Activation of BDNF/TrkB pathway promotes prostate cancer progression via induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and anoikis resistance

Clinical Challenges in Prostate Cancer Management: Metastatic Bone-tropism and The Role of Circulating Tumor Cells

Prostate cancer (PCa) metastasis is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in men worldwide, primarily due to its tendency to metastasize, with bones of axial skeleton being the favored target-site. PCa bone-metastasis (PCa-BM) presents significant clinical challenges, especially by the weakening of bone architecture, majorly due to the formation of osteoblastic lesions, leading to severe bone fractures. Another complication is that the disease predominantly affects elderly men. Further exploration is required to understand how the circulating tumor cells (CTCs) adapt to varying microenvironments and other biomechanical stresses encountered during the sequential steps in metastasis, finally resulting in colonization specifically in the bone niche, in PCa-BM. Deciphering how CTCs encounter and adapt to different biochemical, biomechanical and microenvironmental factors may improve the prospects of PCa diagnosis, development of novel therapeutics and prognosis. Moreover, the knowledge developed is expected to have broader implications for cancer research, paving the way for better therapeutic strategies and targeted therapies in the realm of metastatic cancer progression across different types of cancers. Our review begins with analyzing the challenges in PCa diagnosis, treatment and management, and delves into the formation and dynamics of CTCs, highlighting their role in PCa metastasis and bone-tropism. We further explore the pivotal role of individual factors in dictating the predisposition of tumors to metastasize to specific secondary sites, such as the noteworthy tendency of PCa bone-metastasis. Finally, we highlight the unresolved questions and potential avenues for further exploration.

Anoikis in cell fate, physiopathology, and therapeutic interventions

The extracellular matrix (ECM) governs a wide spectrum of cellular fate processes, with a particular emphasis on anoikis, an integrin-dependent form of cell death. Currently, anoikis is defined as an intrinsic apoptosis. In contrast to traditional apoptosis and necroptosis, integrin correlates ECM signaling with intracellular signaling cascades, describing the full process of anoikis. However, anoikis is frequently overlooked in physiological and pathological processes as well as traditional in vitro research models. In this review, we summarized the role of anoikis in physiological and pathological processes, spanning embryonic development, organ development, tissue repair, inflammatory responses, cardiovascular diseases, tumor metastasis, and so on. Similarly, in the realm of stem cell research focused on the functional evolution of cells, anoikis offers a potential solution to various challenges, including in vitro cell culture models, stem cell therapy, cell transplantation, and engineering applications, which are largely based on the regulation of cell fate by anoikis. More importantly, the regulatory mechanisms of anoikis based on molecular processes and ECM signaling will provide new strategies for therapeutic interventions (drug therapy and cell-based therapy) in disease. In summary, this review provides a systematic elaboration of anoikis, thus shedding light on its future research.

Targeting anoikis resistance as a strategy for cancer therapy

Anoikis, known as matrix detachment-induced apoptosis or detachment-induced cell death, is crucial for tissue development and homeostasis. Cancer cells develop means to evade anoikis, e.g. anoikis resistance, thereby allowing for cells to survive under anchorage-independent conditions. Uncovering the mechanisms of anoikis resistance will provide details about cancer metastasis, and potential strategies against cancer cell dissemination and metastasis. Here, we summarize the principal elements and core molecular mechanisms of anoikis and anoikis resistance. We discuss the latest progress of how anoikis and anoikis resistance are regulated in cancers. Furthermore, we summarize emerging data on selective compounds and nanomedicines, explaining how inhibiting anoikis resistance can serve as a meaningful treatment modality against cancers. Finally, we discuss the key limitations of this therapeutic paradigm and possible strategies to overcome them. In this review, we suggest that pharmacological modulation of anoikis and anoikis resistance by bioactive compounds could surmount anoikis resistance, highlighting a promising therapeutic regimen that could be used to overcome anoikis resistance in cancers.

Immunosuppressive role of BDNF in therapy-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer

Prostate stromal cells play a crucial role in the promotion of tumor growth and immune evasion in the tumor microenvironment (TME) through intricate molecular alterations in their interaction with prostate cancer (PCa) cells. While the impact of these cells on establishing an immunosuppressive response and influencing PCa aggressiveness remains incompletely understood. Our study shows that the activation of the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)/LIF receptor (LIFR) pathway in both prostate tumor and stromal cells, following androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), leads to the development of an immunosuppressive TME. Activation of LIF/LIFR signaling in PCa cells induces neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) and upregulates immune checkpoint expression. Inhibition of LIF/LIFR attenuates these effects, underscoring the crucial role of LIF/LIFR in linking NED to immunosuppression. Prostate stromal cells expressing LIFR contribute to NED and immunosuppressive marker abundance in PCa cells, while LIFR knockdown in prostate stromal cells reverses these effects. ADT-driven LIF/LIFR signaling induces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, which, in turn, promotes NED, aggressiveness, and immune evasion in PCa cells. Clinical analyses demonstrate elevated BDNF levels in metastatic castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) and a positive correlation with programmed death-ligand 1 (PDL1) and immunosuppressive signatures. This study shows that the crosstalk between PCa cells and prostate stromal cells enhances LIF/LIFR signaling, contributing to an immunosuppressive TME and NED in PCa cells through the upregulation of BDNF.

TIM-3 regulates the proliferation by BDNF-mediated PI3K/AKT axis in the process of endometriosis

BACKGROUND

T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing molecule-3 (TIM-3) initially discovered on the surface of Th1 cells, negatively regulates immune responses and mediates apoptosis of Th1 cells. An increasing number of studies have since shown that TIM-3 is crucial in the genesis and development of immune diseases, cancers, and chronic infectious illnesses. However, the effect of TIM-3 on endometriosis is still unknown.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to measure TIM-3 levels in endometriosis. Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, colony-forming, Transwell® migration, Matrigel® invasion, and flow cytometry assays were used to explore the function of TIM-3 in vitro, and xenograft experiments in nude mice were used to assess its role in vivo. According to the RNA seq, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was screened. The involvement of specific proliferation-related signaling molecules was determined by transfecting a plasmid and adding an inhibitor in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

TIM-3 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues than in normal endometrial tissues. By examining the effects of TIM-3 overexpression and knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and lesions formation in vivo, we found that the expression of TIM-3 was positively correlated with cell proliferation and clone formation in vitro, as well as lesions growth in nude mice. By adding the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT) pathway inhibitor LY294002 and knocking down PI3K, we further verified that TIM-3 promotes proliferation in vivo and in vitro via the PI3K pathway. By transfecting the plasmid into ESC cells and gave inhibitors to endometriotic rats models, we tested that TIM-3 regulates the proliferation by BDNF-mediated PI3K/AKT axis.

CONCLUSION

TIM-3 can promote the proliferation of endometriosis by BDNF-mediated PI3K/AKT axis in vivo and in vitro, which may provide a new therapeutic target for the treatment of endometriosis.

TRIM69 suppressed the anoikis resistance and metastasis of gastric cancer through ubiquitin‒proteasome-mediated degradation of PRKCD

The tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family has been investigated in multiple human cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). However, the role of TRIM69 in the anoikis resistance and metastasis of GC cells remains to be elucidated. We identified the differentially expressed genes in anoikis-resistant GC cells using RNA-sequencing analysis. The interaction between TRIM69 and PRKCD was analyzed by coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Our results have shown that TRIM69 was significantly downregulated in anoikis-resistant GC cells. TRIM69 overexpression markedly suppressed the anoikis resistance and metastasis of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. TRIM69 knockdown had the opposite effects. Mechanistically, TRIM69 interacted with PRKCD through its B-box domain and catalyzed the K48-linked polyubiquitination of PRKCD. Moreover, TRIM69 inhibited BDNF production in a PRKCD-dependent manner. Importantly, overexpression of PRKCD or BDNF blocked the effects of TRIM69 on the anoikis resistance and metastasis of GC cells. Interestingly, a TRIM69-PRKCD+BDNF+ cell subset was positively associated with metastasis in GC patients. TRIM69-mediated suppression of the anoikis resistance and metastasis of GC cells via modulation of the PRKCD/BDNF axis, with potential implications for novel therapeutic approaches for metastatic GC.

Effects of vortioxetine on hippocampal-related cognitive impairment induced in rats by androgen deprivation as a model of prostate cancer treatment

Advances in prostate cancer treatment have significantly improved survival, but quality of life for survivors remains an under-studied area of research. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a foundational treatment for advanced prostate cancer and is used as an adjuvant for prolonged periods in many high-risk, localized tumors. More than half of patients treated with ADT experience debilitating cognitive impairments in domains such as spatial learning and working memory. In this study, we investigated the effects of androgen deprivation on hippocampal-mediated cognition in rats. Vortioxetine, a multimodal antidepressant, has been shown to improve cognition in depressed patients. Thus, we also tested the potential efficacy of vortioxetine in restoring impaired cognition after ADT. We further investigated mechanisms that might contribute to these effects, measuring changes in the circuitry and gene expression within the dorsal hippocampus. ADT via surgical castration induced impairments in visuospatial cognition on the novel object location test and attenuated afferent-evoked local field potentials recorded in the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus. Chronic dietary administration of vortioxetine effectively reversed these deficits. Castration significantly altered gene expression in the hippocampus, whereas vortioxetine had little effect. Pathway analysis revealed that androgen depletion altered pathways related to synaptic plasticity. These results suggest that the hippocampus may be vulnerable to ADT, contributing to cognitive impairment in prostate cancer patients. Further, vortioxetine may be a candidate to improve cognition in patients who experience cognitive decline after androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer and may do so by restoring molecular and circuit-level plasticity-related mechanisms compromised by ADT.

CircRNA hsa_circ_0000043 acts as a miR-4492 sponge to promote lung cancer progression via BDNF and STAT3 expression regulation in anti-benzo[a]pyrene-trans-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide-transformed 16HBE cells

Increasing evidence shows that circular RNA (circRNA) plays an important role in the progression of lung cancer. In this study, we found that has_circ_0000043 was highly expressed in 16HBE-T human bronchial epithelial cells that were malignantly transformed by benzo[a]pyrene-trans-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide via circRNA microarray. We verified that hsa_circ_0000043 was also significantly overexpressed in lung cancer cell lines and tissues. Moreover, hsa_circ_0000043 overexpression was positively correlated with poor clinicopathological parameters, such as tumor-node metastasis stage, distant metastasis, lymph-node metastasis, and overall survival. In vitro assays revealed that hsa_circ_0000043 inhibition suppressed 16HBE-T cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, hsa_circ_0000043 inhibition suppressed tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. We discovered that hsa_circ_0000043 binds with miR-4492, acting as a miR-4492 sponge. Decreased miR-4492 expression was also associated with poor clinicopathological parameters. Thus, hsa_circ_0000043 was shown to contribute to the proliferation, malignant transformation ability, migration, and invasion of 16HBE-T cells via miR-4492 sponging and BDNF and STAT3 involvement.

Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as predictors of childhood neuroblastoma relapse

BACKGROUND

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a childhood malignant tumor,50% of high-risk NB children still have recurrence, and the long-term survival rate is very low. NB tumors expressing high levels of BDNF/TrkB are associated with poor survival outcomes.In this study, we show that the trends of serum concentration of BDNF at different growth stages after birth, and explore the relationship with NB replase.

METHODS

In experiment 1, 87 subjects were enrolled and divided into four groups, neonates group、 children group、adults group and NB patients. The distribution of serum concentration of BDNF by ELISA. In experiment 2, we studied BDNF in stage 4 NB patients to determine their frequency, correlation with clinical parameters, and prognostic impact.

RESULTS

First, we identified that serum BDNF concentration decreased from the newborn to childhood in healthy subjects, while it was relatively high in children(age > 1 year) with NB. In the second phase our studies showed no significant increase in serum BDNF concentration in these NB patients, with adverse pathologic features, large tumor maximum diameter, and MYCN amplification. After comprehensive treatment, levels of BDNF gradually increased in children with recurrence and decreased in the remission group. High serum BDNF concentration was associated with relapse. Of 21 stage 4 neuroblastoma patients, adopted a comprehensive treatment approach including ATO-basic modified chemotherapy, traditional radiotherapy,stem cell transplatation and immunotherapy. 76% of alive patients having > 3 years follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The aim is to show that BDNF is a predictor of recurrence risk of NB.

Apoptosis Genes as a Key to Identification of Inverse Comorbidity of Huntington's Disease and Cancer

Cancer and neurodegenerative disorders present overwhelming challenges for healthcare worldwide. Epidemiological studies showed a decrease in cancer rates in patients with neurodegenerative disorders, including the Huntington disease (HD). Apoptosis is one of the most important processes for both cancer and neurodegeneration. We suggest that genes closely connected with apoptosis and associated with HD may affect carcinogenesis. We applied reconstruction and analysis of gene networks associated with HD and apoptosis and identified potentially important genes for inverse comorbidity of cancer and HD. The top 10 high-priority candidate genes included APOE, PSEN1, INS, IL6, SQSTM1, SP1, HTT, LEP, HSPA4, and BDNF. Functional analysis of these genes was carried out using gene ontology and KEGG pathways. By exploring genome-wide association study results, we identified genes associated with neurodegenerative and oncological disorders, as well as their endophenotypes and risk factors. We used publicly available datasets of HD and breast and prostate cancers to analyze the expression of the identified genes. Functional modules of these genes were characterized according to disease-specific tissues. This integrative approach revealed that these genes predominantly exert similar functions in different tissues. Apoptosis along with lipid metabolism dysregulation and cell homeostasis maintenance in the response to environmental stimulus and drugs are likely key processes in inverse comorbidity of cancer in patients with HD. Overall, the identified genes represent the promising targets for studying molecular relations of cancer and HD.

Colon cancer transcriptome

Over the last four decades, methodological innovations have continuously changed transcriptome profiling. It is now feasible to sequence and quantify the transcriptional outputs of individual cells or thousands of samples using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). These transcriptomes serve as a connection between cellular behaviors and their underlying molecular mechanisms, such as mutations. This relationship, in the context of cancer, provides a chance to unravel tumor complexity and heterogeneity and uncover novel biomarkers or treatment options. Since colon cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies, its prognosis and diagnosis seem to be critical. The transcriptome technology is developing for an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of cancer which can provide better protectivity and prognostic utility to medical teams and patients. A transcriptome is a whole set of expressed coding and non-coding RNAs in an individual or cell population. The cancer transcriptome includes RNA-based changes. The combined genome and transcriptome of a patient may provide a comprehensive picture of their cancer, and this information is beginning to affect treatment decision-making in real-time. A full assessment of the transcriptome of colon (colorectal) cancer has been assessed in this review paper based on risk factors such as age, obesity, gender, alcohol use, race, and also different stages of cancer, as well as non-coding RNAs like circRNAs, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and siRNAs. Similarly, they have been examined independently in the transcriptome study of colon cancer.

Anoikis in phenotypic reprogramming of the prostate tumor microenvironment

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in males wherein 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with this disease in their lifetime. The urgency to find novel therapeutic interventions is associated with high treatment resistance and mortality rates associated with castration-resistant prostate cancer. Anoikis is an apoptotic phenomenon for normal epithelial or endothelial cells that have lost their attachment to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Tumor cells that lose their connection to the ECM can die via apoptosis or survive via anoikis resistance and thus escaping to distant organs for metastatic progression. This review discusses the recent advances made in our understanding of the signaling effectors of anoikis in prostate cancer and the approaches to translate these mechanistic insights into therapeutic benefits for reducing lethal disease outcomes (by overcoming anoikis resistance). The prostate tumor microenvironment is a highly dynamic landscape wherein the balance between androgen signaling, cell lineage changes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), extracellular matrix interactions, actin cytoskeleton remodeling as well as metabolic changes, confer anoikis resistance and metastatic spread. Thus, these mechanisms also offer unique molecular treatment signatures, exploitation of which can prime prostate tumors to anoikis induction with a high translational significance.

Molecular predictors of metastasis in patients with prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer is a serious threat to the health of older adults worldwide. The quality of life and survival time of patients sharply decline once metastasis occurs. Thus, early screening for prostate cancer is very advanced in developed countries. The detection methods used include Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) detection and digital rectal examination. However, the lack of universal access to early screening in some developing countries has resulted in an increased number of patients presenting with metastatic prostate cancer. In addition, the treatment methods for metastatic and localized prostate cancer are considerably different. In many patients, early-stage prostate cancer cells often metastasize due to delayed observation, negative PSA results, and delay in treatment time. Therefore, the identification of patients who are prone to metastasis is important for future clinical studies.

AREAS COVERED

this review introduced a large number of predictive molecules related to prostate cancer metastasis. These molecules involve the mutation and regulation of tumor cell genes, changes in the tumor microenvironment, and the liquid biopsy.

EXPERT OPINION

In next decade, PSMA PET/CT and liquid biopsy will be the excellent predicting tools, while ¹⁷⁷ Lu- PSMA-RLT will be showed excellent anti-tumor efficacy in mPCa patients.

Nicotine exposure exacerbates silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis via STAT3-BDNF-TrkB-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in alveolar type II cells

The addictive substance nicotine, found in cigarettes and some e-cigarettes, plays a vital role in pro-inflammatory and fibrotic processes. However, the part played by nicotine in the progression of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis is poorly understood. We used mice exposed to both silica and nicotine to investigate whether nicotine synergizes with silica particles to worsen lung fibrosis. The results revealed that nicotine accelerated the development of pulmonary fibrosis in silica-injured mice by activating STAT3-BDNF-TrkB signalling. Mice with a history of exposure to nicotine showed an increase in Fgf7 expression and alveolar type II cell proliferation if they were also exposed to silica. However, newborn AT2 cells could not regenerate the alveolar structure and release pro-fibrotic factor IL-33. Moreover, activated TrkB induced the expression of p-AKT, which promotes the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transcription factor Twist, but no Snail. In vitro assessment confirmed activation of the STAT3-BDNF-TrkB pathway in AT2 cells, exposed to nicotine plus silica. In addition, TrkB inhibitor K252a downregulated p-TrkB and the downstream p-AKT and restricted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition caused by nicotine plus silica. In conclusion, nicotine activates the STAT3-BDNF-TrkB pathway, which promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and exacerbates pulmonary fibrosis in mice with combined exposure to silica particles and nicotine.

The Function of BDNF and Its Receptor in the Male Genitourinary System and Its Potential Clinical Application

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as a member of the nerve growth factor family, has been mentioned more and more frequently in recent literature reports. Among them, content about the male genitourinary system is also increasing. Objective and Rationale: BDNF plays an important role in the male genitourinary system. At the same time, the literature in this field is constantly increasing. Therefore, we systematically summarized the literature in order to more intuitively show the function of BDNF and its receptor in the male genitourinary system and its potential clinical application. Search Methods: An electronic search of, e.g., PubMed, scholar.google and Scopus, for articles relating to BDNF and its receptor in the male genitourinary system. Outcomes: In the male genitourinary system, BDNF and its receptors TrkB and p75 participate in a series of normal physiological activities, such as the maturation and morphogenesis of testes and epididymis and maintenance of isolated sperm motility. Similarly, an imbalance of the circulating concentration of BDNF also mediates the pathophysiological process of many diseases, such as prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, male infertility, diabetes erectile dysfunction, penile sclerosis, and bladder fibrosis. As a consequence, we conclude that BDNF and its receptor are key regulatory proteins in the male genitourinary system, which can be used as potential therapeutic targets and markers for disease diagnosis.

BDNF and its signaling in cancer

PURPOSE

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) belongs to the family of neurotrophic factors that can potentially increase cancer cell growth, survival, proliferation, anoikis, and migration by tyrosine kinase receptors TrkB and the p75NTR death receptor. The activation of BDNF/TrkB pathways leads to several downstream signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, Jak/STAT, PLCγ, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK, NF-kB, and transactivation of EGFR. The current review aimed to provide an overview of the role of BDNF and its signaling in cancer.

METHODS

We searched a major medical database, PubMed, to identify eligible studies for a narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Pathological examinations demonstrate BDNF overexpression in human cancer, notably involving the prostate, lung, breast, and underlying tissues, associated with a higher death rate and poor prognosis. Therefore, measurement of BDNF, either for identifying the disease or predicting response to therapy, can be helpful in cancer patients. Expression profiling studies have recognized the role of microRNAs (miR) in modulating BDNF/TrkB pathways, such as miR-101, miR-107, miR-134, miR-147, miR-191, miR-200a/c, miR-204, miR-206, miR-210, miR-214, miR-382, miR-496, miR-497, miR-744, and miR-10a-5p, providing a potential biological mechanism by which targeted therapies may correlate with decreased BDNF expression in cancers. Clinical studies investigating the use of agents targeting BDNF receptors and related signaling pathways and interfering with the related oncogenic effect, including Entrectinib, Larotrectinib, Cabozantinib, Repotrectinib, Lestaurtinib, and Selitrectinib, are in progress.

CONCLUSION

The aberrant signaling of BDNF is implicated in various cancers. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to clarify the BDNF role in cancer progression and target it as a therapeutic method.

Neurotrophic factors stimulate the activation of hepatic stellate cells in liver fibrosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with liver fibrosis who have pain in the liver region may have changed nerve factors. The expression of neurokines and hepatic nerves in liver fibrosis, however, was little understood. In order to better understand how liver fibrosis develops, we plan to look into the hepatic nerve and neurokine changes and how they relate to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

METHODS

The expression of neurokines in liver samples from 55 chronic hepatitis B patients and the carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) animal model were studied. The co-staining of Nissl and α-SMA allowed us to investigate the neurons and their interaction with α-SMA in fibrotic livers, as well as the expression of the glial cell marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and its relationship with α-SMA, a marker of HSCs. SH-SY5Y cells were treated with a fibrotic serum to imitate the hepatic microenvironment on neuronal cells. We also used brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to stimulate mouse primary HSCs and LX2.

RESULTS

The levels of mRNA for neurokines such as BDNF, GFAP, and growth-associated protein (GAP43) are significantly increased in both human and animal liver fibrosis. As liver fibrosis advances, we found that Nissl bodies and α-SMA may co-localize, suggesting a connection between hepatic nerves and HSCs. Human fibrotic serum may increase neurkines, notably BDNF, in SH-SY5Y cells. We also found that BDNF increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrogenic markers in hHSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with hepatic fibrosis had significantly higher levels of BDNF, GFAP, GAP43, and nerve fibers. HSC and nerve fibers interact, and nerves also create neurogenic substances that promote liver fibrosis and HSC activation.

Perineural invasion-associated biomarkers for tumor development

Perineural invasion (PNI) is the process of neoplastic invasion of peripheral nerves and is considered to be the fifth mode of cancer metastasis. PNI has been detected in head and neck tumors and pancreatic, prostate, bile duct, gastric, and colorectal cancers. It leads to poor prognostic outcomes and high local recurrence rates. Despite the increasing number of studies on PNI, targeted therapeutic modalities have not been proposed. The identification of PNI-related biomarkers would facilitate the non-invasive and early diagnosis of cancers, the establishment of prognostic panels, and the development of targeted therapeutic approaches. In this review, we compile information on the molecular mediators involved in PNI-associated cancers. The expression and prognostic significance of molecular mediators and their receptors in PNI-associated cancers are analyzed, and the possible mechanisms of action of these mediators in PNI are explored, as well as the association of cells in the microenvironment where PNI occurs.

Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the correlation between five biomarkers and ovarian cancer in patients with intermediate-risk: A prospective cross-sectional study

Objective: To find potential diagnostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer (OC), a prospective analysis of the expression of five biomarkers in patients with intermediate-risk and their correlation with the occurrence of OC was conducted.

Method: A prospective observational study was carried out, patients who underwent surgical treatment with benign or malignant ovarian tumors in our hospital from January 2020 to February 2021 were included in this study, and a total of 263 patients were enrolled. Based on the postoperative pathological results, enrolled patients were divided into ovarian cancer group and benign tumor group (n = 135). The ovarian cancer group was further divided into a mid-stage group (n = 46) and an advanced-stage group (n = 82). The basic information of the three groups of patients was collected, the preoperative imaging data of the patients were collected to assess the lymph node metastasis, the preoperative blood samples were collected to examine cancer antigen 125 (CA125), carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA19–9), Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the postoperative pathological data were sorted and summarized.

Result: The average during of disease in the advanced ovarian cancer group was 0.55 ± 0.18 years higher than the benign tumor group (0.43 ± 0.14 years), p < 0.001. In the advanced ovarian cancer group, the ratio of patients with the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage IV (64.63%), with tumor Grade stage II and III (93.90%), and without lymph node metastasis (64.63%) was respectively more than that in the mid-stage group (accordingly 0.00, 36.96, 23.91%) (p < 0.001); The ratio of patients with TNM grade III in the mid-stage group (73.91%) was more than that in the advanced group (35.37%) (p < 0.001). The levels of the five biomarkers: CA19-9, CA125, NLR, PLR, and BDNF were different among the three groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: CA19-9, CA125, NLR, PLR, BDNF are five biomarkers related to the occurrence of ovarian cancer and are risk factors for it. These five biomarkers and their Combined-Value may be suitable to apply in the diagnosis and the identification of ovarian cancer in patients with intermediate-risk.

The Role of Neural Signaling in the Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment

Simple Summary

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal malignant disease with a dense stroma, called the tumor microenvironment. Accumulating evidence indicates the important role of sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sensory nerves in the tumor microenvironment of various cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Cancer cells and neural cells interact with each other to form a complex network and cooperatively promote cancer growth and invasion. In this review article, we describe the current understanding of the role of nerves in the tumor microenvironment.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignant diseases. Various cells in the tumor microenvironment interact with tumor cells and orchestrate to support tumor progression. Several kinds of nerves are found in the tumor microenvironment, and each plays an essential role in tumor biology. Recent studies have shown that sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sensory neurons are found in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment. Neural signaling not only targets neural cells, but tumor cells and immune cells via neural receptors expressed on these cells, through which tumor growth, inflammation, and anti-tumor immunity are affected. Thus, these broad-range effects of neural signaling in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment may represent novel therapeutic targets. The modulation of neural signaling may be a therapeutic strategy targeting the whole tumor microenvironment. In this review, we describe the current understanding of the role of nerves in the tumor microenvironment of various cancers, with an emphasis on pancreatic cancer. We also discuss the underlying mechanisms and the possibility of therapeutic applications.

Understanding the cell survival mechanism of anoikis-resistant cancer cells during different steps of metastasis

Anchorage-independent survival of cancer cells is associated with metastasis as it enables cells to travel to secondary target sites. Tissue integrity is generally maintained by detachment-induced cell death called 'anoikis', but cancer cells undergoing the multistep metastatic process show resistance to anoikis. Anoikis resistance enables these cells to survive through the extracellular matrix (ECM) deprived phase, which starts when cancer cells detach and move into the circulation till cells reach to the secondary target site. Comprehensive analysis of the molecular and functional biology of anoikis resistance in cancer cells will provide crucial details about cancer metastasis, enabling us to identify novel therapeutic targets against cancer cell dissemination and ultimately secondary tumor formation. This review broadly summarizes recent advances in the understanding of cellular and molecular events leading to anoikis and anoikis resistance. It further elaborates more about the signaling cross-talk in anoikis resistance and its regulation during metastasis.

Exosome-Derived miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers for Prostate Bone Metastasis

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify the potential exosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) related to prostate cancer (Pca) bone metastasis.

Methods

Two datasets were collected. One dataset was from the authors’ institute, for which two groups of 10 patients each were designed: in the first one, the patients had early-stage localised Pca without bone metastasis, and in the other, the patients presented with Pca with bone metastasis. Then, the miRNA expression profiles of the blood exosomes were obtained and analysed. The other dataset was a public dataset of the miRNA expression transcriptome (GSE26964), which was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The results of both datasets were jointly analysed and the most bone-metastatic-related differentially expressed miRNAs (diff-miRNAs) were identified and further validated. Finally, a series of bioinformatics analyses were performed and the relationship between target genes of the diff-miRNAs and the pathogenesis and progression of bone metastasis of Pca were studied.

Results

From the authors’ dataset, in all, 313 diff-miRNAs were identified, of which 205 were up-regulated while 108 were down-regulated. From the GSE26964 dataset, 107 diff-miRNAs were found, of which 44 were up-regulated and 63 were down-regulated. Taking the intersection of the results of both datasets, four diff-miRNAs were identified: hsa-miR-125a-3p, hsa-miR-330-3p, hsa-miR-339-5p and hsa-miR-613. In all, 94 target genes of the four diff-miRNAs were predicted. After considering the intersection of the results from the GSE32269 dataset, we obtained 25 target genes. Although either positive or negative correlations were found among the diff-miRNAs with some of the target genes, there is a lack of evidence on how such correlations regulate the development and promotion of Pca bone metastasis.

Conclusion

Hsa-miR-125a-3p, hsa-miR-330-3p, hsa-miR-339-5p and hsa-miR-613 are potential biomarkers for Pca bone metastasis.

Potential of the miR-200 Family as a Target for Developing Anti-Cancer Therapeutics

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs (18–24 nucleotides) that play significant roles in cell proliferation, development, invasion, cancer development, cancer progression, and anti-cancer drug resistance. miRNAs target multiple genes and play diverse roles. miRNAs can bind to the 3′UTR of target genes and inhibit translation or promote the degradation of target genes. miR-200 family miRNAs mostly act as tumor suppressors and are commonly decreased in cancer. The miR-200 family has been reported as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic marker. This review discusses the clinical value of the miR-200 family, focusing on the role of the miR-200 family in the development of cancer and anti-cancer drug resistance. This review also provides an overview of the factors that regulate the expression of the miR-200 family, targets of miR-200 family miRNAs, and the mechanism of anti-cancer drug resistance regulated by the miR-200 family.

Exploration of Extracellular Vesicle miRNAs, Targeted mRNAs and Pathways in Prostate Cancer: Relation to Disease Status and Progression

Simple Summary

Prostate cancer lacks non-invasive specific biomarkers for aggressive disease. Urinary extracellular vesicles (uEV) could provide such markers; however, due to technical challenges, little is known regarding the pathogenesis pathways reflected in uEV. We performed a miRNA, target mRNA and pathway study focused on uEV, exploring the differences between cancer (1) status groups (Gleason score) and (2) progression groups. The uEV provided a surprisingly comprehensive presentation of differentially expressed miRNAs, target mRNAs and pathogenesis pathways. The miRNAs associated with prostate cancer status or progression were mostly unique, but still targeted overlapping sets of signalling, resistance, hormonal and immune pathways. Interestingly, mRNA targets of the key miRNAs (miR-892a, miR-223-3p, miR-146a-5p) were widely expressed in both uEV and plasma EV from PCa patients. The study thus suggests that uEV carry a vast presentation of PCa status and progression-linked RNAs that are worth further exploration in large personalized medicine trials.

Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) lacks non-invasive specific biomarkers for aggressive disease. We studied the potential of urinary extracellular vesicles (uEV) as a liquid PCa biopsy by focusing on the micro RNA (miRNA) cargo, target messenger RNA (mRNA) and pathway analysis. Methods: We subjected uEV samples from 31 PCa patients (pre-prostatectomy) to miRNA sequencing and matched uEV and plasma EV (pEV) from three PCa patients to mRNA sequencing. EV quality control was performed by electron microscopy, Western blotting and particle and RNA analysis. We compared miRNA expression based on PCa status (Gleason Score) and progression (post-prostatectomy follow-up) and confirmed selected miRNAs by quantitative PCR. Expression of target mRNAs was mapped in matched EV. Results: Quality control showed typical small uEV, pEV, RNA and EV-protein marker enriched samples. Comparisons between PCa groups revealed mostly unique differentially expressed miRNAs. However, they targeted comprehensive and largely overlapping sets of cancer and progression-associated signalling, resistance, hormonal and immune pathways. Quantitative PCR confirmed changes in miR-892a (Gleason Score 7 vs. ≥8), miR-223-3p (progression vs. no progression) and miR-146a-5p (both comparisons). Their target mRNAs were expressed widely in PCa EV. Conclusions: PCa status and progression-linked RNAs in uEV are worth exploration in large personalized medicine trials.

ATF4/CEMIP/PKCα promotes anoikis resistance by enhancing protective autophagy in prostate cancer cells

The survival of cancer cells after detaching from the extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for the metastatic cascade. The programmed cell death after detachment is known as anoikis, acting as a metastasis barrier. However, the most aggressive cancer cells escape anoikis and other cell death patterns to initiate the metastatic cascade. This study revealed the role of cell migration-inducing protein (CEMIP) in autophagy modulation and anoikis resistance during ECM detachment. CEMIP amplification during ECM detachment resulted in protective autophagy induction via a mechanism dependent on the dissociation of the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Beclin1 complex. Additional investigation revealed that acting transcription factor 4 (ATF4) triggered CEMIP transcription and enhanced protein kinase C alpha (PKCα) membrane translocation, which regulated the serine70 phosphorylation of Bcl-2, while the subsequent dissociation of the Bcl-2/Beclin1 complex led to autophagy. Therefore, CEMIP antagonization attenuated metastasis formation in vivo. In conclusion, inhibiting CEMIP-mediated protective autophagy may provide a therapeutic strategy for metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). This study delineates a novel role of CEMIP in anoikis resistance and provides new insight into seeking therapeutic strategies for metastatic PCa.

Silencing of LINC01963 enhances the chemosensitivity of prostate cancer cells to docetaxel by targeting the miR-216b-5p/TrkB axis

Docetaxel (DTX) treatment effectively prolongs the overall survival of patients with prostate cancer. However, most patients eventually develop resistance to chemotherapy and experience tumor progression or even death. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) affect docetaxel chemosensitivity. However, the biological role and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs in docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer remain unclear. Differences in lncRNAs were evaluated by lncRNA sequencing and evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and TrkB expression was measured through western blot analysis. Proliferation was measured using the MTS, while apoptosis and cell cycle were measured using flow cytometry. In addition, migration and invasion were measured using transwell assays. Forty-eight female BALB/c nude mice were used for subcutaneous tumorigenicity and lung metastasis assays. We found that LINC01963 was overexpressed in the PC3-DR cells. LINC01963 silencing enhanced the chemosensitivity of PC3-DR to docetaxel and inhibited tumorigenicity and lung metastasis, while LINC01963 overexpression enhanced the chemoresistance of PC3 cells to docetaxel. It was found that LINC01963 bind to miR-216b-5p. The miR-216b-5p inhibitor reversed the suppressive effect of sh-LINC01963 on PC3-DR cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, miR-216b-5p can bind to the 3'-UTR of NTRK2 and inhibit TrkB protein levels. TrkB enhances docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer and reverses the effects of LINC01963 silencing and miR-216b-5p overexpression. In conclusion, silencing LINC01963 inhibited TrkB protein level to enhance the chemosensitivity of PC3-DR to docetaxel by means of competitively binding to miR-216b-5p. This study illustrates that LINC01963 is a novel therapeutic target for treating prostate cancer patients with DTX resistance.

Leveraging cellular mechano-responsiveness for cancer therapy

Cells sense the biophysical properties of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and adopt these signals in their development, progression, and metastatic dissemination. Recent work highlights the mechano-responsiveness of cells in tumors and the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, approaches to mechano-modulating diverse types of cell have emerged aiming to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. These include targeting mechanosensitive machineries in cancer cells to induce apoptosis, intervening matrix stiffening incurred by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in both primary and metastatic tumor sites, and modulating matrix mechanics to improve immune cell therapeutic efficacy. This review is envisaged to help scientists and clinicians in cancer research to advance understanding of the cellular mechano-responsiveness in TME, and to harness these concepts for cancer mechanotherapies.

Novel Methylation Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer Prognosis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) comprises the third most common cancer worldwide and the second regarding number of deaths. In order to make a correct and early diagnosis to predict metastasis formation, biomarkers are an important tool. Although there are multiple signaling pathways associated with cancer progression, the most recognized are the MAPK pathway, p53 pathway, and TGF-β pathway. These pathways regulate many important functions in the cell, such as cell cycle regulation, proliferation, differentiation, and metastasis formation, among others. Changes in expression in genes belonging to these pathways are drivers of carcinogenesis. Often these expression changes are caused by mutations; however, epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, are increasingly acknowledged to play a role in the deregulation of oncogenic genes. This makes DNA methylation changes an interesting biomarkers in cancer. Among the newly identified biomarkers for CRC metastasis INHBB, SMOC2, BDNF, and TBRG4 are included, all of which are highly deregulated by methylation and closely associated with metastasis. The identification of such biomarkers in metastasis of CRC may allow a better treatment and early identification of cancer formation in order to perform better diagnostics and improve the life expectancy.

ELISA-based quantification of neurotrophic growth factors in urine from prostate cancer patients

Non-invasive procedures are needed for prostate cancer management, and urine represents a potential source of new biomarkers with translational value. Recent evidence has shown that the growth of new nerves in the tumor microenvironment is essential to prostate cancer progression. Neurotrophic growth factors are expressed by prostate cancer cells and contribute to prostate tumor innervation, but their presence in urine is unclear. In the present study, we have assayed the concentration of neurotrophic factors in the urine of prostate cancer patients. Urine was collected from a prospective cohort of 45 men with prostate cancer versus 30 men without cancer and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify nerve growth factor (NGF) and its precursor proNGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and proBDNF, neurotrophin-3, neurotrophin-4/5, and glia-derived neurotrophic growth factor. The results show that neurotrophic factors are detectable in various concentrations in both cancer and healthy urine, but no significant difference was found. Also, no association was observed between neurotrophic factor concentrations and prostate cancer grade. This study is the first quantification of neurotrophins in urine, and although no significant differences were observed between prostate cancer patients versus those without prostate cancer, or between prostate cancers of various grades, the potential value of neurotrophins for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis warrants further investigations in larger patient cohorts.

New Insights into the Activities of D-Chiro-Inositol: A Narrative Review

D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a natural compound detectable in cell membranes, which is highly conserved as a biological signaling molecule. In mammals, its function is primarily characterized in the intracellular transduction cascade of insulin. In particular, insulin signal promotes the release of pivotal DCI-containing molecules. In fact, impaired release of DCI is a common feature of insulin-resistant tissues, and insulin-sensitizing pharmaceuticals induce higher concentrations of free DCI. Moreover, it also plays important roles in several other processes. DCI is involved in the regulation of steroidogenesis, due to its regulatory effects on steroidogenic enzymes, including 17α-hydroxylase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and aromatase. Such regulation of various enzymes indicates a mechanism by which the body regulates different processes via a single molecule, depending on its concentration. DCI also reduces the expression of integrin β3, which is an adhesion molecule involved in embryo implantation and cellular phenomena such as survival, stemness, and invasiveness. In addition, DCI seems to have important anti-inflammatory activities, like its 3-O-methyl-ether, called pinitol. In vitro evidence demonstrates that treatment with both compounds induces a reduction in pro-inflammatory factors—such as Nf-κB—and cytokines—such as TNF-α. DCI then plays important roles in several fundamental processes in physiology. Therefore, research on such molecule is of primary importance.

Exploring Hyperoxia Effects in Cancer-From Perioperative Clinical Data to Potential Molecular Mechanisms

Increased inspiratory oxygen concentration is constantly used during the perioperative period of cancer patients to prevent the potential development of hypoxemia and to provide an adequate oxygen transport to the organs, tissues and cells. Although the primary tumours are surgically removed, the effects of perioperative hyperoxia exposure on distal micro-metastases and on circulating cancer cells can potentially play a role in cancer progression or recurrence. In clinical trials, hyperoxia seems to increase the rate of postoperative complications and, by delaying postoperative recovery, it can alter the return to intended oncological treatment. The effects of supplemental oxygen on the long-term mortality of surgical cancer patients offer, at this point, conflicting results. In experimental studies, hyperoxia effects on cancer biology were explored following multiple pathways. In cancer cell cultures and animal models, hyperoxia increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increases the oxidative stress. These can be followed by the induction of the expression of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other molecules involved in angiogenesis and by the promotion of various degrees of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Multi-Dimensional Scaling Analysis of Key Regulatory Genes in Prostate Cancer Using the TCGA Database

Prostate cancer (PC) is a polygenic disease with multiple gene interactions. Therefore, a detailed analysis of its epidemiology and evaluation of risk factors can help to identify more accurate predictors of aggressive disease. We used the transcriptome data from a cohort of 243 patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Key regulatory genes involved in proliferation activity, in the regulation of stress, and in the regulation of inflammation processes of the tumor microenvironment were selected to test a priori multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) models and create a combined score to better predict the patients' survival and disease-free intervals. Survival was positively correlated with cortisol expression and negatively with Mini-Chromosome Maintenance 7 (MCM7) and Breast-Related Cancer Antigen2 (BRCA2) expression. The disease-free interval was negatively related to the expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), MCM7, BRCA2, and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1). MDS suggested two separate pathways of activation in PC. Within these two dimensions three separate clusters emerged: (1) cortisol and brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF, (2) PD-L1 and cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTL4); (3) and finally EZH2, MCM7, BRCA2, and c-Myc. We entered the three clusters of association shown in the MDS in several Kaplan-Meier analyses. It was found that only Cluster 3 was significantly related to the interval-disease free, indicating that patients with an overall higher activity of regulatory genes of proliferation and DNA repair had a lower probability to have a longer disease-free time. In conclusion, our data study provided initial evidence that selecting patients with a high grade of proliferation and DNA repair activity could lead to an early identification of an aggressive PC with a potentials for metastatic development.

Tumor innervation: peripheral nerves take control of the tumor microenvironment

In recent decades, cancer research has expanded exponentially beyond the study of abnormally dividing cells to include complex and extensive heterotypic interactions between cancer and noncancer cells that constitute the tumor microenvironment (TME). Modulation of stromal, immune, and endothelial cells by cancer cells promotes proliferation, survival, and metabolic changes that support tumor growth and metastasis. Recent evidence demonstrates that tumors can recruit peripheral nerves to the TME, leading to enhanced tumor growth in a range of cancer models through distinct mechanisms. This process, termed tumor innervation, is associated with an aggressive tumor phenotype and correlates with poor prognosis in clinical studies. Therefore, the peripheral nervous system may play an underrecognized role in cancer development, harboring targetable pathways that warrant investigation. To date, nerves have been implicated in driving proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and immune evasion through locally delivered neurotransmitters. However, emerging evidence suggests that cell-cell communication via exosomes induces tumor innervation, and thus exosomes may also mediate neural regulation of the TME. In this Review, seminal studies establishing tumor innervation are discussed, and known and putative signaling mechanisms between peripheral nerves and components of the TME are explored as a means to identify potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

Interrupting Neuron-Tumor Interactions to Overcome Treatment Resistance

Neurons in the tumor microenvironment release neurotransmitters, neuroligins, chemokines, soluble growth factors, and membrane-bound growth factors that solid tumors leverage to drive their own survival and spread. Tumors express nerve-specific growth factors and microRNAs that support local neurons and guide neuronal growth into tumors. The development of feed-forward relationships between tumors and neurons allows tumors to use the perineural space as a sanctuary from therapy. Tumor denervation slows tumor growth in animal models, demonstrating the innervation dependence of growing tumors. Further in vitro and in vivo experiments have identified many of the secreted signaling molecules (e.g., acetylcholine, nerve growth factor) that are passed between neurons and cancer cells, as well as the major signaling pathways (e.g., MAPK/EGFR) involved in these trophic interactions. The molecules involved in these signaling pathways serve as potential biomarkers of disease. Additionally, new treatment strategies focus on using small molecules, receptor agonists, nerve-specific toxins, and surgical interventions to target tumors, neurons, and immune cells of the tumor microenvironment, thereby severing the interactions between tumors and surrounding neurons. This article discusses the mechanisms underlying the trophic relationships formed between neurons and tumors and explores the emerging therapies stemming from this work.