stem cell markers and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β in the oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral submucosal fibrosis

Objectives

The poor prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is vastly due to late diagnosis. The oral submucosal fibrosis (OSMF) is often unnoticed pathology linked with high risk of malignancy. Recently, we demonstrated that the clinicopathological alterations in OSMF and OSCC patients were correlated with cancer stem cell (CSCs) markers (CD133 and CD44). However, the parallel alterations of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) with CSCs expression are largely unexplored. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between IL-1β alterations and CSC marker expression in both OSMF and OSCC situations.

Materials and Methods

A total of 135 people have signed up for the study. There were sixty each in OSMF and OSCC groups, as well as 15 healthy controls. Levels of serum IL-1β were examined by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to examine the expression of CD133 and CD44. For evaluating differential CSCs expression, IHC scoring (0-4) was utilized.

Results

The IHC results showed maximum subjects in the OSMF and OSCC displaying CD44 and CD133 positivity, although the extent of expression in terms of IHC scoring found variable. CD133 and CD44-positive subjects showed increased levels of IL-1β in the OSMF and OSCC group. Nevertheless, the enhancement of IL-1β is more pronounced in the OSCC cases. Further, we observed a direct link of IL-1β levels with IHC scoring. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated a significant role for CD44 and CD133 positivity in the increase of IL-1β levels.

Conclusion

We concluded that concurrent simultaneous changes in CSC biomarkers and IL-1β may help with early detection of OSMF and OSCC conditions.

Tumour-associated macrophages: versatile players in the tumour microenvironment

Tumour-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) are one of the pivotal components of the tumour microenvironment. Their roles in the cancer immunity are complicated, both pro-tumour and anti-cancer activities are reported, including not only angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, immunosuppression, drug resistance but also phagocytosis and tumour regression. Interestingly, TAMs are highly dynamic and versatile in solid tumours. They show anti-cancer or pro-tumour activities, and interplay between the tumour microenvironment and cancer stem cells and under specific conditions. In addition to the classic M1/M2 phenotypes, a number of novel dedifferentiation phenomena of TAMs are discovered due to the advanced single-cell technology, e.g., macrophage-myofibroblast transition (MMT) and macrophage-neuron transition (MNT). More importantly, emerging information demonstrated the potential of TAMs on cancer immunotherapy, suggesting by the therapeutic efficiency of the checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor engineered cells based on macrophages. Here, we summarized the latest discoveries of TAMs from basic and translational research and discussed their clinical relevance and therapeutic potential for solid cancers.

Integrated bioinformatics analyses identifying potential biomarkers for type 2 diabetes mellitus and breast cancer: In SIK1-ness and health

The bidirectional causal relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and breast cancer (BC) has been established by numerous epidemiological studies. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Identification of hub genes implicated in T2DM-BC molecular crosstalk may help elucidate on the causative mechanisms. For this, expression series GSE29231 (T2DM-adipose tissue), GSE70905 (BC- breast adenocarcinoma biopsies) and GSE150586 (diabetes and BC breast biopsies) were extracted from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and analyzed to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The overlapping DEGs were determined using FunRich. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Transcription Factor (TF) analyses were performed on EnrichR software and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using STRING software. The network was analyzed on Cytoscape to determine hub genes and Kaplan-Meier plots were obtained. A total of 94 overlapping DEGs were identified between T2DM and BC samples. These DEGs were mainly enriched for GO terms RNA polymerase II core promoter proximal region sequence and its DNA binding, and cAMP response element binding protein, and KEGG pathways including bladder cancer, thyroid cancer and PI3K-AKT signaling. Eight hub genes were identified: interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor protein 53 (TP53), interleukin 8 (CXCL8), MYC, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), beta-catenin 1 (CTNNB1), nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) and interleukin 1 beta (IL1β). MMP9 and MYC associated unfavorably with overall survival (OS) in breast cancer patients, IL6, TP53, IL1β and CTNNB1 associated favorably, whereas NOS3 did not show any correlation with OS. Salt inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) was identified as a significant key DEG for comorbid samples when compared with BC, also dysregulated in T2DM and BC samples (adjusted p <0.05). Furthermore, four of the significant hub genes identified, including IL6, CXCL8, IL1B and MYC were also differentially expressed for comorbid samples, however at p < 0.05. Our study identifies key genes including SIK1, for comorbid state and 8 hub genes that may be implicated in T2DM-BC crosstalk. However, limitations associated with the insilico nature of this study necessitates for subsequent validation in wet lab. Hence, further investigation is crucial to study the molecular mechanisms of action underlying these genes to fully explore their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for T2DM-BC association.

Imagine beyond: recent breakthroughs and next challenges in mammary gland biology and breast cancer research

On 8 December 2022 the organizing committee of the European Network for Breast Development and Cancer labs (ENBDC) held its fifth annual Think Tank meeting in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Here, we embraced the opportunity to look back to identify the most prominent breakthroughs of the past ten years and to reflect on the main challenges that lie ahead for our field in the years to come. The outcomes of these discussions are presented in this position paper, in the hope that it will serve as a summary of the current state of affairs in mammary gland biology and breast cancer research for early career researchers and other newcomers in the field, and as inspiration for scientists and clinicians to move the field forward.

A novel computational predictive biological approach distinguishes Integrin β1 as a salient biomarker for breast cancer chemoresistance

Chemoresistance is a primary cause of breast cancer treatment failure, and protein-protein interactions significantly contribute to chemoresistance during different stages of breast cancer progression. In pursuit of novel biomarkers and relevant protein-protein interactions occurring during the emergence of breast cancer chemoresistance, we used a computational predictive biological (CPB) approach. CPB identified associations of adhesion molecules with proteins connected with different breast cancer proteins associated with chemoresistance. This approach identified an association of Integrin β1 (ITGB1) with chemoresistance and breast cancer stem cell markers. ITGB1 activated the Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) pathway promoting invasion, migration, and chemoresistance in breast cancer by upregulating Erk phosphorylation. FAK also activated Wnt/Sox2 signaling, which enhanced self-renewal in breast cancer. Activation of the FAK pathway by ITGB1 represents a novel mechanism linked to breast cancer chemoresistance, which may lead to novel therapies capable of blocking breast cancer progression by intervening in ITGB1-regulated signaling pathways.

Detection of Cellular Senescence Reveals the Existence of Senescent Tumor Cells within Invasive Breast Carcinomas and Related Metastases

Oncogene-induced senescence is thought to constitute a barrier to carcinogenesis by arresting cells at risk of malignant transformation. However, numerous findings suggest that senescent cells may conversely promote tumor growth and metastatic progression, for example, through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) they produce. Here, we investigated the degree to which senescent tumor cells exist within untreated human primary breast carcinomas and whether the presence of senescent cancer cells in primary tumors is recapitulated in their matched lymph node metastases. For the detection of senescence, we used SA-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining and other senescence markers such as Ki67, p21, p53, and p16. In patients with invasive luminal A and B breast carcinomas, we found broad similarities in the appearance of cancer cells between primary tumors and their corresponding metastases. Analysis of lymph nodes from patients with other breast cancer subtypes also revealed senescent tumor cells within metastatic lesions. Collectively, our findings show that senescent tumor cells exist within primary breast carcinomas and metastatic lesions. These results suggest a potential role for senescent breast tumor cells during metastatic progression and raise the question as to whether the targeting of senescent tumor cells with anti-senescent drugs might represent a novel avenue for improved treatment of breast and other cancers.

Development and validation of a CECT-based radiomics model for predicting IL1B expression and prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction

It is necessary to explore a noninvasive method to stratify head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)’s prognosis and to seek new indicators for individualized precision treatment. As a vital inflammatory cytokine, IL1B might drive a new tumor subtype that could be reflected in overall survival (OS) and predicted using the radiomics method.

Methods

A total of 139 patients with RNA-Seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and matched CECT data from The Cancer Image Archive (TCIA) were included in the analysis. The prognostic value of IL1B expression in patients with HNSCC was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox regression analysis and subgroup analysis. Furthermore, the molecular function of IL1B on HNSCC was explored using function enrichment and immunocytes infiltration analyses. Radiomic features were extracted with PyRadiomics and processed using max-relevance minredundancy, recursive feature elimination, and gradient boosting machine algorithm to construct aradiomics model for predicting IL1B expression. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, precision recall (PR) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) curve were used to examine the performance of the model.

Results

Increased IL1B expression in patients with HNSCC indicated a poor prognosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.56, P = 0.003) and was harmful in patients who underwent radiotherapy (HR = 1.87, P = 0.007) or chemotherapy (HR = 2.514, P &lt; 0.001). Shape_Sphericity, glszm_SmallAreaEmphasis, and firstorder_Kurtosis were included in the radiomics model (AUC: training cohort, 0.861; validation cohort, 0.703). The calibration curves, PR curves and DCA showed good diagnostic effect of the model. The rad-score was close related to IL1B (P = 4.490*10-9), and shared the same corelated trend to EMT-related genes with IL1B. A higher rad-score was associated with worse overall survival (P = 0.041).

Discussion

The CECT-based radiomics model provides preoperative IL1B expression predictionand offers non-invasive instructions for the prognosis and individualized treatment of patients withHNSCC.

Targeting pyroptosis in breast cancer: biological functions and therapeutic potentials on It

Pyroptosis is a lytic and inflammatory type of programmed cell death that is mediated by Gasdermin proteins (GSDMs). Attractively, recent evidence indicates that pyroptosis involves in the development of tumors and can serve as a new strategy for cancer treatment. Here, we present a basic knowledge of pyroptosis, and an overview of the expression patterns and roles of GSDMs in breast cancer. In addition, we further summarize the available evidence of pyroptosis in breast cancer progression and give insight into the clinical potential of applying pyroptosis in anticancer strategies for breast cancer. This review will deepen our understanding of the relationship between pyroptosis and breast cancer, and provide a novel potential therapeutic avenue for breast cancer.

Identification of prognostic cancer-associated fibroblast markers in luminal breast cancer using weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Background

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivotal role in cancer progression and are known to mediate endocrine and chemotherapy resistance through paracrine signaling. Additionally, they directly influence the expression and growth dependence of ER in Luminal breast cancer (LBC). This study aims to investigate stromal CAF-related factors and develop a CAF-related classifier to predict the prognosis and therapeutic outcomes in LBC.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were utilized to obtain mRNA expression and clinical information from 694 and 101 LBC samples, respectively. CAF infiltrations were determined by estimating the proportion of immune and cancer cells (EPIC) method, while stromal scores were calculated using the Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumors using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify stromal CAF-related genes. A CAF risk signature was developed through univariate and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method (LASSO) Cox regression model. The Spearman test was used to evaluate the correlation between CAF risk score, CAF markers, and CAF infiltrations estimated through EPIC, xCell, microenvironment cell populations-counter (MCP-counter), and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) algorithms. The TIDE algorithm was further utilized to assess the response to immunotherapy. Additionally, Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was applied to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the findings.

Results

We constructed a 5-gene prognostic model consisting of RIN2, THBS1, IL1R1, RAB31, and COL11A1 for CAF. Using the median CAF risk score as the cutoff, we classified LBC patients into high- and low-CAF-risk groups and found that those in the high-risk group had a significantly worse prognosis. Spearman correlation analyses demonstrated a strong positive correlation between the CAF risk score and stromal and CAF infiltrations, with the five model genes showing positive correlations with CAF markers. In addition, the TIDE analysis revealed that high-CAF-risk patients were less likely to respond to immunotherapy. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified significant enrichment of ECM receptor interaction, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and TGF-β signaling pathway gene sets in the high-CAF-risk group patients.

Conclusion

The five-gene prognostic CAF signature presented in this study was not only reliable for predicting prognosis in LBC patients, but it was also effective in estimating clinical immunotherapy response. These findings have significant clinical implications, as the signature may guide tailored anti-CAF therapy in combination with immunotherapy for LBC patients.

The Binomial "Inflammation-Epigenetics" in Breast Cancer Progression and Bone Metastasis: IL-1β Actions Are Influenced by TET Inhibitor in MCF-7 Cell Line

The existence of a tight relationship between inflammation and epigenetics that in primary breast tumor cells can lead to tumor progression and the formation of bone metastases was investigated. It was highlighted how the induction of tumor progression and bone metastasis by Interleukin-1 beta, in a non-metastatic breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, was dependent on the de-methylating actions of ten-eleven translocation proteins (TETs). In fact, the inhibition of their activity by the Bobcat339 molecule, an inhibitor of TET enzymes, determined on the one hand, the modulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process, and on the other hand, the reduction in the expression of markers of bone metastasis, indicating that the epigenetic action of TETs is a prerequisite for IL-1β-dependent tumor progression and bone metastasis formation.

Wnt Signaling in the Development of Bone Metastasis

Wnt signaling occurs through evolutionarily conserved pathways that affect cellular proliferation and fate decisions during development and tissue maintenance. Alterations in these highly regulated pathways, however, play pivotal roles in various malignancies, promoting cancer initiation, growth and metastasis and the development of drug resistance. The ability of cancer cells to metastasize is the primary cause of cancer mortality. Bone is one of the most frequent sites of metastases that generally arise from breast, prostate, lung, melanoma or kidney cancer. Upon their arrival to the bone, cancer cells can enter a long-term dormancy period, from which they can be reactivated, but can rarely be cured. The activation of Wnt signaling during the bone metastasis process was found to enhance proliferation, induce the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, promote the modulation of the extracellular matrix, enhance angiogenesis and immune tolerance and metastasize and thrive in the bone. Due to the complexity of Wnt pathways and of the landscape of this mineralized tissue, Wnt function during metastatic progression within bone is not yet fully understood. Therefore, we believe that a better understanding of these pathways and their roles in the development of bone metastasis could improve our understanding of the disease and may constitute fertile ground for potential therapeutics.

IL-1β expression driven by androgen receptor absence or inactivation promotes prostate cancer bone metastasis

We report the inverse association between the expression of androgen receptor (AR) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) in a cohort of patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We also discovered that AR represses the IL-1β gene by binding an androgen response element (ARE) half-site located within the promoter, which explains the IL-1β expression in AR-negative (ARNEG) cancer cells. Consistently, androgen-depletion or AR-pathway inhibitors (ARIs) de-repressed IL-1β in ARPOS cancer cells, both in vitro and in vivo. The AR transcriptional repression is sustained by histone de-acetylation at the H3K27 mark in the IL-1β promoter. Notably, patients' data suggest that DNA methylation prevents IL-1β expression, even if the AR-signaling axis is inactive. Our previous studies show that secreted IL-1β supports metastatic progression in mice by altering the transcriptome of tumor-associated bone stroma. Thus, in prostate cancer patients harboring ARNEG tumor cells or treated with ADT/ARIs, and with the IL-1β gene unmethylated, IL-1β could condition the metastatic microenvironment to sustain disease progression.

Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies

Bone metastasis is a common complication of many types of advanced cancer, including breast cancer. Bone metastasis may cause severe pain, fractures, and hypercalcemia, rendering clinical management challenging and substantially reducing the quality of life and overall survival (OS) time of breast cancer patients. Studies have revealed that bone metastasis is related to interactions between tumor cells and the bone microenvironment, and involves complex molecular biological mechanisms, including colonization, osteolytic destruction, and an immunosuppressive bone microenvironment. Agents inhibiting bone metastasis (such as bisphosphate and denosumab) alleviate bone destruction and improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients with bone metastasis. However, the prognosis of these patients remains poor, and the specific biological mechanism of bone metastasis is incompletely understood. Additional basic and clinical studies are urgently needed, to further explore the mechanism of bone metastasis and develop new therapeutic drugs. This review presents a summary of the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of bone metastasis of breast cancer, aiming to improve the quality of life and prognosis of breast cancer patients and provide a reference for future research directions.

Muscle and Bone Defects in Metastatic Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The present review addresses most recently identified mechanisms implicated in metastasis-induced bone resorption and muscle-wasting syndrome, known as cachexia.

RECENT FINDINGS

Metastatic disease in bone and soft tissues is often associated with skeletal muscle defects. Recent studies have identified a number of secreted molecules and extracellular vesicles that contribute to cancer cell growth and metastasis leading to bone destruction and muscle atrophy. In addition, alterations in muscle microenvironment including dysfunctions in hepatic and mitochondrial metabolism have been implicated in cancer-induced regeneration defect and muscle loss. Moreover, we review novel in vitro and animal models including promising new drug candidates for bone metastases and cancer cachexia. Preservation of bone health could be highly beneficial for maintaining muscle mass and function. Therefore, a better understanding of molecular pathways implicated in bone and muscle crosstalk in metastatic disease may provide new insights and identify new strategies to improve current anticancer therapeutics.

Novel Methods of Targeting IL-1 Signalling for the Treatment of Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis

Simple Summary

The pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL1β, plays a pivotal role in breast cancer bone metastasis. Inhibiting IL-1 signalling with the IL1β specific antibody, Canakinumab, or the IL1R1 antagonist Anakinra almost eliminates bone metastases but has adverse effects on tumours growing outside of the bone and immune regulation. This current study demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of other members of the IL-1 signalling pathway Caspase-1, IL1β and IL1R reduced migration and invasion of E0771 and Py8119 cells in vitro and also reduced spontaneous metastasis and metastatic outgrowth of breast cancer in the bone, in vivo. Interestingly, targeting IRAK1 had no anti-tumour effects. Importantly, inhibiting Caspase-1 reduces bone metastasis without adversely affecting tumours outside of bone or immune cell regulation, suggesting that targeting immediately upstream of IL1β may be a good therapeutic strategy for treating patients with breast-cancer-induced bone disease.

Abstract

Breast cancer bone metastasis is currently incurable. Evidence suggests that inhibiting IL-1 signalling with the IL1R antagonist, Anakinra, or the IL1β antibody, Canakinumab, prevents metastasis and almost eliminates breast cancer growth in the bone. However, these drugs increase primary tumour growth. We, therefore, investigated whether targeting other members of the IL-1 pathway (Caspase-1, IL1β or IRAK1) could reduce bone metastases without increasing tumour growth outside of the bone. Inhibition of IL-1 via MLX01 (IL1β secretion inhibitor), VRT043198/VX765 (Caspase-1 inhibitor), Pacritinib (IRAK1 inhibitor) or Anakinra (IL1R antagonist) on tumour cell viability, migration and invasion were assessed in mouse mammary E0771 and Py8119 cells in vitro and on primary tumour growth, spontaneous metastasis and metastatic outgrowth in vivo. In vitro, Inhibition of IL-1 signalling by MLX01, VRT043198 and Anakinra reduced migration of E0771 and Py8119 cells and reversed tumour-derived IL1β induced-increased invasion and migration towards bone cells. In vivo, VX765 and Anakinra significantly reduced spontaneous metastasis and metastatic outgrowth in the bone, whereas MLX01 reduced primary tumour growth and bone metastasis. Pacritinib had no effect on metastasis in vitro or in vivo. Targeting IL-1 signalling with small molecule inhibitors may provide a new therapeutic strategy for breast cancer bone metastasis.

Role of Interleukin-1 family in bone metastasis of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most fatal diseases in male patients with high bone metastatic potential. Bone metastasis severely shortens overall survival and brings skeletal-related events (SREs) which reduces the life quality of patients, and this situation is currently regarded as irreversible and incurable. The progression and metastasis of PCa are found to be closely associated with inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. As pivotal members of inflammatory cytokines, Interleukin-1 (IL-1) family plays a crucial role in this process. Elevated expression of IL-1 family was detected in PCa patients with bone metastasis, and accumulating evidences proved that IL-1 family could exert vital effects on the progression and bone metastasis of many cancers, while some members have dual effects. In this review, we discuss the role of IL-1 family in the bone metastasis of PCa. Furthermore, we demonstrate that many members of IL-1 family could act as pivotal biomarkers to predict the clinical stage and prognosis of PCa patients. More importantly, we have elucidated the role of IL-1 family in the bone metastasis of PCa, which could provide potential targets for the treatment of PCa bone metastasis and probable directions for future research.

Cancer Stem Cells and Circulatory Tumor Cells Promote Breast Cancer Metastasis

Breast cancer (BC) is a highly metastatic, pathological cancer that significantly affects women worldwide. The mortality rate of BC is related to its heterogeneity, aggressive phenotype, and metastasis. Recent studies have highlighted that the tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical for the interplay between metastasis mediators in BC. BC stem cells, tumor-derived exosomes, circulatory tumor cells (CTCs), and signaling pathways dynamically remodel the TME and promote metastasis. This review examines the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) that facilitate metastasis. This review also discusses the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs), tumor-derived exosomes, and CTs in promoting BC metastasis. Furthermore, the review emphasizes major signaling pathways that mediate metastasis in BC. Finally, the interplay among CSCs, exosomes, and CTCs in mediating metastasis have been highlighted. Therefore, understanding the molecular cues that mediate the association of CSCs, exosomes, and CTCs in TME helps to optimize systemic therapy to target metastatic BC.

Embryonic Programs in Cancer and Metastasis—Insights From the Mammary Gland

Cancer is characterized as a reversion of a differentiated cell to a primitive cell state that recapitulates, in many aspects, features of embryonic cells. This review explores the current knowledge of developmental mechanisms that are essential for embryonic mouse mammary gland development, with a particular focus on genes and signaling pathway components that are essential for the induction, morphogenesis, and lineage specification of the mammary gland. The roles of these same genes and signaling pathways in mammary gland or breast tumorigenesis and metastasis are then summarized. Strikingly, key embryonic developmental pathways are often reactivated or dysregulated during tumorigenesis and metastasis in processes such as aberrant proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and stem cell potency which affects cellular lineage hierarchy. These observations are in line with findings from recent studies using lineage tracing as well as bulk- and single-cell transcriptomics that have uncovered features of embryonic cells in cancer and metastasis through the identification of cell types, cell states and characterisation of their dynamic changes. Given the many overlapping features and similarities of the molecular signatures of normal development and cancer, embryonic molecular signatures could be useful prognostic markers for cancer. In this way, the study of embryonic development will continue to complement the understanding of the mechanisms of cancer and aid in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and strategies.

Characteristics of the cancer stem cell niche and therapeutic strategies

Distinct regions harboring cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified within the microenvironment of various tumors, and as in the case of their healthy counterparts, these anatomical regions are termed “niche.” Thus far, a large volume of studies have shown that CSC niches take part in the maintenance, regulation of renewal, differentiation and plasticity of CSCs. In this review, we summarize and discuss the latest findings regarding CSC niche morphology, physical terrain, main signaling pathways and interactions within them. The cellular and molecular components of CSCs also involve genetic and epigenetic modulations that mediate and support their maintenance, ultimately leading to cancer progression. It suggests that the crosstalk between CSCs and their niche plays an important role regarding therapy resistance and recurrence. In addition, we updated diverse therapeutic strategies in different cancers in basic research and clinical trials in this review. Understanding the complex heterogeneity of CSC niches is a necessary pre-requisite for designing superior therapeutic strategies to target CSC-specific factors and/or components of the CSC niche.

FOXF2 oppositely regulates stemness in luminal and basal-like breast cancer cells through the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway

The stemness of cancer cells contributes to tumorigenesis, the heterogeneity of malignancies, cancer metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. However, the role and regulatory mechanisms maintaining stemness among breast cancer subtypes remain elusive. Our previous studies have demonstrated that ectopic expression and dynamic alteration of the mesenchymal transcription factor forkhead box F2 (FOXF2) differentially regulates breast cancer progression and metastasis organotropism in a cell subtype-specific manner. Here, we reveal the underlying mechanism by which FOXF2 enhances stemness in luminal breast cancer cells but suppresses that in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) cells. We show that luminal breast cancer and BLBC cells with FOXF2-regulated stemness exhibit partial mesenchymal stem cell properties that toward osteogenic differentiation and myogenic differentiation, respectively. Furthermore, we show that FOXF2 activates the Wnt signaling pathway in luminal breast cancer cells but represses this pathway in BLBC cells by recruiting nuclear receptor coactivator 3 (NCoA3) and nuclear receptor corepressor 1 (NCoR1) to the promoters of Wnt family member 2B (WNT2B) and frizzled class receptor 1 (FZD1) genes to activate and repress their transcription, respectively. We propose that targeting the Wnt signaling pathway is a promising strategy for the treatment of breast cancers with dysregulated expression of FOXF2.

Interleukin-1 and Nuclear Factor Kappa B Signaling Promote Breast Cancer Progression and Treatment Resistance

While meant for wound healing and immunity in response to injury and infection, inflammatory signaling is usurped by cancerous tumors to promote disease progression, including treatment resistance. The interleukin-1 (IL-1) inflammatory cytokine family functions in wound healing and innate and adaptive immunity. Two major, closely related IL-1 family members, IL-1α and IL-1β, promote tumorigenic phenotypes and contribute to treatment resistance in cancer. IL-1 signaling converges on transactivation of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) and Activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factors. NF-κB and AP-1 signaling are also activated by the inflammatory cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα) and microbe-sensing Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs). As reviewed elsewhere, IL-1, TNFα, and TLR can promote cancer progression through NF-κB or AP-1. In this review, we focus on what is known about the role of IL-1α and IL-1β in breast cancer (BCa) progression and therapeutic resistance, and state evidence for the role of NF-κB in mediating IL-1-induced BCa progression and therapeutic resistance. We will present evidence that IL-1 promotes BCa cell proliferation, BCa stem cell expansion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. IL-1 also regulates intracellular signaling and BCa cell hormone receptor expression in a manner that confers a growth advantage to the tumor cells and allows BCa cells to evade therapy. As such, the IL-1 receptor antagonist, anakinra, is in clinical trials to treat BCa and multiple other cancer types. This article presents a review of the literature from the 1990s to the present, outlining the evidence supporting a role for IL-1 and IL-1-NF-κB signaling in BCa progression.