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Tai Y, Chow A, Han S, Coker C, Ma W, Gu Y, Estrada Navarro V, Kandpal M, Hibshoosh H, Kalinsky K, Manova-Todorova K, Safonov A, Walsh EM, Robson M, Norton L, Baer R, Merghoub T, Biswas AK, Acharyya S. FLT1 activation in cancer cells promotes PARP-inhibitor resistance in breast cancer. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:1957-1980. [PMID: 38956205 PMCID: PMC11319505 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00094-2] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Acquired resistance to PARP inhibitors (PARPi) remains a treatment challenge for BRCA1/2-mutant breast cancer that drastically shortens patient survival. Although several resistance mechanisms have been identified, none have been successfully targeted in the clinic. Using new PARPi-resistance models of Brca1- and Bard1-mutant breast cancer generated in-vivo, we identified FLT1 (VEGFR1) as a driver of resistance. Unlike the known role of VEGF signaling in angiogenesis, we demonstrate a novel, non-canonical role for FLT1 signaling that protects cancer cells from PARPi in-vivo through a combination of cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic pathways. We demonstrate that FLT1 blockade suppresses AKT activation, increases tumor infiltration of CD8+ T cells, and causes dramatic regression of PARPi-resistant breast tumors in a T-cell-dependent manner. Moreover, PARPi-resistant tumor cells can be readily re-sensitized to PARPi by targeting Flt1 either genetically (Flt1-suppression) or pharmacologically (axitinib). Importantly, a retrospective series of breast cancer patients treated with PARPi demonstrated shorter progression-free survival in cases with FLT1 activation at pre-treatment. Our study therefore identifies FLT1 as a potential therapeutic target in PARPi-resistant, BRCA1/2-mutant breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Tai
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, 1130 St Nicholas Avenue, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, QC, H3G0B1, Canada
| | - Angela Chow
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, 1130 St Nicholas Avenue, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Seoyoung Han
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, 1130 St Nicholas Avenue, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Jacobs School of Medicine, University of Buffalo, New York, NY, USA
| | - Courtney Coker
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, 1130 St Nicholas Avenue, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Wanchao Ma
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, 1130 St Nicholas Avenue, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Yifan Gu
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, 1130 St Nicholas Avenue, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Valeria Estrada Navarro
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Manoj Kandpal
- Centre for Clinical and Translational Science, Rockefeller University Hospital, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Hanina Hibshoosh
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, 630 W 168th St, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Kevin Kalinsky
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Katia Manova-Todorova
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Drukier Institute for Children's Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anton Safonov
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Elaine M Walsh
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Department of Medicine, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd, NW, Washington DC, 20007, USA
| | - Mark Robson
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Larry Norton
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Richard Baer
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, 1130 St Nicholas Avenue, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, 630 W 168th St, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Taha Merghoub
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Anup K Biswas
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, 1130 St Nicholas Avenue, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, 630 W 168th St, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Swarnali Acharyya
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, 1130 St Nicholas Avenue, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, 630 W 168th St, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1130 St. Nicholas Ave, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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Malekan M, Haass NK, Rokni GR, Gholizadeh N, Ebrahimzadeh MA, Kazeminejad A. VEGF/VEGFR axis and its signaling in melanoma: Current knowledge toward therapeutic targeting agents and future perspectives. Life Sci 2024; 345:122563. [PMID: 38508233 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122563] [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: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is responsible for most skin cancer-associated deaths globally. The progression of melanoma is influenced by a number of pathogenic processes. Understanding the VEGF/VEGFR axis, which includes VEGF-A, PlGF, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D and their receptors, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3, is of great importance in melanoma due to its crucial role in angiogenesis. This axis generates multifactorial and complex cellular signaling, engaging the MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, PKC, PLC-γ, and FAK signaling pathways. Melanoma cell growth and proliferation, migration and metastasis, survival, and acquired resistance to therapy are influenced by this axis. The VEGF/VEGFR axis was extensively examined for their potential as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers in melanoma patients and results showed that VEGF overexpression can be associated with unfavorable prognosis, higher level of tumor invasion and poor response to therapy. MicroRNAs linking to the VEGF/VEGFR axis were identified and, in this review, divided into two categories according to their functions, some of them promote melanoma angiogenesis (promotive group) and some restrict melanoma angiogenesis (protective group). In addition, the approach of treating melanoma by targeting the VEGF/VEGFR axis has garnered significant interest among researchers. These agents can be divided into two main groups: anti-VEGF and VEGFR inhibitors. These therapeutic options may be a prominent step along with the modern targeting and immune therapies for better coverage of pathological processes leading to melanoma progression and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Malekan
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | | | - Ghasem Rahmatpour Rokni
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nasim Gholizadeh
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Armaghan Kazeminejad
- Department of Dermatology, Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences,Sari, Iran
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Katayama Y, Yamada T, Sawada R, Kawachi H, Morimoto K, Watanabe S, Watanabe K, Takeda T, Chihara Y, Shiotsu S, Hibino M, Harada T, Nishioka N, Iwasaku M, Tokuda S, Takayama K. Prospective Observational Study of Ramucirumab Plus Docetaxel After Combined Chemoimmunotherapy in Patients With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Oncologist 2024; 29:e681-e689. [PMID: 38241181 PMCID: PMC11067798 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyae001] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A history of pre-administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors has been reported to be associated with good outcomes of ramucirumab (RAM) plus docetaxel (DOC) combination therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, existing knowledge on the clinical significance of RAM and DOC following combined chemoimmunotherapy is limited. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of RAM plus DOC therapy after combined chemoimmunotherapy and attempted to identify the predictors of its outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS This multicenter, prospective study investigated the efficacy and safety of RAM plus DOC after combined chemoimmunotherapy. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and incidence of adverse events. An exploratory analysis measured serum cytokine levels at the start of treatment. RESULTS Overall, 44 patients were enrolled from 10 Japanese institutions between April 2020 and June 2022. The median PFS and OS were 6.3 and 22.6 months, respectively. Furthermore, the ORR and DCR were 36.4% and 72.7%, respectively. The high vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) group had a significantly shorter PFS and OS. A combination of high VEGF-A and low VEGF-D levels was associated with a longer PFS. CONCLUSION Our results showed that RAM plus DOC after combined chemoimmunotherapy might be an effective and relatively feasible second-line treatment for patients with advanced NSCLC in a real-world setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Katayama
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tadaaki Yamada
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryo Sawada
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hayato Kawachi
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kenji Morimoto
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Watanabe
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kageaki Watanabe
- Department of Thoracic Oncology and Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Takeda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Kyoto Daini Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yusuke Chihara
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Uji-Tokushukai Medical Center, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Shiotsu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Kyoto Daiichi Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Makoto Hibino
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shonan Fujisawa Tokushukai Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Taishi Harada
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fukuchiyama City Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naoya Nishioka
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masahiro Iwasaku
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shinsaku Tokuda
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Koichi Takayama
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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Ghose A, McCann L, Makker S, Mukherjee U, Gullapalli SVN, Erekkath J, Shih S, Mahajan I, Sanchez E, Uccello M, Moschetta M, Adeleke S, Boussios S. Diagnostic biomarkers in ovarian cancer: advances beyond CA125 and HE4. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2024; 16:17588359241233225. [PMID: 38435431 PMCID: PMC10908239 DOI: 10.1177/17588359241233225] [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: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynaecologic malignancy, attributed to its insidious growth, non-specific symptoms and late presentation. Unfortunately, current screening modalities are inadequate at detecting OC and many lack the appropriate specificity and sensitivity that is desired from a screening test. Nearly 70% of cases are diagnosed at stage III or IV with poor 5-year overall survival. Therefore, the development of a sensitive and specific biomarker for early diagnosis and screening for OC is of utmost importance. Currently, diagnosis is guided by CA125, the patient's menopausal status and imaging features on ultrasound scan. However, emerging evidence suggests that a combination of CA125 and HE4 (another serum biomarker) and patient characteristics in a multivariate index assay may provide a higher specificity and sensitivity than either CA125 and HE4 alone in the early detection of OC. Other attempts at combining various serum biomarkers into one multivariate index assay such as OVA1, ROMA and Overa have all shown promise. However, significant barriers exist before these biomarkers can be implemented in clinical practice. This article aims to provide an up-to-date review of potential biomarkers for screening and early diagnosis of OC which may have the potential to transform its diagnostic landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruni Ghose
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Cancer Centre, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of General Medicine, Newham University Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Department of Medical Oncology, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Gillingham, UK
- Department of Medical Oncology, Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Lucy McCann
- Department of General Medicine, Newham University Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Shania Makker
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Uma Mukherjee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Cancer Centre, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
- University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Jayaraj Erekkath
- Department of Medical Oncology, Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
| | - Stephanie Shih
- Department of General Medicine, Newham University Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Ishika Mahajan
- Department of Acute Medicine, Lincoln County Hospital, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK
- Department of Medical Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Elisabet Sanchez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Gillingham, UK
| | - Mario Uccello
- Department of Medical Oncology, Southampton General Hospital, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Sola Adeleke
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Cancer Centre at Guy’s, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, London, WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Stergios Boussios
- Department of Medical Oncology, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Gillingham, UK
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
- Kent and Medway Medical School, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
- AELIA Organization, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece
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5
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Kim J, Nah Y, Kim S, Kim WJ. Transformation of nanoparticles via the transition of functional DNAs responsive to pH and vascular endothelial growth factor for photothermal anti-tumor therapy. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:1031-1041. [PMID: 38214329 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01968c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
This study presents a novel approach for the development of DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) capable of responding to disease-specific factors and microenvironmental changes, resulting in an effective anti-tumor effect via photothermal therapy. The AuNPs are decorated with two types of DNAs, an i-motif duplex and a VEGF split aptamer, enabling recognition of changes in pH and VEGF, respectively. The formation of VEGF aptamers on the AuNPs induces their aggregation, further enhanced by VEGF ligands. The resulting changes in the optical properties of the AuNPs are detected by monitoring the absorbance. Upon irradiation with a near-infrared laser, the aggregated AuNPs generate heat due to their thermoplasmonic characteristic, leading to an anti-tumor effect. This study demonstrates the enhanced anti-tumor effect of DNA-functionalized AuNPs via photothermal therapy in both in vitro and in vivo tumor models. These findings suggest the potential utilization of such functional AuNPs for precise disease diagnosis and treatment by detecting disease-related factors in the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinseong Kim
- Department of Chemistry, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yunyoung Nah
- Department of Chemistry, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seongmin Kim
- Department of Chemistry, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea.
| | - Won Jong Kim
- Department of Chemistry, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea.
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
- OmniaMed Co., Ltd, Pohang, Republic of Korea
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Tahirli S, Aliyeva F, Şenol H, Demukhamedova S, Akverdieva G, Aliyeva I, Veysova S, Sadeghian N, Günay S, Erden Y, Taslimi P, Sujayev A, Chiragov F. Novel complex compounds of nickel with 3-(1-phenyl-2,3-dimethyl-pyrazolone-5)azopentadione-2,4: synthesis, NBO analysis, reactivity descriptors and in silico and in vitro anti-cancer and bioactivity studies. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-25. [PMID: 38294759 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2309646] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
A synthesized azo compound based on 4-amino antipyrine and its complexes with Ni(II) in solution and solid phase is reported. The structures of these compounds have been testified by IR and NMR spectroscopy. The combined experimental and theoretical approach was used. To study the structure and properties of the synthesized compound, as well as its possible complex formation with the Ni(II), ab initio quantum-chemical calculations were carried out using the Hartree-Fock (HF) method with the 6-31 G basis set and the electron density functional theory (DFT) method with hybrid three-parameter potential B3LYP and extended basis set 6-311++G(d,p) taking into account polarization and diffuse functions for all atoms. The geometric, energy, and electronic parameters were calculated and analyzed. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap has been calculated to determine chemical activity. Both complexes had effective inhibition against butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase. IC50 values were found as 19.43 and 27.08 µM for AChE, 2.37 and 7.40 µM for BChE, respectively. For the anticancer outcome, high doses of compound E1 inhibited viability by about 40-45%, while this rate was around 65-70% for compound E2 at the same doses. Anticholinesterase and anticancer potential of compounds E1 and E2 also evaluated by in silico techniques. Both compounds show strong binding to VEGFR1, with E2 exhibiting superior inhibitory activity in hAChE and hBChE through shorter and stronger interactions. MD simulations suggest that E2 forms more stable complexes with hAChE and hBChE compared to E1, making it a promising candidate for further exploration in anticancer and anticholinesterase therapies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fargana Aliyeva
- Institute of Chemistry of Additives named after acad. A. M. Guliyev, Baku, Azerbaijan
| | - Halil Şenol
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Bezmialem Vakif University, Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | | | - Gulnara Akverdieva
- Institute for Physical Problems, Baku State University, Baku, Azerbaijan
| | - Irada Aliyeva
- Institute for Physical Problems, Baku State University, Baku, Azerbaijan
| | | | - Nastaran Sadeghian
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biotechnology, Bartın University, Bartın, Türkiye
| | - Sevilay Günay
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bartın University, Bartın, Türkiye
| | - Yavuz Erden
- Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bartın University, Bartın, Türkiye
| | - Parham Taslimi
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biotechnology, Bartın University, Bartın, Türkiye
| | - Afsun Sujayev
- Institute of Chemistry of Additives named after acad. A. M. Guliyev, Baku, Azerbaijan
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7
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Gaspari L, Haouzi D, Gennetier A, Granes G, Soler A, Sultan C, Paris F, Hamamah S. Transgenerational Transmission of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) Effects in Human Granulosa Cells: The Role of MicroRNAs. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1144. [PMID: 38256218 PMCID: PMC10816780 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021144] [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: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) might contribute to the increase in female-specific cancers in Western countries. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is considered the "prototypical toxicant" to study EDCs' effects on reproductive health. Epigenetic regulation by small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNA), is crucial for controlling cancer development. The aim of this study was to analyze transcriptional activity and sncRNA expression changes in the KGN cell line after acute (3 h) and chronic (72 h) exposure to 10 nM TCDD in order to determine whether sncRNAs' deregulation may contribute to transmitting TCDD effects to the subsequent cell generations (day 9 and day 14 after chronic exposure). Using Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA 4.0 arrays, 109 sncRNAs were found to be differentially expressed (fold change < -2 or >2; p-value < 0.05) between cells exposed or not (control) to TCDD for 3 h and 72 h and on day 9 and day 14 after chronic exposure. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis predicted that following the acute and chronic exposure of KGN cells, sncRNAs linked to cellular development, growth and proliferation were downregulated, and those linked to cancer promotion were upregulated on day 9 and day 14. These results indicated that TCDD-induced sncRNA dysregulation may have transgenerational cancer-promoting effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gaspari
- Unité d’Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie, Hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France; (L.G.); (C.S.)
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital, Constitutif Sud, Hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
- INSERM U 1203, Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France (A.S.)
| | - Delphine Haouzi
- INSERM U 1203, Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France (A.S.)
- Département de Biologie de la Reproduction et DPI (ART/PGD), Hôpital A. de Villeneuve, CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Aurélie Gennetier
- INSERM U 1203, Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France (A.S.)
| | - Gaby Granes
- INSERM U 1203, Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France (A.S.)
| | - Alexandra Soler
- INSERM U 1203, Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France (A.S.)
- Global ART Innovation Network (GAIN), 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Charles Sultan
- Unité d’Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie, Hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France; (L.G.); (C.S.)
| | - Françoise Paris
- Unité d’Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie, Hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France; (L.G.); (C.S.)
- Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital, Constitutif Sud, Hôpital Lapeyronie, CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
- INSERM U 1203, Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France (A.S.)
| | - Samir Hamamah
- INSERM U 1203, Développement Embryonnaire Fertilité Environnement, Université de Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France (A.S.)
- Département de Biologie de la Reproduction et DPI (ART/PGD), Hôpital A. de Villeneuve, CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
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8
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Xia M, Tong S, Gao L. Identification of MDK as a Hypoxia- and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Related Gene Biomarker of Glioblastoma Based on a Novel Risk Model and In Vitro Experiments. Biomedicines 2024; 12:92. [PMID: 38255198 PMCID: PMC10813330 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor cells are commonly exposed to a hypoxic environment, which can easily induce the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells, further affecting tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. However, the predictive role of hypoxia and EMT-related genes in glioblastoma (GBM) has not been investigated. METHODS Intersection genes were identified by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and differential expression analyses, and a risk model was further constructed by LASSO and Cox analyses. Clinical, immune infiltration, tumor mutation, drug treatment, and enrichment profiles were analyzed based on the risk model. The expression level of the MDK gene was tested using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. CCK8 and EdU were employed to determine the GBM cells' capacity for proliferation while the migration and invasion ability were detected by a wound healing assay and transwell assay, respectively. RESULTS Based on the GBM data of the TCGA and GTEx databases, 58 intersection genes were identified, and a risk model was constructed. The model was verified in the CGGA cohort, and its accuracy was confirmed by the ROC curve (AUC = 0.807). After combining clinical subgroups, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that risk score and age were independent risk factors for GBM patients. Furthermore, our subsequent analysis of immune infiltration, tumor mutation, and drug treatment showed that risk score and high- and low-risk groups were associated with multiple immune cells, mutated genes, and drugs. Enrichment analysis indicated that the differences between high- and low-risk groups were manifested in tumor-related pathways, including the PI3K-AKT and JAK-STAT pathways. Finally, in vivo experiments proved that the hypoxia environment promoted the expression of MDK, and MDK knockdown reduced the proliferation, migration, and EMT of GBM cells induced by hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS Our novel prognostic correlation model provided more potential treatment strategies for GBM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minqi Xia
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Shiao Tong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Ling Gao
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
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9
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Nakai H, Matsumura N. Selection of maintenance therapy during first-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer based on pharmacologic characteristics. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2023; 24:2161-2173. [PMID: 38111255 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2023.2295393] [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: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maintenance therapy with bevacizumab and the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors olaparib and niraparib after first-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer has been approved. However, it is not clear which one should be used for which patients. AREAS COVERED This paper presents a detailed analysis of data from phase 3 trials in ovarian cancer evaluating bevacizumab (ICON7, GOG-0218), olaparib (SOLO1, PAOLA-1), and niraparib (PRIMA, PRIME). We will discuss how the results of these trials relate to the 'rebound effect,' in which the risk of progression increases after discontinuation of bevacizumab in patients receiving bevacizumab, and to the significant difference in tissue permeability between olaparib and niraparib. EXPERT OPINION In patients with homologous recombination deficiency and no macroscopic residual disease (R0) after primary debulking surgery (PDS), the combination of bevacizumab plus olaparib seems to be the best regimen. Olaparib monotherapy is suitable for patients with BRCA mutations other than PDS R0. Bevacizumab is most useful in cases with a short duration of the rebound effect, i.e. short survival. Niraparib is useful in others but may be more useful in Asians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidekatsu Nakai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, Japan
| | - Noriomi Matsumura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, Japan
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10
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Bokhari SMZ, Hamar P. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-D (VEGF-D): An Angiogenesis Bypass in Malignant Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13317. [PMID: 37686121 PMCID: PMC10487419 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are the key regulators of vasculogenesis in normal and oncological development. VEGF-A is the most studied angiogenic factor secreted by malignant tumor cells under hypoxic and inflammatory stress, which made VEGF-A a rational target for anticancer therapy. However, inhibition of VEGF-A by monoclonal antibody drugs led to the upregulation of VEGF-D. VEGF-D was primarily described as a lymphangiogenic factor; however, VEGF-D's blood angiogenic potential comparable to VEGF-A has already been demonstrated in glioblastoma and colorectal carcinoma. These findings suggested a role for VEGF-D in facilitating malignant tumor growth by bypassing the anti-VEGF-A antiangiogenic therapy. Owing to its high mitogenic ability, higher affinity for VEGFR-2, and higher expression in cancer, VEGF-D might even be a stronger angiogenic driver and, hence, a better therapeutic target than VEGF-A. In this review, we summarized the angiogenic role of VEGF-D in blood vasculogenesis and its targetability as an antiangiogenic therapy in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Hamar
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary;
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11
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Fang Y, Chen L, Imoukhuede PI. Toward Blood-Based Precision Medicine: Identifying Age-Sex-Specific Vascular Biomarker Quantities on Circulating Vascular Cells. Cell Mol Bioeng 2023; 16:189-204. [PMID: 37456786 PMCID: PMC10338416 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-023-00771-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Abnormal angiogenesis is central to vascular disease and cancer, and noninvasive biomarkers of vascular origin are needed to evaluate patients and therapies. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) are often dysregulated in these diseases, making them promising biomarkers, but the need for an invasive biopsy has limited biomarker research on VEGFRs. Here, we pioneer a blood biopsy approach to quantify VEGFR plasma membrane localization on two circulating vascular proxies: circulating endothelial cells (cECs) and circulating progenitor cells (cPCs). Methods Using quantitative flow cytometry, we examined VEGFR expression on cECs and cPCs in four age-sex groups: peri/premenopausal females (aged < 50 years), menopausal/postmenopausal females (≥ 50 years), and younger and older males with the same age cut-off (50 years). Results cECs in peri/premenopausal females consisted of two VEGFR populations: VEGFR-low (~ 55% of population: population medians ~ 3000 VEGFR1 and 3000 VEGFR2/cell) and VEGFR-high (~ 45%: 138,000 VEGFR1 and 39,000-236,000 VEGFR2/cell), while the menopausal/postmenopausal group only possessed the VEGFR-low cEC population; and 27% of cECs in males exhibited high plasma membrane VEGFR expression (206,000 VEGFR1 and 155,000 VEGFR2/cell). The absence of VEGFR-high cEC subpopulations in menopausal/postmenopausal females suggests that their high-VEGFR cECs are associated with menstruation and could be noninvasive proxies for studying the intersection of age-sex in angiogenesis. VEGFR1 plasma membrane localization in cPCs was detected only in menopausal/postmenopausal females, suggesting a menopause-specific regenerative mechanism. Conclusions Overall, our quantitative, noninvasive approach targeting cECs and cPCs has provided the first insights into how sex and age influence VEGFR plasma membrane localization in vascular cells. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-023-00771-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingye Fang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Ling Chen
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - P. I. Imoukhuede
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
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12
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Babaei Z, Panjehpour M, Ghorbanhosseini SS, Parsian H, Khademi M, Aghaei M. VEGFR3 suppression through miR-1236 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer via ERK1/2 and AKT signaling pathways. J Cell Biochem 2023; 124:674-686. [PMID: 36922713 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3) is expressed in cancer cell lines and exerts a critical role in cancer progression. However, the signaling pathways of VEGFR3 in ovarian cancer cell proliferation remain unclear. This study aimed to demonstrate the signaling pathways of VEGFR3 through the upregulated expression of miR-1236 in ovarian cancer cells. We found that the messenger RNA and protein of VEGFR3 were expressed in the ovarian cancer cell lines, but downregulated after microRNA-1236 (miR-1236) transfection. The inhibition of VEGFR3, using miR-1236, significantly reduced cell proliferation, clonogenic survival, migration, and invasion ability in SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells (p < 0.01). The flow cytometry results indicated that the rate of apoptotic cells in SKOV3 (38.65%) and OVCAR3 (41.95%) cells increased following VEGFR3 inhibition. Moreover, VEGFR3 stimulation (using a specific ligand, VEGF-CS) significantly increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation (p < 0.01), whereas VEGFR3 suppression reduced p-ERK1/2 (67.94% in SKOV3 and 93.52% in OVCAR3) and p-AKT (59.56% in SKOV3 and 78.73% in OVCAR3) compared to the VEGF-CS treated group. This finding demonstrated that miR-1236 may act as an endogenous regulator of ERK1/2 and AKT signaling by blocking the upstream regulator of VEGFR3. Overall, we demonstrated the important role of the miR-1236/VEGFR3 axis in ovarian cancer cell proliferation by regulating the ERK1/2 and AKT signaling that might be an effective strategy against ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Babaei
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Panjehpour
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Sara Ghorbanhosseini
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hadi Parsian
- Department of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mahsa Khademi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Aghaei
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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13
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Wieser V, Tsibulak I, Reimer DU, Zeimet AG, Fiegl H, Hackl H, Marth C. An angiogenic tumor phenotype predicts poor prognosis in ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2023; 170:290-299. [PMID: 36758419 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.01.034] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epithelial ovarian cancer (OC) is the deadliest gynecological malignancy worldwide. Blocking angiogenesis with bevacizumab, an antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), shows efficacy in different lines of OC therapy. This study investigates the clinical impact of tumoral expression of angiogenesis-related genes and their association with bevacizumab response in OC in retrospective analysis of three independent cohorts. METHODS mRNA expression of seven angiogenic genes (VEGF, VEGFR2, PDGFA, PDGFB, PDGFRA, PDGFRB, KIT) was quantified in an inception OC cohort (n = 195) and a transcriptional tumor angiogenesis score from 0 to 3 was established and linked to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). This score was corroborated in an independent publicly available cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA, n = 582) and prediction of therapeutic efficacy of bevacizumab by the angiogenesis score was analyzed in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE140082 (n = 380) from the ICON7-trial. RESULTS The tumor angiogenesis score prognosticated PFS and OS in patients with OC from the inception cohort (p < 0.001, respectively). Tumoral PDGFA expression (PFS: HR 2.46, p = 0.005; OS: HR 2.26, p = 0.011) and a high tumoral transcriptional angiogenesis score (PFS: HR 1.41, p = 0.018) were identified as independent predictors of clinical outcome. The transcriptional angiogenesis score exhibited a significant though smaller effect size on PFS in the TCGA cohort. However, in the ICON7-trial, the angiogenesis score was not associated with benefit of bevacizumab treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that tumoral expression of angiogenic genes is unfavorable in OC. The established score could be used to identify patients who respond to targeted angiogenic therapies, a concept that warrants prospective controlled clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Wieser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Irina Tsibulak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniel Uwe Reimer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alain Gustave Zeimet
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Heidelinde Fiegl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubert Hackl
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Marth
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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14
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Mulchandani V, Banerjee A, Vadlamannati AV, Kumar S, Das Sarma J. Connexin 43 trafficking and regulation of gap junctional intercellular communication alters ovarian cancer cell migration and tumorigenesis. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 159:114296. [PMID: 36701988 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114296] [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: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer persists to be the most lethal gynecological malignancy, demanding rigorous treatments involving radio-chemotherapy that trigger toxicity and consequently mortality among patients. An improved understanding of the disease progression may pioneer curative therapies. Mouse epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines, ID8 and ID8-VEGF (overexpressing VEGF) were intraperitoneally injected in C57BL/6 female mice to develop a Syngeneic Ovarian cancer mouse model. It was observed that ID8-VEGF cells were able to induce aggressive tumor growth in mice compared to ID8 cells. Furthermore, results of the current in vitro study comparing ID8 and ID8-VEGF demonstrated that highly tumorigenic ID8-VEGF had reduced gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) due to intracellular Connexin 43 (Cx43) expression. Additionally, ID8 cells with reduced tumorigenic capability expressed significant GJIC. Furthermore, loss of GJIC in ID8-VEGF cells induced shorter tunneling nanotube formations, while ID8 cells develops longer tunneling nanotube to maintain cellular crosstalk. The administration of a pharmacological drug 4-phenylbutyrate (4PBA) ensured the restoration of GJIC in both the ovarian cancer cell lines. Additionally, 4PBA treatment significantly inhibited the migration of ovarian cancer cell lines and tumor formation in ovarian cancer mice models. In summary, the 4PBA-mediated restoration of GJIC suppressed migration (in vitro) and tumorigenesis (in vivo) of ovarian cancer cells. The present study suggests that Cx43 assembled GJIC and its supportive signaling pathways are a prospective target for restricting ovarian cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Mulchandani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Anurag Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Arunima Vijaya Vadlamannati
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Saurav Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Jayasri Das Sarma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
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15
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The Role of Natural and Semi-Synthetic Compounds in Ovarian Cancer: Updates on Mechanisms of Action, Current Trends and Perspectives. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052070. [PMID: 36903316 PMCID: PMC10004182 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052070] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer represents a major health concern for the female population: there is no obvious cause, it is frequently misdiagnosed, and it is characterized by a poor prognosis. Additionally, patients are inclined to recurrences because of metastasis and poor treatment tolerance. Combining innovative therapeutic techniques with established approaches can aid in improving treatment outcomes. Because of their multi-target actions, long application history, and widespread availability, natural compounds have particular advantages in this connection. Thus, effective therapeutic alternatives with improved patient tolerance hopefully can be identified within the world of natural and nature-derived products. Moreover, natural compounds are generally perceived to have more limited adverse effects on healthy cells or tissues, suggesting their potential role as valid treatment alternatives. In general, the anticancer mechanisms of such molecules are connected to the reduction of cell proliferation and metastasis, autophagy stimulation and improved response to chemotherapeutics. This review aims at discussing the mechanistic insights and possible targets of natural compounds against ovarian cancer, from the perspective of medicinal chemists. In addition, an overview of the pharmacology of natural products studied to date for their potential application towards ovarian cancer models is presented. The chemical aspects as well as available bioactivity data are discussed and commented on, with particular attention to the underlying molecular mechanism(s).
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16
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Do Aging and Parity Affect VEGF-A/VEGFR Content and Signaling in the Ovary?-A Mouse Model Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043318. [PMID: 36834730 PMCID: PMC9966908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043318] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, the effects of aging and parity on VEGF-A/VEGFR protein content and signaling in the mice ovaries were determined. The research group consisted of nulliparous (virgins, V) and multiparous (M) mice during late-reproductive (L, 9-12 months) and post-reproductive (P, 15-18 months) stages. Whilst ovarian VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 remained unchanged in all the experimental groups (LM, LV, PM, PV), protein content of VEGF-A and phosphorylated VEGFR2 significantly decreased only in PM ovaries. VEGF-A/VEGFR2-dependent activation of ERK1/2, p38, as well as protein content of cyclin D1, cyclin E1, and Cdc25A were then assessed. In ovaries of LV and LM, all of these downstream effectors were maintained at a comparable low/undetectable level. Conversely, the decrease recorded in PM ovaries did not occur in the PV group, in which the significant increase of kinases and cyclins, as well phosphorylation levels mirrored the trend of the pro-angiogenic markers. Altogether, the present results demonstrated that, in mice, ovarian VEGF-A/VEGFR2 protein content and downstream signaling can be modulated in an age- and parity-dependent manner. Moreover, the lowest levels of pro-angiogenic and cell cycle progression markers detected in PM mouse ovaries sustains the hypothesis that parity could exert a protective role by downregulating the protein content of key mediators of pathological angiogenesis.
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17
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Fang Y, Imoukhuede PI. Axl and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors Exhibit Variations in Membrane Localization and Heterogeneity Across Monolayer and Spheroid High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Models. GEN BIOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 2:43-56. [PMID: 36873811 PMCID: PMC9976349 DOI: 10.1089/genbio.2022.0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) and Axl are receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) that are targeted in ovarian cancer therapy. Two-dimensional monolayer culture and three-dimensional spheroids are common models for RTK-targeted drug screening: monolayers are simple and economical while spheroids include several genetic and histological tumor features. RTK membrane localization dictates RTK signaling and drug response, however, it is not characterized in these models. We quantify plasma membrane RTK concentrations and show differential RTK abundance and heterogeneity in monolayers versus spheroids. We show VEGFR1 concentrations on the plasma membrane to be 10 times higher in OVCAR8 spheroids than in monolayers; OVCAR8 spheroids are more heterogeneous than monolayers, exhibiting a bimodal distribution of a low-Axl (6200/cell) and a high-Axl subpopulation (25,000/cell). In addition, plasma membrane Axl concentrations differ by 100 times between chemosensitive (OVCAR3) and chemoresistant (OVCAR8) cells and by 10 times between chemoresistant cell lines (OVCAR5 vs. OVCAR8). These systematic findings can guide ovarian cancer model selection for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingye Fang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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18
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Dhami SPS, Patmore S, Comerford C, Byrne C, Cavanagh B, Castle J, Kirwan CC, Kenny M, Schoen I, O'Donnell JS, O'Sullivan JM. Breast cancer cells mediate endothelial cell activation, promoting von Willebrand factor release, tumor adhesion, and transendothelial migration. J Thromb Haemost 2022; 20:2350-2365. [PMID: 35722954 PMCID: PMC9796425 DOI: 10.1111/jth.15794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer results in a three- to four-fold increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is associated with reduced patient survival. Despite this, the mechanisms underpinning breast cancer-associated thrombosis remain poorly defined. Tumor cells can trigger endothelial cell (EC) activation resulting in increased von Willebrand factor (VWF) secretion. Importantly, elevated plasma VWF levels constitute an independent biomarker for VTE risk. Moreover, in a model of melanoma, treatment with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) negatively regulated VWF secretion and attenuated tumor metastasis. OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of VWF in breast cancer metastasis and examine the effect of LMWH in modulating EC activation and breast tumor transmigration. METHODS von Willebrand factor levels were measured by ELISA. Primary ECs were used to assess tumor-induced activation, angiogenesis, tumor adhesion, and transendothelial migration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Patients with metastatic breast cancer have markedly elevated plasma VWF:Ag levels that also correlate with poorer survival. MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells induce secretion of VWF, angiopoietin-2, and osteoprotegerin from ECs, which is further enhanced by the presence of platelets. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) plays an important role in modulating breast cancer-induced VWF release. Moreover, VEGF-A from breast tumor cells also contributes to a pro-angiogenic effect on ECs. VWF multimers secreted from ECs, in response to tumor-VEGF-A, mediate adhesion of breast tumor cells along the endothelium. LMWH inhibits VWF-breast tumor adhesion and transendothelial migration. Our findings highlight the significant crosstalk between tumor cells and the endothelium including increased VWF secretion which may contribute to tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukhraj Pal Singh Dhami
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Irish Centre for Vascular BiologyRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
| | - Sean Patmore
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Irish Centre for Vascular BiologyRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
| | - Claire Comerford
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Irish Centre for Vascular BiologyRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
| | - Ciara M. Byrne
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Irish Centre for Vascular BiologyRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
| | - Brenton Cavanagh
- Cellular and Molecular Imaging CoreRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
| | - John Castle
- Manchester Cancer Research CentreThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Cliona C. Kirwan
- Manchester Cancer Research CentreThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
- The Nightingale CentreManchester University Foundation TrustManchester, WythenshaweUK
| | - Martin Kenny
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Irish Centre for Vascular BiologyRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
| | - Ingmar Schoen
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Irish Centre for Vascular BiologyRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
| | - James S. O'Donnell
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Irish Centre for Vascular BiologyRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
- National Coagulation CentreSt James HospitalDublinIreland
| | - Jamie M. O'Sullivan
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Irish Centre for Vascular BiologyRoyal College of Surgeons in IrelandDublinIreland
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Targeting Tyrosine Kinases in Ovarian Cancer: Small Molecule Inhibitor and Monoclonal Antibody, Where Are We Now? Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092113. [PMID: 36140214 PMCID: PMC9495728 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092113] [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: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynaecological malignancies worldwide. Despite high success rates following first time treatment, this heterogenous disease is prone to recurrence. Oncogenic activity of receptor tyrosine kinases is believed to drive the progression of ovarian cancer. Here we provide an update on the progress of the therapeutic targeting of receptor tyrosine kinases in ovarian cancer. Broadly, drug classes that inhibit tyrosine kinase/pathways can be classified as small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, or immunotherapeutic vaccines. Small molecule inhibitors tested in clinical trials thus far include sorafenib, sunitinib, pazopanib, tivantinib, and erlotinib. Monoclonal antibodies include bevacizumab, cetuximab, pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and seribantumab. While numerous trials have been carried out, the results of monotherapeutic agents have not been satisfactory. For combination with chemotherapy, the monoclonal antibodies appear more effective, though the efficacy is limited by low frequency of target alteration and a lack of useful predictive markers for treatment stratification. There remain critical gaps for the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancers; however, platinum-sensitive tumours may benefit from the combination of tyrosine kinase targeting drugs and PARP inhibitors. Immunotherapeutics such as a peptide B-cell epitope vaccine and plasmid-based DNA vaccine have shown some efficacy both as monotherapeutic agents and in combination therapy, but require further development to validate current findings. In conclusion, the tyrosine kinases remain attractive targets for treating ovarian cancers. Future development will need to consider effective drug combination, frequency of target, and developing predictive biomarker.
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VEGF-A promotes the motility of human melanoma cells through the VEGFR1-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2022; 58:758-770. [PMID: 35997849 PMCID: PMC9550759 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-022-00717-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and its receptors (VEGFR1 and R2) play important roles in the progression of malignant melanoma through tumor angiogenesis. However, it is not clear whether the VEGF-A/VEGFR1 signaling pathway is involved in the proliferation and migration of melanoma cells. Thus, the effect of VEGF-A on cell migration was investigated in human melanoma cell lines. Of several splicing variants of VEGF-A, VEGF165 is the most abundant and responsible for VEGF-A biological potency. VEGF165 facilitated the migration of melanoma cells in both a chemotactic and chemokinetic manner, but cell proliferation was not affected by VEGF165. VEGF165 also induced the phosphorylation of Akt. In addition, VEGF165-induced cell migration was inhibited significantly by VEGFR1/2 or a VEGFR1-neutralizing antibody. Furthermore, the downregulation of VEGFR1 via the transfection of VEGFR1-targeting antisense oligonucleotides suppressed VEGF165-induced cell migration. Moreover, wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) in the PI3K/Akt pathway, suppressed VEGF165-induced Akt phosphorylation and VEGF165-induced cell migration. These findings suggest that the motility of melanoma cells is regulated by signals mediated through the PI3K/Akt kinase pathway with the activation of VEGFR1 tyrosine kinase by VEGF165. Thus, the downregulation of signaling via VEGF-A/VEGFR1 might be an effective therapeutic approach that could prevent the progression of malignant melanoma.
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21
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Elebiyo TC, Rotimi D, Evbuomwan IO, Maimako RF, Iyobhebhe M, Ojo OA, Oluba OM, Adeyemi OS. Reassessing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2022; 32:100620. [PMID: 35964475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2022.100620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Vascularization is fundamental to the growth and spread of tumor cells to distant sites. As a consequence, angiogenesis, the sprouting of new blood vessels from existing ones, is a characteristic trait of cancer. In 1971, Judah Folkman postulated that tumour growth is angiogenesis dependent and that by cutting off blood supply, a neoplastic lesion could be potentially starved into remission. Decades of research have been devoted to understanding the role that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays in tumor angiogenesis, and it has been identified as a significant pro-angiogenic factor that is frequently overexpressed within a tumor mass. Today, anti-VEGF drugs such as Sunitinib, Sorafenib, Axitinib, Tanibirumab, and Ramucirumab have been approved for the treatment of advanced and metastatic cancers. However, anti-angiogenic therapy has turned out to be more complex than originally thought. The failure of this therapeutic option calls for a reevaluation of VEGF as the major target in anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. The call for reassessment is based on two rationales: first, tumour blood vessels are abnormal, disorganized, and leaky; this not only prevents optimal drug delivery but it also promotes hypoxia and metastasis; secondly, tumour growth or regrowth might be blood vessel dependent and not angiogenesis dependent as tumour cells can acquire blood vessels via non-angiogenic mechanisms. Therefore, a critical assessment of VEGF, VEGFRs, and their inhibitors could glean newer options such as repurposing anti-VEGF drugs as vascular normalizing agents to enhance drug delivery of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Damilare Rotimi
- Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo
- Phytomedicine, Molecular Toxicology, and Computational Biochemistry Research Laboratory (PMTCB-RL), Department of Biochemistry, Bowen University, Iwo, 232101, Nigeria..
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22
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Lau CH, Seow KM, Chen KH. The Molecular Mechanisms of Actions, Effects, and Clinical Implications of PARP Inhibitors in Epithelial Ovarian Cancers: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158125. [PMID: 35897700 PMCID: PMC9332395 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in the United States. Some patients affected by ovarian cancers often present genome instability with one or more of the defects in DNA repair pathways, particularly in homologous recombination (HR), which is strictly linked to mutations in breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA 1) or breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA 2). The treatment of ovarian cancer remains a challenge, and the majority of patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancers experience relapse and require additional treatment despite initial therapy, including optimal cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and platinum-based chemotherapy. Targeted therapy at DNA repair genes has become a unique strategy to combat homologous recombination-deficient (HRD) cancers in recent years. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), a family of proteins, plays an important role in DNA damage repair, genome stability, and apoptosis of cancer cells, especially in HRD cancers. PARP inhibitors (PARPi) have been reported to be highly effective and low-toxicity drugs that will tremendously benefit patients with HRD (i.e., BRCA 1/2 mutated) epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) by blocking the DNA repair pathways and inducing apoptosis of cancer cells. PARP inhibitors compete with NAD+ at the catalytic domain (CAT) of PARP to block PARP catalytic activity and the formation of PAR polymers. These effects compromise the cellular ability to overcome DNA SSB damage. The process of HR, an essential error-free pathway to repair DNA DSBs during cell replication, will be blocked in the condition of BRCA 1/2 mutations. The PARP-associated HR pathway can also be partially interrupted by using PARP inhibitors. Grossly, PARP inhibitors have demonstrated some therapeutic benefits in many randomized phase II and III trials when combined with the standard CRS for advanced EOCs. However, similar to other chemotherapy agents, PARP inhibitors have different clinical indications and toxicity profiles and also face drug resistance, which has become a major challenge. In high-grade epithelial ovarian cancers, the cancer cells under hypoxia- or drug-induced stress have the capacity to become polyploidy giant cancer cells (PGCCs), which can survive the attack of chemotherapeutic agents and start endoreplication. These stem-like, self-renewing PGCCs generate mutations to alter the expression/function of kinases, p53, and stem cell markers, and diploid daughter cells can exhibit drug resistance and facilitate tumor growth and metastasis. In this review, we discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms of PARP inhibitors and the results from the clinical studies that investigated the effects of the FDA-approved PARP inhibitors olaparib, rucaparib, and niraparib. We also review the current research progress on PARP inhibitors, their safety, and their combined usage with antiangiogenic agents. Nevertheless, many unknown aspects of PARP inhibitors, including detailed mechanisms of actions, along with the effectiveness and safety of the treatment of EOCs, warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hui Lau
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Tzu-Chi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzu-Chi Medical Foundation, Taipei 231, Taiwan;
| | - Kok-Min Seow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 111, Taiwan;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Tzu-Chi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzu-Chi Medical Foundation, Taipei 231, Taiwan;
- School of Medicine, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-66289779
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23
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Bella Á, Arrizabalaga L, Di Trani CA, Fernández-Sendin M, Teijeira A, Russo-Cabrera JS, Melero I, Berraondo P, Aranda F. Omentum: Friend or foe in ovarian cancer immunotherapy? INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 371:117-131. [PMID: 35964998 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer often spreads out of the ovary before a patient is diagnosed and is the deadliest gynecological malignancy. The aggressiveness of ovarian cancer is determined by the progression in the form of peritoneal carcinomatosis, a stage with a poor prognosis and an untreatable condition in most patients. One of the first tumor nests or the origin of metastasis in the peritoneal cavity is the omentum. The omentum contains immune aggregates, called milky spots, embedded in adipose tissue, which support tumor growth by various mechanisms, including immunosuppressive immune cells and metabolic functions. In this sense, the abundance of blood vessels, omental resident macrophages, and chemokines, among other factors, are known to promote invasiveness, proliferation and resistance to cancer therapies. As a result, surgical practice employed in advanced-stage ovarian cancer almost constantly includes omentectomy. Paradoxically, the omentum is considered the "abdominal policeman" that contributes to peritoneal immunity by capturing antigens and pathogens from the peritoneal cavity and promoting effective immune responses against microbes. Why immunosurveillance against the metastatic tumor does not take place in the omentum? Could omental immune responses be activated with immunotherapeutic interventions? The omentum has largely been ignored in cancer immunology and immunotherapy, and the potential translational implications of this in ovarian cancer are still unclear. Here, we focus on the dual role of the omentum in ovarian cancer: its role in antitumor immune responses versus its activities fostering cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Bella
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Leire Arrizabalaga
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Claudia Augusta Di Trani
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Myriam Fernández-Sendin
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alvaro Teijeira
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Salvador Russo-Cabrera
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain; Translational Oncology Group, Program in Solid Tumors, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Aranda
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.
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24
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Cevik M, Namal E, Dinc-Sener N, Iner-Koksal U, Ciftci C, Susleyici B. Investigation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Polymorphisms on Risk, Metastasis, Laterality, and Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer in Turkish Subjects. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2022; 26:298-306. [PMID: 35593899 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2021.0213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Tumor angiogenesis is known to support the spread and invasion of tumor cells, allow distant organ metastasis, resulting in worse prognosis and mortality. Since vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is the major regulator of angiogenesis, in the present study, the associations of VEGF-A +405G>C and -460C>T polymorphisms with risk, primary tumor location, prognosis, and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) were investigated in Turkish subjects. Material and Methods: A total of 153 subjects consisting of 74 controls and 79 CRC diagnosed patients were included in the study. VEGF-A +405G>C and -460C>T polymorphisms were analyzed using Agena MassARRAY platform. Results: VEGF +405GC+CC genotypes were found to be significantly associated with left colon cancer (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] = 5.208 confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.064-25.496, p = 0.04). VEGF -460TT and CT+TT genotypes were associated with reduced liver metastasis risk (OR = 0.080 95% CI: 0.009-0.689 p = 0.02 and OR = 0.191 95% CI: 0.039-0.925, p = 0.04, respectively). Patients with VEGF +405GG genotype showed longer progression-free survival as a response to bevacizumab treatment (Log rank = 6.92, p = 0.03). Conclusion: According to our results, VEGF +405G>C and -460C>T polymorphisms were found to be associated with CRC prognosis, sidedness, and metastasis. Our findings should be conducted in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehtap Cevik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Marmara University Faculty of Science and Letters, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Esat Namal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Demiroglu Bilim University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nur Dinc-Sener
- Department of Medical Oncology, Demiroglu Bilim University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Cavlan Ciftci
- Department of Cardiology, Demiroglu Bilim University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Belgin Susleyici
- Department of Molecular Biology, Marmara University Faculty of Science and Letters, Istanbul, Turkey
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25
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Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) Expression in Tumor-Associated Neovasculature Is an Independent Prognostic Marker in Patients with Ovarian Cancer. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12040551. [PMID: 35455669 PMCID: PMC9025859 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12040551] [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: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is present in the tumor-associated neovasculature of many cancer types. Current data in ovarian cancer are limited and controversial; thus, the aim of this study was to investigate PSMA expression in a larger and homogenous patient cohort. This might lead to further studies investigating the use of imaging and therapeutic modalities targeting PSMA. Eighty patients with advanced stage high-grade serous ovarian cancers were included. Using immunohistochemistry, PSMA and CD31, a marker for endothelial cells, were examined in whole tissue sections. Percentage and intensity of PSMA expression were determined in the neovasculature. Expression levels were correlated with clinicopathological parameters and survival. Low (≤10%), medium (20–80%), and high (≥90%) PSMA expression was found in 14, 46, and 20 ovarian cancer samples, respectively. PSMA expression was confined to tumor-associated neovasculature and significantly correlated with progression-free (HR 2.24, 95% CI 1.32–3.82, p = 0.003) and overall survival (HR 2.73, 95% CI 1.41–5.29, p = 0.003) in multivariate models, considering age, FIGO stage, and residual disease. This is the first study showing a clinical relevance for PSMA in patients with ovarian cancer. PSMA was detected in the vast majority of cancer samples and showed an impact on survival.
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26
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Braccini S, Tacchini C, Chiellini F, Puppi D. Polymeric Hydrogels for In Vitro 3D Ovarian Cancer Modeling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:3265. [PMID: 35328686 PMCID: PMC8954571 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) grows and interacts constantly with a complex microenvironment, in which immune cells, fibroblasts, blood vessels, signal molecules and the extracellular matrix (ECM) coexist. This heterogeneous environment provides structural and biochemical support to the surrounding cells and undergoes constant and dynamic remodeling that actively promotes tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Despite the fact that traditional 2D cell culture systems have led to relevant medical advances in cancer research, 3D cell culture models could open new possibilities for the development of an in vitro tumor microenvironment more closely reproducing that observed in vivo. The implementation of materials science and technology into cancer research has enabled significant progress in the study of cancer progression and drug screening, through the development of polymeric scaffold-based 3D models closely recapitulating the physiopathological features of native tumor tissue. This article provides an overview of state-of-the-art in vitro tumor models with a particular focus on 3D OC cell culture in pre-clinical studies. The most representative OC models described in the literature are presented with a focus on hydrogel-based scaffolds, which guarantee soft tissue-like physical properties as well as a suitable 3D microenvironment for cell growth. Hydrogel-forming polymers of either natural or synthetic origin investigated in this context are described by highlighting their source of extraction, physical-chemical properties, and application for 3D ovarian cancer cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dario Puppi
- BioLab Research Group, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, UdR INSTM-Pisa, Via Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (S.B.); (C.T.)
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27
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Lu HJ, Chiu YW, Lan WS, Peng CY, Tseng HC, Hsin CH, Chuang CY, Chen CC, Huang WS, Yang SF. Prediction Model of Distant Metastasis in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma With or Without Regional Lymphatic Metastasis. Front Oncol 2022; 11:713815. [PMID: 35047382 PMCID: PMC8761851 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.713815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) who develop distant metastasis (DM) face poor outcomes, and effective prediction models of DM are rare. A total of 595 patients with OCSCC were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Because pathological N staging significantly influences the development and mechanisms of DM, the patients were divided into nodal-negative (pN−) and -positive (pN+) groups. Clinical outcomes, prognoses, and prediction models were analyzed separately for both groups. Overall, 8.9% (53/595) of these patients developed DM. Among the DM cases, 84.9% (45/53) of them developed DM within the first 3 years. The median overall survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival, time until DM development, and postmetastatic survival were 19.8, 12.7, 14.6, and 4.1 months, respectively. Distinguishing patients who only developed locoregional recurrence from those with DM according to locoregional conditions was difficult. Age, surgical margin, and early locoregional recurrence were predictors of DM that were independent of time until DM in the pN− group; the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, presence of lymphovascular invasion, and early locoregional recurrence in the pN+ group were determined. If one point was scored for each factor, then two scoring systems were used to classify the patients into low- (score = 0), intermittent- (score = 1), or high- (score = 2 or 3) risk for the pN− and pN+ groups. According to this scoring system, the 3-year DM rates for the low, intermittent, and high risk subgroups were 0.0%, 5.9%, and 17.8% for the pN− group and 7.1%, 44.9%, and 82.5% for the pN+ group, respectively. These systems also effectively predicted DM, and the areas under the curve predicted DM occurring within the first 3 years were 0.744 and 0.820 for the pN− and pN+ groups, respectively. In conclusion, effective scoring models were established for predicting DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsueh-Ju Lu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Chiu
- Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-San Lan
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yu Peng
- Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Chun Tseng
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Han Hsin
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Otolaryngology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yi Chuang
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Otolaryngology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chia Chen
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Shiou Huang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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28
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Fang Y, Malik M, England SK, Imoukhuede PI. Absolute Quantification of Plasma Membrane Receptors Via Quantitative Flow Cytometry. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2475:61-77. [PMID: 35451749 PMCID: PMC9261967 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2217-9_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Plasma membrane receptors are transmembrane proteins that initiate cellular response following the binding of specific ligands (e.g., growth factors, hormones, and cytokines). The abundance of plasma membrane receptors can be a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in many human diseases. One of the best techniques for measuring plasma membrane receptors is quantitative flow cytometry (qFlow). qFlow employs fluorophore-conjugated antibodies against the receptors of interest and corresponding fluorophore-loaded calibration beads offers standardized and reproducible measurements of plasma membrane receptors. More importantly, qFlow can achieve absolute quantification of plasma membrane receptors when phycoerythrin (PE) is the fluorophore of choice. Here we describe a detailed qFlow protocol to obtain absolute receptor quantities on the basis of PE calibration. This protocol is foundational for many previous and ongoing studies in quantifying tyrosine kinase receptors and G-protein-coupled receptors with in vitro cell models and ex vivo cell samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingye Fang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- University of Washington, Department of Bioengineering, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Manasi Malik
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sarah K England
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - P I Imoukhuede
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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29
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Garrido MP, Fredes AN, Lobos-González L, Valenzuela-Valderrama M, Vera DB, Romero C. Current Treatments and New Possible Complementary Therapies for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Biomedicines 2021; 10:77. [PMID: 35052757 PMCID: PMC8772950 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the deadliest gynaecological malignancies. The late diagnosis is frequent due to the absence of specific symptomatology and the molecular complexity of the disease, which includes a high angiogenesis potential. The first-line treatment is based on optimal debulking surgery following chemotherapy with platinum/gemcitabine and taxane compounds. During the last years, anti-angiogenic therapy and poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerases (PARP)-inhibitors were introduced in therapeutic schemes. Several studies have shown that these drugs increase the progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with ovarian cancer, but the identification of patients who have the greatest benefits is still under investigation. In the present review, we discuss about the molecular characteristics of the disease, the recent evidence of approved treatments and the new possible complementary approaches, focusing on drug repurposing, non-coding RNAs, and nanomedicine as a new method for drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritza P. Garrido
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Biología de la Reproducción, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380456, Chile; (A.N.F.); (D.B.V.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Allison N. Fredes
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Biología de la Reproducción, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380456, Chile; (A.N.F.); (D.B.V.)
| | - Lorena Lobos-González
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7710162, Chile;
| | - Manuel Valenzuela-Valderrama
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Celular, Instituto de Investigación y Postgrado, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile;
| | - Daniela B. Vera
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Biología de la Reproducción, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380456, Chile; (A.N.F.); (D.B.V.)
| | - Carmen Romero
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Biología de la Reproducción, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380456, Chile; (A.N.F.); (D.B.V.)
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
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30
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Johnson RL, Cummings M, Thangavelu A, Theophilou G, de Jong D, Orsi NM. Barriers to Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer: Metabolic, Genomic, and Immune Perturbations in the Tumour Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6231. [PMID: 34944851 PMCID: PMC8699358 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A lack of explicit early clinical signs and effective screening measures mean that ovarian cancer (OC) often presents as advanced, incurable disease. While conventional treatment combines maximal cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, patients frequently develop chemoresistance and disease recurrence. The clinical application of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) aims to restore anti-cancer T-cell function in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Disappointingly, even though tumour infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with superior survival in OC, ICB has offered limited therapeutic benefits. Herein, we discuss specific TME features that prevent ICB from reaching its full potential, focussing in particular on the challenges created by immune, genomic and metabolic alterations. We explore both recent and current therapeutic strategies aiming to overcome these hurdles, including the synergistic effect of combination treatments with immune-based strategies and review the status quo of current clinical trials aiming to maximise the success of immunotherapy in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Racheal Louise Johnson
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Michele Cummings
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (M.C.); (N.M.O.)
| | - Amudha Thangavelu
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Georgios Theophilou
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Diederick de Jong
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Nicolas Michel Orsi
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (M.C.); (N.M.O.)
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Liu CH, Kung YH, Chien-Fu Lin J, Chuang CM, Wu HH, Jiang LY, Shih YC, Wang PH, Chen YJ. Synergistic therapeutic effect of low-dose bevacizumab with cisplatin-based chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent cervical cancer. J Chin Med Assoc 2021; 84:1139-1144. [PMID: 34610623 DOI: 10.1097/jcma.0000000000000629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CBC) is highly efficacious for advanced cervical cancer; its efficacy can be enhanced by combining with 15 mg/kg (standard dose) bevacizumab (BEV). However, this standard dose is associated with various adverse events (AEs). Therefore, in this retrospective study, we analyzed the survival outcomes and AEs in patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer treated with CBC in combination with BEV 7.5 mg/kg. METHODS Registered patient data were retrieved between October 2014 and September 2019, and 64 patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer treated with CBC + BEV (n = 21) or CBC alone (n = 43) were analyzed. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS); the secondary endpoints were the frequency and severity of AEs. The Cox proportional-hazards model was applied to explore prognostic factors associated with PFS and OS. RESULTS The 1-, 2-, and 3-year PFS rates (95% CI) were 36.24% (22.0-50.5), 20.7% (9.8-34.2), and 17.7% (7.7-31.1) for the CBC group; and 71.4% (47.1-86.0), 51.0% (27.9-70.1), and 51.0% (27.9-70.1) for the CBC + BEV group, respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 62.6% (46.4-75.18), 32.4% (18.8-46.9), and 23.2% (11.2-37.6) for the CBC group; and 85.7% (61.9-95.1), 66.6% (42.5-82.5), and 55.5% (27.1-76.7) for the CBC + BEV group, respectively. The CBC + BEV group presented higher PFS and OS rates, p = 0.003 and p = 0.005, respectively. Proteinuria (6 vs 9, p = 0.025) and hypertension (0 vs 10, p < 0.001) were less common, but anemia was more common in the CBC group (35 vs 11, p = 0.021). CONCLUSION Overall, CBC + BEV significantly improved the PFS and OS compared with CBC alone. CBC + BEV also prevents severe AEs and hence is an efficacious and safe therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hao Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yen-Hsuan Kung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jeff Chien-Fu Lin
- Department of Statistics, National Taipei University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chi-Mu Chuang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hua-Hsi Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ling-Yu Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ying-Chu Shih
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Peng-Hui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Jen Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Ha JH, Jayaraman M, Yan M, Dhanasekaran P, Isidoro C, Song YS, Dhanasekaran DN. Identification of GNA12-driven gene signatures and key signaling networks in ovarian cancer. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:719. [PMID: 34429759 PMCID: PMC8371953 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
With the focus on defining the oncogenic network stimulated by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in ovarian cancer, the present study sought to interrogate the oncotranscriptome regulated by the LPA-mediated signaling pathway. LPA, LPA-receptor (LPAR) and LPAR-activated G protein 12 α-subunit, encoded by G protein subunit α 12 (GNA12), all serve an important role in ovarian cancer progression. While the general signaling mechanism regulated by LPA/LPAR/GNA12 has previously been characterized, the global transcriptomic network regulated by GNA12 in ovarian cancer pathophysiology remains largely unknown. To define the LPA/LPAR/GNA12-orchestrated oncogenic networks in ovarian cancer, transcriptomic and bioinformatical analyses were conducted using SKOV3 cells, in which the expression of GNA12 was silenced. Array analysis was performed in Agilent SurePrint G3 Human Comparative Genomic Hybridization 8×60 microarray platform. The array results were validated using Kuramochi cells. Gene and functional enrichment analyses were performed using Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery, Search Tool for Retrieval of Interacting Genes and Cytoscape algorithms. The results indicated a paradigm in which GNA12 drove ovarian cancer progression by upregulating a pro-tumorigenic network with AKT1, VEGFA, TGFB1, BCL2L1, STAT3, insulin-like growth factor 1 and growth hormone releasing hormone as critical hub and/or bottleneck nodes. Moreover, GNA12 downregulated a growth-suppressive network involving proteasome 20S subunit (PSM) β6, PSM α6, PSM ATPase 5, ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 E1, PSM non-ATPase 10, NDUFA4 mitochondrial complex-associated, NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit B8 and anaphase promoting complex subunit 1 as hub or bottleneck nodes. In addition to providing novel insights into the LPA/LPAR/GNA12-regulated oncogenic networks in ovarian cancer, the present study identified several potential nodes in this network that could be assessed for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hee Ha
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA
| | - Muralidharan Jayaraman
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA
| | - Mingda Yan
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA
| | - Padmaja Dhanasekaran
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA
| | - Ciro Isidoro
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and NanoBioImaging, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, I-17-28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Yong-Sang Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea
| | - Danny N Dhanasekaran
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA
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GNAi2/gip2-Regulated Transcriptome and Its Therapeutic Significance in Ovarian Cancer. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081211. [PMID: 34439877 PMCID: PMC8393559 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased expression of GNAi2, which encodes the α-subunit of G-protein i2, has been correlated with the late-stage progression of ovarian cancer. GNAi2, also referred to as the proto-oncogene gip2, transduces signals from lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-activated LPA-receptors to oncogenic cellular responses in ovarian cancer cells. To identify the oncogenic program activated by gip2, we carried out micro-array-based transcriptomic and bioinformatic analyses using the ovarian cancer cell-line SKOV3, in which the expression of GNAi2/gip2 was silenced by specific shRNA. A cut-off value of 5-fold change in gene expression (p < 0.05) indicated that a total of 264 genes were dependent upon gip2-expression with 136 genes coding for functional proteins. Functional annotation of the transcriptome indicated the hitherto unknown role of gip2 in stimulating the expression of oncogenic/growth-promoting genes such as KDR/VEGFR2, CCL20, and VIP. The array results were further validated in a panel of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma (HGSOC) cell lines that included Kuramochi, OVCAR3, and OVCAR8 cells. Gene set enrichment analyses using DAVID, STRING, and Cytoscape applications indicated the potential role of the gip2-stimulated transcriptomic network involved in the upregulation of cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, cellular metabolism, and therapy resistance. The results unravel a multi-modular network in which the hub and bottleneck nodes are defined by ACKR3/CXCR7, IL6, VEGFA, CYCS, COX5B, UQCRC1, UQCRFS1, and FYN. The identification of these genes as the critical nodes in GNAi2/gip2 orchestrated onco-transcriptome establishes their role in ovarian cancer pathophysiology. In addition, these results also point to these nodes as potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
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Kras P, Talkowski K, Grabarek BO, Skalska-Dziobek N, Boroń D, Oplawski M. Evaluation of Variances in VEGF-A-D and VEGFR-1-3 Expression in the Ishikawa Endometrial Cancer Cell Line Treated with Salinomycin and Anti-Angiogenic/Lymphangiogenic Effect. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2021; 22:697-705. [PMID: 32648839 DOI: 10.2174/1389201021666200710093519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In cancer, an excessive and uncontrolled process of creating new blood and lymphatic vessels that play a key role in the metastasis process can be observed. The Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF-A,-B,-C,-D) family together with their specific receptors (VEGFR-1,-2,- 3) plays a key role in these processes, therefore, it would be reasonable to determine the correct pattern of their expression. OBJECTIVES The study aimed to assess the use of salinomycin as an anti-angiogenic and anti-lymphangiogenic drug during endometrial cancer by examining changes in the expression pattern of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 depending on the treatment period of the Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells with salinomycin in comparison to the control culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS To determine how influential salinomycin was on the expression of both mRNAs, 1 μM of the drug was added to the cell culture and then it was cultured all together for 12, 24 and 48 hour periods. The cells that made up the control culture were not treated with salinomycin. To determine the changes in the expression profile of the selected genes, we used the microarray, techniques: RTqPCR and ELISA (p<0.05). RESULTS For all isoforms of VEGF-A-D as well as receptors of VEGFR-1-3, a decrease in expression under the influence of salinomycin was noted. For VEGF-A and VEGFR-1, the difference in the expression between the culture treated with salinomycin in comparison to the control was statistically significant (p=0.0004). In turn, for VEGF-B, the difference between the culture exposed for 24 hours in comparison to the control (p=0.00000) as well as the comparison between H48 vs. C (p=0.00000) was statistically significant. In reference to VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3, the statistical analysis showed the significant difference in expression between the culture incubated with the drug for 12, 24 and 48 hours in comparison to the control as well as between the selected times. For all of these comparisons, p=0.00000 was utilized. CONCLUSION Salinomycin changes the expression pattern of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 in endometrial cancer cells. The obtained results suggest that salinomycin might exert the effect via VEGF signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Kras
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, Krakow, Poland
| | - Karol Talkowski
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Beniamin O Grabarek
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, University of Technology in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Nina Skalska-Dziobek
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, University of Technology in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Dariusz Boroń
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcin Oplawski
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, Krakow, Poland
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Alvarez Secord A, O'Malley DM, Sood AK, Westin SN, Liu JF. Rationale for combination PARP inhibitor and antiangiogenic treatment in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: A review. Gynecol Oncol 2021; 162:482-495. [PMID: 34090705 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2021.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and angiogenesis have demonstrated single-agent activity in women with advanced ovarian cancer. Recent studies have aimed to establish whether combination therapy can augment the response seen with PARP inhibitors or antiangiogenic agents alone. This review provides an overview of PARP inhibitors and antiangiogenics as monotherapy in women with advanced ovarian cancer, explores potential mechanisms of action of PARP inhibitor and antiangiogenic combination treatments, reviews efficacy and safety data from trials evaluating this combination, and outlines ongoing and future trials evaluating this combination, discussing these in the context of the current and future treatment landscape for women with advanced ovarian cancer. Sentinel studies evaluating PARP inhibitor (n = 8), antiangiogenic (n = 4), and combination (n = 7) therapy were identified in women with newly diagnosed (n = 7) and recurrent (n = 12) ovarian cancer. PARP inhibitors included olaparib (n = 9), niraparib (n = 4), rucaparib (n = 1), and veliparib (n = 1). Antiangiogenic agents included bevacizumab (n = 7) and cediranib (n = 4). PARP inhibitors combined with antiangiogenics demonstrated efficacy based on objective response rates and progression-free survival (PFS) in the relapsed disease setting. Maintenance therapy with the PARP inhibitor, olaparib, plus antiangiogenic therapy offered a significant PFS benefit versus the antiangiogenic alone in women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer who tested positive for homologous recombination deficiency. Combination therapy was tolerated, with no new safety signals reported compared with monotherapy trials. PARP inhibitors and antiangiogenics have changed the landscape of ovarian cancer treatment. The PARP inhibitor plus antiangiogenic combination is a novel treatment option that appears promising in the first-line advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer settings, although the role of this combination in recurrent disease requires further elucidation. Defining which patients are candidates for monotherapy or combination therapy is critical, taking into consideration safety profiles of therapies alone or in combination, and how these treatments should be sequenced in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeles Alvarez Secord
- Division of Gynecology Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.
| | - David M O'Malley
- Division of Gynecology Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Anil K Sood
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shannon N Westin
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Joyce F Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
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Liu S, Wu M, Wang F. Research Progress in Prognostic Factors and Biomarkers of Ovarian Cancer. J Cancer 2021; 12:3976-3996. [PMID: 34093804 PMCID: PMC8176232 DOI: 10.7150/jca.47695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a serious threat to women's health; its early diagnosis rate is low and prone to metastasis and recurrence. The current conventional treatment for ovarian cancer is a combination of platinum and paclitaxel chemotherapy based on surgery. The recurrence and progression of ovarian cancer with poor prognosis is a major challenge in treatment. With rapid advances in technology, understanding of the molecular pathways involved in ovarian cancer recurrence and progression has increased, biomarker-guided treatment options can greatly improve the prognosis of patients. This review systematically discusses and summarizes existing and new information on prognostic factors and biomarkers of ovarian cancer, which is expected to improve the clinical management of patients and lead to effective personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuna Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China, 210029
- National Key Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, China, 210029
| | - Ming Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China, 210029
- National Key Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, China, 210029
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China, 210029
- National Key Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, China, 210029
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Kingnate C, Charoenkwan K, Kumfu S, Apaijai N, Jaiwongkam T, Khunamornpong S, Chattipakorn N, Chattipakorn SC. Platinum-based chemotherapy and bevacizumab instigate the destruction of human ovarian cancers via different signaling pathways. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 188:114587. [PMID: 33932471 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The standard chemotherapy regimens of ovarian cancer are platinum-based chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) and bevacizumab (BEV). However, the effects of BEV alone or combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel on mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial function, mitophagy, apoptosis, inflammation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human ovarian cancer mitochondria and cells have not yet been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to test the hypothesis that 1) platinum-based chemotherapy and BEV equally damage isolated mitochondria from human ovarian cancers, and ovarian cancer cells through inducing mitochondrial dynamics dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased mitophagy and apoptosis, as well as altered inflammation and VEGF; and 2) combined therapies exert greater damage than monotherapy. Each isolated human ovarian cancer mitochondria (n = 16) or CaOV3 cells (n = 6) were treated with either platinum-based chemotherapy (carboplatin 10 μM and paclitaxel 5 μM), BEV (2 mg/mL) or combined platinum-based chemotherapy and BEV for 60 min or 24 h, respectively. Following the treatment, mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial function, mitophagy, apoptosis, cytotoxicity, inflammation and VEGF were determined. Platinum-based chemotherapy caused ovarian cancer mitochondria and cell damage through mitochondrial dysfunction, increased cell death with impairment of membrane integrity, and enhanced VEGF reduction, while BEV did not. BEV caused deterioration of ovarian cancer mitochondria and cells through mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis, but it had no effect on cell viability. Interestingly, combined platinum-based chemotherapy and BEV treatments had no addictive effects on all parameters except mitochondrial maximal respiration, when compared to monotherapy. Collectively, these findings suggest that platinum-based chemotherapy and BEV caused human ovarian cancer mitochondrial and cell damage through different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalita Kingnate
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lamphun Hospital, Lamphun 51000, Thailand; Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Kittipat Charoenkwan
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Sirinart Kumfu
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Nattayaporn Apaijai
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Thidarat Jaiwongkam
- Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Surapan Khunamornpong
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Nipon Chattipakorn
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Siriporn C Chattipakorn
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
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Kinnen A, Klaschik S, Neumann C, Egger EK, Mustea A, Soehle M, Frede S, Velten M, Coburn M, Hilbert T. Gene expression in the Angiopoietin/TIE axis is altered in peripheral tissue of ovarian cancer patients: A prospective observational study. Life Sci 2021; 274:119345. [PMID: 33713666 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Clinical studies suggest altered systemic vascular biology in cancer patients. We assessed expression patterns of endothelial activation- and vascular leakage-related genes in tumor as well as in tumor-free peripheral tissues from patients with and without ovarian cancer (OC). MAIN METHODS Patients being scheduled for laparotomy for either gynecologic benign diagnosis (n = 10) or for advanced-stage OC (n = 22) were prospectively recruited to this observational study. Serum samples were taken preoperatively, and tissue samples were taken from peripheral abdominal wall musculature, tumor-free peritoneum and the tumor itself. KEY FINDINGS Patients in OC group received significantly more fluid per time intraoperatively (p = 0.01). IL-8 and MCP-1/CCL2, VCAM-1 (CD 106) and ICAM-1 (CD 54) as well as Thrombomodulin were significantly increased in cancer patients' serum at baseline (p = 0.03). Expression of distinct vascular leakage-related genes (Angiopoietin-1 (ANG-1), ANG-2, TIE2, VEGFR1, VEGFR2) was significantly altered in tumor tissue of OC patients (p = 0.003), while in tumor-free peritoneal tissue, ANG-2/1 expression ratio was more than doubled in OC group (p = 0.03). In peripheral musculature, particularly genes from the ANG/TIE axis were significantly changed in OC patients (p = 0.005), suggesting a distinct vascular leakage-related genotype. Gene expression changes in OC patients were significantly associated with the postoperative fluid balance (p = 0.03). SIGNIFICANCE Altered expression of barrier dysfunction- and angiogenesis-associated genes from the ANG/TIE axis was detected not only in tumor but also in peripheral tissues of cancer patients. This may contribute to a systemic vascular leakage-related genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kinnen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Sven Klaschik
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Claudia Neumann
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Eva-Katharina Egger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Mustea
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Martin Soehle
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Stilla Frede
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Markus Velten
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Mark Coburn
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Tobias Hilbert
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
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Chen H, Liang M, Min J. Efficacy and Safety of Bevacizumab-Combined Chemotherapy for Advanced and Recurrent Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Balkan Med J 2021; 38:7-12. [PMID: 33593716 PMCID: PMC8909221 DOI: 10.5152/balkanmedj.2021.20121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bevacizumab-combined chemotherapy is a new regimen for advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer. AIMS To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab-combined chemotherapy in advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS Eligible studies were retrieved from Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. The data of primary outcomes including progression-free survival and overall survival and secondary outcomes including overall survival, response rate, and adverse events (grade ≥2) were extracted, pooled, and used for the meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab-combined chemotherapy with other treatments in patients with advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer. RESULTS Notably, 2 randomized-controlled and 5 single-arm trials of bevacizumab-combined chemotherapy or bevacizumab single-agent therapy for endometrial cancer were included. Meta-analysis indicated that bevacizumab-combined chemotherapy significantly increased the progression-free survival rate (hazard ratio=0.82, 95% confidence interval=0.70, 0.97) and overall survival rate (hazard ratio=0.83, 95% confidence interval=0.70, 0.98) compared with chemotherapy alone. The rates of overall, complete, and partial response to bevacizumab-combined chemotherapy were 76%, 22%, and 21%, respectively. The 6 and 12-month disease-free progression rates after bevacizumab-combined chemotherapy were 79% and 62%, respectively. Anemia (23%), leukopenia (46%), neutropenia (51%), hypertension (16%), and fatigue (24%) were the general adverse events after bevacizumab-combined chemotherapy. CONCLUSION Bevacizumab-combined chemotherapy may have a higher efficacy in improving the overall and progression-free survival in patients with advanced/recurrent endometrial cancers compared with chemotherapy alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Minglin Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Min
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Chen J, Li X, Yang L, Li M, Zhang Y, Zhang J. CircASH2L Promotes Ovarian Cancer Tumorigenesis, Angiogenesis, and Lymphangiogenesis by Regulating the miR-665/VEGFA Axis as a Competing Endogenous RNA. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:595585. [PMID: 33330483 PMCID: PMC7711110 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.595585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer-related deaths. Emerging research has revealed a close relationship between circular RNAs (circRNAs) and ovarian cancer development, metastasis, and prognosis. The objective of our research was to further explore the relationship between circASH2L and ovarian cancer. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the differential expression of circRNAs between normal ovaries and ovarian cancer tissues. The impact of circASH2L on the proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenicity of ovarian cancer cells was evaluated using gain- and loss-of-function experiments. The molecular mechanisms of circASH2L function were investigated using bioinformatics analysis, RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, western blots, and dual-luciferase reporter assays. The results showed that circASH2L was remarkably upregulated in ovarian cancer. The invasion and growth of ovarian cancer cells were suppressed by circASH2L knockdown in vitro, and downregulation of circASH2L restrained both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis of tumor xenografts in vivo. Furthermore, circASH2L was mostly distributed in the cytoplasm, where it competes with vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) for binding to miR-665. These findings indicate that circASH2L has an oncogenic function in ovarian cancer. In conclusion, circASH2L plays a critical role in regulating ovarian cancer cell tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis through the miR-665/VEGFA axis and, therefore, is a possible candidate target for ovarian cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxin Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaocen Li
- Department of Graduate School, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Medical Oncology Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Mengmeng Li
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Jingru Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China
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High expression of Tie-2 predicts poor prognosis in primary high grade serous ovarian cancer. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241484. [PMID: 33151982 PMCID: PMC7644024 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antiangiogenic therapy, although part of standard treatment in ovarian cancer, has variable efficacy. Furthermore, little is known about the prognostic biomarkers and factors influencing angiogenesis in cancer tissue. We evaluated the expression of angiopoietin-2 and two endothelial tyrosine kinase receptors, Tie-1 and Tie-2, and assessed their value in the prediction of survival in patients with malignant epithelial ovarian cancer. We also compared the expression of these factors between primary high grade serous tumors and their distant metastasis. Materials and methods We evaluated 86 women with primary epithelial ovarian cancer. Matched distal omental metastasis were investigated in 18.6% cases (N = 16). The expression levels of angiogenic factors were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 306 specimens and by qRT-PCR in 111 samples. Results A high epithelial expression level of Tie-2 is a significant prognostic factor in primary high grade serous ovarian cancer. It predicted significantly shorter overall survival both in univariate (p<0.001) and multivariate survival analyses (p = 0.022). Low angiopoietin-2 expression levels in primary ovarian tumors were significantly associated with shorter overall survival (p = 0.015) in the univariate survival analysis. A low expression of angiopoietin-2 was also significantly related to high grade tumors, size of residual tumor after primary surgery and the recurrence of cancer (p = 0.008; p = 0.012; p = 0.018) in the whole study population. The expression of angiopoietin-2 and Tie-2 was stronger in distal omental metastasis than in primary high grade serous tumors in matched-pair analysis (p = 0.001; p = 0.002). Conclusions The angiogenic factor, angiopoietin-2, and its receptor Tie-2 seem to be significant prognostic factors in primary epithelial ovarian cancer. Their expression levels are also increased in metastatic lesions in comparison with primary tumors.
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Circ_0072088 Promotes Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer by Absorbing miR-377. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2020; 2020:8967126. [PMID: 33061973 PMCID: PMC7542490 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8967126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNA (circRNA) is an endogenous noncoding RNA. Accumulative investigations have confirmed that circRNAs play a vital role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Herein, we examined the expression and mechanism of circ_0072088 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). As a result, circ_0072088 was significantly overexpressed in ESCC tissues and cells, which was closely associated with tumor size, invasion depth, clinical stage, and lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer. Nuclear and cytoplasmic separation as well as FISH assays showed that circ_0072088 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of ESCC cells. RNase R treatment assay revealed that circ_0072088 was steadier than linear ZFR mRNA. circ_0072088 promoted ESCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, and cell proliferation in vivo. Mechanistically, circ_0072088 upregulated VEGF gene expression by acting as the sponge of miRNA-377. In conclusion, circ_0072088 might be used as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for ESCC.
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Yan YB, Tian Q, Zhang JF, Xiang Y. Antitumor effects and molecular mechanisms of action of natural products in ovarian cancer. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:141. [PMID: 32934709 PMCID: PMC7471673 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a common malignancy and the second leading cause of mortality among females with genital tract cancer. At present, postoperative platinum drugs and paclitaxel-based chemotherapy is the gold standard treatment for ovarian cancer. However, patients who receive this chemotherapy often develop cumulative toxic effects and are prone to chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to determine more effective treatment options that would be better tolerated by patients. Recent studies have reported the therapeutic effects of numerous natural products in patients with ovarian cancer. Notably, these natural ingredients do not induce adverse effects in healthy cells and tissues, suggesting that natural products may serve as a safe alternative treatment for ovarian cancer. The antitumor effects of natural products are attributed to suppression of cell proliferation and metastasis, stimulation of autophagy, improved chemotherapy sensitivity, and induction of apoptosis. The present review focused on the antitumor effects of several natural products, including curcumin, resveratrol, ginsenosides, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate and quercetin, which are increasingly being investigated as therapeutic options in ovarian cancer, and discussed the molecular mechanisms involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, metastasis and sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Bo Yan
- Laboratory of Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Qing Tian
- Laboratory of Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China.,Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Ji-Fang Zhang
- Laboratory of Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
| | - Ying Xiang
- Laboratory of Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China.,Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medicine, Health Science Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434023, P.R. China
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Yang Y, Yang Y, Yang J, Zhao X, Wei X. Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer: Function and Therapeutic Strategy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:758. [PMID: 32850861 PMCID: PMC7431690 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death in patients with gynecological malignancy. Despite optimal cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, ovarian cancer disseminates and relapses frequently, with poor prognosis. Hence, it is urgent to find new targeted therapies for ovarian cancer. Recently, the tumor microenvironment has been reported to play a vital role in the tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer, especially with discoveries from genome-, transcriptome- and proteome-wide studies; thus tumor microenvironment may present potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Here, we review the interactions between the tumor microenvironment and ovarian cancer and various therapies targeting the tumor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfei Yang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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The Role of Rho GTPases in VEGF Signaling in Cancer Cells. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2020; 2020:2097214. [PMID: 32377503 PMCID: PMC7182966 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2097214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) consist of five molecules (VEGFA through D as well as placental growth factor) which are crucial for regulating key cellular and tissue functions. The role of VEGF and its intracellular signaling and downstream molecular pathways have been thoroughly studied. Activation of VEGF signal transduction can be initiated by the molecules' binding to two classes of transmembrane receptors: (1) the VEGF tyrosine kinase receptors (VEGF receptors 1 through 3) and (2) the neuropilins (NRP1 and 2). The involvement of Rho GTPases in modulating VEGFA signaling in both cancer cells and endothelial cells has also been well established. Additionally, different isoforms of Rho GTPases, namely, RhoA, RhoC, and RhoG, have been shown to regulate VEGF expression as well as blood vessel formation. This review article will explore how Rho GTPases modulate VEGF signaling and the consequences of such interaction on cancer progression.
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Starrett GJ, Thakuria M, Chen T, Marcelus C, Cheng J, Nomburg J, Thorner AR, Slevin MK, Powers W, Burns RT, Perry C, Piris A, Kuo FC, Rabinowits G, Giobbie-Hurder A, MacConaill LE, DeCaprio JA. Clinical and molecular characterization of virus-positive and virus-negative Merkel cell carcinoma. Genome Med 2020; 12:30. [PMID: 32188490 PMCID: PMC7081548 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-020-00727-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin caused by either the integration of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and expression of viral T antigens or by ultraviolet-induced damage to the tumor genome from excessive sunlight exposure. An increasing number of deep sequencing studies of MCC have identified significant differences between the number and types of point mutations, copy number alterations, and structural variants between virus-positive and virus-negative tumors. However, it has been challenging to reliably distinguish between virus positive and UV damaged MCC. METHODS In this study, we assembled a cohort of 71 MCC patients and performed deep sequencing with OncoPanel, a clinically implemented, next-generation sequencing assay targeting over 400 cancer-associated genes. To improve the accuracy and sensitivity for virus detection compared to traditional PCR and IHC methods, we developed a hybrid capture baitset against the entire MCPyV genome and software to detect integration sites and structure. RESULTS Sequencing from this approach revealed distinct integration junctions in the tumor genome and generated assemblies that strongly support a model of microhomology-initiated hybrid, virus-host, circular DNA intermediate that promotes focal amplification of host and viral DNA. Using the clear delineation between virus-positive and virus-negative tumors from this method, we identified recurrent somatic alterations common across MCC and alterations specific to each class of tumor, associated with differences in overall survival. Finally, comparing the molecular and clinical data from these patients revealed a surprising association of immunosuppression with virus-negative MCC and significantly shortened overall survival. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the value of high-confidence virus detection for identifying molecular mechanisms of UV and viral oncogenesis in MCC. Furthermore, integrating these data with clinical data revealed features that could impact patient outcome and improve our understanding of MCC risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manisha Thakuria
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma Center of Excellence, Dana-Farber/Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tianqi Chen
- Department of Data Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christina Marcelus
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Mayer 440, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jingwei Cheng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Mayer 440, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jason Nomburg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Mayer 440, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Aaron R Thorner
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael K Slevin
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Winslow Powers
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert T Burns
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caitlin Perry
- Department of Informatics and Analytics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adriano Piris
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Frank C Kuo
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Guilherme Rabinowits
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma Center of Excellence, Dana-Farber/Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Mayer 440, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Present Address: Miami Cancer Institute, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Laura E MacConaill
- Center for Cancer Genome Discovery, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James A DeCaprio
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma Center of Excellence, Dana-Farber/Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Mayer 440, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Oplawski M, Dziobek K, Zmarzły N, Grabarek B, Halski T, Januszyk P, Kuś-Kierach A, Adwent I, Dąbruś D, Kiełbasiński K, Boroń D. Expression Profile of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and VEGFR-3 in Different Grades of Endometrial Cancer. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2020; 20:1004-1010. [PMID: 31333122 DOI: 10.2174/1389201020666190718164431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, -D, and VEGF receptor-3 are proteins characterized as crucial for tumor lymphangiogenesis. It is accompanied by angiogenesis during wound healing, but also in the neoplastic process. The research studies have shown that the lymphatic system plays a key role in the progression of carcinogenesis. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 in different grades of endometrial cancer (G1-G3). METHODS The study included 45 patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer (G1=17; G2=15; G3=13) and 15 patients without neoplastic changes. The expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and VEGFR-3 was assessed using microarray technique and immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed using the one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test. RESULTS Statistically significant changes in the expression at the transcriptome level were found only in the case of VEGF-C (G1 vs. C, fold change - FC = -1.15; G2 vs. C, FC = -2.33; G3 vs. C, FC = - 1.68). However, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 were expressed at the protein level. Analysis of VEGF-D expression showed that the optical density of the reaction product in G1 reached 101.7, while the values in G2 and G3 were 142.7 and 184.4, respectively. For VEGF-R3, the optical density of the reaction product reached the following levels: 72 in control, 118.77 in G1, 145.8 in G2, and 170.9 in G3. CONCLUSION An increase in VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 levels may indicate that VEGF-D-dependent processes are intensified along with the dedifferentiation of tumor cells. The lack of VEGF-C expression in endometrial cancer samples may suggest that this tumor is characterized by a different mechanism of metastasis than EMT. Our study emphasizes that when analyzing the metastatic potential of cancer, the expression of more than one factor should be taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Oplawski
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, Cracow, Poland
| | - Konrad Dziobek
- Center of Oncology, M. Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute, Cracow Branch, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Nikola Zmarzły
- Katowice School of Technology, The University of Science and Art in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.,Department of Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Beniamin Grabarek
- Center of Oncology, M. Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute, Cracow Branch, Warsaw, Poland.,Katowice School of Technology, The University of Science and Art in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Tomasz Halski
- Faculty of Health Science, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland
| | - Piotr Januszyk
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, Cracow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kuś-Kierach
- Faculty of Health Science, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland
| | - Iwona Adwent
- Faculty of Health Science, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland
| | - Dariusz Dąbruś
- Faculty of Health Science, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland
| | | | - Dariusz Boroń
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, Cracow, Poland.,Katowice School of Technology, The University of Science and Art in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.,Faculty of Health Science, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland
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