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Kirchmeyer M, Gaigneaux A, Servais FA, Arslanow A, Casper M, Krawczyk M, Lammert F, Behrmann I. Altered profiles of circulating cytokines in chronic liver diseases (NAFLD/HCC): Impact of the PNPLA3I148M risk allele. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0306. [PMID: 38015590 PMCID: PMC10667005 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals carrying the risk variant p.I148M of patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) have a higher susceptibility to fatty liver diseases and associated complications, including HCC, a cancer closely linked to chronic inflammation. Here, we assessed circulating cytokine profiles for patients with chronic liver diseases genotyped for PNPLA3. METHODS Serum concentrations of 22 cytokines were measured by multiplex sandwich-ELISA. The cohort comprised 123 individuals: 67 patients with NAFLD without cirrhosis (57 steatosis, 10 NASH), 24 patients with NAFLD with cirrhosis, 21 patients with HCC (15 cirrhosis), and 11 healthy controls. Receiver operator characteristic analyses were performed to assess the suitability of the cytokine profiles for the prediction of steatosis, cirrhosis, and HCC. RESULTS HGF, IL-6, and IL-8 levels were increased in patients, with ∼2-fold higher levels in patients with cirrhosis versus healthy, while platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) showed lower concentrations compared to controls. Migration inhibitory factor and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were found at higher levels in NAFLD samples (maximum: NAFLD-cirrhosis) versus healthy controls and HCC samples. In receiver operator characteristic analyses, migration inhibitory factor, IL-8, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 yielded high sensitivity scores for predicting noncirrhotic NAFLD (vs. healthy). The top combination to predict cirrhosis was HGF plus PDGF-BB. Migration inhibitory factor performed best to discriminate HCC from NAFLD; the addition of monokine induced gamma (MIG), RANTES, IL-4, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), or IL-17A as second parameters further increased the AUC values (> 0.9). No significant impact of the PNPLA3I148M allele on cytokine levels was observed in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS Cytokines have biomarker potential in patients with fatty liver, possibly suited for early HCC detection in patients with fatty liver. Patients carrying the PNPLA3 risk allele did not present significantly different levels of circulating cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Kirchmeyer
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Anthoula Gaigneaux
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Florence A. Servais
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Anita Arslanow
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
- Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Markus Casper
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Marcin Krawczyk
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Frank Lammert
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
- Health Sciences, Hannover Medical School MHH, Hannover, Germany
| | - Iris Behrmann
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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2
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Gorji L, Brown ZJ, Pawlik TM. Mutational Landscape and Precision Medicine in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4221. [PMID: 37686496 PMCID: PMC10487145 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174221] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most common malignancy worldwide and exhibits a universal burden as the incidence of the disease continues to rise. In addition to curative-intent therapies such as liver resection and transplantation, locoregional and systemic therapy options also exist. However, existing treatments carry a dismal prognosis, often plagued with high recurrence and mortality. For this reason, understanding the tumor microenvironment and mutational pathophysiology has become the center of investigation for disease control. The use of precision medicine and genetic analysis can supplement current treatment modalities to promote individualized management of HCC. In the search for personalized medicine, tools such as next-generation sequencing have been used to identify unique tumor mutations and improve targeted therapies. Furthermore, investigations are underway for specific HCC biomarkers to augment the diagnosis of malignancy, the prediction of whether the tumor environment is amenable to available therapies, the surveillance of treatment response, the monitoring for disease recurrence, and even the identification of novel therapeutic opportunities. Understanding the mutational landscape and biomarkers of the disease is imperative for tailored management of the malignancy. In this review, we summarize the molecular targets of HCC and discuss the current role of precision medicine in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leva Gorji
- Department of Surgery, Kettering Health Dayton, Dayton, OH 45405, USA;
| | - Zachary J. Brown
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, New York University—Long Island, Mineola, NY 11501, USA;
| | - Timothy M. Pawlik
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Liu G, Wang J, Wei Z, Fang C, Shen K, Qian C, Qi C, Li T, Gao P, Wong PC, Lu H, Cao X, Wan M. Elevated PDGF-BB from Bone Impairs Hippocampal Vasculature by Inducing PDGFRβ Shedding from Pericytes. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206938. [PMID: 37102631 PMCID: PMC10369301 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests a unique association between bone aging and neurodegenerative/cerebrovascular disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying bone-brain interplay remain elusive. Here platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) produced by preosteoclasts in bone is reported to promote age-associated hippocampal vascular impairment. Aberrantly elevated circulating PDGF-BB in aged mice and high-fat diet (HFD)-challenged mice correlates with capillary reduction, pericyte loss, and increased blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in their hippocampus. Preosteoclast-specific Pdgfb transgenic mice with markedly high plasma PDGF-BB concentration faithfully recapitulate the age-associated hippocampal BBB impairment and cognitive decline. Conversely, preosteoclast-specific Pdgfb knockout mice have attenuated hippocampal BBB impairment in aged mice or HFD-challenged mice. Persistent exposure of brain pericytes to high concentrations of PDGF-BB upregulates matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14), which promotes ectodomain shedding of PDGF receptor β (PDGFRβ) from pericyte surface. MMP inhibitor treatment alleviates hippocampal pericyte loss and capillary reduction in the conditional Pdgfb transgenic mice and antagonizes BBB leakage in aged mice. The findings establish the role of bone-derived PDGF-BB in mediating hippocampal BBB disruption and identify the ligand-induced PDGFRβ shedding as a feedback mechanism for age-associated PDGFRβ downregulation and the consequent pericyte loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanqiao Liu
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineRoss Building, Room 232, 720 Rutland AvenueBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Jiekang Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineRoss Building, Room 232, 720 Rutland AvenueBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Zhiliang Wei
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological ScienceThe Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Ching‐Lien Fang
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineRoss Building, Room 232, 720 Rutland AvenueBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Ke Shen
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineRoss Building, Room 232, 720 Rutland AvenueBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Cheng Qian
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineRoss Building, Room 232, 720 Rutland AvenueBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Cheng Qi
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineRoss Building, Room 232, 720 Rutland AvenueBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Tong Li
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Peisong Gao
- Division of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21224USA
| | - Philip C. Wong
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
- Department of NeuroscienceJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Hanzhang Lu
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological ScienceThe Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Xu Cao
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineRoss Building, Room 232, 720 Rutland AvenueBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Mei Wan
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineRoss Building, Room 232, 720 Rutland AvenueBaltimoreMD21205USA
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Guo D, Qin L, Sun J, Li K, Zang C, Wang Q, Qiao W, Liu B, Zhao Y, Zhang Y. Dynamic Changes of Cytokine Profiles and Their Correlation With Tumor Recurrence Following Thermal Ablation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2023; 22:15330338231190644. [PMID: 37525880 PMCID: PMC10395187 DOI: 10.1177/15330338231190644] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The 5-year recurrence rate of thermal ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is high, and whether this treatment strategy induces systemic immune response remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate the effects of thermal ablation on HCC patients' cytokine profiles and to explore the correlation of cytokine profiles with tumor recurrence after ablation. A total of 22 HCC patients were included in this prospective study. The levels of 27 cytokines in the peripheral blood of HCC patients were measured before ablation (baseline), week 1, and week 4 after ablation using a Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine 27-plex Assay kit. Cytokines showed different dynamic changing trends after ablation treatment. It was found that the level of IL-6 was significantly elevated at week 1 and returned to the baseline level at week 4 after ablation. The level of IL-10 was slightly reduced at week 1 and significantly decreased at week 4. The levels of MCP-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β), and TNF-α were similarly reduced at week 1 and increased at week 4. The levels of IL-17, platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), and regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) showed little to no change at week 1 while an observable increase at week 4. Patients with a high IL-10 level (2.99 pg/ml) at baseline and low levels of TNF-α (20.4 pg/ml), PDGF-BB (107.78 pg/ml), and RANTES (2303.94 pg/ml) at week 4 were at risk of tumor recurrence during 1-year follow-up. The results suggested that thermal ablation activated systemic immune responses by changing the levels of cytokines. The results also demonstrated that measurement of IL-10 at baseline, TNF-α, PDGF-BB, and RANTES at week 4 after ablation might predict the risk of tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Guo
- Interventional Therapy Center for Oncology, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Qin
- Research Center for Biomedical Resources, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianping Sun
- Research Center for Biomedical Resources, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Li
- Research Center for Biomedical Resources, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chaoran Zang
- Research Center for Biomedical Resources, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Research Center for Biomedical Resources, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenying Qiao
- Research Center for Biomedical Resources, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Biyu Liu
- Research Center for Biomedical Resources, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yonghong Zhang
- Interventional Therapy Center for Oncology, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Research Center for Biomedical Resources, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Ke Y, Bi X, Yang N, Chu J, Li X, Ma W, Liu H, Wang H, Li L, Li C, Qin Y, Aji T, Shao Y, Lü G, Lin R. Serum platelet-derived growth factor-BB levels as a potential biomarker in assessing the metabolic activity of lesions in alveolar echinococcosis patients. Acta Trop 2022; 227:106290. [PMID: 34951977 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106290] [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: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a chronic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis. Assessing the metabolic activity of AE lesions is critical to evaluate disease progression and survey treatment options. There is an urgent need to identify more rapid, convenient, and non-invasive clinical detection methods to substitute the current techniques. Herein, we evaluated the viability of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) as a biomarker for detecting the metabolic activity of AE patients and their correlations with clinicopathological features of AE patients. METHODS Sera were collected from 28 AE patients and a homogenous cohort of 28 healthy individuals. The concentration of serum PDGF-BB homodimers (sPDGF-BB) was assessed via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Liver tissue samples were obtained from a consecutive series of 28 AE patients who underwent surgical resection. Thereafter, we determined the expression levels of local PDGF-BB and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β) through immunohistochemistry (IHC). Correlations of PDGF-BB expression levels with clinicopathological features of AE patients were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS The concentrations of sPDGF-BB were significantly lower in AE patients (p < 0.0001), particularly in High Metabolically Active AE patients (HMAE) patients (p < 0.05). The expression levels of PDGF-BB and its receptor were both significantly higher in close liver tissue (CLT) in AE patients (p < 0.0001). We also found that metabolically active AE and sPDGF-BB are significantly negatively correlated (r = -0.624, p = 0.0004). Beside, the local expression levels of PDGF-BB was positively correlated with metabolic activity, PNM stage, and lesion size. Notably, the sPDGF-BB levels were proposed as a potential biomarker for assessing metabolic activity of AE, with 81.0% sensitivity and 85.7% specificity (95% confidence interval, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Serum levels of PDGF-BB could be a simple, non-invasive, and quick biomarker for assessing the metabolic activity of lesions in AE patients.
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Malecka K, Mikuła E, Ferapontova EE. Design Strategies for Electrochemical Aptasensors for Cancer Diagnostic Devices. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21030736. [PMID: 33499136 PMCID: PMC7866130 DOI: 10.3390/s21030736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Improved outcomes for many types of cancer achieved during recent years is due, among other factors, to the earlier detection of tumours and the greater availability of screening tests. With this, non-invasive, fast and accurate diagnostic devices for cancer diagnosis strongly improve the quality of healthcare by delivering screening results in the most cost-effective and safe way. Biosensors for cancer diagnostics exploiting aptamers offer several important advantages over traditional antibodies-based assays, such as the in-vitro aptamer production, their inexpensive and easy chemical synthesis and modification, and excellent thermal stability. On the other hand, electrochemical biosensing approaches allow sensitive, accurate and inexpensive way of sensing, due to the rapid detection with lower costs, smaller equipment size and lower power requirements. This review presents an up-to-date assessment of the recent design strategies and analytical performance of the electrochemical aptamer-based biosensors for cancer diagnosis and their future perspectives in cancer diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Malecka
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima Str. 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland; (K.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Edyta Mikuła
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima Str. 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland; (K.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Elena E. Ferapontova
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-87156703
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7
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Mao D, Li Y, Lu C, Liu X, Sheng A, Han K, Zhu X. DNA Nanomachine with Multitentacles for Integral Processing of Nanoparticles and Its Application in Biosensing. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:2940-2947. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b01219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Mao
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China
| | - Yifei Li
- CAS Key Lab of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P. R. China
| | - Cuicui Lu
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohao Liu
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China
| | - Anzhi Sheng
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China
| | - Kun Han
- CAS Key Lab of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoli Zhu
- Center for Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China
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Cervello M, Emma MR, Augello G, Cusimano A, Giannitrapani L, Soresi M, Akula SM, Abrams SL, Steelman LS, Gulino A, Belmonte B, Montalto G, McCubrey JA. New landscapes and horizons in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:3053-3094. [PMID: 32018226 PMCID: PMC7041742 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the sixth most frequent form of cancer and leads to the fourth highest number of deaths each year. HCC results from a combination of environmental factors and aging as there are driver mutations at oncogenes which occur during aging. Most of HCCs are diagnosed at advanced stage preventing curative therapies. Treatment in advanced stage is a challenging and pressing problem, and novel and well-tolerated therapies are urgently needed. We will discuss further advances beyond sorafenib that target additional signaling pathways and immune checkpoint proteins. The scenario of possible systemic therapies for patients with advanced HCC has changed dramatically in recent years. Personalized genomics and various other omics approaches may identify actionable biochemical targets, which are activated in individual patients, which may enhance therapeutic outcomes. Further studies are needed to identify predictive biomarkers and aberrantly activated signaling pathways capable of guiding the clinician in choosing the most appropriate therapy for the individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melchiorre Cervello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria R. Emma
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Augello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Cusimano
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Lydia Giannitrapani
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Soresi
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Shaw M. Akula
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Stephen L. Abrams
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Linda S. Steelman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Alessandro Gulino
- Tumour Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Science, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumour Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Science, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Montalto
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - James A. McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
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Platelets and Hepatocellular Cancer: Bridging the Bench to the Clinics. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101568. [PMID: 31618961 PMCID: PMC6826649 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing interest is recently being focused on the role played by the platelets in favoring hepatocellular cancer (HCC) growth and dissemination. The present review reports in detail both the experimental and clinical evidence published on this topic. Several growth factors and angiogenic molecules specifically secreted by platelets are directly connected with tumor progression and neo-angiogenesis. Among them, we can list the platelet-derived growth factor, the vascular endothelial growth factor, the endothelial growth factor, and serotonin. Platelets are also involved in tumor spread, favoring endothelium permeabilization and tumor cells’ extravasation and survival in the bloodstream. From the bench to the clinics, all of these aspects were also investigated in clinical series, showing an evident correlation between platelet count and size of HCC, tumor biological behavior, metastatic spread, and overall survival rates. Moreover, a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the platelet–tumor axis represents a paramount aspect for optimizing both current tumor treatment and development of new therapeutic strategies against HCC.
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