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Ruszkowska-Ciastek B, Kwiatkowska K, Marques-da-Silva D, Lagoa R. Cancer Stem Cells from Definition to Detection and Targeted Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3903. [PMID: 38612718 PMCID: PMC11011379 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073903] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancers remain the second leading cause of mortality in the world. Preclinical and clinical studies point an important role of cancer/leukaemia stem cells (CSCs/LSCs) in the colonisation at secondary organ sites upon metastatic spreading, although the precise mechanisms for specific actions are still not fully understood. Reviewing the present knowledge on the crucial role of CSCs/LSCs, their plasticity, and population heterogeneity in treatment failures in cancer patients is timely. Standard chemotherapy, which acts mainly on rapidly dividing cells, is unable to adequately affect CSCs with a low proliferation rate. One of the proposed mechanisms of CSC resistance to anticancer agents is the fact that these cells can easily shift between different phases of the cell cycle in response to typical cell stimuli induced by anticancer drugs. In this work, we reviewed the recent studies on CSC/LSC alterations associated with disease recurrence, and we systematised the functional assays, markers, and novel methods for CSCs screening. This review emphasises CSCs' involvement in cancer progression and metastasis, as well as CSC/LSC targeting by synthetic and natural compounds aiming at their elimination or modulation of stemness properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ruszkowska-Ciastek
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Collegium Medicum, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kwiatkowska
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Jan Biziel University Hospital No. 2, 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Dorinda Marques-da-Silva
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering-Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal; (D.M.-d.-S.); (R.L.)
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Morro do Lena-Alto do Vieiro, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Lagoa
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering-Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal; (D.M.-d.-S.); (R.L.)
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Morro do Lena-Alto do Vieiro, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
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2
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Zaarour RF, Ribeiro M, Azzarone B, Kapoor S, Chouaib S. Tumor microenvironment-induced tumor cell plasticity: relationship with hypoxic stress and impact on tumor resistance. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1222575. [PMID: 37886168 PMCID: PMC10598765 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1222575] [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: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of tumor interaction with stromal components during carcinogenesis is crucial for the design of efficient cancer treatment approaches. It is widely admitted that tumor hypoxic stress is associated with tumor aggressiveness and thus impacts susceptibility and resistance to different types of treatments. Notable biological processes that hypoxia functions in include its regulation of tumor heterogeneity and plasticity. While hypoxia has been reported as a major player in tumor survival and dissemination regulation, the significance of hypoxia inducible factors in cancer stem cell development remains poorly understood. Several reports indicate that the emergence of cancer stem cells in addition to their phenotype and function within a hypoxic tumor microenvironment impacts cancer progression. In this respect, evidence showed that cancer stem cells are key elements of intratumoral heterogeneity and more importantly are responsible for tumor relapse and escape to treatments. This paper briefly reviews our current knowledge of the interaction between tumor hypoxic stress and its role in stemness acquisition and maintenance. Our review extensively covers the influence of hypoxia on the formation and maintenance of cancer stem cells and discusses the potential of targeting hypoxia-induced alterations in the expression and function of the so far known stem cell markers in cancer therapy approaches. We believe that a better and integrated understanding of the effect of hypoxia on stemness during carcinogenesis might lead to new strategies for exploiting hypoxia-associated pathways and their targeting in the clinical setting in order to overcome resistance mechanisms. More importantly, at the present time, efforts are oriented towards the design of innovative therapeutical approaches that specifically target cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- RF. Zaarour
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - M. Ribeiro
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - B. Azzarone
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - S. Kapoor
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - S. Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Faculty of Medicine, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
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3
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Miziak P, Baran M, Błaszczak E, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Kałafut J, Smok-Kalwat J, Dmoszyńska-Graniczka M, Kiełbus M, Stepulak A. Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4689. [PMID: 37835383 PMCID: PMC10572081 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor (ER) signaling is a critical regulator of cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival in breast cancer (BC) and other hormone-sensitive cancers. In this review, we explore the mechanism of ER-dependent downstream signaling in BC and the role of estrogens as growth factors necessary for cancer invasion and dissemination. The significance of the clinical implications of ER signaling in BC, including the potential of endocrine therapies that target estrogens' synthesis and ER-dependent signal transmission, such as aromatase inhibitors or selective estrogen receptor modulators, is discussed. As a consequence, the challenges associated with the resistance to these therapies resulting from acquired ER mutations and potential strategies to overcome them are the critical point for the new treatment strategies' development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Miziak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Marzena Baran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Ewa Błaszczak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Alicja Przybyszewska-Podstawka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Jolanta Smok-Kalwat
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Holy Cross Cancer Centre, 3 Artwinskiego Street, 25-734 Kielce, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Dmoszyńska-Graniczka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Michał Kiełbus
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
| | - Andrzej Stepulak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.B.); (E.B.); (A.P.-P.); (J.K.); (M.D.-G.)
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Izadpanah A, Mohammadkhani N, Masoudnia M, Ghasemzad M, Saeedian A, Mehdizadeh H, Poorebrahim M, Ebrahimi M. Update on immune-based therapy strategies targeting cancer stem cells. Cancer Med 2023; 12:18960-18980. [PMID: 37698048 PMCID: PMC10557910 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating data reveals that tumors possess a specialized subset of cancer cells named cancer stem cells (CSCs), responsible for metastasis and recurrence of malignancies, with various properties such as self-renewal, heterogenicity, and capacity for drug resistance. Some signaling pathways or processes like Notch, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), Hedgehog (Hh), and Wnt, as well as CSCs' surface markers such as CD44, CD123, CD133, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) have pivotal roles in acquiring CSCs properties. Therefore, targeting CSC-related signaling pathways and surface markers might effectively eradicate tumors and pave the way for cancer survival. Since current treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy cannot eradicate all of the CSCs and tumor relapse may happen following temporary recovery, improving novel and more efficient therapeutic options to combine with current treatments is required. Immunotherapy strategies are the new therapeutic modalities with promising results in targeting CSCs. Here, we review the targeting of CSCs by immunotherapy strategies such as dendritic cell (DC) vaccines, chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)-engineered immune cells, natural killer-cell (NK-cell) therapy, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), checkpoint inhibitors, and the use of oncolytic viruses (OVs) in pre-clinical and clinical studies. This review will mainly focus on blood malignancies but also describe solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Izadpanah
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
| | - Niloufar Mohammadkhani
- Department of Clinical BiochemistrySchool of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Mina Masoudnia
- Department of ImmunologySchool of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Mahsa Ghasemzad
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology‐Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Advanced Technologies in BiologyUniversity of Science and CultureTehranIran
| | - Arefeh Saeedian
- Radiation Oncology Research CenterCancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of Radiation OncologyCancer Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Hamid Mehdizadeh
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
| | - Mansour Poorebrahim
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of CalgaryAlbertaCalgaryCanada
| | - Marzieh Ebrahimi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
- Department of regenerative medicineCell Science research Center, Royan Institute for stem cell biology and technology, ACECRTehranIran
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Valent P, Sadovnik I, Peter B, Ivanov D, Schulenburg A, Hadzijusufovic E, Willmann M, Rülicke T, Herrmann H, Rabitsch W, Karlic H, Gleixner KV, Sperr WR, Hoermann G, Dahlhoff M, Pfeilstöcker M, Keil F, Lion T, Grunt TW. Vienna Cancer Stem Cell Club (VCSCC): 20 year jubilee and future perspectives. Expert Rev Hematol 2023; 16:659-670. [PMID: 37493441 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2023.2232545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Vienna Cancer Stem Cell Club (VCSCC) was launched by a group of scientists in Vienna in 2002. AREAS COVERED Major aims of the VCSCC are to support research on cancer stem cells (CSC) in hematopoietic malignancies and to translate CSC-related markers and targets into clinical application. A primary focus of research in the VCSCC is the leukemic stem cell (LSC). Between 2013 and 2021, members of the VCSCC established a special research program on myeloproliferative neoplasms and since 2008, members of the VCSCC run the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology. In all these years, the VCSCC provided a robust intellectual platform for translational hematology and LSC research in Vienna. Furthermore, the VCSCC interacts with several national and international study groups and societies in the field. Representatives of the VCSCC also organized a number of international meetings and conferences on neoplastic stem cells, including LSC, in the past 15 years, and contributed to the definition and classification of CSC/LSC and related pre-malignant and malignant conditions. EXPERT OPINION The VCSCC will continue to advance the field and to develop LSC-detecting and LSC-eradicating concepts through which diagnosis, prognostication, and therapy of blood cancer patients should improve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Valent
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Irina Sadovnik
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Peter
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniel Ivanov
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Axel Schulenburg
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Emir Hadzijusufovic
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University Clinic for Small Animals, Internal Medicine Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Willmann
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University Clinic for Small Animals, Internal Medicine Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Rülicke
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of in vivo and in vitro Models, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Herrmann
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Werner Rabitsch
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidrun Karlic
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karoline V Gleixner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang R Sperr
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Hoermann
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory, Munich, Germany
| | - Maik Dahlhoff
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of in vivo and in vitro Models, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Pfeilstöcker
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Third Medical Department for Hematology and Oncology, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Felix Keil
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Third Medical Department for Hematology and Oncology, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Lion
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- St.Anna Children´s Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas W Grunt
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Clinical Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Bhatia R, Chang J, Munoz JL, Walker ND. Forging New Therapeutic Targets: Efforts of Tumor Derived Exosomes to Prepare the Pre-Metastatic Niche for Cancer Cell Dissemination and Dormancy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1614. [PMID: 37371709 PMCID: PMC10295689 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-derived exosomes play a multifaceted role in preparing the pre-metastatic niche, promoting cancer dissemination, and regulating cancer cell dormancy. A brief review of three types of cells implicated in metastasis and an overview of other types of extracellular vesicles related to metastasis are described. A central focus of this review is on how exosomes influence cancer progression throughout metastatic disease. Exosomes are crucial mediators of intercellular communication by transferring their cargo to recipient cells, modulating their behavior, and promoting tumor pro-gression. First, their functional role in cancer cell dissemination in the peripheral blood by facilitating the establishment of a pro-angiogenic and pro-inflammatory niche is described during organotro-pism and in lymphatic-mediated metastasis. Second, tumor-derived exosomes can transfer molecular signals that induce cell cycle arrest, dormancy, and survival pathways in disseminated cells, promoting a dormant state are reviewed. Third, several studies highlight exosome involvement in maintaining cellular dormancy in the bone marrow endosteum. Finally, the clinical implications of exosomes as biomarkers or diagnostic tools for cancer progression are also outlined. Understanding the complex interplay between tumor-derived exosomes and the pre-metastatic niche is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies to target metastasis and prevent cancer recurrence. To that end, several examples of how exosomes or other nanocarriers are used as a drug delivery system to inhibit cancer metastasis are discussed. Strategies are discussed to alter exosome cargo content for better loading capacity or direct cell targeting by integrins. Further, pre-clinical models or Phase I clinical trials implementing exosomes or other nanocarriers to attack metastatic cancer cells are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranvir Bhatia
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joanna Chang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
| | - Jessian L Munoz
- Division of Perinatal Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nykia D Walker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA
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Borlongan MC, Wang H. Profiling and targeting cancer stem cell signaling pathways for cancer therapeutics. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1125174. [PMID: 37305676 PMCID: PMC10247984 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1125174] [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: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenic cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation of cells within the tumor that express genetic and phenotypic profiles and signaling pathways distinct from the other tumor cells. CSCs have eluded many conventional anti-oncogenic treatments, resulting in metastases and relapses of cancers. Effectively targeting CSCs' unique self-renewal and differentiation properties would be a breakthrough in cancer therapy. A better characterization of the CSCs' unique signaling mechanisms will improve our understanding of the pathology and treatment of cancer. In this paper, we will discuss CSC origin, followed by an in-depth review of CSC-associated signaling pathways. Particular emphasis is given on CSC signaling pathways' ligand-receptor engagement, upstream and downstream mechanisms, and associated genes, and molecules. Signaling pathways associated with regulation of CSC development stand as potential targets of CSC therapy, which include Wnt, TGFβ (transforming growth factor-β)/SMAD, Notch, JAK-STAT (Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription), Hedgehog (Hh), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Lastly, we will also discuss milestone discoveries in CSC-based therapies, including pre-clinical and clinical studies featuring novel CSC signaling pathway cancer therapeutics. This review aims at generating innovative views on CSCs toward a better understanding of cancer pathology and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia C. Borlongan
- Master Program of Pharmaceutical Science College of Graduate Studies, Elk Grove, CA, United States
| | - Hongbin Wang
- Master Program of Pharmaceutical Science College of Graduate Studies, Elk Grove, CA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences College of Pharmacy, Elk Grove, CA, United States
- Department of Basic Science College of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA, United States
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Zhu S, Li W, Zhang H, Yan Y, Mei Q, Wu K. Retinal determination gene networks: from biological functions to therapeutic strategies. Biomark Res 2023; 11:18. [PMID: 36750914 PMCID: PMC9906957 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00459-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The retinal determinant gene network (RDGN), originally discovered as a critical determinator in Drosophila eye specification, has become an important regulatory network in tumorigenesis and progression, as well as organogenesis. This network is not only associated with malignant biological behaviors of tumors, such as proliferation, and invasion, but also regulates the development of multiple mammalian organs. Three members of this conservative network have been extensively investigated, including DACH, SIX, and EYA. Dysregulated RDGN signaling is associated with the initiation and progression of tumors. In recent years, it has been found that the members of this network can be used as prognostic markers for cancer patients. Moreover, they are considered to be potential therapeutic targets for cancer. Here, we summarize the research progress of RDGN members from biological functions to signaling transduction, especially emphasizing their effects on tumors. Additionally, we discuss the roles of RDGN members in the development of organs and tissue as well as their correlations with the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease and coronary heart disease. By summarizing the roles of RDGN members in human diseases, we hope to promote future investigations into RDGN and provide potential therapeutic strategies for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangli Zhu
- grid.412793.a0000 0004 1799 5032Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Wanling Li
- grid.412793.a0000 0004 1799 5032Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China ,grid.470966.aCancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032 China
| | - Hao Zhang
- grid.412793.a0000 0004 1799 5032Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Yuheng Yan
- grid.412793.a0000 0004 1799 5032Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Qi Mei
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China. .,Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China.
| | - Kongming Wu
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China. .,Cancer Center, Tongji hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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9
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Tsochantaridis I, Roupas A, Mohlin S, Pappa A, Voulgaridou GP. The Concept of Cancer Stem Cells: Elaborating on ALDH1B1 as an Emerging Marker of Cancer Progression. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:life13010197. [PMID: 36676146 PMCID: PMC9863106 DOI: 10.3390/life13010197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a multifactorial, complex disease exhibiting extraordinary phenotypic plasticity and diversity. One of the greatest challenges in cancer treatment is intratumoral heterogeneity, which obstructs the efficient eradication of the tumor. Tumor heterogeneity is often associated with the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a cancer cell sub-population possessing a panel of stem-like properties, such as a self-renewal ability and multipotency potential. CSCs are associated with enhanced chemoresistance due to the enhanced efflux of chemotherapeutic agents and the existence of powerful antioxidant and DNA damage repair mechanisms. The distinctive characteristics of CSCs make them ideal targets for clinical therapeutic approaches, and the identification of efficient and specific CSCs biomarkers is of utmost importance. Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) comprise a wide superfamily of metabolic enzymes that, over the last years, have gained increasing attention due to their association with stem-related features in a wide panel of hematopoietic malignancies and solid cancers. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1B1 (ALDH1B1) is an isoform that has been characterized as a marker of colon cancer progression, while various studies suggest its importance in additional malignancies. Here, we review the basic concepts related to CSCs and discuss the potential role of ALDH1B1 in cancer development and its contribution to the CSC phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Tsochantaridis
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Angelos Roupas
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Sofie Mohlin
- Division of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University Cancer Center, 22384 Lund, Sweden
| | - Aglaia Pappa
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Georgia-Persephoni Voulgaridou
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Correspondence:
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Cancer – A devastating disease, but also an eye-opener and window into the deep mysteries of life and its origins. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 175:131-139. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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11
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Xiang X, Ma HZ, Chen YQ, Zhang DZ, Ma SX, Wang HJ, Liu DM, Yuan Y, Cai H. GM-CSF-miRNA-Jak2/Stat3 Signaling Mediates Chemotherapy-Induced Cancer Cell Stemness in Gastric Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:855351. [PMID: 35600882 PMCID: PMC9117965 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.855351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy serves as the first choice in clinic to treat advanced gastric cancer. However, emerging evidence indicated the induction of drug resistance and cancer stem cells occasionally by chemotherapy, which seriously limit the therapeutic effects, but the regulatory mechanism remains unclear. Here we treated two human gastric cancer cell lines SGC7901 and BGC823 with 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) or Cisplatin (DDP) in vitro. The survived cells showed significant increase of drug resistance, cell stemness and cytokine GM-CSF expression and secretion. As such, GM-CSF was applied to stimulate gastric cancer cells, followed by the subpopulation of CD133+ CSC analysis, sphere formation assay and stemness genes expression analysis. As a result, CSCs showed induction by GM-CSF treatment. A gastric cancer animal model further indicated that the gastric cancer cells significantly promoted tumor growth after GM-CSF treatment in vivo. High-throughput miRNA and mRNA sequencing analyses identified a subset of miRNAs and mRNAs under regulation of both 5-Fu and GM-CSF in gastric cancer cells, including upregulation of miR-877-3p and downregulation of SOCS2. Targeted overexpression or knockdown of miR-877-3p in gastric cancer cells revealed the oncogenic function of miR-877-3p in regulating gastric cancer by suppressing target gene SOCS2. Jak2/Stat3 signaling pathway, as a downstream target of SOCS2, showed activation in vitro and in vivo after treatment with miR-877-3p or GM-CSF. Our findings not only revealed a novel mechanism through which chemotherapy induced CSCs in gastric cancer via GM-CSF-miRNA-Jak2/Stat3 signaling, but also provided an experimental evidence for appropriate dose reduction of adjuvant chemotherapy in treatment of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Xiang
- Gansu General Surgery Clinical Medical Center, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Gansu, China
| | - Hai-zhong Ma
- Gansu General Surgery Clinical Medical Center, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Gansu, China
| | - Ya-qiong Chen
- Gansu General Surgery Clinical Medical Center, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Gansu, China
| | - Dong-zhi Zhang
- Gansu General Surgery Clinical Medical Center, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Gansu, China
| | - Shi-xu Ma
- Gansu General Surgery Clinical Medical Center, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Gansu, China
| | - Hong-jing Wang
- Gansu General Surgery Clinical Medical Center, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Gansu, China
| | - De-ming Liu
- Gansu General Surgery Clinical Medical Center, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Gansu, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Gansu General Surgery Clinical Medical Center, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Gansu, China
| | - Hui Cai
- Gansu General Surgery Clinical Medical Center, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Gansu, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Cai,
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12
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Liu S, Zhang Y, Qiu L, Zhang S, Meng Y, Huang C, Chen Z, Zhang B, Han J. Uncovering N4-Acetylcytidine-Related mRNA Modification Pattern and Landscape of Stemness and Immunity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:861000. [PMID: 35493106 PMCID: PMC9046676 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.861000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) is an ancient and conserved RNA modification. Previously, ac4C mRNA modification has been reported promoting proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. However, it remains unclear whether and how ac4C-related mRNA modification patterns influencing the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Hereby, we constructed an ac4Cscore model and classified patients into two groups and investigated the potential intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of tumor. The ac4Cscore model, including COL15A1, G6PD and TP53I3, represented ac4C-related mRNA modification patterns in HCC. According to ac4Cscore, patients were stratified to high and low groups with distinct prognosis. Patients subject to high group was related to advanced tumor stage, higher TP53 mutation rate, higher tumor stemness, more activated pathways in DNA-repair system, lower stromal score, higher immune score and higher infiltrating of T cells regulatory. While patients attributed to low group were correlated with abundance of T cells CD4 memory, less aggressive immune subtype and durable therapy benefit. We also found ac4Cscore as a novel marker to predict patients’ prognosis with anti-PD1 immunotherapy and/or mTOR inhibitor treatment. Our study for the first time showed the association between ac4C-related mRNA modification patterns and tumor intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics, thus influencing the prognosis of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sicheng Liu
- Research Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics, Department of General Surgery, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaguang Zhang
- Research Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics, Department of General Surgery, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Qiu
- Research Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics, Department of General Surgery, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Su Zhang
- Research Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics, Department of General Surgery, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Meng
- Research Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics, Department of General Surgery, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Canhua Huang
- Research Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics, Department of General Surgery, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhixin Chen
- Research Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics, Department of General Surgery, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Research Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics, Department of General Surgery, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junhong Han
- Research Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Genomics, Department of General Surgery, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Junhong Han,
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13
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Liu K, Gao X, Kang B, Liu Y, Wang D, Wang Y. The Role of Tumor Stem Cell Exosomes in Cancer Invasion and Metastasis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:836548. [PMID: 35350566 PMCID: PMC8958025 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.836548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are lipid membrane bilayer-encapsulated vesicles secreted by cells into the extracellular space. They carry abundant inclusions (such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids) that play pivotal roles in intercellular communication. Tumor stem cells are capable of self-renewal and are crucial for survival, proliferation, drug resistance, metastasis, and recurrence of tumors. The miRNAs (microRNAs) in exosomes have various functions, such as participating in inflammatory response, cell migration, proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Tumor stem cells secrete exosomes that act as important messengers involved in various tumor processes and several studies provide increasing evidence supporting the importance of these exosomes in tumor recurrence and metastasis. This review primarily focuses on the production and secretion of exosomes from tumors and tumor stem cells and their effects on cancer progression. Cancer stem cancer derived exosome play an important massager in the tumor microenvironment. It also emphasizes on the study of tumor stem cell exosomes in the light of cancer metastasis and recurrence aiming to provide valuable insights and novel perspectives, which could be beneficial for developing effective diagnostic and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Liu
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, ChangChun, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, ChangChun, China
| | - Baoqiang Kang
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, ChangChun, China
| | - Yunpeng Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dingding Wang
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, ChangChun, China
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14
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Feng J, Zhao D, Lv F, Yuan Z. Epigenetic Inheritance From Normal Origin Cells Can Determine the Aggressive Biology of Tumor-Initiating Cells and Tumor Heterogeneity. Cancer Control 2022; 29:10732748221078160. [PMID: 35213254 PMCID: PMC8891845 DOI: 10.1177/10732748221078160] [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] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of genetic- and epigenetic-abnormalities during transformation has been recognized as the two fundamental factors that lead to tumorigenesis and determine the aggressive biology of tumor cells. However, there is a regularity that tumors derived from less-differentiated normal origin cells (NOCs) usually have a higher risk of vascular involvement, lymphatic and distant metastasis, which can be observed in both lymphohematopoietic malignancies and somatic cancers. Obviously, the hypothesis of genetic- and epigenetic-abnormalities is not sufficient to explain how the linear relationship between the cellular origin and the biological behavior of tumors is formed, because the cell origin of tumor is an independent factor related to tumor biology. In a given system, tumors can originate from multiple cell types, and tumor-initiating cells (TICs) can be mapped to different differentiation hierarchies of normal stem cells, suggesting that the heterogeneity of the origin of TICs is not completely chaotic. TIC’s epigenome includes not only genetic- and epigenetic-abnormalities, but also established epigenetic status of genes inherited from NOCs. In reviewing previous studies, we found much evidence supporting that the status of many tumor-related “epigenetic abnormalities” in TICs is consistent with that of the corresponding NOC of the same differentiation hierarchy, suggesting that they may not be true epigenetic abnormalities. So, we speculate that the established statuses of genes that control NOC’s migration, adhesion and colonization capabilities, cell-cycle quiescence, expression of drug transporters, induction of mesenchymal formation, overexpression of telomerase, and preference for glycolysis can be inherited to TICs through epigenetic memory and be manifested as their aggressive biology. TICs of different origins can maintain different degrees of innate stemness from NOC, which may explain why malignancies with stem cell phenotypes are usually more aggressive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiliang Feng
- Clinical-Pathology Center, Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Youan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dawei Zhao
- Medical Imaging Department, Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Youan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fudong Lv
- Clinical-Pathology Center, Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Youan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongyu Yuan
- Clinical-Pathology Center, Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Youan Hospital, Beijing, China
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15
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Kilmister EJ, Tan ST. The Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System in the Cancer Stem Cell Niche. J Histochem Cytochem 2021; 69:835-847. [PMID: 34165363 PMCID: PMC8647629 DOI: 10.1369/00221554211026295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive metastasis, treatment resistance, and tumor recurrence. CSCs reside within a niche, an anatomically distinct site within the tumor microenvironment (TME) that consists of malignant and non-malignant cells, including immune cells. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS), a critical regulator of stem cells and key developmental processes, plays a vital role in the TME. Non-malignant cells within the CSC niche and stem cell signaling pathways such as the Wnt, Hedgehog, and Notch pathways influence CSCs. Components of the RAS and cathepsins B and D that constitute bypass loops of the RAS are expressed on CSCs in many cancer types. There is extensive in vitro and in vivo evidence showing that RAS inhibition reduces tumor growth, cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. However, there is inconsistent epidemiological data on the effect of RAS inhibitors on cancer incidence and survival outcomes, attributed to different patient characteristics and methodologies used between studies. Further mechanistic studies are warranted to investigate the precise effects of the RAS on CSCs directly and/or the CSC niche. Targeting the RAS, its bypass loops, and convergent signaling pathways participating in the TME and other key stem cell pathways that regulate CSCs may be a novel approach to cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Swee T. Tan
- Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Wellington,
New Zealand
- Wellington Regional Plastic, Maxillofacial and
Burns Unit, Hutt Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
- Department of Surgery, The University of
Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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16
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Wen Z, Chen M, Guo W, Guo K, Du P, Fang Y, Gao M, Wang Q. RORβ suppresses the stemness of gastric cancer cells by downregulating the activity of the Wnt signaling pathway. Oncol Rep 2021; 46:180. [PMID: 34278502 PMCID: PMC8273683 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality and the fifth most common type of cancer worldwide. GC stem cells (GCSCs) have been reported to be responsible for the malignant behavior of GC. However, the key molecular mechanism controlling GCSC function remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the function of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor β (RORβ) in GC. The expression levels of RORβ in GC cells and clinical GC tissues were analyzed using western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry. The association between RORβ expression levels and GCSC markers was analyzed using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and GeneChip was performed to identify differentially expressed genes between control and RORβ-overexpressing GC cells. CCK-8 and flow cytometric assays were used to evaluate the effect of RORβ on cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. The effect of RORβ on the self-renewal capacity of GCSCs was measured using a sphere formation assay, the expression levels of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) factors and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related factors were measured by RT-qPCR and western blotting, and the tumorigenic capacity was measured by an in vivo mouse model. Finally, the impact of RORβ on the Wnt signaling pathway was determined using western blotting and a TOP/FOP flash assay. The results revealed that the expression levels of RORβ were downregulated in GC tissues compared with para-carcinoma tissues, and were inversely associated with the expression levels of GCSC markers. The overexpression of RORβ upregulated the expression levels of the pro-apoptotic gene, Bcl-2 like protein 11, which subsequently inhibited the viability and promoted the apoptosis of GC cells. In addition, RORβ decreased the sphere forming ability, and downregulated the expression levels of iPS cell- and EMT-related factors. In vivo, RORβ suppressed the tumorigenic capacity and stemness of GC cells. Mechanistically, RORβ was revealed to decrease the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in GCSCs. In conclusion, the findings of the present study identified RORβ as a novel suppressor of GCSCs and highlighted the prospect of RORβ as a novel candidate target for stem cell-based GC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Ming Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Wenhao Guo
- Department of Pathology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Ke Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Ping Du
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Yanfei Fang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Min Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
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17
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Raghav PK, Mann Z. Cancer stem cells targets and combined therapies to prevent cancer recurrence. Life Sci 2021; 277:119465. [PMID: 33831426 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) control the dynamics of tumorigenesis by self-renewal ability and differentiation potential. These properties contribute towards tumor malignancy, metastasis, cellular heterogeneity, and immune escape, which are regulated by multiple signaling pathways. The CSCs are chemoresistant and cause cancer recurrence, generally recognized as a small side-population that eventually leads to tumor relapse. Despite many treatment options available, none can be considered entirely efficient due to a lack of specificity and dose limitation. This review primarily highlights the processes involved in CSCs development and maintenance. Secondly, the current effective therapies based on stem cells, cell-free therapies that involve exosomes and miRNAs, and photodynamic therapy have been discussed. Also, the inhibitors that specifically target various signaling pathways, which can be used in combination to control CSCs kinetics have been highlighted. Conclusively, this comprehensive review is a detailed study of recently developed novel treatment strategies that will facilitate in coming up with better-targeted approaches against CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zoya Mann
- Independent Researcher, New Delhi, India
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18
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Motohara T, Yoshida GJ, Katabuchi H. The hallmarks of ovarian cancer stem cells and niches: Exploring their harmonious interplay in therapy resistance. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 77:182-193. [PMID: 33812986 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The concept of a "cancer stem cell" has evolved over the past decades, and research on cancer stem cell biology has entered into a stage of remarkable progress. Cancer stem cells are a major determining factor contributing to the establishment of phenotypic and functional intratumoral heterogeneity in synchronization with their surrounding "cancer stem cell niches." They serve as the driving force for cancer initiation, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance in various types of malignancies. In verity, reciprocal interplay between ovarian cancer stem cells and their niches involves a complex but ingeniously orchestrated tumor microenvironment within the intraperitoneal milieu and especially contribute to chemotherapy resistance in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Herein, we review the principles of our current understanding of the biological features of ovarian cancer stem cells, focusing mainly on the precise mechanisms underlying acquired chemotherapy resistance. Furthermore, we highlight the specific roles of various cancer-associated stromal and immune cells in creating possible cancer stem cell niches that regulate ovarian cancer stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Motohara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.
| | - Go J Yoshida
- Department of Immunological Diagnosis, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Katabuchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
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19
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HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate induces host immunity against cancer stem cells. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:610-624.e5. [PMID: 33711257 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We previously tested HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in immunocompromised (SCID) mice, precluding evaluation of host immunity, impact on cancer stem cells (CSCs), and potential benefit when combined with PD-L1 blockade. In this study, we tested HER2-targeted ADC in two immunocompetent mouse tumor models. HER2-targeted ADC specifically inhibited the growth of HER2-expressing tumors, prolonged animal survival, and reduced HER2+ and PD-L1+ cells. ADC + anti-PD-L1 antibody augmented therapeutic efficacy, modulated immune gene signatures, increased the number and function of CD3+ and CD19+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), induced tumor antigen-specific immunological memory, stimulated B cell activation, differentiation, and IgG1 production both systemically and in the tumor microenvironment. In addition, ADC therapy modulated T cell subsets and their activation in TILs. Furthermore, HER2-targeted ADC reduced the number and tumorigenicity of ALDHhi CSCs. This study demonstrates that HER2-targeted ADC effectively targets ALDHhi CSCs and this effect is augmented by co-administration of anti-PD-L1 antibody.
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20
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Sun X, Diao X, Zhu X, Yin X, Cheng G. Nanog-mediated stem cell properties is critical for MBNL3 associated paclitaxel resistance of ovarian cancer. J Biochem 2021; 169:747-756. [PMID: 33599261 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvab021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Paclitaxel (PTX) is the standard first-line treatment of ovarian cancer, but its efficacy is limited by multi-drug resistance. Therefore, it is crucial to identify effective drug targets to facilitate PTX-sensitivity for ovarian cancer treatment. Seventy PTX-administrated ovarian cancer patients were recruited in this study for gene expression and survival rate analyses. Muscleblind-like-3 (MBNL3) gain- and loss-of-function experiments were carried out in ovarian cancer cells (parental and PTX-resistant) and xenograft model. Cancer cell viability, apoptosis, spheroids formation, Nanog gene silencing were examined and conducted to dissect the underlying mechanism of MBNL3-mediated PTX-resistance. High expression of MBNL3 was positively correlated with PTX-resistance and poor prognosis of ovarian cancer. MBNL3 increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis in ovarian stem-like cells, through up-regulating Nanog. This study suggests the MBNL3-Nanog axis is a therapeutic target for the treatment of PTX-resistance in ovarian cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Sun
- Department of Gynecology, Zibo Central Hospital, No.54 of Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian district, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Xinghua Diao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, No. 661 of Huanghe 2 Road, Binzhou 256600, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, Zibo Central Hospital, No.54 of Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian district, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Xuexue Yin
- Department of Gynecology, Zibo Central Hospital, No.54 of Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian district, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Guangying Cheng
- Department of Gynecology, Zibo Central Hospital, No.54 of Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian district, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
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21
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Aramini B, Masciale V, Grisendi G, Banchelli F, D'Amico R, Maiorana A, Morandi U, Dominici M, Haider KH. Cancer stem cells and macrophages: molecular connections and future perspectives against cancer. Oncotarget 2021; 12:230-250. [PMID: 33613850 PMCID: PMC7869576 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been considered the key drivers of cancer initiation and progression due to their unlimited self-renewal capacity and their ability to induce tumor formation. Macrophages, particularly tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), establish a tumor microenvironment to protect and induce CSCs development and dissemination. Many studies in the past decade have been performed to understand the molecular mediators of CSCs and TAMs, and several studies have elucidated the complex crosstalk that occurs between these two cell types. The aim of this review is to define the complex crosstalk between these two cell types and to highlight potential future anti-cancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Aramini
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Valentina Masciale
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Grisendi
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federico Banchelli
- Center of Statistic, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Roberto D'Amico
- Center of Statistic, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonino Maiorana
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Uliano Morandi
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Massimo Dominici
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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22
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Peng X, Wei Z, Gerweck LE. Making radiation therapy more effective in the era of precision medicine. PRECISION CLINICAL MEDICINE 2020; 3:272-283. [PMID: 35692625 PMCID: PMC8982539 DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbaa038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer has become a leading cause of death and constitutes an enormous burden worldwide. Radiation is a principle treatment modality used alone or in combination with other forms of therapy, with 50%–70% of cancer patients receiving radiotherapy at some point during their illness. It has been suggested that traditional radiotherapy (daily fractions of approximately 1.8–2 Gy over several weeks) might select for radioresistant tumor cell sub-populations, which, if not sterilized, give rise to local treatment failure and distant metastases. Thus, the challenge is to develop treatment strategies and schedules to eradicate the resistant subpopulation of tumorigenic cells rather than the predominant sensitive tumor cell population. With continued technological advances including enhanced conformal treatment technology, radiation oncologists can increasingly maximize the dose to tumors while sparing adjacent normal tissues, to limit toxicity and damage to the latter. Increased dose conformality also facilitates changes in treatment schedules, such as changes in dose per treatment fraction and number of treatment fractions, to enhance the therapeutic ratio. For example, the recently developed large dose per fraction treatment schedules (hypofractionation) have shown clinical advantage over conventional treatment schedules in some tumor types. Experimental studies suggest that following large acute doses of radiation, recurrent tumors, presumably sustained by the most resistant tumor cell populations, may in fact be equally or more radiation sensitive than the primary tumor. In this review, we summarize the related advances in radiotherapy, including the increasing understanding of the molecular mechanisms of radioresistance, and the targeting of these mechanisms with potent small molecule inhibitors, which may selectively sensitize tumor cells to radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingchen Peng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Zhigong Wei
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Leo E Gerweck
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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23
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Valent P, Bauer K, Sadovnik I, Smiljkovic D, Ivanov D, Herrmann H, Filik Y, Eisenwort G, Sperr WR, Rabitsch W. Cell-based and antibody-mediated immunotherapies directed against leukemic stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia: Perspectives and open issues. Stem Cells Transl Med 2020; 9:1331-1343. [PMID: 32657052 PMCID: PMC7581453 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite new insights in molecular features of leukemic cells and the availability of novel treatment approaches and drugs, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a major clinical challenge. In fact, many patients with AML relapse after standard therapy and eventually die from progressive disease. The basic concept of leukemic stem cells (LSC) has been coined with the goal to decipher clonal architectures in various leukemia-models and to develop curative drug therapies by eliminating LSC. Indeed, during the past few years, various immunotherapies have been tested in AML, and several of these therapies follow the strategy to eliminate relevant leukemic subclones by introducing LSC-targeting antibodies or LSC-targeting immune cells. These therapies include, among others, new generations of LSC-eliminating antibody-constructs, checkpoint-targeting antibodies, bi-specific antibodies, and CAR-T or CAR-NK cell-based strategies. However, responses are often limited and/or transient which may be due to LSC resistance. Indeed, AML LSC exhibit multiple forms of resistance against various drugs and immunotherapies. An additional problems are treatment-induced myelotoxicity and other side effects. The current article provides a short overview of immunological targets expressed on LSC in AML. Moreover, cell-based therapies and immunotherapies tested in AML are discussed. Finally, the article provides an overview about LSC resistance and strategies to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Karin Bauer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Irina Sadovnik
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Dubravka Smiljkovic
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Daniel Ivanov
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Harald Herrmann
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Department of Radiation OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Yüksel Filik
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Gregor Eisenwort
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Wolfgang R. Sperr
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and HemostaseologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Werner Rabitsch
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & OncologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Stem Cell Transplantation UnitMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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24
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Sun B, Han Y, Cai H, Huang H, Xuan Y. Long non-coding RNA SNHG3, induced by IL-6/STAT3 transactivation, promotes stem cell-like properties of gastric cancer cells by regulating the miR-3619-5p/ARL2 axis. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2020; 44:179-192. [PMID: 32930970 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-020-00560-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemotherapy is, next to surgery and radiotherapy, the mainstay regimen for the clinical management of gastric cancer. This therapy is, however, heavily compromised by the acquisition of resistance. Here, we aimed to clarify the potential involvement of long non-coding RNA SNGH3 in the acquisition of cisplatin resistance and stemness in gastric cancer. METHODS Cell viability and proliferation were measured using Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays, respectively. Stem cell-like cell growth was evaluated using a mammosphere formation assay. RNA levels of SNHG2, OCT-4, SOX-2, CD44, miR-3619-5p and ARL2 were determined using qRT-PCR, whereas protein levels of OCT-4, SOX-2, CD44, ARL2, STAT3 and pSTAT3 were determined using Western blotting. Dual luciferase reporter assays were employed to interrogate regulatory interactions between STAT3, SNHG3, miR-3619-5p and ARL2, respectively. Direct binding of STAT3 to the SNHG3 promoter was investigated using a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. RESULTS We found that IL-6 triggered stem cell-like properties in cisplatin-treated gastric cancer cells and activated STAT3, which in turn transcriptionally regulated SNHG3 expression. SNHG3 expression up-regulation positively correlated with cisplatin resistance and stemness of gastric cancer cells, while SNHG3 down-regulation inhibited stem cell-like properties. In addition, we found that SNHG3 up-regulated ARL2 expression through sponging miR-3619-5p, which predominantly mediated the oncogenic properties of SNHG3 in this disease. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate an involvement of aberrant SNHG3 over-expression in the acquisition of both cisplatin resistance and stemness of gastric cancer cells, and of the IL-6/STAT3/SNHG3/miR-3619-5p/ARL2 signaling cascade in the oncogenic properties of SNHG3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Sun
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Road, 200032, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Han
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Road, 200032, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Cai
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Road, 200032, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hua Huang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Road, 200032, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yi Xuan
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Road, 200032, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China.
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25
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Yao JH, Zhang WQ, Shao Y, Zhu Y, Liu J, Jin GS, Yang Y. Molecular phenotype discordance between primary and synchronous metastatic lesions of breast cancer and its determinant role in guiding treatment decisions: a case report. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:5866-5873. [PMID: 33042465 PMCID: PMC7540159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Molecular phenotype discordance between primary and metastatic tumors exists in a small proportion of breast cancer (BC) patients with accessible synchronous metastases. Reduced therapeutic effect and delays in treatment can occur when decisions on systemic therapy are determined by ignoring the differences in tumor type. Here we report a 54-year-old post-menopausal locally advanced BC patient, who showed no tumor response following routine treatment which included targeting anti-HER2, based on the phenotype of primary tumor (Luminal B, HER2-positive), during neoadjuvant therapy. However, following a secondary biopsy of the metastatic subclavian lymph node, a distinct pathological feature (Triple-negative) was revealed; chemotherapy was adjusted accordingly and resulted in a positive tumor response. Various subclones within primary and metastatic lesions were identified which might be attributed to tumor heterogeneity and in turn resulting in the phenotypic discordance in the receptor status. The patient died due to tumor progression related to triple-negative-featured lung metastasis, with overall survival time of 26.4 months. This study strengthens the value of concurrent biopsies of both primary and synchronous metastatic lesions in BC patients, and provides a reference for treating this kind of tumor when discordance in the molecular phenotype is observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Hao Yao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeBengbu, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wu-Qiong Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeBengbu, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Shao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeBengbu, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeBengbu, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeBengbu, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gong-Sheng Jin
- Department of Thyroid Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeBengbu, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeBengbu, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
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26
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Espinosa-Sánchez A, Suárez-Martínez E, Sánchez-Díaz L, Carnero A. Therapeutic Targeting of Signaling Pathways Related to Cancer Stemness. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1533. [PMID: 32984007 PMCID: PMC7479251 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The theory of cancer stem cells (CSCs) proposes that the different cells within a tumor, as well as metastasis deriving from it, are originated from a single subpopulation of cells with self-renewal and differentiation capacities. These cancer stem cells are supposed to be critical for tumor expansion and metastasis, tumor relapse and resistance to conventional therapies, such as chemo- and radiotherapy. The acquisition of these abilities has been attributed to the activation of alternative pathways, for instance, WNT, NOTCH, SHH, PI3K, Hippo, or NF-κB pathways, that regulate detoxification mechanisms; increase the metabolic rate; induce resistance to apoptotic, autophagic, and senescence pathways; promote the overexpression of drug transporter proteins; and activate specific stem cell transcription factors. The elimination of CSCs is an important goal in cancer therapeutic approaches because it could decrease relapses and metastatic dissemination, which are main causes of mortality in oncology patients. In this work, we discuss the role of these signaling pathways in CSCs along with their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asunción Espinosa-Sánchez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Cancer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Suárez-Martínez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Cancer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez-Díaz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Cancer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Amancio Carnero
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Cancer, Madrid, Spain
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27
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Wei-Hua W, Ning Z, Qian C, Dao-Wen J. ZIC2 promotes cancer stem cell traits via up-regulating OCT4 expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells. J Cancer 2020; 11:6070-6080. [PMID: 32922547 PMCID: PMC7477430 DOI: 10.7150/jca.44367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Accumulating evidence has revealed the importance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in self-renewal and chemoresistance. Previous studies reported high expression of ZIC2 was closely associated with tumorigenesis and CSC traits. However, the role of ZIC2 as a crucial factor for regulating CSC properties in lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) remains elusive. Methods: RT-PCR and WB assay were employed to assess ZIC2 expression in 20 LAC tumor tissues and the matched non-cancerous tissues. The role of ZIC2 in LAC CSC were analyzed by evaluation of CSC-related markers expression and spheroid formation in vitro. Cisplatin and paclitaxel resistance capacities were evaluated by CCK8 assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry analysis. Subcutaneous NOD/SCID mice models were generated to assess in vivo CSC features. Results: High expression of ZIC2 was found in LAC tumor tissues and indicated a poor overall survival in LAC patients. ZIC2 upregulated an array of CSCs-related genes, including EpCAM, OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, C-Myc and Bmi-1. Knockdown of ZIC2 inhibited sphere-forming capacity and decreased cisplatin and paclitaxel resistance. However, overexpression of ZIC2 achieved opposite effects. Mechanically, ZIC2 acts upstream of OCT4 to promote its expression, resulting in enhancement of CSC traits in LAC. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that ZIC2 was crucial for promoting CSC traits in LAC cells, and served as a potential biomarker for predicting prognosis. The ZIC2-OCT4 network will facilitate the evaluation of the potential therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy and predict patient sensitivity to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Wei-Hua
- Department of thoracic surgery, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Zhou Ning
- Department of thoracic surgery, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Chen Qian
- Department of general surgery, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Jiang Dao-Wen
- Department of thoracic surgery, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201100, China
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28
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Gao X, Lu C, Chen C, Sun K, Liang Q, Shuai J, Wang X, Xu Y. ARPP-19 Mediates Herceptin Resistance via Regulation of CD44 in Gastric Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:6629-6643. [PMID: 32753897 PMCID: PMC7354958 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s253841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose As the first-line drug for treatment of HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer (GC), Herceptin exhibits significant therapeutic efficacy. However, acquired resistance of Herceptin limits the therapeutic benefit of gastric cancer patients, in which the molecular mechanisms remain to be further determined. Methods Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the mRNA levels of ARPP-19 and CD44 in GC cells. Protein levels were determined using Western blot and IHC staining. MTT and soft agar colony formation assays were used to measure cell proliferation. Xenograft model was established to verify the functional role of ARPP-19 in Herceptin resistance in vivo. Sphere formation assay was conducted to determine cell stemness. Results We observed ARPP-19 was up-regulated in Herceptin resistance gastric cancer cells NCI-N87-HR and MKN45-HR. The forced expression of ARPP-19 promoted, whereas the silencing of ARPP-19 impaired Herceptin resistance of HER2-positive gastric cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, ARPP-19 significantly enhanced the sphere formation capacity and CD44 expression, CD44 was also a positive factor of Herceptin resistance in HER2-positive gastric cancer cells. In addition, high level of ARPP-19 was positively associated with Herceptin resistance and poor survival rate of gastric cancer patients. Conclusion We have demonstrated that ARPP-19 promoted Herceptin resistance of gastric cancer via up-regulation of CD44, our study suggested that ARPP-19 could be a potential diagnostic and therapeutic candidate for HER2-positive gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Gao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Changwen Lu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Changyu Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Kang Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Qixin Liang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Shuai
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxing Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
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29
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Zhao Q, Liu Y, Wang T, Yang Y, Ni H, Liu H, Guo Q, Xi T, Zheng L. MiR-375 inhibits the stemness of breast cancer cells by blocking the JAK2/STAT3 signaling. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 884:173359. [PMID: 32738343 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The relapse of breast cancer could be due to the existence of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Other and our researches have indicated the suppressive roles of miR-375 in various tumors, however, its roles in breast cancer stemness remain confusing. Here, we constructed breast cancer cells with miR-375 stable overexpression via lentivirus infection. Flow cytometry, Western blot, mammosphere formation, cell colony formation and CCK8 as well as in vivo assays were performed to identify the role of miR-375 in the stemness of breast cancer cells. Luciferase reporter, RNA-Fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were utilized to elucidate the mechanism whereby miR-375 exerts its effects. It was found that miR-375 not only reduced the stemness, but also decreased adriamycin resistance of breast cancer cells. These results were characterized by the decrease of BCSC rate, mammosphere-forming and tumor-initiating ability, and IC50 value of adriamycin, and weakened by JAK2 re-expression. This work indicates that miR-375 suppresses the stemness of breast cancer cells through targeting JAK2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Zhao
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Longmian Road 639, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Yichen Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Longmian Road 639, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Ting Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Longmian Road 639, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Yue Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Longmian Road 639, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Haiwei Ni
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Longmian Road 639, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Hai Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Longmian Road 639, Nanjing, 211198, PR China
| | - Qianqian Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, PR China
| | - Tao Xi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Longmian Road 639, Nanjing, 211198, PR China.
| | - Lufeng Zheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Longmian Road 639, Nanjing, 211198, PR China.
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30
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Three-dimensional single-cell imaging for the analysis of RNA and protein expression in intact tumour biopsies. Nat Biomed Eng 2020; 4:875-888. [PMID: 32601394 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-020-0576-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Microscopy analysis of tumour samples is commonly performed on fixed, thinly sectioned and protein-labelled tissues. However, these examinations do not reveal the intricate three-dimensional structures of tumours, nor enable the detection of aberrant transcripts. Here, we report a method, which we name DIIFCO (for diagnosing in situ immunofluorescence-labelled cleared oncosamples), for the multimodal volumetric imaging of RNAs and proteins in intact tumour volumes and organoids. We used DIIFCO to spatially profile the expression of diverse coding RNAs and non-coding RNAs at the single-cell resolution in a variety of cancer tissues. Quantitative single-cell analysis revealed spatial niches of cancer stem-like cells, and showed that the niches were present at a higher density in triple-negative breast cancer tissue. The improved molecular phenotyping and histopathological diagnosis of cancers may lead to new insights into the biology of tumours of patients.
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31
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Rao V, Arakeri G, Subash A, Bagadia RK, Thakur S, Kudpaje AS, Nayar R, Patil S, Paiva Fonseca F, Gomez RS, Brennan PA. Circulating tumour cells in head and neck cancers: Biological insights. J Oral Pathol Med 2020; 49:842-848. [PMID: 32526815 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tumour metastasis is one of the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) have been implicated in loco-regional and distant metastasis and its role is being extensively studied in various malignancies, including those from the head and neck region. The main challenge in understanding their significance lies in the rarity of these cells in the blood. However, newer technologies have attempted to overcome these pitfalls. This review explores the evolution of CTC research and other related areas, including its biological significance, sustainability within the circulating vascular environment and possible clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Rao
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, India
| | - Gururaj Arakeri
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, India.,Department of Oral and maxillofacial Surgery, Navodaya Dental College and Hospital, Raichur, India
| | - Anand Subash
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, India
| | - Ritvi K Bagadia
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, India
| | - Shalini Thakur
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, India
| | - Akshay S Kudpaje
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, India
| | - Ravi Nayar
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, India
| | - Shekar Patil
- Department of Medical Oncology, HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, India
| | - Felipe Paiva Fonseca
- Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ricardo S Gomez
- Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Peter A Brennan
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, UK
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32
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STAT5 is Expressed in CD34 +/CD38 - Stem Cells and Serves as a Potential Molecular Target in Ph-Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12041021. [PMID: 32326377 PMCID: PMC7225958 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12041021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (STAT5) play a key role in the pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). In most patients, JAK2 V617F or CALR mutations are found and lead to activation of various downstream signaling cascades and molecules, including STAT5. We examined the presence and distribution of phosphorylated (p) STAT5 in neoplastic cells in patients with MPN, including polycythemia vera (PV, n = 10), essential thrombocythemia (ET, n = 15) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF, n = 9), and in the JAK2 V617F-positive cell lines HEL and SET-2. As assessed by immunohistochemistry, MPN cells displayed pSTAT5 in all patients examined. Phosphorylated STAT5 was also detected in putative CD34+/CD38- MPN stem cells (MPN-SC) by flow cytometry. Immunostaining experiments and Western blotting demonstrated pSTAT5 expression in both the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartment of MPN cells. Confirming previous studies, we also found that JAK2-targeting drugs counteract the expression of pSTAT5 and growth in HEL and SET-2 cells. Growth-inhibition of MPN cells was also induced by the STAT5-targeting drugs piceatannol, pimozide, AC-3-019 and AC-4-130. Together, we show that CD34+/CD38- MPN-SC express pSTAT5 and that pSTAT5 is expressed in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartment of MPN cells. Whether direct targeting of pSTAT5 in MPN-SC is efficacious in MPN patients remains unknown.
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Clara JA, Monge C, Yang Y, Takebe N. Targeting signalling pathways and the immune microenvironment of cancer stem cells - a clinical update. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 17:204-232. [PMID: 31792354 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-019-0293-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 407] [Impact Index Per Article: 81.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have important roles in tumour development, relapse and metastasis; the intrinsic self-renewal characteristics and tumorigenic properties of these cells provide them with unique capabilities to resist diverse forms of anticancer therapy, seed recurrent tumours, and disseminate to and colonize distant tissues. The findings of several studies indicate that CSCs originate from non-malignant stem or progenitor cells. Accordingly, inhibition of developmental signalling pathways that are crucial for stem and progenitor cell homeostasis and function, such as the Notch, WNT, Hedgehog and Hippo signalling cascades, continues to be pursued across multiple cancer types as a strategy for targeting the CSCs hypothesized to drive cancer progression - with some success in certain malignancies. In addition, with the renaissance of anticancer immunotherapy, a better understanding of the interplay between CSCs and the tumour immune microenvironment might be the key to unlocking a new era of oncological treatments associated with a reduced propensity for the development of resistance and with enhanced antimetastatic activity, thus ultimately resulting in improved patient outcomes. Herein, we provide an update on the progress to date in the clinical development of therapeutics targeting the Notch, WNT, Hedgehog and Hippo pathways. We also discuss the interactions between CSCs and the immune system, including the potential immunological effects of agents targeting CSC-associated developmental signalling pathways, and provide an overview of the emerging approaches to CSC-targeted immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Clara
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cecilia Monge
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yingzi Yang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Naoko Takebe
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Valent P, Sadovnik I, Eisenwort G, Bauer K, Herrmann H, Gleixner KV, Schulenburg A, Rabitsch W, Sperr WR, Wolf D. Immunotherapy-Based Targeting and Elimination of Leukemic Stem Cells in AML and CML. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4233. [PMID: 31470642 PMCID: PMC6747233 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of leukemic stem cells (LSC) has been developed with the idea to explain the clonal hierarchies and architectures in leukemia, and the more or less curative anti-neoplastic effects of various targeted drugs. It is now widely accepted that curative therapies must have the potential to eliminate or completely suppress LSC, as only these cells can restore and propagate the malignancy for unlimited time periods. Since LSC represent a minor cell fraction in the leukemic clone, little is known about their properties and target expression profiles. Over the past few years, several cell-specific immunotherapy concepts have been developed, including new generations of cell-targeting antibodies, antibody-toxin conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T cell-based strategies. Whereas such concepts have been translated and may improve outcomes of therapy in certain lymphoid neoplasms and a few other malignancies, only little is known about immunological targets that are clinically relevant and can be employed to establish such therapies in myeloid neoplasms. In the current article, we provide an overview of the immunologically relevant molecular targets expressed on LSC in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In addition, we discuss the current status of antibody-based therapies in these malignancies, their mode of action, and successful examples from the field.
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MESH Headings
- Acute Disease
- B7-H1 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors
- B7-H1 Antigen/immunology
- B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism
- CTLA-4 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors
- CTLA-4 Antigen/immunology
- CTLA-4 Antigen/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Immunotherapy/trends
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/immunology
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid/therapy
- Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods
- Molecular Targeted Therapy/trends
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/drug effects
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/immunology
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Irina Sadovnik
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Eisenwort
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Bauer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Herrmann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Radiotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karoline V Gleixner
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Axel Schulenburg
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Division of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Werner Rabitsch
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Division of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang R Sperr
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology & Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dominik Wolf
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology & Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, 1090 Innsbruck, Austria
- Medical Clinic 3, Oncology, Hematology, Immunoncology & Rheumatology, University Clinic Bonn (UKB), 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Barbato L, Bocchetti M, Di Biase A, Regad T. Cancer Stem Cells and Targeting Strategies. Cells 2019; 8:cells8080926. [PMID: 31426611 PMCID: PMC6721823 DOI: 10.3390/cells8080926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance is a major problem in cancer therapy as cancer cells develop mechanisms that counteract the effect of chemotherapeutic compounds, leading to relapse and the development of more aggressive cancers that contribute to poor prognosis and survival rates of treated patients. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a key role in this event. Apart from their slow proliferative property, CSCs have developed a range of cellular processes that involve drug efflux, drug enzymatic inactivation and other mechanisms. In addition, the microenvironment where CSCs evolve (CSC niche), effectively contributes to their role in cancer initiation, progression and chemoresistance. In the CSC niche, immune cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), endothelial cells and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to the maintenance of CSC malignancy via the secretion of factors that promote cancer progression and resistance to chemotherapy. Due to these factors that hinder successful cancer therapies, CSCs are a subject of intense research that aims at better understanding of CSC behaviour and at developing efficient targeting therapies. In this review, we provide an overview of cancer stem cells, their role in cancer initiation, progression and chemoresistance, and discuss the progress that has been made in the development of CSC targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Barbato
- The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Marco Bocchetti
- The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Di Biase
- The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Tarik Regad
- The John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK.
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36
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Qingyihuaji formula reverses gemcitabine resistant human pancreatic cancer through regulate lncRNA AB209630/miR-373/EphB2-NANOG signals. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20190610. [PMID: 31147453 PMCID: PMC6579980 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20190610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate the possible mechanism of Qingyihuaji formula (QYHJ) for reversing gemcitabine (GEM) resistant human pancreatic cancer. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were detected in CFPAC-1 cells. Xenograft mice established with CFPAC-1 through subcutaneous on 33 immunodeficient nude mice and randomly divided into four groups: vehicle, GEM (35 mg/kg), QYHJ (40 g/kg), and GEM + QYHJ (35 mg/kg + 40 g/kg) groups for 28-day treatment. Tumor growth and the mRNA expression of lncRNA AB209630, miR373, EphB2, and NANOG evaluated in dissected tumor tissue by real-time PCR, the CD133+ cancer stem cells were isolated by flow cytometer, and the changes of the tumor sphere forming were measured. QYHJ, especially the combination of GEM and QYHJ, was significantly inhibited the cell proliferation and migration of CFPAC-1 in vitro in the indicated times. The combination of GEM and QYHJ also remarkably promoted the cell apoptosis of CFPAC-1. QYHJ treatment effectively blocked the tumor growth in nude mice. QYHJ, especially GEM + QYHJ treatment, was significantly increased the mRNA expression of lncRNA AB209630, significantly decreased the mRNA levels of miR373, EphB2 and NANOG, and markedly reduced the tumor sphere formation and the numbers of CD133+ stem cells. In addition, GEM alone treatment had no significant effect in the above biomarker changes. QYHJ could effectivly enhance the antihuman pancreatic tumor activity of GEM, which may be through inhibiting pancreatic cancer stem cell differentiation by lncRNA AB209630/miR-373/EphB2-NANOG signaling pathway.
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37
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Beckmann A, Hainz N, Tschernig T, Meier C. Facets of Communication: Gap Junction Ultrastructure and Function in Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11030288. [PMID: 30823688 PMCID: PMC6468480 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11030288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap junction proteins are expressed in cancer stem cells and non-stem cancer cells of many tumors. As the morphology and assembly of gap junction channels are crucial for their function in intercellular communication, one focus of our review is to outline the data on gap junction plaque morphology available for cancer cells. Electron microscopic studies and freeze-fracture analyses on gap junction ultrastructure in cancer are summarized. As the presence of gap junctions is relevant in solid tumors, we exemplarily outline their role in glioblastomas and in breast cancer. These were also shown to contain cancer stem cells, which are an essential cause of tumor onset and of tumor transmission into metastases. For these processes, gap junctional communication was shown to be important and thus we summarize, how the expression of gap junction proteins and the resulting communication between cancer stem cells and their surrounding cells contributes to the dissemination of cancer stem cells via blood or lymphatic vessels. Based on their importance for tumors and metastases, future cancer-specific therapies are expected to address gap junction proteins. In turn, gap junctions also seem to contribute to the unattainability of cancer stem cells by certain treatments and might thus contribute to therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Beckmann
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany.
| | - Nadine Hainz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Tschernig
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany.
| | - Carola Meier
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany.
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38
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Ghasemi F, Sarabi PZ, Athari SS, Esmaeilzadeh A. Therapeutics strategies against cancer stem cell in breast cancer. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2019; 109:76-81. [PMID: 30772480 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is known as a most prevalent cancer and second deadly cancer, among women worldwide. Due to the high incidence rate of breast cancer and limitations of conventional therapy it seemed essential to look for new targets in cancer cells and directly target them such as target therapy on breast cancer stem cells. In this review we indicate some of therapeutic uses of cancer stem cells in breast cancer. Some strategies are targeting surface specific markers and activated signaling pathways in their microenvironment such as Notch, Hedgehog, Wnt/b-catenin, PI3K/Akt, NF-kB, BMP and TGF-β and their maintenance and drug resistance, using various miRNAs, enhancement of CSCs apoptosis, differentiation therapy, blocking epithelial to mesenchymal transition and using different natural compounds. Recent studies have shown that cancer stem cells play major roles in target therapy on breast cancer. The new manipulation approaches of cancer stem cells can be used as target therapy of breast cancer that were highlighted for immunotherapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Ghasemi
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Zia Sarabi
- Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Seyyed Shamsadin Athari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Abdolreza Esmaeilzadeh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran; Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center (CGRC), Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
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39
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Clonal Hematopoiesis with Oncogenic Potential (CHOP): Separation from CHIP and Roads to AML. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030789. [PMID: 30759825 PMCID: PMC6387423 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of leukemia is a step-wise process that is associated with molecular diversification and clonal selection of neoplastic stem cells. Depending on the number and combinations of lesions, one or more sub-clones expand/s after a variable latency period. Initial stages may develop early in life or later in adulthood and include premalignant (indolent) stages and the malignant phase, defined by an acute leukemia. We recently proposed a cancer model in which the earliest somatic lesions are often age-related early mutations detectable in apparently healthy individuals and where additional oncogenic mutations will lead to the development of an overt neoplasm that is usually a preleukemic condition such as a myelodysplastic syndrome. These neoplasms may or may not transform to overt acute leukemia over time. Thus, depending on the type and number of somatic mutations, clonal hematopoiesis (CH) can be divided into CH with indeterminate potential (CHIP) and CH with oncogenic potential (CHOP). Whereas CHIP mutations per se usually create the molecular background of a neoplastic process, CHOP mutations are disease-related or even disease-specific lesions that trigger differentiation and/or proliferation of neoplastic cells. Over time, the acquisition of additional oncogenic events converts preleukemic neoplasms into secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML). In the present article, recent developments in the field are discussed with a focus on CHOP mutations that lead to distinct myeloid neoplasms, their role in disease evolution, and the impact of additional lesions that can drive a preleukemic neoplasm into sAML.
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40
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Ozpiskin OM, Zhang L, Li JJ. Immune targets in the tumor microenvironment treated by radiotherapy. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:1215-1231. [PMID: 30867826 PMCID: PMC6401500 DOI: 10.7150/thno.32648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT), the major anti-cancer modality for more than half of cancer patients after diagnosis, has the advantage of local tumor control with relatively less systematic side effects comparing to chemotherapy. However, the efficacy of RT is limited by acquired tumor resistance leading to the risks of relapse and metastasis. To further enhance the efficacy of RT, with the renaissances of targeted immunotherapy (TIT), increasing interests are raised on RT combined with TIT including cancer vaccines, T-cell therapy, and antibody-based immune checkpoint blockers (ICB) such as anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD1/PD-L1. In achieving a significant synergy between RT and TIT, the dynamics of radiation-induced response in tumor cells and stromal cells, especially the cross-talk between tumor cells and immune cells in the irradiated tumor microenvironment (ITME) as highlighted in recent literature are to be elucidated. The abscopal effect refereeing the RT-induced priming function outside of ITME could be compromised by the immune-suppressive factors such as CD47 and PD-L1 on tumor cells and Treg induced or enhanced in the ITME. Cell surface receptors temporally or permanently induced and bioactive elements released from dead cells could serve antigenic source (radiation-associated antigenic proteins, RAAPs) to the host and have functions in immune regulation on the tumor. This review is attempted to summarize a cluster of factors that are inducible by radiation and targetable by antibodies, or have potential to be immune regulators to synergize tumor control with RT. Further characterization of immune regulators in ITME will deepen our understanding of the interplay among immune regulators in ITME and discover new effective targets for the combined modality with RT and TIT.
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41
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Saygin C, Matei D, Majeti R, Reizes O, Lathia JD. Targeting Cancer Stemness in the Clinic: From Hype to Hope. Cell Stem Cell 2018; 24:25-40. [PMID: 30595497 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 320] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tumors are composed of non-homogeneous cell populations exhibiting varying degrees of genetic and functional heterogeneity. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are capable of sustaining tumors by manipulating genetic and non-genetic factors to metastasize, resist treatment, and maintain the tumor microenvironment. Understanding the key traits and mechanisms of CSC survival provides opportunities to improve patient outcomes via improved prognostic models and therapeutics. Here, we review the clinical significance of CSCs and results of potential CSC-targeting therapies in various cancers. We discuss barriers to translating cues from pre-clinical models into clinical applications and propose new strategies for rational design of future anti-CSC trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caner Saygin
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Daniela Matei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ravindra Majeti
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Cancer Institute and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ofer Reizes
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44192, USA
| | - Justin D Lathia
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44192, USA.
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42
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Ling Y, Zhang Z, Zhang H, Huang Z. Protein Kinase Inhibitors as Therapeutic Drugs in AML: Advances and Challenges. Curr Pharm Des 2018; 23:4303-4310. [PMID: 28671056 PMCID: PMC6302345 DOI: 10.2174/1381612823666170703164114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant blood disorder and the cure rate has been remarkably improved over the past decade. However, recurrent or refractory leu-kemia remains the major problem of the AML and no clearly effective therapy has been es-tablished so far. Traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are both far dissatisfying the patients partly for their individual variety. Be-sides, conventional treatments usually have many side effects to result in poor prognosis. Therefore, an urgent need is necessary to update therapies of AML. To date, protein kinase inhibitors as new drugs offer hope for AML treatment and many of them are on clinical tri-als. Here, this review will provide a brief summary of protein kinase inhibitors investigated in AML thus far, mainly including tyrosine protein kinase inhibitors and serine/threonine kinase inhibitors. We also presented the sketch of signal pathways involving protein kinase inhibitors, as well as discussed the clinical applications and the challenges of inhibitors in AML treatment
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ling
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, P.R. China.,China-America Cancer Research Institute, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
| | - Zikang Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, P.R. China.,China-America Cancer Research Institute, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, P.R. China.,China-America Cancer Research Institute, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
| | - Zunnan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, P.R. China.,China-America Cancer Research Institute, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
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43
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Valent P, Hadzijusufovic E, Grunt T, Karlic H, Peter B, Herrmann H, Eisenwort G, Hoermann G, Schulenburg A, Willmann M, Hubmann R, Shehata M, Selzer E, Gleixner KV, Rülicke T, Sperr WR, Marian B, Pfeilstöcker M, Pehamberger H, Keil F, Jäger U, Zielinski C. Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology (LBC ONC): first 10 years and future perspectives. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2018; 130:517-529. [PMID: 30006759 PMCID: PMC6132878 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-018-1355-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In 2008 the Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology (LBC ONC) was established on the basis of two previous Ludwig Boltzmann Institutes working in the field of hematology and cancer research. The general aim of the LBC ONC is to improve treatment of hematopoietic neoplasms by eradicating cancer-initiating and disease-propagating cells, also known as leukemic stem cells (LSC) in the context of leukemia. In a first phase, the LBC ONC characterized the phenotype and molecular aberration profiles of LSC in various malignancies. The LSC phenotypes were established in acute and chronic myeloid leukemia, in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In addition, the concept of preleukemic (premalignant) neoplastic stem cells (pre-L-NSC) was coined by the LBC ONC and was tested in myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms. Phenotypic characterization of LSC provided a solid basis for their purification and for the characterization of specific target expression profiles. In a second phase, molecular markers and targets were validated. This second phase is ongoing and should result in the development of new diagnostics parameters and novel, more effective, LSC-eradicating, treatment strategies; however, many issues still remain to be solved, such as sub-clonal evolution, LSC niche interactions, immunologic control of LSC, and LSC resistance. In the forthcoming years, the LBC ONC will concentrate on developing LSC-eradicating strategies, with special focus on LSC resistance, precision medicine and translation of LSC-eradicating concepts into clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Valent
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria. .,Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Emir Hadzijusufovic
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria.,Department/Clinic for Companion Animals and Horses, Clinic for Small Animals, Clinical Unit of Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Grunt
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Clinical Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidrun Karlic
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Peter
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Herrmann
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Eisenwort
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Hoermann
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Axel Schulenburg
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Willmann
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Companion Animals and Horses, Clinic for Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rainer Hubmann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Medhat Shehata
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Edgar Selzer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karoline V Gleixner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Rülicke
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang R Sperr
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Brigitte Marian
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Pfeilstöcker
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hubert Pehamberger
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Felix Keil
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrich Jäger
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Zielinski
- Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Clinical Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Némethová V, Rázga F. Chronic myelogenous leukemia on target. Cancer Med 2018; 7:3406-3410. [PMID: 29905026 PMCID: PMC6051163 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is commonly treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that inhibit the pro-leukemic activity of the BCR-ABL1 oncoprotein. Despite the therapeutic progress mediated by TKI use, off-target effects, treatment-induced drug resistance, and the limited effect of these drugs on CML stem cells (SCs) are major drawbacks frequently resulting in insufficient or unsustainable treatment. Therefore, intense research efforts have focused on development of improved TKIs and alternative treatment strategies to eradicate CML SCs. Alongside efforts to design superior protein inhibitors, the need to overcome the poor therapeutic effect of TKIs on CML SCs has led to a renaissance of antisense strategies, as they are reported as effective in more primitive cell types. Despite the greater drug design flexibility offered by antisense sequence variability and remarkable chemical improvements, antisense drugs exhibit unacceptable levels of off-target effects, precluding them from large-scale clinical testing. Recent advances in antisense drug design have led to a pioneering mRNA recognition concept that may offer a helping hand in eliminating off-target effects, and has potential to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Némethová
- Department for Biomaterials Research, Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Filip Rázga
- Department for Biomaterials Research, Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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45
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Liu J, Gao Q, Xie T, Liu Y, Luo L, Xu C, Shen L, Wan F, Lei T, Ye F. Synergistic effect of TRAIL and irradiation in elimination of glioblastoma stem-like cells. Clin Exp Med 2018; 18:399-411. [PMID: 29777390 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-018-0504-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignancy in central nervous system. A small subpopulation of GBM cells known as GBM stem-like cells (GSLCs) were supposed to be the most malignant cells among GBM cells as they are resistant to multiple therapies including radiotherapy. In this study, we set up two GSLCs cell lines from the two parental U87 and U251 glioma cell lines, and studied the expression of apoptosis-related genes alteration in GSLCs before and after irradiation. We found that one of the receptors of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), DR5, was dramatically up-regulated in GSLCs after irradiation (IR). Although GSLCs are resistant to both TRAIL and radiation treatment alone, the combined treatment with TRAIL and irradiation achieved maximum killing effect of GSLCs due to inducing the expression of DR5 and inhibiting the expression of cFLIP. Therefore, TRAIL and IR combined treatment would be a simple but practical therapeutic strategy for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095# Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095# Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095# Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Longjun Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095# Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095# Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Wan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095# Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Lei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095# Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095# Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
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Truong TH, Hu H, Temiz NA, Hagen KM, Girard BJ, Brady NJ, Schwertfeger KL, Lange CA, Ostrander JH. Cancer Stem Cell Phenotypes in ER + Breast Cancer Models Are Promoted by PELP1/AIB1 Complexes. Mol Cancer Res 2018; 16:707-719. [PMID: 29348189 PMCID: PMC5882512 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-17-0598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Proline, glutamic acid, leucine-rich protein 1 (PELP1) is overexpressed in approximately 80% of invasive breast tumors. PELP1 dynamically shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm, but is primarily nuclear in normal breast tissue. However, altered localization of PELP1 to the cytoplasm is an oncogenic event that promotes breast cancer initiation and progression. Herein, interacting partners unique to cytoplasmic PELP1 and the mechanisms by which these interactions promote oncogenic PELP1 signaling were sought. AIB1 (amplified in breast cancer 1; also known as SRC-3 or NCOA3) was identified as a novel binding partner of cytoplasmic PELP1 in both estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and ER-negative cell lines. Cytoplasmic PELP1 expression elevated basal phosphorylation levels (i.e., activation) of AIB1 at Thr24, enhanced ALDH+ tumorsphere formation, and upregulated specific target genes independently of hormone stimulation. Direct manipulation of AIB1 levels using shRNA abrogated cytoplasmic PELP1-induced tumorsphere formation and downregulated cytoplasmic PELP1-specific target genes. SI-2, an AIB1 inhibitor, limited the PELP1/AIB1 interaction and decreased cytoplasmic PELP1-induced tumorsphere formation. Similar results were observed in a murine-derived MMTV-AIB1 tumor cell line. Furthermore, in vivo syngeneic tumor studies revealed that PELP1 knockdown resulted in increased survival of tumor-bearing mice as compared with mice injected with control cells.Implications: These data demonstrate that cytoplasmic PELP1/AIB1-containing complexes function to promote advanced cancer phenotypes, including outgrowth of stem-like cells, associated with estrogen-independent breast cancer progression. Mol Cancer Res; 16(4); 707-19. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thu H Truong
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Hsiangyu Hu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Nuri A Temiz
- Masonic Cancer Center, Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Kyla M Hagen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Brian J Girard
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Nicholas J Brady
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Kathryn L Schwertfeger
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Carol A Lange
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Department of Pharmacology, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Julie H Ostrander
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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47
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Wang XF, Zhang XW, Hua RX, Du YQ, Huang MZ, Liu Y, Cheng YF, Guo WJ. Mel-18 negatively regulates stem cell-like properties through downregulation of miR-21 in gastric cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:63352-63361. [PMID: 27542229 PMCID: PMC5325369 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mel-18, a polycomb group protein, has been reported to act as a tumor suppressor and be down-regulated in several human cancers including gastric cancer. It was also found that Mel-18 negatively regulates self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells and breast cancer stem cells (CSCs). This study aimed to clarify its role in gastric CSCs and explore the mechanisms. We found that low-expression of Mel-18 was correlated with poor prognosis and negatively correlated with overexpression of stem cell markers Oct4, Sox2, and Gli1 in 101 gastric cancer tissues. Mel-18 was down-regulated in cultured spheroid cells, which possess CSCs, and overexpression of Mel-18 inhibits cells sphere-forming ability and tumor growth in vivo. Besides, Mel-18 was lower-expressed in ovary metastatic lesions compared with that in primary lesions of gastric cancer, and Mel-18 overexpression inhibited the migration ability of gastric cancer cells. Interestingly, overexpression of Mel-18 resulted in down-regulation of miR-21 in gastric cancer cells and the expression of Mel-18 was negatively correlated with the expression of miR-21 in gastric cancer tissues. Furthermore, miR-21 overexpression partially restored sphere-forming ability, migration potential and chemo-resistance in Mel-18 overexpressing gastric cancer cells. These results suggests Mel-18 negatively regulates stem cell-like properties through downregulation of miR-21 in gastric cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Feng Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Wei Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui-Xi Hua
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Qun Du
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming-Zhu Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Fang Cheng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Jian Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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48
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Li D, Hu C, Li H. Survivin as a novel target protein for reducing the proliferation of cancer cells. Biomed Rep 2018; 8:399-406. [PMID: 29725522 DOI: 10.3892/br.2018.1077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Survivin, also known as baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing 5, is a novel member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family. Survivin is highly expressed in tumors and embryonic tissues and is associated with tumor cell differentiation, proliferation, invasion and metastasis; however, survivin is expressed at low levels in normal terminally differentiated adult tissues. Meanwhile, the expression level of survivin is also a negative prognostic factor for patients with cancer. These unique characteristics of survivin make it an exciting potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. This review will discuss the biological characteristics of survivin and its potential use as a treatment target to reduce cancer cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyu Li
- Department of Genetics, College of Agricultural and Life Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Chenghao Hu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261000, P.R. China
| | - Huibin Li
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, People's Hospital of Linyi, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
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49
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Cheng B, Yang G, Jiang R, Cheng Y, Yang H, Pei L, Qiu X. Cancer stem cell markers predict a poor prognosis in renal cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:65862-65875. [PMID: 27588469 PMCID: PMC5323198 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Relevant markers of CSCs may serve as prognostic biomarkers of RCC. However, their actual prognostic significance remains inconclusive. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed to reevaluate the association of CSCs-relevant markers (CXCR4, CD133, CD44, CD105) expression with RCC prognosis more precisely. Methods PubMed and Embase were searched to look for eligible studies. The pooled hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to reassess the association of CSCs markers expression and RCC prognosis of overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), disease-free survival (DFS), and progression-free survival (PFS). Results There were 25 relevant articles, encompassing 2673 RCC patients, eligible for meta-analysis. Overall pooled analysis suggested that high CSCs markers expression predicted poor OS (HR, 2.10, 95% CI: 1.73–2.55) and DFS (HR, 3.77, 95% CI: 2.30–6.19). High CXCR4 expression predicted worse OS (HR, 2.57, 95% CI: 1.95–3.40), CSS (HR,1.97, 95% CI: 1.50–2.59), and DFS (HR, 5.82, 95% CI: 3.01–11.25). CD44 over-expression correlated with a poor OS(HR,1.58, 95% CI: 1.14–2.18), CSS (HR, 2.58, 95% CI: 1.27–5.23), and DFS (HR, 4.49, 95% CI: 2.12–9.53) in RCC patients. CD133 was an independent favorable prognostic factor for CSS (HR, 0.4, 95% CI: 0.29–0.54). Conclusions The presence of CSCs markers correlates with poor RCC outcome. CSCs may be potentially utilized as prognostic markers to stratify RCC patients, probably representing also a novel potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Cheng
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.,Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Guosheng Yang
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China.,Department of Urology, Guangdong No.2 Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou 510317, China
| | - Rui Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Yong Cheng
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Haifan Yang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Lijun Pei
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Xiaofu Qiu
- Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China.,Department of Urology, Guangdong No.2 Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou 510317, China
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50
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CBX7 regulates stem cell-like properties of gastric cancer cells via p16 and AKT-NF-κB-miR-21 pathways. J Hematol Oncol 2018; 11:17. [PMID: 29422082 PMCID: PMC5806263 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-018-0562-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chromobox protein homolog 7 (CBX7), a member of the polycomb group (PcG) family of proteins, is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and cancer progression. PcG family members, such as BMI, Mel-18, and EZH2, are integral constituents of the polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) and have been known to regulate cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype. However, the role of other PRCs’ constituents such as CBX7 in the regulation of CSC phenotype remains largely elusive. This study was to investigate the role of CBX7 in regulating stem cell-like properties of gastric cancer and the underlying mechanisms. Methods Firstly, the role of CBX7 in regulating stem cell-like properties of gastric cancer was investigated using sphere formation, Western blot, and xenograft tumor assays. Next, RNA interference and ectopic CBX7 expression were employed to determine the impact of CBX7 on the expression of CSC marker proteins and CSC characteristics. The expression of CBX7, its downstream targets, and stem cell markers were analyzed in gastric stem cell spheres, common cancer cells, and gastric cancer tissues. Finally, the pathways by which CBX7 regulates stem cell-like properties of gastric cancer were explored. Results We found that CBX7, a constituent of the polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), plays an important role in maintaining stem cell-like characteristics of gastric cancer cells via the activation of AKT pathway and the downregulation of p16. Spearman rank correlation analysis showed positive correlations among the expression of CBX7 and phospho-AKT (pAKT), stem cell markers OCT-4, and CD133 in gastric cancer tissues. In addition, CBX7 was found to upregulate microRNA-21 (miR-21) via the activation of AKT-NF-κB pathway, and miR-21 contributes to CBX7-mediated CSC characteristics. Conclusions CBX7 positively regulates stem cell-like characteristics of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting p16 and activating AKT-NF-κB-miR-21 pathway. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13045-018-0562-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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