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Forbes AN, Xu D, Cohen S, Pancholi P, Khurana E. Discovery of therapeutic targets in cancer using chromatin accessibility and transcriptomic data. Cell Syst 2024; 15:824-837.e6. [PMID: 39236711 PMCID: PMC11415227 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Most cancer types lack targeted therapeutic options, and when first-line targeted therapies are available, treatment resistance is a huge challenge. Recent technological advances enable the use of assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on patient tissue in a high-throughput manner. Here, we present a computational approach that leverages these datasets to identify drug targets based on tumor lineage. We constructed gene regulatory networks for 371 patients of 22 cancer types using machine learning approaches trained with three-dimensional genomic data for enhancer-to-promoter contacts. Next, we identified the key transcription factors (TFs) in these networks, which are used to find therapeutic vulnerabilities, by direct targeting of either TFs or the proteins that they interact with. We validated four candidates identified for neuroendocrine, liver, and renal cancers, which have a dismal prognosis with current therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Neil Forbes
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Duo Xu
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Sandra Cohen
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Priya Pancholi
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ekta Khurana
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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2
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Song P, Gao Z, Bao Y, Chen L, Huang Y, Liu Y, Dong Q, Wei X. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in carcinogenesis and cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:46. [PMID: 38886806 PMCID: PMC11184729 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01563-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, encompassing development, tissue homeostasis, and cell proliferation. Under normal physiological conditions, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is meticulously regulated. However, aberrant activation of this pathway and downstream target genes can occur due to mutations in key components of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, epigenetic modifications, and crosstalk with other signaling pathways. Consequently, these dysregulations contribute significantly to tumor initiation and progression. Therapies targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling transduction have exhibited promising prospects and potential for tumor treatment. An increasing number of medications targeting this pathway are continuously being developed and validated. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the latest advances in our understanding of the role played by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in carcinogenesis and targeted therapy, providing valuable insights into acknowledging current opportunities and challenges associated with targeting this signaling pathway in cancer research and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Song
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Zirui Gao
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yige Bao
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Li Chen
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yuhe Huang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Dong
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610041, China.
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Agent Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China.
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3
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Borlongan MC, Wang H. Profiling and targeting cancer stem cell signaling pathways for cancer therapeutics. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1125174. [PMID: 37305676 PMCID: PMC10247984 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1125174] [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: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenic cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation of cells within the tumor that express genetic and phenotypic profiles and signaling pathways distinct from the other tumor cells. CSCs have eluded many conventional anti-oncogenic treatments, resulting in metastases and relapses of cancers. Effectively targeting CSCs' unique self-renewal and differentiation properties would be a breakthrough in cancer therapy. A better characterization of the CSCs' unique signaling mechanisms will improve our understanding of the pathology and treatment of cancer. In this paper, we will discuss CSC origin, followed by an in-depth review of CSC-associated signaling pathways. Particular emphasis is given on CSC signaling pathways' ligand-receptor engagement, upstream and downstream mechanisms, and associated genes, and molecules. Signaling pathways associated with regulation of CSC development stand as potential targets of CSC therapy, which include Wnt, TGFβ (transforming growth factor-β)/SMAD, Notch, JAK-STAT (Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription), Hedgehog (Hh), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Lastly, we will also discuss milestone discoveries in CSC-based therapies, including pre-clinical and clinical studies featuring novel CSC signaling pathway cancer therapeutics. This review aims at generating innovative views on CSCs toward a better understanding of cancer pathology and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia C. Borlongan
- Master Program of Pharmaceutical Science College of Graduate Studies, Elk Grove, CA, United States
| | - Hongbin Wang
- Master Program of Pharmaceutical Science College of Graduate Studies, Elk Grove, CA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences College of Pharmacy, Elk Grove, CA, United States
- Department of Basic Science College of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA, United States
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4
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Shoaib S, Ansari MA, Ghazwani M, Hani U, Jamous YF, Alali Z, Wahab S, Ahmad W, Weir SA, Alomary MN, Yusuf N, Islam N. Prospective Epigenetic Actions of Organo-Sulfur Compounds against Cancer: Perspectives and Molecular Mechanisms. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030697. [PMID: 36765652 PMCID: PMC9913804 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Major epigenetic alterations, such as chromatin modifications, DNA methylation, and miRNA regulation, have gained greater attention and play significant roles in oncogenesis, representing a new paradigm in our understanding of cancer susceptibility. These epigenetic changes, particularly aberrant promoter hypermethylation, abnormal histone acetylation, and miRNA dysregulation, represent a set of epigenetic patterns that contribute to inappropriate gene silencing at every stage of cancer progression. Notably, the cancer epigenome possesses various HDACs and DNMTs, which participate in the histone modifications and DNA methylation. As a result, there is an unmet need for developing the epigenetic inhibitors against HDACs and DNMTs for cancer therapy. To date, several epigenetically active synthetic inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases and histone deacetylases have been developed. However, a growing body of research reports that most of these synthetic inhibitors have significant side effects and a narrow window of specificity for cancer cells. Targeting tumor epigenetics with phytocompounds that have the capacity to modulate abnormal DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and miRNAs expression is one of the evolving strategies for cancer prevention. Encouragingly, there are many bioactive phytochemicals, including organo-sulfur compounds that have been shown to alter the expression of key tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, and oncogenic miRNAs through modulation of DNA methylation and histones in cancer. In addition to vitamins and microelements, dietary phytochemicals such as sulforaphane, PEITC, BITC, DADS, and allicin are among a growing list of naturally occurring anticancer agents that have been studied as an alternative strategy for cancer treatment and prevention. Moreover, these bioactive organo-sulfur compounds, either alone or in combination with other standard cancer drugs or phytochemicals, showed promising results against many cancers. Here, we particularly summarize and focus on the impact of specific organo-sulfur compounds on DNA methylation and histone modifications through targeting the expression of different DNMTs and HDACs that are of particular interest in cancer therapy and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoaib Shoaib
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mohammad Azam Ansari
- Department of Epidemic Disease Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Ghazwani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Umme Hani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yahya F. Jamous
- Vaccine and Bioprocessing Center, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zahraa Alali
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin 31991, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shadma Wahab
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wasim Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacy, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam 34222, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sydney A. Weir
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Mohammad N. Alomary
- National Centre for Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: (M.N.A.); (N.I.)
| | - Nabiha Yusuf
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Najmul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202001, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Correspondence: (M.N.A.); (N.I.)
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Sahoo OS, Pethusamy K, Srivastava TP, Talukdar J, Alqahtani MS, Abbas M, Dhar R, Karmakar S. The metabolic addiction of cancer stem cells. Front Oncol 2022; 12:955892. [PMID: 35957877 PMCID: PMC9357939 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.955892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSC) are the minor population of cancer originating cells that have the capacity of self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenicity (when transplanted into an immunocompromised animal). These low-copy number cell populations are believed to be resistant to conventional chemo and radiotherapy. It was reported that metabolic adaptation of these elusive cell populations is to a large extent responsible for their survival and distant metastasis. Warburg effect is a hallmark of most cancer in which the cancer cells prefer to metabolize glucose anaerobically, even under normoxic conditions. Warburg's aerobic glycolysis produces ATP efficiently promoting cell proliferation by reprogramming metabolism to increase glucose uptake and stimulating lactate production. This metabolic adaptation also seems to contribute to chemoresistance and immune evasion, a prerequisite for cancer cell survival and proliferation. Though we know a lot about metabolic fine-tuning in cancer, what is still in shadow is the identity of upstream regulators that orchestrates this process. Epigenetic modification of key metabolic enzymes seems to play a decisive role in this. By altering the metabolic flux, cancer cells polarize the biochemical reactions to selectively generate "onco-metabolites" that provide an added advantage for cell proliferation and survival. In this review, we explored the metabolic-epigenetic circuity in relation to cancer growth and proliferation and establish the fact how cancer cells may be addicted to specific metabolic pathways to meet their needs. Interestingly, even the immune system is re-calibrated to adapt to this altered scenario. Knowing the details is crucial for selective targeting of cancer stem cells by choking the rate-limiting stems and crucial branch points, preventing the formation of onco-metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Om Saswat Sahoo
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of technology, Durgapur, India
| | - Karthikeyan Pethusamy
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Joyeeta Talukdar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohammed S. Alqahtani
- Radiological Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- BioImaging Unit, Space Research Centre, Michael Atiyah Building, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Mohamed Abbas
- Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Computers and communications Department, College of Engineering, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt
| | - Ruby Dhar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Subhradip Karmakar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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6
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Epigenetic insights in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection in CRC, an updated review. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:10013-10022. [PMID: 35727475 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07569-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM The gradual accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations can lead to the development of colorectal cancer. In the last decade much research has been done to discover how methylation as an epigenetic alteration leads to carcinogenesis. While Methylation is a biological process, it can influence gene expression by affecting the promoter activity. This article reviews the role of methylation in critical pathways in CRC. METHODS In this study using appropriate keywords, all research and review articles related to the role of methylation on different cancers were collected and analyzed. Also, existing information on methylation detection methods and therapeutic sensitivity or resistance due to DNA methylation were reviewed. RESULTS The results of this survey revealed that while Methylation is a biological process, it can influence gene expression by affecting the promoter activity. Promoter methylation is associated with up or downregulation of genes involved in critical pathways, including cell cycle, DNA repair, and cell adherence. Hence promoter methylation can be used as a molecular tool for early diagnosis, improving treatment, and predicting treatment resistance. CONCLUSION Current knowledge on potential methylation biomarkers for diagnosis and prognoses of CRC has also been discussed. Our survey proposes that a multi-biomarker panel is more efficient than a single biomarker in the early diagnosis of CRC.
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Serrated Colorectal Lesions: An Up-to-Date Review from Histological Pattern to Molecular Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084461. [PMID: 35457279 PMCID: PMC9032676 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Until 2010, colorectal serrated lesions were generally considered as harmless lesions and reported as hyperplastic polyps (HPs) by pathologists and gastroenterologists. However, recent evidence showed that they may bear the potential to develop into colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) classification has identified four categories of serrated lesions: hyperplastic polyps (HPs), sessile serrated lesions (SSLs), traditional serrated adenoma (TSAs) and unclassified serrated adenomas. SSLs with dysplasia and TSAs are the most common precursors of CRC. CRCs arising from serrated lesions originate via two different molecular pathways, namely sporadic microsatellite instability (MSI) and the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), the latter being considered as the major mechanism that drives the serrated pathway towards CRC. Unlike CRCs arising through the adenoma-carcinoma pathway, APC-inactivating mutations are rarely shown in the serrated neoplasia pathway.
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Paschidis K, Zougros A, Chatziandreou I, Tsikalakis S, Korkolopoulou P, Kavantzas N, Saetta AA. Methylation analysis of APC, AXIN2, DACT1, RASSF1A and MGMT gene promoters in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 234:153899. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.153899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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9
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Wnt/β-catenin signalling: function, biological mechanisms, and therapeutic opportunities. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:3. [PMID: 34980884 PMCID: PMC8724284 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00762-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 671] [Impact Index Per Article: 335.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway comprises a family of proteins that play critical roles in embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. The deregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling often leads to various serious diseases, including cancer and non-cancer diseases. Although many articles have reviewed Wnt/β-catenin from various aspects, a systematic review encompassing the origin, composition, function, and clinical trials of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway in tumour and diseases is lacking. In this article, we comprehensively review the Wnt/β-catenin pathway from the above five aspects in combination with the latest research. Finally, we propose challenges and opportunities for the development of small-molecular compounds targeting the Wnt signalling pathway in disease treatment.
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10
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Wilczyński JR. Cancer Stem Cells: An Ever-Hiding Foe. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2022; 113:219-251. [PMID: 35165866 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-91311-3_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are a population of cells enable to reproduce the original phenotype of the tumor and capable to self-renewal, which is crucial for tumor proliferation, differentiation, recurrence, and metastasis, as well as chemoresistance. Therefore, the cancer stem cells (CSCs) have become one of the main targets for anticancer therapy and many ongoing clinical trials test anti-CSCs efficacy of plenty of drugs. This chapter describes CSCs starting from general description of this cell population, through CSCs markers, signaling pathways, genetic and epigenetic regulation, role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transition and autophagy, cooperation with microenvironment (CSCs niche), and finally role of CSCs in escaping host immunosurveillance against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek R Wilczyński
- Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Gynecologic Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
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11
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Samanta S, Mahata R, Santra MK. The Cross-Talk between Epigenetic Gene Regulation and Signaling Pathways Regulates Cancer Pathogenesis. Subcell Biochem 2022; 100:427-472. [PMID: 36301502 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-07634-3_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cancer begins due to uncontrolled cell division. Cancer cells are insensitive to the signals that control normal cell proliferation. This uncontrolled cell division is due to the accumulation of abnormalities in different factors associated with the cell division, including different cyclins, cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors, and cellular signaling. Cellular signaling pathways are aberrantly activated in cancer mainly due to epigenetic regulation and post-translational regulation. In this chapter, the role of epigenetic regulation in aberrant activation of PI3K/AKT, Ras, Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch, JAK/STAT, and mTOR signaling pathways in cancer progression is discussed. The role of epigenetic regulators in controlling the upstream regulatory proteins and downstream effector proteins responsible for abnormal cellular signaling-mediated cancer progression is covered in this chapter. Similarly, the role of signaling pathways in controlling epigenetic gene regulation-mediated cancer progression is also discussed. We have tried to ascertain the current status of potential epigenetic drugs targeting several epigenetic regulators to prevent different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snigdha Samanta
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rumpa Mahata
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manas Kumar Santra
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
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12
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Sharma A, Mir R, Galande S. Epigenetic Regulation of the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Cancer. Front Genet 2021; 12:681053. [PMID: 34552611 PMCID: PMC8450413 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.681053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies over the past four decades have elucidated the role of Wnt/β-catenin mediated regulation in cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. These processes are fundamental to embryonic development, regeneration potential of tissues, as well as cancer initiation and progression. In this review, we focus on the epigenetic players which influence the Wnt/β-catenin pathway via modulation of its components and coordinated regulation of the Wnt target genes. The role played by crosstalk with other signaling pathways mediating tumorigenesis is also elaborated. The Hippo/YAP pathway is particularly emphasized due to its extensive crosstalk via the Wnt destruction complex. Further, we highlight the recent advances in developing potential therapeutic interventions targeting the epigenetic machinery based on the characterization of these regulatory networks for effective treatment of various cancers and also for regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Sharma
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India
| | - Rafeeq Mir
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Sanjeev Galande
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India.,Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, India
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13
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Khalaf K, Hana D, Chou JTT, Singh C, Mackiewicz A, Kaczmarek M. Aspects of the Tumor Microenvironment Involved in Immune Resistance and Drug Resistance. Front Immunol 2021; 12:656364. [PMID: 34122412 PMCID: PMC8190405 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.656364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and ever-changing "rogue organ" composed of its own blood supply, lymphatic and nervous systems, stroma, immune cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). These complex components, utilizing both benign and malignant cells, nurture the harsh, immunosuppressive and nutrient-deficient environment necessary for tumor cell growth, proliferation and phenotypic flexibility and variation. An important aspect of the TME is cellular crosstalk and cell-to-ECM communication. This interaction induces the release of soluble factors responsible for immune evasion and ECM remodeling, which further contribute to therapy resistance. Other aspects are the presence of exosomes contributed by both malignant and benign cells, circulating deregulated microRNAs and TME-specific metabolic patterns which further potentiate the progression and/or resistance to therapy. In addition to biochemical signaling, specific TME characteristics such as the hypoxic environment, metabolic derangements, and abnormal mechanical forces have been implicated in the development of treatment resistance. In this review, we will provide an overview of tumor microenvironmental composition, structure, and features that influence immune suppression and contribute to treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Khalaf
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Doris Hana
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jadzia Tin-Tsen Chou
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Chandpreet Singh
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Andrzej Mackiewicz
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Mariusz Kaczmarek
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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14
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Akhlaghipour I, Bina AR, Abbaszadegan MR, Moghbeli M. Methylation as a critical epigenetic process during tumor progressions among Iranian population: an overview. Genes Environ 2021; 43:14. [PMID: 33883026 PMCID: PMC8059047 DOI: 10.1186/s41021-021-00187-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the main health challenges and leading causes of deaths in the world. Various environmental and genetic risk factors are associated with tumorigenesis. Epigenetic deregulations are also important risk factors during tumor progression which are reversible transcriptional alterations without any genomic changes. Various mechanisms are involved in epigenetic regulations such as DNA methylation, chromatin modifications, and noncoding RNAs. Cancer incidence and mortality have a growing trend during last decades among Iranian population which are significantly related to the late diagnosis. Therefore, it is required to prepare efficient molecular diagnostic panels for the early detection of cancer in this population. Promoter hyper methylation is frequently observed as an inhibitory molecular mechanism in various genes associated with DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis during tumor progression. Since aberrant promoter methylations have critical roles in early stages of neoplastic transformations, in present review we have summarized all of the aberrant methylations which have been reported during tumor progression among Iranian cancer patients. Aberrant promoter methylations are targetable and prepare novel therapeutic options for the personalized medicine in cancer patients. This review paves the way to introduce a non-invasive methylation specific panel of diagnostic markers for the early detection of cancer among Iranians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Akhlaghipour
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Reza Bina
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | | | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Kadian LK, Yadav R, Nanda S, Gulshan G, Sharma S, Yadav C. High-risk HPV infection modulates the promoter hypermethylation of APC, SFRP1, and PTEN in cervical cancer patients of North India. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:9725-9732. [PMID: 33230782 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05960-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Persistent infection with oncogenic HPV and downregulation of tumor suppressor genes play an essential role in the development and progression of cervical cancer. The present study aimed to identify the promoter methylation status of APC, SFRP1, and PTEN which are important regulators of Wnt pathway and their association with high-risk HPV infection and gene expression. Methylation Specific PCR (MSP) and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to detect methylation status and gene expression levels of APC, SFRP1, and PTEN in cervical cancer biopsies (110) and paired non-cancerous biopsies (28). APC promoter was methylated in 38%, SFRP1 in 95%, and PTEN in 55% of the cervical cancer biopsies. Our data showed a trend of a higher rate of methylation of the gene promoters in cervical cancer biopsies while; they were majorly un-methylated in non-cancerous biopsies. Corresponding to a higher rate of methylation in cancer biopsies, the gene expression levels of APC, SFRP1, and PTEN were reduced in cervical cancer samples in comparison to normal cervix tissues. Further, we observed that 97% cancer biopsies were HPV infected and high-risk type HPV16 and 18 infections were significantly positively associated with APC (p = 0.008 and p = 0.007), SFRP1 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.0067), and PTEN (p = 0.049 and p = 0.008) promoter methylation. APC, SFRP1, and PTEN promoter hyper-methylation is positively associated with high-risk HPV infection and inversely associated with gene expression. Our findings show that high-risk HPV infection promotes methylation of these genes and further promotes their silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lokesh Kumari Kadian
- Department of Genetics, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 124001, Haryana, India
| | - Ritu Yadav
- Department of Genetics, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 124001, Haryana, India.
| | - Smiti Nanda
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Gulshan Gulshan
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shivkant Sharma
- Department of Genetics, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 124001, Haryana, India
| | - Chetna Yadav
- Department of Genetics, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 124001, Haryana, India
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Kleeman SO, Leedham SJ. Not All Wnt Activation Is Equal: Ligand-Dependent versus Ligand-Independent Wnt Activation in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3355. [PMID: 33202731 PMCID: PMC7697568 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is ubiquitously activated in colorectal tumors and driver mutations are identified in genes such as APC, CTNNB1, RNF43 and R-spondin (RSPO2/3). Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and CTNNB1 mutations lead to downstream constitutive activation (ligand-independent), while RNF43 and RSPO mutations require exogenous Wnt ligand to activate signaling (ligand-dependent). Here, we present evidence that these mutations are not equivalent and that ligand-dependent and ligand-independent tumors differ in terms of underlying Wnt biology, molecular pathogenesis, morphology and prognosis. These non-overlapping characteristics can be harnessed to develop biomarkers and targeted treatments for ligand-dependent tumors, including porcupine inhibitors, anti-RSPO3 antibodies and asparaginase. There is emerging evidence that these therapies may synergize with immunotherapy in ligand-dependent tumors. In summary, we propose that ligand-dependent tumors are an underappreciated separate disease entity in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam O. Kleeman
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA;
- Intestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Simon J. Leedham
- Intestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
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Sharma M, Pruitt K. Wnt Pathway: An Integral Hub for Developmental and Oncogenic Signaling Networks. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8018. [PMID: 33126517 PMCID: PMC7663720 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt pathway is an integral cell-to-cell signaling hub which regulates crucial development processes and maintenance of tissue homeostasis by coordinating cell proliferation, differentiation, cell polarity, cell movement, and stem cell renewal. When dysregulated, it is associated with various developmental diseases, fibrosis, and tumorigenesis. We now better appreciate the complexity and crosstalk of the Wnt pathway with other signaling cascades. Emerging roles of the Wnt signaling in the cancer stem cell niche and drug resistance have led to development of therapeutics specifically targeting various Wnt components, with some agents currently in clinical trials. This review highlights historical and recent findings on key mediators of Wnt signaling and how they impact antitumor immunity and maintenance of cancer stem cells. This review also examines current therapeutics being developed that modulate Wnt signaling in cancer and discusses potential shortcomings associated with available therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin Pruitt
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA;
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18
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Dhawan A, Scott J, Sundaresan P, Veness M, Porceddu S, Hau E, Harris AL, Buffa FM, Gee HE. Role of gene signatures combined with pathology in classification of oropharynx head and neck cancer. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10226. [PMID: 32576885 PMCID: PMC7311543 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66983-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment personalisation remains an unmet need in oropharynx cancer (OPC). We aimed to determine whether gene expression signatures improved upon clinico-pathological predictors of outcome in OPC. The clinico-pathological predictors, AJCC version 7 (AJCC 7), AJCC 8, and a clinical algorithm, were assessed in 4 public series of OPC (n = 235). Literature review identified 16 mRNA gene expression signatures of radiosensitivity, HPV status, tumour hypoxia, and microsatellite instability. We quality tested signatures using a novel sigQC methodology, and added signatures to clinico-pathological variables as predictors of survival, in univariate and multivariate analyses. AJCC 7 Stage was not predictive of recurrence-free survival (RFS) or overall survival (OS). AJCC 8 significantly predicted RFS and OS. Gene signature quality was highly variable. Among HPV-positive cases, signatures for radiosensitivity, hypoxia, and microsatellite instability revealed significant underlying inter-tumour biological heterogeneity, but did not show prognostic significance when adjusted for clinical covariates. Surprisingly, among HPV-negative cases, a gene signature for HPV status was predictive of survival, even after adjustment for clinical covariates. Across the whole series, several gene signatures representing HPV and microsatellite instability remained significant in multivariate analysis. However, quality control and independent validation remain to be performed to add prognostic information above recently improved clinico-pathological variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Dhawan
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Jacob Scott
- Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Purnima Sundaresan
- Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, C24 - Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Veness
- Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, C24 - Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sandro Porceddu
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Eric Hau
- Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, C24 - Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adrian L Harris
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca M Buffa
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Harriet E Gee
- Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
- Sydney Medical School, C24 - Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Kleeman SO, Koelzer VH, Jones HJ, Vazquez EG, Davis H, East JE, Arnold R, Koppens MA, Blake A, Domingo E, Cunningham C, Beggs AD, Pestinger V, Loughrey MB, Wang LM, Lannagan TR, Woods SL, Worthley D, Consortium SC, Tomlinson I, Dunne PD, Maughan T, Leedham SJ. Exploiting differential Wnt target gene expression to generate a molecular biomarker for colorectal cancer stratification. Gut 2020; 69:1092-1103. [PMID: 31563876 PMCID: PMC7212029 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-319126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pathological Wnt pathway activation is a conserved hallmark of colorectal cancer. Wnt-activating mutations can be divided into: i) ligand-independent (LI) alterations in intracellular signal transduction proteins (Adenomatous polyposis coli, β-catenin), causing constitutive pathway activation and ii) ligand-dependent (LD) mutations affecting the synergistic R-Spondin axis (RNF43, RSPO-fusions) acting through amplification of endogenous Wnt signal transmembrane transduction. Our aim was to exploit differential Wnt target gene expression to generate a mutation-agnostic biomarker for LD tumours. DESIGN We undertook harmonised multi-omic analysis of discovery (n=684) and validation cohorts (n=578) of colorectal tumours collated from publicly available data and the Stratification in Colorectal Cancer Consortium. We used mutation data to establish molecular ground truth and subdivide lesions into LI/LD tumour subsets. We contrasted transcriptional, methylation, morphological and clinical characteristics between groups. RESULTS Wnt disrupting mutations were mutually exclusive. Desmoplastic stromal upregulation of RSPO may compensate for absence of epithelial mutation in a subset of stromal-rich tumours. Key Wnt negative regulator genes were differentially expressed between LD/LI tumours, with targeted hypermethylation of some genes (AXIN2, NKD1) occurring even in CIMP-negative LD cancers. AXIN2 mRNA expression was used as a discriminatory molecular biomarker to distinguish LD/LI tumours (area under the curve >0.93). CONCLUSIONS Epigenetic suppression of appropriate Wnt negative feedback loops is selectively advantageous in LD tumours and differential AXIN2 expression in LD/LI lesions can be exploited as a molecular biomarker. Distinguishing between LD/LI tumour types is important; patients with LD tumours retain sensitivity to Wnt ligand inhibition and may be stratified at diagnosis to clinical trials of Porcupine inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam O Kleeman
- Intestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Viktor H Koelzer
- Intestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Helen Js Jones
- Intestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Colorectal Surgery Department, Nuffield Department of Surgery, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Ester Gil Vazquez
- Intestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hayley Davis
- Intestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - James E East
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Roland Arnold
- Cancer Genetics and Evolution Laboratory, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
| | - Martijn Aj Koppens
- Intestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew Blake
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Enric Domingo
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Chris Cunningham
- Oxford Colorectal Surgery Department, Nuffield Department of Surgery, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Andrew D Beggs
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Institute of Cancer & Genomic Science, University of Birmingham, Birminghaam, United Kingdom
| | - Valerie Pestinger
- Cancer Genetics and Evolution Laboratory, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
| | - Maurice B Loughrey
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | | | - Tamsin Rm Lannagan
- South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute & School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Susan L Woods
- South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute & School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Daniel Worthley
- South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute & School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Ian Tomlinson
- Cancer Genetics and Evolution Laboratory, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
| | - Philip D Dunne
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Timothy Maughan
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Simon J Leedham
- Intestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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20
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The Molecular Hallmarks of the Serrated Pathway in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11071017. [PMID: 31330830 PMCID: PMC6678087 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11071017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. It includes different subtypes that differ in their clinical and prognostic features. In the past decade, in addition to the conventional adenoma-carcinoma model, an alternative multistep mechanism of carcinogenesis, namely the “serrated pathway”, has been described. Approximately, 15 to 30% of all CRCs arise from neoplastic serrated polyps, a heterogeneous group of lesions that are histologically classified into three morphologic categories: hyperplastic polyps, sessile serrated adenomas/polyps, and the traditional serrated adenomas/polyps. Serrated polyps are characterized by genetic (BRAF or KRAS mutations) and epigenetic (CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP)) alterations that cooperate to initiate and drive malignant transformation from normal colon mucosa to polyps, and then to CRC. The high heterogeneity of the serrated lesions renders their diagnostic and pathological interpretation difficult. Hence, novel genetic and epigenetic biomarkers are required for better classification and management of CRCs. To date, several molecular alterations have been associated with the serrated polyp-CRC sequence. In addition, the gut microbiota is emerging as a contributor to/modulator of the serrated pathway. This review summarizes the state of the art of the genetic, epigenetic and microbiota signatures associated with serrated CRCs, together with their clinical implications.
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21
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Chen HY, Lang YD, Lin HN, Liu YR, Liao CC, Nana AW, Yen Y, Chen RH. miR-103/107 prolong Wnt/β-catenin signaling and colorectal cancer stemness by targeting Axin2. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9687. [PMID: 31273221 PMCID: PMC6609830 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41053-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stemness drives tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, recurrence, and therapy resistance. However, mechanisms that potentiate the acquisition and maintenance of stemness fate of cancer cells remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that miR-103/107 stimulate multiple stem-like features in colorectal cancer, including expression of stem-like markers, appearance of side-population cells, and capabilities in self-renewal, tumor initiation, recurrence, and chemoresistance. Mechanistically, these stemness-promoting functions are mediated by miR-103/107-dependent repression of Axin2, a negative feedback regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Through inhibiting Axin2, miR-103/107 trigger a prolonged duration of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and a sustained induction of Wnt responsive genes. In colorectal cancer patients, miR-103/107 expression correlates inversely with Axin2 expression and a signature of miR-103/107 high and Axin2 low expression profile correlates with poor prognosis. Together, our study identifies a novel function of miR-103/107 in promoting colorectal cancer stemness by targeting Axin2 and elucidates the clinical relevance and prognostic value of this axis in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Yi Chen
- Ph.D Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Yaw-Dong Lang
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Nan Lin
- Ph.D Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ru Liu
- Office of Human Research, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chieh Liao
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - André Wendindondé Nana
- Ph.D Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun Yen
- Ph.D Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ruey-Hwa Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Institute of Biochemical Sciences, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Cross-platform Data Analysis Reveals a Generic Gene Expression Signature for Microsatellite Instability in Colorectal Cancer. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:6763596. [PMID: 31008109 PMCID: PMC6441508 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6763596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The dysfunction of the DNA mismatch repair system results in microsatellite instability (MSI). MSI plays a central role in the development of multiple human cancers. In colon cancer, despite being associated with resistance to 5-fluorouracil treatment, MSI is a favourable prognostic marker. In gastric and endometrial cancers, its prognostic value is not so well established. Nevertheless, recognising the MSI tumours may be important for predicting the therapeutic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Several gene expression signatures were trained on microarray data sets to understand the regulatory mechanisms underlying microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer. A wealth of expression data already exists in the form of microarray data sets. However, the RNA-seq has become a routine for transcriptome analysis. A new MSI gene expression signature presented here is the first to be valid across two different platforms, microarrays and RNA-seq. In the case of colon cancer, its estimated performance was (i) AUC = 0.94, 95% CI = (0.90 – 0.97) on RNA-seq and (ii) AUC = 0.95, 95% CI = (0.92 – 0.97) on microarray. The 25-gene expression signature was also validated in two independent microarray colon cancer data sets. Despite being derived from colorectal cancer, the signature maintained good performance on RNA-seq and microarray gastric cancer data sets (AUC = 0.90, 95% CI = (0.85 – 0.94) and AUC = 0.83, 95% CI = (0.69 – 0.97), respectively). Furthermore, this classifier retained high concordance even when classifying RNA-seq endometrial cancers (AUC = 0.71, 95% CI = (0.62 – 0.81). These results indicate that the new signature was able to remove the platform-specific differences while preserving the underlying biological differences between MSI/MSS phenotypes in colon cancer samples.
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Galluzzi L, Spranger S, Fuchs E, López-Soto A. WNT Signaling in Cancer Immunosurveillance. Trends Cell Biol 2019; 29:44-65. [PMID: 30220580 PMCID: PMC7001864 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Deregulated WNT signaling has been shown to favor malignant transformation, tumor progression, and resistance to conventional cancer therapy in a variety of preclinical and clinical settings. Accumulating evidence suggests that aberrant WNT signaling may also subvert cancer immunosurveillance, hence promoting immunoevasion and resistance to multiple immunotherapeutics, including immune checkpoint blockers. Here, we discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms through which WNT signaling influences cancer immunosurveillance and present potential therapeutic avenues to harness currently available WNT modulators for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, 75006 Paris, France.
| | - Stefani Spranger
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Elaine Fuchs
- Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alejandro López-Soto
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Área de Inmunología, Universidad de Oviedo. Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), 33006 Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (IISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
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24
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Samadani AA, Norollahi SE, Rashidy-Pour A, Mansour-Ghanaei F, Nemati S, Joukar F, Afshar AM, Ghazanfari S, Safizadeh M, Rostami P, Gatei M. Cancer signaling pathways with a therapeutic approach: An overview in epigenetic regulations of cancer stem cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 108:590-599. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.09.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Revised: 09/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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25
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Kim SH, Park KH, Shin SJ, Lee KY, Kim TI, Kim NK, Rha SY, Ahn JB. CpG Island Methylator Phenotype and Methylation of Wnt Pathway Genes Together Predict Survival in Patients with Colorectal Cancer. Yonsei Med J 2018; 59:588-594. [PMID: 29869456 PMCID: PMC5990680 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2018.59.5.588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Dysregulation of the Wnt pathway is a crucial step in the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to determine whether DNA methylation of Wnt pathway genes helps predict treatment response and survival in patients with metastatic or recurrent CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively collected primary tumor tissues from 194 patients with metastatic or recurrent CRC. Pyrosequencing was used to examine the methylation of 10 CpG island loci in DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens. To elucidate the predictive role of DNA methylation markers, Kaplan-Meier survival estimation and Cox regression were performed for progression-free survival and overall survival (OS). RESULTS The methylation frequencies of the 10 genes analyzed (p16, p14, MINT1, MINT2, MINT31, hMLH1, DKK3, WNT5A, AXIN2, and TFAP2E) were 47.9%, 10.8%, 21.1%, 16.0%, 20.6%, 0.5%, 53.1%, 32.0%, 2.6%, and 2.1%, respectively. We divided patients into three groups based on the number of methylated genes (group 1, no methylation n=38; group 2, 1-2 methylations n=92; group 3, 3 or more methylations n=64). Among patients treated with palliative chemotherapy (n=167), median OSs of groups 1, 2, and 3 were 39.1, 39.7, and 29.1 months, respectively (log rank p=0.013). After adjustment, number of methylations was identified as an independent poor prognostic factor (0-2 methylated vs. ≥3 methylated: hazard ratio, 1.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.56, p=0.007). CONCLUSION This study suggests that methylation of Wnt pathway genes, in addition to known CpG island methylator phenotype markers, may help predict treatment outcome and survival in patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Hyun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Department of Medicine, Graduate School of Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyu Hyun Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Joon Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kang Young Lee
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae Il Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Nam Kyu Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Young Rha
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joong Bae Ahn
- Department of Medicine, Graduate School of Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Chen M, Liu YY, Zheng MQ, Wang XL, Gao XH, Chen L, Zhang GM. microRNA-544 promoted human osteosarcoma cell proliferation by downregulating AXIN2 expression. Oncol Lett 2018; 15:7076-7082. [PMID: 29725431 PMCID: PMC5920246 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) perform various oncogenic or tumor suppressor functions in carcinogenesis. Currently, the underlying mechanisms of miRNAs in osteosarcoma (OS) are poorly understood. In the present study, it is demonstrated that expression of miR-544 was markedly upregulated in OS cells and clinical tissues. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-544 enhanced OS cell proliferation in vitro. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that miR-544 may target the 3′-untranslated region of axis formation inhibitor 2, which was validated using luciferase reporter gene assays. The present study demonstrated a vital role for miR-544 in promoting OS cell proliferation, indicating that it may represent a novel prognostic factor or therapeutic target for OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
| | - Yong-Yi Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
| | - Min-Qing Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Liang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
| | - Xing-Hua Gao
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
| | - Guang-Ming Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510180, P.R. China
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Wils LJ, Bijlsma MF. Epigenetic regulation of the Hedgehog and Wnt pathways in cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018; 121:23-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Abstract
Compelling evidence have demonstrated that bulk tumors can arise from a unique subset of cells commonly termed "cancer stem cells" that has been proposed to be a strong driving force of tumorigenesis and a key mechanism of therapeutic resistance. Recent advances in epigenomics have illuminated key mechanisms by which epigenetic regulation contribute to cancer progression. In this review, we present a discussion of how deregulation of various epigenetic pathways can contribute to cancer initiation and tumorigenesis, particularly with respect to maintenance and survival of cancer stem cells. This information, together with several promising clinical and preclinical trials of epigenetic modulating drugs, offer new possibilities for targeting cancer stem cells as well as improving cancer therapy overall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tan Boon Toh
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jhin Jieh Lim
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Edward Kai-Hua Chow
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Centre for Translational Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive #12-01, Singapore, 117599 Singapore
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Mamrut S, Avidan N, Staun-Ram E, Ginzburg E, Truffault F, Berrih-Aknin S, Miller A. Integrative analysis of methylome and transcriptome in human blood identifies extensive sex- and immune cell-specific differentially methylated regions. Epigenetics 2016; 10:943-57. [PMID: 26291385 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1084462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between DNA methylation and gene expression is complex and elusive. To further elucidate these relations, we performed an integrative analysis of the methylome and transcriptome of 4 circulating immune cell subsets (B cells, monocytes, CD4(+), and CD8(+) T cells) from healthy females. Additionally, in light of the known sex bias in the prevalence of several immune-mediated diseases, the female datasets were compared with similar public available male data sets. Immune cell-specific differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were found to be highly similar between sexes, with an average correlation coefficient of 0.82; however, numerous sex-specific DMRs, shared by the cell subsets, were identified, mainly on autosomal chromosomes. This provides a list of highly interesting candidate genes to be studied in disorders with sexual dimorphism, such as autoimmune diseases. Immune cell-specific DMRs were mainly located in the gene body and intergenic region, distant from CpG islands but overlapping with enhancer elements, indicating that distal regulatory elements are important in immune cell specificity. In contrast, sex-specific DMRs were overrepresented in CpG islands, suggesting that the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of sex and immune cell specificity may differ. Both positive and, more frequently, negative correlations between subset-specific expression and methylation were observed, and cell-specific DMRs of both interactions were associated with similar biological pathways, while sex-specific DMRs were linked to networks of early development or estrogen receptor and immune-related molecules. Our findings of immune cell- and sex-specific methylome and transcriptome profiles provide novel insight on their complex regulatory interactions and may particularly contribute to research of immune-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimrat Mamrut
- a Rappaport Faculty of Medicine; Technion-Israel Institute of Technology ; Haifa , Israel
| | - Nili Avidan
- a Rappaport Faculty of Medicine; Technion-Israel Institute of Technology ; Haifa , Israel
| | - Elsebeth Staun-Ram
- a Rappaport Faculty of Medicine; Technion-Israel Institute of Technology ; Haifa , Israel
| | - Elizabeta Ginzburg
- a Rappaport Faculty of Medicine; Technion-Israel Institute of Technology ; Haifa , Israel
| | - Frederique Truffault
- b INSERM - U974/CNRS UMR7215//UPMC UM76/AIM; Institute of Myology Pitie-Salpetriere ; Paris , France
| | - Sonia Berrih-Aknin
- b INSERM - U974/CNRS UMR7215//UPMC UM76/AIM; Institute of Myology Pitie-Salpetriere ; Paris , France
| | - Ariel Miller
- a Rappaport Faculty of Medicine; Technion-Israel Institute of Technology ; Haifa , Israel.,c Division of Neuroimmunology; Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center ; Haifa , Israel
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Wnt Signaling in Cancer Stem Cell Biology. Cancers (Basel) 2016; 8:cancers8070060. [PMID: 27355964 PMCID: PMC4963802 DOI: 10.3390/cancers8070060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant regulation of Wnt signaling is a common theme seen across many tumor types. Decades of research have unraveled the epigenetic and genetic alterations that result in elevated Wnt pathway activity. More recently, it has become apparent that Wnt signaling levels identify stem-like tumor cells that are responsible for fueling tumor growth. As therapeutic targeting of these tumor stem cells is an intense area of investigation, a concise understanding on how Wnt activity relates to cancer stem cell traits is needed. This review attempts at summarizing the intricacies between Wnt signaling and cancer stem cell biology with a special emphasis on colorectal cancer.
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Abstract
AXIN2, an important regulator in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, takes part in regulating cell proliferation, cytometaplasia, migration, apoptosis and other important functions, has showed close relations with the development of liver cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and so on. The epigenetic regulation provides new insights for further exploring the pathogenesis of tumor. In this paper, the roles of AXIN2 in tumorigenesis, AXIN2 methylation, ubiquitination and siRNA/RNA regulation will be reviewed.
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Yin W, Bian Z. Hypodontia, a prospective predictive marker for tumor? Oral Dis 2016; 22:265-73. [DOI: 10.1111/odi.12400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Revised: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- W Yin
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education; School & Hospital of Stomatology; Wuhan University; Wuhan China
- Department of Endodontics & Periodontics; College of Stomatology; Dalian Medical University; Dalian China
| | - Z Bian
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education; School & Hospital of Stomatology; Wuhan University; Wuhan China
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Pierzynski JA, Hildebrandt MA, Kamat AM, Lin J, Ye Y, Dinney CPN, Wu X. Genetic Variants in the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway as Indicators of Bladder Cancer Risk. J Urol 2015; 194:1771-6. [PMID: 26173102 PMCID: PMC5087323 DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2015.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Genetic factors that influence bladder cancer risk remain largely unknown. Previous research has suggested that there is a strong genetic component underlying the risk of bladder cancer. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a key modulator of cellular proliferation through its regulation of stem cell homeostasis. Furthermore, variants in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway have been implicated in the development of other cancers, leading us to believe that this pathway may have a vital role in bladder cancer development. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 230 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 40 genes in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were genotyped in 803 bladder cancer cases and 803 healthy controls. RESULTS A total of 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms were nominally significant for risk. Individuals with 2 variants of LRP6: rs10743980 were associated with a decreased risk of bladder cancer in the recessive model in the initial analysis (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.58-0.99, p=0.039). This was validated using the bladder genome-wide association study chip (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.27-1.00, p=0.049 and for combined analysis p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS Together these findings implicate variants in the Wnt/β-catenin stem cell pathway as having a role in bladder cancer etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne A Pierzynski
- Department of Epidemiology and Division of Surgery, Department of Urology (AMK, CPND), University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Michelle A Hildebrandt
- Department of Epidemiology and Division of Surgery, Department of Urology (AMK, CPND), University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ashish M Kamat
- Department of Epidemiology and Division of Surgery, Department of Urology (AMK, CPND), University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jie Lin
- Department of Epidemiology and Division of Surgery, Department of Urology (AMK, CPND), University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yuanqing Ye
- Department of Epidemiology and Division of Surgery, Department of Urology (AMK, CPND), University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Colin P N Dinney
- Department of Epidemiology and Division of Surgery, Department of Urology (AMK, CPND), University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xifeng Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Division of Surgery, Department of Urology (AMK, CPND), University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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Novellasdemunt L, Antas P, Li VSW. Targeting Wnt signaling in colorectal cancer. A Review in the Theme: Cell Signaling: Proteins, Pathways and Mechanisms. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2015; 309:C511-21. [PMID: 26289750 PMCID: PMC4609654 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00117.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The evolutionarily conserved Wnt signaling pathway plays essential roles during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Notably, comprehensive genetic studies in Drosophila and mice in the past decades have demonstrated the crucial role of Wnt signaling in intestinal stem cell maintenance by regulating proliferation, differentiation, and cell-fate decisions. Wnt signaling has also been implicated in a variety of cancers and other diseases. Loss of the Wnt pathway negative regulator adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is the hallmark of human colorectal cancers (CRC). Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing further reveal many novel recurrent Wnt pathway mutations in addition to the well-characterized APC and β-catenin mutations in CRC. Despite attractive strategies to develop drugs for Wnt signaling, major hurdles in therapeutic intervention of the pathway persist. Here we discuss the Wnt-activating mechanisms in CRC and review the current advances and challenges in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pedro Antas
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vivian S W Li
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London, United Kingdom
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35
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Bond CE, Bettington ML, Pearson SA, McKeone DM, Leggett BA, Whitehall VLJ. Methylation and expression of the tumour suppressor, PRDM5, in colorectal cancer and polyp subgroups. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:20. [PMID: 25613750 PMCID: PMC4318154 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1011-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND PRDM5 is an epigenetic regulator that has been recognized as an important tumour suppressor gene. Silencing of PRDM5 by promoter hypermethylation has been demonstrated in several cancer types and PRDM5 loss results in upregulation of the Wnt pathway and increased cellular proliferation. PRDM5 has not been extensively investigated in specific subtypes of colorectal cancers. We hypothesized it would be more commonly methylated and inactivated in serrated pathway colorectal cancers that are hallmarked by a BRAF V600E mutation and a methylator phenotype, compared to traditional pathway cancers that are BRAF wild type. METHODS Cancer (214 BRAF mutant, 122 BRAF wild type) and polyp (59 serrated polyps, 40 conventional adenomas) cohorts were analysed for PRDM5 promoter methylation using MethyLight technology. PRDM5 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in cancers and polyps. Mutation of PRDM5 was analysed using cBioPortal's publicly available database. RESULTS BRAF mutant cancers had significantly more frequent PRDM5 promoter methylation than BRAF wild type cancers (77/214,36% vs 4/122,3%; p<0.0001). Serrated type polyps had a lower methylation rate than cancers but were more commonly methylated than conventional adenomas (6/59,10% vs 0/40,0%). PRDM5 methylation was associated with advanced stages of presentation (p<0.05) and the methylator phenotype (p=0.03). PRDM5 protein expression was substantially down-regulated in both BRAF mutant and wild type cancer cohorts (92/97,95% and 39/44,89%). The polyp subgroups showed less silencing than the cancers, but similar rates were found between the serrated and conventional polyp cohorts (29/59, 49%; 23/40, 58% respectively). Of 295 colorectal cancers, PRDM5 was mutated in only 6 (2%) cancers which were all BRAF wild type. CONCLUSIONS Serrated pathway colorectal cancers demonstrated early and progressive PRDM5 methylation with advancing disease. Interestingly, PRDM5 protein expression was substantially reduced in all polyp types and more so in cancers which also indicates early and increasing PRDM5 down-regulation with disease progression. Methylation may be contributing to gene silencing in a proportion of BRAF mutant cancers, but the large extent of absent protein expression indicates other mechanisms are also responsible for this. These data suggest that PRDM5 is a relevant tumour suppressor gene that is frequently targeted in colorectal tumourigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Bond
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. .,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Mark L Bettington
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. .,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. .,Envoi Specialist Pathologists, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Sally-Ann Pearson
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Diane M McKeone
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Barbara A Leggett
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. .,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. .,Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Vicki L J Whitehall
- Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. .,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. .,Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Murakami T, Mitomi H, Saito T, Takahashi M, Sakamoto N, Fukui N, Yao T, Watanabe S. Distinct WNT/β-catenin signaling activation in the serrated neoplasia pathway and the adenoma-carcinoma sequence of the colorectum. Mod Pathol 2015; 28:146-58. [PMID: 24925057 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.2014.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sessile serrated adenoma/polyp (SSA/P) is considered as an early precursor in the serrated neoplasia pathway leading to colorectal cancer development. The conventional adenoma-carcinoma sequence is associated with activation of the WNT signaling pathway, although its role in serrated lesions is still controversial. To clarify differences in WNT signaling activation in association with MLH1 methylation or BRAF/KRAS mutations between serrated and conventional routes, we performed β-catenin immunostaining, methylation-specific PCR for MLH1 and WNT signaling associated genes such as AXIN2, APC, and MCC and secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs), and direct sequencing of BRAF/KRAS in 27 SSA/Ps, 14 SSA/Ps with high-grade dysplasia and 9 SSA/Ps with submucosal carcinoma, as well as 19 conventional adenomas, 26 adenomas with high-grade dysplasia and 25 adenomas with submucosal carcinoma. Nuclear β-catenin labelings were significantly lower in the serrated series than in their adenoma counterparts, and a significant increment in those labelings was found from SSA/Ps to those with high-grade dysplasia or submucosal carcinoma. The frequency of MLH1 and SFRP4 methylation was significantly higher in SSA/P series, as compared with corresponding adenoma series. AXIN2 and MCC were more frequently methylated in SSA/Ps with high-grade dysplasia and those with submucosal carcinoma than in adenoma counterparts. Stepwise increment of AXIN2 and MCC methylation was identified from SSA/Ps through those with high-grade dysplasia to those with submucosal carcinoma. A significant correlation was seen between nuclear β-catenin expression and methylation of AXIN2 or MCC in the SSA/P series. BRAF mutation was more frequent, whereas KRAS mutation was less frequent in the SSA/P series as compared with the adenoma series. There was an inverse association of BRAF mutation with AXIN2 methylation in SSA/P series. In conclusion, WNT/β-catenin signal activation mediated by the methylation of SFRP4, MCC, and AXIN2 may make different contributions to colorectal neoplasia between the serrated and conventional routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Murakami
- 1] Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan [2] Department of Gastroenterology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Mitomi
- Department of Surgical and Molecular Pathology, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Saito
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michiko Takahashi
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoto Sakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoshi Fukui
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Sagamihara Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Yao
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sumio Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Silva AL, Dawson SN, Arends MJ, Guttula K, Hall N, Cameron EA, Huang THM, Brenton JD, Tavaré S, Bienz M, Ibrahim AEK. Boosting Wnt activity during colorectal cancer progression through selective hypermethylation of Wnt signaling antagonists. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:891. [PMID: 25432628 PMCID: PMC4265460 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is emerging evidence that Wnt pathway activity may increase during the progression from colorectal adenoma to carcinoma and that this increase is potentially an important step towards the invasive stage. Here, we investigated whether epigenetic silencing of Wnt antagonists is the biological driver for this increased Wnt activity in human tissues and how these methylation changes correlate with MSI (Microsatelite Instability) and CIMP (CpG Island Methylator Phenotype) statuses as well as known mutations in genes driving colorectal neoplasia. METHODS We conducted a systematic analysis by pyrosequencing, to determine the promoter methylation of CpG islands associated with 17 Wnt signaling component genes. Methylation levels were correlated with MSI and CIMP statuses and known mutations within the APC, BRAF and KRAS genes in 264 matched samples representing the progression from normal to pre-invasive adenoma to colorectal carcinoma. RESULTS We discovered widespread hypermethylation of the Wnt antagonists SFRP1, SFRP2, SFRP5, DKK2, WIF1 and SOX17 in the transition from normal to adenoma with only the Wnt antagonists SFRP1, SFRP2, DKK2 and WIF1 showing further significant increase in methylation from adenoma to carcinoma. We show this to be accompanied by loss of expression of these Wnt antagonists, and by an increase in nuclear Wnt pathway activity. Mixed effects models revealed that mutations in APC, BRAF and KRAS occur at the transition from normal to adenoma stages whilst the hypermethylation of the Wnt antagonists continued to accumulate during the transitions from adenoma to carcinoma stages. CONCLUSION Our study provides strong evidence for a correlation between progressive hypermethylation and silencing of several Wnt antagonists with stepping-up in Wnt pathway activity beyond the APC loss associated tumour-initiating Wnt signalling levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ashraf E K Ibrahim
- Department of Pathology, Division of Molecular Histopathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK.
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Mazzoni SM, Fearon ER. AXIN1 and AXIN2 variants in gastrointestinal cancers. Cancer Lett 2014; 355:1-8. [PMID: 25236910 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene, which encodes a multi-functional protein with a well-defined role in the canonical Wnt pathway, underlie familial adenomatous polypsosis, a rare, inherited form of colorectal cancer (CRC) and contribute to the majority of sporadic CRCs. However, not all sporadic and familial CRCs can be explained by mutations in APC or other genes with well-established roles in CRC. The AXIN1 and AXIN2 proteins function in the canonical Wnt pathway, and AXIN1/2 alterations have been proposed as key defects in some cancers. Here, we review AXIN1 and AXIN2 sequence alterations reported in gastrointestinal cancers, with the goal of vetting the evidence that some of the variants may have key functional roles in cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serina M Mazzoni
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
| | - Eric R Fearon
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA.
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Samaei NM, Yazdani Y, Alizadeh-Navaei R, Azadeh H, Farazmandfar T. Promoter methylation analysis of WNT/β-catenin pathway regulators and its association with expression of DNMT1 enzyme in colorectal cancer. J Biomed Sci 2014; 21:73. [PMID: 25107489 PMCID: PMC4237828 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-014-0073-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant DNA methylation as the most important reason making epigenetic silencing of genes is a main mechanism of gene inactivation in patients with colorectal cancer. In this study, we decided to identify promoter methylation status of ten genes encoding WNT negative regulators, and measure the expression of DNMT1 enzyme in colorectal cancer samples. RESULTS Aberrant methylation of APC gene was statistically significant associated with age over 50 (p = 0.017), DDK3 with male (p < 0.0001), SFRP4, WIF1, and WNT5a with increasing tumor stage (p = 0.004, p = 0.029, and p = 0.004), SFRP4 and WIF1 with tumor differentiation (p = 0.009 and p = 0.031) and SFRP2 and SFRP5 with histological type (p = 0.001 and p = 0.025). The increasing number of methylated genes correlated with the expression levels of the DNMT1 mRNA. CONCLUSIONS The rate of gene promoter methylation of WNT pathway regulators is high in colorectal cancer cells. Hyper-methylation is associated with increased expression of the DNMT1 enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader Mansour Samaei
- Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology-GRCGH, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Yaghoub Yazdani
- Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology-GRCGH, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Reza Alizadeh-Navaei
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hossein Azadeh
- Cancer Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Touraj Farazmandfar
- Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology-GRCGH, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Cancer Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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40
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DNA methylation alterations of AXIN2 in serrated adenomas and colon carcinomas with microsatellite instability. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:466. [PMID: 24964857 PMCID: PMC4099028 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent work led to recognize sessile serrated adenomas (SSA) as precursor to many of the sporadic colorectal cancers with microsatellite instability (MSI). However, comprehensive analyses of DNA methylation in SSA and MSI cancer have not been conducted. Methods With an array-based methylation sensitive amplified fragment length polymorphism (MS-AFLP) method we analyzed 8 tubular (TA) and 19 serrated (SSA) adenomas, and 14 carcinomas with (MSI) and 12 without (MSS) microsatellite instability. MS-AFLP array can survey relative differences in methylation between normal and tumor tissues of 9,654 DNA fragments containing all NotI sequences in the human genome. Results Unsupervised clustering analysis of the genome-wide hypermethylation alterations revealed no major differences between or within these groups of benign and malignant tumors regardless of their location in intergenic, intragenic, promoter, or 3′ end regions. Hypomethylation was less frequent in SSAs compared with MSI or MSS carcinomas. Analysis of variance of DNA methylation between these four subgroups identified 56 probes differentially altered. The hierarchical tree of this subset of probes revealed two distinct clusters: Group 1, mostly composed by TAs and MSS cancers with KRAS mutations; and Group 2 with BRAF mutations, which consisted of cancers with MSI and MLH1 methylation (Group 2A), and SSAs without MLH1 methylation (Group 2B). AXIN2, which cooperates with APC and β-catenin in Wnt signaling, had more methylation alterations in Group 2, and its expression levels negatively correlated with methylation determined by bisulfite sequencing. Within group 2B, low and high AXIN2 expression levels correlated significantly with differences in size (P = 0.01) location (P = 0.05) and crypt architecture (P = 0.01). Conclusions Somatic methylation alterations of AXIN2, associated with changes in its expression, stratify SSAs according to some clinico-pathological differences. We conclude that hypermethylation of MLH1, when occurs in an adenoma cell with BRAF oncogenic mutational activation, drives the pathway for MSI cancer by providing the cells with a mutator phenotype. AXIN2 inactivation may contribute to this tumorigenic pathway either by mutator phenotype driven frameshift mutations or by epigenetic deregulation contemporary with the unfolding of the mutator phenotype.
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Fancy SPJ, Harrington EP, Baranzini SE, Silbereis JC, Shiow LR, Yuen TJ, Huang EJ, Lomvardas S, Rowitch DH. Parallel states of pathological Wnt signaling in neonatal brain injury and colon cancer. Nat Neurosci 2014; 17:506-12. [PMID: 24609463 PMCID: PMC3975168 DOI: 10.1038/nn.3676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In colon cancer, mutation of the Wnt repressor Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) leads to a state of aberrant and unrestricted “high-activity” signaling. However, relevance of high Wnt tone in non-genetic human disease is unknown. Here we demonstrate that distinct Wnt activity functional states determine oligodendrocyte precursor (OPC) differentiation and myelination. Murine OPCs with genetic Wnt dysregulation (high tone) express multiple genes in common with colon cancer including Lef1, SP5, Ets2, Rnf43 and Dusp4. Surprisingly, we find that OPCs in lesions of hypoxic human neonatal white matter injury upregulate markers of high Wnt activity and lack expression of APC. Finally, we show lack of Wnt repressor tone promotes permanent white matter injury after mild hypoxic insult. These findings suggest a state of pathological high-activity Wnt signaling in human disease tissues that lack pre-disposing genetic mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen P J Fancy
- 1] Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA. [2] Department of Neurology, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA. [3] Eli and Edythe Broad Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regeneration Medicine and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA. [4]
| | - Emily P Harrington
- 1] Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA. [2] Eli and Edythe Broad Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regeneration Medicine and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA. [3] Medical Scientist Training Program, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA. [4]
| | | | - John C Silbereis
- 1] Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA. [2] Eli and Edythe Broad Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regeneration Medicine and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lawrence R Shiow
- 1] Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA. [2] Eli and Edythe Broad Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regeneration Medicine and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Tracy J Yuen
- 1] Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA. [2] Eli and Edythe Broad Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regeneration Medicine and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Eric J Huang
- Department of Pathology, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - David H Rowitch
- 1] Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA. [2] Eli and Edythe Broad Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regeneration Medicine and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
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Song X, Wang S, Li L. New insights into the regulation of Axin function in canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Protein Cell 2014; 5:186-93. [PMID: 24474204 PMCID: PMC3967064 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-014-0019-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway plays crucial roles during embryonic development, whose aberration is implicated in a variety of human cancers. Axin, a key component of canonical Wnt pathway, plays dual roles in modulating Wnt signaling: on one hand, Axin scaffolds the “β-catenin destruction complex” to promote β-catenin degradation and therefore inhibits the Wnt signal transduction; on the other hand, Axin interacts with LRP5/6 and facilitates the recruitment of GSK3 to the plasma membrane to promote LRP5/6 phosphorylation and Wnt signaling. The differential assemblies of Axin with these two distinct complexes have to be tightly controlled for appropriate transduction of the “on” or “off” Wnt signal. So far, there are multiple mechanisms revealed in the regulation of Axin activity, such as post-transcriptional modulation, homo/hetero-polymerization and auto-inhibition. These mechanisms may work cooperatively to modulate the function of Axin, thereby playing an important role in controlling the canonical Wnt signaling. In this review, we will focus on the recent progresses regarding the regulation of Axin function in canonical Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
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Fox SA, Richards AK, Kusumah I, Perumal V, Bolitho EM, Mutsaers SE, Dharmarajan AM. Expression profile and function of Wnt signaling mechanisms in malignant mesothelioma cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 440:82-7. [PMID: 24041698 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an uncommon and particularly aggressive cancer associated with asbestos exposure, which currently presents an intractable clinical challenge. Wnt signaling has been reported to play a role in the neoplastic properties of mesothelioma cells but has not been investigated in detail in this cancer. We surveyed expression of Wnts, their receptors, and other key molecules in this pathway in well established in vitro mesothelioma models in comparison with primary mesothelial cultures. We also tested the biological response of MM cell lines to exogenous Wnt and secreted regulators, as well as targeting β-catenin. We detected frequent expression of Wnt3 and Wnt5a, as well as Fzd 2, 4 and 6. The mRNA of Wnt4, Fzd3, sFRP4, APC and axin2 were downregulated in MM relative to mesothelial cells while LEF1 was overexpressed in MM. Functionally, we observed that Wnt3a stimulated MM proliferation while sFRP4 was inhibitory. Furthermore, directly targeting β-catenin expression could sensitise MM cells to cytotoxic drugs. These results provide evidence for altered expression of a number of Wnt/Fzd signaling molecules in MM. Modulation of Wnt signaling in MM may prove a means of targeting proliferation and drug resistance in this cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon A Fox
- Molecular Pharmacology Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.
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Budinska E, Popovici V, Tejpar S, D'Ario G, Lapique N, Sikora KO, Di Narzo AF, Yan P, Hodgson JG, Weinrich S, Bosman F, Roth A, Delorenzi M. Gene expression patterns unveil a new level of molecular heterogeneity in colorectal cancer. J Pathol 2013; 231:63-76. [PMID: 23836465 PMCID: PMC3840702 DOI: 10.1002/path.4212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 302] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2013] [Revised: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The recognition that colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease in terms of clinical behaviour and response to therapy translates into an urgent need for robust molecular disease subclassifiers that can explain this heterogeneity beyond current parameters (MSI, KRAS, BRAF). Attempts to fill this gap are emerging. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TGCA) reported two main CRC groups, based on the incidence and spectrum of mutated genes, and another paper reported an EMT expression signature defined subgroup. We performed a prior free analysis of CRC heterogeneity on 1113 CRC gene expression profiles and confronted our findings to established molecular determinants and clinical, histopathological and survival data. Unsupervised clustering based on gene modules allowed us to distinguish at least five different gene expression CRC subtypes, which we call surface crypt-like, lower crypt-like, CIMP-H-like, mesenchymal and mixed. A gene set enrichment analysis combined with literature search of gene module members identified distinct biological motifs in different subtypes. The subtypes, which were not derived based on outcome, nonetheless showed differences in prognosis. Known gene copy number variations and mutations in key cancer-associated genes differed between subtypes, but the subtypes provided molecular information beyond that contained in these variables. Morphological features significantly differed between subtypes. The objective existence of the subtypes and their clinical and molecular characteristics were validated in an independent set of 720 CRC expression profiles. Our subtypes provide a novel perspective on the heterogeneity of CRC. The proposed subtypes should be further explored retrospectively on existing clinical trial datasets and, when sufficiently robust, be prospectively assessed for clinical relevance in terms of prognosis and treatment response predictive capacity. Original microarray data were uploaded to the ArrayExpress database (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/arrayexpress/) under Accession Nos E-MTAB-990 and E-MTAB-1026.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Budinska
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Wu WK, Wang XJ, Cheng AS, Luo MX, Ng SS, To KF, Chan FK, Cho CH, Sung JJ, Yu J. Dysregulation and crosstalk of cellular signaling pathways in colon carcinogenesis. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2013; 86:251-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2012.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2012] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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Du L, Rao G, Wang H, Li B, Tian W, Cui J, He L, Laffin B, Tian X, Hao C, Liu H, Sun X, Zhu Y, Tang DG, Mehrpour M, Lu Y, Chen Q. CD44-positive cancer stem cells expressing cellular prion protein contribute to metastatic capacity in colorectal cancer. Cancer Res 2013; 73:2682-94. [PMID: 23418321 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-3759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are implicated in tumor progression, metastasis, and recurrence, although the exact mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the expression of cellular prion protein (PrPc, PRNP) is positively correlated with an increased risk of metastasis in colorectal cancer. PrPc defines a subpopulation of CD44-positive cancer stem cells that contributes to metastatic capacity. PrPc(+)CD44(+) colorectal cancer stem cells displayed high liver metastatic capability, unlike PrPc(-)CD44(+) stem cells, that was inhibited by RNAi-mediated attenuation of PrPc. Notably, administration of PrPc monoclonal antibodies significantly inhibited tumorigenicity and metastasis of colorectal cancer stem cells in mouse models of orthotopic metastasis. PrPc promoted epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the ERK2 (MAPK1) pathway, thereby conferring high metastatic capacity. Our findings reveal the function of PrPc in regulating EMT in cancer stem cells, and they identify PrPc as candidate therapeutic target in metastatic colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Du
- State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Popovici V, Budinska E, Tejpar S, Weinrich S, Estrella H, Hodgson G, Van Cutsem E, Xie T, Bosman FT, Roth AD, Delorenzi M. Identification of a Poor-Prognosis BRAF-Mutant–Like Population of Patients With Colon Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2012; 30:1288-95. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2011.39.5814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Our purpose was development and assessment of a BRAF-mutant gene expression signature for colon cancer (CC) and the study of its prognostic implications. Materials and Methods A set of 668 stage II and III CC samples from the PETACC-3 (Pan-European Trails in Alimentary Tract Cancers) clinical trial were used to assess differential gene expression between c.1799T>A (p.V600E) BRAF mutant and non-BRAF, non-KRAS mutant cancers (double wild type) and to construct a gene expression–based classifier for detecting BRAF mutant samples with high sensitivity. The classifier was validated in independent data sets, and survival rates were compared between classifier positive and negative tumors. Results A 64 gene-based classifier was developed with 96% sensitivity and 86% specificity for detecting BRAF mutant tumors in PETACC-3 and independent samples. A subpopulation of BRAF wild-type patients (30% of KRAS mutants, 13% of double wild type) showed a gene expression pattern and had poor overall survival and survival after relapse, similar to those observed in BRAF-mutant patients. Thus they form a distinct prognostic subgroup within their mutation class. Conclusion A characteristic pattern of gene expression is associated with and accurately predicts BRAF mutation status and, in addition, identifies a population of BRAF mutated-like KRAS mutants and double wild-type patients with similarly poor prognosis. This suggests a common biology between these tumors and provides a novel classification tool for cancers, adding prognostic and biologic information that is not captured by the mutation status alone. These results may guide therapeutic strategies for this patient segment and may help in population stratification for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vlad Popovici
- Vlad Popovici, Eva Budinska, and Mauro Delorenzi, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Fred T. Bosman and Mauro Delorenzi, Lausanne University Medical Center, Lausanne; Arnaud D. Roth, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva; Arnaud D. Roth, The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Bern, Switzerland; Sabine Tejpar and Eric Van Cutsem, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Scott Weinrich, Heather Estrella, Graeme Hodgson, and Tao Xie, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA
| | - Eva Budinska
- Vlad Popovici, Eva Budinska, and Mauro Delorenzi, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Fred T. Bosman and Mauro Delorenzi, Lausanne University Medical Center, Lausanne; Arnaud D. Roth, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva; Arnaud D. Roth, The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Bern, Switzerland; Sabine Tejpar and Eric Van Cutsem, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Scott Weinrich, Heather Estrella, Graeme Hodgson, and Tao Xie, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA
| | - Sabine Tejpar
- Vlad Popovici, Eva Budinska, and Mauro Delorenzi, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Fred T. Bosman and Mauro Delorenzi, Lausanne University Medical Center, Lausanne; Arnaud D. Roth, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva; Arnaud D. Roth, The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Bern, Switzerland; Sabine Tejpar and Eric Van Cutsem, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Scott Weinrich, Heather Estrella, Graeme Hodgson, and Tao Xie, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA
| | - Scott Weinrich
- Vlad Popovici, Eva Budinska, and Mauro Delorenzi, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Fred T. Bosman and Mauro Delorenzi, Lausanne University Medical Center, Lausanne; Arnaud D. Roth, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva; Arnaud D. Roth, The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Bern, Switzerland; Sabine Tejpar and Eric Van Cutsem, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Scott Weinrich, Heather Estrella, Graeme Hodgson, and Tao Xie, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA
| | - Heather Estrella
- Vlad Popovici, Eva Budinska, and Mauro Delorenzi, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Fred T. Bosman and Mauro Delorenzi, Lausanne University Medical Center, Lausanne; Arnaud D. Roth, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva; Arnaud D. Roth, The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Bern, Switzerland; Sabine Tejpar and Eric Van Cutsem, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Scott Weinrich, Heather Estrella, Graeme Hodgson, and Tao Xie, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA
| | - Graeme Hodgson
- Vlad Popovici, Eva Budinska, and Mauro Delorenzi, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Fred T. Bosman and Mauro Delorenzi, Lausanne University Medical Center, Lausanne; Arnaud D. Roth, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva; Arnaud D. Roth, The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Bern, Switzerland; Sabine Tejpar and Eric Van Cutsem, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Scott Weinrich, Heather Estrella, Graeme Hodgson, and Tao Xie, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA
| | - Eric Van Cutsem
- Vlad Popovici, Eva Budinska, and Mauro Delorenzi, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Fred T. Bosman and Mauro Delorenzi, Lausanne University Medical Center, Lausanne; Arnaud D. Roth, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva; Arnaud D. Roth, The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Bern, Switzerland; Sabine Tejpar and Eric Van Cutsem, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Scott Weinrich, Heather Estrella, Graeme Hodgson, and Tao Xie, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA
| | - Tao Xie
- Vlad Popovici, Eva Budinska, and Mauro Delorenzi, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Fred T. Bosman and Mauro Delorenzi, Lausanne University Medical Center, Lausanne; Arnaud D. Roth, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva; Arnaud D. Roth, The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Bern, Switzerland; Sabine Tejpar and Eric Van Cutsem, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Scott Weinrich, Heather Estrella, Graeme Hodgson, and Tao Xie, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA
| | - Fred T. Bosman
- Vlad Popovici, Eva Budinska, and Mauro Delorenzi, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Fred T. Bosman and Mauro Delorenzi, Lausanne University Medical Center, Lausanne; Arnaud D. Roth, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva; Arnaud D. Roth, The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Bern, Switzerland; Sabine Tejpar and Eric Van Cutsem, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Scott Weinrich, Heather Estrella, Graeme Hodgson, and Tao Xie, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA
| | - Arnaud D. Roth
- Vlad Popovici, Eva Budinska, and Mauro Delorenzi, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Fred T. Bosman and Mauro Delorenzi, Lausanne University Medical Center, Lausanne; Arnaud D. Roth, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva; Arnaud D. Roth, The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Bern, Switzerland; Sabine Tejpar and Eric Van Cutsem, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Scott Weinrich, Heather Estrella, Graeme Hodgson, and Tao Xie, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA
| | - Mauro Delorenzi
- Vlad Popovici, Eva Budinska, and Mauro Delorenzi, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Fred T. Bosman and Mauro Delorenzi, Lausanne University Medical Center, Lausanne; Arnaud D. Roth, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva; Arnaud D. Roth, The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Bern, Switzerland; Sabine Tejpar and Eric Van Cutsem, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Scott Weinrich, Heather Estrella, Graeme Hodgson, and Tao Xie, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA
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Schnekenburger M, Diederich M. Epigenetics Offer New Horizons for Colorectal Cancer Prevention. CURRENT COLORECTAL CANCER REPORTS 2012. [PMID: 22389639 DOI: 10.1007/s11888-011-0116-z116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has been increasing to become a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide from cancers, with high rates in westernized societies and increasing rates in developing countries. Epigenetic modifications including changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs play a critical role in carcinogenesis. Epidemiological data suggest that, in comparison to other cancers, these alterations are particularly common within the gastrointestinal tract. To explain these observations, environmental factors and especially diet were suggested to both prevent and induce CRC. Epigenetic alterations are, in contrast to genetic modifications, potentially reversible, making the use of dietary agents a promising approach in CRC for the development of chemopreventive strategies targeting epigenetic mechanisms. This review focuses on CRC-related epigenetic alterations as a rationale for various levels of prevention strategies and their potential modulation by natural dietary compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schnekenburger
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire de Cancer, Hôpital Kirchberg, 9, rue Edward Steichen, L-2540 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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Abstract
In recent years, colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has been increasing to become a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide from cancers, with high rates in westernized societies and increasing rates in developing countries. Epigenetic modifications including changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs play a critical role in carcinogenesis. Epidemiological data suggest that, in comparison to other cancers, these alterations are particularly common within the gastrointestinal tract. To explain these observations, environmental factors and especially diet were suggested to both prevent and induce CRC. Epigenetic alterations are, in contrast to genetic modifications, potentially reversible, making the use of dietary agents a promising approach in CRC for the development of chemopreventive strategies targeting epigenetic mechanisms. This review focuses on CRC-related epigenetic alterations as a rationale for various levels of prevention strategies and their potential modulation by natural dietary compounds.
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Epigenetic and genetic analysis of WNT signaling pathway in sporadic colorectal cancer patients from Iran. Mol Biol Rep 2011; 39:6171-8. [PMID: 22207181 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-011-1434-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The WNT signaling is deregulated in most human colorectal cancers (CRC). Promoter methylation has been proposed as an alternative mechanism to inactivate genes in tumors. To gain insight into the methylation silencing of the WNT pathway during colorectal carcinogenesis, we examined the aberrant methylation profile of four genes, APC, Axin1, Axin2, and GSK3β in an unselected series of 112 sporadic colorectal tumors by methylation specific PCR. It has been suggested that the Axin2 C148T SNP is associated with the risk of developing certain types of cancers. To assess the contribution of Axin2 SNP to CRC susceptibility, we examined the Axin2 C148T genotype in CRC patients and 170 healthy controls by PCR-RFLP. The frequency of CRCs with at least one gene methylated was 18.75%. Promoter methylation of Axin2 and APC genes was detected in 7.1 and 11.9% of tumors, respectively. No aberrant methylation was found in Gsk3β and Axin1 gene in these tumor series. The methylation status of APC had no significant association with clinical parameters. But, promoter methylation of Axin2 was sex-related, occurring more frequently in females (P = 0.002). The frequency of Axin2 C148T genotypes were similar in patients and controls. Moreover, we observed no association between the Axin2 SNP and risk of CRC in patients stratified by age, sex, and smoking status. However, the heterozygote CT genotype was associated with a reduced CRC risk in distal patients compared with proximal patients (OR = 0.3; 95% CI 0.1-0.9, P = 0.04). Our findings indicate that Axin1 and GSK3β methylation play a minor role in colorectal carcinogenesis.
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