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Bentivoglio V, Galli F, Varani M, Ranieri D, Nayak P, D’Elia A, Soluri A, Massari R, Lauri C, Signore A. Radiolabelled FGF-2 for Imaging Activated Fibroblasts in the Tumor Micro-Environment. Biomolecules 2024; 14:491. [PMID: 38672507 PMCID: PMC11047989 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040491] [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: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor associated fibroblasts (TAFs) play a key role in tumor growth and metastatization. TAFs overexpress different biomarkers that are usually expressed at low levels in physiological conditions. Among them are the fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) that bind the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). In particular, the overexpression of FGFR-2c in tumors has been associated with advanced clinical stages and increased metastatization. Here, we developed a non-invasive tool to evaluate, in vivo, the expression of FGFR-2c in metastatic cancer. This is based on 99mTc-labelled FGF-2. METHODS 99mTc-FGF-2 was tested in vitro and in vivo in mice bearing allografts of sarcoma cells. Images of 99mTc-FGF-2 were acquired using a new portable high-resolution ultra-sensitive gamma camera for small animal imaging. RESULTS FGF-2 was labeled with high specific activity but low labelling efficiency, thus requiring post-labeling purification by gel-filtration chromatography. In vitro binding to 2C human keratinocytes showed a Kd of 3.36 × 10-9 M. In mice bearing J774A.1 cell allografts, we observed high and rapid tumor uptake of 99mTc-FGF-2 with a high Tumor/Blood ratio at 24 h post-injection (26.1 %ID/g and 12.9 %ID) with low kidney activity and moderate liver activity. CONCLUSIONS we labeled FGF-2 with 99mTc and showed nanomolar Kd in vitro with human keratinocytes expressing FGF-2 receptors. In mice, 99mTc-FGF-2 rapidly and efficiently accumulated in tumors expressing FGF-2 receptors. This new radiopharmaceutical could be used in humans to image TAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Bentivoglio
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (V.B.); (M.V.); (P.N.); (C.L.)
| | - Filippo Galli
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (V.B.); (M.V.); (P.N.); (C.L.)
| | - Michela Varani
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (V.B.); (M.V.); (P.N.); (C.L.)
| | - Danilo Ranieri
- Department of Life Sciences, Health and Healthcare Professions, University “Link Campus University”, 00189 Rome, Italy;
| | - Pallavi Nayak
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (V.B.); (M.V.); (P.N.); (C.L.)
| | - Annunziata D’Elia
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Italy; (A.D.); (A.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Andrea Soluri
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Italy; (A.D.); (A.S.); (R.M.)
- Unit of Molecular Neurosciences, University Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Massari
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Italy; (A.D.); (A.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Chiara Lauri
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (V.B.); (M.V.); (P.N.); (C.L.)
| | - Alberto Signore
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (V.B.); (M.V.); (P.N.); (C.L.)
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Sallinger K, Gruber M, Müller CT, Bonstingl L, Pritz E, Pankratz K, Gerger A, Smolle MA, Aigelsreiter A, Surova O, Svedlund J, Nilsson M, Kroneis T, El-Heliebi A. Spatial tumour gene signature discriminates neoplastic from non-neoplastic compartments in colon cancer: unravelling predictive biomarkers for relapse. J Transl Med 2023; 21:528. [PMID: 37543577 PMCID: PMC10403907 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04384-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opting for or against the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy in therapeutic management of stage II colon cancer remains challenging. Several studies report few survival benefits for patients treated with adjuvant therapy and additionally revealing potential side effects of overtreatment, including unnecessary exposure to chemotherapy-induced toxicities and reduced quality of life. Predictive biomarkers are urgently needed. We, therefore, hypothesise that the spatial tissue composition of relapsed and non-relapsed colon cancer stage II patients reveals relevant biomarkers. METHODS The spatial tissue composition of stage II colon cancer patients was examined by a novel spatial transcriptomics technology with sub-cellular resolution, namely in situ sequencing. A panel of 176 genes investigating specific cancer-associated processes such as apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis, stemness, oxidative stress, hypoxia, invasion and components of the tumour microenvironment was designed to examine differentially expressed genes in tissue of relapsed versus non-relapsed patients. Therefore, FFPE slides of 10 colon cancer stage II patients either classified as relapsed (5 patients) or non-relapsed (5 patients) were in situ sequenced and computationally analysed. RESULTS We identified a tumour gene signature that enables the subclassification of tissue into neoplastic and non-neoplastic compartments based on spatial expression patterns obtained through in situ sequencing. We developed a computational tool called Genes-To-Count (GTC), which automates the quantification of in situ signals, accurately mapping their position onto the spatial tissue map and automatically identifies neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissue compartments. The GTC tool was used to quantify gene expression of biological processes upregulated within the neoplastic tissue in comparison to non-neoplastic tissue and within relapsed versus non-relapsed stage II colon patients. Three differentially expressed genes (FGFR2, MMP11 and OTOP2) in the neoplastic tissue compartments of relapsed patients in comparison to non-relapsed patients were identified predicting recurrence in stage II colon cancer. CONCLUSIONS In depth spatial in situ sequencing showed potential to provide a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in the recurrence of disease and revealed novel potential predictive biomarkers for disease relapse in colon cancer stage II patients. Our open-access GTC-tool allowed us to accurately capture the tumour compartment and quantify spatial gene expression in colon cancer tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Sallinger
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Centre, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Austria
| | - Michael Gruber
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Centre, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christin-Therese Müller
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Centre, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Lilli Bonstingl
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Centre, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Pritz
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Centre, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Karin Pankratz
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Centre, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Armin Gerger
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Maria Anna Smolle
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ariane Aigelsreiter
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Olga Surova
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 17165, Solna, Sweden
| | - Jessica Svedlund
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 17165, Solna, Sweden
- 10x Genomics, Life City, Solnavägen 3H, 113 63, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Nilsson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 17165, Solna, Sweden
| | - Thomas Kroneis
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Centre, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Austria
| | - Amin El-Heliebi
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Centre, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), Graz, Austria.
- Biotechmed, Graz, Austria.
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Wojtyś W, Oroń M. How Driver Oncogenes Shape and Are Shaped by Alternative Splicing Mechanisms in Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15112918. [PMID: 37296881 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112918] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of RNA sequencing methods has allowed us to study and better understand the landscape of aberrant pre-mRNA splicing in tumors. Altered splicing patterns are observed in many different tumors and affect all hallmarks of cancer: growth signal independence, avoidance of apoptosis, unlimited proliferation, invasiveness, angiogenesis, and metabolism. In this review, we focus on the interplay between driver oncogenes and alternative splicing in cancer. On one hand, oncogenic proteins-mutant p53, CMYC, KRAS, or PI3K-modify the alternative splicing landscape by regulating expression, phosphorylation, and interaction of splicing factors with spliceosome components. Some splicing factors-SRSF1 and hnRNPA1-are also driver oncogenes. At the same time, aberrant splicing activates key oncogenes and oncogenic pathways: p53 oncogenic isoforms, the RAS-RAF-MAPK pathway, the PI3K-mTOR pathway, the EGF and FGF receptor families, and SRSF1 splicing factor. The ultimate goal of cancer research is a better diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. In the final part of this review, we discuss present therapeutic opportunities and possible directions of further studies aiming to design therapies targeting alternative splicing mechanisms in the context of driver oncogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Wojtyś
- Laboratory of Human Disease Multiomics, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Oroń
- Laboratory of Human Disease Multiomics, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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Li Y, Shi Y, Zhang X, Li P, Ma L, Hu P, Xu L, Dai Y, Xia S, Qiu H. FGFR2 upregulates PAI-1 via JAK2/STAT3 signaling to induce M2 polarization of macrophages in colorectal cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166665. [PMID: 36781088 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is frequently activated by overexpression or mutation, and an abnormal fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/FGFR signaling pathway is associated with the occurrence, development, and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our preliminary analysis found that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression may be related to FGF/FGFR signaling, however, their role in the tumor immune microenvironment remains unclear. In this study, we observed markedly higher PAI-1 expression in CRC patients with poor survival rates. PAI-1 is regulated by FGF/FGFR2 in colon cancer cells and is involved in M2 macrophage polarization. Mechanistically, inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway could cause PAI-1 downregulation. Furthermore, the activation of phosphorylated STAT3 upregulated PAI-1. In vivo, FGFR2 overexpression in tumor-bearing mouse models suggested that a PAI-1 inhibitor could rescue FGFR2/PAI-1 axis-induced M2 macrophage polarization, which leads to effective immune activity and tumor suppression. Moreover, the combination of a PAI-1 inhibitor and anti-PD-1 therapy exhibited superior antitumor activity in mice. These findings offer novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor deterioration and provide potential therapeutic targets for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yongkang Shi
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery/Cancer Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xiuyuan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Piao Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Pengbo Hu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Liang Xu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yuhong Dai
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Shu Xia
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Hong Qiu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China.
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Singh A, Rajeevan A, Gopalan V, Agrawal P, Day CP, Hannenhalli S. Broad misappropriation of developmental splicing profile by cancer in multiple organs. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7664. [PMID: 36509773 PMCID: PMC9744839 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35322-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenesis mimics key aspects of embryonic development. However, the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that the splicing events specifically active during human organogenesis, are broadly reactivated in the organ-specific tumor. Such events are associated with key oncogenic processes and predict proliferation rates in cancer cell lines as well as patient survival. Such events preferentially target nitrosylation and transmembrane-region domains, whose coordinated splicing in multiple genes respectively affect intracellular transport and N-linked glycosylation. We infer critical splicing factors potentially regulating embryonic splicing events and show that such factors are potential oncogenic drivers and are upregulated specifically in malignant cells. Multiple complementary analyses point to MYC and FOXM1 as potential transcriptional regulators of critical splicing factors in brain and liver. Our study provides a comprehensive demonstration of a splicing-mediated link between development and cancer, and suggest anti-cancer targets including splicing events, and their upstream splicing and transcriptional regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arashdeep Singh
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Arati Rajeevan
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Vishaka Gopalan
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Piyush Agrawal
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Chi-Ping Day
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Sridhar Hannenhalli
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Cancer Data Science Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
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Kim WR, Park EG, Lee YJ, Bae WH, Lee DH, Kim HS. Integration of TE Induces Cancer Specific Alternative Splicing Events. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810918. [PMID: 36142830 PMCID: PMC9502224 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing of messenger RNA (mRNA) precursors contributes to genetic diversity by generating structurally and functionally distinct transcripts. In a disease state, alternative splicing promotes incidence and development of several cancer types through regulation of cancer-related biological processes. Transposable elements (TEs), having the genetic ability to jump to other regions of the genome, can bring about alternative splicing events in cancer. TEs can integrate into the genome, mostly in the intronic regions, and induce cancer-specific alternative splicing by adjusting various mechanisms, such as exonization, providing splicing donor/acceptor sites, alternative regulatory sequences or stop codons, and driving exon disruption or epigenetic regulation. Moreover, TEs can produce microRNAs (miRNAs) that control the proportion of transcripts by repressing translation or stimulating the degradation of transcripts at the post-transcriptional level. Notably, TE insertion creates a cancer-friendly environment by controlling the overall process of gene expression before and after transcription in cancer cells. This review emphasizes the correlative interaction between alternative splicing by TE integration and cancer-associated biological processes, suggesting a macroscopic mechanism controlling alternative splicing by TE insertion in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Ryung Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Eun Gyung Park
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Yun Ju Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Woo Hyeon Bae
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Du Hyeong Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Heui-Soo Kim
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Spicer LJ, Evans JR, Schreiber NB. Hormone regulation of thrombospondin-1 mRNA in porcine granulosa cells in vitro. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 244:107048. [PMID: 35914333 PMCID: PMC10867812 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) is involved in the process of angiogenesis and is down-regulated by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) in porcine granulosa cells (GC), but what other hormones regulate GC THBS1 and its role in follicular growth is unclear. Thus, six experiments were conducted to determine the influence of other hormones on THBS1 gene expression in porcine GC, and to determine if THBS1 mRNA changes during follicular development. For Exp. 1-5, small (1-5 mm) follicles from ovaries of abattoir gilts were aspirated, GC collected and treated with FSH, IGF1, fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9), Sonic hedgehog (SHH), estradiol, cortisol, and/or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). FSH, IGF1 and FGF9 each decreased (P < 0.05) THBS1 mRNA abundance. Alone, PGE2 increased (P < 0.05) THBS1 mRNA abundance. PGE2 significantly attenuated the FSH-induced inhibition of THBS1 mRNA expression. Estradiol, cortisol, and SHH had no effect on THBS1 mRNA abundance. In Exp. 6, small (1-3 mm), medium (4-6 mm) and large (7-14 mm) follicles were aspirated to measure abundance of THBS1 mRNA in GC which did not differ (P > 0.10) between small and medium-sized follicles but was threefold greater (P < 0.05) in large compared to small or medium follicles. We hypothesize that the inhibitory effects of FSH, IGF1 and FGF9 on the antiangiogenic gene THBS1 could contribute to promoting angiogenesis in the developing follicle, while stimulation of THBS1 mRNA by PGE2 may help reduce angiogenesis during the preovulatory period when PGE2 and THBS1 mRNA are at their greatest levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon J Spicer
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - John R Evans
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Nicole B Schreiber
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Li L, Zheng J, Stevens M, Oltean S. A repositioning screen using an FGFR2 splicing reporter reveals compounds that regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transitions and inhibit growth of prostate cancer xenografts. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 25:147-157. [PMID: 35402635 PMCID: PMC8971352 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Research in the area of hallmarks of cancer has opened the possibility of designing new therapies based on modulating these cancer properties. We present here a screen designed to find chemicals that modulate epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) in prostate cancer. For screening, we used a repurposing library and, as a readout, an FGFR2-based splicing reporter, which has been shown previously to be a sensor for EMTs. Various properties of cancer cells were assessed, signaling pathways investigated, and in vivo experiments in nude mice xenografts performed. The screen yielded three hit compounds (a T-type Ca channel inhibitor, an L-type Ca channel inhibitor, and an opioid antagonist) that switch FGFR2 splicing and induce an epithelial phenotype in prostate cancer cells. The compounds affected differently various properties of cancer cells, but all of them decreased cell migration, which is in line with modulating EMTs. We further present mechanistic insights into one of the compounds, nemadipine-A. The administration of nemadipine-A intraperitoneally in a nude mouse xenograft model of prostate cancer slowed tumor growth. To conclude, we show that knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that connect alternative splicing and various cancer properties may be used as a platform for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, St Luke’s Campus, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Jinxia Zheng
- Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, St Luke’s Campus, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Megan Stevens
- Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, St Luke’s Campus, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Sebastian Oltean
- Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, St Luke’s Campus, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
- Corresponding author Sebastian Oltean, MD, PhD, Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, St Luke’s Campus, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.
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Malhan D, Basti A, Relógio A. Transcriptome analysis of clock disrupted cancer cells reveals differential alternative splicing of cancer hallmarks genes. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2022; 8:17. [PMID: 35552415 PMCID: PMC9098426 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-022-00225-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence points towards a regulatory role of the circadian clock in alternative splicing (AS). Whether alterations in core-clock components may contribute to differential AS events is largely unknown. To address this, we carried out a computational analysis on recently generated time-series RNA-seq datasets from three core-clock knockout (KO) genes (ARNTL, NR1D1, PER2) and WT of a colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line, and time-series RNA-seq datasets for additional CRC and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) cells, murine WT, Arntl KO, and Nr1d1/2 KO, and murine SCN WT tissue. The deletion of individual core-clock genes resulted in the loss of circadian expression in crucial spliceosome components such as SF3A1 (in ARNTLKO), SNW1 (in NR1D1KO), and HNRNPC (in PER2KO), which led to a differential pattern of KO-specific AS events. All HCT116KO cells showed a rhythmicity loss of a crucial spliceosome gene U2AF1, which was also not rhythmic in higher progression stage CRC and HL cancer cells. AS analysis revealed an increase in alternative first exon events specific to PER2 and NR1D1 KO in HCT116 cells, and a KO-specific change in expression and rhythmicity pattern of AS transcripts related to cancer hallmarks genes including FGFR2 in HCT116_ARNTLKO, CD44 in HCT116_NR1D1KO, and MET in HCT116_PER2KO. KO-specific changes in rhythmic properties of known spliced variants of these genes (e.g. FGFR2 IIIb/FGFR2 IIIc) correlated with epithelial-mesenchymal-transition signalling. Altogether, our bioinformatic analysis highlights a role for the circadian clock in the regulation of AS, and reveals a potential impact of clock disruption in aberrant splicing in cancer hallmark genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deeksha Malhan
- Institute for Theoretical Biology (ITB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt - Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, 10117, Germany.,Molecular Cancer Research Center (MKFZ), Medical Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Tumor Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt - Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, 10117, Germany.,Institute for Systems Medicine, Faculty of Human Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, 20457, Germany
| | - Alireza Basti
- Institute for Theoretical Biology (ITB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt - Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, 10117, Germany.,Molecular Cancer Research Center (MKFZ), Medical Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Tumor Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt - Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, 10117, Germany.,Institute for Systems Medicine, Faculty of Human Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, 20457, Germany
| | - Angela Relógio
- Institute for Theoretical Biology (ITB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt - Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, 10117, Germany. .,Molecular Cancer Research Center (MKFZ), Medical Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Tumor Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin Humboldt - Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, 10117, Germany. .,Institute for Systems Medicine, Faculty of Human Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, 20457, Germany.
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10
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Epstein RJ, Tian LJ, Gu YF. 2b or Not 2b: How Opposing FGF Receptor Splice Variants Are Blocking Progress in Precision Oncology. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2021; 2021:9955456. [PMID: 34007277 PMCID: PMC8110382 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9955456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
More than ten thousand peer-reviewed studies have assessed the role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) in cancer, but few patients have yet benefited from drugs targeting this molecular family. Strategizing how best to use FGFR-targeted drugs is complicated by multiple variables, including RNA splicing events that alter the affinity of ligands for FGFRs and hence change the outcomes of stromal-epithelial interactions. The effects of splicing are most relevant to FGFR2; expression of the FGFR2b splice isoform can restore apoptotic sensitivity to cancer cells, whereas switching to FGFR2c may drive tumor progression by triggering epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The differentiating and regulatory actions of wild-type FGFR2b contrast with the proliferative actions of FGFR1 and FGFR3, and may be converted to mitogenicity either by splice switching or by silencing of tumor suppressor genes such as CDH1 or PTEN. Exclusive use of small-molecule pan-FGFR inhibitors may thus cause nonselective blockade of FGFR2 isoforms with opposing actions, undermining the rationale of FGFR2 drug targeting. This splice-dependent ability of FGFR2 to switch between tumor-suppressing and -driving functions highlights an unmet oncologic need for isoform-specific drug targeting, e.g., by antibody inhibition of ligand-FGFR2c binding, as well as for more nuanced molecular pathology prediction of FGFR2 actions in different stromal-tumor contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J. Epstein
- New Hope Cancer Center, Beijing United Hospital, 9-11 Jiangtai West Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing 100015, China
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research and UNSW Clinical School, 84 Victoria St, Darlinghurst 2010 Sydney, Australia
| | - Li Jun Tian
- New Hope Cancer Center, Beijing United Hospital, 9-11 Jiangtai West Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Yan Fei Gu
- New Hope Cancer Center, Beijing United Hospital, 9-11 Jiangtai West Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing 100015, China
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11
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Jia Z, Zhang Z, Tian Q, Wu H, Xie Y, Li A, Zhang H, Yang Z, Zhang X. Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveals anlotinib-induced cytotoxicity in colon cancer cells. Gene 2021; 786:145625. [PMID: 33798683 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting evidences suggested that anlotinib exhibits effective anti-tumor activity in various cancer types, such as lung cancer, glioblastoma and medullary thyroid cancer. However, its function in colon cancer remains to be further revealed. METHODS Colon cancer cells (HCT-116) were treated with or without anlotinib. Transcript and metabolite data were generated through RNA sequencing and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. The integrated analysis transcriptomics and metabolomics was conducted using R programs and online tools, including ClusterProfiler R program, GSEA, Prognoscan and Cytoscape. RESULTS We found that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly involved in metabolic pathways and ribosome pathway. Structural maintenance of chromosome 3 (SMC3), Topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) and Glycogen phosphorylase B (PYGB) are the most significant DEGs which bring poor clinical prognosis in colon cancer. The analysis of metabolomics presented that most of the differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were amino acids, such as L-glutamine, DL-serine and aspartic acid. The joint analysis of DEGs and DAMs showed that they were mainly involved in protein digestion and absorption, ABC transporters, central carbon metabolism, choline metabolism and Gap junction. Anlotinib affected protein synthesis and energy supporting of colon cancer cells by regulating amino acid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS Anlotinib has a significant effect on colon cancer in both transcriptome and metabolome. Our research will provide possible targets for colon cancer treatment using anlotinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxian Jia
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China; College of Life Science, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Affliated Tangshan Gongren Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063000, China
| | - Qinqin Tian
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China; College of Life Science, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Hongjiao Wu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China; College of Life Science, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Yuning Xie
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China; College of Life Science, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Ang Li
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China; College of Life Science, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China; College of Life Science, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Zhenbang Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China; College of Life Science, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China.
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12
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Clinical difference between fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 subclass, type IIIb and type IIIc, in gastric cancer. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4698. [PMID: 33633310 PMCID: PMC7907198 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84107-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) has two isoforms: IIIb type and IIIc type. Clinicopathologic significance of these two FGFR2 subtypes in gastric cancer remains to be known. This study aimed to clarify the clinicopathologic difference of FGFR2IIIb and/or FGFR2IIIc overexpression. A total of 562 patients who underwent gastrectomy was enrolled. The expressions of FGFR2IIIb and FGFR2IIIc were retrospectively examined by immunohistochemistry or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using the 562 gastric tumors. We evaluated the correlation between clinicopathologic features and FGFR2IIIb overexpression and/or FGFR2IIIc overexpression in gastric cancer. FGFR2IIIb overexpression was observed in 28 cases (4.9%), and FGFR2IIIc overexpression was observed in four cases (0.7%). All four FGFR2IIIc cases were also positive for FGFR2IIIb, but not in the same cancer cells. FGFR2IIIb and/or FGFR2IIIc overexpression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and clinical stage. Both FGFR2IIIb and FGFR2IIIc were significantly associated with poor overall survival. A multivariate analysis showed that FGFR2IIIc expression was significantly correlated with overall survival. FISH analysis indicated that FGFR2 amplification was correlated with FGFR2IIIb and/or FGFR2IIIc overexpression. These findings suggested that gastric tumor overexpressed FGFR2IIIc and/or FGFR2IIIb at the frequency of 4.9%. FGFR2IIIc overexpression might be independent prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer.
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13
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Chen YS, Liu CW, Lin YC, Tsai CY, Yang CH, Lin JC. The SRSF3-MBNL1-Acin1 circuit constitutes an emerging axis to lessen DNA fragmentation in colorectal cancer via an alternative splicing mechanism. Neoplasia 2020; 22:702-713. [PMID: 33142236 PMCID: PMC7586066 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered alternative splicing (AS) events are considered pervasive causes that result in the development of carcinogenesis. Herein, we identified reprogrammed expression and splicing profiles of Muscle blind-like protein 1 (MBNL1) transcripts in tumorous tissues compared to those of adjacent normal tissues dissected from individual colorectal cancer (CRC) patients using whole-transcriptome analyses. MBNL1 transcript 8 (MBNL18) containing exons 5 and 7 was majorly generated by cancerous tissues and CRC-derived cell lines compared with those of the normal counterparts. Interplay between the exonic CA-rich element and upregulated SRSF3 facilitated the inclusion of MBNL1 exons 5 and 7, which encode a bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) and conformational NLS. Moreover, abundant SRSF3 interfered with the autoregulatory mechanism involved in utilization of MBNL1 exons 5 and 7, resulting in enrichment of the MBNL18 isoform in cultured CRC cell lines. Subsequently, an increase in the MBNL18 isoform drove a shift in the apoptotic chromatin condensation inducer in nucleus 1-S (Acin1-S) isoform to the Acin1-L isoform, leading to diminished DNA fragmentation in cultured CRC cells under oxidative stress. Taken together, SRSF3-MBNL1-Acin1 was demonstrated to constitute an emerging axis which is relevant to proapoptotic signatures and post-transcriptional events of CRC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Su Chen
- Department of Family Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Wei Liu
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Laboratory Science, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chin Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ying Tsai
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hui Yang
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Chun Lin
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Pulmonary Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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14
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Sasaki N, Gomi F, Yoshimura H, Yamamoto M, Matsuda Y, Michishita M, Hatakeyama H, Kawano Y, Toyoda M, Korc M, Ishiwata T. FGFR4 Inhibitor BLU9931 Attenuates Pancreatic Cancer Cell Proliferation and Invasion While Inducing Senescence: Evidence for Senolytic Therapy Potential in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102976. [PMID: 33066597 PMCID: PMC7602396 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly malignancy that is projected to become the leading cause of cancer death by 2050. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) is a transmembrane receptor that is overexpressed in half of PDACs. We determined that its expression in PDAC positively correlated with larger tumor size and more advanced tumor stage, and that BLU9931, a selective FGFR4 inhibitor, reduced PDAC cell proliferation and invasion while promoting their senescence. Quercetin, a senolytic drug, induced cell death in BLU9931-treated cells. We propose that targeting FGFR4 in combination with senolysis could provide a novel therapeutic strategy in patients whose PDAC expresses high FGFR4 levels. Abstract Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4), one of four tyrosine kinase receptors for FGFs, is involved in diverse cellular processes. Activation of FGF19/FGFR4 signaling is closely associated with cancer development and progression. In this study, we examined the expression and roles of FGF19/FGFR4 signaling in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In human PDAC cases, FGFR4 expression positively correlated with larger primary tumors and more advanced stages. Among eight PDAC cell lines, FGFR4 was expressed at the highest levels in PK-1 cells, in which single-nucleotide polymorphism G388R in FGFR4 was detected. For inhibition of autocrine/paracrine FGF19/FGFR4 signaling, we used BLU9931, a highly selective FGFR4 inhibitor. Inhibition of signal transduction through ERK, AKT, and STAT3 pathways by BLU9931 reduced proliferation in FGF19/FGFR4 signaling-activated PDAC cells. By contrast, BLU9931 did not alter stemness features, including stemness marker expression, anticancer drug resistance, and sphere-forming ability. However, BLU9931 inhibited cell invasion, in part, by downregulating membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase-1 in FGF19/FGFR4 signaling-activated PDAC cells. Furthermore, downregulation of SIRT1 and SIRT6 by BLU9931 contributed to senescence induction, priming these cells for quercetin-induced death, a process termed senolysis. Thus, we propose that BLU9931 is a promising therapeutic agent in FGFR4-positive PDAC, especially when combined with senolysis (195/200).
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Affiliation(s)
- Norihiko Sasaki
- Research team for Geriatric Medicine (Vascular Medicine), Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Sakae-cho 35-2, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan; (N.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Fujiya Gomi
- Division of Aging and Carcinogenesis, Research Team for Geriatric Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan;
| | - Hisashi Yoshimura
- Division of Physiological Pathology, Department of Applied Science, School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan; (H.Y.); (M.Y.)
| | - Masami Yamamoto
- Division of Physiological Pathology, Department of Applied Science, School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan; (H.Y.); (M.Y.)
| | - Yoko Matsuda
- Oncology Pathology, Department of Pathology and Host-Defense, Kagawa University, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan;
| | - Masaki Michishita
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan;
| | - Hitoshi Hatakeyama
- Department of Comprehensive Education in Veterinary Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan;
| | - Yoichi Kawano
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan;
| | - Masashi Toyoda
- Research team for Geriatric Medicine (Vascular Medicine), Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Sakae-cho 35-2, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan; (N.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Murray Korc
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA;
| | - Toshiyuki Ishiwata
- Division of Aging and Carcinogenesis, Research Team for Geriatric Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-3964-1141 (ext. 4414)
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15
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FGF18-FGFR2 signaling triggers the activation of c-Jun-YAP1 axis to promote carcinogenesis in a subgroup of gastric cancer patients and indicates translational potential. Oncogene 2020; 39:6647-6663. [PMID: 32934314 PMCID: PMC7581496 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01458-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptor type 2 (FGFR2) has emerged as a key oncogenic factor that regulates gastric cancer (GC) progression, but the underlying mechanism of FGF–FGFR2 signaling pathway remains largely unknown. To identify the potential molecular mechanisms of the oncogenic FGFR2 in gastric carcinogenesis and convey a novel therapeutic strategy, we profiled the FGFR alterations and analyzed their clinical associations in TCGA and Hong Kong GC cohorts. We found that FGFR2 overexpression in GC cell lines and primary tumors predicted poor survival and was associated with advanced stages of GC. Functionally, growth abilities and cell cycle progression of GC were inhibited by inactivation of ERK–MAPK signal transduction after FGFR2 knockdown, while apoptosis was promoted. Meanwhile, the first-line anti-cancer drug sensitivity was enhanced. RNA-seq analysis further revealed that YAP1 signaling serves as a significant downstream modulator and mediates the oncogenic signaling of FGFR2. When stimulating FGFR2 by rhFGF18, we observed intensified F-actin, nuclear accumulation of YAP1, and overexpression of YAP1 targets, but these effects were attenuated by either FGFR2 depletion or AZD4547 administration. Additionally, the FGF18–FGFR2 signaling upregulated YAP1 expression through activating c-Jun, an effector of MAPK signaling. In our cohort, 28.94% of GC cases were characterized as FGFR2, c-Jun, and YAP1 co-positive and demonstrated worse clinical outcomes. Remarkably, we also found that co-targeting FGFR2 and YAP1 by AZD4547 and Verteporfin synergistically enhanced the antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, we have identified the oncogenic FGF–FGFR2 regulates YAP1 signaling in GC. The findings also highlight the translational potential of FGFR2–c-Jun–YAP1 axis, which may serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC.
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16
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Ceelen W, Ramsay RG, Narasimhan V, Heriot AG, De Wever O. Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment in Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases. Trends Cancer 2020; 6:236-246. [PMID: 32101726 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2019.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Peritoneal metastasis (PM) occurs in approximately one in four colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The pathophysiology of colorectal PM remains poorly characterized. Also, the efficacy of current treatment modalities, including surgery and intraperitoneal (IP) delivery of chemotherapy, is limited. Increasingly, therefore, efforts are being developed to unravel the PM cascade and at understanding the PM-associated tumor microenvironment (TME) and peritoneal ecosystem as potential therapeutic targets. Here, we review recent insights in the structure and components of the TME in colorectal PM, and discuss how these may translate into novel therapeutic approaches aimed at re-engineering the metastasis-promoting activity of the stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wim Ceelen
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of GI Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Robert G Ramsay
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Vignesh Narasimhan
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Surgery, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexander G Heriot
- Department of Surgery, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Olivier De Wever
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Laboratory for Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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17
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Rahhal R, Seto E. Emerging roles of histone modifications and HDACs in RNA splicing. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:4911-4926. [PMID: 31162605 PMCID: PMC6547430 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone modifications and RNA splicing, two seemingly unrelated gene regulatory processes, greatly increase proteome diversity and profoundly influence normal as well as pathological eukaryotic cellular functions. Like many histone modifying enzymes, histone deacetylases (HDACs) play critical roles in governing cellular behaviors and are indispensable in numerous biological processes. While the association between RNA splicing and histone modifications is beginning to be recognized, a lack of knowledge exists regarding the role of HDACs in splicing. Recent studies however, reveal that HDACs interact with spliceosomal and ribonucleoprotein complexes, actively control the acetylation states of splicing-associated histone marks and splicing factors, and thereby unexpectedly could modulate splicing. Here, we review the role of histone/protein modifications and HDACs in RNA splicing and discuss the convergence of two parallel fields, which supports the argument that HDACs, and perhaps most histone modifying enzymes, are much more versatile and far more complicated than their initially proposed functions. Analogously, an HDAC-RNA splicing connection suggests that splicing is regulated by additional upstream factors and pathways yet to be defined or not fully characterized. Some human diseases share common underlying causes of aberrant HDACs and dysregulated RNA splicing and, thus, further support the potential link between HDACs and RNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raneen Rahhal
- George Washington Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Edward Seto
- George Washington Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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18
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Wang D, Yang L, Yu W, Zhang Y. Investigational fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 antagonists in early phase clinical trials to treat solid tumors. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2019; 28:903-916. [PMID: 31560229 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2019.1672655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is a highly conserved transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor. FGFR2 dysregulation occurs in numerous human solid tumors and overexpression is closely associated with tumor progression. FGFR2 has recently been reported as a therapeutic target for cancer. Several targeted therapies are being investigated to disrupt FGFR2 activity; these include multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), pan-FGFR targeted TKIs and FGFR2 monoclonal antibodies. Areas: This review examines FGFR2 regulation and function in cancer and its potential as a target for cancer treatment. Expert opinion: Highly specific FGFR2 blockers have not yet been developed and moreover, resistance to FGFR2-targeted therapies is a challenge. More sophisticated patient selection strategies would help improve FGFR2-targeted therapies and combination therapy is considered the most promising approach for cancer patients with FGFR2 alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China.,Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China
| | - Li Yang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China.,Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China
| | - Weina Yu
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China.,Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China.,Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China.,Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China.,School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , Henan , P.R. China
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19
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Nanni M, Ranieri D, Persechino F, Torrisi MR, Belleudi F. The Aberrant Expression of the Mesenchymal Variant of FGFR2 in the Epithelial Context Inhibits Autophagy. Cells 2019; 8:cells8070653. [PMID: 31261937 PMCID: PMC6678203 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling of the epithelial splice variant of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2b) triggers both differentiation and autophagy, while the aberrant expression of the mesenchymal FGFR2c isoform in epithelial cells induces impaired differentiation, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumorigenic features. Here we analyzed in the human keratinocyte cell line, as well as in primary cultured cells, the possible impact of FGFR2c forced expression on the autophagic process. Biochemical and quantitative immunofluorescence analysis, coupled to the use of autophagic flux sensors, specific substrate inhibitors or silencing approaches, showed that ectopic expression and the activation of FGFR2c inhibit the autophagosome formation and that AKT/MTOR is the downstream signaling mainly involved. Interestingly, the selective inhibition of AKT or MTOR substrates caused a reversion of the effects of FGFR2c on autophagy, which could also arise from the imbalance of the interplay between AKT/MTOR pathway and JNK1 signaling in favor of JNK1 activation, BCL-2 phosphorylation and possibly phagophore nucleation. Finally, silencing experiments of depletion of ESRP1, responsible for FGFR2 splicing and consequent FGFR2b expression, indicated that the switching from FGFR2b to FGFR2c isoform could represent the key event underlying the inhibition of the autophagic process in the epithelial context. Our results provide the first evidence of a negative impact of the out-of-context expression of FGFR2c on autophagy, suggesting a possible role of this receptor in the modulation of the recently proposed negative loop between autophagy and EMT during carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Nanni
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Ranieri
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Persechino
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Torrisi
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
- S. Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Belleudi
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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20
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Patel A, Tripathi G, McTernan P, Gopalakrishnan K, Ali O, Spector E, Williams N, Arasaradnam RP. Fibroblast growth factor 7 signalling is disrupted in colorectal cancer and is a potential marker of field cancerisation. J Gastrointest Oncol 2019; 10:429-436. [PMID: 31183192 DOI: 10.21037/jgo.2019.02.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Field cancerisation proposes that there are pre-malignant genetic mutations in the macroscopically normal mucosal tissue around colorectal cancer. This study aims to evaluate fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) tissue expression in the mucosal field around colorectal cancer. Methods Gene and protein expression of FGF7, its receptor, FGFR2 and its downstream targets; FRS2α, Erk 1/2 and Akt was measured from mucosal samples in 34 control subjects and 17 cancer patients. Serial samples from tumour, adjacent to tumour and at the resection margin were utilised. Results FGF7 gene expression was significantly higher in tumour (2.3-fold), adjacent mucosa (3.2-fold) and resection margin (2.8-fold) of cancer patients compared with control subjects (P<0.01 respectively). However, FGFR2 was down regulated (3.5-fold) in the tumour tissue (P<0.001). Protein expression of FRS2α and Akt was significantly lower in tumour tissue compared with the resection margin in cancer patients (P<0.05 respectively). No differences in protein expression of Erk 1/2 were detected. Conclusions FGF7 was elevated in the mucosal field of cancer patients supporting its potential as a biomarker of field cancerisation. Changes in FRS2α, Akt and Erk 1/2 expression in the tumour tissue indicate that with malignant transformation, FGF7 loses its ability to regulate cellular differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhilasha Patel
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK.,Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | | | - Kishore Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Omar Ali
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Emma Spector
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Nigel Williams
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Ramesh P Arasaradnam
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK.,University of Coventry, Coventry, UK.,University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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21
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Li P, Huang T, Zou Q, Liu D, Wang Y, Tan X, Wei Y, Qiu H. FGFR2 Promotes Expression of PD-L1 in Colorectal Cancer via the JAK/STAT3 Signaling Pathway. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 202:3065-3075. [PMID: 30979816 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Although multidisciplinary treatment is widely applied in colorectal cancer (CRC), the prognosis of patients with advanced CRC remains poor. Immunotherapy blocking of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a promising approach. Binding of the transmembrane protein PD-L1 expressed by tumor cells or tumor microenvironment cells to its receptor programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) induces immunosuppressive signals and reduces the proliferation of T cells, which is an important mechanism of tumor immune escape and a key issue in immunotherapy. However, the regulation of PD-L1 expression is poorly understood in CRC. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) 2 causes the tyrosine kinase domains to initiate a cascade of intracellular signals by binding to FGFs and dimerization (pairing of receptors), which is involved in tumorigenesis and progression. In this study, we showed that PD-L1 and FGFR2 were frequently overexpressed in CRC, and FGFR2 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, and poor survival. In the current study, PD-L1 expression was positively correlated with FGFR2 expression in CRC. Tumor-derived-activated FGFR2 induced PD-L1 expression via the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in human CRC cells (SW480 and NCI-H716), which induced the apoptosis of Jurkat T cells. FGFR2 also promoted the expression of PD-L1 in a xenograft mouse model of CRC. The results of our study reveal a novel mechanism of PD-L1 expression in CRC, thus providing a theoretical basis for reversing the immune tolerance of FGFR2 overexpression in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piao Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Huang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Zou
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Dian Liu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yihua Wang
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom; and
| | - Ximin Tan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Wei
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10641
| | - Hong Qiu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, People's Republic of China;
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22
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Urbanski L, Leclair N, Anczuków O. Alternative-splicing defects in cancer: Splicing regulators and their downstream targets, guiding the way to novel cancer therapeutics. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2018; 9:e1476. [PMID: 29693319 PMCID: PMC6002934 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Defects in alternative splicing are frequently found in human tumors and result either from mutations in splicing-regulatory elements of specific cancer genes or from changes in the regulatory splicing machinery. RNA splicing regulators have emerged as a new class of oncoproteins and tumor suppressors, and contribute to disease progression by modulating RNA isoforms involved in the hallmark cancer pathways. Thus, dysregulation of alternative RNA splicing is fundamental to cancer and provides a potentially rich source of novel therapeutic targets. Here, we review the alterations in splicing regulatory factors detected in human tumors, as well as the resulting alternatively spliced isoforms that impact cancer hallmarks, and discuss how they contribute to disease pathogenesis. RNA splicing is a highly regulated process and, as such, the regulators are themselves tightly regulated. Differential transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of splicing factors modulates their levels and activities in tumor cells. Furthermore, the composition of the tumor microenvironment can also influence which isoforms are expressed in a given cell type and impact drug responses. Finally, we summarize current efforts in targeting alternative splicing, including global splicing inhibition using small molecules blocking the spliceosome or splicing-factor-modifying enzymes, as well as splice-switching RNA-based therapeutics to modulate cancer-specific splicing isoforms. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing.
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23
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Deloria AJ, Höflmayer D, Kienzl P, Łopatecka J, Sampl S, Klimpfinger M, Braunschmid T, Bastian F, Lu L, Marian B, Stättner S, Holzmann K. Epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 and 2 paralogues correlate with splice signatures and favorable outcome in human colorectal cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:73800-73816. [PMID: 27650542 PMCID: PMC5342015 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ESRPs are master splice regulators implicated in alternative mRNA splicing programs important for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor progression. ESRP1 was identified in some tumors as good or worse predictor of outcome, but in colorectal cancer (CRC) the prognostic value of ESRPs and relation with mesenchymal splice variants is not clear. Here, we studied 68 CRC cases, compared tissue expression of ESRPs with clinical data and with EMT gene splice patterns of conditional CRC cells with deficient ESRP1 expression.Around 72% of patients showed global decreased transcript expression of both ESRPs in tumor as compared to matched non-neoplastic colorectal epithelium. Reduction of ESRP1 in tumor cells was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, associated with microsatellite stability and switch to mesenchymal splice signatures of FGFRs, CD44, ENAH and CTNND1(p120-catenin). Expression of ESRPs was significantly associated with favorable overall survival (log-rank test, P=0.0186 and 0.0408), better than prognostic stratification by tumor staging; and for ESRP1 confirmed with second TCGA cohort (log-rank test, P=0.0435). Prognostic value is independent of the pathological stage and microsatellite instability (ESRP1: HR=0.36, 95%CI 0.15-0.91, P=0.032; ESRP2: HR=0.23, 95%CI 0.08-0.65, P=0.006).Our study supports the role of ESRP1 as tumor suppressor and strongly suggests that ESRPs are candidate markers for early detection, diagnosis, and prognosis of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail J Deloria
- Division of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Austria
| | - Doris Höflmayer
- Department of Pathology and Bacteriology, Social Medical Center South, Kaiser Franz Josef Hospital, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Philip Kienzl
- Division of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Austria
| | - Justyna Łopatecka
- Division of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Sampl
- Division of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Klimpfinger
- Department of Pathology and Bacteriology, Social Medical Center South, Kaiser Franz Josef Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tamara Braunschmid
- Department of Surgery, Social Medical Center South, Kaiser Franz Josef Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fabienne Bastian
- Department of Surgery, Social Medical Center South, Kaiser Franz Josef Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lingeng Lu
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, USA
| | - Brigitte Marian
- Division of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Stättner
- Department of Surgery, Social Medical Center South, Kaiser Franz Josef Hospital, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Visceral, Transplantation and Thoracic Surgery, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Klaus Holzmann
- Division of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University Vienna, Austria
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24
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Liu Z, Liu G, Zhang GL, Li J, He YQ, Zhang SS, Wang Y, He WY, Cheng GH, Yang X, Xu J, Wang J. Binding of human recombinant mutant soluble ectodomain of FGFR2IIIc to c subtype of FGFRs: implications for anticancer activity. Oncotarget 2018; 7:68473-68488. [PMID: 28049184 PMCID: PMC5356568 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
FGFRs are considered essential targets for cancer therapy. We previously reported that msFGFR2c, a Ser252Trp mutant soluble ectodomain of FGFR2IIIc, inhibited tumor growth by blocking FGF signaling pathway. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is still obscure. In this study, we reported that msFGFR2c but not wild-type soluble ectodomain of FGFR2IIIc (wsFGFR2c) could selectively bind to c subtype of FGFRs in the presence of FGF-2. Thermodynamic analysis demonstrated that msFGFR2c bound to wsFGFR2c in the presence of FGF-2 with a K value of 6.61 × 105 M−1. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the mutated residue Trp252 of msFGFR2c preferred a π-π interaction with His254 of wsFGFR2c. Concomitantly, Arg255 of msFGFR2c and Glu250 of wsFGFR2c adjusted their conformations and formed three H-bonds. These two interactions therefore stabilized the final structure of wsFGFR2c and msFGFR2c heterocomplex. In FGFR2IIIc-positive/high FGF-2-secreted BT-549 cells, msFGFR2c significantly inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis by the blockage of FGF-2-activated FGFRs phosphorylation, also the growth and angiogenesis of its xenograft tumors implanted in chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane model. While weaker the above inhibitory effects of msFGFR2c were observed on FGFR2IIIc-negative/low FGF-2-secreted MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, msFGFR2c significantly inhibited the proliferation of FGFR1IIIc-positive NCI-H1299 lung cancer cells by the suppression of FGF-2-induced FGFR1 activation and suppressed the growth of NCI-H1299 transplanted tumors in nude mice. In sum, msFGFR2c is a potential anti-tumor agent targeting FGFR2c/FGFR1c-positive tumor cells. These findings also provide a molecular basis for msFGFR2c to disrupt the activation of FGF signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Liu
- Institute of Biomedicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ge Liu
- Institute of Biomedicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Guang-Lin Zhang
- Institute of Biomedicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jun Li
- Institute of Biomedicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yan-Qing He
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Shu-Shu Zhang
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Institute of Biomedicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Wei-Yi He
- Institute of Biomedicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Guo-Hua Cheng
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ju Wang
- Institute of Biomedicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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25
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Ranieri D, Rosato B, Nanni M, Belleudi F, Torrisi MR. Expression of the FGFR2c mesenchymal splicing variant in human keratinocytes inhibits differentiation and promotes invasion. Mol Carcinog 2017; 57:272-283. [PMID: 29068468 PMCID: PMC5813158 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The altered isoform switching of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) and aberrant expression of the mesenchymal FGFR2c isoform in epithelial cells is involved in cancer progression. We have recently described that the ectopic expression of FGFR2c in normal human keratinocytes induces epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and leads to invasiveness and anchorage‐independent growth. Here, we extended our analysis to the effects of this FGFR2c forced expression on human keratinocyte differentiation and stratification. Our findings demonstrated that, differently from cells overexpressing the epithelial splicing variant FGFR2b, keratinocytes ectopically expressing FGFR2c are not able to form a monolayer and display decreased expression of early differentiation markers. This impaired ability to enter the differentiation program is related to the up‐modulation of the transcription factor ΔNp63. In addition, FGFR2c‐expressing keratinocytes undergo defective stratification and invasion of the collagen matrix in 3D organotypic cultures, further suggesting their tumorigenic potential. Taken together, our results support the hypothesis that the receptor switching and the consequent appearance of the mesenchymal FGFR2c variant in the epithelial context would drive early steps of carcinogenesis, unbalancing the p63/FGFR interplay, and altering the paracrine response to the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Ranieri
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Lazio, Italy
| | - Benedetta Rosato
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Lazio, Italy
| | - Monica Nanni
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Lazio, Italy
| | - Francesca Belleudi
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Lazio, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Torrisi
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Lazio, Italy.,S. Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy
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26
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Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) regulate numerous cellular processes. Deregulation of FGFR signalling is observed in a subset of many cancers, making activated FGFRs a highly promising potential therapeutic target supported by multiple preclinical studies. However, early-phase clinical trials have produced mixed results with FGFR-targeted cancer therapies, revealing substantial complexity to targeting aberrant FGFR signalling. In this Review, we discuss the increasing understanding of the differences between diverse mechanisms of oncogenic activation of FGFR, and the factors that determine response and resistance to FGFR targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina S Babina
- Breast Cancer Now Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Nicholas C Turner
- Breast Cancer Now Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
- Breast Unit, The Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK
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27
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Resveratrol limits epithelial to mesenchymal transition through modulation of KHSRP/hnRNPA1-dependent alternative splicing in mammary gland cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2017; 1860:291-298. [PMID: 28088441 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Resveratrol (RESV) is a natural polyphenolic compound endowed with anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, as well as pro-apoptotic activities that make it a potential anti-tumor compound. Here we show that RESV counteracts the TGF-β-induced Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) phenotype in mammary gland cells and affects the alternative exon usage of pre-mRNAs that encode crucial factors in adhesion and migration -including CD44, ENAH, and FGFR2- in a panel of immortalized and transformed mammary gland cells. RESV causes a shift from the mesenchymal-specific forms of these factors to the respective epithelial forms and increases the expression of the RNA-binding proteins KHSRP and hnRNPA1. From a mechanistic point of view, we show that the combined silencing of KHSRP and hnRNPA1 prevents the RESV-dependent inclusion of the epithelial-type exons in the Cd44 pre-mRNA. Our findings support an unexpected regulatory mechanism where RESV limits EMT by controlling gene expression at post-transcriptional level.
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28
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Ranieri D, Rosato B, Nanni M, Magenta A, Belleudi F, Torrisi MR. Expression of the FGFR2 mesenchymal splicing variant in epithelial cells drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Oncotarget 2016; 7:5440-60. [PMID: 26713601 PMCID: PMC4868697 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The FGFRs are receptor tyrosine kinases expressed by tissue-specific alternative splicing in epithelial IIIb or mesenchymal IIIc isoforms. Deregulation of FGF/FGFR signaling unbalances the epithelial-stromal homeostasis and may lead to cancer development. In the epithelial-context, while FGFR2b/KGFR acts as tumor suppressor, FGFR2c appears to play an oncogenic role. Based on our recent observation that the switching of FGFR2b versus FGFR2c induces EMT, here we investigated the biological outcome of the ectopic expression of FGFR2c in normal human keratinocytes. Morphological analysis showed that, differently from FGFR2b overexpression, the forced expression and activation of FGFR2c drive the epithelial cells to acquire a mesenchymal-like shape and actin reorganization. Moreover, the appearance of invasiveness and anchorage-independent growth ability in FGFR2c transfected keratinocytes was consistent with the potential tumorigenic role proposed for this receptor variant. Biochemical and molecular approaches revealed that the observed phenotypic changes were accompanied by modulation of EMT biomarkers and indicated the involvement of EMT transcription factors and miRs. Finally, the analysis of the expression pattern of discriminating markers strongly suggested that activation of FGFR2c triggers a process corresponding to the initiation of the pathological type III EMT, but not to the more physiological type II EMT occurring during FGFR2b-mediated wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Ranieri
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Benedetta Rosato
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Nanni
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Magenta
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Belleudi
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Torrisi
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliera S. Andrea, Rome, Italy
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29
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Luz FAC, Brígido PC, Moraes AS, Silva MJB. Aberrant Splicing in Cancer: Mediators of Malignant Progression through an Imperfect Splice Program Shift. Oncology 2016; 92:3-13. [PMID: 27794578 DOI: 10.1159/000450650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Although the efforts to understand the genetic basis of cancer allowed advances in diagnosis and therapy, little is known about other molecular bases. Splicing is a key event in gene expression, controlling the excision of introns decoded inside genes and being responsible for 80% of the proteome amplification through events of alternative splicing. Growing data from the last decade point to deregulation of splicing events as crucial in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Several alterations in splicing events were observed in cancer, caused by either missexpression of or detrimental mutations in some splicing factors, and appear to be critical in carcinogenesis and key events during tumor progression. Notwithstanding, it is difficult to determine whether it is a cause or consequence of cancer and/or tumorigenesis. Most reviews focus on the generated isoforms of deregulated splicing pattern, while others mainly summarize deregulated splicing factors observed in cancer. In this review, events associated with carcinogenesis and tumor progression mainly, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which is also implicated in alternative splicing regulation, will be progressively discussed in the light of a new perspective, suggesting that splicing deregulation mediates cell reprogramming in tumor progression by an imperfect shift of the splice program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Andrés Cordero Luz
- Laboratório de Osteoimunologia e Imunologia dos Tumores, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICBIM), Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, Brazil
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30
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The impact of RNA binding motif protein 4-regulated splicing cascade on the progression and metabolism of colorectal cancer cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:38046-60. [PMID: 26506517 PMCID: PMC4741983 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated splicing of pre-messenger (m)RNA is considered a molecular occasion of carcinogenesis. However, the underlying mechanism is complex and remains to be investigated. Herein, we report that the upregulated miR-92a reduced the RNA-binding motif 4 (RBM4) protein expression, leading to the imbalanced expression of the neuronal polypyrimidine tract-binding (nPTB) protein through alternative splicing-coupled nonsense mediated decay (NMD) mechanism. Increase in nPTB protein enhances the relative level of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 IIIc (FGFR2) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) transcripts which contribute to the progression and metabolic signature of CRC cells. Expression profiles of RBM4 and downstream alternative splicing events are consistently observed in cancerous tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. These results constitute a mechanistic understanding of RBM4 on repressing the carcinogenesis of colorectal cells.
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31
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Ishiwata T. Cancer stem cells and epithelial-mesenchymal transition: Novel therapeutic targets for cancer. Pathol Int 2016; 66:601-608. [PMID: 27510923 DOI: 10.1111/pin.12447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the development of various therapeutic approaches, recurrence and metastasis remain major problems for patients with advanced cancer. Recent studies have shown that cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in cancer aggressiveness. In cancer tissues, a small number of CSCs are able to self-renew and differentiate into heterogeneous cancer cells. CSCs usually remain in the resting phase of the cell cycle and possess efficient drug efflux pathways. Thus, they are resistant to chemoradiotherapy and surviving CSCs contribute to recurrence. During cancer metastasis, CSCs undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), thereby acquiring mesenchymal features, migrating to adjacent stromal tissues, and invading blood or lymph vessels. Recent studies showed that EMT-inducible factors also enhance or induce CSC-like features in cancer cells. These findings suggest that EMT is closely correlated with cancer recurrence and metastasis. Inhibition of nestin, a CSC marker, reduces the aggressiveness of several types of cancer. Suppression of the mesenchymal variant of fibroblast growth factor (FGFR)-2, FGFR-2 IIIc, and regulation of the EMT using epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) are effective in the treatment of immunodeficient mice with pancreatic cancer. The roles of CSCs and EMT in cancer and possible therapies are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiyuki Ishiwata
- Division of Aging and Carcinogenesis, Research Team for Geriatric Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan.
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32
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Abdel-Rahman O. Targeting FGF receptors in colorectal cancer: from bench side to bed side. Future Oncol 2016; 11:1373-9. [PMID: 25952783 DOI: 10.2217/fon.15.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful management of advanced colorectal cancer has been a challenging job for practicing oncologists as well as a priority for the oncology research community. The better understanding of the underlying patho-biology and critical pathway targets in this disease has contributed to major developments in that direction. In this review, we will revise the different biological and clinical aspects related to the use of FGFR pathway-targeted therapies in advanced colorectal cancer with particular focus on future perspectives in that regard.
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33
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Yoon G, Lee H, Kim JH, Hur K, Seo AN. Clinical significance of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 expression in patients with residual rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy: relationship with KRAS or BRAF mutations and MSI status. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:10209-18. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-4899-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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34
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Verstraete M, Debucquoy A, Gonnissen A, Dok R, Isebaert S, Devos E, McBride W, Haustermans K. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the radiosensitizing effect of a selective FGFR inhibitor (JNJ-42756493) for rectal cancer. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:946. [PMID: 26675289 PMCID: PMC4682227 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-2000-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We examined the anti-tumor effect and radiosensitizing potential of a small molecule inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) in colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro and in vivo. Methods Effects of in vitro drug treatment on cell survival, proliferation, FGFR signaling, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and radiosensitivity were assessed using various CRC cell lines with FGFR wild type (Caco2 and HCA7) and FGFR2 amplification (HCT116, NCI-H716). In vivo tumor responses to FGFR inhibition with and without radiation therapy were evaluated by growth delay assays in two colorectal xenograft mouse models (NMRI nu/nu mice injected with NCI-H716 or CaCo2 cells). Mechanistic studies were conducted using Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and qPCR. Results In the tested cell lines, the FGFR inhibitor (JNJ-42756493) was effective in vitro and in vivo in CRC tumors with highest expression of FGFR2 (NCI-H716). In vitro, cell proliferation in this line was decreased, associated with increased apoptotic death and decreased cell survival. In vivo, growth of NCI-H716 tumors was delayed by 5 days by drug treatment alone, although when drug delivery was stopped the relative tumor volume increased compared to control. The FGFR inhibitor did not radiosensitize NCI-H716 tumors either in vitro or in vivo. Conclusions Among tested CRC cell lines, the growth inhibitory activity of this FGFR inhibitor was evident in cell lines with high constitutive FGFR2 expression, suggesting that FGFR addiction may provide a window for therapeutic intervention, though caution is advised. Preclinical study with NCI-H716 and Caco2 tumor demonstrated that continued presence of drug could be essential for tumor growth control, especially in cells with aberrant FGFR expression. In the tested set-up, the inhibitor showed no radiosensitizing effect. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-2000-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maud Verstraete
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Annelies Debucquoy
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Annelies Gonnissen
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Ruveyda Dok
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Sofie Isebaert
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Ellen Devos
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - William McBride
- Department of Radiation Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite B265, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-6951, USA.
| | - Karin Haustermans
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Liu R, Huang S, Lei Y, Zhang T, Wang K, Liu B, Nice EC, Xiang R, Xie K, Li J, Huang C. FGF8 promotes colorectal cancer growth and metastasis by activating YAP1. Oncotarget 2015; 6:935-52. [PMID: 25473897 PMCID: PMC4359266 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The poor prognosis of CRC is mainly due to uncontrolled tumor growth and distant metastases. In this study, we found that the level of FGF8 was elevated in the great majority of CRC cases and high FGF8 expression was significantly correlated with lymph nodes metastasis and worse overall survival. Functional studies showed that FGF8 can induce a more aggressive phenotype displaying epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and enhanced invasion and growth in CRC cells. Consistent with this, FGF8 can also promote tumor growth and metastasis in mouse models. Bioinformatics and pathological analysis suggested that YAP1 is a potential downstream target of FGF8 in CRC cells. Molecular validation demonstrated that FGF8 fully induced nuclear localization of YAP1 and enhanced transcriptional outcomes such as the expression of CTGF and CYR61, while decreasing YAP1 expression impeded FGF-8–induced cell growth, EMT, migration and invasion, revealing that YAP1 is required for FGF8-mediated CRC growth and metastasis. Taken together, these results demonstrate that FGF8 contributes to the proliferative and metastatic capacity of CRC cells and may represent a novel candidate for intervention in tumor growth and metastasis formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Shan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Yunlong Lei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Tao Zhang
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Kui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Edouard C Nice
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rong Xiang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Ke Xie
- Department of Oncology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Jingyi Li
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Canhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China
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Tassone E, Valacca C, Mignatti P. Membrane-Type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase Downregulates Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Binding to the Cell Surface and Intracellular Signaling. J Cell Physiol 2015; 230:366-77. [PMID: 24986796 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP, MMP-14), a transmembrane proteinase with an extracellular catalytic domain and a short cytoplasmic tail, degrades extracellular matrix components and controls diverse cell functions through proteolytic and non-proteolytic interactions with extracellular, intracellular, and transmembrane proteins. Here we show that in tumor cells MT1-MMP downregulates fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) signaling by reducing the amount of FGF-2 bound to the cell surface with high and low affinity. FGF-2 induces weaker activation of ERK1/2 MAP kinase in MT1-MMP expressing cells than in cells devoid of MT1-MMP. This effect is abolished in cells that express proteolytically inactive MT1-MMP but persists in cells expressing MT1-MMP mutants devoid of hemopexin-like or cytoplasmic domain, showing that FGF-2 signaling is downregulated by MT1-MMP proteolytic activity. MT1-MMP expression results in downregulation of FGFR-1 and -4, and in decreased amount of cell surface-associated FGF-2. In addition, MT1-MMP strongly reduces the amount of FGF-2 bound to the cell surface with low affinity. Because FGF-2 association with low-affinity binding sites is a prerequisite for binding to its high-affinity receptors, downregulation of low-affinity binding to the cell surface results in decreased FGF-2 signaling. Consistent with this conclusion, FGF-2 induction of tumor cell migration and invasion in vitro is stronger in cells devoid of MT1- MMP than in MT1-MMP expressing cells. Thus, MT1-MMP controls FGF-2 signaling by a proteolytic mechanism that decreases the cell's biological response to FGF-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyne Tassone
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York
| | - Cristina Valacca
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York
| | - Paolo Mignatti
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York.,Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York
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Sveen A, Kilpinen S, Ruusulehto A, Lothe RA, Skotheim RI. Aberrant RNA splicing in cancer; expression changes and driver mutations of splicing factor genes. Oncogene 2015; 35:2413-27. [PMID: 26300000 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 333] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing is a widespread process contributing to structural transcript variation and proteome diversity. In cancer, the splicing process is commonly disrupted, resulting in both functional and non-functional end-products. Cancer-specific splicing events are known to contribute to disease progression; however, the dysregulated splicing patterns found on a genome-wide scale have until recently been less well-studied. In this review, we provide an overview of aberrant RNA splicing and its regulation in cancer. We then focus on the executors of the splicing process. Based on a comprehensive catalog of splicing factor encoding genes and analyses of available gene expression and somatic mutation data, we identify cancer-associated patterns of dysregulation. Splicing factor genes are shown to be significantly differentially expressed between cancer and corresponding normal samples, and to have reduced inter-individual expression variation in cancer. Furthermore, we identify enrichment of predicted cancer-critical genes among the splicing factors. In addition to previously described oncogenic splicing factor genes, we propose 24 novel cancer-critical splicing factors predicted from somatic mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sveen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - R A Lothe
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - R I Skotheim
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Colorectal Cancer Research Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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38
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Development of covalent inhibitors that can overcome resistance to first-generation FGFR kinase inhibitors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:E4869-77. [PMID: 25349422 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1403438111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The human FGF receptors (FGFRs) play critical roles in various human cancers, and several FGFR inhibitors are currently under clinical investigation. Resistance usually results from selection for mutant kinases that are impervious to the action of the drug or from up-regulation of compensatory signaling pathways. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that resistance to FGFR inhibitors can be acquired through mutations in the FGFR gatekeeper residue, as clinically observed for FGFR4 in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroendocrine breast carcinomas. Here we report on the use of a structure-based drug design to develop two selective, next-generation covalent FGFR inhibitors, the FGFR irreversible inhibitors 2 (FIIN-2) and 3 (FIIN-3). To our knowledge, FIIN-2 and FIIN-3 are the first inhibitors that can potently inhibit the proliferation of cells dependent upon the gatekeeper mutants of FGFR1 or FGFR2, which confer resistance to first-generation clinical FGFR inhibitors such as NVP-BGJ398 and AZD4547. Because of the conformational flexibility of the reactive acrylamide substituent, FIIN-3 has the unprecedented ability to inhibit both the EGF receptor (EGFR) and FGFR covalently by targeting two distinct cysteine residues. We report the cocrystal structure of FGFR4 with FIIN-2, which unexpectedly exhibits a "DFG-out" covalent binding mode. The structural basis for dual FGFR and EGFR targeting by FIIN3 also is illustrated by crystal structures of FIIN-3 bound with FGFR4 V550L and EGFR L858R. These results have important implications for the design of covalent FGFR inhibitors that can overcome clinical resistance and provide the first example, to our knowledge, of a kinase inhibitor that covalently targets cysteines located in different positions within the ATP-binding pocket.
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Li CF, He HL, Wang JY, Huang HY, Wu TF, Hsing CH, Lee SW, Lee HH, Fang JL, Huang WT, Chen SH. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 overexpression is predictive of poor prognosis in rectal cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. J Clin Pathol 2014; 67:1056-61. [DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2014-202551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AimsNeoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) followed by surgery is an increasingly used therapeutic strategy for advanced rectal cancer, but risk stratification and final outcomes remain suboptimal. Recently, the oncogenic role of the fibroblast growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signalling pathway has been recognised; however, its clinical significance in rectal cancer has not been elucidated. In this study, we identify and validate targetable drivers associated with the FGFR signalling pathway in rectal cancer patients treated with CCRT.MethodsUsing a published transcriptome of rectal cancers, we found FGFR2 gene significantly predicted response to CCRT. The expression levels of FGFR2, using immunohistochemistry assays, were further evaluated in 172 rectal cancer specimens that had not received any treatment. Expression levels of FGFR2 were statistically correlated with major clinicopathological features and clinical survival in this valid cohort.ResultsHigh expression of FGFR2 was significantly related to advanced pretreatment tumour (p=0.022) and nodal status (p=0.026), post-treatment tumour (p<0.001) and nodal status (p=0.004), and inferior tumour regression grade (p<0.001). In survival analyses, high expression of FGFR2 was significantly associated with shorter local recurrence-free survival (p=0.0001), metastasis-free survival (MeFS; p=0.0003) and disease-specific survival (DSS; p<0.0001). Notably, high expression of FGFR2 was independently predictive of worse outcomes for MeFS (p=0.002, HR=5.387) and DSS (p=0.004, HR=4.997).ConclusionsHigh expression of FGFR2 is correlated with advanced tumour stage, poor therapeutic response and worse survival in rectal cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant CCRT. These findings indicate that FGFR2 is a prognostic factor for treating rectal cancer.
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40
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Gong SG. Isoforms of Receptors of Fibroblast Growth Factors. J Cell Physiol 2014; 229:1887-95. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Siew-Ging Gong
- Faculty of Dentistry; University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario Canada
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41
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Luo HY, Xu RH. Predictive and prognostic biomarkers with therapeutic targets in advanced colorectal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:3858-3874. [PMID: 24744578 PMCID: PMC3983442 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i14.3858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2013] [Revised: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common human malignant diseases and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The treatment of advanced CRC has improved significantly in recent years. With the emergence of two targeted antibodies, cetuximab (Erbitux), an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody and bevacizumab (Avastin), a vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody, the treatment of metastatic CRC has entered the era of personalized therapy. Predictive and prognostic biomarkers have, and will continue to, facilitate the selection of suitable patients and the personalization of treatment for metastatic CRC (mCRC). In this review, we will focus primarily on the important progresses made in the personalized treatment of mCRC and discuss the potentially novel predictive and prognostic biomarkers for improved selection of patients for anti-cancer treatment in the future.
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Matsuda Y, Shinji S, Yoshimura H, Naito Z, Ishiwata T. Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor-2 IIIc as a Novel Molecular Target in Colorectal Cancer. CURRENT COLORECTAL CANCER REPORTS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s11888-013-0200-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Narita K, Matsuda Y, Seike M, Naito Z, Gemma A, Ishiwata T. Nestin regulates proliferation, migration, invasion and stemness of lung adenocarcinoma. Int J Oncol 2014; 44:1118-30. [PMID: 24481417 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the most common cause of cancer-related death in the world. Nestin, a class VI intermediate filament, is known to be a cancer stem cell (CSC) marker as well as a neuroepithelial stem cell marker. High expression levels of nestin are reported in several types of cancers including lung, pancreatic and prostate cancers. Nestin is thought to regulate tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion and CSC properties. Here, we confirmed nestin expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Immunohistochemical analysis in surgical specimens detected nestin protein expression in the cytoplasm of 20 of 48 adenocarcinoma (AD) cases (41.7%) and 25 of 47 squamous cell carcinoma cases (53.2%). Nestin immunoreactivity significantly correlated with not only tumor size and lymph node metastasis in NSCLC, but also poor survival in surgical patients with AD. High and moderate expression levels of nestin were confirmed in several lung AD cell lines including H1975 and PC-3. Nestin inhibition by shRNA decreased proliferation, migration, invasion and sphere formation in AD cells. Correspondingly, nestin upregulation by nestin gene transfection resulted in the opposite changes. Moreover, Akt inhibitor IV effectively decreased nestin expression via SRY-box containing protein 2 (Sox2) downregulation and overcame the enhanced sphere formation induced by nestin upregulation. Overall, our results show that nestin correlates with the aggressiveness and stemness of AD. Regulation of nestin via Akt/Sox2 is, thus, a promising candidate for novel therapeutic approaches to eradicate CSCs in lung AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Narita
- Departments of Pathology and Integrative Oncological Pathology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
| | - Yoko Matsuda
- Departments of Pathology and Integrative Oncological Pathology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
| | - Masahiro Seike
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan
| | - Zenya Naito
- Departments of Pathology and Integrative Oncological Pathology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
| | - Akihiko Gemma
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Ishiwata
- Departments of Pathology and Integrative Oncological Pathology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan
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Current strategies for inhibiting FGFR activities in clinical applications: opportunities, challenges and toxicological considerations. Drug Discov Today 2013; 19:51-62. [PMID: 23932951 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2013.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Revised: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Aberrations in fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling are instrumental to the pathophysiology of several malignancies and disorders. Hence, FGFR inhibitors are explored in therapeutics with early candidates developed as competitors for the ATP-binding pocket in the kinase domain. More recent programs yielded compounds of diverse scaffolds with alternative binding modes. Concurrently, monoclonal antibodies and peptide-based agents provide independent options for clinical development. Notwithstanding this rapid progress, we contemplate the toxicological impact of FGFR inhibition based on the defined role of FGFR family members in physiology and homeostasis. The high homology among FGFR1-4 and also with other kinase subfamilies creates an additional challenge in developing selective inhibitors. It orchestrates an ongoing conundrum of moderating a balance between synergism through multitargeting kinase inhibition and minimizing off-target toxicities.
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