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Lin H, Liu C, Hu A, Zhang D, Yang H, Mao Y. Understanding the immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioma: mechanistic insights and clinical perspectives. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:31. [PMID: 38720342 PMCID: PMC11077829 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01544-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), the predominant and primary malignant intracranial tumor, poses a formidable challenge due to its immunosuppressive microenvironment, thereby confounding conventional therapeutic interventions. Despite the established treatment regimen comprising surgical intervention, radiotherapy, temozolomide administration, and the exploration of emerging modalities such as immunotherapy and integration of medicine and engineering technology therapy, the efficacy of these approaches remains constrained, resulting in suboptimal prognostic outcomes. In recent years, intensive scrutiny of the inhibitory and immunosuppressive milieu within GBM has underscored the significance of cellular constituents of the GBM microenvironment and their interactions with malignant cells and neurons. Novel immune and targeted therapy strategies have emerged, offering promising avenues for advancing GBM treatment. One pivotal mechanism orchestrating immunosuppression in GBM involves the aggregation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), glioma-associated macrophage/microglia (GAM), and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Among these, MDSCs, though constituting a minority (4-8%) of CD45+ cells in GBM, play a central component in fostering immune evasion and propelling tumor progression, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. MDSCs deploy intricate immunosuppressive mechanisms that adapt to the dynamic tumor microenvironment (TME). Understanding the interplay between GBM and MDSCs provides a compelling basis for therapeutic interventions. This review seeks to elucidate the immune regulatory mechanisms inherent in the GBM microenvironment, explore existing therapeutic targets, and consolidate recent insights into MDSC induction and their contribution to GBM immunosuppression. Additionally, the review comprehensively surveys ongoing clinical trials and potential treatment strategies, envisioning a future where targeting MDSCs could reshape the immune landscape of GBM. Through the synergistic integration of immunotherapy with other therapeutic modalities, this approach can establish a multidisciplinary, multi-target paradigm, ultimately improving the prognosis and quality of life in patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaxian Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ankang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Duanwu Zhang
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Valera PS, Plou J, García I, Astobiza I, Viera C, M. Aransay A, Martin JE, Sasselli IR, Carracedo A, Liz-Marzán LM. SERS analysis of cancer cell-secreted purines reveals a unique paracrine crosstalk in MTAP-deficient tumors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2311674120. [PMID: 38109528 PMCID: PMC10756296 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311674120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a dynamic pseudoorgan that shapes the development and progression of cancers. It is a complex ecosystem shaped by interactions between tumor and stromal cells. Although the traditional focus has been on the paracrine communication mediated by protein messengers, recent attention has turned to the metabolic secretome in tumors. Metabolic enzymes, together with exchanged substrates and products, have emerged as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. However, traditional techniques for profiling secreted metabolites in complex cellular contexts are limited. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has emerged as a promising alternative due to its nontargeted nature and simplicity of operation. Although SERS has demonstrated its potential for detecting metabolites in biological settings, its application in deciphering metabolic interactions within multicellular systems like the TME remains underexplored. In this study, we introduce a SERS-based strategy to investigate the secreted purine metabolites of tumor cells lacking methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP), a common genetic event associated with poor prognosis in various cancers. Our SERS analysis reveals that MTAP-deficient cancer cells selectively produce methylthioadenosine (MTA), which is taken up and metabolized by fibroblasts. Fibroblasts exposed to MTA exhibit: i) molecular reprogramming compatible with cancer aggressiveness, ii) a significant production of purine derivatives that could be readily recycled by cancer cells, and iii) the capacity to secrete purine derivatives that induce macrophage polarization. Our study supports the potential of SERS for cancer metabolism research and reveals an unprecedented paracrine crosstalk that explains TME reprogramming in MTAP-deleted cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo S. Valera
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián20014, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Donostia-San Sebastián20014, Spain
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio48160, Spain
- Departamento de Química Aplicada, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Universitatea (UPV/EHU), Donostia-San Sebastián20018, Spain
| | - Javier Plou
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián20014, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Donostia-San Sebastián20014, Spain
- Center for Cooperative Research in Nanoscience (CIC nanoGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián20018, Spain
| | - Isabel García
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián20014, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Donostia-San Sebastián20014, Spain
| | - Ianire Astobiza
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio48160, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC),Madrid28029, Spain
| | - Cristina Viera
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio48160, Spain
| | - Ana M. Aransay
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio48160, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in hepatic diseases, Derio48160, Spain
| | - José E. Martin
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio48160, Spain
| | - Ivan R. Sasselli
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián20014, Spain
- Centro de Fisica de Materiales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas-Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Universitatea (CSIC-UPV)/EHU), Donostiarra-San Sebastián20018, Spain
| | - Arkaitz Carracedo
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio48160, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC),Madrid28029, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao48009, Spain
- Translational Prostate Cancer Research Lab, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences-Basurto, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Derio48160, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Universitatea (UPV/EHU), Leioa48940, Spain
| | - Luis M. Liz-Marzán
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián20014, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Donostia-San Sebastián20014, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao48009, Spain
- Cinbio, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo36310, Spain
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Bray C, Balcells C, McNeish IA, Keun HC. The potential and challenges of targeting MTAP-negative cancers beyond synthetic lethality. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1264785. [PMID: 37795443 PMCID: PMC10546069 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1264785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 15% of cancers exhibit loss of the chromosomal locus 9p21.3 - the genomic location of the tumour suppressor gene CDKN2A and the methionine salvage gene methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP). A loss of MTAP increases the pool of its substrate methylthioadenosine (MTA), which binds to and inhibits activity of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5). PRMT5 utilises the universal methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to methylate arginine residues of protein substrates and regulate their activity, notably histones to regulate transcription. Recently, targeting PRMT5, or MAT2A that impacts PRMT5 activity by producing SAM, has shown promise as a therapeutic strategy in oncology, generating synthetic lethality in MTAP-negative cancers. However, clinical development of PRMT5 and MAT2A inhibitors has been challenging and highlights the need for further understanding of the downstream mediators of drug effects. Here, we discuss the rationale and methods for targeting the MAT2A/PRMT5 axis for cancer therapy. We evaluate the current limitations in our understanding of the mechanism of MAT2A/PRMT5 inhibitors and identify the challenges that must be addressed to maximise the potential of these drugs. In addition, we review the current literature defining downstream effectors of PRMT5 activity that could determine sensitivity to MAT2A/PRMT5 inhibition and therefore present a rationale for novel combination therapies that may not rely on synthetic lethality with MTAP loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandler Bray
- Cancer Metabolism & Systems Toxicology Group, Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cristina Balcells
- Cancer Metabolism & Systems Toxicology Group, Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Iain A. McNeish
- Ovarian Cancer Action Research Centre, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hector C. Keun
- Cancer Metabolism & Systems Toxicology Group, Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Ren J, Xu B, Ren J, Liu Z, Cai L, Zhang X, Wang W, Li S, Jin L, Ding L. The Importance of M1-and M2-Polarized Macrophages in Glioma and as Potential Treatment Targets. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1269. [PMID: 37759870 PMCID: PMC10526262 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma is the most common and malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive glioma, with a poor prognosis and no effective treatment because of its high invasiveness, metabolic rate, and heterogeneity. The tumor microenvironment (TME) contains many tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which play a critical role in tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis and indirectly promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment. TAM is divided into tumor-suppressive M1-like (classic activation of macrophages) and tumor-supportive M2-like (alternatively activated macrophages) polarized cells. TAMs exhibit an M1-like phenotype in the initial stages of tumor progression, and along with the promotion of lysing tumors and the functions of T cells and NK cells, tumor growth is suppressed, and they rapidly transform into M2-like polarized macrophages, which promote tumor progression. In this review, we discuss the mechanism by which M1- and M2-polarized macrophages promote or inhibit the growth of glioblastoma and indicate the future directions for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangbin Ren
- Department of neurosurgery, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an 223000, China; (J.R.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (L.C.); (X.Z.); (W.W.); (S.L.); (L.J.)
| | - Bangjie Xu
- Department of neurosurgery, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an 223000, China; (J.R.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (L.C.); (X.Z.); (W.W.); (S.L.); (L.J.)
| | - Jianghao Ren
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, China;
| | - Zhichao Liu
- Department of neurosurgery, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an 223000, China; (J.R.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (L.C.); (X.Z.); (W.W.); (S.L.); (L.J.)
| | - Lingyu Cai
- Department of neurosurgery, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an 223000, China; (J.R.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (L.C.); (X.Z.); (W.W.); (S.L.); (L.J.)
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Department of neurosurgery, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an 223000, China; (J.R.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (L.C.); (X.Z.); (W.W.); (S.L.); (L.J.)
| | - Weijie Wang
- Department of neurosurgery, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an 223000, China; (J.R.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (L.C.); (X.Z.); (W.W.); (S.L.); (L.J.)
| | - Shaoxun Li
- Department of neurosurgery, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an 223000, China; (J.R.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (L.C.); (X.Z.); (W.W.); (S.L.); (L.J.)
| | - Luhao Jin
- Department of neurosurgery, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an 223000, China; (J.R.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (L.C.); (X.Z.); (W.W.); (S.L.); (L.J.)
| | - Lianshu Ding
- Department of neurosurgery, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an 223000, China; (J.R.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (L.C.); (X.Z.); (W.W.); (S.L.); (L.J.)
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5
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Fan N, Zhang Y, Zou S. Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase deficiency in tumors: A compelling therapeutic target. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1173356. [PMID: 37091983 PMCID: PMC10113547 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1173356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The methionine salvage pathway is responsible for recycling sulfur-containing metabolites to methionine. This salvage pathway has been found to be implicated in cell apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation and inflammatory response. Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) catalyzes the reversible phosphorolysis of 5′-methylthioadenosine, a by-product produced from polyamine biosynthesis. The MTAP gene is located adjacent to the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A gene and co-deletes with CDKN2A in nearly 15% of tumors. Moreover, MTAP-deleted tumor cells exhibit greater sensitivity to methionine depletion and to the inhibitors of purine synthesis. In this review, we first summarized the molecular structure and expression of MTAP in tumors. Furthermore, we discussed PRMT5 and MAT2A as a potential vulnerability for MTAP-deleted tumors. The complex and dynamic role of MTAP in diverse malignancies has also been discussed. Finally, we demonstrated the implications for the treatment of MTAP-deleted tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Fan
- Department of Stomatology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Suyun Zou
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Suyun Zou,
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Patro CPK, Biswas N, Pingle SC, Lin F, Anekoji M, Jones LD, Kesari S, Wang F, Ashili S. MTAP loss: a possible therapeutic approach for glioblastoma. J Transl Med 2022; 20:620. [PMID: 36572880 PMCID: PMC9791736 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03823-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most lethal form of brain tumor with a recurrence rate of almost 90% and a survival time of only 15 months post-diagnosis. It is a highly heterogeneous, aggressive, and extensively studied tumor. Multiple studies have proposed therapeutic approaches to mitigate or improve the survival for patients with glioblastoma. In this article, we review the loss of the 5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) gene as a potential therapeutic approach for treating glioblastoma. MTAP encodes a metabolic enzyme required for the metabolism of polyamines and purines leading to DNA synthesis. Multiple studies have explored the loss of this gene and have shown its relevance as a therapeutic approach to glioblastoma tumor mitigation; however, other studies show that the loss of MTAP does not have a major impact on the course of the disease. This article reviews the contrasting findings of MTAP loss with regard to mitigating the effects of glioblastoma, and also focuses on multiple aspects of MTAP loss in glioblastoma by providing insights into the known findings and some of the unexplored areas of this field where new approaches can be imagined for novel glioblastoma therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Pawan K. Patro
- CureScience, 5820 Oberlin Dr, 202, San Diego, CA 92121 USA ,grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Present Address: Cancer Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599 Singapore
| | | | | | - Feng Lin
- CureScience, 5820 Oberlin Dr, 202, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | - Misa Anekoji
- CureScience, 5820 Oberlin Dr, 202, San Diego, CA 92121 USA
| | | | - Santosh Kesari
- grid.416507.10000 0004 0450 0360Department of Translational Neurosciences, Pacific Neuroscience Institute and Saint John’s Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, CA 90404 Santa Monica, USA
| | - Feng Wang
- grid.412901.f0000 0004 1770 1022Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Medical School, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan China
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Low V, Li Z, Blenis J. Metabolite activation of tumorigenic signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment. Sci Signal 2022; 15:eabj4220. [DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abj4220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The role of metabolites exchanged in the tumor microenvironment is largely thought of as fuels to drive the increased biosynthetic and bioenergetic demands of growing tumors. However, this view is shifting as metabolites are increasingly shown to function as signaling molecules that directly regulate oncogenic pathways. Combined with our growing understanding of the essential role of stromal cells, this shift has led to increased interest in how the collective and interconnected metabolome of the tumor microenvironment can drive malignant transformation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, drug resistance, immune evasion, and metastasis. In this review, we discuss how metabolite exchange between tumors and various cell types in the tumor microenvironment—such as fibroblasts, adipocytes, and immune cells—can activate signaling pathways that drive cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Low
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Zhongchi Li
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - John Blenis
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Sowers ML, Sowers LC. Glioblastoma and Methionine Addiction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7156. [PMID: 35806160 PMCID: PMC9266821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a fatal brain tumor with a bleak prognosis. The use of chemotherapy, primarily the alkylating agent temozolomide, coupled with radiation and surgical resection, has provided some benefit. Despite this multipronged approach, average patient survival rarely extends beyond 18 months. Challenges to glioblastoma treatment include the identification of functional pharmacologic targets as well as identifying drugs that can cross the blood-brain barrier. To address these challenges, current research efforts are examining metabolic differences between normal and tumor cells that could be targeted. Among the metabolic differences examined to date, the apparent addiction to exogenous methionine by glioblastoma tumors is a critical factor that is not well understood and may serve as an effective therapeutic target. Others have proposed this property could be exploited by methionine dietary restriction or other approaches to reduce methionine availability. However, methionine links the tumor microenvironment with cell metabolism, epigenetic regulation, and even mitosis. Therefore methionine depletion could result in complex and potentially undesirable responses, such as aneuploidy and the aberrant expression of genes that drive tumor progression. If methionine manipulation is to be a therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma patients, it is essential that we enhance our understanding of the role of methionine in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark L. Sowers
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
- MD-PhD Combined Degree Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Lawrence C. Sowers
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Spiliopoulou P, Yang SC, Bruce JP, Wang BX, Berman HK, Pugh TJ, Siu LL. All is not lost: learning from 9p21 loss in cancer. Trends Immunol 2022; 43:379-390. [DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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