1
|
Santos VS, Vieira GM, Ruckert MT, Andrade PVD, Nagano LF, Brunaldi MO, Dos Santos JS, Silveira VS. Atypical phosphatase DUSP11 inhibition promotes nc886 expression and potentiates gemcitabine-mediated cell death through NF-kB modulation. Cancer Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41417-024-00804-5. [PMID: 39048662 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00804-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents one of the deadliest cancers among all solid tumors. First-line treatment relies on gemcitabine (Gem) and despite treatment improvements, refractoriness remains a universal challenge. Attempts to decipher how feedback-loops control signaling pathways towards drug resistance have gained attention in recent years, particularly focused on the role of phosphatases. In this study, a CRISPR/Cas9-based phenotypic screen was performed to identify members from the dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSP) family potentially acting on Gem response in PDAC cells. The approach revealed the atypical RNA phosphatase DUSP11 as a potential target, whose inhibition creates vulnerability of PDAC cells to Gem. DUSP11 genetic inhibition impaired cell survival and promoted apoptosis, synergistically enhancing Gem cytotoxicity. In silico transcriptome analysis of RNA-seq data from PDAC human samples identified NF-ĸB signaling pathway highly correlated with DUSP11 upregulation. Consistently, Gem-induced NF-ĸB phosphorylation was blocked upon DUSP11 inhibition in vitro. Mechanistically, we found that DUSP11 directly impacts nc886 expression and modulates PKR-NF-ĸB signaling cascade after Gem exposure in PDAC cells resulting in resistance to Gem-induced cell death. In conclusion, this study provides new insights on DUSP11 role in RNA biology and Gem response in PDAC cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verena Silva Santos
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Maciel Vieira
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Mariana Tannús Ruckert
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Pamela Viani de Andrade
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Luis Fernando Nagano
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Mariângela Ottoboni Brunaldi
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - José Sebastião Dos Santos
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Silva Silveira
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
- Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Siciliano AC, Forciniti S, Onesto V, Iuele H, Cave DD, Carnevali F, Gigli G, Lonardo E, Del Mercato LL. A 3D Pancreatic Cancer Model with Integrated Optical Sensors for Noninvasive Metabolism Monitoring and Drug Screening. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2401138. [PMID: 38978424 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202401138] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
A distinct feature of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a prominent tumor microenvironment (TME) with remarkable cellular and spatial heterogeneity that meaningfully impacts disease biology and treatment resistance. The dynamic crosstalk between cancer cells and the dense stromal compartment leads to spatially and temporally heterogeneous metabolic alterations, such as acidic pH that contributes to drug resistance in PDAC. Thus, monitoring the extracellular pH metabolic fluctuations within the TME is crucial to predict and to quantify anticancer drug efficacy. Here, a simple and reliable alginate-based 3D PDAC model embedding ratiometric optical pH sensors and cocultures of tumor (AsPC-1) and stromal cells for simultaneously monitoring metabolic pH variations and quantify drug response is presented. By means of time-lapse confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) coupled with a fully automated computational analysis, the extracellular pH metabolic variations are monitored and quantified over time during drug testing with gemcitabine, folfirinox, and paclitaxel, commonly used in PDAC therapy. In particular, the extracellular acidification is more pronounced after drugs treatment, resulting in increased antitumor effect correlated with apoptotic cell death. These findings highlight the importance of studying the influence of cellular metabolic mechanisms on tumor response to therapy in 3D tumor models, this being crucial for the development of personalized medicine approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Chiara Siciliano
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (Cnr-NANOTEC), c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento, c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Stefania Forciniti
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (Cnr-NANOTEC), c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Valentina Onesto
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (Cnr-NANOTEC), c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Helena Iuele
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (Cnr-NANOTEC), c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Donatella Delle Cave
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics Adriano Buzzati-Traverso, National Research Council (Cnr-IGB), Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Federica Carnevali
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (Cnr-NANOTEC), c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento, c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gigli
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (Cnr-NANOTEC), c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Enza Lonardo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics Adriano Buzzati-Traverso, National Research Council (Cnr-IGB), Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Loretta L Del Mercato
- Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (Cnr-NANOTEC), c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang L, Yao Q, Guo X, Wang B, Si J, Wang X, Jing S, Yan M, Shi Y, Song G, Shen X, Guan J, Zhao Y, Zhu C. Targeted delivery of CEBPA-saRNA for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by transferrin receptor aptamer decorated tetrahedral framework nucleic acid. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:392. [PMID: 38965606 PMCID: PMC11223357 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02665-4] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer, predominantly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), remains a highly lethal malignancy with limited therapeutic options and a dismal prognosis. By targeting the underlying molecular abnormalities responsible for PDAC development and progression, gene therapy offers a promising strategy to overcome the challenges posed by conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This study sought to explore the therapeutic potential of small activating RNAs (saRNAs) specifically targeting the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA) gene in PDAC. To overcome the challenges associated with saRNA delivery, tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs) were rationally engineered as nanocarriers. These tFNAs were further functionalized with a truncated transferrin receptor aptamer (tTR14) to enhance targeting specificity for PDAC cells. The constructed tFNA-based saRNA formulation demonstrated exceptional stability, efficient saRNA release ability, substantial cellular uptake, biocompatibility, and nontoxicity. In vitro experiments revealed successful intracellular delivery of CEBPA-saRNA utilizing tTR14-decorated tFNA nanocarriers, resulting in significant activation of tumor suppressor genes, namely, CEBPA and its downstream effector P21, leading to notable inhibition of PDAC cell proliferation. Moreover, in a mouse model of PDAC, the tTR14-decorated tFNA-mediated delivery of CEBPA-saRNA effectively upregulated the expression of the CEBPA and P21 genes, consequently suppressing tumor growth. These compelling findings highlight the potential utility of saRNA delivered via a designed tFNA nanocarrier to induce the activation of tumor suppressor genes as an innovative therapeutic approach for PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- College of Clinical Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
- Joint Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Puheng Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Qunyan Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuerui Guo
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bingmei Wang
- College of Clinical Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Jingyi Si
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingye Wang
- College of Clinical Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Shisong Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Yan
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guangqi Song
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Joint Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Puheng Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Xizhong Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiyu Guan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Yicheng Zhao
- China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
- College of Clinical Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.
- Joint Laboratory of Biomaterials and Translational Medicine, Puheng Technology, Suzhou, China.
| | - Changfeng Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shah A, Jahan R, Kisling SG, Atri P, Natarajan G, Nallasamy P, Cox JL, Macha MA, Sheikh IA, Ponnusamy MP, Kumar S, Batra SK. Secretory Trefoil Factor 1 (TFF1) promotes gemcitabine resistance through chemokine receptor CXCR4 in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 598:217097. [PMID: 38964729 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217097] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Gemcitabine is the first-line treatment option for patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the frequent adoption of resistance to gemcitabine by cancer cells poses a significant challenge in treating this aggressive disease. In this study, we focused on analyzing the role of trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) in gemcitabine resistance in PDAC. Analysis of PDAC TCGA and cell line datasets indicated an enrichment of TFF1 in the gemcitabine-resistant classical subtype and suggested an inverse correlation between TFF1 expression and sensitivity to gemcitabine treatment. The genetic ablation of TFF1 in PDAC cells enhanced their sensitivity to gemcitabine treatment in both in vitro and in vivo tumor xenografts. The biochemical studies revealed that TFF1 contributes to gemcitabine resistance through enhanced stemness, increasing migration ability of cancer cells, and induction of anti-apoptotic genes. We further pursued studies to predict possible receptors exerting TFF1-mediated gemcitabine resistance. Protein-protein docking investigations with BioLuminate software revealed that TFF1 binds to the chemokine receptor CXCR4, which was supported by real-time binding analysis of TFF1 and CXCR4 using SPR studies. The exogenous addition of TFF1 increased the proliferation and migration of PDAC cells through the pAkt/pERK axis, which was abrogated by treatment with a CXCR4-specific antagonist AMD3100. Overall, the present study demonstrates the contribution of the TFF1-CXCR4 axis in imparting gemcitabine resistance properties to PDAC cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashu Shah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Rahat Jahan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Sophia G Kisling
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Pranita Atri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Gopalakrishnan Natarajan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Palanisamy Nallasamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Jesse L Cox
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Kashmir, India
| | - Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5950, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, 68198-5950, USA
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5950, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, 68198-5950, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
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] [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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhou H, Wang W, Cai Z, Jia ZY, Li YY, He W, Li C, Zhang BL. Injectable hybrid hydrogels enable enhanced combination chemotherapy and roused anti-tumor immunity in the synergistic treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:353. [PMID: 38902759 PMCID: PMC11191229 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02646-7] [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: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy have shown no significant outcome for unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Multi-drug combination therapy has become a consensus in clinical trials to explore how to arouse anti-tumor immunity and meanwhile overcome the poorly tumoricidal effect and the stroma barrier that greatly hinders drug penetration. To address this challenge, a comprehensive strategy is proposed to fully utilize both the ferroptotic vulnerability of PDAC to potently irritate anti-tumor immunity and the desmoplasia-associated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) to wholly improve the immunosuppressive microenvironment via sustained release of drugs in an injectable hydrogel for increasing drug penetration in tumor location and averting systematic toxicity. The injectable hydrogel ED-M@CS/MC is hybridized with micelles loaded with erastin that exclusively induces ferroptosis and a FAK inhibitor defactinib for inhibiting stroma formation, and achieves sustained release of the drugs for up to 12 days. With only a single intratumoral injection, the combination treatment with erastin and defactinib produces further anti-tumor performance both in xenograft and KrasG12D-engineered primary PDAC mice and synergistically promotes the infiltration of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and the reduction of type II macrophages. The findings may provide a novel promising strategy for the clinical treatment of PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Zedong Cai
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Zhou-Yan Jia
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yu-Yao Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Wei He
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
- Department of Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Chen Li
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Bang-Le Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Brichkina A, Ems M, Suezov R, Singh R, Lutz V, Picard FSR, Nist A, Stiewe T, Graumann J, Daude M, Diederich WE, Finkernagel F, Chung HR, Bartsch DK, Roth K, Keber C, Denkert C, Huber M, Gress TM, Lauth M. DYRK1B blockade promotes tumoricidal macrophage activity in pancreatic cancer. Gut 2024:gutjnl-2023-331854. [PMID: 38834297 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-331854] [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: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Highly malignant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterised by an abundant immunosuppressive and fibrotic tumour microenvironment (TME). Future therapeutic attempts will therefore demand the targeting of tumours and stromal compartments in order to be effective. Here we investigate whether dual specificity and tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1B (DYRK1B) fulfil these criteria and represent a promising anticancer target in PDAC. DESIGN We used transplantation and autochthonous mouse models of PDAC with either genetic Dyrk1b loss or pharmacological DYRK1B inhibition, respectively. Mechanistic interactions between tumour cells and macrophages were studied in direct or indirect co-culture experiments. Histological analyses used tissue microarrays from patients with PDAC. Additional methodological approaches included bulk mRNA sequencing (transcriptomics) and proteomics (secretomics). RESULTS We found that DYRK1B is mainly expressed by pancreatic epithelial cancer cells and modulates the influx and activity of TME-associated macrophages through effects on the cancer cells themselves as well as through the tumour secretome. Mechanistically, genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of DYRK1B strongly attracts tumoricidal macrophages and, in addition, downregulates the phagocytosis checkpoint and 'don't eat me' signal CD24 on cancer cells, resulting in enhanced tumour cell phagocytosis. Consequently, tumour cells lacking DYRK1B hardly expand in transplantation experiments, despite their rapid growth in culture. Furthermore, combining a small-molecule DYRK1B-directed therapy with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition and conventional chemotherapy stalls the growth of established tumours and results in a significant extension of life span in a highly aggressive autochthonous model of PDAC. CONCLUSION In light of DYRK inhibitors currently entering clinical phase testing, our data thus provide a novel and clinically translatable approach targeting both the cancer cell compartment and its microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Brichkina
- Department of Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Marburg, Germany
- Present address: Institute of Systems Immunology, Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Ems
- Department of Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Roman Suezov
- Department of Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rajeev Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Veronika Lutz
- Institute of Systems Immunology, Philipps-Universitat Marburg, Marburg, Hessen, Germany
| | - Felix S R Picard
- Institute of Systems Immunology, Philipps-Universitat Marburg, Marburg, Hessen, Germany
| | - Andrea Nist
- Genomics Core Facility, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Stiewe
- Genomics Core Facility, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Oncology, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Graumann
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
- Institute of Translational Proteomics, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Michael Daude
- Medicinal Chemistry Core Facility, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Wibke E Diederich
- Medicinal Chemistry Core Facility, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Medicinal chemistry, Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Florian Finkernagel
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ho-Ryun Chung
- Institute for Medical Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research, Marburg, Germany
| | - Detlef K Bartsch
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Roth
- Cell Imaging Core Facility, Center for Tumor Biology and Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Hessen, Germany
| | - Corinna Keber
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Giessen-Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Denkert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Giessen-Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Magdalena Huber
- Institute of Systems Immunology, Philipps-Universitat Marburg, Marburg, Hessen, Germany
| | - Thomas M Gress
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Lauth
- Department of Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Tumor and Immune Biology, Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Carpenter ES, Kadiyala P, Elhossiny AM, Kemp SB, Li J, Steele NG, Nicolle R, Nwosu ZC, Freeman J, Dai H, Paglia D, Du W, Donahue K, Morales J, Medina-Cabrera PI, Bonilla ME, Harris L, The S, Gunchick V, Peterson N, Brown K, Mattea M, Espinoza CE, McGue J, Kabala SM, Baliira RK, Renollet NM, Mooney AG, Liu J, Bhalla S, Farida JP, Ko C, Machicado JD, Kwon RS, Wamsteker EJ, Schulman A, Anderson MA, Law R, Prabhu A, Coulombe PA, Rao A, Frankel TL, Bednar F, Shi J, Sahai V, Pasca Di Magliano M. KRT17high/CXCL8+ Tumor Cells Display Both Classical and Basal Features and Regulate Myeloid Infiltration in the Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:2497-2513. [PMID: 37851080 PMCID: PMC11024060 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is generally divided in two subtypes, classical and basal. Recently, single-cell RNA sequencing has uncovered the coexistence of basal and classical cancer cells, as well as intermediary cancer cells, in individual tumors. The latter remains poorly understood; here, we sought to characterize them using a multimodal approach. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We performed subtyping on a single-cell RNA sequencing dataset containing 18 human PDAC samples to identify multiple intermediary subtypes. We generated patient-derived PDAC organoids for functional studies. We compared single-cell profiling of matched blood and tumor samples to measure changes in the local and systemic immune microenvironment. We then leveraged longitudinally patient-matched blood to follow individual patients over the course of chemotherapy. RESULTS We identified a cluster of KRT17-high intermediary cancer cells that uniquely express high levels of CXCL8 and other cytokines. The proportion of KRT17high/CXCL8+ cells in patient tumors correlated with intratumoral myeloid abundance, and, interestingly, high protumor peripheral blood granulocytes, implicating local and systemic roles. Patient-derived organoids maintained KRT17high/CXCL8+ cells and induced myeloid cell migration in a CXCL8-dependent manner. In our longitudinal studies, plasma CXCL8 decreased following chemotherapy in responsive patients, while CXCL8 persistence portended worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Through single-cell analysis of PDAC samples, we identified KRT17high/CXCL8+ cancer cells as an intermediary subtype, marked by a unique cytokine profile and capable of influencing myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment and systemically. The abundance of this cell population should be considered for patient stratification in precision immunotherapy. See related commentary by Faraoni and McAllister, p. 2297.
Collapse
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
| | - Padma Kadiyala
- Immunology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ahmed M. Elhossiny
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Samantha B. Kemp
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jay Li
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Nina G. Steele
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Rémy Nicolle
- Université Paris Cité, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation (CRI), INSERM, U1149, CNRS, ERL 8252, Paris, France
| | - Zeribe C. Nwosu
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Julia Freeman
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Henry Dai
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Daniel Paglia
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Wenting Du
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Katelyn Donahue
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | | | | | - Lindsey Harris
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Stephanie The
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Valerie Gunchick
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Nicole Peterson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Kristee Brown
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Michael Mattea
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Jake McGue
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sarah M. Kabala
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Nur M. Renollet
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ayden G. Mooney
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jianhua Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sean Bhalla
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jeremy P. Farida
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Christopher Ko
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jorge D. Machicado
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Richard S. Kwon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Erik-Jan Wamsteker
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Allison Schulman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Michelle A. Anderson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ryan Law
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Anoop Prabhu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Pierre A. Coulombe
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, 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
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Timothy L. Frankel
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Surgery, 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
| | - 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
| | - Marina Pasca Di Magliano
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cai H, Zhao J, Zhang Q, Wu H, Sun Y, Guo F, Zhou Y, Qin G, Xia W, Zhao Y, Liang X, Yin S, Qin Y, Li D, Wu H, Ren D. Ubiquitin ligase TRIM15 promotes the progression of pancreatic cancer via the upregulation of the IGF2BP2-TLR4 axis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167183. [PMID: 38657551 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167183] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tripartite motif family, predominantly characterized by its E3 ubiquitin ligase activities, is involved in various cellular processes including signal transduction, apoptosis and autophagy, protein quality control, immune regulation, and carcinogenesis. Tripartite Motif Containing 15 (TRIM15) plays an important role in melanoma progression through extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation; however, data on its role in pancreatic tumors remain lacking. We previously demonstrated that TRIM15 targeted lipid synthesis and metabolism in pancreatic cancer; however, other specific regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. METHODS We used transcriptomics and proteomics, conducted a series of phenotypic experiments, and used a mouse orthotopic transplantation model to study the specific mechanism of TRIM15 in pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS TRIM15 overexpression promoted the progression of pancreatic cancer by upregulating the toll-like receptor 4. The TRIM15 binding protein, IGF2BP2, could combine with TLR4 to inhibit its mRNA degradation. Furthermore, the ubiquitin level of IGF2BP2 was positively correlated with TRIM15. CONCLUSIONS TRIM15 could ubiquitinate IGF2BP2 to enhance the function of phase separation and the maintenance of mRNA stability of TLR4. TRIM15 is a potential therapeutic target against pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongkun Cai
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jingyuan Zhao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Qiyue Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Heyu Wu
- Department of Operating Room, 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; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yingke Zhou
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Gengdu Qin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Wentao Xia
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yuhan Zhao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xueyi Liang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Shilin Yin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yang Qin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Heshui Wu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Dianyun Ren
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wattenberg MM, Colby S, Garrido-Laguna I, Xue Y, Chang R, Delman D, Lee J, Affolter K, Mulvihill SJ, Beg MS, Wang-Gillam A, Wade JL, Guthrie KA, Chiorean EG, Ahmad SA, Lowy AM, Philip PA, Sohal DPS, Beatty GL. Intratumoral Cell Neighborhoods Coordinate Outcomes in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Gastroenterology 2024; 166:1114-1129. [PMID: 38244727 PMCID: PMC11102852 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.01.013] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a highly lethal disease characterized by a spatially heterogeneous tumor microenvironment. Within the PDA microenvironment, cells organize into communities where cell fate is influenced by neighboring cells of diverse ontogeny and function. However, it remains unclear how cell neighborhoods in the tumor microenvironment evolve with treatment and impact clinical outcomes. METHODS Here, using automated chromogenic multiplex immunohistochemistry and unsupervised computational image analysis of human PDA tumors, we investigated cell neighborhoods in surgically resected tumors from patients with chemotherapy-naïve PDA (n = 59) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy-treated PDA (n = 57). Single cells were defined by lineage markers (CD3, CD8, Foxp3, CD68, CK19), proliferation (Ki67), and neighboring cells. RESULTS Distinct intratumoral immune and tumor cell subsets were defined by neighboring cells. Higher content of stromal-associated macrophages was seen in chemotherapy-naïve tumors from long-term survivors (overall survival >3 years) compared with short-term survivors (overall survival <1 year), whereas immune-excluded tumor cells were higher in short-term survivors. Chemotherapy-treated vs -naïve tumors showed lower content of tumor-associated T cells and macrophages but similar densities of stromal-associated immune cells. However, proliferating tumor cell subsets with immune-rich neighborhoods were higher in chemotherapy-treated tumors. In a blinded analysis of tumors from patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a composite index comprising lower quantities of immune-excluded tumor cells and higher spatially distinct immune cell subsets was associated with prolonged survival. CONCLUSIONS Together, these data provide new insights into discrete cell communities in PDA and show their clinical relevance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Max M Wattenberg
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah Colby
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ignacio Garrido-Laguna
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Yuqing Xue
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Renee Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Devora Delman
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jesse Lee
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kajsa Affolter
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Sean J Mulvihill
- Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | | | | | | | - Katherine A Guthrie
- SWOG Statistics and Data Management Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - E Gabriela Chiorean
- University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Andrew M Lowy
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, UC San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Philip Agop Philip
- Henry Ford Health, Wayne State University, Oncology and Pharmacology, Detroit, Michigan
| | | | - Gregory L Beatty
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lee DU, Han BS, Jung KH, Hong SS. Tumor Stroma as a Therapeutic Target for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2024; 32:281-290. [PMID: 38590092 PMCID: PMC11063484 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2024.029] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor prognosis owing to its desmoplastic stroma. Therefore, therapeutic strategies targeting this tumor stroma should be developed. In this study, we describe the heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and their diverse roles in the progression, immune evasion, and resistance to treatment of PDAC. We subclassified the spatial distribution and functional activity of CAFs to highlight their effects on prognosis and drug delivery. Extracellular matrix components such as collagen and hyaluronan are described for their roles in tumor behavior and treatment outcomes, implying their potential as therapeutic targets. We also discussed the roles of extracellular matrix (ECM) including matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors in PDAC progression. Finally, we explored the role of the adaptive and innate immune systems in shaping the PDAC microenvironment and potential therapeutic strategies, with a focus on immune cell subsets, cytokines, and immunosuppressive mechanisms. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of PDAC and pave the way for the development of prognostic markers and therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dae Ui Lee
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon 22332, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom Seok Han
- Program in Biomedical Science & Engineering, The Graduate School, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hee Jung
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon 22332, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon-Sun Hong
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon 22332, Republic of Korea
- Program in Biomedical Science & Engineering, The Graduate School, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lahusen A, Cai J, Schirmbeck R, Wellstein A, Kleger A, Seufferlein T, Eiseler T, Lin YN. A pancreatic cancer organoid-in-matrix platform shows distinct sensitivities to T cell killing. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9377. [PMID: 38654067 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60107-5] [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: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Poor treatment responses of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are in large part due to tumor heterogeneity and an immunosuppressive desmoplastic tumor stroma that impacts interactions with cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Thus, there is a pressing need for models to probe the contributions of cellular and noncellular crosstalk. Organoids are promising model systems with the potential to generate a plethora of data including phenotypic, transcriptomic and genomic characterization but still require improvements in culture conditions mimicking the TME. Here, we describe an INTERaction with Organoid-in-MatriX ("InterOMaX") model system, that presents a 3D co-culture-based platform for investigating matrix-dependent cellular crosstalk. We describe its potential to uncover new molecular mechanisms of T cell responses to murine KPC (LSL-KrasG12D/+27/Trp53tm1Tyj/J/p48Cre/+) PDAC cells as well as PDAC patient-derived organoids (PDOs). For this, a customizable matrix and homogenously sized organoid-in-matrix positioning of cancer cells were designed based on a standardized agarose microwell chip array system and established for co-culture with T cells and inclusion of stromal cells. We describe the detection and orthogonal analysis of murine and human PDAC cell populations with distinct sensitivity to T cell killing that is corroborated in vivo. By enabling both identification and validation of gene candidates for T cell resistance, this platform sets the stage for better mechanistic understanding of cancer cell-intrinsic resistance phenotypes in PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anton Lahusen
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Nutrition and Metabolism, Ulm University Hospital, Albert Einstein Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jierui Cai
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Nutrition and Metabolism, Ulm University Hospital, Albert Einstein Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Reinhold Schirmbeck
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Nutrition and Metabolism, Ulm University Hospital, Albert Einstein Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anton Wellstein
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Alexander Kleger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Nutrition and Metabolism, Ulm University Hospital, Albert Einstein Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Stem Cell Biology (IMOS), Ulm University Hospital, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- Division of Interdisciplinary Pancreatology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University Hospital, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- Organoid Core Facility, Ulm University Hospital, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Seufferlein
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Nutrition and Metabolism, Ulm University Hospital, Albert Einstein Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tim Eiseler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Nutrition and Metabolism, Ulm University Hospital, Albert Einstein Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Yuan-Na Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Nutrition and Metabolism, Ulm University Hospital, Albert Einstein Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Silva LGDO, Lemos FFB, Luz MS, Rocha Pinheiro SL, Calmon MDS, Correa Santos GL, Rocha GR, de Melo FF. New avenues for the treatment of immunotherapy-resistant pancreatic cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:1134-1153. [PMID: 38660642 PMCID: PMC11037047 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i4.1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by its extremely aggressive nature and ranks 14th in the number of new cancer cases worldwide. However, due to its complexity, it ranks 7th in the list of the most lethal cancers worldwide. The pathogenesis of PC involves several complex processes, including familial genetic factors associated with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic pancreatitis, and smoking. Mutations in genes such as KRAS, TP53, and SMAD4 are linked to the appearance of malignant cells that generate pancreatic lesions and, consequently, cancer. In this context, some therapies are used for PC, one of which is immunotherapy, which is extremely promising in various other types of cancer but has shown little response in the treatment of PC due to various resistance mechanisms that contribute to a drop in immunotherapy efficiency. It is therefore clear that the tumor microenvironment (TME) has a huge impact on the resistance process, since cellular and non-cellular elements create an immunosuppressive environment, characterized by a dense desmoplastic stroma with cancer-associated fibroblasts, pancreatic stellate cells, extracellular matrix, and immunosuppressive cells. Linked to this are genetic mutations in TP53 and immunosuppressive factors that act on T cells, resulting in a shortage of CD8+ T cells and limited expression of activation markers such as interferon-gamma. In this way, finding new strategies that make it possible to manipulate resistance mechanisms is necessary. Thus, techniques such as the use of TME modulators that block receptors and stromal molecules that generate resistance, the use of genetic manipulation in specific regions, such as microRNAs, the modulation of extrinsic and intrinsic factors associated with T cells, and, above all, therapeutic models that combine these modulation techniques constitute the promising future of PC therapy. Thus, this study aims to elucidate the main mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy in PC and new ways of manipulating this process, resulting in a more efficient therapy for cancer patients and, consequently, a reduction in the lethality of this aggressive cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabian Fellipe Bueno Lemos
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Marcel Silva Luz
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Samuel Luca Rocha Pinheiro
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Mariana dos Santos Calmon
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Lima Correa Santos
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Reis Rocha
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Freire de Melo
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Toledo B, Deiana C, Scianò F, Brandi G, Marchal JA, Perán M, Giovannetti E. Treatment resistance in pancreatic and biliary tract cancer: molecular and clinical pharmacology perspectives. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2024; 17:323-347. [PMID: 38413373 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2024.2319340] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Treatment resistance poses a significant obstacle in oncology, especially in biliary tract cancer (BTC) and pancreatic cancer (PC). Current therapeutic options include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Resistance to these treatments may arise due to diverse molecular mechanisms, such as genetic and epigenetic modifications, altered drug metabolism and efflux, and changes in the tumor microenvironment. Identifying and overcoming these mechanisms is a major focus of research: strategies being explored include combination therapies, modulation of the tumor microenvironment, and personalized approaches. AREAS COVERED We provide a current overview and discussion of the most relevant mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy, target therapy, and immunotherapy in both BTC and PC. Furthermore, we compare the different strategies that are being implemented to overcome these obstacles. EXPERT OPINION So far there is no unified theory on drug resistance and progress is limited. To overcome this issue, individualized patient approaches, possibly through liquid biopsies or single-cell transcriptome studies, are suggested, along with the potential use of artificial intelligence, to guide effective treatment strategies. Furthermore, we provide insights into what we consider the most promising areas of research, and we speculate on the future of managing treatment resistance to improve patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Belén Toledo
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chiara Deiana
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Scianò
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Lumobiotics GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Giovanni Brandi
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Juan Antonio Marchal
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada-Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Macarena Perán
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa, Italy
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC) Start-Up Unit, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Chen Q, Yin H, Jiang Z, He T, Xie Y, Mao W, Han J, Liu S, Lou W, Wu W, Habib JR, Yu J, Liu L, Pu N. Poor clinical outcomes and immunoevasive contexture in CD161 +CD8 + T cells barren human pancreatic cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008694. [PMID: 38531664 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008694] [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: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of CD161 expression on CD8+ T cells in tumor immunology has been explored in a few studies, and the clinical significance of CD161+CD8+ T cells in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unclear. This study seeks to clarify the prognostic value and molecular characteristics linked to CD161+CD8+ T cell infiltration in PDAC. METHODS This study included 186 patients with confirmed PDAC histology after radical resection. CD161+CD8+ T cell infiltration was assessed using immunofluorescence staining on tumor microarrays. Flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing were used to evaluate their functional status. RESULTS We observed significant associations between tumor-infiltrating CD161+CD8+ T cells and clinicopathological factors, such as tumor differentiation, perineural invasion, and serum CA19-9 levels. Patients with higher tumor-infiltrating CD161+CD8+ T cell levels had longer overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) than those with lower levels. Multivariable analysis confirmed tumor-infiltrating CD161+CD8+ T cell as an independent prognostic indicator for both OS and RFS. Notably, a combination of tumor-infiltrating CD161+CD8+ T cell and CA19-9 levels showed a superior power for survival prediction, and patients with low tumor-infiltrating CD161+CD8+ T cell and high CA19-9 levels had the worst survival. Furthermore, lower tumor-infiltrating CD161+CD8+ T cells were associated with a better response to adjuvant chemotherapy. Finally, we identified tumor-infiltrating CD161+CD8+ T cells as a unique subtype of responsive CD8+ T cells characterized by increased levels of cytotoxic cytokines and immune checkpoint molecules. CONCLUSION CD161+CD8+ T cells exhibit elevated levels of both cytotoxic and immune-checkpoint molecules, indicating as a potential and attractive target for immunotherapy. The tumor-infiltrating CD161+CD8+ T cell is a valuable and promising predictor for survival and therapeutic response to adjuvant chemotherapy in PDAC. Further research is warranted to validate its role in the risk stratification and optimization of therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiangda Chen
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanlin Yin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenlai Jiang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Taochen He
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuqi Xie
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weilin Mao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiande Han
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siyao Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhui Lou
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenchuan Wu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Joseph R Habib
- Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine and NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jun Yu
- Departments of Medicine, Oncology and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Pancreas Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Pu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Cancer Center, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sadozai H, Acharjee A, Kayani HZ, Gruber T, Gorczynski RM, Burke B. High hypoxia status in pancreatic cancer is associated with multiple hallmarks of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1360629. [PMID: 38510243 PMCID: PMC10951397 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1360629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common form of pancreatic cancer, is a particularly lethal disease that is often diagnosed late and is refractory to most forms of treatment. Tumour hypoxia is a key hallmark of PDAC and is purported to contribute to multiple facets of disease progression such as treatment resistance, increased invasiveness, metabolic reprogramming, and immunosuppression. Methods We used the Buffa gene signature as a hypoxia score to profile transcriptomics datasets from PDAC cases. We performed cell-type deconvolution and gene expression profiling approaches to compare the immunological phenotypes of cases with low and high hypoxia scores. We further supported our findings by qPCR analyses in PDAC cell lines cultured in hypoxic conditions. Results First, we demonstrated that this hypoxia score is associated with increased tumour grade and reduced survival suggesting that this score is correlated to disease progression. Subsequently, we compared the immune phenotypes of cases with high versus low hypoxia score expression (HypoxiaHI vs. HypoxiaLOW) to show that high hypoxia is associated with reduced levels of T cells, NK cells and dendritic cells (DC), including the crucial cDC1 subset. Concomitantly, immune-related gene expression profiling revealed that compared to HypoxiaLOW tumours, mRNA levels for multiple immunosuppressive molecules were notably elevated in HypoxiaHI cases. Using a Random Forest machine learning approach for variable selection, we identified LGALS3 (Galectin-3) as the top gene associated with high hypoxia status and confirmed its expression in hypoxic PDAC cell lines. Discussion In summary, we demonstrated novel associations between hypoxia and multiple immunosuppressive mediators in PDAC, highlighting avenues for improving PDAC immunotherapy by targeting these immune molecules in combination with hypoxia-targeted drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Sadozai
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Animesh Acharjee
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Hateem Z. Kayani
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Gruber
- Independent Scholar, National Coalition of Independent Scholars, Visp, Switzerland
| | | | - Bernard Burke
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Li Y, Chang RB, Stone ML, Delman D, Markowitz K, Xue Y, Coho H, Herrera VM, Li JH, Zhang L, Choi-Bose S, Giannone M, Shin SM, Coyne EM, Hernandez A, Gross NE, Charmsaz S, Ho WJ, Lee JW, Beatty GL. Multimodal immune phenotyping reveals microbial-T cell interactions that shape pancreatic cancer. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101397. [PMID: 38307029 PMCID: PMC10897543 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101397] [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: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Microbes are an integral component of the tumor microenvironment. However, determinants of microbial presence remain ill-defined. Here, using spatial-profiling technologies, we show that bacterial and immune cell heterogeneity are spatially coupled. Mouse models of pancreatic cancer recapitulate the immune-microbial spatial coupling seen in humans. Distinct intra-tumoral niches are defined by T cells, with T cell-enriched and T cell-poor regions displaying unique bacterial communities that are associated with immunologically active and quiescent phenotypes, respectively, but are independent of the gut microbiome. Depletion of intra-tumoral bacteria slows tumor growth in T cell-poor tumors and alters the phenotype and presence of myeloid and B cells in T cell-enriched tumors but does not affect T cell infiltration. In contrast, T cell depletion disrupts the immunological state of tumors and reduces intra-tumoral bacteria. Our results establish a coupling between microbes and T cells in cancer wherein spatially defined immune-microbial communities differentially influence tumor biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Renee B Chang
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Meredith L Stone
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Devora Delman
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kelly Markowitz
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yuqing Xue
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Heather Coho
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Veronica M Herrera
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joey H Li
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Liti Zhang
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shaanti Choi-Bose
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael Giannone
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sarah M Shin
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Erin M Coyne
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alexei Hernandez
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicole E Gross
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Soren Charmsaz
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Won Jin Ho
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Mass Cytometry Facility, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jae W Lee
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Gregory L Beatty
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Mendes I, Vale N. Overcoming Microbiome-Acquired Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Biomedicines 2024; 12:227. [PMID: 38275398 PMCID: PMC10813061 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010227] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancers (GICs) are one of the most recurrent diseases in the world. Among all GICs, pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest and continues to disrupt people's lives worldwide. The most frequent pancreatic cancer type is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), representing 90 to 95% of all pancreatic malignancies. PC is one of the cancers with the worst prognoses due to its non-specific symptoms that lead to a late diagnosis, but also due to the high resistance it develops to anticancer drugs. Gemcitabine is a standard treatment option for PDAC, however, resistance to this anticancer drug develops very fast. The microbiome was recently classified as a cancer hallmark and has emerged in several studies detailing how it promotes drug resistance. However, this area of study still has seen very little development, and more answers will help in developing personalized medicine. PC is one of the cancers with the highest mortality rates; therefore, it is crucial to explore how the microbiome may mold the response to reference drugs used in PDAC, such as gemcitabine. In this article, we provide a review of what has already been investigated regarding the impact that the microbiome has on the development of PDAC in terms of its effect on the gemcitabine pathway, which may influence the response to gemcitabine. Therapeutic advances in this type of GIC could bring innovative solutions and more effective therapeutic strategies for other types of GIC, such as colorectal cancer (CRC), due to its close relation with the microbiome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inês Mendes
- PerMed Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Edifício de Geociências, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Nuno Vale
- PerMed Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ganju V, Marx G, Pattison S, Amaro-Mugridge NB, Zhao JT, Williams BRG, MacDiarmid JA, Brahmbhatt H. Phase I/IIa Trial in Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Treated with Cytotoxic Drug-Packaged, EGFR-Targeted Nanocells and Glycolipid-Packaged Nanocells. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:304-314. [PMID: 37976042 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1821] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We assessed the safety and efficacy of an EGFR-targeted, super-cytotoxic drug, PNU-159682-packaged nanocells with α-galactosyl ceramide-packaged nanocells (E-EDV-D682/GC) in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who had exhausted all treatment options. PATIENTS AND METHODS ENG9 was a first-in-man, single-arm, open-label, phase I/IIa, dose-escalation clinical trial. Eligible patients had advanced PDAC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status 0 to 1, and failed all treatments. Primary endpoints were safety and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Of 25 enrolled patients, seven were withdrawn due to rapidly progressive disease and one patient withdrew consent. All 25 patients were assessed for toxicity, 24 patients were assessed for OS, which was also assessed for 17 patients completing one treatment cycle [evaluable subset (ES)]. Nineteen patients (76.0%) experienced at least one treatment-related adverse event (graded 1 to 2) resolving within hours. There were no safety concerns, dose reductions, patient withdrawal, or treatment-related deaths. Median OS (mOS) was 4.4 months; however, mOS of the 17 ES patients was 6.9 months [208 days; range, 83-591 days; 95.0% confidence interval (CI), 5.6-10.3 months] and mOS of seven patients who did not complete one cycle was 1.8 months (54 days; range, 21-72; 95.0% CI, 1.2-2.2 months). Of the ES, 47.1% achieved stable disease and one partial response. Ten subjects in the ES survived over 6 months, the longest 19.7 months. During treatments, 82.0% of the ES maintained stable weight. CONCLUSIONS E-EDV-D682/GC provided significant OS, minimal side effects, and weight stabilization in patients with advanced PDAC. Advanced PDAC can be safely treated with super-cytotoxic drugs via EnGeneIC Dream Vectors to overcome multidrug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vinod Ganju
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Peninsula and Southeast Oncology (PASO), Frankston Private Hospital, Frankston, Australia
| | - Gavin Marx
- Sydney Adventist Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Bryan R G Williams
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Su Y, Wang F, Lei Z, Li J, Ma M, Yan Y, Zhang W, Chen X, Xu B, Hu T. An Integrated Multi-Omics Analysis Identifying Immune Subtypes of Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:142. [PMID: 38203311 PMCID: PMC10779306 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010142] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Limited studies have explored novel pancreatic cancer (PC) subtypes or prognostic biomarkers based on the altered activity of relevant signaling pathway gene sets. Here, we employed non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) to identify three immune subtypes of PC based on C7 immunologic signature gene set activity in PC and normal samples. Cluster 1, the immune-inflamed subtype, showed a higher response rate to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and had the lowest tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) scores. Cluster 2, the immune-excluded subtype, exhibited strong associations with stromal activation, characterized by elevated expression levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, cell adhesion, extracellular matrix remodeling, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related genes. Cluster 3, the immune-desert subtype, displayed limited immune activity. For prognostic prediction, we developed an immune-related prognostic risk model (IRPM) based on four immune-related prognostic genes in pancreatic cancer, RHOF, CEP250, TSC1, and KIF20B. The IRPM demonstrated excellent prognostic efficacy and successful validation in an external cohort. Notably, the key gene in the prognostic model, RHOF, exerted significant influence on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells through in vitro experiments. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of somatic mutational landscapes and immune landscapes in PC patients with different IRPM risk scores. Our findings accurately stratified patients based on their immune microenvironment and predicted immunotherapy responses, offering valuable insights for clinicians in developing more targeted clinical strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongcheng Su
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for Tumor Metastasis, Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.S.); (F.W.)
| | - Fen Wang
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for Tumor Metastasis, Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.S.); (F.W.)
| | - Ziyu Lei
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for Tumor Metastasis, Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.S.); (F.W.)
| | - Jiangquan Li
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for Tumor Metastasis, Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.S.); (F.W.)
| | - Miaomiao Ma
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for Tumor Metastasis, Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.S.); (F.W.)
| | - Ying Yan
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for Tumor Metastasis, Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.S.); (F.W.)
| | - Wenqing Zhang
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for Tumor Metastasis, Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.S.); (F.W.)
| | - Xiaolei Chen
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for Tumor Metastasis, Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.S.); (F.W.)
| | - Beibei Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tianhui Hu
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for Tumor Metastasis, Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (Y.S.); (F.W.)
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen 518057, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wright CA, Gordon ER, Cooper SJ. Genomic analysis reveals HDAC1 regulates clinically relevant transcriptional programs in Pancreatic cancer. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1137. [PMID: 37996815 PMCID: PMC10666341 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11645-0] [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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel strategies are needed to combat multidrug resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We applied genomic approaches to understand mechanisms of resistance in order to better inform treatment and precision medicine. Altered function of chromatin remodeling complexes contribute to chemoresistance. Our study generates and analyzes genomic and biochemical data from PDAC cells overexpressing HDAC1, a histone deacetylase involved in several chromatin remodeling complexes. We characterized the impact of overexpression on drug response, gene expression, HDAC1 binding, and chromatin structure using RNA-sequencing and ChIP-sequencing for HDAC1 and H3K27 acetylation. Integrative genomic analysis shows that HDAC1 overexpression promotes activation of key resistance pathways including epithelial to mesenchymal transition, cell cycle, and apoptosis through global chromatin remodeling. Target genes are similarly altered in patient tissues and show correlation with patient survival. We also demonstrate that direct targets of HDAC1 that also show altered chromatin are enriched near genes associated with altered GTPase activity. HDAC1 target genes identified using in vitro methods and observed in patient tissues were used to develop a clinically relevant nine-transcript signature associated with patient prognosis. Integration of multiple genomic and biochemical data types enables understanding of multidrug resistance and tumorigenesis in PDAC, a disease in desperate need of novel treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carter A Wright
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, 35899, USA
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, 601 Genome Way, Huntsville, AL, 35806, USA
| | - Emily R Gordon
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, 601 Genome Way, Huntsville, AL, 35806, USA
| | - Sara J Cooper
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, 601 Genome Way, Huntsville, AL, 35806, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Bukkuri A, Pienta KJ, Austin RH, Hammarlund EU, Amend SR, Brown JS. A mathematical investigation of polyaneuploid cancer cell memory and cross-resistance in state-structured cancer populations. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15027. [PMID: 37700000 PMCID: PMC10497555 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42368-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The polyaneuploid cancer cell (PACC) state promotes cancer lethality by contributing to survival in extreme conditions and metastasis. Recent experimental evidence suggests that post-therapy PACC-derived recurrent populations display cross-resistance to classes of therapies with independent mechanisms of action. We hypothesize that this can occur through PACC memory, whereby cancer cells that have undergone a polyaneuploid transition (PAT) reenter the PACC state more quickly or have higher levels of innate resistance. In this paper, we build on our prior mathematical models of the eco-evolutionary dynamics of cells in the 2N+ and PACC states to investigate these two hypotheses. We show that although an increase in innate resistance is more effective at promoting cross-resistance, this trend can also be produced via PACC memory. We also find that resensitization of cells that acquire increased innate resistance through the PAT have a considerable impact on eco-evolutionary dynamics and extinction probabilities. This study, though theoretical in nature, can help inspire future experimentation to tease apart hypotheses surrounding how cross-resistance in structured cancer populations arises.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anuraag Bukkuri
- Cancer Biology and Evolution Program and Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, USA.
| | - Kenneth J Pienta
- The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Emma U Hammarlund
- Tissue Development and Evolution Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sarah R Amend
- The Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Joel S Brown
- Cancer Biology and Evolution Program and Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Beatty GL, Delman D, Yu J, Liu M, Li JH, Zhang L, Lee JW, Chang RB, Bahary N, Kennedy EP, Wang-Gillam A, Rossi GR, Garrido-Laguna I. Treatment Response in First-Line Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Is Stratified By a Composite Index of Tumor Proliferation and CD8 T-Cell Infiltration. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:3514-3525. [PMID: 37534996 PMCID: PMC10530235 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-0535] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Determinants of treatment outcomes to chemotherapy-based regimens in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remain ill-defined. Our aim was to examine tissue-based correlates of treatment response and resistance using matched baseline and on-treatment biopsies collected from patients with PDA treated in the first-line metastatic setting. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Patients with treatment-naïve metastatic PDA were enrolled in a Phase II trial (NCT02077881) investigating gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel in combination with indoximod, an orally administered small-molecule inhibitor of the IDO pathway. Baseline and on-treatment biopsies (week 8) of metastatic lesions (88% liver) were collected from a cohort of responders (N = 8) and non-responders (N = 8) based on RECIST v1.1 and examined by multiplex IHC and mRNA sequencing. RESULTS Treatment altered the transcriptional profile of metastatic lesions with a decrease in tumor cell proliferation independent of treatment response. The antiproliferative response was seen in both basal and classical PDA subtypes. PDA subtype was not associated with survival outcomes; instead, genes involved in immune activation distinguished responders from non-responders. Tumor response was associated with an increase in CD3+ and CD8+ T-cell infiltrates into metastatic lesions. A composite of decreased tumor proliferation in response to treatment and increased CD8 T-cell infiltration in metastatic lesions identified responders and associated with a favorable survival outcome. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that inhibiting cancer cell proliferation alone in PDA is insufficient to produce tumor responses and support a role for tumor-extrinsic mechanisms, such as CD8+ T cells, which combine with the cancer cell proliferation index to define treatment outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory L. Beatty
- Abramson Cancer Center; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Devora Delman
- Abramson Cancer Center; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Jiayi Yu
- Newlink Genetics (Now LUMOS Pharmaceuticals), 2503 S Loop Dr. #5100, Ames, IA 50010
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Mingen Liu
- Abramson Cancer Center; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Joey H. Li
- Abramson Cancer Center; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Liti Zhang
- Abramson Cancer Center; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jae W. Lee
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Renee B. Chang
- Abramson Cancer Center; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Nathan Bahary
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Eugene P. Kennedy
- Newlink Genetics (Now LUMOS Pharmaceuticals), 2503 S Loop Dr. #5100, Ames, IA 50010
| | - Andrea Wang-Gillam
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Gabriela R. Rossi
- Newlink Genetics (Now LUMOS Pharmaceuticals), 2503 S Loop Dr. #5100, Ames, IA 50010
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Xu X, Hou D, Wang Y, Zhang J, Hei Y, Wang B, Tian S, Zhang Y, Wang F. Knockdown of NF-κB activating protein promotes pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis through mTOR signaling pathway. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:7501-7513. [PMID: 37486443 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08665-1] [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: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NF-κB activating protein (NKAP) acts as a transcriptional suppressor in the Notch signaling pathway, It plays a role in hematopoiesis maintenance, immune cell development, maturation, and functional competency acquisition. NKAP has been found to act as an oncogene in many tumors, but it has not been reported in PAAD.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of NKAP on the growth and metastasis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PAAD). METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, western blot and qRT-PCR showed that highly expressed NKAP was found in PAAD cell lines, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) was employed to reduce the expression of NKAP in PAAD cell lines. The results of CCK-8, clony formation, Transwell and flow cytometry showed that knockdown of NKAP significantly inhibited biological function of PAAD cells, and increased cell apoptosis. Study also observed that knockdown of NKAP inhibited the expression levels of apoptosis proteins and cyclin in PAAD cells. In addition, mTOR's degree of phosphorylation and the expression of its downstream target p70S6K can both be activated by NKAP. This effect was also confirmed in salvage experiments performed with Rapamycin(RaPa), an inhibitor of mTOR. At the end of the experiment, It was investigated how NKAP affected the drug sensitivity of gemcitabine used to treat PAAD. The results showed that knocking down NKAP could increase the drug sensitivity of gemcitabine. CONCLUSIONS NKAP as an oncogene regulates the development of PAAD cells. The research found that the mTOR signaling pathway is engaged in the oncogenic role of NKAP in PAAD for the first time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangrong Xu
- Medical Research and Experimental Center, Medical College, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, People's Republic of China
- Yan'an Key Laboratory of Fungal Resources Development and Biological Control, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, 716000, China
| | - Danyang Hou
- Medical Research and Experimental Center, Medical College, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, People's Republic of China
- Yan'an Key Laboratory of Fungal Resources Development and Biological Control, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, 716000, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- Medical Research and Experimental Center, Medical College, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, People's Republic of China
- Yan'an Key Laboratory of Fungal Resources Development and Biological Control, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, 716000, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Medical Research and Experimental Center, Medical College, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, People's Republic of China
- Yan'an Key Laboratory of Fungal Resources Development and Biological Control, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, 716000, China
| | - Yu Hei
- Medical Research and Experimental Center, Medical College, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, People's Republic of China
- Yan'an Key Laboratory of Fungal Resources Development and Biological Control, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, 716000, China
| | - Bobo Wang
- Medical Research and Experimental Center, Medical College, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, People's Republic of China
- Yan'an Key Laboratory of Fungal Resources Development and Biological Control, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, 716000, China
| | - Shuyue Tian
- Medical Research and Experimental Center, Medical College, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, People's Republic of China
- Yan'an Key Laboratory of Fungal Resources Development and Biological Control, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, 716000, China
| | - Yunqing Zhang
- Laboratory of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, 716000, China
| | - Fenghui Wang
- Medical Research and Experimental Center, Medical College, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, People's Republic of China.
- Yan'an Key Laboratory of Fungal Resources Development and Biological Control, Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, 716000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Hamdy Gad E. Pancreatic Cancer: Updates in Pathogenesis and Therapies. PANCREATIC CANCER- UPDATES IN PATHOGENESIS, DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPIES [WORKING TITLE] 2023. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.112675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite the progress in pancreatic cancer (PC) chemo/radiotherapies, immunotherapies, and novel targeted therapies and the improvement in its peri-operative management policies, it still has a dismal catastrophic prognosis due to delayed detection, early neural and vascular invasions, early micro-metastatic spread, tumour heterogeneities, drug resistance either intrinsic or acquired, unique desmoplastic stroma, and tumour microenvironment (TME). Understanding tumour pathogenesis at the detailed genetic/epigenetic/metabolic/molecular levels as well as studying the tumour risk factors and its known precancerous lesions aggressively is required for getting a more successful therapy for this challenging tumour. For a better outcome of this catastrophic tumour, it should be diagnosed early and treated through multidisciplinary teams of surgeons, gastroenterologists/interventional upper endoscopists, medical/radiation oncologists, diagnostic/intervention radiologists, and pathologists at high-volume centres. Moreover, surgical resection with a negative margin (R0) is the only cure for it. In this chapter; we discuss the recently updated knowledge of PC pathogenesis, risk factors, and precancerous lesions as well as its different management tools (i.e. surgery, chemo/radiotherapies, immunotherapies, novel targeted therapies, local ablative therapies, etc.).
Collapse
|
27
|
Al-Hawary SIS, Pallathadka H, Hjazi A, Zhumanov ZE, Alazbjee AAA, Imad S, Alsalamy A, Hussien BM, Jaafer NS, Mahmoudi R. ETS transcription factor ELK3 in human cancers: An emerging therapeutic target. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154728. [PMID: 37542863 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a genetic and complex disorder, resulting from several events associated with onset, development, and metastasis. Tumor suppressors and oncogenes are among the main regulators of tumor progression, contributing to various cancer-related behaviors like cell proliferation, invasion, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell cycle, and apoptosis. Transcription factors (TFs) could act as tumor suppressors or oncogenes in cancer progression. E-twenty-six/E26 (ETS) family of TFs have a winged helix-turn-helix (HLH) motif, which interacted with specific DNA regions with high levels of purines and GGA core. ETS proteins act as transcriptional repressors or activators to modulate the expression of target genes. ETS transcription factor ELK3 (ELK3), as a type of ETS protein, was shown to enhance in various cancers, suggesting that it may have an oncogenic role. These studies indicated that ELK3 promoted invasion, migration, cell cycle, proliferation, and EMT, and suppressed cell apoptosis. In addition, these studies demonstrated that ELK3 could be a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in human cancer. Moreover, accumulating data proved that ELK3 could be a novel chemoresistance mediator in human cancer. Here, we aimed to explore the overall change of ELK3 and its underlying molecular mechanism in human cancers. Moreover, we aimed to investigate the potential role of ELK3 as a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker as well as its capability as a chemoresistance mediator in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ahmed Hjazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ziyadulla Eshmamatovich Zhumanov
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, With a Section-biopsy Course, Samarkand State Medical Institute, Amir Temur Street 18, Samarkand, Uzbekistan; Department of Scientific Affairs, Tashkent State Dental Institute, Makhtumkuli Street 103, Tashkent 100047, Uzbekistan
| | | | - Shad Imad
- Medical Technical College, Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ali Alsalamy
- College of Technical Engineering, Imam Ja'afar Al-Sadiq University, Al-Muthanna 66002, Iraq
| | - Beneen M Hussien
- Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | - Noor Sadiq Jaafer
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technologies, Al Rafidain University College, Bagdad, Iraq
| | - Reza Mahmoudi
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Reyes-Castellanos G, Abdel Hadi N, Gallardo-Arriaga S, Masoud R, Garcia J, Lac S, El Kaoutari A, Gicquel T, Planque M, Fendt SM, Linares LK, Gayet O, Guillaumond F, Dusetti N, Iovanna J, Carrier A. Combining the antianginal drug perhexiline with chemotherapy induces complete pancreatic cancer regression in vivo. iScience 2023; 26:106899. [PMID: 37305702 PMCID: PMC10250830 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the human cancers with the poorest prognosis. Interestingly, we found that mitochondrial respiration in primary human PDAC cells depends mainly on the fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to meet basic energy requirements. Therefore, we treated PDAC cells with perhexiline, a well-recognized FAO inhibitor used in cardiac diseases. Some PDAC cells respond efficiently to perhexiline, which acts synergistically with chemotherapy (gemcitabine) in vitro and in two xenografts in vivo. Importantly, perhexiline in combination with gemcitabine induces complete tumor regression in one PDAC xenograft. Mechanistically, this co-treatment causes energy and oxidative stress promoting apoptosis but does not exert inhibition of FAO. Yet, our molecular analysis indicates that the carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1C (CPT1C) isoform is a key player in the response to perhexiline and that patients with high CPT1C expression have better prognosis. Our study reveals that repurposing perhexiline in combination with chemotherapy is a promising approach to treat PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadine Abdel Hadi
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France
| | | | - Rawand Masoud
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France
| | - Julie Garcia
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France
| | - Sophie Lac
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France
| | | | - Tristan Gicquel
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France
| | - Mélanie Planque
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah-Maria Fendt
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laetitia Karine Linares
- INSERM, Université de Montpellier, IRCM, Institut Régional Du Cancer de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Odile Gayet
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France
| | - Fabienne Guillaumond
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France
| | - Nelson Dusetti
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France
| | - Juan Iovanna
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France
| | - Alice Carrier
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Samuel T, Rapic S, O'Brien C, Edson M, Zhong Y, DaCosta RS. Quantitative intravital imaging for real-time monitoring of pancreatic tumor cell hypoxia and stroma in an orthotopic mouse model. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade8672. [PMID: 37285434 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade8672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with few successful treatment options. Recent evidence demonstrates that tumor hypoxia promotes pancreatic tumor invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance. However, little is known about the complex relationship between hypoxia and the pancreatic tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, we developed a novel intravital fluorescence microscopy platform with an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer to study tumor cell hypoxia within the TME in vivo, at cellular resolution, over time. Using a fluorescent BxPC3-DsRed tumor cell line with a hypoxia-response element (HRE)/green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter, we showed that HRE/GFP is a reliable biomarker of pancreatic tumor hypoxia, responding dynamically and reversibly to changing oxygen concentrations within the TME. We also characterized the spatial relationships between tumor hypoxia, microvasculature, and tumor-associated collagen structures using in vivo second harmonic generation microscopy. This quantitative multimodal imaging platform enables the unprecedented study of hypoxia within the pancreatic TME in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Samuel
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sara Rapic
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cristiana O'Brien
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael Edson
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yuan Zhong
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ralph S DaCosta
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Nwosu ZC, Ward MH, Sajjakulnukit P, Poudel P, Ragulan C, Kasperek S, Radyk M, Sutton D, Menjivar RE, Andren A, Apiz-Saab JJ, Tolstyka Z, Brown K, Lee HJ, Dzierozynski LN, He X, Ps H, Ugras J, Nyamundanda G, Zhang L, Halbrook CJ, Carpenter ES, Shi J, Shriver LP, Patti GJ, Muir A, Pasca di Magliano M, Sadanandam A, Lyssiotis CA. Uridine-derived ribose fuels glucose-restricted pancreatic cancer. Nature 2023; 618:151-158. [PMID: 37198494 PMCID: PMC10232363 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06073-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal disease notoriously resistant to therapy1,2. This is mediated in part by a complex tumour microenvironment3, low vascularity4, and metabolic aberrations5,6. Although altered metabolism drives tumour progression, the spectrum of metabolites used as nutrients by PDA remains largely unknown. Here we identified uridine as a fuel for PDA in glucose-deprived conditions by assessing how more than 175 metabolites impacted metabolic activity in 21 pancreatic cell lines under nutrient restriction. Uridine utilization strongly correlated with the expression of uridine phosphorylase 1 (UPP1), which we demonstrate liberates uridine-derived ribose to fuel central carbon metabolism and thereby support redox balance, survival and proliferation in glucose-restricted PDA cells. In PDA, UPP1 is regulated by KRAS-MAPK signalling and is augmented by nutrient restriction. Consistently, tumours expressed high UPP1 compared with non-tumoural tissues, and UPP1 expression correlated with poor survival in cohorts of patients with PDA. Uridine is available in the tumour microenvironment, and we demonstrated that uridine-derived ribose is actively catabolized in tumours. Finally, UPP1 deletion restricted the ability of PDA cells to use uridine and blunted tumour growth in immunocompetent mouse models. Our data identify uridine utilization as an important compensatory metabolic process in nutrient-deprived PDA cells, suggesting a novel metabolic axis for PDA therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zeribe C Nwosu
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Matthew H Ward
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Peter Sajjakulnukit
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Pawan Poudel
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Chanthirika Ragulan
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Steven Kasperek
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Megan Radyk
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Damien Sutton
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rosa E Menjivar
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anthony Andren
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Juan J Apiz-Saab
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zachary Tolstyka
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kristee Brown
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ho-Joon Lee
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Xi He
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Hari Ps
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Julia Ugras
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gift Nyamundanda
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Christopher J Halbrook
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Eileen S Carpenter
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Leah P Shriver
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gary J Patti
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alexander Muir
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Marina Pasca di Magliano
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anguraj Sadanandam
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- Centre for Global Oncology, Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
| | - Costas A Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Palma AM, Vudatha V, Peixoto ML, Madan E. Tumor heterogeneity: An oncogenic driver of PDAC progression and therapy resistance under stress conditions. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 159:203-249. [PMID: 37268397 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a clinically challenging disease usually diagnosed at advanced or metastasized stage. By this year end, there are an expected increase in 62,210 new cases and 49,830 deaths in the United States, with 90% corresponding to PDAC subtype alone. Despite advances in cancer therapy, one of the major challenges combating PDAC remains tumor heterogeneity between PDAC patients and within the primary and metastatic lesions of the same patient. This review describes the PDAC subtypes based on the genomic, transcriptional, epigenetic, and metabolic signatures observed among patients and within individual tumors. Recent studies in tumor biology suggest PDAC heterogeneity as a major driver of disease progression under conditions of stress including hypoxia and nutrient deprivation, leading to metabolic reprogramming. We therefore advance our understanding in identifying the underlying mechanisms that interfere with the crosstalk between the extracellular matrix components and tumor cells that define the mechanics of tumor growth and metastasis. The bilateral interaction between the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment and PDAC cells serves as another important contributor that characterizes the tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressing phenotypes providing an opportunity for an effective treatment regime. Furthermore, we highlight the dynamic reciprocating interplay between the stromal and immune cells that impact immune surveillance or immune evasion response and contribute towards a complex process of tumorigenesis. In summary, the review encapsulates the existing knowledge of the currently applied treatments for PDAC with emphasis on tumor heterogeneity, manifesting at multiple levels, impacting disease progression and therapy resistance under stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vignesh Vudatha
- Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | | | - Esha Madan
- Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Bhoopathi P, Mannangatti P, Das SK, Fisher PB, Emdad L. Chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Overcoming resistance to therapy. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 159:285-341. [PMID: 37268399 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a prominent cause of cancer deaths worldwide, is a highly aggressive cancer most frequently detected at an advanced stage that limits treatment options to systemic chemotherapy, which has provided only marginal positive clinical outcomes. More than 90% of patients with PDAC die within a year of being diagnosed. PDAC is increasing at a rate of 0.5-1.0% per year, and it is expected to be the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality by 2030. The resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs, which can be innate or acquired, is the primary factor contributing to the ineffectiveness of cancer treatments. Although many PDAC patients initially responds to standard of care (SOC) drugs they soon develop resistance caused partly by the substantial cellular heterogeneity seen in PDAC tissue and the tumor microenvironment (TME), which are considered key factors contributing to resistance to therapy. A deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in PDAC progression and metastasis development, and the interplay of the TME in all these processes is essential to better comprehend the etiology and pathobiology of chemoresistance observed in PDAC. Recent research has recognized new therapeutic targets ushering in the development of innovative combinatorial therapies as well as enhancing our comprehension of several different cell death pathways. These approaches facilitate the lowering of the therapeutic threshold; however, the possibility of subsequent resistance development still remains a key issue and concern. Discoveries, that can target PDAC resistance, either alone or in combination, have the potential to serve as the foundation for future treatments that are effective without posing undue health risks. In this chapter, we discuss potential causes of PDAC chemoresistance and approaches for combating chemoresistance by targeting different pathways and different cellular functions associated with and mediating resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Bhoopathi
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Padmanabhan Mannangatti
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Murthy D, Attri KS. PTGES Expression Is Associated with Metabolic and Immune Reprogramming in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087304. [PMID: 37108468 PMCID: PMC10138618 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087304] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is an established hallmark of multiple cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Dysregulated metabolism is utilized by cancer cells for tumor progression, metastasis, immune microenvironment remodeling, and therapeutic resistance. Prostaglandin metabolites have been shown to be critical for inflammation and tumorigenesis. While the functional role of prostaglandin E2 metabolite has been extensively studied, there is a limited understanding of the PTGES enzyme in pancreatic cancer. Here, we investigated the relationship between expression of prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES) isoforms and the pathogenesis and regulation of pancreatic cancer. Our analysis identified higher expression of PTGES in pancreatic tumors compared to normal pancreatic tissues, suggesting an oncogenic function. Only PTGES1 expression was significantly correlated with worse prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. Further, utilizing cancer genome atlas data, PTGES was found to be positively correlated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metabolic pathways, mucin oncogenic proteins, and immune pathways in cancer cells. PTGES expression was also correlated with higher mutational burden in key driver genes, such as TP53 and KRAS. Furthermore, our analysis indicated that the oncogenic pathway controlled by PTGES1 could be regulated via DNA methylation-dependent epigenetic mechanisms. Notably, the glycolysis pathway was positively correlated with PTGES and may fuel cancer cell growth. PTGES expression was also associated with downregulation of the MHC pathway and negatively correlated with CD8+ T cell activation markers. In summary, our study established an association of PTGES expression with pancreatic cancer metabolism and the immune microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Divya Murthy
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kuldeep S Attri
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Masterson AN, Chowdhury NN, Fang Y, Yip-Schneider MT, Hati S, Gupta P, Cao S, Wu H, Schmidt CM, Fishel ML, Sardar R. Amplification-Free, High-Throughput Nanoplasmonic Quantification of Circulating MicroRNAs in Unprocessed Plasma Microsamples for Earlier Pancreatic Cancer Detection. ACS Sens 2023; 8:1085-1100. [PMID: 36853001 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c02105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly malignancy that is often detected at an advanced stage. Earlier diagnosis of PDAC is key to reducing mortality. Circulating biomarkers such as microRNAs are gaining interest, but existing technologies require large sample volumes, amplification steps, extensive biofluid processing, lack sensitivity, and are low-throughput. Here, we present an advanced nanoplasmonic sensor for the highly sensitive, amplification-free detection and quantification of microRNAs (microRNA-10b, microRNA-let7a) from unprocessed plasma microsamples. The sensor construct utilizes uniquely designed -ssDNA receptors attached to gold triangular nanoprisms, which display unique localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties, in a multiwell plate format. The formation of -ssDNA/microRNA duplex controls the nanostructure-biomolecule interfacial electronic interactions to promote the charge transfer/exciton delocalization processes and enhance the LSPR responses to achieve attomolar (10-18 M) limit of detection (LOD) in human plasma. This improve LOD allows the fabrication of a high-throughput assay in a 384-well plate format. The performance of nanoplasmonic sensors for microRNA detection was further assessed by comparing with the qRT-PCR assay of 15 PDAC patient plasma samples that shows a positive correlation between these two assays with the Pearson correlation coefficient value >0.86. Evaluation of >170 clinical samples reveals that oncogenic microRNA-10b and tumor suppressor microRNA-let7a levels can individually differentiate PDAC from chronic pancreatitis and normal controls with >94% sensitivity and >94% specificity at a 95% confidence interval (CI). Furthermore, combining both oncogenic and tumor suppressor microRNA levels significantly improves differentiation of PDAC stages I and II versus III and IV with >91% and 87% sensitivity and specificity, respectively, in comparison to the sensitivity and specificity values for individual microRNAs. Moreover, we show that the level of microRNAs varies substantially in pre- and post-surgery PDAC patients (n = 75). Taken together, this ultrasensitive nanoplasmonic sensor with excellent sensitivity and specificity is capable of assaying multiple biomarkers simultaneously and may facilitate early detection of PDAC to improve patient care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrianna N Masterson
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Nayela N Chowdhury
- Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Yue Fang
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Michele T Yip-Schneider
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Sumon Hati
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Prashant Gupta
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Sha Cao
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Huangbing Wu
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - C Max Schmidt
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Rajesh Sardar
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Springfeld C, Ferrone CR, Katz MHG, Philip PA, Hong TS, Hackert T, Büchler MW, Neoptolemos J. Neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:318-337. [PMID: 36932224 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00746-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Patients with localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are best treated with surgical resection of the primary tumour and systemic chemotherapy, which provides considerably longer overall survival (OS) durations than either modality alone. Regardless, most patients will have disease relapse owing to micrometastatic disease. Although currently a matter of some debate, considerable research interest has been focused on the role of neoadjuvant therapy for all forms of resectable PDAC. Whilst adjuvant combination chemotherapy remains the standard of care for patients with resectable PDAC, neoadjuvant chemotherapy seems to improve OS without necessarily increasing the resection rate in those with borderline-resectable disease. Furthermore, around 20% of patients with unresectable non-metastatic PDAC might undergo resection following 4-6 months of induction combination chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy, even in the absence of a clear radiological response, leading to improved OS outcomes in this group. Distinct molecular and biological responses to different types of therapies need to be better understood in order to enable the optimal sequencing of specific treatment modalities to further improve OS. In this Review, we describe current treatment strategies for the various clinical stages of PDAC and discuss developments that are likely to determine the optimal sequence of multimodality therapies by integrating the fundamental clinical and molecular features of the cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Springfeld
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumour Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Matthew H G Katz
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Philip A Philip
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Oncology, Henry Ford Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Theodore S Hong
- Research and Scientific Affairs, Gastrointestinal Service Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thilo Hackert
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus W Büchler
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John Neoptolemos
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Park SJ, Yoo HC, Ahn E, Luo E, Kim Y, Sung Y, Yu YC, Kim K, Min DS, Lee HS, Hwang GS, Ahn T, Choi J, Bang S, Han JM. Enhanced Glutaminolysis Drives Hypoxia-Induced Chemoresistance in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Res 2023; 83:735-752. [PMID: 36594876 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits severe hypoxia, which is associated with chemoresistance and worse patient outcome. It has been reported that hypoxia induces metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells. However, it is not well known whether metabolic reprogramming contributes to hypoxia. Here, we established that increased glutamine catabolism is a fundamental mechanism inducing hypoxia, and thus chemoresistance, in PDAC cells. An extracellular matrix component-based in vitro three-dimensional cell printing model with patient-derived PDAC cells that recapitulate the hypoxic status in PDAC tumors showed that chemoresistant PDAC cells exhibit markedly enhanced glutamine catabolism compared with chemoresponsive PDAC cells. The augmented glutamine metabolic flux increased the oxygen consumption rate via mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), promoting hypoxia and hypoxia-induced chemoresistance. Targeting glutaminolysis relieved hypoxia and improved chemotherapy efficacy in vitro and in vivo. This work suggests that targeting the glutaminolysis-OXPHOS-hypoxia axis is a novel therapeutic target for treating patients with chemoresistant PDAC. SIGNIFICANCE Increased glutaminolysis induces hypoxia via oxidative phosphorylation-mediated oxygen consumption and drives chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer, revealing a potential therapeutic strategy of combining glutaminolysis inhibition and chemotherapy to overcome resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seung Joon Park
- Interdisciplinary Program of Integrated OMICS for Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Hee Chan Yoo
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Eunyong Ahn
- Integrated Metabolomics Research Group, Western Seoul Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Enzhi Luo
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Yeabeen Kim
- Department of Life Science, Handong Global University, Pohang, South Korea
| | - Yulseung Sung
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Ya Chun Yu
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Kibum Kim
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Do Sik Min
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Hee Seung Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Geum-Sook Hwang
- Integrated Metabolomics Research Group, Western Seoul Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Seoul, South Korea
| | - TaeJin Ahn
- Department of Life Science, Handong Global University, Pohang, South Korea
| | - Junjeong Choi
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Seungmin Bang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung Min Han
- Interdisciplinary Program of Integrated OMICS for Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, South Korea
- POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Werba G, Weissinger D, Kawaler EA, Zhao E, Kalfakakou D, Dhara S, Wang L, Lim HB, Oh G, Jing X, Beri N, Khanna L, Gonda T, Oberstein P, Hajdu C, Loomis C, Heguy A, Sherman MH, Lund AW, Welling TH, Dolgalev I, Tsirigos A, Simeone DM. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the effects of chemotherapy on human pancreatic adenocarcinoma and its tumor microenvironment. Nat Commun 2023; 14:797. [PMID: 36781852 PMCID: PMC9925748 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36296-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a complex ecosystem that drives tumor progression; however, in-depth single cell characterization of the PDAC TME and its role in response to therapy is lacking. Here, we perform single-cell RNA sequencing on freshly collected human PDAC samples either before or after chemotherapy. Overall, we find a heterogeneous mixture of basal and classical cancer cell subtypes, along with distinct cancer-associated fibroblast and macrophage subpopulations. Strikingly, classical and basal-like cancer cells exhibit similar transcriptional responses to chemotherapy and do not demonstrate a shift towards a basal-like transcriptional program among treated samples. We observe decreased ligand-receptor interactions in treated samples, particularly between TIGIT on CD8 + T cells and its receptor on cancer cells, and identify TIGIT as the major inhibitory checkpoint molecule of CD8 + T cells. Our results suggest that chemotherapy profoundly impacts the PDAC TME and may promote resistance to immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Werba
- Department of Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Daniel Weissinger
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Emily A Kawaler
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Ende Zhao
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Despoina Kalfakakou
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Surajit Dhara
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Lidong Wang
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Heather B Lim
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Grace Oh
- Department of Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA.,Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Xiaohong Jing
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Nina Beri
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA.,Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Lauren Khanna
- Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Tamas Gonda
- Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Paul Oberstein
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA.,Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Cristina Hajdu
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Cynthia Loomis
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Adriana Heguy
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Mara H Sherman
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA
| | - Amanda W Lund
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA.,Department of Dermatology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Theodore H Welling
- Department of Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Igor Dolgalev
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Aristotelis Tsirigos
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA. .,Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA.
| | - Diane M Simeone
- Department of Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA. .,Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA. .,Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, 10016, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Sherman MH, Beatty GL. Tumor Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Resistance. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 18:123-148. [PMID: 36130070 PMCID: PMC9877114 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-031621-024600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 79.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) features a prominent stromal microenvironment with remarkable cellular and spatial heterogeneity that meaningfully impacts disease biology and treatment resistance. Recent advances in tissue imaging capabilities, single-cell analytics, and disease modeling have shed light on organizing principles that shape the stromal complexity of PDAC tumors. These insights into the functional and spatial dependencies that coordinate cancer cell biology and the relationships that exist between cells and extracellular matrix components present in tumors are expected to unveil therapeutic vulnerabilities. We review recent advances in the field and discuss current understandings of mechanisms by which the tumor microenvironment shapes PDAC pathogenesis and therapy resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mara H Sherman
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology; and Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA;
| | - Gregory L Beatty
- Abramson Cancer Center; and Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Gregori A, Bergonzini C, Capula M, Mantini G, Khojasteh-Leylakoohi F, Comandatore A, Khalili-Tanha G, Khooei A, Morelli L, Avan A, Danen EH, Schmidt T, Giovannetti E. Prognostic Significance of Integrin Subunit Alpha 2 (ITGA2) and Role of Mechanical Cues in Resistance to Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030628. [PMID: 36765586 PMCID: PMC9913151 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION PDAC is an extremely aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis and remarkable therapeutic resistance. The dense extracellular matrix (ECM) which characterizes PDAC progression is considered a fundamental determinant of chemoresistance, with major contributions from mechanical factors. This study combined biomechanical and pharmacological approaches to evaluate the role of the cell-adhesion molecule ITGA2, a key regulator of ECM, in PDAC resistance to gemcitabine. METHODS The prognostic value of ITGA2 was analysed in publicly available databases and tissue-microarrays of two cohorts of radically resected and metastatic patients treated with gemcitabine. PANC-1 and its gemcitabine-resistant clone (PANC-1R) were analysed by RNA-sequencing and label-free proteomics. The role of ITGA2 in migration, proliferation, and apoptosis was investigated using hydrogel-coated wells, siRNA-mediated knockdown and overexpression, while collagen-embedded spheroids assessed invasion and ECM remodeling. RESULTS High ITGA2 expression correlated with shorter progression-free and overall survival, supporting its impact on prognosis and the lack of efficacy of gemcitabine treatment. These findings were corroborated by transcriptomic and proteomic analyses showing that ITGA2 was upregulated in the PANC-1R clone. The aggressive behavior of these cells was significantly reduced by ITGA2 silencing both in vitro and in vivo, while PANC-1 cells growing under conditions resembling PDAC stiffness acquired resistance to gemcitabine, associated to increased ITGA2 expression. Collagen-embedded spheroids of PANC-1R showed a significant matrix remodeling and spreading potential via increased expression of CXCR4 and MMP2. Additionally, overexpression of ITGA2 in MiaPaCa-2 cells triggered gemcitabine resistance and increased proliferation, both in vitro and in vivo, associated to upregulation of phospho-AKT. CONCLUSIONS ITGA2 emerged as a new prognostic factor, highlighting the relevance of stroma mechanical properties as potential therapeutic targets to counteract gemcitabine resistance in PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Gregori
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cecilia Bergonzini
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mjriam Capula
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Life Sciences, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per La Scienza, 56017 San Giuliano, Italy
| | - Giulia Mantini
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per La Scienza, 56017 San Giuliano, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Comandatore
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ghazaleh Khalili-Tanha
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91886-17871, Iran
| | - Alireza Khooei
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91886-17871, Iran
| | - Luca Morelli
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91886-17871, Iran
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91886-17871, Iran
| | - Erik H. Danen
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Schmidt
- Physics of Life Processes, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, 2333 CA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Cancer Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per La Scienza, 56017 San Giuliano, Italy
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Yang S, Tang W, Azizian A, Gaedcke J, Ströbel P, Wang L, Cawley H, Ohara Y, Valenzuela P, Zhang L, Lal T, Sinha S, Rupin E, Hanna N, Ghadimi BM, Hussain SP. Dysregulation of HNF1B/Clusterin axis enhances disease progression in a highly aggressive subset of pancreatic cancer patients. Carcinogenesis 2022; 43:1198-1210. [PMID: 36426859 PMCID: PMC10122429 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgac092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy and is largely refractory to available treatments. Identifying key pathways associated with disease aggressiveness and therapeutic resistance may characterize candidate targets to improve patient outcomes. We used a strategy of examining the tumors from a subset of PDAC patient cohorts with the worst survival to understand the underlying mechanisms of aggressive disease progression and to identify candidate molecular targets with potential therapeutic significance. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering, using gene expression profile, revealed three patient subsets. A 142-gene signature specific to the subset with the worst patient survival, predicted prognosis and stratified patients with significantly different survival in the test and validation cohorts. Gene-network and pathway analysis of the 142-gene signature revealed dysregulation of Clusterin (CLU) in the most aggressive patient subset in our patient cohort. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 b (HNF1B) positively regulated CLU, and a lower expression of HNF1B and CLU was associated with poor patient survival. Mechanistic and functional analyses revealed that CLU inhibits proliferation, 3D spheroid growth, invasiveness and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, CLU enhanced proteasomal degradation of EMT-regulator, ZEB1. In addition, orthotopic transplant of CLU-expressing pancreatic cancer cells reduced tumor growth in mice. Furthermore, CLU enhanced sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells representing aggressive patient subset, to the chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine. Taken together, HNF1B/CLU axis negatively regulates pancreatic cancer progression and may potentially be useful in designing novel strategies to attenuate disease progression in PDAC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shouhui Yang
- Pancreatic Cancer Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wei Tang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Azadeh Azizian
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jochen Gaedcke
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Limin Wang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Helen Cawley
- Pancreatic Cancer Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yuuki Ohara
- Pancreatic Cancer Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Paloma Valenzuela
- Pancreatic Cancer Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lin Zhang
- Pancreatic Cancer Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Trisha Lal
- Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sanju Sinha
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, CCR, NCI, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eythan Rupin
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, CCR, NCI, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nader Hanna
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - B Michael Ghadimi
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - S Perwez Hussain
- Pancreatic Cancer Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Yang Y, Cao L, Guo Z, Gu H, Zhang K, Qiu Z. Deubiquitinase UCHL5 stabilizes ELK3 to potentiate cancer stemness and tumor progression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Exp Cell Res 2022; 421:113402. [PMID: 36328194 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) contributes to tumorigeneisis or drug resistance of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Previous studies have implicated the deubiquitinase UCHL5 was abnormally expressed in multiple malignancies. However, little was reported about the specific roles of UCHL5 in PAAD. We aimed to identify the biological roles of UCHL5 in PAAD and demonstrate its prognostic significance. Differential analysis revealed that UCHL5 expressed highly in tumors versus normal tissues, like TCGA-PAAD, GSE28735, GSE15471 and collected samples. Patients with high UCHL5 expressions had worse survival outcomes relative to those with low UCHL5 levels. Experimental assays showed that UCHL5 overexpression could significantly enhance cell proliferation, colony formation and self-renewal capacities. UCHL5 could also promote PAAD migration in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, UCHL5 could directly deubiquitinate and stabilize ELK3 proteins. UCHL5 relied on accumulated ELK3 proteins to drive cell growth, stem-like properties and migration abilities. In addition, enrichment analysis based on RNA-seq data implicated that ELK3 mainly correlated with Notch1 signaling and ELK3 could notably elevate ELK3 mRNA levels. UCHL5 could thus promote self-renewal abilities of PAAD and targeting ELK3 could inhibit the stemness features. In contrast, UCHL5 deficiency could suppress PAAD stemness features, and ectopic expression of ELK3 could rescue this effect. Last of all, we utilized the UCHL5 inhibitor, b-AP15, to treat PAAD cells and found that b-AP15 could inhibit the growth of PAAD cells in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, our study uncovered the underlying mechanisms of UCHL5/ELK3/Notch1 axis in PAAD progression and stemness maintaince, shedding light on individualized treatment and risk stratification for PAAD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Lei Cao
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Suqian First People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Zengya Guo
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Haitao Gu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Kundong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Zhengjun Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Yu YC, Ahmed A, Lai HC, Cheng WC, Yang JC, Chang WC, Chen LM, Shan YS, Ma WL. Review of the endocrine organ-like tumor hypothesis of cancer cachexia in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1057930. [PMID: 36465353 PMCID: PMC9713001 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1057930] [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: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal types of solid tumors, associated with a high prevalence of cachexia (~80%). PDAC-derived cachexia (PDAC-CC) is a systemic disease involving the complex interplay between the tumor and multiple organs. The endocrine organ-like tumor (EOLT) hypothesis may explain the systemic crosstalk underlying the deleterious homeostatic shifts that occur in PDAC-CC. Several studies have reported a markedly heterogeneous collection of cachectic mediators, signaling mechanisms, and metabolic pathways, including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, hormonal disturbance, pro-inflammatory cytokine storm, digestive and tumor-derived factors, and PDAC progression. The complexities of PDAC-CC necessitate a careful review of recent literature summarizing cachectic mediators, corresponding metabolic functions, and the collateral impacts on wasting organs. The EOLT hypothesis suggests that metabolites, genetic instability, and epigenetic changes (microRNAs) are involved in cachexia development. Both tumors and host tissues can secrete multiple cachectic factors (beyond only inflammatory mediators). Some regulatory molecules, metabolites, and microRNAs are tissue-specific, resulting in insufficient energy production to support tumor/cachexia development. Due to these complexities, changes in a single factor can trigger bi-directional feedback circuits that exacerbate PDAC and result in the development of irreversible cachexia. We provide an integrated review based on 267 papers and 20 clinical trials from PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov database proposed under the EOLT hypothesis that may provide a fundamental understanding of cachexia development and response to current treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Chun Yu
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Tumor Biology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Azaj Ahmed
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Chou Lai
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chung Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Tumor Biology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Juan-Chern Yang
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chun Chang
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Tumor Biology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Lu-Min Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Shen Shan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chen Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Lung Ma
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Tumor Biology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Gautam SK, Basu S, Aithal A, Dwivedi NV, Gulati M, Jain M. Regulation of pancreatic cancer therapy resistance by chemokines. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:69-80. [PMID: 36064086 PMCID: PMC10370390 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy characterized by high resistance and poor response to chemotherapy. In addition, the poorly immunogenic pancreatic tumors constitute an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that render immunotherapy-based approaches ineffective. Understanding the mechanisms of therapy resistance, identifying new targets, and developing effective strategies to overcome resistance can significantly impact the management of PDAC patients. Chemokines are small soluble factors that are significantly deregulated during PDAC pathogenesis, contributing to tumor growth, metastasis, immune cell trafficking, and therapy resistance. Thus far, different chemokine pathways have been explored as therapeutic targets in PDAC, with some promising results in recent clinical trials. Particularly, immunotherapies such as immune check point blockade therapies and CAR-T cell therapies have shown promising results when combined with chemokine targeted therapies. Considering the emerging pathological and clinical significance of chemokines in PDAC, we reviewed major chemokine-regulated pathways leading to therapy resistance and the ongoing endeavors to target chemokine signaling in PDAC. This review discusses the role of chemokines in regulating therapy resistance in PDAC and highlights the continuing efforts to target chemokine-regulated pathways to improve the efficacy of various treatment modalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shailendra K Gautam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Soumi Basu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Abhijit Aithal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Nidhi V Dwivedi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Mansi Gulati
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Deng D, Patel R, Chiang CY, Hou P. Role of the Tumor Microenvironment in Regulating Pancreatic Cancer Therapy Resistance. Cells 2022; 11:cells11192952. [PMID: 36230914 PMCID: PMC9563251 DOI: 10.3390/cells11192952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has a notoriously poor prognosis, exhibits persistent drug resistance, and lacks a cure. Unique features of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment exacerbate tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Recent studies emphasize the importance of exploiting cells in the tumor microenvironment to thwart cancers. In this review, we summarize the hallmarks of the multifaceted pancreatic tumor microenvironment, notably pancreatic stellate cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, macrophages, and neutrophils, in the regulation of chemo-, radio-, immuno-, and targeted therapy resistance in pancreatic cancer. The molecular insight will facilitate the development of novel therapeutics against pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daiyong Deng
- Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Riya Patel
- Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Cheng-Yao Chiang
- Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Pingping Hou
- Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Targeting the Metabolic Rewiring in Pancreatic Cancer and Its Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184351. [PMID: 36139512 PMCID: PMC9497173 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with only a few effective therapeutic options. A characteristic feature of PDAC is its unique tumor microenvironment (TME), termed desmoplasia, which shows extensive fibrosis and extracellular matrix deposition, generating highly hypoxic and nutrient-deprived conditions within the tumor. To thrive in this harsh TME, PDAC undergoes extensive metabolic rewiring that includes the altered use of glucose and glutamine, constitutive activation of autophagy-lysosomal pathways, and nutrient acquisition from host cells in the TME. Notably, these properties support PDAC metabolism and mediate therapeutic resistance, including immune suppression. A deeper understanding of the unique metabolic properties of PDAC and its TME may aid in the development of novel therapeutic strategies against this deadly disease.
Collapse
|
46
|
Role of drug catabolism, modulation of oncogenic signaling and tumor microenvironment in microbe-mediated pancreatic cancer chemoresistance. Drug Resist Updat 2022; 64:100864. [PMID: 36115181 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2022.100864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the highest incidence/death ratios among all neoplasms due to its late diagnosis and dominant chemoresistance. Most PDAC patients present with an advanced disease characterized by a multifactorial, inherent and acquired resistance to current anticancer treatments. This remarkable chemoresistance has been ascribed to several PDAC features including the genetic landscape, metabolic alterations, and a heterogeneous tumor microenvironment that is characterized by dense fibrosis, and a cellular contexture including functionally distinct subclasses of cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune suppressive cells, but also a number of bacteria, shaping a specific tumor microbiome microenvironment. Thus, recent studies prompted the emergence of a new research avenue, by describing the role of the microbiome in gemcitabine resistance, while next-generation-sequencing analyses identified a specific microbiome in different tumors, including PDAC. Functionally, the contribution of these microbes to PDAC chemoresistance is only beginning to be explored. Here we provide an overview of the studies demonstrating that bacteria have the capacity to metabolically transform and hence inactivate anticancer drugs, as exemplified by the inhibition of the efficacy of 10 out of 30 chemotherapeutics by Escherichia coli. Moreover, a number of bacteria modulate specific oncogenic pathways, such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, affecting autophagy and apoptosis induction by 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. We hypothesize that improved understanding of how chemoresistance is driven by bacteria could enhance the efficacy of current treatments, and discuss the potential of microbiome modulation and targeted therapeutic approaches as well as the need for more reliable models and biomarkers to translate the findings of preclinical/translational research to the clinical setting, and ultimately overcome PDAC chemoresistance, hence improving clinical outcome.
Collapse
|
47
|
It Takes Two to Tango: Potential Prognostic Impact of Circulating TGF-Beta and PD-L1 in Pancreatic Cancer. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12070960. [PMID: 35888050 PMCID: PMC9323895 DOI: 10.3390/life12070960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly devastating disease with rising incidence and poor prognosis. The lack of reliable prognostic biomarkers hampers the individual evaluation of the survival and recurrence potential. Methods: Here, we investigate the value of plasma levels of two potential key players in molecular mechanisms underlying PDAC aggressiveness and immune evasion, soluble TGF-beta (sTGF-beta) and sPD-L1, in both metastatic and radically-resected PDAC. To this aim we prospectively enrolled 38 PDAC patients and performed appropriate statistical analyses in order to evaluate their correlation, and role in the prediction of disease relapse/progression, and patients’ outcome. Results: Metastatic patients showed lower levels of circulating sTGF-beta and higher levels of sPD-L1 compared to radically-resected patients. Moreover, a decrease in sTGF-beta levels (but not sPD-L1) was significantly associated with disease relapse in radically-resected patients. We also observed lower sTGF-beta at disease progression after first-line chemotherapy in metastatic patients, though this change was not statistically significant. We found a significant correlation between the levels of sTGF-beta and sPD-L1 before first-line chemotherapy. Conclusions: These findings support the possible interaction of TGF-beta and PD-L1 pathways and suggest that sTGF-beta and sPD-L1 might synergize and be new potential blood-based biomarkers.
Collapse
|
48
|
Sánchez P, Salas CO, Gallardo-Fuentes S, Villegas A, Veloso N, Honores J, Inman M, Isaacs M, Contreras R, Moody CJ, Cisterna J, Brito I, Tapia RA. Phenoxy- and Phenylamino-Heterocyclic Quinones: Synthesis and Preliminary Anti-Pancreatic Cancer Activity. Chem Biodivers 2022; 19:e202101036. [PMID: 35581163 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202101036] [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: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The successful application of fragment-based drug discovery strategy for the efficient synthesis of phenoxy- or phenylamino-2-phenyl-benzofuran, -benzoxazole and -benzothiazole quinones is described. Interestingly, in the final step of the synthesis of the target compounds, unusual results were observed on the regiochemistry of the reaction of bromoquinones with phenol and aniline. A theoretical study was carried out for better understanding the factors that control the regiochemistry of these reactions. The substituted heterocyclic quinones were evaluated in vitro to determine their cytotoxicity by the MTT method in three pancreatic cancer cell lines (MIA-PaCa-2, BxPC-3, and AsPC-1). Phenoxy benzothiazole quinone 26a showed potent cytotoxic activity against BxPC-3 cell lines, while phenylamino benzoxazole quinone 20 was the most potent on MIA-PaCa-2 cells. Finally, electrochemical properties of these quinones were determined to correlate with a potential mechanism of action. All these results, indicate that the phenoxy quinone fragment led to compounds with increased activity against pancreatic cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricio Sánchez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 6094411, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristian O Salas
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 6094411, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastián Gallardo-Fuentes
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, P.O. Box 653, 7750000, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alondra Villegas
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 6094411, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nicolás Veloso
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 6094411, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jessica Honores
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 6094411, Santiago, Chile
| | - Martyn Inman
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Mauricio Isaacs
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 6094411, Santiago, Chile
| | - Renato Contreras
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, P.O. Box 653, 7750000, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christopher J Moody
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Jonathan Cisterna
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Antofagasta, 02800, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Iván Brito
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Antofagasta, 02800, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Ricardo A Tapia
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 6094411, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Maurici CE, Colenbier R, Wylleman B, Brancato L, van Zwol E, Van den Bossche J, Timmermans JP, Giovannetti E, Mori da Cunha MGMC, Bogers J. Hyperthermia Enhances Efficacy of Chemotherapeutic Agents in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines. Biomolecules 2022; 12:651. [PMID: 35625581 PMCID: PMC9138677 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy (CT) is the standard care for advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); however, with limited efficacy. Hyperthermia (HT) treatment has been suggested as a sensitizer to improve outcomes. However, the direct effect of the HT and CT combination is not fully understood. Therefore, we aim to assess the direct cytotoxic effect of HT in PDAC cells as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapeutics. Different temperatures (37-, 40.5-, 41-, and 41.5 °C) and durations (6-, 12-, and 24 h) were tested in PDAC cell lines (BxPC-3, Capan-1, Capan-2, PANC-1, and MIA-PaCa-2). Different concentrations of gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, and cisplatin were also tested in these conditions. The impact on cell metabolic activity was determined by an MTS assay. Enhancement of chemosensitivity was assessed by a reduction in half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). HT and chemotherapeutics interactions were classified as antagonistic, additive, or synergistic using the combination index. HT inhibited cell proliferation in a cell type, temperature, and duration-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis was seen after 6 h of HT treatment, eventually followed by secondary necrosis. The HT and CT combination led to an IC50 reduction of the tested CT. At 12 h of HT, this effect was between 25 to 90% and reached a 95% reduction at 24 h. The additive or synergistic effect was demonstrated in all cell lines and chemotherapeutics, although, again, this depended on cell type, duration, and temperature. HT is cytotoxic and enhances the therapeutic effectiveness of gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, and cisplatin on PDAC cells. This result was further confirmed by the decrease in the expression of RRM2, TS, and ERCC1 in BxPC-3 and Capan-2 cells. These observations warrant further study in specific subsets of PDAC patients to improve their clinical outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Costanza E. Maurici
- ElmediX NV, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium; (C.E.M.); (B.W.); (L.B.); (E.v.Z.); (J.V.d.B.); (M.G.M.C.M.d.C.)
| | - Robin Colenbier
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; (R.C.); (J.-P.T.)
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, 1006 Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Britta Wylleman
- ElmediX NV, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium; (C.E.M.); (B.W.); (L.B.); (E.v.Z.); (J.V.d.B.); (M.G.M.C.M.d.C.)
| | - Luigi Brancato
- ElmediX NV, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium; (C.E.M.); (B.W.); (L.B.); (E.v.Z.); (J.V.d.B.); (M.G.M.C.M.d.C.)
| | - Eke van Zwol
- ElmediX NV, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium; (C.E.M.); (B.W.); (L.B.); (E.v.Z.); (J.V.d.B.); (M.G.M.C.M.d.C.)
| | - Johan Van den Bossche
- ElmediX NV, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium; (C.E.M.); (B.W.); (L.B.); (E.v.Z.); (J.V.d.B.); (M.G.M.C.M.d.C.)
| | - Jean-Pierre Timmermans
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; (R.C.); (J.-P.T.)
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, 1006 Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, 56017 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Johannes Bogers
- ElmediX NV, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium; (C.E.M.); (B.W.); (L.B.); (E.v.Z.); (J.V.d.B.); (M.G.M.C.M.d.C.)
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; (R.C.); (J.-P.T.)
- Applied Molecular Biology Research Group (AMBIOR), University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Silveira MAD, Bilodeau S, Greten TF, Wang XW, Trinchieri G. The gut-liver axis: host microbiota interactions shape hepatocarcinogenesis. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:583-597. [PMID: 35331674 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Although their etiologies vary, tumors share a common trait: the control of an oncogenic transcriptional program that is regulated by the interaction of the malignant cells with the stromal and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME shows high phenotypic and functional heterogeneity that may be modulated by interactions with commensal microbes (the microbiota) both systemically and locally. Unlike host cells, the microbiota adapts after environmental perturbations, impacting host-microbe interactions. In the liver, the bidirectional relationship in the gut and its associated microbiota creates an interdependent environment. Therefore, the gut microbiota and its metabolites modulate liver gene expression directly and indirectly, causing an imbalance in the gut-liver axis, which may result in disease, including carcinogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maruhen A D Silveira
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA; Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe Oncologie, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Québec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Steve Bilodeau
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe Oncologie, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer de l'Université Laval, Québec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada; Centre de Recherche en Données Massives de l'Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; Département de Biologie Moléculaire, Biochimie Médicale et Pathologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Tim F Greten
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy Section, Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA; NCI-CCR Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xin Wei Wang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA; NCI-CCR Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Giorgio Trinchieri
- NCI-CCR Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA; Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|