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Piekuś-Słomka N, Mocan LP, Shkreli R, Grapă C, Denkiewicz K, Wesolowska O, Kornek M, Spârchez Z, Słomka A, Crăciun R, Mocan T. Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover: The Role of Statins in Liver Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5100. [PMID: 37894467 PMCID: PMC10605163 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Statins, which are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, are an effective pharmacological tool for lowering blood cholesterol levels. This property makes statins one of the most popular drugs used primarily to prevent cardiovascular diseases, where hyperlipidemia is a significant risk factor that increases mortality. Nevertheless, studies conducted mainly in the last decade have shown that statins might prevent and treat liver cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. This narrative review summarizes the scientific achievements to date regarding the role of statins in liver tumors. Molecular biology tools have revealed that cell growth and proliferation can be inhibited by statins, which further inhibit angiogenesis. Clinical studies, supported by meta-analysis, confirm that statins are highly effective in preventing and treating hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. However, this effect may depend on the statin's type and dose, and more clinical trials are required to evaluate clinical effects. Moreover, their potential hepatotoxicity is a significant caveat for using statins in clinical practice. Nevertheless, this group of drugs, initially developed to prevent cardiovascular diseases, is now a key candidate in hepato-oncology patient management. The description of new drug-statin-like structures, e.g., with low toxicity to liver cells, may bring another clinically significant improvement to current cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Piekuś-Słomka
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Jurasza 2, 85-089 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Lavinia Patricia Mocan
- Department of Histology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Rezarta Shkreli
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Aldent University, 1001-1028 Tirana, Albania;
| | - Cristiana Grapă
- Department of Physiology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Kinga Denkiewicz
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.D.); (O.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Oliwia Wesolowska
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.D.); (O.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Miroslaw Kornek
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Zeno Spârchez
- 3rd Medical Department, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Artur Słomka
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.D.); (O.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Rareș Crăciun
- 3rd Medical Department, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Octavian Fodor” Institute for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Tudor Mocan
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Octavian Fodor” Institute for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- UBBMed Department, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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2
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Begolli R, Chatziangelou M, Samiotaki M, Goutas A, Barda S, Goutzourelas N, Kevrekidis DP, Malea P, Trachana V, Liu M, Lin X, Kollatos N, Stagos D, Giakountis A. Transcriptome and proteome analysis reveals the anti-cancer properties of Hypnea musciformis marine macroalga extract in liver and intestinal cancer cells. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:71. [PMID: 37525271 PMCID: PMC10388463 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00517-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marine seaweeds are considered as a rich source of health-promoting compounds by the food and pharmaceutical industry. Hypnea musciformis is a marine red macroalga (seaweed) that is widely distributed throughout the world, including the Mediterranean Sea. It is known to contain various bioactive compounds, including sulfated polysaccharides, flavonoids, and phlorotannins. Recent studies have investigated the potential anticancer effects of extracts from H. musciformis demonstrating their cytotoxic effects on various cancer cell lines. The anticancer effects of these extracts are thought to be due to the presence of bioactive compounds, particularly sulfated polysaccharides, which have been shown to have anticancer and immunomodulatory effects. However, further studies are needed to fully understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie their anticancer effects and to determine their potential as therapeutic agents for cancer treatment. METHODS H. musciformis was collected from the Aegean Sea (Greece) and used for extract preparation. Transcriptome and proteome analysis was performed in liver and colon cancer human cell lines following treatment with H. musciformis seaweed extracts to characterize its anticancer effect in detail at the molecular level and to link transcriptome and proteome responses to the observed phenotypes in cancer cells. RESULTS We have identified that treatment with the seaweed extract triggers a p53-mediated response at the transcriptional and protein level in liver cancer cells, in contrast to colon cancer cells in which the effects are more associated with metabolic changes. Furthermore, we show that in treated HepG2 liver cancer cells, p53 interacts with the chromatin of several target genes and facilitates their upregulation possibly through the recruitment of the p300 co-activator. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the available evidence suggests that extracts from H. musciformis have the potential to serve as a source of anticancer agents in liver cancer cells mainly through activation of a p53-mediated anti-tumor response that is linked to inhibition of cellular proliferation and induction of cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodiola Begolli
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | - Myrto Chatziangelou
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | | | - Andreas Goutas
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41500, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | - Sofia Barda
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Goutzourelas
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Phaedon Kevrekidis
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Malea
- Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Varvara Trachana
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41500, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | - Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xiukun Lin
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, 12 Binhai Rd, Qinzhou, 535011, Guangxi, China
| | - Nikolaos Kollatos
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Stagos
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Antonis Giakountis
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500, Biopolis, Larissa, Greece.
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3
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Cernea S, Onișor D. Screening and interventions to prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:286-309. [PMID: 36687124 PMCID: PMC9846941 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i2.286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) comprising most cases. Besides hepatitis B and C viral infections, heavy alcohol use, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-associated advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, several other risk factors for HCC have been identified (i.e. old age, obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes). These might in fact partially explain the occurrence of HCC in non-cirrhotic patients without viral infection. HCC surveillance through effective screening programs is still an unmet need for many nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, and identification of pre-cirrhotic individuals who progress to HCC represents a substantial challenge in clinical practice at the moment. Patients with NASH-cirrhosis should undergo systematic HCC surveillance, while this might be considered in patients with advanced fibrosis based on individual risk assessment. In this context, interventions that potentially prevent NAFLD/ NASH-associated HCC are needed. This paper provided an overview of evidence related to lifestyle changes (i.e. weight loss, physical exercise, adherence to healthy dietary patterns, intake of certain dietary components, etc.) and pharmacological interventions that might play a protective role by targeting the underlying causative factors and pathogenetic mechanisms. However, well-designed prospective studies specifically dedicated to NAFLD/NASH patients are still needed to clarify the relationship with HCC risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Cernea
- Department M3/Internal Medicine I, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, Târgu Mureş 540139, Romania
- Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Outpatient Unit, Emergency County Clinical Hospital, Târgu Mureş 540136, Romania
| | - Danusia Onișor
- Department ME2/Internal Medicine VII, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureş, Târgu Mureş 540139, Romania
- Gastroenterology Department, Mureș County Clinical Hospital, Târgu Mureș 540072, Romania
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4
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Abstract
Liver cancer, mainly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. With the global epidemic of obesity, the major HCC etiologies have been dynamically shifting from viral to metabolic liver diseases. This change has made HCC prevention difficult with increasingly elusive at-risk populations as rational target for preventive interventions. Besides ongoing efforts to reduce obesity and metabolic disorders, chemoprevention in patients who already have metabolic liver diseases may have a significant impact on the poor HCC prognosis. Hepatitis B- and hepatitis C-related HCC incidences have been substantially reduced by the new antivirals, but HCC risk can persist over a decade even after successful viral treatment, highlighting the need for HCC-preventive measures also in these patients. Experimental and retrospective studies have suggested potential utility of generic agents such as lipophilic statins and aspirin for HCC chemoprevention given their well-characterized safety profile, although anticipated efficacy may be modest. In this review, we overview recent clinical and translational studies of generic agents in the context of HCC chemoprevention under the contemporary HCC etiologies. We also discuss newly emerging approaches to overcome the challenges in clinical testing of the agents to facilitate their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahmida Rasha
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center; Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases; Department of Internal Medicine; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Subhojit Paul
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center; Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases; Department of Internal Medicine; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Tracey G Simon
- Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center; Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases; Department of Internal Medicine; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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5
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Crouchet E, Li S, Sojoodi M, Bandiera S, Fujiwara N, El Saghire H, Zhu S, Qian T, Rasha FA, Del Zompo F, Barrett SC, Schaeffer E, Oudot MA, Ponsolles C, Durand SC, Ghoshal S, Arora G, Giannone F, Chung RT, Slovic N, Van Renne N, Felli E, Pessaux P, Lupberger J, Pochet N, Schuster C, Tanabe KK, Hoshida Y, Fuchs BC, Baumert TF. Hepatocellular carcinoma chemoprevention by targeting the angiotensin-converting enzyme and EGFR transactivation. JCI Insight 2022; 7:159254. [PMID: 35801591 PMCID: PMC9310532 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.159254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of death among cirrhotic patients, for which chemopreventive strategies are lacking. Recently, we developed a simple human cell-based system modeling a clinical prognostic liver signature (PLS) predicting liver disease progression and HCC risk. In a previous study, we applied our cell-based system for drug discovery and identified captopril, an approved angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, as a candidate compound for HCC chemoprevention. Here, we explored ACE as a therapeutic target for HCC chemoprevention. Captopril reduced liver fibrosis and effectively prevented liver disease progression toward HCC development in a diethylnitrosamine (DEN) rat cirrhosis model and a diet-based rat model for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis–induced (NASH-induced) hepatocarcinogenesis. RNA-Seq analysis of cirrhotic rat liver tissues uncovered that captopril suppressed the expression of pathways mediating fibrogenesis, inflammation, and carcinogenesis, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Mechanistic data in liver disease models uncovered a cross-activation of the EGFR pathway by angiotensin. Corroborating the clinical translatability of the approach, captopril significantly reversed the HCC high-risk status of the PLS in liver tissues of patients with advanced fibrosis. Captopril effectively prevents fibrotic liver disease progression toward HCC development in preclinical models and is a generic and safe candidate drug for HCC chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Crouchet
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Shen Li
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mozhdeh Sojoodi
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Simonetta Bandiera
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Naoto Fujiwara
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Hussein El Saghire
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Shijia Zhu
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Tongqi Qian
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Fahmida Akter Rasha
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Fabio Del Zompo
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stephen C Barrett
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eugénie Schaeffer
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Marine A Oudot
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Clara Ponsolles
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sarah C Durand
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sarani Ghoshal
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gunisha Arora
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fabio Giannone
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France.,Service de chirurgie viscérale et digestive, Pôle hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Institut hospitalo-universitaire (IHU), Institute for Minimally Invasive Hybrid Image-Guided Surgery, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Massachusetts General Hospital
| | - Nevena Slovic
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Nicolaas Van Renne
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Emanuele Felli
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France.,Service de chirurgie viscérale et digestive, Pôle hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Institut hospitalo-universitaire (IHU), Institute for Minimally Invasive Hybrid Image-Guided Surgery, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Patrick Pessaux
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France.,Service de chirurgie viscérale et digestive, Pôle hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Institut hospitalo-universitaire (IHU), Institute for Minimally Invasive Hybrid Image-Guided Surgery, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Joachim Lupberger
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Nathalie Pochet
- Program in Translational NeuroPsychiatric Genomics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Catherine Schuster
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Kenneth K Tanabe
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Bryan C Fuchs
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, Strasbourg, France.,Service de chirurgie viscérale et digestive, Pôle hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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6
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Kubota N, Fujiwara N, Hoshida Y. Liver cancer risk-predictive molecular biomarkers specific to clinico-epidemiological contexts. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 156:1-37. [PMID: 35961696 PMCID: PMC7616039 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.01.005] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk prediction is increasingly important because of the low annual HCC incidence in patients with the rapidly emerging non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or cured HCV infection. To date, numerous clinical HCC risk biomarkers and scores have been reported in literature. However, heterogeneity in clinico-epidemiological context, e.g., liver disease etiology, patient race/ethnicity, regional environmental exposure, and lifestyle-related factors, obscure their real clinical utility and applicability. Proper characterization of these factors will help refine HCC risk prediction according to certain clinical context/scenarios and contribute to improved early HCC detection. Molecular factors underlying the clinical heterogeneity encompass various features in host genetics, hepatic and systemic molecular dysregulations, and cross-organ interactions, which may serve as clinical-context-specific biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets. Toward the goal to enable individual-risk-based HCC screening by incorporating the HCC risk biomarkers/scores, their assessment in patient with well-defined clinical context/scenario is critical to gauge their real value and to maximize benefit of the tailored patient management for substantial improvement of the poor HCC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Kubota
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Naoto Fujiwara
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States; Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
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7
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Crouchet E, Schuster C, Baumert TF. Liver cell circuits and therapeutic discovery for advanced liver disease and cancer. C R Biol 2021; 344:233-248. [PMID: 35786628 PMCID: PMC7613418 DOI: 10.5802/crbiol.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health challenge with rising incidence. Despite the previous approval of several novel therapeutic approaches, HCC remains the second common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The vast majority of HCCs arises in the context of chronic fibrotic liver diseases caused by viral or metabolic etiologies. In patients with advanced liver disease the risk of HCC persists even after viral cure or control of infection. Moreover, given the change in the lifestyle and increase of obesity and metabolic disorders, HCC incidence is predicted to drastically augment in the next decade. Early detection, improvement of the screening method in patient at-risk and development of chemopreventive strategies are therefore urgently needed to reduce HCC risk. This review summarizes the major challenges in the identification of patient at risk for HCC and the emergent strategies for HCC prevention to improve patients’ outcome.
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8
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Singal AG, Hoshida Y, Pinato DJ, Marrero J, Nault JC, Paradis V, Tayob N, Sherman M, Lim YS, Feng Z, Lok AS, Rinaudo JA, Srivastava S, Llovet JM, Villanueva A. International Liver Cancer Association (ILCA) White Paper on Biomarker Development for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Gastroenterology 2021; 160:2572-2584. [PMID: 33705745 PMCID: PMC8169638 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.01.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Amit G Singal
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, Texas.
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, Texas
| | - David J Pinato
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Jorge Marrero
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, Texas
| | - Jean-Charles Nault
- Service d'hépatologie, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Bondy, France; Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé Médecine et Biologie Humaine, Université Paris 13, Paris, France; Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris, INSERM UMR 118 Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Valerie Paradis
- Pathology Department, Beaujon hospital, Clichy, University Paris, France
| | - Nabihah Tayob
- Department of Data Science, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Young Suk Lim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ziding Feng
- Biostatistics Program, Public Health Science Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Anna S Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jo Ann Rinaudo
- Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Sudhir Srivastava
- Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Josep M Llovet
- Division of Liver Diseases and Hematology/Medical Oncology, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Translational Research in Hepatic Oncology, Liver Unit, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institució Catalana d'Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Augusto Villanueva
- Division of Liver Diseases and Hematology/Medical Oncology, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
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9
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Festa Ortega JF, Heidor R, Auriemo AP, Marques Affonso J, Pereira D' Amico T, Herz C, de Conti A, Ract J, Gioieli LA, Purgatto E, Lamy E, P Pogribny I, Salvador Moreno F. Butyrate-containing structured lipids act on HDAC4, HDAC6, DNA damage and telomerase activity during promotion of experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis 2021; 42:1026-1036. [PMID: 33999989 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents with a high treatment resistance and poor prognosis. Early diagnosis and preventive approaches such as chemoprevention are essential for the HCC control. Therefore, we evaluated the chemopreventive effects of butyrate-containing structured lipids (STLs) administered during the promotion stage of hepatocarcinogenesis in rats submitted to the 'resistant hepatocyte' (RH) model. Administration of butyrate-containing STLs inhibited the incidence and mean number of visible hepatic nodules per rat and reduced the number and area of glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive (GST-P+) preneoplastic focal lesions in the livers. This was accompanied by the induction of apoptosis and an increased level of hepatic butyric acid. Treatment with butyrate-containing STLs resulted in increased histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) acetylation, reduction of total histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, and lower levels of HDAC4 and HDAC6 proteins. The chemopreventive effect of butyrate-containing STLs was also associated with the increased nuclear compartmentalization of p53 protein and reduced expression of the Bcl-2 protein. In addition, rats treated with butyrate-containing STLs showed decreased DNA damage and telomerase activity in the livers. These results demonstrate that the suppressive activity of butyrate-containing STLs is associated with inhibition of elevated during hepatocarcinogenesis chromatin-modifying proteins HDAC4 and HDAC6, subcellular redistribution of the p53 protein, and decreased DNA damage and telomerase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Festa Festa Ortega
- Laboratory of Diet, Nutrition and Cancer, Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato Heidor
- Laboratory of Diet, Nutrition and Cancer, Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Food Research Center (FORC), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Auriemo
- Laboratory of Diet, Nutrition and Cancer, Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Marques Affonso
- Laboratory of Diet, Nutrition and Cancer, Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thais Pereira D' Amico
- Laboratory of Diet, Nutrition and Cancer, Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Corinna Herz
- Molecular Preventive Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacherstraße 115b, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Aline de Conti
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, FDA National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Juliana Ract
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Antônio Gioieli
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Purgatto
- Food Research Center (FORC), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Food Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Evelyn Lamy
- Molecular Preventive Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacherstraße 115b, 79106 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Igor P Pogribny
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, FDA National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Fernando Salvador Moreno
- Laboratory of Diet, Nutrition and Cancer, Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Food Research Center (FORC), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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10
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Kusnik A, Hunter N, Rasbach E, Miethke T, Reissfelder C, Ebert MP, Teufel A. Co-Medication and Nutrition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Potentially Preventative Strategies in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Dig Dis 2021; 39:526-533. [PMID: 33429390 DOI: 10.1159/000514277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide, with about 841,000 new cases and 782,000 deaths annually. Given the clearly defined population at risk, mostly patients with liver cirrhosis, prevention of HCC could be highly effective. SUMMARY Besides regular ultrasound surveillance, numerous publications have suggested protective effects of diverse drugs and nutrients. However, none of those preventive options has made it into clinical routine or practice guidelines. We therefore summarize the current status of preventive effects of drugs such as statins, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and metformin, but also dietary aspects and nutrients such as coffee, tea, and vitamin D supplementation. A successful implementation of some of these strategies may potentially lead to improved prevention of HCC development in patients with liver cirrhosis. Key Messages: Accumulating data suggest that particularly ASA, antidiabetic therapies, and statins may substantially decrease HCC incidence in patients at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kusnik
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Württemberg (CPDBW), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nicole Hunter
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Erik Rasbach
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Thomas Miethke
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christoph Reissfelder
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Matthias Philip Ebert
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Württemberg (CPDBW), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Teufel
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Württemberg (CPDBW), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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11
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the five leading causes of cancer death in human. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most common etiologic agent of HCC in the world. Prevention is the best way to control cancer. There are three levels of liver cancer prevention, i.e., primary prevention by HBV vaccination targeting the general population starting from birth dose, secondary prevention by antiviral agent for high-risk subjects with chronic HBV infection, and tertiary prevention by antiviral agent to prevent recurrence for patients who have been successfully treated for liver cancer. Primary prevention by hepatitis B vaccination is most cost effective, the cancer preventive efficacy support it as the first successful example of cancer preventive vaccine in human. Addition of hepatitis B immunoglobulin immediately after birth and antiviral agent during the third trimester of pregnancy to block mother-to-infant transmission of HBV are existing or possible emerging strategies to enhance the prevention efficacy of HBV infection and its related liver cancer. Secondary prevention with current antiviral agents may reduce the risk or delay the onset of HCC development, but could not eradicate HBV infection and HCC. Better antiviral therapeutic agents are needed for better secondary prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Hwei Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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12
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Fujiwara N, Qian T, Koneru B, Hoshida Y. Omics-derived hepatocellular carcinoma risk biomarkers for precision care of chronic liver diseases. Hepatol Res 2020; 50:817-830. [PMID: 32323426 PMCID: PMC8318383 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Precise hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk prediction will play increasingly important roles with the contemporary HCC etiologies, that is, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and resolved hepatitis C virus infection. Because the HCC incidence rate in this emerging patient population is relatively low (~1% per year), identification of a subset of patients at the highest risk is critical to concentrate the effort and resources of regular HCC screening to those who most need it. Omics profiling has been derived using several candidate HCC risk biomarkers, which could refine HCC screening by enabling individual risk-based personalized or risk-stratified patient management. Various types of biomolecules have been explored as sources of information to predict HCC risk at various time horizons. Germline DNA polymorphisms likely reflect race/ethnicity- and/or etiology-specific susceptibility to HCC development or chronic liver disease progression toward carcinogenesis. Transcriptomic dysregulations in the diseased liver capture functional molecular status supporting oncogenesis such as inflammatory pathway and myofibroblast activation. Circulating nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites could serve as less-invasive measures of molecular HCC risk. Characterization of gut microbiota could also inform HCC risk estimation. Each biomarker could have its niche of clinical application depending on logistics of use, performance, and costs with a goal to eventually improve patient prognosis as a part of the whole algorithm of chronic liver disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Fujiwara
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tongqi Qian
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Bhuvaneswari Koneru
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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13
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Hoshida Y. Current Status of the Use of Statins and Aspirin in the Chemoprevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y) 2020; 16:319-321. [PMID: 34035736 PMCID: PMC8132708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Hoshida
- Associate Professor of Medicine University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, Texas
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14
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Goto K, Roca Suarez AA, Wrensch F, Baumert TF, Lupberger J. Hepatitis C Virus and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: When the Host Loses Its Grip. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093057. [PMID: 32357520 PMCID: PMC7246584 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Novel treatments with direct-acting antivirals achieve high rates of sustained virologic response; however, the HCC risk remains elevated in cured patients, especially those with advanced liver disease. Long-term HCV infection causes a persistent and accumulating damage of the liver due to a combination of direct and indirect pro-oncogenic mechanisms. This review describes the processes involved in virus-induced disease progression by viral proteins, derailed signaling, immunity, and persistent epigenetic deregulation, which may be instrumental to develop urgently needed prognostic biomarkers and as targets for novel chemopreventive therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaku Goto
- Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Armando Andres Roca Suarez
- Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Florian Wrensch
- Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F. Baumert
- Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), F-67000 Strasbourg, France
- Pôle Hépato-digestif, Institut Hopitalo-Universitaire, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, F-75231 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (T.F.B.); (J.L.); Tel.: +33-3-68-85-37-03 (T.F.B. & J.L.); Fax: +33-3-68-85-37-24 (T.F.B. & J.L.)
| | - Joachim Lupberger
- Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), F-67000 Strasbourg, France
- Correspondence: (T.F.B.); (J.L.); Tel.: +33-3-68-85-37-03 (T.F.B. & J.L.); Fax: +33-3-68-85-37-24 (T.F.B. & J.L.)
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15
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Fang M, Yao M, Yang J, Zheng WJ, Wang L, Yao DF. Abnormal CD44 activation of hepatocytes with nonalcoholic fatty accumulation in rat hepatocarcinogenesis. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2020; 12:66-76. [PMID: 31966914 PMCID: PMC6960074 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v12.i1.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly increasing, and NAFLD has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. With abnormal CD44 activation, the severe form of NAFLD can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, the molecular mechanism of CD44 in NAFLD needs to be identified.
AIM To investigate the relationship between CD44 activation and malignant transformation of rat hepatocytes under nonalcoholic lipid accumulation.
METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat (HF) for 12 wk to entice NAFLD and then with HF plus 2-fluorenylacetamide (0.05%) to induce HCC. Rats were sacrificed every 2 wk, and subsequently divided into the groups based on liver pathological examination (hematoxylin and eosin staining): NAFLD, denaturation, precancerosis, HCC, and control. Liver CD44 mRNA was detected by OneArray. Liver fat as assessed by Oil red O staining or CD44 by immunohistochemical assay was compared with their integral optic density. Serum CD44, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and AFP levels were quantitatively tested.
RESULTS Elevated CD44 was first reported in hepatocarcinogenesis, with increasing expression from NAFLD to HCC at the protein or mRNA level. The CD44 integral optic density values were significantly different between the control group and the NAFLD (t = 25.433, P < 0.001), denaturation (t = 48.822, P < 0.001), precancerosis (t = 27.751, P < 0.001), and HCC (t = 16.239, P < 0.001) groups, respectively. Hepatic CD44 can be secreted into the blood, and serum CD44 levels in HCC or precancerous rats were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those in any of the other rats. Positive correlations were found between liver CD44 and CD44 mRNA (rs = 0.373, P = 0.043) and serum CD44 (rs = 0.541, P = 0.002) and between liver CD44 mRNA and serum CD44 (rs = 0.507, P = 0.004). Moreover, significant correlations were found between liver CD44 and liver AFP (rs = 0.572, P = 0.001), between serum CD44 and serum AFP (rs = 0.608, P < 0.001), and between CD44 mRNA and AFP mRNA (rs = 0.370, P = 0.044).
CONCLUSION The data suggested that increasing CD44 expression is associated with the malignant transformation of hepatocytes in NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Fang
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Min Yao
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wen-Jie Zheng
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Medical Informatics, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Deng-Fu Yao
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
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