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Wu D, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Yang Y, Zu G, Yu X, Chen W, Qin Y, Xu X, Chen X. IL15RA-STAT3-GPX4/ACSL3 signaling leads to ferroptosis resistance in pancreatic cancer. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024. [PMID: 39396119 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024153] [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: 10/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant disease with a poor prognosis, and the lack of effective treatment methods accounts for its high mortality. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) in the tumor microenvironment play an important role in the development of PDAC. Previous studies have reported that patients with PDAC are more vulnerable to ferroptosis inducers. To investigate the relationship between PSCs and pancreatic cancer cells, a coculture system is used to further reveal the influence of PSCs on ferroptosis resistance in PDAC using many in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our results show that PSCs promote ferroptosis resistance in pancreatic cancer cells. We further demonstrate that IL15 secretion by PSCs activates the IL15RA-STAT3-GPX4/ACSL3 axis. The simultaneous upregulation of GPX4 and ACSL3 prevents lipid peroxidation and ultimately protects pancreatic cancer cells from ferroptosis both in vitro and in vivo. This study demonstrates that PSCs protect pancreatic cancer cells in a paracrine manner and may indicate a novel strategy for the treatment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Zhiliang Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Guangchen Zu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Weibo Chen
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Yi Qin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiaowu Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xuemin Chen
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213000, China
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Farhangnia P, Khorramdelazad H, Nickho H, Delbandi AA. Current and future immunotherapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer treatment. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:40. [PMID: 38835055 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01561-6] [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: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death, but despondently, the outlook and prognosis for this resistant type of tumor have remained grim for a long time. Currently, it is extremely challenging to prevent or detect it early enough for effective treatment because patients rarely exhibit symptoms and there are no reliable indicators for detection. Most patients have advanced or spreading cancer that is difficult to treat, and treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can only slightly prolong their life by a few months. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of pancreatic cancer, yet its effectiveness is limited by the tumor's immunosuppressive and hard-to-reach microenvironment. First, this article explains the immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer and highlights a wide range of immunotherapy options, including therapies involving oncolytic viruses, modified T cells (T-cell receptor [TCR]-engineered and chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cell therapy), CAR natural killer cell therapy, cytokine-induced killer cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunomodulators, cancer vaccines, and strategies targeting myeloid cells in the context of contemporary knowledge and future trends. Lastly, it discusses the main challenges ahead of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khorramdelazad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hamid Nickho
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Czekay RP, Higgins CE, Aydin HB, Samarakoon R, Subasi NB, Higgins SP, Lee H, Higgins PJ. SERPINE1: Role in Cholangiocarcinoma Progression and a Therapeutic Target in the Desmoplastic Microenvironment. Cells 2024; 13:796. [PMID: 38786020 PMCID: PMC11119900 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100796] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
A heterogenous population of inflammatory elements, other immune and nonimmune cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are evident in solid malignancies where they coexist with the growing tumor mass. In highly desmoplastic malignancies, CAFs are the prominent mesenchymal cell type in the tumor microenvironment (TME), where their presence and abundance signal a poor prognosis. CAFs play a major role in the progression of various cancers by remodeling the supporting stroma into a dense, fibrotic matrix while secreting factors that promote the maintenance of cancer stem-like characteristics, tumor cell survival, aggressive growth and metastasis and reduced sensitivity to chemotherapeutics. Tumors with high stromal fibrotic signatures are more likely to be associated with drug resistance and eventual relapse. Identifying the molecular underpinnings for such multidirectional crosstalk among the various normal and neoplastic cell types in the TME may provide new targets and novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention. This review highlights recent concepts regarding the complexity of CAF biology in cholangiocarcinoma, a highly desmoplastic cancer. The discussion focuses on CAF heterogeneity, functionality in drug resistance, contributions to a progressively fibrotic tumor stroma, the involved signaling pathways and the participating genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf-Peter Czekay
- Department of Regenerative & Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA; (R.-P.C.); (C.E.H.); (R.S.); (S.P.H.)
| | - Craig E. Higgins
- Department of Regenerative & Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA; (R.-P.C.); (C.E.H.); (R.S.); (S.P.H.)
| | - Hasan Basri Aydin
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA; (H.B.A.); (N.B.S.); (H.L.)
| | - Rohan Samarakoon
- Department of Regenerative & Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA; (R.-P.C.); (C.E.H.); (R.S.); (S.P.H.)
| | - Nusret Bekir Subasi
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA; (H.B.A.); (N.B.S.); (H.L.)
| | - Stephen P. Higgins
- Department of Regenerative & Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA; (R.-P.C.); (C.E.H.); (R.S.); (S.P.H.)
| | - Hwajeong Lee
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA; (H.B.A.); (N.B.S.); (H.L.)
| | - Paul J. Higgins
- Department of Regenerative & Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA; (R.-P.C.); (C.E.H.); (R.S.); (S.P.H.)
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Huang H, Lu W, Zhang X, Pan J, Cao F, Wen L. Fibroblast subtypes in pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis: from mechanisms to therapeutic strategies. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:383-396. [PMID: 37721678 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00874-x] [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] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive fibrosis is a predominant feature of pancreatic stroma and plays a crucial role in the development and progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). Emerging evidence showed diversity and heterogeneity of fibroblasts play crucial and somewhat contradictory roles, the interactions between fibroblasts and pancreatic cells or infiltrating immune cells are of great importance during PDAC and CP progression, with some promising therapeutic strategies being tested. Therefore, in this review, we describe the classification of fibroblasts and their functions in PDAC and pancreatitis, the mechanisms by which fibroblasts mediate the development and progression of PDAC and CP through direct or indirect interaction between fibroblast and pancreatic parenchymal cells, or by remodeling the pancreatic immune microenvironment mediates the development and progression of PDAC and CP. Finally, we summarized the current therapeutic strategies and agents that directly target subtypes of fibroblasts or interfere with their essential functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizhen Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai General Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanyi Lu
- Center for Biomarker Discovery and Validation, National Infrastructures for Translational Medicine (PUMCH), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuli Zhang
- Center for Biomarker Discovery and Validation, National Infrastructures for Translational Medicine (PUMCH), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiachun Pan
- Center for Biomarker Discovery and Validation, National Infrastructures for Translational Medicine (PUMCH), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Li Wen
- Center for Biomarker Discovery and Validation, National Infrastructures for Translational Medicine (PUMCH), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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5
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Apte M. A journey to and with the stars: The pancreatic stellate cell story. Pancreatology 2023; 23:893-899. [PMID: 37973449 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2023.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The George E Palade Prize is the highest honour awarded by the International Association of Pancreatology, that recognises an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the understanding of the pancreas and pancreatic diseases. The 2023 Palade Prize was awarded to Professor Minoti Apte, University of New South Wales Sydney on September 16, 2023 during the Joint Meeting of the International Association of Pancreatology and the Indian Pancreas Club, held in Delhi, India. This paper summarises her Palade lecture wherein she reflects on her journey as a medical graduate, an academic and a researcher, with a particular focus on her team's pioneering work on pancreatic stellate cell biology and the role of these cells in health and disease. While there has been much progress in this field with the efforts of researchers worldwide, there is much still to be learned; thus it is a topic with ample scope for innovative research with the potential to translate into better outcomes for patients with pancreatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoti Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales Sydney and Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, Sydney, Australia.
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Yamakawa K, Koyanagi-Aoi M, Machinaga A, Kakiuchi N, Hirano T, Kodama Y, Aoi T. Blockage of retinoic acid signaling via RARγ suppressed the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells by arresting the cell cycle progression of the G1-S phase. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:94. [PMID: 37198667 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02928-4] [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: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our study and several studies have reported that in some cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the expression of squamous lineage markers, such as esophagus-tissue-specific genes, correlated with a poor prognosis. However, the mechanism by which the acquisition of squamous lineage phenotypes leads to a poor prognosis remains unclear. We previously reported that retinoic acid signaling via retinoic acid receptor γ (RARγ signaling) determines the differentiation lineage into the esophageal squamous epithelium. These findings hypothesized that the activation of RARγ signaling contributed to acquiring squamous lineage phenotypes and malignant behavior in PDAC. METHODS This study utilized public databases and immunostaining of surgical specimens to examine RARγ expression in PDAC. We evaluated the function of RARγ signaling by inhibitors and siRNA knockdown using a PDAC cell line and patient-derived PDAC organoids. The mechanism of the tumor-suppressive effects by blocking RARγ signaling was examined by a cell cycle analysis, apoptosis assays, RNA sequencing and Western blotting. RESULTS RARγ expression in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and PDAC was higher than that in the normal pancreatic duct. Its expression correlated with a poor patient prognosis in PDAC. In PDAC cell lines, blockade of RARγ signaling suppressed cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase without causing apoptosis. We demonstrated that blocking RARγ signaling upregulated p21 and p27 and downregulated many cell cycle genes, including cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, using patient-derived PDAC organoids, we confirmed the tumor-suppressive effect of RARγ inhibition and indicated the synergistic effects of RARγ inhibition with gemcitabine. CONCLUSIONS This study clarified the function of RARγ signaling in PDAC progression and demonstrated the tumor-suppressive effect of selective blockade of RARγ signaling against PDAC. These results suggest that RARγ signaling might be a new therapeutic target for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Yamakawa
- Division of Stem Cell Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Michiyo Koyanagi-Aoi
- Division of Stem Cell Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Center for Human Resource Development for Regenerative Medicine, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Akihito Machinaga
- Oncology Tsukuba Research Department, Discovery, Medicine Creation, DHBL, Eisai Co., Ltd, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Kakiuchi
- Department of Pathology and Tumour Biology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
- The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomonori Hirano
- Department of Pathology and Tumour Biology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuzo Kodama
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Takashi Aoi
- Division of Stem Cell Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-Cho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
- Center for Human Resource Development for Regenerative Medicine, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
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Hosen SMZ, Uddin MN, Xu Z, Buckley BJ, Perera C, Pang TCY, Mekapogu AR, Moni MA, Notta F, Gallinger S, Pirola R, Wilson J, Ranson M, Goldstein D, Apte M. Metastatic phenotype and immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Key role of the urokinase plasminogen activator (PLAU). Front Immunol 2022; 13:1060957. [PMID: 36591282 PMCID: PMC9794594 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1060957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have revealed the role of dysregulated urokinase plasminogen activator (encoded by PLAU) expression and activity in several pathways associated with cancer progression. However, systematic investigation into the association of PLAU expression with factors that modulate PDAC (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) progression is lacking, such as those affecting stromal (pancreatic stellate cell, PSC)-cancer cell interactions, tumour immunity, PDAC subtypes and clinical outcomes from potential PLAU inhibition. Methods This study used an integrated bioinformatics approach to identify prognostic markers correlated with PLAU expression using different transcriptomics, proteomics, and clinical data sets. We then determined the association of dysregulated PLAU and correlated signatures with oncogenic pathways, metastatic phenotypes, stroma, immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME) and clinical outcome. Finally, using an in vivo orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer, we confirmed the predicted effect of inhibiting PLAU on tumour growth and metastasis. Results Our analyses revealed that PLAU upregulation is not only associated with numerous other prognostic markers but also associated with the activation of various oncogenic signalling pathways, aggressive phenotypes relevant to PDAC growth and metastasis, such as proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness, hypoxia, extracellular cell matrix (ECM) degradation, upregulation of stromal signatures, and immune suppression in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Moreover, the upregulation of PLAU was directly connected with signalling pathways known to mediate PSC-cancer cell interactions. Furthermore, PLAU upregulation was associated with the aggressive basal/squamous phenotype of PDAC and significantly reduced overall survival, indicating that this subset of patients may benefit from therapeutic interventions to inhibit PLAU activity. Our studies with a clinically relevant orthotopic pancreatic model showed that even short-term PLAU inhibition is sufficient to significantly halt tumour growth and, importantly, eliminate visible metastasis. Conclusion Elevated PLAU correlates with increased aggressive phenotypes, stromal score, and immune suppression in PDAC. PLAU upregulation is also closely associated with the basal subtype type of PDAC; patients with this subtype are at high risk of mortality from the disease and may benefit from therapeutic targeting of PLAU.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. M. Zahid Hosen
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Md. Nazim Uddin
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Zhihong Xu
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Benjamin J. Buckley
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Chamini Perera
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Tony C. Y. Pang
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alpha Raj Mekapogu
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Mohammad Ali Moni
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Faiyaz Notta
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Steven Gallinger
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ron Pirola
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeremy Wilson
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry & Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - David Goldstein
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Minoti Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, SWS Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia,*Correspondence: Minoti Apte,
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Jenkins BH, Buckingham JF, Hanley CJ, Thomas GJ. Targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts: Challenges, opportunities and future directions. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108231. [PMID: 35718294 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a common cell in the tumour microenvironment with diverse tumour-promoting functions. Their presence in tumours is commonly associated with poor prognosis making them attractive therapeutic targets, particularly in the context of immunotherapy where CAFs have been shown to promote resistance to checkpoint blockade. Previous attempts to inhibit CAFs clinically have not been successful, however, in part due to a lack of understanding of CAF heterogeneity and function, with some fibroblast populations potentially being tumour suppressive. Recent single-cell transcriptomic studies have advanced our understanding of fibroblast phenotypes in normal tissues and cancers, allowing for a more precise characterisation of CAF subsets and providing opportunities to develop new therapies. Here we review recent advances in the field, focusing on the evolving area of therapeutic CAF targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin H Jenkins
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK
| | | | | | - Gareth J Thomas
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK.
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9
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The microbiota and aging microenvironment in pancreatic cancer: Cell origin and fate. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188826. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Li M, Zhou J, Zhang Z, Li J, Wang F, Ma L, Tian X, Mao Z, Yang Y. Exosomal miR-485-3p derived from pancreatic ductal epithelial cells inhibits pancreatic cancer metastasis through targeting PAK1. Chin Med J (Engl) 2022; 135:2326-2337. [PMID: 36535010 PMCID: PMC9771326 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002154] [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: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell competition is an important feature in pancreatic cancer (PC) progression, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. This study aims to explore the role of exosomes derived from normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells involved in PC progression. METHODS PC cells and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) were treated with exosomes isolated from pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK8 assays. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by Transwell assays. PC and matched adjacent non-tumor tissue specimens were obtained from 46 patients pathologically diagnosed with PC at Peking University First Hospital from 2013 to 2017. Tissue miR-485-3p and p21-activated kinase-1 (PAK1) expression was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the relationship of the two was analyzed using Pearman's product-moment correlation. The clinical significance of miR-485-3p was analyzed using the Chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and Fisher exact probability, respectively. The binding of miR-485-3p to PAK1 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) was examined by luciferase assay. PC cells were xenografted into nude mice as a PC metastasis model. RESULTS Exosomes from pancreatic ductal epithelial cells suppressed PC cell migration and invasion as well as the secretion and migration of PSCs. MiR-485-3p was enriched in the exosomes of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells but deficient in those of PC cells and PSCs, in accordance with the lower level in PSCs and PC cells than that in pancreatic ductal cells. And the mature miR-485-3p could be delivered into these cells by the exosomes secreted by normal pancreatic duct cells, to inhibit PC cell migration and invasion. Clinical data analysis showed that miR-485-3p was significantly decreased in PC tissues (P < 0.05) and was negatively associated with lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.044). As a direct target of miR-485-3p, PAK1 was found to exert an inhibitory effect on PC cells, and there was a significantly negative correlation between the expression levels of miR-485-3p and PAK1 (r = -0.6525, P < 0.0001) in PC tissues. Moreover, miR-485-3p could suppress PC metastasis in vivo by targeting p21-activated kinase-1. CONCLUSIONS Exosomal miR-485-3p delivered by normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells into PC cells inhibits PC metastasis by directly targeting PAK1. The restoration of miR-485-3p by exosomes or some other vehicle might be a novel approach for PC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhe Li
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Department of Urology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Zhengkui Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jisong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Ling Ma
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Peking University Ninth School of Clinical Medicine (Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University), Beijing 100038, China
| | - Xiaodong Tian
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Zebin Mao
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yinmo Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
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11
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Ahmadian E, Janas D, Eftekhari A, Zare N. Application of carbon nanotubes in sensing/monitoring of pancreas and liver cancer. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 302:134826. [PMID: 35525455 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liver and pancreatic tumors are among the third leading causes of cancer-associated death worldwide. In addition to poor prognosis, both cancer types are diagnosed at advanced and metastatic stages without typical prior symptoms. Unfortunately, the existing theranostic approaches are inefficient in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted increasing attention in this context due to their distinct properties, including variable functionalization capability, biocompatibility, and excellent thermodynamic and optical features. As a consequence, they are now regarded as one of the most promising materials for this application. The current review aims to summarize and discuss the role of CNT in pancreatic and liver cancer theranostics. Accordingly, the breakthroughs achieved so far are classified based on the cancer type and analyzed in detail. The most feasible tactics utilizing CNT-based solutions for both cancer diagnosis and treatment are presented from the biomedical point of view. Finally, a future outlook is provided, which anticipates how the R&D community can build on the already developed methodologies and the subsequent biological responses of the pancreatic and liver cancer cells to the directed procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Ahmadian
- Kidney Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Dawid Janas
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry and Biotechnology, Silesian University of Technology, B. Krzywoustego 4, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Aziz Eftekhari
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Health Innovation & Acceleration Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, 51664, Iran; Joint Ukraine-Azerbaijan International Research and Education Center of Nanobiotechnology and Functional Nanosystems, Drohobych, Ukraine, Baku, Azerbaijan.
| | - Najme Zare
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Quchan University of Technology, Quchan, Iran.
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12
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Gillson J, Abd El-Aziz YS, Leck LYW, Jansson PJ, Pavlakis N, Samra JS, Mittal A, Sahni S. Autophagy: A Key Player in Pancreatic Cancer Progression and a Potential Drug Target. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3528. [PMID: 35884592 PMCID: PMC9315706 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is known to have the lowest survival outcomes among all major cancers, and unfortunately, this has only been marginally improved over last four decades. The innate characteristics of pancreatic cancer include an aggressive and fast-growing nature from powerful driver mutations, a highly defensive tumor microenvironment and the upregulation of advantageous survival pathways such as autophagy. Autophagy involves targeted degradation of proteins and organelles to provide a secondary source of cellular supplies to maintain cell growth. Elevated autophagic activity in pancreatic cancer is recognized as a major survival pathway as it provides a plethora of support for tumors by supplying vital resources, maintaining tumour survival under the stressful microenvironment and promoting other pathways involved in tumour progression and metastasis. The combination of these features is unique to pancreatic cancer and present significant resistance to chemotherapeutic strategies, thus, indicating a need for further investigation into therapies targeting this crucial pathway. This review will outline the autophagy pathway and its regulation, in addition to the genetic landscape and tumor microenvironment that contribute to pancreatic cancer severity. Moreover, this review will also discuss the mechanisms of novel therapeutic strategies that inhibit autophagy and how they could be used to suppress tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Gillson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Yomna S. Abd El-Aziz
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Lionel Y. W. Leck
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Cancer Drug Resistance and Stem Cell Program, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Patric J. Jansson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Cancer Drug Resistance and Stem Cell Program, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Nick Pavlakis
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Jaswinder S. Samra
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Upper GI Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Australian Pancreatic Centre, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Anubhav Mittal
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Upper GI Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Australian Pancreatic Centre, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Sumit Sahni
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (J.G.); (Y.S.A.E.-A.); (L.Y.W.L.); (P.J.J.); (N.P.); (J.S.S.); (A.M.)
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Australian Pancreatic Centre, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
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13
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Götze J, Nitschke C, Uzunoglu FG, Pantel K, Sinn M, Wikman H. Tumor-Stroma Interaction in PDAC as a New Approach for Liquid Biopsy and its Potential Clinical Implications. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:918795. [PMID: 35712663 PMCID: PMC9197075 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.918795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The extremely poor prognosis for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has remained unchanged for decades. As a hallmark of PDAC histology, the distinct desmoplastic response in the tumor microenvironment is considered a key factor exerting pro- and antitumor effects. Increasing emphasis has been placed on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), whose heterogeneity and functional diversity is reflected in the numerous subtypes. The myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs), inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) and antigen presenting CAFs (apCAFs) are functionally divergent CAF subtypes with tumor promoting as well as repressing effects. Precise knowledge of the underlying interactions is the basis for a variety of treatment approaches, which are subsumed under the term antistromal therapy. Clinical implementation is still pending due to the lack of benefit-as well as paradoxical preclinical findings. While the prominent significance of CAFs in the immediate environment of the tumor is becoming clear, less is known about the circulating (c)CAFs. cCAFs are of particular interest as they seem not only to be potential new liquid biopsy biomarkers but also to support the survival of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the bloodstream. In PDAC, CTCs correlate with an unfavorable outcome and can also be employed to monitor treatment response, but the current clinical relevance is limited. In this review, we discuss CTCs, cCAFs, secretomes that include EVs or fragments of collagen turnover as liquid biopsy biomarkers, and clinical approaches to target tumor stroma in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Götze
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christine Nitschke
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Faik G Uzunoglu
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marianne Sinn
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Harriet Wikman
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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14
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Koltai T, Reshkin SJ, Carvalho TMA, Di Molfetta D, Greco MR, Alfarouk KO, Cardone RA. Resistance to Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Physiopathologic and Pharmacologic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2486. [PMID: 35626089 PMCID: PMC9139729 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a very aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis and inadequate response to treatment. Many factors contribute to this therapeutic failure: lack of symptoms until the tumor reaches an advanced stage, leading to late diagnosis; early lymphatic and hematic spread; advanced age of patients; important development of a pro-tumoral and hyperfibrotic stroma; high genetic and metabolic heterogeneity; poor vascular supply; a highly acidic matrix; extreme hypoxia; and early development of resistance to the available therapeutic options. In most cases, the disease is silent for a long time, andwhen it does become symptomatic, it is too late for ablative surgery; this is one of the major reasons explaining the short survival associated with the disease. Even when surgery is possible, relapsesare frequent, andthe causes of this devastating picture are the low efficacy ofand early resistance to all known chemotherapeutic treatments. Thus, it is imperative to analyze the roots of this resistance in order to improve the benefits of therapy. PDAC chemoresistance is the final product of different, but to some extent, interconnected factors. Surgery, being the most adequate treatment for pancreatic cancer and the only one that in a few selected cases can achieve longer survival, is only possible in less than 20% of patients. Thus, the treatment burden relies on chemotherapy in mostcases. While the FOLFIRINOX scheme has a slightly longer overall survival, it also produces many more adverse eventsso that gemcitabine is still considered the first choice for treatment, especially in combination with other compounds/agents. This review discusses the multiple causes of gemcitabine resistance in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephan Joel Reshkin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Tiago M. A. Carvalho
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Daria Di Molfetta
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Maria Raffaella Greco
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Khalid Omer Alfarouk
- Zamzam Research Center, Zamzam University College, Khartoum 11123, Sudan;
- Alfarouk Biomedical Research LLC, Temple Terrace, FL 33617, USA
| | - Rosa Angela Cardone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
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15
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Brewer G, Fortier AM, Park M, Moraes C. The case for cancer-associated fibroblasts: essential elements in cancer drug discovery? FUTURE DRUG DISCOVERY 2022; 4:FDD71. [PMID: 35600290 PMCID: PMC9112234 DOI: 10.4155/fdd-2021-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained increased attention for supporting cancer progression, current CAF-targeted therapeutic options are limited and failing in clinical trials. As the largest component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), CAFs alter the biochemical and physical structure of the TME, modulating cancer progression. Here, we review the role of CAFs in altering drug response, modifying the TME mechanics and the current models for studying CAFs. To provide new perspectives, we highlight key considerations of CAF activity and discuss emerging technologies that can better address CAFs; and therefore, increase the likelihood of therapeutic efficacy. We argue that CAFs are crucial components of the cancer drug discovery pipeline and incorporating these cells will improve drug discovery success rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Brewer
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, 1160 Avenues des Pins, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Fortier
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, 1160 Avenues des Pins, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Morag Park
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, 1160 Avenues des Pins, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, 5100 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, 3775 rue University, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Christopher Moraes
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, 1160 Avenues des Pins, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 rue University, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, 3775 rue University, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
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16
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On Efficacy of Microwave Ablation in the Thermal Treatment of an Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225784. [PMID: 34830937 PMCID: PMC8616542 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Microwave ablation at 2.45 GHz is gaining popularity as an alternative therapy to hepatic resection with a higher overall survival rate than external beam radiation therapy and proton beam therapy. It also offers better long-term recurrence-free overall survival when compared with radiofrequency ablation. To improve the design and optimization of microwave ablation procedures, numerical models can provide crucial information. A three-dimensional model of the antenna and targeted tissue without homogeneity assumptions are the most realistic representation of the physical problem. Due to complexity and computational resources consumption, most of the existing numerical studies are based on using two-dimensional axisymmetric models to emulate actual three-dimensional cancers and surrounding tissue, which is often far from reality. The main goal of this study is to develop a fully three-dimensional model of a multislot microwave antenna immersed into liver tissue affected by early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. The geometry of the tumor is taken from the 3D-IRCADb-01 liver tumors database. Simulations were performed involving the temperature dependence of the blood perfusion, dielectric and thermal properties of both healthy and tumoral liver tissues. The water content changes during the ablation process are also included. The optimal values of the input power and the ablation time are determined to ensure complete treatment of the tumor with minimal damage to the healthy tissue. It was found that a multislot antenna is designed to create predictable, large, spherical zones of the ablation that are not influenced by varying tissue environments. The obtained results may be useful for determining optimal conditions necessary for microwave ablation to be as effective as possible for treating early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma, with minimized invasiveness and collateral damages.
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17
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Al-Selwi Y, Shaw JA, Kattner N. Understanding the Pancreatic Islet Microenvironment in Cystic Fibrosis and the Extrinsic Pathways Leading to Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND DIABETES 2021; 14:11795514211048813. [PMID: 34675737 PMCID: PMC8524685 DOI: 10.1177/11795514211048813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive chronic condition
effecting approximately 70 000 to 100 000 people globally and is
caused by a loss-of-function mutation in the CF transmembrane
conductance regulator. Through improvements in clinical care, life
expectancy in CF has increased considerably associated with rising
incidence of secondary complications including CF-related diabetes
(CFRD). CFRD is believed to result from β-cell loss as well as
insufficient insulin secretion due to β-cell dysfunction, but the
underlying pathophysiology is not yet fully understood. Here we review
the morphological and cellular changes in addition to the
architectural remodelling of the pancreatic exocrine and endocrine
compartments in CF and CFRD pancreas. We consider also potential
underlying proinflammatory signalling pathways impacting on endocrine
and specifically β-cell function, concluding that further research
focused on these mechanisms may uncover novel therapeutic targets
enabling restoration of normal insulin secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara Al-Selwi
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - James Am Shaw
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Institute of Transplantation, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nicole Kattner
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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18
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Lodestijn SC, Miedema DM, Lenos KJ, Nijman LE, Belt SC, El Makrini K, Lecca MC, Waasdorp C, van den Bosch T, Bijlsma MF, Vermeulen L. Marker-free lineage tracing reveals an environment-instructed clonogenic hierarchy in pancreatic cancer. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109852. [PMID: 34686335 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective treatments for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are lacking, and targeted agents have demonstrated limited efficacy. It has been speculated that a rare population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) drives growth, therapy resistance, and rapid metastatic progression in PDAC. These CSCs demonstrate high clonogenicity in vitro and tumorigenic potential in vivo. However, their relevance in established PDAC tissue has not been determined. Here, we use marker-independent stochastic clonal labeling, combined with quantitative modeling of tumor expansion, to uncover PDAC tissue growth dynamics. We find that in contrast to the CSC model, all PDAC cells display clonogenic potential in situ. Furthermore, the proximity to activated cancer-associated fibroblasts determines tumor cell clonogenicity. This means that the microenvironment is dominant in defining the clonogenic activity of PDAC cells. Indeed, manipulating the stroma by Hedgehog pathway inhibition alters the tumor growth mode, revealing that tumor-stroma crosstalk shapes tumor growth dynamics and clonal architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie C Lodestijn
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Daniël M Miedema
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kristiaan J Lenos
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lisanne E Nijman
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Saskia C Belt
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Khalid El Makrini
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maria C Lecca
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Cynthia Waasdorp
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tom van den Bosch
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten F Bijlsma
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Louis Vermeulen
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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19
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The tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: current perspectives and future directions. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:675-689. [PMID: 34591240 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-09988-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most lethal malignancies and is characterized by a unique tumor microenvironment (TME) consisting of an abundant stromal component. Many features contained with the PDAC stroma contribute to resistance to cytotoxic and immunotherapeutic regimens, as well as the propensity for this tumor to metastasize. At the cellular level, PDAC cells crosstalk with a complex mixture of non-neoplastic cell types including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells. These intricate interactions fuel the progression and therapeutic resistance of this aggressive cancer. Moreover, data suggest the polarization of these cell types, in particular immune and fibroblast populations, dictate how PDAC tumors grow, metastasize, and respond to therapy. As a result, current research is focused on how to best target these populations to render tumors responsive to treatment. Herein, we summarize the cell populations implicated in providing a supporting role for the development and progression of PDAC. We focus on stromal fibroblasts and immune subsets that have been widely researched. We discuss factors which govern the phenotype of these populations and provide insight on how they have been targeted therapeutically. This review provides an overview of the tumor microenvironment and postulates that cellular and soluble factors within the microenvironment can be specifically targeted to improve patient outcomes.
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20
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Freeman DW, Rodrigues Sousa E, Karkampouna S, Zoni E, Gray PC, Salomon DS, Kruithof-de Julio M, Spike BT. Whence CRIPTO: The Reemergence of an Oncofetal Factor in 'Wounds' That Fail to Heal. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10164. [PMID: 34576327 PMCID: PMC8472190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There exists a set of factors termed oncofetal proteins that play key roles in ontogeny before they decline or disappear as the organism's tissues achieve homeostasis, only to then re-emerge in cancer. Although the unique therapeutic potential presented by such factors has been recognized for more than a century, their clinical utility has yet to be fully realized1. This review highlights the small signaling protein CRIPTO encoded by the tumor derived growth factor 1 (TDGF1/Tdgf1) gene, an oft cited oncofetal protein whose presence in the cancer literature as a tumor promoter, diagnostic marker and viable therapeutic target continues to grow. We touch lightly on features well established and well-reviewed since its discovery more than 30 years ago, including CRIPTO's early developmental roles and modulation of SMAD2/3 activation by a selected set of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family ligands. We predominantly focus instead on more recent and less well understood additions to the CRIPTO signaling repertoire, on its potential upstream regulators and on new conceptual ground for understanding its mode of action in the multicellular and often stressful contexts of neoplastic transformation and progression. We ask whence it re-emerges in cancer and where it 'hides' between the time of its fetal activity and its oncogenic reemergence. In this regard, we examine CRIPTO's restriction to rare cells in the adult, its potential for paracrine crosstalk, and its emerging role in inflammation and tissue regeneration-roles it may reprise in tumorigenesis, acting on subsets of tumor cells to foster cancer initiation and progression. We also consider critical gaps in knowledge and resources that stand between the recent, exciting momentum in the CRIPTO field and highly actionable CRIPTO manipulation for cancer therapy and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Freeman
- Department of Oncological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, USA;
| | - Elisa Rodrigues Sousa
- Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (E.R.S.); (S.K.); (E.Z.)
| | - Sofia Karkampouna
- Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (E.R.S.); (S.K.); (E.Z.)
| | - Eugenio Zoni
- Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (E.R.S.); (S.K.); (E.Z.)
| | - Peter C. Gray
- Peptide Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
| | - David S. Salomon
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 20893, USA;
| | - Marianna Kruithof-de Julio
- Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (E.R.S.); (S.K.); (E.Z.)
- Translational Organoid Models, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Urology, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin T. Spike
- Department of Oncological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, USA;
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21
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Organ-Chip Models: Opportunities for Precision Medicine in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174487. [PMID: 34503294 PMCID: PMC8430573 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Among all types of cancer, Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the lowest survival rates, partly due to the failure of current chemotherapeutics. This treatment failure can be attributed to the complicated nature of the tumor microenvironment, where the rich fibro-inflammatory responses can hinder drug delivery and efficacy at the tumor site. Moreover, the high molecular variations in PDAC create a large heterogeneity in the tumor microenvironment among patients. Current in vivo and in vitro options for drug testing are mostly ineffective in recapitulating the complex cellular interactions and individual variations in the PDAC tumor microenvironment, and as a result, they fail to provide appropriate models for individualized drug screening. Organ-on-a-chip technology combined with patient-derived organoids may provide the opportunity for developing personalized treatment options in PDAC. Abstract Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an expeditiously fatal malignancy with a five-year survival rate of 6–8%. Conventional chemotherapeutics fail in many cases due to inadequate primary response and rapidly developing resistance. This treatment failure is particularly challenging in pancreatic cancer because of the high molecular heterogeneity across tumors. Additionally, a rich fibro-inflammatory component within the tumor microenvironment (TME) limits the delivery and effectiveness of anticancer drugs, further contributing to the lack of response or developing resistance to conventional approaches in this cancer. As a result, there is an urgent need to model pancreatic cancer ex vivo to discover effective drug regimens, including those targeting the components of the TME on an individualized basis. Patient-derived three-dimensional (3D) organoid technology has provided a unique opportunity to study patient-specific cancerous epithelium. Patient-derived organoids cultured with the TME components can more accurately reflect the in vivo tumor environment. Here we present the advances in organoid technology and multicellular platforms that could allow for the development of “organ-on-a-chip” approaches to recapitulate the complex cellular interactions in PDAC tumors. We highlight the current advances of the organ-on-a-chip-based cancer models and discuss their potential for the preclinical selection of individualized treatment in PDAC.
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22
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Yamada Y, Kurata A, Fujita K, Kuroda M. Fascin as a useful marker for cancer-associated fibroblasts in invasive lung adenocarcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27162. [PMID: 34477172 PMCID: PMC8416015 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been attracting attention in recent years, but their nature has not been fully elucidated. Although CAFs have been recognized as an important therapeutic target, therapeutic agents have not been developed to date. CAFs are characterized by their high migration rate and involvement in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition with some displaying a dendritic morphology that is reminiscent of fascin expression.The present study was designed to immunohistochemically investigate fascin expression in lung adenocarcinoma including CAFs and compare the results with existing CAF markers.We immunohistochemically investigated fascin expression in not only cancer tissue but also CAFs from 26 autopsy cases of lung adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry of α-smooth muscle actin and fibroblast activation protein was also performed.Fascin-positive staining in CAFs was observed in all cases, with a strong correlation observed with existing CAF markers α-smooth muscle actin and fibroblast activation protein (P < .001). In addition, the proportion of tumor cells showing fascin-positive staining was found to correlate with its expression in CAFs (P < .05).We propose that CAFs express fascin, and that fascin may mediate crosstalk between cancer tissue and CAFs. Fascin might be a novel therapeutic target for treatments that target the cancer stroma.
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Karimnia V, Slack FJ, Celli JP. Photodynamic Therapy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174354. [PMID: 34503165 PMCID: PMC8431269 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most lethal of human cancers. Numerous clinical trials evaluating various combinations of chemotherapy and targeted agents and radiotherapy have failed to provide meaningful improvements in survival. A growing number of studies however have indicated that photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be a viable approach for treatment of some pancreatic tumors. PDT, which uses light to activate a photosensitizing agent in target tissue, has seen widespread adoption primarily for dermatological and other applications where superficial light delivery is relatively straightforward. Advances in fiber optic light delivery and dosimetry however have been leveraged to enable PDT even for challenging internal sites, including the pancreas. The aim of this article is to help inform future directions by reviewing relevant literature on the basic science, current clinical status, and potential challenges in the development of PDT as a treatment for PDAC. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most lethal of human cancers. Clinical trials of various chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted agents and combination strategies have generally failed to provide meaningful improvement in survival for patients with unresectable disease. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a photochemistry-based approach that enables selective cell killing using tumor-localizing agents activated by visible or near-infrared light. In recent years, clinical studies have demonstrated the technical feasibility of PDT for patients with locally advanced PDAC while a growing body of preclinical literature has shown that PDT can overcome drug resistance and target problematic and aggressive disease. Emerging evidence also suggests the ability of PDT to target PDAC stroma, which is known to act as both a barrier to drug delivery and a tumor-promoting signaling partner. Here, we review the literature which indicates an emergent role of PDT in clinical management of PDAC, including the potential for combination with other targeted agents and RNA medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Karimnia
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA;
| | - Frank J. Slack
- Department of Pathology, BIDMC Cancer Center/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Jonathan P. Celli
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA;
- Correspondence:
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24
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Shimazaki R, Takano S, Satoh M, Takada M, Miyahara Y, Sasaki K, Yoshitomi H, Kagawa S, Furukawa K, Takayashiki T, Kuboki S, Sogawa K, Motohashi S, Nomura F, Miyazaki M, Ohtsuka M. Complement factor B regulates cellular senescence and is associated with poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2021; 44:937-950. [PMID: 34075561 PMCID: PMC8338870 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00614-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interplay between cancer cells and stromal components, including soluble mediators released from cancer cells, contributes to the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we set out to identify key secreted proteins involved in PDAC progression. METHODS We performed secretome analyses of culture media of mouse pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and PDAC cells using Stable Isotope Labeling by Amino acid in Cell culture (SILAC) with click chemistry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results obtained were verified in primary PDAC tissue samples and cell line models. RESULTS Complement factor B (CFB) was identified as one of the robustly upregulated proteins, and found to exhibit elevated expression in PDAC cells compared to PanIN cells. Endogenous CFB knockdown by a specific siRNA dramatically decreased the proliferation of PDAC cells, PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-II. CFB knockdown induced increases in the number of senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) positive cells exhibiting p21 expression upregulation, which promotes cellular senescence with cyclinD1 accumulation. Furthermore, CFB knockdown facilitated downregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and led to cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase in PDAC cells. Using immunohistochemistry, we found that high stromal CFB expression was associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes with hematogenous dissemination after surgery in human PDAC patients. Despite the presence of enriched CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in the PDAC tumor microenvironments, patients with a high stromal CFB expression exhibited a significantly poorer prognosis compared to those with a low stromal CFB expression. Immunofluorescence staining revealed a correlation between stromal CFB expression in the tumor microenvironment and an enrichment of immunosuppressive regulatory T-cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We also found that high stromal CFB expression showed a positive correlation with high CD8+/Foxp3+ Tregs populations in PDAC tissues. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that CFB, a key secreted protein, promotes proliferation by preventing cellular senescence and is associated with immunological tumor promotion in PDAC. These findings suggest that CFB may be a potential target for the treatment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiri Shimazaki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Shigetsugu Takano
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan.
| | - Mamoru Satoh
- Division of Clinical Mass Spectrometry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan
| | - Mamoru Takada
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Yoji Miyahara
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Kosuke Sasaki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Yoshitomi
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Shingo Kagawa
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Katsunori Furukawa
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Takayashiki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuboki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Sogawa
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life and Environmental Science, Azabu University, 252-5201, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Motohashi
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 260-8677, Chiba, Japan
| | - Fumio Nomura
- Division of Clinical Mass Spectrometry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan
| | - Masaru Miyazaki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
| | - Masayuki Ohtsuka
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1, Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260- 8677, Japan
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Lodestijn SC, van Neerven SM, Vermeulen L, Bijlsma MF. Stem Cells in the Exocrine Pancreas during Homeostasis, Injury, and Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133295. [PMID: 34209288 PMCID: PMC8267661 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies. Hence, improved therapies are urgently needed. Recent research indicates that pancreatic cancers depend on cancer stem cells (CSCs) for tumor expansion, metastasis, and therapy resistance. However, the exact functionality of pancreatic CSCs is still unclear. CSCs have much in common with normal pancreatic stem cells that have been better, albeit still incompletely, characterized. In this literature review, we address how pancreatic stem cells influence growth, homeostasis, regeneration, and cancer. Furthermore, we outline which intrinsic and extrinsic factors regulate stem cell functionality during these different processes to explore potential novel targets for treating pancreatic cancer. Abstract Cell generation and renewal are essential processes to develop, maintain, and regenerate tissues. New cells can be generated from immature cell types, such as stem-like cells, or originate from more differentiated pre-existing cells that self-renew or transdifferentiate. The adult pancreas is a dormant organ with limited regeneration capacity, which complicates studying these processes. As a result, there is still discussion about the existence of stem cells in the adult pancreas. Interestingly, in contrast to the classical stem cell concept, stem cell properties seem to be plastic, and, in circumstances of injury, differentiated cells can revert back to a more immature cellular state. Importantly, deregulation of the balance between cellular proliferation and differentiation can lead to disease initiation, in particular to cancer formation. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with a 5-year survival rate of only ~9%. Unfortunately, metastasis formation often occurs prior to diagnosis, and most tumors are resistant to current treatment strategies. It has been proposed that a specific subpopulation of cells, i.e., cancer stem cells (CSCs), are responsible for tumor expansion, metastasis formation, and therapy resistance. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of pancreatic stem cells during homeostasis and injury might lead to new insights to understand the role of CSCs in PDAC. Therefore, in this review, we present an overview of the current literature regarding the stem cell dynamics in the pancreas during health and disease. Furthermore, we highlight the influence of the tumor microenvironment on the growth behavior of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie C. Lodestijn
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.C.L.); (S.M.v.N.); (L.V.)
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne M. van Neerven
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.C.L.); (S.M.v.N.); (L.V.)
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Louis Vermeulen
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.C.L.); (S.M.v.N.); (L.V.)
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten F. Bijlsma
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.C.L.); (S.M.v.N.); (L.V.)
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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Koltai T, Reshkin SJ, Carvalho TMA, Cardone RA. Targeting the Stromal Pro-Tumoral Hyaluronan-CD44 Pathway in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3953. [PMID: 33921242 PMCID: PMC8069142 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest malignancies. Present-day treatments have not shown real improvements in reducing the high mortality rate and the short survival of the disease. The average survival is less than 5% after 5 years. New innovative treatments are necessary to curtail the situation. The very dense pancreatic cancer stroma is a barrier that impedes the access of chemotherapeutic drugs and at the same time establishes a pro-proliferative symbiosis with the tumor, thus targeting the stroma has been suggested by many authors. No ideal drug or drug combination for this targeting has been found as yet. With this goal in mind, here we have explored a different complementary treatment based on abundant previous publications on repurposed drugs. The cell surface protein CD44 is the main receptor for hyaluronan binding. Many malignant tumors show over-expression/over-activity of both. This is particularly significant in pancreatic cancer. The independent inhibition of hyaluronan-producing cells, hyaluronan synthesis, and/or CD44 expression, has been found to decrease the tumor cell's proliferation, motility, invasion, and metastatic abilities. Targeting the hyaluronan-CD44 pathway seems to have been bypassed by conventional mainstream oncological practice. There are existing drugs that decrease the activity/expression of hyaluronan and CD44: 4-methylumbelliferone and bromelain respectively. Some drugs inhibit hyaluronan-producing cells such as pirfenidone. The association of these three drugs has never been tested either in the laboratory or in the clinical setting. We present a hypothesis, sustained by hard experimental evidence, suggesting that the simultaneous use of these nontoxic drugs can achieve synergistic or added effects in reducing invasion and metastatic potential, in PDAC. A non-toxic, low-cost scheme for inhibiting this pathway may offer an additional weapon for treating pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephan Joel Reshkin
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Tiago M. A. Carvalho
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Rosa A. Cardone
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (R.A.C.)
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Karimnia V, Rizvi I, Slack FJ, Celli JP. Photodestruction of Stromal Fibroblasts Enhances Tumor Response to PDT in 3D Pancreatic Cancer Coculture Models. Photochem Photobiol 2021; 97:416-426. [PMID: 33011973 PMCID: PMC7965253 DOI: 10.1111/php.13339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most lethal of human cancers. The dismal response of PDAC to virtually all therapeutics is associated, in part, with a characteristically dense fibrotic stroma. This stroma not only acts as a barrier to drug perfusion, but also promotes tumor survival through paracrine crosstalk and biophysical interactions. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is being explored for PDAC treatment, though the impact of tumor-promoting stromal crosstalk on PDT response in PDAC is not well-characterized. The current study assesses the effect of tumor-stroma interactions on response to PDT or chemotherapy in heterocellular 3D cocultures using PDAC cells and two different fibroblastic cell types (pancreatic stellate cells, PSCs, and a normal human fibroblast cell line, MRC5) embedded in extracellular matrix (ECM). While stromal fibroblasts promote resistance to chemotherapy as expected, PDAC 3D nodules in coculture with fibroblasts exhibit increased response to PDT relative to homotypic cultures. These results point to the potential for PDT to overcome tumor-promoting stromal interactions associated with poor therapeutic response in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Karimnia
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston, MA, 02125, USA
| | - Imran Rizvi
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Frank J. Slack
- Department of Pathology, BIDMC Cancer Center/Harvard Medical School; 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jonathan P. Celli
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston, MA, 02125, USA
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28
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Stellate Cells Aid Growth-Permissive Metabolic Reprogramming and Promote Gemcitabine Chemoresistance in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040601. [PMID: 33546284 PMCID: PMC7913350 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The great majority, more than 90%, of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) die within less than five years after detection of the disease, despite recent treatment advances. The poor prognosis is related to late diagnosis, aggressive disease progression, and tumor resistance to conventional chemotherapy. PDAC tumor tissue is characterized by dense fibrosis and poor nutrient availability. A large portion of the tumor is made up of stromal fibroblasts, the pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), which are known to contribute to tumor progression in several ways. PSCs have been shown to act as an alternate energy source, induce drug resistance, and inhibit drug availability in tumor cells, however, the underlying exact molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this literature review, we discuss recent available knowledge about the contributions of PSCs to the overall progression of PDAC via changes in tumor metabolism and how this is linked to therapy resistance. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), also known as pancreatic cancer (PC), is characterized by an overall poor prognosis and a five-year survival that is less than 10%. Characteristic features of the tumor are the presence of a prominent desmoplastic stromal response, an altered metabolism, and profound resistance to cancer drugs including gemcitabine, the backbone of PDAC chemotherapy. The pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) constitute the major cellular component of PDAC stroma. PSCs are essential for extracellular matrix assembly and form a supportive niche for tumor growth. Various cytokines and growth factors induce activation of PSCs through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, which in turn promote overall tumor growth and metastasis and induce chemoresistance. To maintain growth and survival in the nutrient-poor, hypoxic environment of PDAC, tumor cells fulfill their high energy demands via several unconventional ways, a process generally referred to as metabolic reprogramming. Accumulating evidence indicates that activated PSCs not only contribute to the therapy-resistant phenotype of PDAC but also act as a nutrient supplier for the tumor cells. However, the precise molecular links between metabolic reprogramming and an acquired therapy resistance in PDAC remain elusive. This review highlights recent findings indicating the importance of PSCs in aiding growth-permissive metabolic reprogramming and gemcitabine chemoresistance in PDAC.
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29
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Wu Y, Zhang C, Jiang K, Werner J, Bazhin AV, D'Haese JG. The Role of Stellate Cells in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Targeting Perspectives. Front Oncol 2021; 10:621937. [PMID: 33520728 PMCID: PMC7841014 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.621937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a gastrointestinal malignancy with a dismal clinical outcome. Accumulating evidence suggests that activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), the major producers of extracellular matrix (ECM), drive the severe stromal/desmoplastic reaction in PDAC. Furthermore, the crosstalk among PSCs, pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) as well as other stroma cells can establish a growth-supportive tumor microenvironment (TME) of PDAC, thereby enhancing tumor growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance via various pathways. Recently, targeting stroma has emerged as a promising strategy for PDAC therapy, and several novel strategies have been proposed. The aim of our study is to give a profound review of the role of PSCs in PDAC progression and recent advances in stroma-targeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wu
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chun Zhang
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kuirong Jiang
- Pancreas Center and Pancreas Institute, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jens Werner
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandr V Bazhin
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan G D'Haese
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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30
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Hessmann E, Buchholz SM, Demir IE, Singh SK, Gress TM, Ellenrieder V, Neesse A. Microenvironmental Determinants of Pancreatic Cancer. Physiol Rev 2020; 100:1707-1751. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00042.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) belongs to the most lethal solid tumors in humans. A histological hallmark feature of PDAC is the pronounced tumor microenvironment (TME) that dynamically evolves during tumor progression. The TME consists of different non-neoplastic cells such as cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune cells, endothelial cells, and neurons. Furthermore, abundant extracellular matrix components such as collagen and hyaluronic acid as well as matricellular proteins create a highly dynamic and hypovascular TME with multiple biochemical and physical interactions among the various cellular and acellular components that promote tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. In recent years, intensive research efforts have resulted in a significantly improved understanding of the biology and pathophysiology of the TME in PDAC, and novel stroma-targeted approaches are emerging that may help to improve the devastating prognosis of PDAC patients. However, none of anti-stromal therapies has been approved in patients so far, and there is still a large discrepancy between multiple successful preclinical results and subsequent failure in clinical trials. Furthermore, recent findings suggest that parts of the TME may also possess tumor-restraining properties rendering tailored therapies even more challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology, and Endocrinology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Georg August University, Goettingen, Germany; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, School of Medicine Munich, Munich, Germany; Sonderforschungsbereich/Collaborative Research Centre 1321 Modeling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Munich, Germany; Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK) Munich Site, Munich, Germany; and
| | - Soeren M. Buchholz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology, and Endocrinology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Georg August University, Goettingen, Germany; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, School of Medicine Munich, Munich, Germany; Sonderforschungsbereich/Collaborative Research Centre 1321 Modeling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Munich, Germany; Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK) Munich Site, Munich, Germany; and
| | - Ihsan Ekin Demir
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology, and Endocrinology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Georg August University, Goettingen, Germany; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, School of Medicine Munich, Munich, Germany; Sonderforschungsbereich/Collaborative Research Centre 1321 Modeling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Munich, Germany; Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK) Munich Site, Munich, Germany; and
| | - Shiv K. Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology, and Endocrinology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Georg August University, Goettingen, Germany; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, School of Medicine Munich, Munich, Germany; Sonderforschungsbereich/Collaborative Research Centre 1321 Modeling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Munich, Germany; Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK) Munich Site, Munich, Germany; and
| | - Thomas M. Gress
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology, and Endocrinology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Georg August University, Goettingen, Germany; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, School of Medicine Munich, Munich, Germany; Sonderforschungsbereich/Collaborative Research Centre 1321 Modeling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Munich, Germany; Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK) Munich Site, Munich, Germany; and
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology, and Endocrinology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Georg August University, Goettingen, Germany; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, School of Medicine Munich, Munich, Germany; Sonderforschungsbereich/Collaborative Research Centre 1321 Modeling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Munich, Germany; Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK) Munich Site, Munich, Germany; and
| | - Albrecht Neesse
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology, and Endocrinology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Georg August University, Goettingen, Germany; Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, School of Medicine Munich, Munich, Germany; Sonderforschungsbereich/Collaborative Research Centre 1321 Modeling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer, Munich, Germany; Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung (DKTK) Munich Site, Munich, Germany; and
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31
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Turaga RC, Sharma M, Mishra F, Krasinskas A, Yuan Y, Yang JJ, Wang S, Liu C, Li S, Liu ZR. Modulation of Cancer-Associated Fibrotic Stroma by An Integrin α vβ 3 Targeting Protein for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 11:161-179. [PMID: 32810598 PMCID: PMC7674520 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is resistant to most therapeutics owing to dense fibrotic stroma orchestrated by cancer-associated pancreatic stellate cells (CAPaSC). CAPaSC also support cancer cell growth, metastasis, and resistance to apoptosis. Currently, there is no effective therapy for PDAC that specifically targets CAPaSC. We previously reported a rationally designed protein, ProAgio, that targets integrin αvβ3 at a novel site and induces apoptosis in integrin αvβ3-expressing cells. Because both CAPaSC and angiogenic endothelial cells express high levels of integrin αvβ3, we aimed to analyze the effects of ProAgio in PDAC tumor. METHODS Expression of integrin αvβ3 was examined in both patient tissue and cultured cells. The effects of ProAgio on CAPaSC were analyzed using an apoptosis assay kit. The effects of ProAgio in PDAC tumor were studied in 3 murine tumor models: subcutaneous xenograft, genetic engineered (KrasG12D; p53R172H; Pdx1-Cre, GEM-KPC) mice, and an orthotopic KrasG12D; p53R172H; Pdx1-Cre (KPC) model. RESULTS ProAgio induces apoptosis in CAPaSC. ProAgio treatment significantly prolonged survival of a genetically engineered mouse-KPC and orthotopic KPC mice alone or in combination with gemcitabine (Gem). ProAgio specifically induced apoptosis in CAPaSC, resorbed collagen, and opened collapsed tumor vessels without an increase in angiogenesis in PDAC tumor, enabling drug delivery into the tumor. ProAgio decreased intratumoral insulin-like growth factor 1 levels as a result of depletion of CAPaSC and consequently decreased cytidine deaminase, a Gem metabolism enzyme in cancer cells, and thereby reduced resistance to Gem-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that ProAgio is an effective PDAC treatment agent because it specifically depletes CAPaSC and eliminates tumor angiogenesis, thereby enhancing drug delivery and Gem efficacy in PDAC tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Malvika Sharma
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Falguni Mishra
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Yi Yuan
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jenny J Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shiyuan Wang
- Research and Development Division, Amoytop Biotech, Inc, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunfeng Liu
- Research and Development Division, Amoytop Biotech, Inc, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
| | - Sun Li
- Research and Development Division, Amoytop Biotech, Inc, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Ren Liu
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Tan M, Schaffalitzky de Muckadell OB, Jøergensen MT. Gene Expression Network Analysis of Precursor Lesions in Familial Pancreatic Cancer. J Pancreat Cancer 2020; 6:73-84. [PMID: 32783019 PMCID: PMC7415888 DOI: 10.1089/pancan.2020.0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: High-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) are aggressive premalignant lesions, associated with risk of progression to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A depiction of co-dysregulated gene activity in high-grade familial pancreatic cancer (FPC)-related PanIN lesions may characterize the molecular events during the progression from familial PanIN to PDAC. Materials and Methods: We performed weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify clusters of coexpressed genes associated with FPC-related PanIN lesions in 13 samples with PanIN-2/3 from FPC predisposed individuals, 6 samples with PDAC from sporadic pancreatic cancer (SPC) patients, and 4 samples of normal donor pancreatic tissue. Results: WGCNA identified seven differentially expressed gene (DEG) modules and two commonly expressed gene (CEG) modules with significant enrichment for Gene Ontology (GO) terms in FPC and SPC, including three upregulated (p < 5e-05) and four downregulated (p < 6e-04) gene modules in FPC compared to SPC. Among the DEG modules, the upregulated modules include 14 significant genes (p < 1e-06): ALOX12-AS1, BCL2L11, EHD4, C4B, BTN3A3, NDUFA11, RBM4B, MYOC, ZBTB47, TTTY15, NAPRT, LOC102606465, LOC100505711, and PTK2. The downregulated modules include 170 genes (p < 1e-06), among them 13 highly significant genes (p < 1e-10): COL10A1, SAMD9, PLPP4, COMP, POSTN, IGHV4-31, THBS2, MMP9, FNDC1, HOPX, TMEM200A, INHBA, and SULF1. The DEG modules are enriched for GO terms related to mitochondrial structure and adenosine triphosphate metabolic processes, extracellular structure and binding properties, humoral and complement mediated immune response, ligand-gated ion channel activity, and transmembrane receptor activity. Among the CEG modules, IL22RA1, DPEP1, and BCAT1 were found as highly connective hub genes associated with both FPC and SPC. Conclusion: FPC-related PanIN lesions exhibit a common molecular basis with SPC as shown by gene network activities and commonly expressed high-connectivity hub genes. The differential molecular pathology of FPC and SPC involves multiple coexpressed gene clusters enriched for GO terms including extracellular activities and mitochondrion function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Tan
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ove B. Schaffalitzky de Muckadell
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Maiken Thyregod Jøergensen
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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Piehler S, Wucherpfennig L, Tansi FL, Berndt A, Quaas R, Teichgraeber U, Hilger I. Hyperthermia affects collagen fiber architecture and induces apoptosis in pancreatic and fibroblast tumor hetero-spheroids in vitro. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2020; 28:102183. [PMID: 32222478 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2020.102183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Desmoplasia, an aberrant production of extracellular matrix (ECM), is considered as one predictive marker of malignancy of pancreatic cancer. In this paper, we study the effect of mild hyperthermia on fibrillary collagen architecture in murine Achilles tendons and in a pancreatic cancer model, in vitro, i.e. 3D hetero-type tumor spheroids, consisting of pancreatic cancer (Panc-1) cells and fibroblasts (WI-38), producing collagen fibers. We clearly demonstrate that i) mild hyperthermia (40 °C, 42 °C) damages the collagen architecture in murine Achilles tendons. ii) Mild extrinsic (hot air) and iron oxide nanoparticle based magnetic hyperthermia reduce the level of collagen fiber architecture in the generated hetero-type tumor spheroids. iii) Mild magnetic hyperthermia reduces cell vitality mainly through apoptotic and necrotic processes in the generated tumor spheroids. In conclusion, hetero-type 3D tumor spheroids are suitable for studying the effect of hyperthermia on collagen fibers, in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann Piehler
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Lena Wucherpfennig
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Felista L Tansi
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Berndt
- Section Pathology, Institute of Legal Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Ulf Teichgraeber
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Ingrid Hilger
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
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Mundry CS, Eberle KC, Singh PK, Hollingsworth MA, Mehla K. Local and systemic immunosuppression in pancreatic cancer: Targeting the stalwarts in tumor's arsenal. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188387. [PMID: 32579889 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Late detection, compromised immune system, and chemotherapy resistance underlie the poor patient prognosis for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients, making it the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Cooperation between the tumor cells and the immune system leads to the immune escape and eventual establishment of the tumor. For more than 20 years, sincere efforts have been made to intercept the tumor-immune crosstalk and identify the probable therapeutic targets for breaking self-tolerance toward tumor antigens. However, the success of these studies depends on detailed examination and understanding of tumor-immune cell interactions, not only in the primary tumor but also at distant systemic niches. Innate and adaptive arms of the immune system sculpt tumor immunogenicity, where they not only aid in providing an amenable environment for their survival but also act as a driver for tumor relapse at primary or distant organ sites. This review article highlights the key events associated with tumor-immune communication and associated immunosuppression at both local and systemic microenvironments in PDAC. Furthermore, we discuss the approaches and benefits of targeting both local and systemic immunosuppression for PDAC patients. The present articles integrate data from clinical and genetic mouse model studies to provide a widespread consensus on the role of local and systemic immunosuppression in undermining the anti-tumor immune responses against PDAC.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptive Immunity/drug effects
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Bone Marrow/drug effects
- Bone Marrow/immunology
- Bone Marrow/pathology
- Cancer Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/immunology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/mortality
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/therapy
- Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/methods
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Combined Modality Therapy/methods
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease-Free Survival
- Fluorouracil/pharmacology
- Fluorouracil/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate/drug effects
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Irinotecan/pharmacology
- Irinotecan/therapeutic use
- Leucovorin/pharmacology
- Leucovorin/therapeutic use
- Lymph Node Excision
- Lymph Nodes/immunology
- Lymph Nodes/pathology
- Lymph Nodes/surgery
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods
- Oxaliplatin/pharmacology
- Oxaliplatin/therapeutic use
- Pancreas/immunology
- Pancreas/pathology
- Pancreas/surgery
- Pancreatectomy
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/immunology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/mortality
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/therapy
- Spleen/immunology
- Spleen/pathology
- Spleen/surgery
- Splenectomy
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
- Transplantation, Autologous/methods
- Tumor Escape/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- United States/epidemiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara S Mundry
- The Eppley Institute for Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
| | - Kirsten C Eberle
- The Eppley Institute for Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- The Eppley Institute for Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
| | - Michael A Hollingsworth
- The Eppley Institute for Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA
| | - Kamiya Mehla
- The Eppley Institute for Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA.
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Wei Y, Wang G, Wang C, Zhou Y, Zhang J, Xu K. Upregulation of DUSP14 Affects Proliferation, Invasion and Metastasis, Potentially via Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:2097-2108. [PMID: 32256117 PMCID: PMC7093097 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s240040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is a growing number of evidence which report the relationship of the dual-specificity phosphatases 14 (DUSP14) with physiological and pathological mechanisms in the human body. However, it is still not known what if any role DUSP14 plays in pancreatic cancer. Materials and Methods The study evaluates the levels of DUSP14 in the pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines using Western blotting and qRT-PCR to assess the levels of the DUSP14 and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. After the DUSP14 was blocked, the following assays were performed: colony formation, assessments of scratch wound and transwell to examine the effects of DUSP14 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of the pancreatic cancer. Results Results showed that there was a significant increase in the level of DUSP14 expression both in the pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines. Experimental downregulation of DUSP14 induced the inhibition of the capacity of proliferation, migration and invasion of the pancreatic cancer cells. Western blotting analyses showed changes in the levels of expression of the EMT biomarkers, which helped to determine the function of DUSP14 in EMT. Conclusion In conclusion, we suggest that DUSP14 is a novel molecular target that can be used for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Wei
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangming Zhou
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingcheng Zhang
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Xu
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated with Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, People's Republic of China
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Thomas D, Radhakrishnan P. Pancreatic Stellate Cells: The Key Orchestrator of The Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1234:57-70. [PMID: 32040855 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-37184-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging adenocarcinomas due to its hostile molecular behavior and complex tumor microenvironment. It has been recently postulated that pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), the resident lipid-storing cells of the pancreas, are important components of the tumor microenvironment as they can transdifferentiate into highly proliferative myofibroblasts in the context of tissue injury. Targeting tumor-stromal crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy against pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis. This chapter brings a broad view on the biological and pathological role of PSCs in the pancreas, activated stellate cells in the onset of tissue fibrosis, and tumor progression with particular emphasis on the bidirectional interactions between tumor cells and PSCs. Further, potential therapeutic regimens targeting activated PSCs in the pre-clinical and clinical trials are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Thomas
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Prakash Radhakrishnan
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. .,Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. .,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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37
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Chen P, Wang Y, Fang X, Wang X, Wang G. Prognostic significance of peritumoral fibrosis after resection of pancreatic head cancer. Oncol Lett 2020; 19:1235-1240. [PMID: 32002027 PMCID: PMC6960382 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.11181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prognostic value of peritumoral fibrosis (PF) in pancreatic head cancer after resection was evaluated. A total of 143 pancreatic cancer patients who underwent tumor resection were enrolled. All patients underwent routine preoperative examination, including contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients receiving preoperative chemoradiation were excluded because it affects the proportion of fibrosis and cancer cells. Histopathological confirmation and classification of pancreatic head cancer (PHC) was made according to the standards of World Health Organization and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). The presence of fibrosis was assessed histologically, and correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival using univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and a stepwise multivariable Cox regression model. Vein resection, resection margin, grading, nodal status, preoperative CA19-9 levels and PF were significantly associated with overall survival. Multivariate analysis showed that all the aforementioned were independent predictive factors of survival. In addition, the survival of patients with PF was significantly worse compared to those without (HR 1.392; P=0.027). Tumor necrosis is a valuable prognostic tool that can be included in the routine post-resection histopathological evaluation of pancreatic head cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, P.R. China
| | - Youmei Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Changxing Campus, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313100, P.R. China
| | - Xiaosan Fang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, P.R. China
| | - Guannan Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, P.R. China
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38
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Nielsen MFB, Mortensen MB, Sørensen MD, Wirenfeldt M, Kristensen BW, Schrøder HD, Pfeiffer P, Detlefsen S. Spatial and phenotypic characterization of pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts after neoadjuvant treatment. Histol Histopathol 2020; 35:811-825. [PMID: 31960942 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PC) is characterized by a highly fibrotic desmoplastic stroma. Subtypes of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been identified in chemotherapy-naïve PC (CTN-PC), but their precise functions are still unclear. Our knowledge regarding the properties of CAFs in the regressive stroma after neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) of PC (NAT-PC) is particularly limited. We aimed to examine the marker phenotypic properties of CAFs in the regressive stroma of PC. Surgical specimens from patients with CTN-PC (n=10) and NAT-PC (n=10) were included. Juxtatumoural, peripheral, lobular, septal, peripancreatic, and regressive stromal compartments were manually outlined using digital imaging analysis (DIA) for area quantification. The compartment-specific expression of CD271, cytoglobin, DOG-1, miR-21, osteonectin, PDGF-Rβ, and tenascin C was evaluated by immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization, using manual scoring and automated DIA. The area fraction of the regressive stroma was significantly higher in NAT-PC than in CTN-PC (P=0.0002). CD271 (P<0.01), cytoglobin (P<0.05), DOG1 (P<0.05), miR-21 (P<0.05), and tenascin C (P<0.05) exhibited significant differences in their expression profiles between the juxtatumoural compared to the peripheral and regressive stroma. PDGF-Rβ expression was significantly higher in juxtatumoural than in peripheral CAFs (P<0.05). Our data provide further support of the concept of stromal heterogeneity and phenotypic different CAF subtypes in PC. CAFs in the regressive stroma of NAT-PC show a marker phenotype similar to some (namely, peripheral) and different from other (namely, juxtatumoural) previously defined CAF subtypes. It may be hypothesized that phenotypic CAF subtypes, at least in part, also may share functional properties. Studies examining the precise functional characteristics of CAF subtypes in PC are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Friberg Bruun Nielsen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Michael Bau Mortensen
- Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Surgery, HPB Section, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mia Dahl Sørensen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Martin Wirenfeldt
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Bjarne Winther Kristensen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik Daa Schrøder
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Per Pfeiffer
- Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sönke Detlefsen
- Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
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Kokkinos J, Ignacio RMC, Sharbeen G, Boyer C, Gonzales-Aloy E, Goldstein D, Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative Apgi, McCarroll JA, Phillips PA. Targeting the undruggable in pancreatic cancer using nano-based gene silencing drugs. Biomaterials 2020; 240:119742. [PMID: 32088410 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is predicted to be the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2025. The best chemotherapy only extends survival by an average of 18 weeks. The extensive fibrotic stroma surrounding the tumor curbs therapeutic options as chemotherapy drugs cannot freely penetrate the tumor. RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising approach to revolutionize cancer treatment. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be designed to inhibit the expression of any gene which is important given the high degree of genetic heterogeneity present in pancreatic tumors. Despite the potential of siRNA therapies, there are hurdles limiting their clinical application such as poor transport across biological barriers, limited cellular uptake, degradation, and rapid clearance. Nanotechnology can address these challenges. In fact, the past few decades have seen the conceptualization, design, pre-clinical testing and recent clinical approval of a RNAi nanodrug to treat disease. In this review, we comment on the current state of play of clinical trials evaluating siRNA nanodrugs and review pre-clinical studies investigating the efficacy of siRNA therapeutics in pancreatic cancer. We assess the physiological barriers unique to pancreatic cancer that need to be considered when designing and testing new nanomedicines for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kokkinos
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Rosa Mistica C Ignacio
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - George Sharbeen
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Cyrille Boyer
- Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design, School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Estrella Gonzales-Aloy
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - David Goldstein
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Prince of Wales Hospital, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | | | - Joshua A McCarroll
- Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Tumour Biology & Targeting Program, Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 2031; School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Phoebe A Phillips
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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40
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Kim SS, Xu S, Cui J, Poddar S, Le TM, Hayrapetyan H, Li L, Wu N, Moore AM, Zhou L, Yu AC, Dann AM, Elliott IA, Abt ER, Kim W, Dawson DW, Radu CG, Donahue TR. Histone deacetylase inhibition is synthetically lethal with arginine deprivation in pancreatic cancers with low argininosuccinate synthetase 1 expression. Theranostics 2020; 10:829-840. [PMID: 31903153 PMCID: PMC6929997 DOI: 10.7150/thno.40195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Arginine (Arg) deprivation is a promising therapeutic approach for tumors with low argininosuccinate synthetase 1 (ASS1) expression. However, its efficacy as a single agent therapy needs to be improved as resistance is frequently observed. Methods: A tissue microarray was performed to assess ASS1 expression in surgical specimens of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and its correlation with disease prognosis. An RNA-Seq analysis examined the role of ASS1 in regulating the global gene transcriptome. A high throughput screen of FDA-approved oncology drugs identified synthetic lethality between histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and Arg deprivation in PDAC cells with low ASS1 expression. We examined HDAC inhibitor panobinostat (PAN) and Arg deprivation in a panel of human PDAC cell lines, in ASS1-high and -knockdown/knockout isogenic models, in both anchorage-dependent and -independent cultures, and in multicellular complex cultures that model the PDAC tumor microenvironment. We examined the effects of combined Arg deprivation and PAN on DNA damage and the protein levels of key DNA repair enzymes. We also evaluated the efficacy of PAN and ADI-PEG20 (an Arg-degrading agent currently in Phase 2 clinical trials) in xenograft models with ASS1-low and -high PDAC tumors. Results: Low ASS1 protein level is a negative prognostic indicator in PDAC. Arg deprivation in ASS1-deficient PDAC cells upregulated asparagine synthetase (ASNS) which redirected aspartate (Asp) from being used for de novo nucleotide biosynthesis, thus causing nucleotide insufficiency and impairing cell cycle S-phase progression. Comprehensively validated, HDAC inhibitors and Arg deprivation showed synthetic lethality in ASS1-low PDAC cells. Mechanistically, combined Arg deprivation and HDAC inhibition triggered degradation of a key DNA repair enzyme C-terminal-binding protein interacting protein (CtIP), resulting in DNA damage and apoptosis. In addition, S-phase-retained ASS1-low PDAC cells (due to Arg deprivation) were also sensitized to DNA damage, thus yielding effective cell death. Compared to single agents, the combination of PAN and ADI-PEG20 showed better efficacy in suppressing ASS1-low PDAC tumor growth in mouse xenograft models. Conclusion: The combination of PAN and ADI-PEG20 is a rational translational therapeutic strategy for treating ASS1-low PDAC tumors through synergistic induction of DNA damage.
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41
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Li C, An MX, Jiang JY, Yao HB, Li S, Yan J, Li XY, Wang HQ. BAG3 Suppresses Loading of Ago2 to IL6 mRNA in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2019; 9:225. [PMID: 31001483 PMCID: PMC6454118 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are a subset of pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts, which play a critical role in pancreatic fibrosis, a characteristic feature of pancreatic cancer. The interplay between PSCs and pancreatic cancer cells is vital for promotion of tumor progression and metastasis. BAG3 is correlated with poor prognostics in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), however, the exact mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that BAG3 downregulation decreased IL6 release by PDACs, and IL6 reduction was, at least partially, responsible for suppression of PSCs activation by PDACs with BAG3 downmodulation. Importantly, BAG3 expression positively correlated with fibrosis in pancreatic cancer tissue. With regard to the underlying mechanism, we demonstrated that BAG3 knockdown facilitated recruitment of Agonaute 2 (Ago2) to IL6 mRNA, resulting in destabilization of IL6 mRNA. In addition, the current study demonstrated that phosphorylation at Serine (Ser) 387 site was required for recruitment of Ago2-containing miRISC to IL6 mRNA and BAG3 knockdown facilitated Ago2 loading to IL6 mRNA via increasing its phosphorylation at Ser 387. This study shed new light on the tumor-promoting role of BAG3 in PDAC tumors, suggesting BAG3 might represent an interesting therapeutic opportunity to PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ming-Xin An
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jing-Yi Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Han-Bing Yao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Si Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jing Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xin-Yu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hua-Qin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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42
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Schnittert J, Bansal R, Prakash J. Targeting Pancreatic Stellate Cells in Cancer. Trends Cancer 2019; 5:128-142. [PMID: 30755305 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are the major contributor to the aggressive, metastatic, and resilient nature of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which has a poor prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of 8%. PSCs constitute more than 50% of the tumor stroma in PDAC, where they induce extensive desmoplasia by secreting abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. In addition, they establish dynamic crosstalk with cancer cells and other stromal cells, which collectively supports tumor progression via various inter- and intracellular pathways. These cellular interactions and associated pathways may reveal novel therapeutic opportunities against this unmet clinical problem. In this review article, we discuss the role of PSCs in inducing tumor progression, their crosstalk with other cells, and therapeutic strategies to target PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Schnittert
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Ruchi Bansal
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Jai Prakash
- Targeted Therapeutics, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands; ScarTec Therapeutics BV, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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43
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Chakravarthy D, Muñoz AR, Su A, Hwang RF, Keppler BR, Chan DE, Halff G, Ghosh R, Kumar AP. Palmatine suppresses glutamine-mediated interaction between pancreatic cancer and stellate cells through simultaneous inhibition of survivin and COL1A1. Cancer Lett 2019; 419:103-115. [PMID: 29414301 PMCID: PMC5858579 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.01.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 01/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Reciprocal interaction between pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and cancer cells (PCCs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) promotes tumor cell survival and progression to lethal, therapeutically resistant pancreatic cancer. The goal of this study was to test the ability of Palmatine (PMT) to disrupt this reciprocal interaction in vitro and examine the underlying mechanism of interaction. We show that PSCs secrete glutamine into the extracellular environment under nutrient deprivation. PMT suppresses glutamine-mediated changes in GLI signaling in PCCs resulting in the inhibition of growth and migration while inducing apoptosis by inhibition of survivin. PMT-mediated inhibition of (glioma-associated oncogene 1) GLI activity in stellate cells leads to suppression (collagen type 1 alpha 1) COL1A1 activation. Remarkably, PMT potentiated gemcitabine’s growth inhibitory activity in PSCs, PCCs and inherently gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells. This is the first study that shows the ability of PMT to inhibit growth of PSCs and PCCs either alone or in combination with gemcitabine. These studies warrant additional investigations using preclinical models to develop PMT as an agent for clinical management of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Chakravarthy
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Amanda R Muñoz
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Angel Su
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Rosa F Hwang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Brian R Keppler
- Metabolon, Inc., 617 Davis Drive, Suite 400, Morrisville, NC 27560, USA
| | | | - Glenn Halff
- Department of Transplant Surgery, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Rita Ghosh
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Addanki P Kumar
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Audie Murphy South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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44
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Thomas D, Radhakrishnan P. Tumor-stromal crosstalk in pancreatic cancer and tissue fibrosis. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:14. [PMID: 30665410 PMCID: PMC6341551 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0927-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. To date, limited therapeutic achievements targeting cell proliferation and related mechanisms has led researchers to focus on the microenvironment where pancreatic cancers develop. The anomalous proliferation of stromal cells, such as pancreatic stellate cells, and an increased deposition of altered matrix proteins create an environment that facilitates tumor growth, metastasis and drug resistance. Here, we summarize our understanding of recent advances in research about the role of fibrosis in pancreatic cancer progression, with particular emphasize on the involvement of fibrotic machineries such as wound healing, extra cellular matrix degradation, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. The precise influence of these mechanisms on the biological behaviors and growth of cancer cells has great impact on clinical therapy and therefore deserves more attention. We also discuss the role of various stromal components in conferring drug resistance to PDAC which further worsening the pessimistic disease prognosis. A more in depth understanding of cancer-stroma crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment and stroma based clinical and translational therapies may provide new therapeutic strategies for the prevention of pancreatic cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Thomas
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986805 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA
| | - Prakash Radhakrishnan
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986805 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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45
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Elahi-Gedwillo KY, Carlson M, Zettervall J, Provenzano PP. Antifibrotic Therapy Disrupts Stromal Barriers and Modulates the Immune Landscape in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res 2019; 79:372-386. [PMID: 30401713 PMCID: PMC6335156 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-1334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remains one of the deadliest forms of cancer, in part, because it is largely refractory to current therapies. The failure of most standard therapies in PDA, as well as promising immune therapies, may be largely ascribed to highly unique and protective stromal microenvironments that present significant biophysical barriers to effective drug delivery, that are immunosuppressive, and that can limit the distribution and function of antitumor immune cells. Here, we utilized stromal reengineering to disrupt these barriers and move the stroma toward normalization using a potent antifibrotic agent, halofuginone. In an autochthonous genetically engineered mouse model of PDA, halofuginone disrupted physical barriers to effective drug distribution by decreasing fibroblast activation and reducing key extracellular matrix elements that drive stromal resistance. Concomitantly, halofuginone treatment altered the immune landscape in PDA, with greater immune infiltrate into regions of low hylauronan, which resulted in increased number and distribution of both classically activated inflammatory macrophages and cytotoxic T cells. In concert with a direct effect on carcinoma cells, this led to widespread intratumoral necrosis and reduced tumor volume. These data point to the multifunctional and critical role of the stroma in tumor protection and survival and demonstrate how compromising tumor integrity to move toward a more normal physiologic state through stroma-targeting therapy will likely be an instrumental component in treating PDA. SIGNIFICANCE: This work demonstrates how focused stromal re-engineering approaches to move toward normalization of the stroma disrupt physical barriers to effective drug delivery and promote antitumor immunity.See related commentary by Huang and Brekken, p. 328.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kianna Y Elahi-Gedwillo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- University of Minnesota Physical Sciences in Oncology Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Marjorie Carlson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jon Zettervall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Paolo P Provenzano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- University of Minnesota Physical Sciences in Oncology Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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46
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Li Y, Song T, Chen Z, Wang Y, Zhang J, Wang X. Pancreatic Stellate Cells Activation and Matrix Metallopeptidase 2 Expression Correlate With Lymph Node Metastasis in Pancreatic Carcinoma. Am J Med Sci 2019; 357:16-22. [PMID: 30466735 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the correlation between pancreatic stellate cell activation, matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) expression and lymph node metastasis in pancreatic carcinoma. METHODS Alpha-smooth muscle actin (ACTA2), Desmin (DES) and MMP2 were detected in 40 pancreatic carcinoma patients and 10 cases of normal pancreas tissues using immunohistochemistry. Then MMP2 and ACTA2 expression profiles in pancreatic cancer were obtained from UCSC (University of California, Santa Cruz) and SurvExpress. RESULTS A total of 67.5% and 55.0% of cases positively expressed ACTA2 and DES in pancreatic carcinoma, respectively. MMP2 in pancreatic carcinoma was expressed in 55.0% of cases, and there were significant differences between the lymph node metastasis group and the lymph node nonmetastasis group, as well as invasion and noninvasion to the peripheral tissue group (P < 0.01). High throughput sequencing databases verified that ACTA2 and MMP2 gene expression were both upregulated in pancreatic carcinoma tissues. CONCLUSIONS The coexpression of ACTA2 and DES was related to the expression of MMP2, and positively correlated with lymph node metastasis. Activation of pancreatic stellate cells may promote the expression of MMP2 and enhance the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueguang Li
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Tianjin Hospital of ITCWM Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China; Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Tao Song
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Tianjin Hospital of ITCWM Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Tianjin Hospital of ITCWM Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Tianjin Hospital of ITCWM Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Juyuan Zhang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Tianjin Hospital of ITCWM Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ximo Wang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Tianjin Hospital of ITCWM Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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Pothuraju R, Rachagani S, Junker WM, Chaudhary S, Saraswathi V, Kaur S, Batra SK. Pancreatic cancer associated with obesity and diabetes: an alternative approach for its targeting. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:319. [PMID: 30567565 PMCID: PMC6299603 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0963-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer (PC) is among foremost causes of cancer related deaths worldwide due to generic symptoms, lack of effective screening strategies and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapies. The risk factors associated with PC include several metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Studies have shown that obesity and T2DM are associated with PC pathogenesis; however, their role in PC initiation and development remains obscure. MAIN BODY Several biochemical and physiological factors associated with obesity and/or T2DM including adipokines, inflammatory mediators, and altered microbiome are involved in PC progression and metastasis albeit by different molecular mechanisms. Deep understanding of these factors and causal relationship between factors and altered signaling pathways will facilitate deconvolution of disease complexity as well as lead to development of novel therapies. In the present review, we focuses on the interplay between adipocytokines, gut microbiota, adrenomedullin, hyaluronan, vanin and matrix metalloproteinase affected by metabolic alteration and pancreatic tumor progression. CONCLUSIONS Metabolic diseases, such as obesity and T2DM, contribute PC development through altered metabolic pathways. Delineating key players in oncogenic development in pancreas due to metabolic disorder could be a beneficial strategy to combat cancers associated with metabolic diseases in particular, PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Pothuraju
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Satyanarayana Rachagani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Wade M Junker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Sanguine Diagnostics and Therapeutics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sanjib Chaudhary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Viswanathan Saraswathi
- Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sukhwinder Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. .,Fred & Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. .,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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48
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Liu SL, Cao SG, Li Y, Sun B, Chen D, Wang DS, Zhou YB. Pancreatic stellate cells facilitate pancreatic cancer cell viability and invasion. Oncol Lett 2018; 17:2057-2062. [PMID: 30675272 PMCID: PMC6341873 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The biological features of pancreatic cancer and the associated hypoxic environment around the cancer cells often lead to resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The present study was performed in order to explore the effect pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. In the present study, PSCs from human pancreatic cancer tissues were isolated, and the PSCs markers α-smooth muscle actin and desmin were overexpressed in the cytoplasm of PSCs. An MTT assay revealed that PSCs promoted the viability of pancreatic cancer cells. However, the viability of pancreatic cancer cells promoted by PSCs was partially blocked by SB525334. Cellular invasion analysis demonstrated that PSCs promoted the invasion ability of pancreatic cancer cells. An apoptosis assay indicated that PSCs decreased the level of apoptosis induced by gemcitabine. In vivo experiments consisting of mice bearing MIA-PaCa-2 and PSCs demonstrated an increase in the rate of tumor growth compared with MIA-PaCA-2 alone, whereas SB525334 may delay the tumor progression induced by PSCs. The present findings indicated that PSCs promoted the viability and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, and decreased the apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells induced by gemcitabine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Long Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Shou-Gen Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Sheng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Bing Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China
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49
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Nielsen MFB, Mortensen MB, Detlefsen S. Typing of pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts identifies different subpopulations. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:4663-4678. [PMID: 30416314 PMCID: PMC6224473 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i41.4663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To determine whether it is possible to identify different immune phenotypic subpopulations of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in pancreatic cancer (PC).
METHODS We defined four different stromal compartments in surgical specimens with PC: The juxtatumoural, peripheral, lobular and septal stroma. Tissue microarrays were produced containing all pre-defined PC compartments, and the expression of 37 fibroblast (FB) and 8 extracellular matrix (ECM) markers was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence (IF), double-IF, and/or in situ hybridization. The compartment-specific mean labelling score was determined for each marker using a four-tiered scoring system. DOG1 gene expression was examined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qPCR).
RESULTS CD10, CD271, cytoglobin, DOG1, miR-21, nestin, and tenascin C exhibited significant differences in expression profiles between the juxtatumoural and peripheral compartments. The expression of CD10, cytoglobin, DOG1, nestin, and miR-21 was moderate/strong in juxtatumoural CAFs (j-CAFs) and barely perceptible/weak in peripheral CAFs (p-CAFs). The upregulation of DOG1 gene expression in PC compared to normal pancreas was verified by qPCR. Tenascin C expression was strong in the juxtatumoural ECM and barely perceptible/weak in the peripheral ECM. CD271 expression was barely perceptible in j-CAFs but moderate in the other compartments. Galectin-1 was stronger expressed in j-CAFs vs septal fibroblasts, PDGF-Rβ, tissue transglutaminase 2, and hyaluronic acid were stronger expressed in lobular fibroblasts vs p-CAFs, and plectin-1 was stronger expressed in j-CAFs vs l-FBs. The expression of the remaining 33 markers did not differ significantly when related to the quantity of CAFs/FBs or the amount of ECM in the respective compartments.
CONCLUSION Different immune phenotypic CAF subpopulations can be identified in PC, using markers such as cytoglobin, CD271, and miR-21. Future studies should determine whether CAF subpopulations have different functional properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Friberg Bruun Nielsen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense C 5000, Denmark
| | - Michael Bau Mortensen
- Department of Surgery, HPB Section, Odense University Hospital, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense C 5000, Denmark
| | - Sönke Detlefsen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense Pancreas Center (OPAC), Odense C 5000, Denmark
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Durymanov M, Kroll C, Permyakova A, O'Neill E, Sulaiman R, Person M, Reineke J. Subcutaneous Inoculation of 3D Pancreatic Cancer Spheroids Results in Development of Reproducible Stroma-Rich Tumors. Transl Oncol 2018; 12:180-189. [PMID: 30554606 PMCID: PMC6295361 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly disease characterized by high expression of extracellular matrix in tumor tissue, which contributes to chemoresistance and poor prognosis. Here, we developed 3D pancreatic cancer spheroids, based on pancreatic cancer cells and fibroblast co-culture, which demonstrate innate desmoplastic properties and stay poorly permeable for model nanoparticles. Our study revealed that establishment of tumors by transplantation of spheroids significantly improved subcutaneous xenograft model of PDAC, which stays the most widely used animal model for testing of new drugs and drug delivery approaches. Spheroid based tumors abundantly produced different extracellular matrix (ECM) components including collagen I, fibronectin, laminin and hyaluronic acid. These tumors were highly reproducible with excellent uniformity in terms of ECM architecture recapitulating clinical PDAC tumors, whereas in more common cell based xenografts a significant intertumor heterogeneity in extracellular matrix production was found. Moreover, spheroid based xenografts demonstrated higher expression of pro-fibrotic and pro-survival PDAC hallmarks in opposite to cell based counterparts. We believe that future development of this model will provide an effective instrument for testing of anti-cancer drugs with improved predictive value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Durymanov
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
| | - Christian Kroll
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
| | - Anastasia Permyakova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
| | | | - Raed Sulaiman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD
| | | | - Joshua Reineke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD.
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