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Fu CL, Zhao ZW, Zhang QN. The crosstalk between cellular survival pressures and N6-methyladenosine modification in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2024:S1499-3872(24)00109-7. [PMID: 39155161 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2024.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within the tumor microenvironment, survival pressures are prevalent with potent drivers of tumor progression, angiogenesis, and therapeutic resistance. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation has been recognized as a critical post-transcriptional mechanism regulating various aspects of mRNA metabolism. Understanding the intricate interplay between survival pressures and m6A modification provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and highlights the potential for targeting the survival pressures-m6A axis in HCC diagnosis and treatment. DATA SOURCES A literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science for relevant articles published up to April 2024. The keywords used for the search included hepatocellular carcinoma, cellular survival, survival pressure, N6-methyladenosine, tumor microenvironment, stress response, and hypoxia. RESULTS This review delves into the multifaceted roles of survival pressures and m6A RNA methylation in HCC, highlighting how survival pressures modulate the m6A landscape, the impact of m6A modification on survival pressure-responsive gene expression, and the consequent effects on HCC cell survival, proliferation, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. Furthermore, we explored the therapeutic potential of targeting this crosstalk, proposing strategies that leverage the understanding of survival pressures and m6A RNA methylation mechanisms to develop novel, and more effective treatments for HCC. CONCLUSIONS The interplay between survival pressures and m6A RNA methylation emerges as a complex regulatory network that influences HCC pathogenesis and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu-Li Fu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Zheng-Wei Zhao
- Biomedicine Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China
| | - Qiang-Nu Zhang
- Biomedicine Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China.
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Zhang Z, Chen X, Li Y, Zhang F, Quan Z, Wang Z, Yang Y, Si W, Xiong Y, Ju J, Bian Y, Sun S. The resistance to anoikis, mediated by Spp1, and the evasion of immune surveillance facilitate the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Apoptosis 2024:10.1007/s10495-024-01994-x. [PMID: 39066845 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-024-01994-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Anoikis-Related Genes (ARGs) lead to the organism manifesting resistance to anoikis and are associated with unfavorable prognostic outcomes across various malignancies.Therefore, it is crucial to identify the pivotal target genes related to anoikis in HCC .We found that ARGs were significantly correlated with prognosis and immune responses in HCC. The core gene, SPP1, notably promoted anoikis resistance and metastasis in HCC through both in vivo and in vitro studies. The PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway played a critical role in anoikis suppression within HCC contexts. Our research unveiled SPP1's role in enhancing PKCα phosphorylation, which in turn activated the PI3K-Akt-mTOR cascade. Additionally, SPP1 was identified as a key regulator of MDSCs and Tregs migration, directly affecting their immunosuppressive capabilities.These findings indicate that in HCC, SPP1 promoted anoikis resistance and facilitated immune evasion by modulating MDSCs and Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwei Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xiaoning Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yapeng Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology (National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Zhen Quan
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Department of Pharmacology (National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Pharmacology (National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Wei Si
- Department of Pharmacology (National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yuting Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology (National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Jiaming Ju
- Department of Pharmacology (National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Yu Bian
- Department of Pharmacology (National Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Shibo Sun
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
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Peeters F, Cappuyns S, Piqué-Gili M, Phillips G, Verslype C, Lambrechts D, Dekervel J. Applications of single-cell multi-omics in liver cancer. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:101094. [PMID: 39022385 PMCID: PMC11252522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2024.101094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer, more specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains a significant global health problem associated with increasing incidence and mortality. Clinical, biological, and molecular heterogeneity are well-known hallmarks of cancer and HCC is considered one of the most heterogeneous tumour types, displaying substantial inter-patient, intertumoural and intratumoural variability. This heterogeneity plays a pivotal role in hepatocarcinogenesis, metastasis, relapse and drug response or resistance. Unimodal single-cell sequencing techniques have already revolutionised our understanding of the different layers of molecular hierarchy in the tumour microenvironment of HCC. By highlighting the cellular heterogeneity and the intricate interactions among cancer, immune and stromal cells before and during treatment, these techniques have contributed to a deeper comprehension of tumour clonality, hematogenous spreading and the mechanisms of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, major questions remain to be elucidated, with the identification of biomarkers predicting response or resistance to immunotherapy-based regimens representing an important unmet clinical need. Although the application of single-cell multi-omics in liver cancer research has been limited thus far, a revolution of individualised care for patients with HCC will only be possible by integrating various unimodal methods into multi-omics methodologies at the single-cell resolution. In this review, we will highlight the different established single-cell sequencing techniques and explore their biological and clinical impact on liver cancer research, while casting a glance at the future role of multi-omics in this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Peeters
- Digestive Oncology, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Centre for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Cappuyns
- Digestive Oncology, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Centre for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marta Piqué-Gili
- Liver Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gino Phillips
- Laboratory for Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Centre for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chris Verslype
- Digestive Oncology, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Diether Lambrechts
- Laboratory for Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Centre for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Dekervel
- Digestive Oncology, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Wang G, Jiang X, Torabian P, Yang Z. Investigating autophagy and intricate cellular mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma: Emphasis on cell death mechanism crosstalk. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216744. [PMID: 38431037 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216744] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as a formidable global health challenge due to its prevalence, marked by high mortality and morbidity rates. This cancer type exhibits a multifaceted etiology, prominently linked to viral infections, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and genomic mutations. The inherent heterogeneity of HCC, coupled with its proclivity for developing drug resistance, presents formidable obstacles to effective therapeutic interventions. Autophagy, a fundamental catabolic process, plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, responding to stressors such as nutrient deprivation. In the context of HCC, tumor cells exploit autophagy, either augmenting or impeding its activity, thereby influencing tumorigenesis. This comprehensive review underscores the dualistic role of autophagy in HCC, acting as both a pro-survival and pro-death mechanism, impacting the trajectory of tumorigenesis. The anti-carcinogenic potential of autophagy is evident in its ability to enhance apoptosis and ferroptosis in HCC cells. Pertinently, dysregulated autophagy fosters drug resistance in the carcinogenic context. Both genomic and epigenetic factors can regulate autophagy in HCC progression. Recognizing the paramount importance of autophagy in HCC progression, this review introduces pharmacological compounds capable of modulating autophagy-either inducing or inhibiting it, as promising avenues in HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- Department of Interventional, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, PR China
| | - Xiaodi Jiang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110020, PR China
| | - Pedram Torabian
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, PR China.
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Franses JW, Duda DG. Scirrhous HCC: Another 'omic thread in the HCC tapestry. Hepatology 2024; 79:747-748. [PMID: 37725712 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000609] [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] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W Franses
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology-Oncology, The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Dan G Duda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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