1
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Tang J, Zheng Q, Wang Q, Zhao Y, Ananthanarayanan P, Reina C, Šabanović B, Jiang K, Yang MH, Meny CC, Wang H, Agerbaek MØ, Clausen TM, Gustavsson T, Wen C, Borghi F, Mellano A, Fenocchio E, Gregorc V, Sapino A, Theander TG, Fu D, Aicher A, Salanti A, Shen B, Heeschen C. CTC-derived pancreatic cancer models serve as research tools and are suitable for precision medicine approaches. Cell Rep Med 2024:101692. [PMID: 39163864 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) poses significant clinical challenges, often presenting as unresectable with limited biopsy options. Here, we show that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offer a promising alternative, serving as a "liquid biopsy" that enables the generation of in vitro 3D models and highly aggressive in vivo models for functional and molecular studies in advanced PDAC. Within the retrieved CTC pool (median 65 CTCs/5 mL), we identify a subset (median content 8.9%) of CXCR4+ CTCs displaying heightened stemness and metabolic traits, reminiscent of circulating cancer stem cells. Through comprehensive analysis, we elucidate the importance of CTC-derived models for identifying potential targets and guiding treatment strategies. Screening of stemness-targeting compounds identified stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase (SCD1) as a promising target for advanced PDAC. These results underscore the pivotal role of CTC-derived models in uncovering therapeutic avenues and ultimately advancing personalized care in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Tang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Quan Zheng
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yaru Zhao
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Preeta Ananthanarayanan
- Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Reina
- Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Berina Šabanović
- Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Ke Jiang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ming-Hsin Yang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Clara Csilla Meny
- 2(nd) Institute for Pathology and Experimental Oncology Research, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Huimin Wang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Mette Ø Agerbaek
- Centre for Translational Medicine and Parasitology (CMP) at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; VarCT Diagnostics, Ole Maaloes vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Mandel Clausen
- Centre for Translational Medicine and Parasitology (CMP) at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Tobias Gustavsson
- Centre for Translational Medicine and Parasitology (CMP) at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; VAR2Pharmaceuticals, Ole Maaloes vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Chenlei Wen
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Disease, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Disease Centre, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Felice Borghi
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Alfredo Mellano
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Fenocchio
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Vanesa Gregorc
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Anna Sapino
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Thor G Theander
- Centre for Translational Medicine and Parasitology (CMP) at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Da Fu
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Disease, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Disease Centre, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Alexandra Aicher
- Precision Immunotherapy, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan; Immunology Research and Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
| | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Translational Medicine and Parasitology (CMP) at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Baiyong Shen
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Disease, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Disease Centre, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Christopher Heeschen
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Turin, Italy.
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2
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Kiemen AL, Wu PH, Braxton AM, Cornish TC, Hruban RH, Wood LD, Wirtz D, Zwicker D. Power-law growth models explain incidences and sizes of pancreatic cancer precursor lesions and confirm spatial genomic findings. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado5103. [PMID: 39058773 PMCID: PMC11277401 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado5103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a rare but lethal cancer. Recent evidence suggests that pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), a microscopic precursor lesion that gives rise to pancreatic cancer, is larger and more prevalent than previously believed. Better understanding of the growth-law dynamics of PanINs may improve our ability to understand how a miniscule fraction makes the transition to invasive cancer. Here, using three-dimensional tissue mapping, we analyzed >1000 PanINs and found that lesion size is distributed according to a power law. Our data suggest that in bulk, PanIN size can be predicted by general growth behavior without consideration for the heterogeneity of the pancreatic microenvironment or an individual's age, history, or lifestyle. Our models suggest that intraductal spread and fusing of lesions drive our observed size distribution. This analysis lays the groundwork for future mathematical modeling efforts integrating PanIN incidence, morphology, and molecular features to understand tumorigenesis and demonstrates the utility of combining experimental measurement with dynamic modeling in understanding tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L. Kiemen
- Department of Pathology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pei-Hsun Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alicia M. Braxton
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Toby C. Cornish
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ralph H. Hruban
- Department of Pathology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Laura D. Wood
- Department of Pathology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Denis Wirtz
- Department of Pathology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David Zwicker
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany
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3
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Stigliani A, Ialchina R, Yao J, Czaplinska D, Dai Y, Andersen HB, Rennie S, Andersson R, Pedersen SF, Sandelin A. Adaptation to an acid microenvironment promotes pancreatic cancer organoid growth and drug resistance. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114409. [PMID: 38944837 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Harsh environments in poorly perfused tumor regions may select for traits driving cancer aggressiveness. Here, we investigated whether tumor acidosis interacts with driver mutations to exacerbate cancer hallmarks. We adapted mouse organoids from normal pancreatic duct (mN10) and early pancreatic cancer (mP4, KRAS-G12D mutation, ± p53 knockout) from extracellular pH 7.4 to 6.7, representing acidic niches. Viability was increased by acid adaptation, a pattern most apparent in wild-type (WT) p53 organoids, and exacerbated upon return to pH 7.4. This led to increased survival of acid-adapted organoids treated with gemcitabine and/or erlotinib, and, in WT p53 organoids, acid-induced attenuation of drug effects. New genetic variants became dominant during adaptation, yet they were unlikely to be its main drivers. Transcriptional changes induced by acid and drug adaptation differed overall, but acid adaptation increased the expression of gemcitabine resistance genes. Thus, adaptation to acidosis increases cancer cell viability after chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Stigliani
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Renata Ialchina
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Jiayi Yao
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Dominika Czaplinska
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Yifan Dai
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Henriette Berg Andersen
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Sarah Rennie
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Robin Andersson
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Stine Falsig Pedersen
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Albin Sandelin
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
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4
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Mottini C, Auciello FR, Manni I, Pilarsky C, Caputo D, Caracciolo G, Rossetta A, Di Gennaro E, Budillon A, Blandino G, Roca MS, Piaggio G. The cross-talk between the macro and micro-environment in precursor lesions of pancreatic cancer leads to new and promising circulating biomarkers. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:198. [PMID: 39020414 PMCID: PMC11256648 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03117-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a clinically challenging tumor to combat due to its advanced stage at diagnosis as well as its resistance to currently available therapies. The absence of early symptoms and known detectable biomarkers renders this disease incredibly difficult to detect/manage. Recent advances in the understanding of PC biology have highlighted the importance of cancer-immune cell interactions, not only in the tumor micro-environment but also in distant systemic sites, like the bone marrow, spleen and circulating immune cells, the so-called macro-environment. The response of the macro-environment is emerging as a determining factor in tumor development by contributing to the formation of an increasingly immunogenic micro-environment promoting tumor homeostasis and progression. We will summarize the key events associated with the feedback loop between the tumor immune micro-environment (TIME) and the tumor immune macroenvironment (TIMaE) in pancreatic precancerous lesions along with how it regulates disease development and progression. In addition, liquid biopsy biomarkers capable of diagnosing PC at an early stage of onset will also be discussed. A clearer understanding of the early crosstalk between micro-environment and macro-environment could contribute to identifying new molecular therapeutic targets and biomarkers, consequently improving early PC diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Mottini
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Auciello
- UOC Translational Oncology Research, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Manni
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Giulio Caracciolo
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Molecolare Sapienza, Università Di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Elena Di Gennaro
- Experimental Pharmacology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via M. Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Alfredo Budillon
- Scientific Directorate, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- UOC Translational Oncology Research, IRCSS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Serena Roca
- Experimental Pharmacology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via M. Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
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5
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Mustafa M, Abbas K, Alam M, Habib S, Zulfareen, Hasan GM, Islam S, Shamsi A, Hassan I. Investigating underlying molecular mechanisms, signaling pathways, emerging therapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1427802. [PMID: 39087024 PMCID: PMC11288929 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1427802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a clinically challenging malignancy constitutes a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality, characterized by an inherently poor prognosis. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of pancreatic adenocarcinoma by examining its multifaceted etiologies, including genetic mutations and environmental factors. The review explains the complex molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis and summarizes current therapeutic strategies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and emerging modalities such as immunotherapy. Critical molecular pathways driving pancreatic cancer development, including KRAS, Notch, and Hedgehog, are discussed. Current therapeutic strategies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, are discussed, with an emphasis on their limitations, particularly in terms of postoperative relapse. Promising research areas, including liquid biopsies, personalized medicine, and gene editing, are explored, demonstrating the significant potential for enhancing diagnosis and treatment. While immunotherapy presents promising prospects, it faces challenges related to immune evasion mechanisms. Emerging research directions, encompassing liquid biopsies, personalized medicine, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and computational intelligence applications, hold promise for refining diagnostic approaches and therapeutic interventions. By integrating insights from genetic, molecular, and clinical research, innovative strategies that improve patient outcomes can be developed. Ongoing research in these emerging fields holds significant promise for advancing the diagnosis and treatment of this formidable malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Mustafa
- Department of Biochemistry, J.N. Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Kashif Abbas
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Mudassir Alam
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Safia Habib
- Department of Biochemistry, J.N. Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Zulfareen
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Gulam Mustafa Hasan
- Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sidra Islam
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Anas Shamsi
- Center of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research (CMBHSR), Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
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6
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Wang M, Xie Y, Liu J, Li A, Chen L, Stromberg A, Arnold SM, Liu C, Wang C. A Probabilistic Approach to Estimate the Temporal Order of Pathway Mutations Accounting for Intra-Tumor Heterogeneity. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2488. [PMID: 39001551 PMCID: PMC11240401 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of cancer involves the accumulation of somatic mutations in several essential biological pathways. Delineating the temporal order of pathway mutations during tumorigenesis is crucial for comprehending the biological mechanisms underlying cancer development and identifying potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Several computational and statistical methods have been introduced for estimating the order of somatic mutations based on mutation profile data from a cohort of patients. However, one major issue of current methods is that they do not take into account intra-tumor heterogeneity (ITH), which limits their ability to accurately discern the order of pathway mutations. To address this problem, we propose PATOPAI, a probabilistic approach to estimate the temporal order of mutations at the pathway level by incorporating ITH information as well as pathway and functional annotation information of mutations. PATOPAI uses a maximum likelihood approach to estimate the probability of pathway mutational events occurring in a specific sequence, wherein it focuses on the orders that are consistent with the phylogenetic structure of the tumors. Applications to whole exome sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) illustrate our method's ability to recover the temporal order of pathway mutations in several cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghan Wang
- Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Yanqi Xie
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40508, USA
| | - Jinpeng Liu
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Division of Cancer Biostatistics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Austin Li
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Li Chen
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Division of Cancer Biostatistics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Arnold Stromberg
- Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Susanne M Arnold
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Chunming Liu
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40508, USA
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Chi Wang
- Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Division of Cancer Biostatistics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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7
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Inoue T, Mandai K, Uno K. Multiple Carcinomas In Situ Scattered Throughout the Pancreas Diagnosed by Assessing Focal Pancreatic Parenchymal Atrophy. Pancreas 2024; 53:e544-e545. [PMID: 38888843 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000002332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Takato Inoue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kyoto Second Red Cross Hospital, Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan
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8
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Cho CJ, Brown JW, Mills JC. Origins of cancer: ain't it just mature cells misbehaving? EMBO J 2024; 43:2530-2551. [PMID: 38773319 PMCID: PMC11217308 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00099-0] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
A pervasive view is that undifferentiated stem cells are alone responsible for generating all other cells and are the origins of cancer. However, emerging evidence demonstrates fully differentiated cells are plastic, can be coaxed to proliferate, and also play essential roles in tissue maintenance, regeneration, and tumorigenesis. Here, we review the mechanisms governing how differentiated cells become cancer cells. First, we examine the unique characteristics of differentiated cell division, focusing on why differentiated cells are more susceptible than stem cells to accumulating mutations. Next, we investigate why the evolution of multicellularity in animals likely required plastic differentiated cells that maintain the capacity to return to the cell cycle and required the tumor suppressor p53. Finally, we examine an example of an evolutionarily conserved program for the plasticity of differentiated cells, paligenosis, which helps explain the origins of cancers that arise in adults. Altogether, we highlight new perspectives for understanding the development of cancer and new strategies for preventing carcinogenic cellular transformations from occurring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles J Cho
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Brown
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jason C Mills
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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9
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Zhang H, Sun Y, Wang Z, Huang X, Tang L, Jiang K, Jin X. ZDHHC20-mediated S-palmitoylation of YTHDF3 stabilizes MYC mRNA to promote pancreatic cancer progression. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4642. [PMID: 38821916 PMCID: PMC11143236 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49105-3] [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: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications of proteins in malignant transformation and tumor maintenance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in the context of KRAS signaling remain poorly understood. Here, we use the KPC mouse model to examine the effect of palmitoylation on pancreatic cancer progression. ZDHHC20, upregulated by KRAS, is abnormally overexpressed and associated with poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer. Dysregulation of ZDHHC20 promotes pancreatic cancer progression in a palmitoylation-dependent manner. ZDHHC20 inhibits the chaperone-mediated autophagic degradation of YTHDF3 through S-palmitoylation of Cys474, which can result in abnormal accumulation of the oncogenic product MYC and thereby promote the malignant phenotypes of cancer cells. Further, we design a biologically active YTHDF3-derived peptide to competitively inhibit YTHDF3 palmitoylation mediated by ZDHHC20, which in turn downregulates MYC expression and inhibits the progression of KRAS mutant pancreatic cancer. Thus, these findings highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting the ZDHHC20-YTHDF3-MYC signaling axis in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Zhaokai Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaoju Huang
- Cancer center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Lu Tang
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Ke Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Xin Jin
- Department of Urology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China.
- Uro-Oncology Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China.
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10
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Ji Y, Xu Q, Wang W. Single-cell transcriptome reveals the heterogeneity of malignant ductal cells and the prognostic value of REG4 and SPINK1 in primary pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17350. [PMID: 38827297 PMCID: PMC11141562 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, with very limited therapeutic options available. This study aims to comprehensively depict the heterogeneity and identify prognostic targets for PDAC with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. Methods ScRNA-seq analysis was performed on 16 primary PDAC and three adjacent lesions. A series of analytical methods were applied for analysis in cell clustering, gene profiling, lineage trajectory analysis and cell-to-cell interactions. In vitro experiments including colony formation, wound healing and sphere formation assay were performed to assess the role of makers. Results A total of 32,480 cells were clustered into six major populations, among which the ductal cell cluster expressing high copy number variants (CNVs) was defined as malignant cells. Malignant cells were further subtyped into five subgroups which exhibited specific features in immunologic and metabolic activities. Pseudotime trajectory analysis indicated that components of various oncogenic pathways were differentially expressed along tumor progression. Furthermore, intensive substantial crosstalk between ductal cells and stromal cells was identified. Finally, genes (REG4 and SPINK1) screened out of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were upregulated in PDAC cell lines. Silencing either of them significantly impaired proliferation, invasion, migration and stemness of PDAC cells. Conclusions Our findings offer a valuable resource for deciphering the heterogeneity of malignant ductal cells in PDAC. REG4 and SPINK1 are expected to be promising targets for PDAC therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/mortality
- Trypsin Inhibitor, Kazal Pancreatic/genetics
- Trypsin Inhibitor, Kazal Pancreatic/metabolism
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Prognosis
- Single-Cell Analysis
- Transcriptome
- Lectins, C-Type/genetics
- Lectins, C-Type/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Female
- Male
- Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Ji
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | | | - Weilin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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11
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Wang Y, Liu S, Wang Y, Li B, Liang J, Chen Y, Tang B, Yu S, Wang H. KDM5B promotes SMAD4 loss-driven drug resistance through activating DLG1/YAP to induce lipid accumulation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:252. [PMID: 38789418 PMCID: PMC11126577 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02020-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Inactivated suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 4 significantly affects cancer development in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the contribution of smad4 loss to drug resistance in PDAC is largely undetermined. In the present study, we reported that the loss of SMAD4 endows PDAC cells the ability to drug resistance through upregulating histone lysine demethylase, Lysine-Specific Demethylase 5B (KDM5B, also known as JARID1B or PLU1). Upregulated KDM5B was found in PDAC, associated with poor prognosis and recurrence of PDAC patients. Upregulated KDM5B promotes PDAC tumor malignancy, i.e. cancer cells stemness and drug resistance in vitro and in vivo, while KDM5B knockout exerts opposite effects. Mechanistically, loss of Smad4-mediated upregulation of KDM5B promotes drug resistance through inhibiting the discs-large homolog 1 (DLG1), thereby facilitating nuclear translocation of YAP to induce de novo lipogenesis. Moreover, m6A demethylase FTO is involved in the upregulation of KDM5B by maintaining KDM5B mRNA stability. Collectively, the present study suggested FTO-mediated KDM5B stabilization in the context of loss of Smad4 activate DLG1/YAP1 pathway to promote tumorigenesis by reprogramming lipid accumulation in PDAC. Our study confirmed that the KDM5B-DLG1-YAP1 pathway axis plays a crucial role in the genesis and progression of PDAC, and KDM5B was expected to become a target for the treatment of PDAC. The schematic diagram of KDM5B-DLG1-YAP pathway axis in regulating drug resistance of PDAC to gemcitabine (GEM). In the context of SMAD4 loss PDAC cells, FTO-mediated stabilization and upregulation of KDM5B promotes drug resistance through directly targeting DLG1 to promote YAP1 translocation to nucleus to induce de novo lipogenesis (DNL).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
- Pharmaceutical College Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Shiqian Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Yan Wang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Disease Research & Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, P. R. China
| | - Baibei Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Jiaming Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Bo Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China.
| | - Shuiping Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China.
| | - Hongquan Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China.
- Pharmaceutical College Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, P. R. China.
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12
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Long SA, Amparo AM, Goodhart G, Ahmad SA, Waters AM. Evaluation of KRAS inhibitor-directed therapies for pancreatic cancer treatment. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1402128. [PMID: 38800401 PMCID: PMC11116577 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1402128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advancements in the treatment of other cancers, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the world's deadliest cancers. More than 90% of PDAC patients harbor a Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) gene mutation. Although the clinical potential of anti-KRAS therapies has long been realized, all initial efforts to target KRAS were unsuccessful. However, with the recent development of a new generation of KRAS-targeting drugs, multiple KRAS-targeted treatment options for patients with PDAC have entered clinical trials. In this review, we provide an overview of current standard of care treatment, describe RAS signaling and the relevance of KRAS mutations, and discuss RAS isoform- and mutation-specific differences. We also evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of mutation-selective and multi-selective inhibitors, in the context of PDAC. We then provide a comparison of clinically relevant KRAS inhibitors to second-line PDAC treatment options. Finally, we discuss putative resistance mechanisms that may limit the clinical effectiveness of KRAS-targeted therapies and provide a brief overview of promising therapeutic approaches in development that are focused on mitigating these resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Aun Long
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Amber M. Amparo
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Grace Goodhart
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Syed A. Ahmad
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Andrew M. Waters
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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13
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Braxton AM, Kiemen AL, Grahn MP, Forjaz A, Parksong J, Mahesh Babu J, Lai J, Zheng L, Niknafs N, Jiang L, Cheng H, Song Q, Reichel R, Graham S, Damanakis AI, Fischer CG, Mou S, Metz C, Granger J, Liu XD, Bachmann N, Zhu Y, Liu Y, Almagro-Pérez C, Jiang AC, Yoo J, Kim B, Du S, Foster E, Hsu JY, Rivera PA, Chu LC, Liu F, Fishman EK, Yuille A, Roberts NJ, Thompson ED, Scharpf RB, Cornish TC, Jiao Y, Karchin R, Hruban RH, Wu PH, Wirtz D, Wood LD. 3D genomic mapping reveals multifocality of human pancreatic precancers. Nature 2024; 629:679-687. [PMID: 38693266 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07359-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs) are the most common precursors of pancreatic cancer, but their small size and inaccessibility in humans make them challenging to study1. Critically, the number, dimensions and connectivity of human PanINs remain largely unknown, precluding important insights into early cancer development. Here, we provide a microanatomical survey of human PanINs by analysing 46 large samples of grossly normal human pancreas with a machine-learning pipeline for quantitative 3D histological reconstruction at single-cell resolution. To elucidate genetic relationships between and within PanINs, we developed a workflow in which 3D modelling guides multi-region microdissection and targeted and whole-exome sequencing. From these samples, we calculated a mean burden of 13 PanINs per cm3 and extrapolated that the normal intact adult pancreas harbours hundreds of PanINs, almost all with oncogenic KRAS hotspot mutations. We found that most PanINs originate as independent clones with distinct somatic mutation profiles. Some spatially continuous PanINs were found to contain multiple KRAS mutations; computational and in situ analyses demonstrated that different KRAS mutations localize to distinct cell subpopulations within these neoplasms, indicating their polyclonal origins. The extensive multifocality and genetic heterogeneity of PanINs raises important questions about mechanisms that drive precancer initiation and confer differential progression risk in the human pancreas. This detailed 3D genomic mapping of molecular alterations in human PanINs provides an empirical foundation for early detection and rational interception of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M Braxton
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Ashley L Kiemen
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mia P Grahn
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - André Forjaz
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeeun Parksong
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jaanvi Mahesh Babu
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiaying Lai
- Institute for Computational Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lily Zheng
- Institute for Computational Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- McKusick-Nathans Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Noushin Niknafs
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Liping Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer and Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haixia Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer and Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qianqian Song
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer and Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Rebecca Reichel
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sarah Graham
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alexander I Damanakis
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Catherine G Fischer
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie Mou
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cameron Metz
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Julie Granger
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xiao-Ding Liu
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Niklas Bachmann
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yutong Zhu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - YunZhou Liu
- Institute for Computational Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cristina Almagro-Pérez
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ann Chenyu Jiang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeonghyun Yoo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bridgette Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Scott Du
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eli Foster
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jocelyn Y Hsu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Paula Andreu Rivera
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Linda C Chu
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Fengze Liu
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elliot K Fishman
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alan Yuille
- Department of Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas J Roberts
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth D Thompson
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert B Scharpf
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Toby C Cornish
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Yuchen Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer and Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Institute of Cancer Research, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Rachel Karchin
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- McKusick-Nathans Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ralph H Hruban
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pei-Hsun Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Denis Wirtz
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Laura D Wood
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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14
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Saba E, Farhat M, Daoud A, Khashan A, Forkush E, Menahem NH, Makkawi H, Pandi K, Angabo S, Kawasaki H, Plaschkes I, Parnas O, Zamir G, Atlan K, Elkin M, Katz L, Nussbaum G. Oral bacteria accelerate pancreatic cancer development in mice. Gut 2024; 73:770-786. [PMID: 38233197 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-330941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epidemiological studies highlight an association between pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and oral carriage of the anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, a species highly linked to periodontal disease. We analysed the potential for P. gingivalis to promote pancreatic cancer development in an animal model and probed underlying mechanisms. DESIGN We tracked P. gingivalis bacterial translocation from the oral cavity to the pancreas following administration to mice. To dissect the role of P. gingivalis in PDAC development, we administered bacteria to a genetically engineered mouse PDAC model consisting of inducible acinar cell expression of mutant Kras (Kras +/LSL-G12D; Ptf1a-CreER, iKC mice). These mice were used to study the cooperative effects of Kras mutation and P. gingivalis on the progression of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) to PDAC. The direct effects of P. gingivalis on acinar cells and PDAC cell lines were studied in vitro. RESULTS P. gingivalis migrated from the oral cavity to the pancreas in mice and can be detected in human PanIN lesions. Repetitive P. gingivalis administration to wild-type mice induced pancreatic acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), and altered the composition of the intrapancreatic microbiome. In iKC mice, P. gingivalis accelerated PanIN to PDAC progression. In vitro, P. gingivalis infection induced acinar cell ADM markers SOX9 and CK19, and intracellular bacteria protected PDAC cells from reactive oxygen species-mediated cell death resulting from nutrient stress. CONCLUSION Taken together, our findings demonstrate a causal role for P. gingivalis in pancreatic cancer development in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Saba
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Maria Farhat
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alaa Daoud
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Arin Khashan
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Esther Forkush
- Gastroenterology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Noam Hallel Menahem
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hasnaa Makkawi
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Karthikeyan Pandi
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sarah Angabo
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hiromichi Kawasaki
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
- Central Research Institute, Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Koda-cho, Akitakata-shi, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Inbar Plaschkes
- Info-CORE, Bioinformatics Unit of the I-CORE, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Oren Parnas
- Immunology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Gideon Zamir
- Experimental Surgery, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Michael Elkin
- Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lior Katz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Gabriel Nussbaum
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
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15
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Chan KI, Zhang S, Li G, Xu Y, Cui L, Wang Y, Su H, Tan W, Zhong Z. MYC Oncogene: A Druggable Target for Treating Cancers with Natural Products. Aging Dis 2024; 15:640-697. [PMID: 37450923 PMCID: PMC10917530 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Various diseases, including cancers, age-associated disorders, and acute liver failure, have been linked to the oncogene, MYC. Animal testing and clinical trials have shown that sustained tumor volume reduction can be achieved when MYC is inactivated, and different combinations of therapeutic agents including MYC inhibitors are currently being developed. In this review, we first provide a summary of the multiple biological functions of the MYC oncoprotein in cancer treatment, highlighting that the equilibrium points of the MYC/MAX, MIZ1/MYC/MAX, and MAD (MNT)/MAX complexes have further potential in cancer treatment that could be used to restrain MYC oncogene expression and its functions in tumorigenesis. We also discuss the multifunctional capacity of MYC in various cellular cancer processes, including its influences on immune response, metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, multidrug resistance, and intestinal flora. Moreover, we summarize the MYC therapy patent landscape and emphasize the potential of MYC as a druggable target, using herbal medicine modulators. Finally, we describe pending challenges and future perspectives in biomedical research, involving the development of therapeutic approaches to modulate MYC or its targeted genes. Patients with cancers driven by MYC signaling may benefit from therapies targeting these pathways, which could delay cancerous growth and recover antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Iong Chan
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Guodong Li
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Yida Xu
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Liao Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Huanxing Su
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Wen Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
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16
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Reshkin SJ, Cardone RA, Koltai T. Genetic Signature of Human Pancreatic Cancer and Personalized Targeting. Cells 2024; 13:602. [PMID: 38607041 PMCID: PMC11011857 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal disease with a 5-year survival rate of around 11-12%. Surgery, being the treatment of choice, is only possible in 20% of symptomatic patients. The main reason is that when it becomes symptomatic, IT IS the tumor is usually locally advanced and/or has metastasized to distant organs; thus, early diagnosis is infrequent. The lack of specific early symptoms is an important cause of late diagnosis. Unfortunately, diagnostic tumor markers become positive at a late stage, and there is a lack of early-stage markers. Surgical and non-surgical cases are treated with neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant chemotherapy, and the results are usually poor. However, personalized targeted therapy directed against tumor drivers may improve this situation. Until recently, many pancreatic tumor driver genes/proteins were considered untargetable. Chemical and physical characteristics of mutated KRAS are a formidable challenge to overcome. This situation is slowly changing. For the first time, there are candidate drugs that can target the main driver gene of pancreatic cancer: KRAS. Indeed, KRAS inhibition has been clinically achieved in lung cancer and, at the pre-clinical level, in pancreatic cancer as well. This will probably change the very poor outlook for this disease. This paper reviews the genetic characteristics of sporadic and hereditary predisposition to pancreatic cancer and the possibilities of a personalized treatment according to the genetic signature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan J. Reshkin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Rosa Angela Cardone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Tomas Koltai
- Oncomed, Via Pier Capponi 6, 50132 Florence, Italy
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17
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Hu J, Jiang J, Xu B, Li Y, Wang B, He S, Ren X, Shi B, Zhang X, Zheng H, Hua B, Liu R. Bioinformatics analyses of infiltrating immune cell participation on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression and in vivo experiment of the therapeutic effect of Shuangshen granules. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 322:117590. [PMID: 38113986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Shuangshen granules (SSG), a nationally patented Chinese medicinal formula, including Panax quinquefolium L., Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F. H. Chen, and Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc., has demonstrated remarkable therapeutic effects on pancreatic cancer in clinical treatment for nearly 10 years. Previous pharmacological researches have found that its main components, including ginsenosides and cordycepin have anticancer or preventive effects on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which may be associated with immune metabolism. However, the underlying pharmacological mechanism of SSG in the truncation effect of PDAC progression is still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To comprehensively understand the infiltrating immune cells during the different stages of the PDAC development chain and search for immune-related biomarkers that could potentially serve as drug targets through bioinformatic analysis. Meanwhile, the truncation effect of SSG on PDAC progression was also investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS The gene expression profiles at different PDAC developmental stages, including normal pancreas, pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), and PDAC, were retrieved from the GEO database. The GEO2R tool was used to identify differentially expressed genes among the three groups. Functional enrichment analysis was performed with the GSEA software and Metascape platform. The CIBERSORT algorithm evaluated immune cell infiltration in the three groups, and immune-related biomarkers were identified. Correlation analysis was employed to examine the association between immune cells and the biomarkers. One of these biomarkers was selected for immunohistochemistry validation in human samples. Lastly, the effectiveness of SSG against PDAC progression and the influence on the selected biomarker were validated in vivo. The underlying pharmacological mechanisms were also explored. RESULTS One dataset was obtained, where the functional enrichment of DEGs primarily involved immune effector processes and cytokine production of immune cells. The differential immune cells reflected during the progression from PanIN to PDAC were B memory cells, monocytes, M2 macrophages, and activated dendritic cells. The upregulation of ACTA2 was closely associated with M2 macrophage regulation. The immunohistochemistry on human samples validated significant differences in ACTA2 expression levels as the PDAC progressed. Moreover, animal experiments revealed that the national patented drug SSG ameliorated the pathological changes, decreased the expression of ACTA2 and its functional protein α-smooth muscle actin during PDAC progression. The underlying pharmacological mechanism was related to the regulation of macrophage polarization and downregulation of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS The immunosuppressive environment changes during the PDAC progression. ACTA2 is a potential immuned-target for drug prevention of PDAC, while SSG could be a promising drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Hu
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Juling Jiang
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bowen Xu
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bei Wang
- China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shulin He
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoling Ren
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bolun Shi
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Honggang Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Baojin Hua
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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18
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Nakahashi H, Oda T, Shimomura O, Akashi Y, Takahashi K, Miyazaki Y, Furuta T, Kuroda Y, Louphrasitthiphol P, Mathis BJ, Tateno H. Aberrant Glycosylation in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma 3D Organoids Is Mediated by KRAS Mutations. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2024; 2024:1529449. [PMID: 38528852 PMCID: PMC10963106 DOI: 10.1155/2024/1529449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant glycosylation in tumor cells is a hallmark during carcinogenesis. KRAS gene mutations are the most well-known oncogenic abnormalities but their association with glycan alterations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is largely unknown. We employed patient-derived 3D organoids to culture pure live PDAC cells, excluding contamination by fibroblasts and immune cells, to gasp the comprehensive cancer cell surface glycan expression profile using lectin microarray and transcriptomic analyses. Surgical specimens from 24 PDAC patients were digested and embedded into a 3D culture system. Surface-bound glycans of 3D organoids were analyzed by high-density, 96-lectin microarrays. KRAS mutation status and expression of various glycosyltransferases were analyzed by RNA-seq. We successfully established 16 3D organoids: 14 PDAC, 1 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), and 1 normal pancreatic duct. KRAS was mutated in 13 (7 G12V, 5 G12D, 1 Q61L) and wild in 3 organoids (1 normal duct, 1 IPMN, 1 PDAC). Lectin reactivity of AAL (Aleuria aurantia) and AOL (Aspergillus oryzae) with binding activity to α1-3 fucose was higher in organoids with KRAS mutants than those with KRAS wild-type. FUT6 (α1-3fucosyltransferase 6) and FUT3 (α1-3/4 fucosyltransferase 3) expression was also higher in KRAS mutants than wild-type. Meanwhile, mannose-binding lectin (rRSL [Ralstonia solanacearum] and rBC2LA [Burkholderia cenocepacia]) signals were higher while those of galactose-binding lectins (rGal3C and rCGL2) were lower in the KRAS mutants. We demonstrated here that PDAC 3D-cultured organoids with KRAS mutations were dominantly covered in increased fucosylated glycans, pointing towards novel treatment targets and/or tumor markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromitsu Nakahashi
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Oda
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
| | - Osamu Shimomura
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Akashi
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Takahashi
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Miyazaki
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Furuta
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
| | - Yukihito Kuroda
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
| | - Pakavarin Louphrasitthiphol
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
| | - Bryan J. Mathis
- International Medical Center, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tateno
- Biotechnology Research Institute for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba 305-8568, Japan
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19
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Tan YQ, Sun B, Zhang X, Zhang S, Guo H, Basappa B, Zhu T, Sethi G, Lobie PE, Pandey V. Concurrent inhibition of pBADS99 synergistically improves MEK inhibitor efficacy in KRAS G12D-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:173. [PMID: 38409090 PMCID: PMC10897366 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06551-7] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Therapeutic targeting of KRAS-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has remained a significant challenge in clinical oncology. Direct targeting of KRAS has proven difficult, and inhibition of the KRAS effectors have shown limited success due to compensatory activation of survival pathways. Being a core downstream effector of the KRAS-driven p44/42 MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways governing intrinsic apoptosis, BAD phosphorylation emerges as a promising therapeutic target. Herein, a positive association of the pBADS99/BAD ratio with higher disease stage and worse overall survival of PDAC was observed. Homology-directed repair of BAD to BADS99A or small molecule inhibition of BADS99 phosphorylation by NCK significantly reduced PDAC cell viability by promoting cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. NCK also abrogated the growth of preformed colonies of PDAC cells in 3D culture. Furthermore, high-throughput screening with an oncology drug library to identify potential combinations revealed a strong synergistic effect between NCK and MEK inhibitors in PDAC cells harboring either wild-type or mutant-KRAS. Mechanistically, both mutant-KRAS and MEK inhibition increased the phosphorylation of BADS99 in PDAC cells, an effect abrogated by NCK. Combined pBADS99-MEK inhibition demonstrated strong synergy in reducing cell viability, enhancing apoptosis, and achieving xenograft stasis in KRAS-mutant PDAC. In conclusion, the inhibition of BADS99 phosphorylation enhances the efficacy of MEK inhibition, and their combined inhibition represents a mechanistically based and potentially effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of KRAS-mutant PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Qin Tan
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering and Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
- Food Science and Technology Program, Department of Life Sciences, BNU-HKBU United International College, Zhuhai, 519087, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Bowen Sun
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering and Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering and Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuwei Zhang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering and Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Guo
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering and Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Basappa Basappa
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Studies in Organic Chemistry, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, 570006, Mysore, India
| | - Tao Zhu
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, People's Republic of China
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Peter E Lobie
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering and Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China.
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Vijay Pandey
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering and Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Han W, Shi D, Yang Q, Li X, Zhang J, Peng C, Yan F. Alteration of chromosome structure impacts gene expressions implicated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:206. [PMID: 38395755 PMCID: PMC10885383 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10109-4] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy with a five-year survival rate of approximately 10%. Genetic mutations are pivotal drivers in PDAC pathogenesis, but recent investigations also revealed the involvement of non-genetic alterations in the disease development. In this study, we undertook a multi-omics approach, encompassing ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and Hi-C methodologies, to dissect gene expression alterations arising from changes in chromosome accessibility and chromatin three-dimensional interactions in PDAC. RESULTS Our findings indicate that chromosomal structural alterations can lead to abnormal expressions on key genes during PDAC development. Notably, overexpression of oncogenes FGFR2, FOXA2, CYP2R1, and CPOX can be attributed to the augmentation of promoter accessibility, coupled with long-range interactions with distal elements. Additionally, our findings indicate that chromosomal structural alterations caused by genomic instability can lead to abnormal expressions in PDACs. As an example, by analyzing chromosomal changes, we identified a putative oncogenic gene, LPAR1, which shows upregulated expression in both PDAC cell lines and clinical samples. The overexpression is correlated with alterations in LPAR1-associated 3D genome structure and chromatin state. We further demonstrated that high LPAR1 activity is required for enhanced PDAC cell migration in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings reveal that the chromosomal conformational alterations, in addition to the well-known genetic mutations, are critical for PDAC tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenrui Han
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio- resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, 650500, Kunming, China
| | - Detong Shi
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio- resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, 650500, Kunming, China
| | - Qiu Yang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio- resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, 650500, Kunming, China
| | - Xinxin Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio- resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, 650500, Kunming, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio- resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, 650500, Kunming, China
- Southeast United Graduate School, 650500, Kunming, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio- resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, 650500, Kunming, China.
| | - Fang Yan
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Bio- resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, 650500, Kunming, China.
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21
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Fujii M, Sekine S, Sato T. Decoding the basis of histological variation in human cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:141-158. [PMID: 38135758 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00648-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Molecular abnormalities that shape human neoplasms dissociate their phenotypic landscape from that of the healthy counterpart. Through the lens of a microscope, tumour pathology optically captures such aberrations projected onto a tissue slide and has categorized human epithelial neoplasms into distinct histological subtypes based on the diverse morphogenetic and molecular programmes that they manifest. Tumour histology often reflects tumour aggressiveness, patient prognosis and therapeutic vulnerability, and thus has been used as a de facto diagnostic tool and for making clinical decisions. However, it remains elusive how the diverse histological subtypes arise and translate into pleiotropic biological phenotypes. Molecular analysis of clinical tumour tissues and their culture, including patient-derived organoids, and add-back genetic reconstruction of tumorigenic pathways using gene engineering in culture models and rodents further elucidated molecular mechanisms that underlie morphological variations. Such mechanisms include genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations in cellular identity codes that erode hard-wired morphological programmes and histologically digress tumours from the native tissues. Interestingly, tumours acquire the ability to grow independently of the niche-driven stem cell ecosystem along with these morphological alterations, providing a biological rationale for histological diversification during tumorigenesis. This Review comprehensively summarizes our current understanding of such plasticity in the histological and lineage commitment fostered cooperatively by molecular alterations and the tumour environment, and describes basic and clinical implications for future cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Fujii
- Department of Integrated Medicine and Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Shigeki Sekine
- Division of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiro Sato
- Department of Integrated Medicine and Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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22
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Fleming Martinez AK, Storz P. Protein kinase D1 - A targetable mediator of pancreatic cancer development. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119646. [PMID: 38061566 PMCID: PMC10872883 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Members of the Protein kinase D (PKD) kinase family each play important cell-specific roles in the regulation of normal pancreas functions. In pancreatic diseases PKD1 is the most widely characterized isoform with roles in pancreatitis and in induction of pancreatic cancer and its progression. PKD1 expression and activation increases in pancreatic acinar cells through macrophage secreted factors, Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) signaling, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), driving the formation of precancerous lesions. In precancerous lesions PKD1 regulates cell survival, growth, senescence, and generation of doublecortin like kinase 1 (DCLK1)-positive cancer stem cells (CSCs). Within tumors, regulation by PKD1 includes chemoresistance, apoptosis, proliferation, CSC features, and the Warburg effect. Thus, PKD1 plays a critical role throughout pancreatic disease initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Storz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
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23
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Scianò F, Terrana F, Pecoraro C, Parrino B, Cascioferro S, Diana P, Giovannetti E, Carbone D. Exploring the therapeutic potential of focal adhesion kinase inhibition in overcoming chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Future Med Chem 2024; 16:271-289. [PMID: 38269431 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0234] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase often overexpressed in PDAC. FAK has been linked to cell migration, survival, proliferation, angiogenesis and adhesion. This review first highlights the chemoresistant nature of PDAC. Second, the role of FAK in PDAC cancer progression and resistance is carefully described. Additionally, it discusses recent developments of FAK inhibitors as valuable drugs in the treatment of PDAC, with a focus on diamine-substituted-2,4-pyrimidine-based compounds, which represent the most potent class of FAK inhibitors in clinical trials for the treatment of PDAC disease. To conclude, relevant computational studies performed on FAK inhibitors are reported to highlight the key structural features required for interaction with the protein, with the aim of optimizing this novel targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Scianò
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Francesca Terrana
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Camilla Pecoraro
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Barbara Parrino
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Stella Cascioferro
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Patrizia Diana
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc) De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, 1081HV, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Via Ferruccio Giovannini 13, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa, 56017, Italy
| | - Daniela Carbone
- Department of Biological, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, Palermo, 90123, Italy
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24
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Zhao R, Hu Z, Zhang X, Huang S, Yu G, Wu Z, Yu W, Lu J, Ruan B. The oncogenic mechanisms of the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway in digestive tract tumors. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:68. [PMID: 38273295 PMCID: PMC10809652 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01421-9] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Digestive tract tumors are heterogeneous and involve the dysregulation of multiple signaling pathways. The Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway plays a notable role in the oncogenesis of digestive tract tumors. Typically activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, it regulates important biological processes, such as cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, immune responses, and inflammation. The aberrant activation of this pathway manifests in different forms, including mutations in JAKs, overexpression of cytokine receptors, and sustained STAT activation, and contributes to promoting the malignant characteristics of cancer cells, including uncontrolled proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, enhanced invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, acquisition of stem-like properties, and drug resistance. Numerous studies have shown that aberrant activation of the JAK-STAT pathway is closely related to the development and progression of digestive tract tumors, contributing to tumor survival, angiogenesis, changes in the tumor microenvironment, and even immune escape processes. In addition, this signaling pathway also affects the sensitivity of digestive tract tumors to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehensively understand the oncogenic mechanisms underlying the JAK-STAT pathway in order to develop effective therapeutic strategies against digestive tract tumors. Currently, several JAK-STAT inhibitors are undergoing clinical and preclinical trials as potential treatments for various human diseases. However, further investigation is required to determine the role of this pathway, as well as the effectiveness and safety of its inhibitors, especially in the context of digestive tract tumors. In this review, we provide an overview of the structure, classic activation, and negative regulation of the JAK-STAT pathway. Furthermore, we discuss the pathogenic mechanisms of JAK-STAT signaling in different digestive tract tumors, with the aim of identifying potential novel therapeutic targets. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Zhangmin Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Shujuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Guodong Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Zhe Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Wei Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Juan Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China.
| | - Bing Ruan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China.
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25
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Allan Z, Liu DS, Lee MM, Tie J, Clemons NJ. A Practical Approach to Interpreting Circulating Tumor DNA in the Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers. Clin Chem 2024; 70:49-59. [PMID: 38175583 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvad188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is accumulating evidence supporting the clinical use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in solid tumors, especially in different types of gastrointestinal cancer. As such, appraisal of the current and potential clinical utility of ctDNA is needed to guide clinicians in decision-making to facilitate its general applicability. CONTENT In this review, we firstly discuss considerations surrounding specimen collection, processing, storage, and analysis, which affect reporting and interpretation of results. Secondly, we evaluate a selection of studies on colorectal, esophago-gastric, and pancreatic cancer to determine the level of evidence for the use of ctDNA in disease screening, detection of molecular residual disease (MRD) and disease recurrence during surveillance, assessment of therapy response, and guiding targeted therapy. Lastly, we highlight current limitations in the clinical utility of ctDNA and future directions. SUMMARY Current evidence of ctDNA in gastrointestinal cancer is promising but varies depending on its specific clinical role and cancer type. Larger prospective trials are needed to validate different aspects of ctDNA clinical utility, and standardization of collection protocols, analytical assays, and reporting guidelines should be considered to facilitate its wider applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zexi Allan
- Division of Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David S Liu
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Division of Cancer Surgery, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Unit, Division of Surgery, Anaesthesia, and Procedural Medicine, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret M Lee
- Division of Personalised Oncology, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeanne Tie
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Division of Personalised Oncology, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas J Clemons
- Division of Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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26
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Buckley CW, O’Reilly EM. Next-generation therapies for pancreatic cancer. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 18:55-72. [PMID: 38415709 PMCID: PMC10960610 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2024.2322648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a frequently lethal malignancy that poses unique therapeutic challenges. The current mainstay of therapy for metastatic PDAC (mPDAC) is cytotoxic chemotherapy. NALIRIFOX (liposomal irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin) is an emerging standard of care in the metastatic setting. An evolving understanding of PDAC pathogenesis is driving a shift toward targeted therapy. Olaparib, a poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, has regulatory approval for maintenance therapy in BRCA-mutated mPDAC along with other targeted agents receiving disease-agnostic approvals including for PDAC with rare fusions and mismatch repair deficiency. Ongoing research continues to identify and evaluate an expanding array of targeted therapies for PDAC. AREAS COVERED This review provides a brief overview of standard therapies for PDAC and an emphasis on current and emerging targeted therapies. EXPERT OPINION There is notable potential for targeted therapies for KRAS-mutated PDAC with opportunity for meaningful benefit for a sizable portion of patients with this disease. Further, emerging approaches are focused on novel immune, tumor microenvironment, and synthetic lethality strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor W. Buckley
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Eileen M. O’Reilly
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
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27
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Chowdhury NN, Yang Y, Dutta A, Luo M, Wei Z, Abrahams SR, Revenko AS, Shah F, Miles LA, Parmer RJ, de Laat B, Wolberg AS, Luyendyk JP, Fishel ML, Flick MJ. Plasminogen deficiency suppresses pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma disease progression. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:113-135. [PMID: 37971174 PMCID: PMC10766200 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13552] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly fatal metastatic disease associated with robust activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. However, the potential contribution of the primary fibrinolytic protease plasminogen to PDAC disease progression has remained largely undefined. Mice bearing C57Bl/6-derived KPC (KRasG12D , TRP53R172H ) tumors displayed evidence of plasmin activity in the form of high plasmin-antiplasmin complexes and high plasmin generation potential relative to mice without tumors. Notably, plasminogen-deficient mice (Plg- ) had significantly diminished KPC tumor growth in subcutaneous and orthotopic implantation models. Moreover, the metastatic potential of KPC cells was significantly diminished in Plg- mice, which was linked to reduced early adhesion and/or survival of KPC tumor cells. The reduction in primary orthotopic KPC tumor growth in Plg- mice was associated with increased apoptosis, reduced accumulation of pro-tumor immune cells, and increased local proinflammatory cytokine production. Elimination of fibrin(ogen), the primary proteolytic target of plasmin, did not alter KPC primary tumor growth and resulted in only a modest reduction in metastatic potential. In contrast, deficiencies in the plasminogen receptors Plg-RKT or S100A10 in tumor cells significantly reduced tumor growth. Plg-RKT reduction in tumor cells, but not reduced S100A10, suppressed metastatic potential in a manner that mimicked plasminogen deficiency. Finally, tumor growth was also reduced in NSG mice subcutaneously or orthotopically implanted with patient-derived PDAC tumor cells in which circulating plasminogen was pharmacologically reduced. Collectively, these studies suggest that plasminogen promotes PDAC tumor growth and metastatic potential, in part through engaging plasminogen receptors on tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayela N. Chowdhury
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolisINUSA
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
- UNC Blood Research CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
| | - Ananya Dutta
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
- UNC Blood Research CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
| | - Michelle Luo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
- UNC Blood Research CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
| | - Zimu Wei
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic InvestigationMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
- Institute for Integrative ToxicologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - Sara R. Abrahams
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
- UNC Blood Research CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
| | | | - Fenil Shah
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Lindsey A. Miles
- Department of Molecular MedicineScripps Research InstituteLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Robert J. Parmer
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare SystemUniversity of California, San DiegoCAUSA
| | - Bas de Laat
- Synapse Research InstituteMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Alisa S. Wolberg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
- UNC Blood Research CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
| | - James P. Luyendyk
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic InvestigationMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
- Institute for Integrative ToxicologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - Melissa L. Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndianapolisINUSA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolisINUSA
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Matthew J. Flick
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
- UNC Blood Research CenterUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNCUSA
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28
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Song T, Kong B, Liu R, Luo Y, Wang Y, Zhao Y. Bioengineering Approaches for the Pancreatic Tumor Organoids Research and Application. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2300984. [PMID: 37694339 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300984] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal form of digestive malignancy that poses significant health risks to individuals worldwide. Chemotherapy-based comprehensive treatment is the primary therapeutic approach for midlife and late-life patients. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of the tumor and individual genetic backgrounds result in substantial variations in drug sensitivity among patients, rendering a single treatment regimen unsuitable for all patients. Conventional pancreatic cancer tumor organoid models are capable of emulating the biological traits of pancreatic cancer and are utilized in drug development and screening. However, these tumor organoids can still not mimic the tumor microenvironment (TME) in vivo, and the poor controllability in the preparation process hinders translation from essential drug screening to clinical pharmacological therapy. In recent years, many engineering methods with remarkable results have been used to develop pancreatic cancer organoid models, including bio-hydrogel, co-culture, microfluidic, and gene editing. Here, this work summarizes and analyzes the recent developments in engineering pancreatic tumor organoid models. In addition, the future direction of improving engineered pancreatic cancer organoids is discussed for their application prospects in clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiyu Song
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, China
| | - Bin Kong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, China
| | - Yuan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Yongan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
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29
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Yang B, Quan Y, Zhao W, Ji Y, Yang X, Li J, Li Y, Liu X, Wang Y, Li Y. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-((4-sulfamoylphenyl)amino)-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives as CDK inhibitors. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2169282. [PMID: 36656085 PMCID: PMC9858427 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2169282] [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] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
To explore the potential use of CDK inhibitors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) therapy, a series of novel 2-((4-sulfamoylphenyl)amino)-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives was designed, synthesised, and investigated for inhibition on both CDK kinase activity and cellular proliferation of pancreatic cancer. Most of new sulphonamide-containing derivatives demonstrated strong inhibitory activity on CDK9 and obvious anti-proliferative activity in cell culture. Moreover, two new compounds suppressed cell proliferation of multiple human pancreatic cancer cell lines. The most potent compound 2g inhibited cancer cell proliferation by blocking Rb phosphorylation and induced apoptosis via downregulation of CDK9 downstream proteins Mcl-1 and c-Myc in MIA PaCa-2 cells. CDK9 knockdown experiment suggests its anti-proliferative activity is mainly mediated by CDK9. Additionally, 2g displayed moderate tumour inhibition effect in AsPC-1 derived xenograft mice model. Altogether, this study provided a new start for further optimisation to develop potential CDK inhibitor candidates for PDAC treatment by alone or combination use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yanni Quan
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wuli Zhao
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yingjie Ji
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaotang Yang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianrui Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiujun Liu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China,Ying Wang Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yanping Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China,CONTACT Yanping Li
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30
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Hu C, Huang C, Hsu M, Chien H, Wu P, Chen Y, Jeng Y, Tang S, Chung M, Shen C, Chang M, Chang Y, Tien Y, Lee W. Oncogenic KRAS, Mucin 4, and Activin A-Mediated Fibroblast Activation Cooperate for PanIN Initiation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301240. [PMID: 37964407 PMCID: PMC10754145 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Over 90% of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have oncogenic KRAS mutations. Nevertheless, mutated KRAS alone is insufficient to initiate pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), the precursor of PDAC. The identities of the other factors/events required to drive PanIN formation remain elusive. Here, optic-clear 3D histology is used to analyze entire pancreases of 2-week-old Pdx1-Cre; LSL-KrasG12D/+ (KC) mice to detect the earliest emergence of PanIN and observed that the occurrence is independent of physical location. Instead, it is found that the earliest PanINs overexpress Muc4 and associate with αSMA+ fibroblasts in both transgenic mice and human specimens. Mechanistically, KrasG12D/+ pancreatic cells upregulate Muc4 through genetic alterations to increase proliferation and fibroblast recruitments via Activin A secretion and consequently enhance cell transformation for PanIN formation. Inhibition of Activin A signaling using Follistatin (FST) diminishes early PanIN-associated fibroblast recruitment, effectively curtailing PanIN initiation and growth in KC mice. These findings emphasize the vital role of interactions between oncogenic KrasG12D/+ -driven genetic alterations and induced microenvironmental changes in PanIN initiation, suggesting potential avenues for early PDAC diagnostic and management approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun‐Mei Hu
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Chien‐Chang Huang
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
- Biomedical Translation Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Min‐Fen Hsu
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Hung‐Jen Chien
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Pei‐Jung Wu
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Yi‐Ing Chen
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Yung‐Ming Jeng
- Department of PathologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipei10041Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Pathology, College of MedicineNational Taiwan UniversityTaipei10041Taiwan
| | - Shiue‐Cheng Tang
- Department of Medical ScienceNational Tsing Hua UniversityHsinchu30013Taiwan
| | - Mei‐Hsin Chung
- Department of PathologyNational Taiwan University Hospital−Hsinchu BranchHsinchu30331Taiwan
| | - Chia‐Ning Shen
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
- Biomedical Translation Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
| | - Ming‐Chu Chang
- Department of Internal MedicineNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipei10041Taiwan
| | - Yu‐Ting Chang
- Department of Internal MedicineNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipei10041Taiwan
| | - Yu‐Wen Tien
- Department of SurgeryNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipei10041Taiwan
| | - Wen‐Hwa Lee
- Genomics Research CenterAcademia SinicaTaipei11529Taiwan
- Drug Development CenterChina Medical UniversityTaichung40402Taiwan
- Department of Biological ChemistryUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA92697USA
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31
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Ingle K, LaComb JF, Graves LM, Baines AT, Bialkowska AB. AUM302, a novel triple kinase PIM/PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, is a potent in vitro pancreatic cancer growth inhibitor. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294065. [PMID: 37943821 PMCID: PMC10635512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths, with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) being the most common subtype. Advanced stage diagnosis of PDAC is common, causing limited treatment opportunities. Gemcitabine is a frequently used chemotherapeutic agent which can be used as a monotherapy or in combination. However, tumors often develop resistance to gemcitabine. Previous studies show that the proto-oncogene PIM kinases (PIM1 and PIM3) are upregulated in PDAC compared to matched normal tissue and are related to chemoresistance and PDAC cell growth. The PIM kinases are also involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to promote cell survival. In this study, we evaluate the effect of the novel multikinase PIM/PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, AUM302, and commercially available PIM inhibitor, TP-3654. Using five human PDAC cell lines, we found AUM302 to be a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation, cell viability, cell cycle progression, and phosphoprotein expression, while TP-3654 was less effective. Significantly, AUM302 had a strong impact on the viability of gemcitabine-resistant PDAC cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that AUM302 exhibits antitumor activity in human PDAC cells and thus has the potential to be an effective drug for PDAC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komala Ingle
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Joseph F. LaComb
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Lee M. Graves
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Antonio T. Baines
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, College of Health & Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Agnieszka B. Bialkowska
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
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32
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Omori Y, Furukawa T, Scarpa A, Luchini C. Co-occurring IPMN and pancreatic cancer: the same or different? An overview from histology to molecular pathology. J Clin Pathol 2023; 76:734-739. [PMID: 37500498 DOI: 10.1136/jcp-2023-209012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas is one of the most well-established precursors of pancreatic cancer. Its progression to acquire invasiveness is a complex process, based on the accumulation of morphological and genetic alterations. Recent advances in DNA sequencing also showed that co-occurring IPMNs and pancreatic cancers could be totally independent, further complicating our understanding of this complex scenario. The distinction between IPMN and related pancreatic cancer vs IPMN and co-occurring-but not related-pancreatic cancer is a challenging task in routine diagnostic activity, but may have important implications for precision oncology. Of note, recent multiregional sequencing-based studies focused not only on IPMN multi-step tumourigenesis, but also on the divergent intratumoural heterogeneity of this neoplasm. Globally considered, there are three different situations in which co-occurring IPMNs and invasive carcinomas can be found in the same pancreata, indicated with different terminologies: (1) IPMN-associated carcinoma: this definition indicates a carcinoma arising from an IPMN and can be also defined as IPMN-derived carcinoma, sequential or likely related; (2) independent IPMN and invasive carcinoma: the two lesions are not related, and this situation is defined as concomitant, de novo or likely independent; (3) branch-off pathway, where an invasive carcinoma and an adjacent IPMN develop divergently in a forked fashion from a common ancestral clone. In this review, we aim at clarifying the most important nomenclature/definitions of these different situations, also providing an overview of the molecular state-of-the-art and of the clinical implications of this complex landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Omori
- Department of Investigative Patholgy, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Toru Furukawa
- Department of Investigative Patholgy, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- ARC-Net Research Center, University and Hospital Trust, Verona, Italy
| | - Claudio Luchini
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- ARC-Net Research Center, University and Hospital Trust, Verona, Italy
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Tang S, Duan Y, Yuan T, Hu Y, Yuan L, Shen N, Fu Y, Pu C, Wang X, Xu J, Lan X, Zheng Y, Zhou Y, Zhu H, Ding J, Geng M, Huang M. Tetrandrine synergizes with MAPK inhibitors in treating KRAS-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via collaboratively modulating the TRAIL-death receptor axis. Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106955. [PMID: 37820855 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies lacking effective therapies. KRAS mutations that occur in over 90% of PDAC are major oncogenic drivers of PDAC. The MAPK signaling pathway plays a central role in KRAS-driven oncogenic signaling. However, pharmacological inhibitors of the MAPK pathway are poorly responded in KRAS-mutant PDAC, raising a compelling need to understand the mechanism behind and to seek new therapeutic solutions. Herein, we perform a screen utilizing a library composed of 800 naturally-derived bioactive compounds to identify natural products that are able to sensitize KRAS-mutant PDAC cells to the MAPK inhibition. We discover that tetrandrine, a natural bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, shows a synergistic effect with MAPK inhibitors in PDAC cells and xenograft models. Mechanistically, pharmacological inhibition of the MAPK pathway exhibits a double-edged impact on the TRAIL-death receptor axis, transcriptionally upregulating TRAIL yet downregulating its agonistic receptors DR4 and DR5, which may explain the limited therapeutic outcomes of MAPK inhibitors in KRAS-mutant PDAC. Of great interest, tetrandrine stabilizes DR4/DR5 protein via impairing ubiquitination-mediated protein degradation, thereby allowing a synergy with MAPK inhibition in inducing apoptosis in KRAS-mutant PDAC. Our findings identify a new combinatorial approach for treating KRAS-mutant PDAC and highlight the role of TRAIL-DR4/DR5 axis in dictating the therapeutic outcome in KRAS-mutant PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Tang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai 264117, China
| | - Yichen Duan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Tao Yuan
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuting Hu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China; Drug Discovery & Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Liang Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ning Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yixian Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Congying Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaojing Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China; Drug Discovery & Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jian Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai 264117, China
| | - Meiyu Geng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai 264117, China.
| | - Min Huang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai 264117, China.
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Li O, Li L, Sheng Y, Ke K, Wu J, Mou Y, Liu M, Jin W. Biological characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Initiation to malignancy, intracellular to extracellular. Cancer Lett 2023; 574:216391. [PMID: 37714257 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly life-threatening tumour with a low early-detection rate, rapid progression and a tendency to develop resistance to chemotherapy. Therefore, understanding the regulatory mechanisms underlying the initiation, development and metastasis of pancreatic cancer is necessary for enhancing therapeutic effectiveness. In this review, we summarised single-gene mutations (including KRAS, CDKN2A, TP53, SMAD4 and some other less prevalent mutations), epigenetic changes (including DNA methylation, histone modifications and RNA interference) and large chromosome alterations (such as copy number variations, chromosome rearrangements and chromothripsis) associated with PDAC. In addition, we discussed variations in signalling pathways that act as intermediate oncogenic factors in PDAC, including PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, Hippo and TGF-β signalling pathways. The focus of this review was to investigate alterations in the microenvironment of PDAC, particularly the role of immunosuppressive cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, lymphocytes, other para-cancerous cells and tumour extracellular matrix in tumour progression. Peripheral axons innervating the pancreas have been reported to play a crucial role in the development of cancer. In addition, tumour cells can influence the behaviour of neighbouring non-tumour cells by secreting certain factors, both locally and at a distance. In this review, we elucidated the alterations in intracellular molecules and the extracellular environment that occur during the progression of PDAC. Altogether, this review may enhance the understanding of the biological characteristics of PDAC and guide the development of more precise treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ou Li
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Li
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunru Sheng
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kun Ke
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianzhang Wu
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiping Mou
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mingyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, China; National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China; Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Weiwei Jin
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Huo Q, Li K, Sun X, Zhuang A, Minami K, Tamari K, Ogawa K, Fishel ML, Li BY, Yokota H. The inhibition of pancreatic cancer progression by K-Ras-overexpressing mesenchymal stem cell-derived secretomes. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15036. [PMID: 37699930 PMCID: PMC10497626 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41835-6] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with poor survival. To explore an uncharted function of K-Ras proto-oncogene, K-Ras was activated in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the effects of MSC conditioned medium (CM) on PDAC were examined. Overexpression of K-Ras elevated PI3K signaling in MSCs, and K-Ras/PI3K-activated MSC-derived CM reduced the proliferation and migration of tumor cells, as well as the growth of ex vivo freshly isolated human PDAC cultures. CM's anti-tumor capability was additive with Gemcitabine, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of PDAC. The systemic administration of CM in a mouse model suppressed the colonization of PDAC in the lung. MSC CM was enriched with Moesin (MSN), which acted as an extracellular tumor-suppressing protein by interacting with CD44. Tumor-suppressive CM was also generated by PKA-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Collectively, this study demonstrated that MSC CM can be engineered to act as a tumor-suppressive agent by activating K-Ras and PI3K, and the MSN-CD44 regulatory axis is in part responsible for this potential unconventional option in the treatment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingji Huo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Kexin Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Xun Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Adam Zhuang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Kazumasa Minami
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tamari
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ogawa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Bai-Yan Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Hiroki Yokota
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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Koltai T. Earlier Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer: Is It Possible? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4430. [PMID: 37760400 PMCID: PMC10526520 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has a very high mortality rate which has been only minimally improved in the last 30 years. This high mortality is closely related to late diagnosis, which is usually made when the tumor is large and has extensively infiltrated neighboring tissues or distant metastases are already present. This is a paradoxical situation for a tumor that requires nearly 15 years to develop since the first founding mutation. Response to chemotherapy under such late circumstances is poor, resistance is frequent, and prolongation of survival is almost negligible. Early surgery has been, and still is, the only approach with a slightly better outcome. Unfortunately, the relapse percentage after surgery is still very high. In fact, early surgery clearly requires early diagnosis. Despite all the advances in diagnostic methods, the available tools for improving these results are scarce. Serum tumor markers permit a late diagnosis, but their contribution to an improved therapeutic result is very limited. On the other hand, effective screening methods for high-risk populations have not been fully developed as yet. This paper discusses the difficulties of early diagnosis, evaluates whether the available diagnostic tools are adequate, and proposes some simple and not-so-simple measures to improve it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Koltai
- Hospital del Centro Gallego de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1094, Argentina
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Byeon S, du Toit‐Thompson T, Gillson J, Gill AJ, Samra JS, Mittal A, Sahni S. Heterogeneous tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: An emerging role of single-cell analysis. Cancer Med 2023; 12:18020-18031. [PMID: 37537839 PMCID: PMC10523961 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest malignancies in the world, for which the mortality is almost as high as the disease incidence and is predicted to be the second-highest cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030. These cancerous tumors consist of diversified gene expressions within the different cellular subpopulations that include neoplastic ductal cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and immune cells, all of which collectively facilitate cellular heterogeneity in the PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME). Active intratumoral interaction within the cell populations in TME induces the proliferation of cancerous cells, accounting for tumorigenesis and rapid metastasis. METHODS This review will focus on novel findings uncovering PDAC heterogeneity in different cellular subpopulations using single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and other single-cell analysis technologies. It will further explore the emerging role of single-cell technologies in assessing the role of different subpopulations of neoplastic ductal cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and immune cells in PDAC progression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The application of scRNA-seq in PDAC has started to unveil associations between disease progression and heterogeneity in pancreatic TME and could influence future PDAC treatment. Recent advances in scRNA-seq have uncovered comprehensive analyses of heterogeneous ecosystems present within the TME. These emerging findings underpins further need for a more in-depth understanding of intratumoral heterogeneity in the PDAC microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sooin Byeon
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Taymin du Toit‐Thompson
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Josef Gillson
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Anthony J. Gill
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Australian Pancreatic CentreSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology GroupKolling Institute of Medical ResearchSt LeonardsNew South WalesAustralia
- NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical PathologyRoyal North Shore HospitalSt LeonardsNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Jaswinder S. Samra
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Australian Pancreatic CentreSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Upper GI Surgical UnitRoyal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private HospitalSt LeonardsNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Anubhav Mittal
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Australian Pancreatic CentreSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Upper GI Surgical UnitRoyal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private HospitalSt LeonardsNew South WalesAustralia
- The University of Notre Dame AustraliaSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Sumit Sahni
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Australian Pancreatic CentreSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Takahashi K, Takeda Y, Ono Y, Isomoto H, Mizukami Y. Current status of molecular diagnostic approaches using liquid biopsy. J Gastroenterol 2023; 58:834-847. [PMID: 37470859 PMCID: PMC10423147 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-023-02024-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers, and developing an efficient and reliable approach for its early-stage diagnosis is urgently needed. Precancerous lesions of PDAC, such as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), arise through multiple steps of driver gene alterations in KRAS, TP53, CDKN2A, SMAD4, or GNAS. Hallmark mutations play a role in tumor initiation and progression, and their detection in bodily fluids is crucial for diagnosis. Recently, liquid biopsy has gained attention as an approach to complement pathological diagnosis, and in addition to mutation signatures in cell-free DNA, cell-free RNA, and extracellular vesicles have been investigated as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers. Integrating such molecular information to revise the diagnostic criteria for pancreatic cancer can enable a better understanding of the pathogenesis underlying inter-patient heterogeneity, such as sensitivity to chemotherapy and disease outcomes. This review discusses the current diagnostic approaches and clinical applications of genetic analysis in pancreatic cancer and diagnostic attempts by liquid biopsy and molecular analyses using pancreatic juice, duodenal fluid, and blood samples. Emerging knowledge in the rapidly advancing liquid biopsy field is promising for molecular profiling and diagnosing pancreatic diseases with significant diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Takahashi
- Division of Metabolism and Biosystemic Science, Gastroenterology, and Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1 Midorigaoka Higashi, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, 078-8510, Japan.
| | - Yohei Takeda
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ono
- Division of Metabolism and Biosystemic Science, Gastroenterology, and Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1 Midorigaoka Higashi, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, 078-8510, Japan
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Sapporo Higashi Tokushukai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hajime Isomoto
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Yusuke Mizukami
- Division of Metabolism and Biosystemic Science, Gastroenterology, and Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1 Midorigaoka Higashi, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, 078-8510, Japan
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Sapporo Higashi Tokushukai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
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Haldar SD, Vilar E, Maitra A, Zaidi N. Worth a Pound of Cure? Emerging Strategies and Challenges in Cancer Immunoprevention. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2023; 16:483-495. [PMID: 37001882 PMCID: PMC10548442 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-22-0478] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunoprevention applies immunologic approaches such as vaccines to prevent, rather than to treat or cure, cancer. Despite limited success in the treatment of advanced disease, the development of cancer vaccines to intercept premalignant states is a promising area of current research. These efforts are supported by the rationale that vaccination in the premalignant setting is less susceptible to mechanisms of immune evasion compared with established cancer. Prophylactic vaccines have already been developed for a minority of cancers mediated by oncogenic viruses (e.g., hepatitis B and human papillomavirus). Extending the use of preventive vaccines to non-virally driven malignancies remains an unmet need to address the rising global burden of cancer. This review provides a broad overview of clinical trials in cancer immunoprevention with an emphasis on emerging vaccine targets and delivery platforms, translational challenges, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurav D. Haldar
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eduardo Vilar
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Anirban Maitra
- Sheikh Ahmed Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Neeha Zaidi
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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Henderson EA, Lukomski S, Boone BA. Emerging applications of cancer bacteriotherapy towards treatment of pancreatic cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1217095. [PMID: 37588093 PMCID: PMC10425600 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1217095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive form of cancer with a five-year survival rate of only ten percent. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for ninety percent of those cases. PDAC is associated with a dense stroma that confers resistance to current treatment modalities. Increasing resistance to cancer treatments poses a challenge and a need for alternative therapies. Bacterial mediated cancer therapies were proposed in the late 1800s by Dr. William Coley when he injected osteosarcoma patients with live streptococci or a fabrication of heat-killed Streptococcus pyogenes and Serratia marcescens known as Coley's toxin. Since then, several bacteria have gained recognition for possible roles in potentiating treatment response, enhancing anti-tumor immunity, and alleviating adverse effects to standard treatment options. This review highlights key bacterial mechanisms and structures that promote anti-tumor immunity, challenges and risks associated with bacterial mediated cancer therapies, and applications and opportunities for use in PDAC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A. Henderson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Slawomir Lukomski
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
- West Virginia Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Brian A. Boone
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
- West Virginia Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
- Department of Surgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
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Kuvendjiska J, Müller F, Bronsert P, Timme-Bronsert S, Fichtner-Feigl S, Kulemann B. Circulating Epithelial Cells in Patients with Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1570. [PMID: 37511945 PMCID: PMC10381561 DOI: 10.3390/life13071570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is the most common pancreatic cyst and a precursor of pancreatic cancer (PDAC). Since PDAC has a devastatingly high mortality rate, the early diagnosis and treatment of any precursor lesion are rational. The safety of the existing guidelines on the clinical management of IPMN has been criticized due to unsatisfactory sensitivity and specificity, showing the need for further markers. Blood obtained from patients with IPMN was therefore subjected to size-based isolation of circulating epithelial cells (CECs). We isolated CECs and evaluated their cytological characteristics. Additionally, we compared Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations in CECs and the primary IPMN tissue, since KRAS mutations are very typical for PDAC. Samples from 27 IPMN patients were analyzed. In 10 (37%) patients, CECs were isolated and showed a hybrid pattern of surface markers involving both epithelial and mesenchymal markers, suggesting a possible EMT process of the cells. Especially, patients with high-grade dysplasia in the main specimen were all CEC-positive. KRAS mutations were also present in CECs but less common than in IPMN tissue. The existence of CEC in IPMN patients offers additional blood-based research possibilities for IMPN biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmina Kuvendjiska
- Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, University Medical Center Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Felix Müller
- Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Peter Bronsert
- Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Tumorbank, Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg, University Medical Center Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Sylvia Timme-Bronsert
- Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Tumorbank, Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg, University Medical Center Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Stefan Fichtner-Feigl
- Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, University Medical Center Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Birte Kulemann
- Faculty of Medicine, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
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Calheiros J, Corbo V, Saraiva L. Overcoming therapeutic resistance in pancreatic cancer: Emerging opportunities by targeting BRCAs and p53. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188914. [PMID: 37201730 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by (epi)genetic and microenvironmental alterations that negatively impact the treatment outcomes. New targeted therapies have been pursued to counteract the therapeutic resistance in PC. Aiming to seek for new therapeutic options for PC, several attempts have been undertaken to exploit BRCA1/2 and TP53 deficiencies as promising actionable targets. The elucidation of the pathogenesis of PC highlighted the high prevalence of p53 mutations and their connection with the aggressiveness and therapeutic resistance of PC. Additionally, PC is associated with dysfunctions in several DNA repair-related genes, including BRCA1/2, which sensitize tumours to DNA-damaging agents. In this context, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) were approved for mutant BRCA1/2 PC patients. However, acquired drug resistance has become a major drawback of PARPi. This review emphasizes the importance of targeting defective BRCAs and p53 pathways for advancing personalized PC therapy, with particular focus on how this approach may provide an opportunity to tackle PC resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Calheiros
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratόrio de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biolόgicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy; ARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lucília Saraiva
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratόrio de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biolόgicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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Wang Q, Šabanović B, Awada A, Reina C, Aicher A, Tang J, Heeschen C. Single-cell omics: a new perspective for early detection of pancreatic cancer? Eur J Cancer 2023; 190:112940. [PMID: 37413845 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.112940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers, mostly due to late diagnosis and limited treatment options. Early detection of pancreatic cancer in high-risk populations bears the potential to greatly improve outcomes, but current screening approaches remain of limited value despite recent technological advances. This review explores the possible advantages of liquid biopsies for this application, particularly focusing on circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and their subsequent single-cell omics analysis. Originating from both primary and metastatic tumour sites, CTCs provide important information for diagnosis, prognosis and tailoring of treatment strategies. Notably, CTCs have even been detected in the blood of subjects with pancreatic precursor lesions, suggesting their suitability as a non-invasive tool for the early detection of malignant transformation in the pancreas. As intact cells, CTCs offer comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic, epigenetic and proteomic information that can be explored using rapidly developing techniques for analysing individual cells at the molecular level. Studying CTCs during serial sampling and at single-cell resolution will help to dissect tumour heterogeneity for individual patients and among different patients, providing new insights into cancer evolution during disease progression and in response to treatment. Using CTCs for non-invasive tracking of cancer features, including stemness, metastatic potential and expression of immune targets, provides important and readily accessible molecular insights. Finally, the emerging technology of ex vivo culturing of CTCs could create new opportunities to study the functionality of individual cancers at any stage and develop personalised and more effective treatment approaches for this lethal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Berina Šabanović
- Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Azhar Awada
- Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy; Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin (UniTO), Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Reina
- Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Alexandra Aicher
- Precision Immunotherapy, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jiajia Tang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; South Chongqing Road 227, Shanghai, China.
| | - Christopher Heeschen
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy; South Chongqing Road 227, Shanghai, China.
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Zhang J, Li X, Lu Y, Wang G, Ma Y. Anoikis-Related Gene Signature for Prognostication of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Multi-Omics Exploration and Verification Study. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3146. [PMID: 37370756 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Anoikis, a form of apoptosis that occurs due to detachment of cells from the extracellular matrix, has been linked to the development of cancer in several studies. However, its role in pancreatic cancer remains incompletely understood. In this study, we utilized univariate Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses to establish a prognostic model for pancreatic adenocarcinoma based on anoikis-related genes in the TCGA database. Additionally, we performed univariate and multifactorial Cox analyses of protein expression results for TCGA pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We further explored the difference in immune infiltration between the high-risk and low-risk groups and verified the expression of the screened genes using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Our findings indicate that numerous anoikis-related genes are linked to pancreatic adenocarcinoma prognosis. We identified seven prognostic genes (MET, DYNLL2, CDK1, TNFSF10, PIP5K1C, MSLN, GKN1) and validated that their related proteins, such as EGFR and MMP2, have a significant impact on the prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Based on clustering analyses of the seven prognostic genes, patients could be classified into three distinct categories, for which somatic mutations varied significantly across the groups. High-risk and low-risk groups also exhibited significant differences in immune infiltration. All genes were found to be highly expressed in pancreatic cancer cell lines (ASPC-1, CFPAC-1) as compared to a normal pancreatic cell line (HPDE). Based on the seven anoikis-related genes, we formulated a robust prognostic model with high predictive accuracy. We also identified the significant impact of KRAS, P53, and CDKN2A mutations on the prognosis of this fatal disease. Therefore, our study highlights the crucial role of anoikis in the development of the pancreatic adenocarcinoma tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Xuesong Li
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Guowen Wang
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Ying Ma
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
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45
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Carpenter ES, Elhossiny AM, Kadiyala P, Li J, McGue J, Griffith BD, Zhang Y, Edwards J, Nelson S, Lima F, Donahue KL, Du W, Bischoff AC, Alomari D, Watkoske HR, Mattea M, The S, Espinoza CE, Barrett M, Sonnenday CJ, Olden N, Chen CT, Peterson N, Gunchick V, Sahai V, Rao A, Bednar F, Shi J, Frankel TL, Pasca di Magliano M. Analysis of Donor Pancreata Defines the Transcriptomic Signature and Microenvironment of Early Neoplastic Lesions. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1324-1345. [PMID: 37021392 PMCID: PMC10236159 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The adult healthy human pancreas has been poorly studied given the lack of indication to obtain tissue from the pancreas in the absence of disease and rapid postmortem degradation. We obtained pancreata from brain dead donors, thus avoiding any warm ischemia time. The 30 donors were diverse in age and race and had no known pancreas disease. Histopathologic analysis of the samples revealed pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions in most individuals irrespective of age. Using a combination of multiplex IHC, single-cell RNA sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics, we provide the first-ever characterization of the unique microenvironment of the adult human pancreas and of sporadic PanIN lesions. We compared healthy pancreata to pancreatic cancer and peritumoral tissue and observed distinct transcriptomic signatures in fibroblasts and, to a lesser extent, macrophages. PanIN epithelial cells from healthy pancreata were remarkably transcriptionally similar to cancer cells, suggesting that neoplastic pathways are initiated early in tumorigenesis. SIGNIFICANCE Precursor lesions to pancreatic cancer are poorly characterized. We analyzed donor pancreata and discovered that precursor lesions are detected at a much higher rate than the incidence of pancreatic cancer, setting the stage for efforts to elucidate the microenvironmental and cell-intrinsic factors that restrain or, conversely, promote malignant progression. See related commentary by Hoffman and Dougan, p. 1288. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1275.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen S. Carpenter
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ahmed M. Elhossiny
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Padma Kadiyala
- Immunology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jay Li
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jake McGue
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Yaqing Zhang
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jacob Edwards
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sarah Nelson
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Fatima Lima
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Wenting Du
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Danyah Alomari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Michael Mattea
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Stephanie The
- Cancer Data Science Resource, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Meredith Barrett
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | | | - Chin-Tung Chen
- Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nicole Peterson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Valerie Gunchick
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Vaibhav Sahai
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Arvind Rao
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Cancer Data Science Resource, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Filip Bednar
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Timothy L. Frankel
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Immunology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Marina Pasca di Magliano
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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He Y, Huang W, Tang Y, Li Y, Peng X, Li J, Wu J, You N, Li L, Liu C, Zheng L, Huang X. Clinical and genetic characteristics in pancreatic cancer from Chinese patients revealed by whole exome sequencing. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1167144. [PMID: 37313463 PMCID: PMC10258306 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1167144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal malignancies worldwide, mostly as a result of the absence of early detection and specific treatment solutions. Consequently, identifying mutational profiles and molecular biomarkers is essential for increasing the viability of precision therapy for pancreatic cancer. Methods We collected blood and tumor tissue samples from 47 Chinese pancreatic cancer patients and used whole-exome sequencing (WES) to evaluate the genetic landscape. Results Our results showed the most frequently somatic alteration genes were KRAS (74.5%), TP53(51.1%), SMAD4 (17%), ARID1A (12.8%), CDKN2A (12.8%), TENM4 (10.6%), TTN (8.5%), RNF43(8.5%), FLG (8.5%) and GAS6 (6.4%) in Chinese PDAC patients. We also found that three deleterious germline mutations (ATM c.4852C>T/p. R1618*, WRN c.1105C>T/p. R369*, PALB2 c.2760dupA/p. Q921Tfs*7) and two novel fusions (BRCA1-RPRML, MIR943 (intergenic)-FGFR3). When compared to the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, there is a greater mutation frequency of TENM4 (10.6% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.01), GAS6(6.4% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.035), MMP17(6.4% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.035), ITM2B (6.4% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.035) and USP7 (6.4% vs. 0.5%, p= 0.035) as well as a reduced mutation frequency of SMAD4 (17.0% vs. 31.5%, p = 0.075) and CDKN2A (12.8% vs. 47.3%, p < 0.001) were observed in the Chinese cohort. Among the 41 individuals examined for programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1) expression, 15 (36.6%) had positive PD-L1 expression. The median tumor mutational burden (TMB) was found to be 12muts (range, 0124). The TMB index was higher in patients with mutant-type KRAS MUT/TP53 MUT (p < 0.001), CDKN2A (p = 0.547), or SMAD4 (p = 0.064) compared to patients with wild-type KRAS/TP53, CDKN2A, or SMAD4. Conclusions We exhibited real-world genetic traits and new alterations in Chinese individuals with cancer of the pancreas, which might have interesting implications for future individualized therapy and medication development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang He
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wen Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yichen Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuming Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuehui Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Nan You
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Medicine, Yinfeng Gene Technology Co Ltd, Jinan, China
| | - Chuang Liu
- Department of Medicine, Yinfeng Gene Technology Co Ltd, Jinan, China
| | - Lu Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaobing Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Jin H, Koh M, Lim H, Yong HY, Kim ES, Kim SY, Kim K, Jung J, Ryu WJ, Choi KY, Moon A. Lipid raft protein flotillin-1 is important for the interaction between SOS1 and H-Ras/K-Ras, leading to Ras activation. Int J Cancer 2023; 152:1933-1946. [PMID: 36691829 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Ras mutations have been frequently observed in human cancer. Although there is a high degree of similarity between Ras isomers, they display preferential coupling in specific cancer types. The binding of Ras to the plasma membrane is essential for its activation and biological functions. The present study elucidated Ras isoform-specific interactions with the membrane and their role in Ras-mediated biological activities. We investigated the role of a lipid raft protein flotillin-1 (Flot-1) in the activations of Ras. We found that Flot-1 was co-localized with H-Ras, but not with N-Ras, in lipid rafts of MDA-MB-231 human breast cells. The amino-terminal hydrophobic domain (1-38) of Flot-1 interacted with the hypervariable region of H-Ras. The epidermal growth factor-stimulated activation of H-Ras required Flot-1 which was not necessary for that of N-Ras in breast cancer cells. Flot-1 interacted with son of sevenless (SOS)-1, which promotes the conversion of Ras-bound GDP to GTP. Notably, Flot-1 was crucial for the interaction between SOS1 and H-Ras/K-Ras in breast and pancreatic cancer cells. Stable knockdown of Flot-1 reduced the in vivo metastasis in a mouse xenograft model with human breast carcinoma cells. A tissue microarray composed of 61 human pancreatic cancer samples showed higher levels of Flot-1 expression in pancreatic tumor tissues compared to normal tissues, and a correlation between K-Ras and Flot-1. Taken together, our findings suggest that Flot-1 may serve as a membrane platform for the interaction of SOS1 with H-Ras/K-Ras in human cancer cells, presenting Flot-1 as a potential target for Ras-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Jin
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Minsoo Koh
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyesol Lim
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hae-Young Yong
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-Sook Kim
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sun Young Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoungmee Kim
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joohee Jung
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Won-Ji Ryu
- Avison Biomedical Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kang-Yell Choi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Aree Moon
- Duksung Innovative Drug Center, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
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Pan M, Jiang C, Zhang Z, Achacoso N, Alexeeff S, Solorzano AV, Tse P, Chung E, Sundaresan T, Suga JM, Thomas S, Habel LA. TP53 Gain-of-Function and Non-Gain-of-Function Mutations Are Associated With Differential Prognosis in Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. JCO Precis Oncol 2023; 7:e2200570. [PMID: 37163715 DOI: 10.1200/po.22.00570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the impact of TP53 gain-of-function (GOF) and non-GOF mutations on prognosis of advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) among patients with KRAS, CDKN2A, and SMAD4 comutations. METHODS This cohort included patients with locally advanced, recurrent, and de novo metastatic PDAC with next-generation sequencing performed from November 2017 to May 2022. We defined R175H, R248W, R248Q, R249S, R273H, R273L, and R282W as GOF and all other p53 mutations (mutp53) as non-GOF. We used Cox regression modeling to examine the association between GOF and non-GOF mutp53 and overall survival (OS), adjusting for demographics, performance status, Charlson comorbidity index, receipt of chemotherapy, and KRAS, CDKN2A, and SMAD4 comutations. RESULTS Of 893 total eligible patients, 68.5% had tumors with mutp53, 90.1% had KRAS mutations (mutKRAS), 44.7% had CDKN2A mutations (mutCDKN2A), and 17.0% had SMAD4 mutations. Among patients with mutp53, 121 had GOF and 491 had non-GOF. GOF mutp53 was associated with worse OS than non-GOF mutp53 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.59) and wild-type p53 (wtp53; HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.57), whereas non-GOF was not associated with worse OS than wtp53 (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.13). In addition, mutKRAS was associated with worse OS than wild-type KRAS in patients with mutCDKN2A (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.88 to 2.80) but not in patients with wild-type CDKN2A (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.39). CONCLUSION GOF and non-GOF mutp53 were associated with differential prognosis in advanced PDAC. The adverse effect of mutKRAS on OS appeared to be primarily driven by patients with mutCDKN2A. Our results provide new insight that could be helpful for prognostic stratification in clinical practice and for aiding future clinical trial designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minggui Pan
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara, CA
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
| | - Chen Jiang
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
| | - Zheyang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | | | | | | | - Pam Tse
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
| | - Elaine Chung
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA
| | - Tilak Sundaresan
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco, CA
| | | | - Sachdev Thomas
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara, CA
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Halbrook CJ, Lyssiotis CA, Pasca di Magliano M, Maitra A. Pancreatic cancer: Advances and challenges. Cell 2023; 186:1729-1754. [PMID: 37059070 PMCID: PMC10182830 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 228.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest cancers. Significant efforts have largely defined major genetic factors driving PDAC pathogenesis and progression. Pancreatic tumors are characterized by a complex microenvironment that orchestrates metabolic alterations and supports a milieu of interactions among various cell types within this niche. In this review, we highlight the foundational studies that have driven our understanding of these processes. We further discuss the recent technological advances that continue to expand our understanding of PDAC complexity. We posit that the clinical translation of these research endeavors will enhance the currently dismal survival rate of this recalcitrant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Halbrook
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA.
| | - Costas A Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Marina Pasca di Magliano
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Anirban Maitra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, Sheikh Ahmed Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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50
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Gopalan V, Hannenhalli S. Towards a Synthesis of the Non-Genetic and Genetic Views of Cancer in Understanding Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Initiation and Prevention. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072159. [PMID: 37046820 PMCID: PMC10093726 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
While much of the research in oncogenesis and cancer therapy has focused on mutations in key cancer driver genes, more recent work suggests a complementary non-genetic paradigm. This paradigm focuses on how transcriptional and phenotypic heterogeneity, even in clonally derived cells, can create sub-populations associated with oncogenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. We discuss this complementary paradigm in the context of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. A better understanding of cellular transcriptional heterogeneity and its association with oncogenesis can lead to more effective therapies that prevent tumor initiation and slow progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishaka Gopalan
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Sridhar Hannenhalli
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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