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Wu H, Fu M, Wu M, Cao Z, Zhang Q, Liu Z. Emerging mechanisms and promising approaches in pancreatic cancer metabolism. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:553. [PMID: 39090116 PMCID: PMC11294586 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06930-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. Metabolic abnormalities are one of the hallmarks of pancreatic cancer, and pancreatic cancer cells can adapt to biosynthesis, energy intake, and redox needs through metabolic reprogramming to tolerate nutrient deficiency and hypoxic microenvironments. Pancreatic cancer cells can use glucose, amino acids, and lipids as energy to maintain malignant growth. Moreover, they also metabolically interact with cells in the tumour microenvironment to change cell fate, promote tumour progression, and even affect immune responses. Importantly, metabolic changes at the body level deserve more attention. Basic research and clinical trials based on targeted metabolic therapy or in combination with other treatments are in full swing. A more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the metabolic regulation of pancreatic cancer cells will not only enrich the understanding of the mechanisms of disease progression but also provide inspiration for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Mengdi Fu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Mengwei Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhen Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Qiyao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ziwen Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
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2
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Bae G, Berezhnoy G, Flores A, Cannet C, Schäfer H, Dahlke MH, Michl P, Löffler MW, Königsrainer A, Trautwein C. Quantitative Metabolomics and Lipoprotein Analysis of PDAC Patients Suggests Serum Marker Categories for Pancreatic Function, Pancreatectomy, Cancer Metabolism, and Systemic Disturbances. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:1249-1262. [PMID: 38407039 PMCID: PMC11003419 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is difficult to diagnose in the early stages and lacks reliable biomarkers. The scope of this project was to establish quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to comprehensively study blood serum alterations in PDAC patients. Serum samples from 34 PDAC patients obtained before and after pancreatectomy as well as 83 age- and sex-matched control samples from healthy donors were analyzed with in vitro diagnostics research (IVDr) proton NMR spectroscopy at 600 MHz. Uni- and multivariate statistics were applied to identify significant biofluid alterations. We identified 29 significantly changed metabolites and 98 lipoproteins when comparing serum from healthy controls with those of PDAC patients. The most prominent features were assigned to (i) markers of pancreatic function (e.g., glucose and blood triglycerides), (ii) markers related to surgery (e.g., ketone bodies and blood cholesterols), (iii) PDAC-associated markers (e.g., amino acids and creatine), and (iv) markers for systemic disturbances in PDAC (e.g., gut metabolites DMG, TMAO, DMSO2, and liver lipoproteins). Quantitative serum NMR spectroscopy is suited as a diagnostic tool to investigate PDAC. Remarkably, 2-hydroxybutyrate (2-HB) as a previously suggested marker for insulin resistance was found in extraordinarily high levels only after pancreatectomy, suggesting this metabolite is the strongest marker for pancreatic loss of function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyuntae Bae
- Werner
Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical
Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- Cluster
of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) ‘Image-Guided and Functionally
Instructed Tumor Therapies’, University
of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Georgy Berezhnoy
- Werner
Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical
Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Alejandra Flores
- Werner
Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical
Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Claire Cannet
- Bruker
BioSpin GmbH & Co. KG, BioPharma and Applied Division, Ettlingen 76275, Germany
| | - Hartmut Schäfer
- Bruker
BioSpin GmbH & Co. KG, BioPharma and Applied Division, Ettlingen 76275, Germany
| | - Marc H. Dahlke
- Department
of General and Visceral Surgery, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Stuttgart 70376, Germany
| | - Patrick Michl
- Dept
of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital
Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Markus W. Löffler
- Department
of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Cancer
Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Partner
Site Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- Cluster
of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) ‘Image-Guided and Functionally
Instructed Tumor Therapies’, University
of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- Department
of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- Department
of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital
Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Alfred Königsrainer
- Department
of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- German Cancer
Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Partner
Site Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- Cluster
of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) ‘Image-Guided and Functionally
Instructed Tumor Therapies’, University
of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Christoph Trautwein
- Werner
Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical
Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- Cluster
of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) ‘Image-Guided and Functionally
Instructed Tumor Therapies’, University
of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
- M3
Research Center for Malignome, Metabolome and Microbiome, Faculty of Medicine University Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
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3
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Chen Y, Shen J, Yuan M, Li H, Li Y, Zheng S, Han B, Zhang C, Liu S, Sun Q, Wu J. Dehydrocostus lactone suppresses gastric cancer progression by targeting ACLY to inhibit fatty acid synthesis and autophagic flux. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00040-7. [PMID: 38295877 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dehydrocostus lactone (Dehy), a natural sesquiterpene lactone from Saussurea lappa Clarke, displays remarkable efficacy in treating cancer and gastrointestinal disorders. However, its anti-gastric cancer (GC) effect remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVES Our study aimed to elucidate the anti-GC effect of Dehy and its putative mechanism. METHODS The anti-GC effect was assessed with MTT, colony formation, wound healing and transwell invasion assays. Cell apoptosis rate was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI binding assay. Network pharmacology analysis and XF substrate oxidation stress test explored the underlying mechanism and altered metabolic phenotype. Lipogenic enzyme expressions and neutral lipid pool were measured to evaluate cellular lipid synthesis and storage. Biolayer interferometry and molecular docking investigated the direct target of Dehy. Autophagosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy and MDC staining, while the autophagic flux was detected by mRFP-GFP-LC3 transfection. The clinical significance of ACLY was confirmed by tissue microarrays. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models were adopted to detect the clinical therapeutic potential of Dehy. RESULTS Dehy prominently suppressed GC progression both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, Dehy down-regulated the lipogenic enzyme ACLY, thereby reducing fatty acid synthesis and lipid reservation. Moreover, IKKβ was identified as the direct target of Dehy. Dehy inhibited the phosphorylation of IKKβ, promoting the ubiquitination and degradation of ACLY, thereby resulting in lipid depletion. Subsequently, GC cells initiated autophagy to replenish the missing lipids, whereas Dehy impeded this cytoprotective mechanism by down-regulating LAMP1 and LAMP2 expressions, which disrupted lysosomal membrane functions, ultimately leading to apoptosis. Additionally, Dehy exhibited potential in GC clinical therapy as it enhanced the efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil in PDX models. CONCLUSIONS Our work identified Dehy as a desirable agent for blunting abnormal lipid metabolism and highlighted its inhibitory effect on protective autophagy, suggesting the future development of Dehy as a novel therapeutic drug for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Chen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; No.1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Junyu Shen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; No.1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Mengyun Yuan
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; No.1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Huaizhi Li
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; No.1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Yaqi Li
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; No.1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Shanshan Zheng
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; No.1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Bo Han
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; No.1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Cancan Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China; No.1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Shenlin Liu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
| | - Qingmin Sun
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
| | - Jian Wu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology and Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
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Zhu WZ, Feng DC, Xiong Q, Shi X, Zhang FC, Wei Q, Yang L. An autophagy-related gene prognostic index predicting biochemical recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance for prostate cancer. Asian J Androl 2023; 25:208-216. [PMID: 36412461 PMCID: PMC10069683 DOI: 10.4103/aja202281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the dual role of autophagy presenting in tumorigenesis and inhibition, we established an autophagy-related gene prognostic index (ARGPI) with validation to well predict the biochemical recurrence (BCR), metastasis, as well as chemoresistance for patients with prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent radical radiotherapy or prostatectomy. Then, Lasso and COX regression was used to develop the ARGPI. We performed the whole analyses through R packages (version 3.6.3). Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), single-minded 2 (SIM2), serine protease inhibitor b5 (SERPINB5), aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain 3 (ACSL3) were eventually used to establish the ARGPI score. Patients were divided into two different-risk groups based on the median ARGPI score, high-risk patients with a higher risk of BCR than low-risk patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.23-9.24). The risk of metastasis of high-risk patients was higher than low-risk patients (HR: 11.31, 95% CI: 4.89-26.12). In The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset, we observed similar prognostic value of ARGPI in terms of BCR-free survival (HR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.07-2.99) and metastasis-free survival (HR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.16-2.78). ARGPI score showed a diagnostic accuracy of 0.703 for drug resistance. Analysis of gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated that patients in the high-risk group were significantly positively related to interleukin (IL)-18 signaling pathway. Moreover, ARGPI score was significantly related to cancer-related fibroblasts (CAFs; r = 0.36), macrophages (r = 0.28), stromal score (r = 0.38), immune score (r = 0.35), estimate score (r = 0.39), as well as tumor purity (r = -0.39; all P < 0.05). Drug analysis showed that PI-103 was the common sensitive drug and cell line analysis indicated that PC3 was the common cell line of PI-103 and the definitive gene. In conclusion, we found that ARGPI could predict BCR, metastasis, and chemoresistance in PCa patients who underwent radical radiotherapy or prostatectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Zhen Zhu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - De-Chao Feng
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiao Xiong
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xu Shi
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Fa-Cai Zhang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiang Wei
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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5
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Saliakoura M, Konstantinidou G. Lipid Metabolic Alterations in KRAS Mutant Tumors: Unmasking New Vulnerabilities for Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021793. [PMID: 36675307 PMCID: PMC9864058 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
KRAS is one of the most commonly mutated genes, an event that leads to development of highly aggressive and resistant to any type of available therapy tumors. Mutated KRAS drives a complex network of lipid metabolic rearrangements to support the adaptation of cancer cells to harsh environmental conditions and ensure their survival. Because there has been only a little success in the continuous efforts of effectively targeting KRAS-driven tumors, it is of outmost importance to delineate the exact mechanisms of how they get rewired, leading to this distinctive phenotype. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the available data acquired over the last years with regard to the lipid metabolic regulation of KRAS-driven tumors and elucidate their specific characteristics in an attempt to unravel novel therapeutic targets.
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6
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ACSL3 and ACSL4, Distinct Roles in Ferroptosis and Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235896. [PMID: 36497375 PMCID: PMC9739553 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-chain fatty acyl CoA synthetase (ACSLs) family of enzymes contributes significantly to lipid metabolism and produces acyl-coenzyme A by catalyzing fatty acid oxidation. The dysregulation of ACSL3 and ACSL4, which belong to the five isoforms of ACSLs, plays a key role in cancer initiation, development, metastasis, and tumor immunity and may provide several possible therapeutic strategies. Moreover, ACSL3 and ACSL4 are crucial for ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic cell death triggered by the accumulation of membrane lipid peroxides due to iron overload. Here, we present a summary of the current knowledge on ACSL3 and ACSL4 and their functions in various cancers. Research on the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of ferroptosis is critical to developing targeted therapies for cancer.
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Metabolic Pathways as a Novel Landscape in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153799. [PMID: 35954462 PMCID: PMC9367608 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolism plays a fundamental role in both human physiology and pathology, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and other tumors. Anabolic and catabolic processes do not only have energetic implications but are tightly associated with other cellular activities, such as DNA duplication, redox reactions, and cell homeostasis. PDAC displays a marked metabolic phenotype and the observed reduction in tumor growth induced by calorie restriction with in vivo models supports the crucial role of metabolism in this cancer type. The aggressiveness of PDAC might, therefore, be reduced by interventions on bioenergetic circuits. In this review, we describe the main metabolic mechanisms involved in PDAC growth and the biological features that may favor its onset and progression within an immunometabolic context. We also discuss the need to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical practice in order to offer alternative therapeutic approaches for PDAC patients in the more immediate future.
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8
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Zuzčák M, Trnka J. Cellular metabolism in pancreatic cancer as a tool for prognosis and treatment (Review). Int J Oncol 2022; 61:93. [PMID: 35730611 PMCID: PMC9256076 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) has one of the highest fatality rates and the currently available therapeutic options are not sufficient to improve its overall poor prognosis. In addition to insufficient effectiveness of anticancer treatments, the lack of clear early symptoms and early metastatic spread maintain the PC survival rates at a low level. Metabolic reprogramming is among the hallmarks of cancer and could be exploited for the diagnosis and treatment of PC. PC is characterized by its heterogeneity and, apart from molecular subtypes, the identification of metabolic subtypes in PC could aid in the development of more individualized therapeutic approaches and may lead to improved clinical outcomes. In addition to the deregulated utilization of glucose in aerobic glycolysis, PC cells can use a wide range of substrates, including branched‑chain amino acids, glutamine and lipids to fulfil their energy requirements, as well as biosynthetic needs. The tumor microenvironment in PC supports tumor growth, metastatic spread, treatment resistance and the suppression of the host immune response. Moreover, reciprocal interactions between cancer and stromal cells enhance their metabolic reprogramming. PC stem cells (PCSCs) with an increased resistance and distinct metabolic properties are associated with disease relapses and cancer spread, and represent another significant candidate for therapeutic targeting. The present review discusses the metabolic signatures observed in PC, a disease with a multifaceted and often transient metabolic landscape. In addition, the metabolic pathways utilized by PC cells, as well as stromal cells are discussed, providing examples of how they could present novel targets for therapeutic interventions and elaborating on how interactions between the various cell types affect their metabolism. Furthermore, the importance of PCSCs is discussed, focusing specifically on their metabolic adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Zuzčák
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
- Center for Research on Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Trnka
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
- Center for Research on Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
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9
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Bianchini M, Giambelluca M, Scavuzzo MC, Di Franco G, Guadagni S, Palmeri M, Furbetta N, Gianardi D, Costa A, Gentiluomo M, Gaeta R, Pollina LE, Falcone A, Vivaldi C, Di Candio G, Biagioni F, Busceti CL, Soldani P, Puglisi-Allegra S, Morelli L, Fornai F. In Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Alpha-Synuclein Increases and Marks Peri-Neural Infiltration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:3775. [PMID: 35409135 PMCID: PMC8999122 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-syn) is a protein involved in neuronal degeneration. However, the family of synucleins has recently been demonstrated to be involved in the mechanisms of oncogenesis by selectively accelerating cellular processes leading to cancer. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal human cancers, with a specifically high neurotropism. The molecular bases of this biological behavior are currently poorly understood. Here, α-synuclein was analyzed concerning the protein expression in PDAC and the potential association with PDAC neurotropism. Tumor (PDAC) and extra-tumor (extra-PDAC) samples from 20 patients affected by PDAC following pancreatic resections were collected at the General Surgery Unit, University of Pisa. All patients were affected by moderately or poorly differentiated PDAC. The amount of α-syn was compared between tumor and extra-tumor specimen (sampled from non-affected neighboring pancreatic areas) by using in situ immuno-staining with peroxidase anti-α-syn immunohistochemistry, α-syn detection by using Western blotting, and electron microscopy by using α-syn-conjugated immuno-gold particles. All the methods consistently indicate that each PDAC sample possesses a higher amount of α-syn compared with extra-PDAC tissue. Moreover, the expression of α-syn was much higher in those PDAC samples from tumors with perineural infiltration compared with tumors without perineural infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bianchini
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Maria Giambelluca
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (M.C.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Maria Concetta Scavuzzo
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (M.C.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Gregorio Di Franco
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Simone Guadagni
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Matteo Palmeri
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Niccolò Furbetta
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Desirée Gianardi
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Aurelio Costa
- General Surgery Unit, ASL Toscana Nord Ovest Pontedera Hospital, 56025 Pontedera, Italy;
| | | | - Raffaele Gaeta
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (R.G.); (L.E.P.)
| | - Luca Emanuele Pollina
- Division of Surgical Pathology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (R.G.); (L.E.P.)
| | - Alfredo Falcone
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.F.); (C.V.)
| | - Caterina Vivaldi
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.F.); (C.V.)
| | - Giulio Di Candio
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
| | - Francesca Biagioni
- IRCCS Neuromed-Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (S.P.-A.)
| | - Carla Letizia Busceti
- IRCCS Neuromed-Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (S.P.-A.)
| | - Paola Soldani
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (M.C.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
- IRCCS Neuromed-Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (S.P.-A.)
| | - Luca Morelli
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (G.D.F.); (S.G.); (M.P.); (N.F.); (D.G.); (G.D.C.)
- EndoCAS (Center for Computer Assisted Surgery), University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Fornai
- Human Anatomy, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (M.C.S.); (P.S.)
- IRCCS Neuromed-Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy; (F.B.); (C.L.B.); (S.P.-A.)
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