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Mathan SV, Singh R, Kim SH, Singh SV, Singh RP. Diallyl Trisulfide Induces ROS-Mediated Mitotic Arrest and Apoptosis and Inhibits HNSCC Tumor Growth and Cancer Stemness. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:378. [PMID: 38254868 PMCID: PMC10814060 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020378] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in therapeutic approaches, the five-year survival rate for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients is still less than fifty percent. Research has indicated that the consumption of Allium vegetables or processed garlic containing diallyl trisulfide (DATS) can lower the risk of multiple types of cancer. Nevertheless, the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of DATS against HNSCC have not been thoroughly explored until the current study. In this research, it was found that DATS notably curtailed the growth and viability of HNSCC cells. Additionally, DATS triggered a significant G2/M cell cycle arrest in these cells, accumulating cyclin B1, Cip1/p21, and Ser-10 phospho-histone H3-this was indicative of mitotic arrest attenuated by NAC pretreatment, suggesting the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction. The production of ROS induced by DATS led to DNA damage and apoptosis, a process associated with elevated levels of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP, along with reduced XIAP. When HNSCC cells were exposed to pharmacological concentrations of DATS, it resulted in the suppression of cancer stem cell (CSC) populations, as indicated by a decrease in the CD133high/CD44high cell fraction, reduced aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) activity, inhibited spheroid formation and downregulated SOX2 and Oct4 expression. Furthermore, the administration of DATS to tumor xenografts demonstrated its in vivo capacity to hinder CSCs. Further, DATS treatment inhibited the growth of UMSCC-22B head and neck cancer tumor xenograft in immunocompromised mice. Overall, DATS inhibited cell proliferation; induced cell cycle mitotic arrest and apoptosis involving DNA damage through ROS generation; reduced the CSC fraction and spheroid formation; and downregulated SOX2 and Oct4 expression. More importantly, DATS inhibited HNSCC tumor growth and CSC fraction in vivo. Thus, DATS could be a potential anticancer agent that can be used against head and neck cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivapar V. Mathan
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (S.V.M.); (R.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (S.-H.K.); (S.V.S.)
| | - Ragini Singh
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (S.V.M.); (R.S.)
| | - Su-Hyeong Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (S.-H.K.); (S.V.S.)
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Shivendra V. Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; (S.-H.K.); (S.V.S.)
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Rana P. Singh
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (S.V.M.); (R.S.)
- Special Centre for Systems Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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Shoaib S, Khan FB, Alsharif MA, Malik MS, Ahmed SA, Jamous YF, Uddin S, Tan CS, Ardianto C, Tufail S, Ming LC, Yusuf N, Islam N. Reviewing the Prospective Pharmacological Potential of Isothiocyanates in Fight against Female-Specific Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082390. [PMID: 37190316 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082390] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Gynecological cancers are the most commonly diagnosed malignancies in females worldwide. Despite the advancement of diagnostic tools as well as the availability of various therapeutic interventions, the incidence and mortality of female-specific cancers is still a life-threatening issue, prevailing as one of the major health problems worldwide. Lately, alternative medicines have garnered immense attention as a therapeutic intervention against various types of cancers, seemingly because of their safety profiles and enhanced effectiveness. Isothiocyanates (ITCs), specifically sulforaphane, benzyl isothiocyanate, and phenethyl isothiocyanate, have shown an intriguing potential to actively contribute to cancer cell growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, epigenetic alterations, and modulation of autophagy and cancer stem cells in female-specific cancers. Additionally, it has been shown that ITCs plausibly enhance the chemo-sensitization of many chemotherapeutic drugs. To this end, evidence has shown enhanced efficacy in combinatorial regimens with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs and/or other phytochemicals. Reckoning with these, herein, we discuss the advances in the knowledge regarding the aspects highlighting the molecular intricacies of ITCs in female-specific cancers. In addition, we have also argued regarding the potential of ITCs either as solitary treatment or in a combinatorial therapeutic regimen for the prevention and/or treatment of female-specific cancers. Hopefully, this review will open new horizons for consideration of ITCs in therapeutic interventions that would undoubtedly improve the prognosis of the female-specific cancer clientele. Considering all these, it is reasonable to state that a better understanding of these molecular intricacies will plausibly provide a facile opportunity for treating these female-specific cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoaib Shoaib
- Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Farheen Badrealam Khan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Meshari A Alsharif
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - M Shaheer Malik
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Yahya F Jamous
- Vaccines and Bioprocessing Center, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
- Laboratory of Animal Center, Qatar University, Doha 2731, Qatar
| | - Ching Siang Tan
- School of Pharmacy, KPJ Healthcare University College, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
| | - Chrismawan Ardianto
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | - Saba Tufail
- Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Long Chiau Ming
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
- PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Sunway City 47500, Malaysia
| | - Nabiha Yusuf
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Najmul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
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Drug-Resistant Stem Cells: Novel Approach for Colon Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137055. [PMID: 35806056 PMCID: PMC9266363 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic progression of female breast and colon cancer represents a major cause of mortality in women. Spontaneous/acquired resistance to conventional and targeted chemo-endocrine therapy is associated with the emergence of drug-resistant tumor-initiating cancer stem cell populations. The cancer-initiating premalignant stem cells exhibit activation of select cancer cell signaling pathways and undergo epithelial–mesenchymal transition, leading to the evolution of a metastatic phenotype. The development of reliable cancer stem cell models provides valuable experimental approaches to identify novel testable therapeutic alternatives for therapy-resistant cancer. Drug-resistant stem cell models for molecular subtypes of clinical breast cancer and for genetically predisposed colon cancer are developed by selecting epithelial cells that survive in the presence of cytostatic concentrations of relevant therapeutic agents. These putative stem cells are characterized by the expression status of select cellular and molecular stem cell markers. The stem cell models are utilized as experimental approaches to examine the stem-cell-targeted growth inhibitory efficacy of naturally occurring dietary phytochemicals. The present review provides a systematic discussion on (i) conceptual and experimental aspects relevant to the chemo-endocrine therapy of breast and colon cancer, (ii) molecular/cellular aspects of cancer stem cells and (iii) potential stem-cell-targeting lead compounds as testable alternatives against the progression of therapy-resistant breast and colon cancer.
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Telang NT. The Divergent Effects of Ovarian Steroid Hormones in the MCF-7 Model for Luminal A Breast Cancer: Mechanistic Leads for Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094800. [PMID: 35563193 PMCID: PMC9105252 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The growth modulating effects of the ovarian steroid hormones 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (PRG) on endocrine-responsive target tissues are well established. In hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, E2 functions as a potent growth promoter, while the function of PRG is less defined. In the hormone-receptor-positive Luminal A and Luminal B molecular subtypes of clinical breast cancer, conventional endocrine therapy predominantly targets estrogen receptor function and estrogen biosynthesis and/or growth factor receptors. These therapeutic options are associated with systemic toxicity, acquired tumor resistance, and the emergence of drug-resistant cancer stem cells, facilitating the progression of therapy-resistant disease. The limitations of targeted endocrine therapy emphasize the identification of nontoxic testable alternatives. In the human breast, carcinoma-derived hormone-receptor-positive MCF-7 model treatment with E2 within the physiological concentration range of 1 nM to 20 nM induces progressive growth, upregulated cell cycle progression, and downregulated cellular apoptosis. In contrast, treatment with PRG at the equimolar concentration range exhibits dose-dependent growth inhibition, downregulated cell-cycle progression, and upregulated cellular apoptosis. Nontoxic nutritional herbs at their respective maximum cytostatic concentrations (IC90) effectively increase the E2 metabolite ratio in favor of the anti-proliferative metabolite. The long-term exposure to the selective estrogen-receptor modulator tamoxifen selects a drug-resistant phenotype, exhibiting increased expressions of stem cell markers. The present review discusses the published evidence relevant to hormone metabolism, growth modulation by hormone metabolites, drug-resistant stem cells, and growth-inhibitory efficacy of nutritional herbs. Collectively, this evidence provides proof of the concept for future research directions that are focused on novel therapeutic options for endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer that may operate via E2- and/or PRG-mediated growth regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin T Telang
- Cancer Prevention Research Program, Palindrome Liaisons Consultants, Montvale, NJ 07645-1559, USA
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Telang N. Drug-Resistant Stem Cells: Novel Approach for Colon Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052519. [PMID: 35269660 PMCID: PMC8910557 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Next to breast cancer, advanced stage metastatic colon cancer represents a major cause for mortality in women. Germline or somatic mutations in tumor suppressor genes or in DNA mismatch repair genes represent risk factors for genetic predisposition of colon cancer that are also detectable in sporadic colon cancer. Conventional chemotherapy for colon cancer includes combination of 5-fluoro-uracil with oxaliplatin and irinotecan or targeted therapy with non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. Major limitations of these therapeutic interventions are associated with systemic toxicity, acquired tumor resistance and the emergence of drug resistant stem cells that favor initiation, progression and metastasis of therapy-resistant disease. These limitations emphasize an unmet need to identify tumor stem cell selective testable alternatives. Drug-resistant stem cell models facilitate the identification of new testable alternatives from natural phytochemicals and herbal formulations. The goal of this review is to provide an overview relevant to the current status of conventional/targeted therapy, the role of cancer stem cells and the status of testable alternatives for therapy-resistant colon cancer. Experimental models: Hyper-proliferative and tumorigenic cell lines from genetically predisposed colonic tissues of female mice represent experimental models. Chemotherapeutic agents select drug-resistant phenotypes that exhibit upregulated expressions of cellular and molecular stem cell markers. Mechanistically distinct natural phytochemicals effectively inhibit stem cell growth and downregulate the expressions of stem cell markers. CONCLUSIONS The present review discusses the status of colon cancer therapy and inherent limitations, cancer stem cell biology, potential lead compounds and their advantages over chemotherapy. The present experimental approaches will facilitate the identification of pharmacological and naturally-occurring agents as lead compounds for stem cell targeted therapy of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Telang
- Cancer Prevention Research Program, Palindrome Liaisons Consultants, Montvale, NJ 07645-1559, USA
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Telang NT, Nair HB, Wong GYC. Growth Inhibitory Efficacy of Chinese Herbs in a Cellular Model for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14121318. [PMID: 34959717 PMCID: PMC8708199 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor-α progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2. Treatment for this breast cancer subtype is restricted to multidrug chemotherapy and survival pathway-based molecularly targeted therapy. The long-term treatment options are associated with systemic toxicity, spontaneous and/or acquired tumor resistance and the emergence a of drug-resistant stem cell population. These limitations lead to advanced stage metastatic cancer. Current emphasis is on research directions that identify efficacious, naturally occurring agents representing an unmet need for testable therapeutic alternatives for therapy resistant breast cancer. Chinese herbs are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine in women for estrogen related health issues and also for integrative support for cancer treatment. This review discusses published evidence on a TNBC model for growth inhibitory effects of several mechanistically distinct nontoxic Chinese herbs, most of them nutritional in nature, and identifies susceptible pathways and potential molecular targets for their efficacy. Documented anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of these herbs are associated with downregulation of RB, RAS, PI3K, and AKT signaling, modulation of Bcl-2/BAX protein expressions and increased caspase activity. This review provides a proof of concept for Chinese herbs as testable alternatives for prevention/therapy of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin T. Telang
- Cancer Prevention Research Program, Palindrome Liaisons Consultants, Montvale, NJ 07645, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-646-512-3277
| | - Hareesh B. Nair
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
| | - George Y. C. Wong
- Breast Center, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA;
- American Foundation for Chinese Medicine, New York, NY 11103, USA
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Telang N. Isolation and Characterization of Chemo-Resistant Stem Cells from a Mouse Model of Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer. STEM CELLS AND CLONING-ADVANCES AND APPLICATIONS 2021; 14:19-25. [PMID: 34234468 PMCID: PMC8254583 DOI: 10.2147/sccaa.s312929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Rationale Loss of function mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes is the primary genetic defects in high-risk hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). Cytotoxic chemotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs are potential treatment options. These treatment options lead to systemic toxicity, acquired tumor resistance and the emergence of drug-resistant stem cells. A colonic epithelial cell culture model expressing the relevant genetic defects in chemo-resistant stem cells provides a relevant experimental system for HNPCC. Objective To develop a colonic epithelial cell culture system from a mouse model for HNPCC and to isolate and characterize drug-resistant stem cells. Experimental Models and Biomarkers The Mlh1[-/-]/Apc [-/-] Mlh1/1638N COL-Cl1 cells is a mouse model for HNPCC, and the 5-fluoro-uracil resistant (5-FU-R) phenotype represents a model for the drug-resistant stem cells. Tumor spheroid formation, and the expression of CD44, CD133 and c-Myc represent stem cell markers. Results The HNPCC model exhibits aneuploidy, hyper-proliferation, accelerated cell cycle progression and downregulated cellular apoptosis. Long-term exposure to 5-FU selects for the drug-resistant phenotype. These resistant cells exhibit increased formation of tumor spheroids and upregulated expression of cancer stem cell markers CD44, CD133 and c-Myc. Conclusion In the present study, a stem cell model for HNPCC was validated and offered a novel experimental approach to test stem cell-targeted alternatives to drug-resistant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Telang
- Cancer Prevention Research Program, Palindrome Liaisons Consultants, Montvale, NJ 07645-1559, USA
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Ngo SNT, Williams DB. Protective Effect of Isothiocyanates from Cruciferous Vegetables on Breast Cancer: Epidemiological and Preclinical Perspectives. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 21:1413-1430. [PMID: 32972351 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200924104550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of cruciferous vegetable intake on breast cancer survival is controversial at present. Glucosinolates are the naturally occurring constituents found across the cruciferous vegetables. Isothiocyanates are produced from the hydrolysis of glucosinolates and this reaction is catalysed by the plant-derived enzyme myrosinase. The main Isothiocyanates (ITCs) from cruciferous vegetables are sulforaphane, benzyl ITC, and phenethyl ITC, which had been intensively investigated over the last decade for their anti-breast cancer effects. OBJECTIVE The aim of this article is to systematically review the evidence from all types of studies, which examined the protective effect of cruciferous vegetables and/or their isothiocyanate constituents on breast cancer. METHODS A systematic review was conducted in Pubmed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from inception to 27 April 2020. Peer-reviewed studies of all types (in vitro studies, animal studies, and human studies) were selected. RESULTS The systematic literature search identified 16 human studies, 4 animal studies, and 65 in vitro studies. The effect of cruciferous vegetables and/or their ITCs intake on breast cancer survival was found to be controversial and varied greatly across human studies. Most of these trials were observational studies conducted in specific regions, mainly in the US and China. Substantial evidence from in vitro and animal studies was obtained, which strongly supported the protective effect of sulforaphane and other ITCs against breast cancer. Evidence from in vitro studies showed that sulforaphane and other ITCs reduced cancer cell viability and proliferation via multiple mechanisms and pathways. Isothiocyanates inhibited cell cycle, angiogenesis and epithelial mesenchymal transition, as well as induced apoptosis and altered the expression of phase II carcinogen detoxifying enzymes. These are the essential pathways that promote the growth and metastasis of breast cancer. Noticeably, benzyl ITC showed a significant inhibitory effect on breast cancer stem cells, a new dimension of chemo-resistance in breast cancer treatment. Sulforaphane and other ITCs displayed anti-breast cancer effects at variable range of concentrations and benzyl isothiocyanate appeared to have a relatively lower inhibitory concentration IC50. The mechanisms underlying the cancer protective effect of sulforaphane and other ITCs have also been highlighted in this article. CONCLUSION Current preclinical evidence strongly supports the role of sulforaphane and other ITCs as potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer, either as adjunct therapy or combined therapy with current anti-breast cancer drugs, with sulforaphane displaying the greatest potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suong N T Ngo
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5071, Australia
| | - Desmond B Williams
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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Dietary isothiocyanates inhibit cancer progression by modulation of epigenome. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 83:353-376. [PMID: 33434642 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cell cycle, growth, survival and metabolism are tightly regulated together and failure in cellular regulation leads to carcinogenesis. Several signaling pathways like the PI3K, WNT, MAPK and NFKb pathway exhibit aberrations in cancer and help achieve hallmark capabilities. Clinical research and in vitro studies have highlighted the role of epigenetic alterations in cancer onset and development. Altered gene expression patterns enabled by changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications and RNA processing have proven roles in cancer hallmark acquisition. The reversible nature of epigenetic processes offers robust therapeutic targets. Dietary bioactive compounds offer a vast compendium of effective therapeutic moieties. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) sourced from cruciferous vegetables demonstrate anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-migratory and anti-angiogenic effect against several cancers. ITCs also modulate the redox environment, modulate signaling pathways including PI3K, MAPK, WNT, and NFkB. They also modulate the epigenetic machinery by regulating the expression and activity of DNA methyltransferases, histone modifiers and miRNA. This further enhances their transcriptional modulation of key cellular regulators. In this review, we comprehensively assess the impact of ITCs such as sulforaphane, phenethyl isothiocyanate, benzyl isothiocyanate and allyl isothiocyanate on cancer and document their effect on various molecular targets. Overall, this will facilitate consolidation of the current understanding of the anti-cancer and epigenetic modulatory potential of these compounds and recognize the gaps in literature. Further, we discuss avenues of future research to develop these compounds as potential therapeutic entities.
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CircRNA CDR1as promotes hepatoblastoma proliferation and stemness by acting as a miR-7-5p sponge to upregulate KLF4 expression. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:19233-19253. [PMID: 33052880 PMCID: PMC7732296 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Hepatoblastoma (HB) is a malignant embryonal tumor of the liver that consists of heterogenous populations of stem/progenitor cells. Although circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an essential role in tumor development, the effects of circRNA on the proliferation of HB cells, especially cancer stem cells (CSCs), remain unclear. We found that the circRNA, CDR1as, was highly expressed in CSC-enriched populations of HB cell lines. Results from flow cytometric and sphere-forming assays revealed that CDR1as knockdown in HB cell lines decreased the proportion of stem cells. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation experiments, and EdU assay revealed that CDR1as knockdown in HB cell lines decreased cell growth and the colony-forming abilities. Biotin-coupled probe pull-down assays and biotin-coupled microRNA capture were conducted to evaluate the interaction between CDR1as and miR-7-5p. Dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), expression of which is highly correlated with cancer stemness, was a target of miR-7-5p. Overall, the knockdown of CDR1as significantly inhibited the proliferation and stemness of HB cells by reducing the sponge activity on miR-7-5p and subsequently suppressing the interaction between miR-7-5p and KLF4. Results from this study suggest that CDR1as is an oncogene that effects the proliferation and stemness of HBs.
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Telang N. Stem cell models for genetically predisposed colon cancer. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:138. [PMID: 32934706 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Negative growth regulatory tumor suppressor genes and positive growth regulatory oncogenes serve important roles in initiation/progression of colon cancer. Germline mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene represents a primary genetic defect for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome, a predisposing factor for clinical colon cancer. Somatic mutations in the APC gene are common in sporadic colon cancer. Preclinical and clinical efficacy is documented for targeted therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors for prostaglandin biosynthesis and selective inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase for polyamine biosynthesis. However, these therapeutic options lead to systemic toxicity, acquired tumor resistance and emergence of therapy resistant cancer stem cells. By contrast, non-toxic natural products are unlikely to exhibit drug resistance and may represent testable alternatives for therapy resistant colon cancer. Tumorigenic Apc [-/-] colonic epithelial cell lines derived from preclinical FAP models provide novel cellular models for drug resistant cancer stem cells. Apc [-/-] Sulindac resistant (SUL-R) cells exhibit upregulated expression levels of cancer stem cell markers. Natural products, such as naturally occurring vitamin A derivative all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and the anti-cancer agent from Turmeric root curcumin (CUR), represent testable alternatives. Relative to the non-tumorigenic Apc [+/+] C57 COL colonic epithelial cells, the tumorigenic Apc [-/-] 1638N COL and Apc [-/-] 850 MIN COL cells exhibit aneuploid cell hyper-proliferation and upregulated expression of Apc target genes β-catenin, cyclin D1, c-myc and COX-2. The SUL-R phenotypes exhibit enhanced tumor spheroid formation and upregulated expression levels of stem cell markers CD44, CD133 and c-Myc. Treatment of the SUL-R stem cells with ATRA and CUR inhibits tumor spheroid formation and reduces the expression of stem cell markers. Stem cell models developed for FAP syndrome provide a novel experimental approach to identify mechanistic leads for efficacious natural products as testable alternatives for therapy-resistant, genetically predisposed colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Telang
- Cancer Prevention Research Program, Palindrome Liaisons Consultants, Montvale, NJ 07645-1559, USA
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Zhang J, Li G, Feng L, Lu H, Wang X. Krüppel-like factors in breast cancer: Function, regulation and clinical relevance. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 123:109778. [PMID: 31855735 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has accounted for the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Although the progress in its diagnosis and treatment has come at a remarkable pace during the past several decades, there are still a wide array of problems regarding its progression, metastasis and treatment resistance that have not yet been fully clarified. Recently, an increasing number of studies have revealed that some members of Krüppel-like factors(KLFs) are significantly associated with cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, cancer stem cell regulation and prognostic and predictive value for patients in breast cancer, indicating their promising prognostic and predictive potential for breast cancer survival and outcome. In this review, we will summarize our current knowledge of the functions, regulations and clinical relevance of KLFs in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key Lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guangliang Li
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lifeng Feng
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key Lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haiqi Lu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key Lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Xian Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key Lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Telang N, Nair HB, Wong GYC. Growth inhibitory efficacy and anti-aromatase activity of Tabebuia avellanedae in a model for post-menopausal Luminal A breast cancer. Biomed Rep 2019; 11:222-229. [PMID: 31632670 DOI: 10.3892/br.2019.1244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) represent a treatment option for post-menopausal estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer as monotherapy, or in combination with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 or mTOR inhibitors. Long-term treatment with these agents leads to dose-limiting toxicity and drug resistance. Natural substances provide testable alternatives to current therapy. Tabebuia avellanedae (TA) tree is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest. The inner bark of TA represents a medicinal dietary supplement known as Taheebo. Non-fractionated aqueous extract from TA is an effective growth inhibitor in the Luminal A and triple negative breast cancer models. The quinone derivative naphthofurandione (NFD) is a major bioactive agent in TA. The present study examined the efficacy of finely ground powder from the inner bark of TA, available under the name of Taheebo-NFD-Marugoto (TNM). The ER+ MCF-7 cells stably transfected with the aromatase gene MCF-7AROM represented a model for aromatase-expressing post-menopausal breast cancer. Anchorage-independent colony formation, cell cycle progression, pro-apoptotic caspase 3/7 activity, apoptosis-specific gene expression, aromatase activity and select estradiol (E2) target gene expression represented the mechanistic end points. Treatment of MCF-7AROM cells with TNM induced a dose-dependent reduction in E2-promoted anchorage-independent colony number. Mechanistic assays on TNM-treated MCF-7AROM cells demonstrated that TNM at a concentration of 10 µg (NFD content: 2 ng), induced S-phase arrest, increased pro-apoptotic caspase 3/7 activity, increased pro-apoptotic BAX and decreased anti-apoptotic BCL-2 gene expression, and inhibited aromatase activity. Additionally, TNM treatment downregulated ESR-1 (gene for ER-α), aromatase and progesterone gene expression and reduced mRNA levels of E2 target genes pS2, GRB2 and cyclin D1. Inhibition of aromatase activity, based on the NFD content of TNM was superior to the clinical AIs Letrozole and Exemestane. These data demonstrated the potential efficacy of TNM as a nutritional alternative for current therapy of aromatase positive, post-menopausal breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Telang
- Cancer Prevention Research Program, Palindrome Liaisons Consultants, Montvale, NJ 07645-1559, USA
| | - Hareesh B Nair
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - George Y C Wong
- American Foundation for Chinese Medicine, New York, NY 11103, USA.,Breast Center, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA
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Bioactive Compounds: Multi-Targeting Silver Bullets for Preventing and Treating Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101563. [PMID: 31618928 PMCID: PMC6826729 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Each cell in our body is designed with a self-destructive trigger, and if damaged, can happily sacrifice itself for the sake of the body. This process of self-destruction to safeguard the adjacent normal cells is known as programmed cell death or apoptosis. Cancer cells outsmart normal cells and evade apoptosis and it is one of the major hallmarks of cancer. The cardinal quest for anti-cancer drug discovery (bioactive or synthetic compounds) is to be able to re-induce the so called “programmed cell death” in cancer cells. The importance of bioactive compounds as the linchpin of cancer therapeutics is well known as many effective chemotherapeutic drugs such as vincristine, vinblastine, doxorubicin, etoposide and paclitaxel have natural product origins. The present review discusses various bioactive compounds with known anticancer potential, underlying mechanisms by which they induce cell death and their preclinical/clinical development. Most bioactive compounds can concurrently target multiple signaling pathways that are important for cancer cell survival while sparing normal cells hence they can potentially be the silver bullets for targeting cancer growth and metastatic progression.
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Shamloo B, Usluer S. p21 in Cancer Research. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081178. [PMID: 31416295 PMCID: PMC6721478 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
p21 functions as a cell cycle inhibitor and anti-proliferative effector in normal cells, and is dysregulated in some cancers. Earlier observations on p21 knockout models emphasized the role of this protein in cell cycle arrest under the p53 transcription factor activity. Although tumor-suppressor function of p21 is the most studied aspect of this protein in cancer, the role of p21 in phenotypic plasticity and its oncogenic/anti-apoptotic function, depending on p21 subcellular localization and p53 status, have been under scrutiny recently. Basic science and translational studies use precision gene editing to manipulate p21 itself, and proteins that interact with it; these studies have led to regulatory/functional/drug sensitivity discoveries as well as therapeutic approaches in cancer field. In this review, we will focus on targeting p21 in cancer research and its potential in providing novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahar Shamloo
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| | - Sinem Usluer
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Guo C, Xu LF, Li HM, Wang W, Guo JH, Jia MQ, Jia R, Jia J. Transcriptomic study of the mechanism of anoikis resistance in head and neck squamous carcinoma. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6978. [PMID: 31198634 PMCID: PMC6535219 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Normal epithelial cells rapidly undergo apoptosis as soon as they lose contact with the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is termed as anoikis. However, cancer cells tend to develop a resistance mechanism to anoikis. This acquired ability is termed as anoikis resistance. Cancer cells, with anoikis resistance, can spread to distant tissues or organs via the peripheral circulatory system and cause cancer metastasis. Thus, inhibition of anoikis resistance blocks the metastatic ability of cancer cells. Methods Anoikis-resistant CAL27 (CAL27AR) cells were induced from CAL27 cells using the suspension culture approach. Transcriptome analysis was performed using RNA-Seq to study the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the CAL27ARcells and the parental CAL27 cells. Gene function annotation and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were performed using DAVID database. Signaling pathways involved in DEGs were analyzed using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) software. Analysis results were confirmed by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), western blotting, and gene correlation analysis based on the TCGA database. Results GO enrichment analysis indicated that the biological process (BP) of the DEGs was associated with epidermal development, DNA replication, and G1/S transition of the mitotic cell cycle. The analysis of cellular component (CC) showed that the most significant up-regulated genes were related to extracellular exosome. KEGG Pathway analysis revealed that 23 signaling pathways were activated (p-value ≤ 0.05, FDR q-value ≤ 0.05) and 22 signaling pathways were suppressed (p-value ≤ 0.05, FDR q-value ≤ 0.05). The results from the GSEA indicated that in contrast to the inhibition of EGFR signaling pathway, the VEGF signaling pathway was activated. The VEGF signaling pathway possibly activates STAT3 though induction of STAT3 phosphorylation. Gene correlation analysis revealed that the VEGFA- STAT3-KLF4-CDKN1A signal axis was not only present in head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC) but also two other epithelial-derived carcinomas that highly express VEGFA, including kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) and ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Guo
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ling-Feng Xu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hui-Min Li
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Wang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ji-Hua Guo
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Meng-Qi Jia
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Wuhan University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rong Jia
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jun Jia
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Wuhan University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Telang N. Targeting drug resistant stem cells in a human epidermal growth factor receptor‑2‑enriched breast cancer model. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.3892/wasj.2019.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Telang
- Cancer Prevention Research Program, Palindrome Liaisons Consultants, Montvale, NJ 07645‑1559, USA
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