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Zhu Q, Xie J, Mei W, Zeng C. Methylated circulating tumor DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma: A comprehensive analysis of biomarker potential and clinical implications. Cancer Treat Rev 2024; 128:102763. [PMID: 38763055 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102763] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The intricate epigenetic landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is profoundly influenced by alterations in DNA methylation patterns. Understanding these alterations is crucial for unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying HCC pathogenesis. Methylated circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) presents itself as an encouraging avenue for biomarker discovery and holds substantial clinical implications in HCC management. This review comprehensively outlines the studies concerning DNA methylation in HCC and underscores the significance of methylated ctDNA within this context. Moreover, a variety of cfDNA methylation-based methodologies, such as 5hmC profiling, bisulfite-based, restriction enzyme-dependent, and enrichment-based methods, provide in-depth insights into the molecular pathology of HCC. Additionally, the integration of methylated ctDNA analysis into clinical practice represents a significant advancement in personalized HCC management. By facilitating cancer screening, prognosis assessment, and treatment response prediction, the utilization of methylated ctDNA signifies a pivotal stride toward enhancing patient care and outcomes in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen 518110, China
| | - Jiaqi Xie
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Wuxuan Mei
- Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, China
| | - Changchun Zeng
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen 518110, China.
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2
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Marin JJG, Macias RIR, Asensio M, Romero MR, Temprano AG, Pereira OR, Jimenez S, Mauriz JL, Di Giacomo S, Avila MA, Efferth T, Briz O. Strategies to enhance the response of liver cancer to pharmacological treatments. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 327:C11-C33. [PMID: 38708523 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00176.2024] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
In contrast to other types of cancers, there is no available efficient pharmacological treatment to improve the outcomes of patients suffering from major primary liver cancers, i.e., hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. This dismal situation is partly due to the existence in these tumors of many different and synergistic mechanisms of resistance, accounting for the lack of response of these patients, not only to classical chemotherapy but also to more modern pharmacological agents based on the inhibition of tyrosine kinase receptors (TKIs) and the stimulation of the immune response against the tumor using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This review summarizes the efforts to develop strategies to overcome this severe limitation, including searching for novel drugs derived from synthetic, semisynthetic, or natural products with vectorial properties against therapeutic targets to increase drug uptake or reduce drug export from cancer cells. Besides, immunotherapy is a promising line of research that is already starting to be implemented in clinical practice. Although less successful than in other cancers, the foreseen future for this strategy in treating liver cancers is considerable. Similarly, the pharmacological inhibition of epigenetic targets is highly promising. Many novel "epidrugs," able to act on "writer," "reader," and "eraser" epigenetic players, are currently being evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. Finally, gene therapy is a broad field of research in the fight against liver cancer chemoresistance, based on the impressive advances recently achieved in gene manipulation. In sum, although the present is still dismal, there is reason for hope in the non-too-distant future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose J G Marin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocio I R Macias
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maitane Asensio
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta R Romero
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro G Temprano
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Olívia R Pereira
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
- Research Centre for Active Living and Wellbeing (LiveWell), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
| | - Silvia Jimenez
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Hospital de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jose L Mauriz
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of Leon, Leon, Spain
| | - Silvia Di Giacomo
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Matias A Avila
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra (IdisNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Oscar Briz
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, University of Salamanca, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
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3
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Su X, Li Y, Ren Y, Cao M, Yang G, Luo J, Hu Z, Deng H, Deng M, Liu B, Yao Z. A new strategy for overcoming drug resistance in liver cancer: Epigenetic regulation. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116902. [PMID: 38870626 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma has posed significant obstacles to effective treatment. Recent evidence indicates that, in addition to traditional gene mutations, epigenetic recoding plays a crucial role in HCC drug resistance. Unlike irreversible gene mutations, epigenetic changes are reversible, offering a promising avenue for preventing and overcoming drug resistance in liver cancer. This review focuses on various epigenetic modifications relevant to drug resistance in HCC and their underlying mechanisms. Additionally, we introduce current clinical epigenetic drugs and clinical trials of these drugs as regulators of drug resistance in other solid tumors. Although there is no clinical study to prevent the occurrence of drug resistance in liver cancer, the development of liquid biopsy and other technologies has provided a bridge to achieve this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorui Su
- Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic-Splenic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yuxuan Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yupeng Ren
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Mingbo Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Gaoyuan Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Ziyi Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic-Splenic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Haixia Deng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Meihai Deng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic-Splenic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zhicheng Yao
- Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic-Splenic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
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Miranda-Roblero HO, Saavedra-Salazar LF, Galicia-Moreno M, Arceo-Orozco S, Caloca-Camarena F, Sandoval-Rodriguez A, García-Bañuelos J, Frias-Gonzalez C, Almeida-López M, Martínez-López E, Armendariz-Borunda J, Monroy-Ramirez HC. Pirfenidone Reverts Global DNA Hypomethylation, Promoting DNMT1/UHRF/PCNA Coupling Complex in Experimental Hepatocarcinoma. Cells 2024; 13:1013. [PMID: 38920644 PMCID: PMC11201610 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development is associated with altered modifications in DNA methylation, changing transcriptional regulation. Emerging evidence indicates that DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) plays a key role in the carcinogenesis process. This study aimed to investigate how pirfenidone (PFD) modifies this pathway and the effect generated by the association between c-Myc expression and DNMT1 activation. Rats F344 were used for HCC development using 50 mg/kg of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 25 mg/kg of 2-Acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF). The HCC/PFD group received simultaneous doses of 300 mg/kg of PFD. All treatments lasted 12 weeks. On the other hand, HepG2 cells were used to evaluate the effects of PFD in restoring DNA methylation in the presence of the inhibitor 5-Aza. Histopathological, biochemical, immunohistochemical, and western blot analysis were carried out and our findings showed that PFD treatment reduced the amount and size of tumors along with decreased Glipican-3, β-catenin, and c-Myc expression in nuclear fractions. Also, this treatment improved lipid metabolism by modulating PPARγ and SREBP1 signaling. Interestingly, PFD augmented DNMT1 and DNMT3a protein expression, which restores global methylation, both in our in vivo and in vitro models. In conclusion, our results suggest that PFD could slow down HCC development by controlling DNA methylation.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1/metabolism
- DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1/genetics
- DNA Methylation/drug effects
- DNA Methylation/genetics
- Pyridones/pharmacology
- Rats
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Humans
- Hep G2 Cells
- Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/metabolism
- Male
- Rats, Inbred F344
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Diethylnitrosamine
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Hipolito Otoniel Miranda-Roblero
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias en Biología Molecular en Medicina, CUCS, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico; (H.O.M.-R.); (L.F.S.-S.)
- Institute of Molecular Biology in Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Mexico; (M.G.-M.); (S.A.-O.); (F.C.-C.); (A.S.-R.); (J.G.-B.)
| | - Liliana Faridi Saavedra-Salazar
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias en Biología Molecular en Medicina, CUCS, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico; (H.O.M.-R.); (L.F.S.-S.)
- Institute of Molecular Biology in Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Mexico; (M.G.-M.); (S.A.-O.); (F.C.-C.); (A.S.-R.); (J.G.-B.)
| | - Marina Galicia-Moreno
- Institute of Molecular Biology in Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Mexico; (M.G.-M.); (S.A.-O.); (F.C.-C.); (A.S.-R.); (J.G.-B.)
| | - Scarlet Arceo-Orozco
- Institute of Molecular Biology in Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Mexico; (M.G.-M.); (S.A.-O.); (F.C.-C.); (A.S.-R.); (J.G.-B.)
| | - Fernando Caloca-Camarena
- Institute of Molecular Biology in Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Mexico; (M.G.-M.); (S.A.-O.); (F.C.-C.); (A.S.-R.); (J.G.-B.)
| | - Ana Sandoval-Rodriguez
- Institute of Molecular Biology in Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Mexico; (M.G.-M.); (S.A.-O.); (F.C.-C.); (A.S.-R.); (J.G.-B.)
| | - Jesús García-Bañuelos
- Institute of Molecular Biology in Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Mexico; (M.G.-M.); (S.A.-O.); (F.C.-C.); (A.S.-R.); (J.G.-B.)
| | - Claudia Frias-Gonzalez
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias en Biología Molecular en Medicina, CUCS, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico; (H.O.M.-R.); (L.F.S.-S.)
- Institute of Molecular Biology in Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Mexico; (M.G.-M.); (S.A.-O.); (F.C.-C.); (A.S.-R.); (J.G.-B.)
| | - Mónica Almeida-López
- University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico
| | - Erika Martínez-López
- Institute of Translational Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics, Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Mexico
| | - Juan Armendariz-Borunda
- Institute of Molecular Biology in Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Mexico; (M.G.-M.); (S.A.-O.); (F.C.-C.); (A.S.-R.); (J.G.-B.)
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Zapopan 45138, Mexico
| | - Hugo Christian Monroy-Ramirez
- Institute of Molecular Biology in Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, University Center of Health Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44100, Mexico; (M.G.-M.); (S.A.-O.); (F.C.-C.); (A.S.-R.); (J.G.-B.)
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Li A, Wang R, Zhao Y, Zhao P, Yang J. Crosstalk between Epigenetics and Metabolic Reprogramming in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A New Sight. Metabolites 2024; 14:325. [PMID: 38921460 PMCID: PMC11205353 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14060325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming alterations are two important features of tumors, and their reversible, spatial, and temporal regulation is a distinctive hallmark of carcinogenesis. Epigenetics, which focuses on gene regulatory mechanisms beyond the DNA sequence, is a new entry point for tumor therapy. Moreover, metabolic reprogramming drives hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation and progression, highlighting the significance of metabolism in this disease. Exploring the inter-regulatory relationship between tumor metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic modification has become one of the hot directions in current tumor metabolism research. As viral etiologies have given way to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)-induced HCC, it is urgent that complex molecular pathways linking them and hepatocarcinogenesis be explored. However, how aberrant crosstalk between epigenetic modifications and metabolic reprogramming affects MASLD-induced HCC lacks comprehensive understanding. A better understanding of their linkages is necessary and urgent to improve HCC treatment strategies. For this reason, this review examines the interwoven landscape of molecular carcinogenesis in the context of MASLD-induced HCC, focusing on mechanisms regulating aberrant epigenetic alterations and metabolic reprogramming in the development of MASLD-induced HCC and interactions between them while also updating the current advances in metabolism and epigenetic modification-based therapeutic drugs in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Li
- College of Basic Medical Science, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; (A.L.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.)
| | - Rui Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China;
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yuqiang Zhao
- College of Basic Medical Science, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; (A.L.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.)
| | - Peiran Zhao
- College of Basic Medical Science, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; (A.L.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.)
| | - Jing Yang
- College of Basic Medical Science, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; (A.L.); (Y.Z.); (P.Z.)
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Szilveszter RM, Muntean M, Florea A. Molecular Mechanisms in Tumorigenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and in Target Treatments-An Overview. Biomolecules 2024; 14:656. [PMID: 38927059 PMCID: PMC11201617 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060656] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary malignancy of the liver, with hepatocellular differentiation. It is ranked sixth among the most common cancers worldwide and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The most important etiological factors discussed here are viral infection (HBV, HCV), exposure to aflatoxin B1, metabolic syndrome, and obesity (as an independent factor). Directly or indirectly, they induce chromosomal aberrations, mutations, and epigenetic changes in specific genes involved in intracellular signaling pathways, responsible for synthesis of growth factors, cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, the metastasis process (including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the expression of adhesion molecules), and angiogenesis. All these disrupted molecular mechanisms contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, equally important is the interaction between tumor cells and the components of the tumor microenvironment: inflammatory cells and macrophages-predominantly with a pro-tumoral role-hepatic stellate cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, cancer stem cells, extracellular vesicles, and the extracellular matrix. In this paper, we reviewed the molecular biology of hepatocellular carcinoma and the intricate mechanisms involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, and we highlighted how certain signaling pathways can be pharmacologically influenced at various levels with specific molecules. Additionally, we mentioned several examples of recent clinical trials and briefly described the current treatment protocol according to the NCCN guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raluca-Margit Szilveszter
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400340 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.F.)
- Cluj County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 400340 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mara Muntean
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Adrian Florea
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.F.)
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Dong FL, Xu ZZ, Wang YQ, Li T, Wang X, Li J. Exosome-derived circUPF2 enhances resistance to targeted therapy by redeploying ferroptosis sensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:298. [PMID: 38811968 PMCID: PMC11137910 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02582-6] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be treated with sorafenib, which is the primary choice for targeted therapy. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of sorafenib is greatly restricted due to resistance. Research has shown that exosomes and circular RNAs play a vital role in the cancer's malignant advancement. However, the significance of exosomal circular RNAs in the development of resistance to sorafenib in HCC remains uncertain. METHODS Ultracentrifugation was utilized to isolate exosomes (Exo-SR) from the sorafenib-resistant HCC cells' culture medium. Transcriptome sequencing and differential expression gene analysis were used to identify the targets of Exo-SR action in HCC cells. To identify the targets of Exo-SR action in HCC cells, transcriptome sequencing and analysis of differential expression genes were employed. To evaluate the impact of exosomal circUPF2 on resistance to sorafenib in HCC, experiments involving gain-of-function and loss-of-function were conducted. RNA pull-down assays and mass spectrometry analysis were performed to identify the RNA-binding proteins interacting with circUPF2. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), immunofluorescence (IF) -fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and rescue assays were used to validate the interactions among circUPF2, IGF2BP2 and SLC7A11. Finally, a tumor xenograft assay was used to examine the biological functions and underlying mechanisms of Exo-SR and circUPF2 in vivo. RESULTS A novel exosomal circRNA, circUPF2, was identified and revealed to be significantly enriched in Exo-SR. Exosomes with enriched circUPF2 enhanced sorafenib resistance by promoting SLC7A11 expression and suppressing ferroptosis in HCC cells. Mechanistically, circUPF2 acts as a framework to enhance the creation of the circUPF2-IGF2BP2-SLC7A11 ternary complex contributing to the stabilization of SLC7A11 mRNA. Consequently, exosomal circUPF2 promotes SLC7A11 expression and enhances the function of system Xc- in HCC cells, leading to decreased sensitivity to ferroptosis and resistance to sorafenib. CONCLUSIONS The resistance to sorafenib in HCC is facilitated by the exosomal circUPF2, which promotes the formation of the circUPF2-IGF2BP2-SLC7A11 ternary complex and increases the stability of SLC7A11 mRNA. Focusing on exosomal circUPF2 could potentially be an innovative approach for HCC treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Humans
- Exosomes/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Sorafenib/pharmacology
- RNA, Circular/genetics
- RNA, Circular/metabolism
- Ferroptosis/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Animals
- Mice
- RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- Mice, Nude
- Amino Acid Transport System y+/metabolism
- Amino Acid Transport System y+/genetics
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Lin Dong
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, No. 16766, Jingshi Road, Jinan, 250014, China
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Zong-Zhen Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, No. 16766, Jingshi Road, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Ying-Qiao Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Tao Li
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, No. 16766, Jingshi Road, Jinan, 250014, China.
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, China.
| | - Jie Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, No. 16766, Jingshi Road, Jinan, 250014, China.
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8
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Peruhova M, Banova-Chakarova S, Miteva DG, Velikova T. Genetic screening of liver cancer: State of the art. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:716-730. [PMID: 38818292 PMCID: PMC11135278 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i5.716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma, remains a global health challenge with rising incidence and limited therapeutic options. Genetic factors play a pivotal role in the development and progression of liver cancer. This state-of-the-art paper provides a comprehensive review of the current landscape of genetic screening strategies for liver cancer. We discuss the genetic underpinnings of liver cancer, emphasizing the critical role of risk-associated genetic variants, somatic mutations, and epigenetic alterations. We also explore the intricate interplay between environmental factors and genetics, highlighting how genetic screening can aid in risk stratification and early detection via using liquid biopsy, and advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies. By synthesizing the latest research findings, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art genetic screening methods for liver cancer, shedding light on their potential to revolutionize early detection, risk assessment, and targeted therapies in the fight against this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Peruhova
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital "Heart and Brain", Burgas 8000, Bulgaria
| | - Sonya Banova-Chakarova
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital "Heart and Brain", Burgas 8000, Bulgaria.
| | - Dimitrina Georgieva Miteva
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University" St. Kliment Ohridski, Sofia 1164, Bulgaria
| | - Tsvetelina Velikova
- Medical Faculty, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Sofia 1407, Bulgaria
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Zuo A, Li J, Weng S, Xu H, Zhang Y, Wang L, Xing Z, Luo P, Cheng Q, Li J, Han X, Liu Z. Integrated Exploration of Epigenetic Dysregulation Reveals a Stemness/EMT Subtype and MMP12 Linked to the Progression and Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Proteome Res 2024; 23:1821-1833. [PMID: 38652053 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00036] [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] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic dysregulation drives aberrant transcriptional programs playing a critical role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which may provide novel insights into the heterogeneity of HCC. This study performed an integrated exploration on the epigenetic dysregulation of miRNA and methylation. We discovered and validated three patterns endowed with gene-related transcriptional traits and clinical outcomes. Specially, a stemness/epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) subtype was featured by immune exhaustion and the worst prognosis. Besides, MMP12, a characteristic gene, was highly expressed in the stemness/EMT subtype, which was verified as a pivotal regulator linked to the unfavorable prognosis and further proven to promote tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in vitro experiments. Proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry sequencing also indicated that the overexpression of MMP12 was significantly associated with cell proliferation and adhesion. Taken together, this study unveils innovative insights into epigenetic dysregulation and identifies a stemness/EMT subtype-specific gene, MMP12, correlated with the progression and prognosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anning Zuo
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Jinyu Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Siyuan Weng
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Yuyuan Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Libo Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Zhe Xing
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Xinwei Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
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Zafra J, Onieva JL, Oliver J, Garrido-Barros M, González-Hernández A, Martínez-Gálvez B, Román A, Ordóñez-Marmolejo R, Pérez-Ruiz E, Benítez JC, Mesas A, Vera A, Chicas-Sett R, Rueda-Domínguez A, Barragán I. Novel Blood Biomarkers for Response Prediction and Monitoring of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy in Metastatic Oligoprogressive Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4533. [PMID: 38674117 PMCID: PMC11050102 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084533] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Up to 80% of patients under immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) face resistance. In this context, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) can induce an immune or abscopal response. However, its molecular determinants remain unknown. We present early results of a translational study assessing biomarkers of response to combined ICI and SABR (I-SABR) in liquid biopsy from oligoprogressive patients in a prospective observational multicenter study. Cohort A includes metastatic patients in oligoprogression to ICI maintaining the same ICI due to clinical benefit and who receive concomitant SABR. B is a comparative group of oligometastatic patients receiving only SABR. Blood samples are extracted at baseline (T1), after the first (T2) and last (T3) fraction, two months post-SABR (T4) and at further progression (TP). Response is evaluated by iRECIST and defined by the objective response rate (ORR)-complete and partial responses. We assess peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and small RNA from extracellular vesicles. Twenty-seven patients could be analyzed (cohort A: n = 19; B: n = 8). Most were males with non-small cell lung cancer and one progressing lesion. With a median follow-up of 6 months, the last ORR was 63% (26% complete and 37% partial response). A decrease in cfDNA from T2 to T3 correlated with a good response. At T2, CD8+PD1+ and CD8+PDL1+ cells were increased in non-responders and responders, respectively. At T2, 27 microRNAs were differentially expressed. These are potential biomarkers of response to I-SABR in oligoprogressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Zafra
- Group of Translational Research in Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMO2), Department of Radiation Oncology, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, Institute of Biomedical Research in Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga (UMA), 29071 Málaga, Spain; (J.L.O.); (M.G.-B.); (A.G.-H.)
| | - Juan Luis Onieva
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga (UMA), 29071 Málaga, Spain; (J.L.O.); (M.G.-B.); (A.G.-H.)
- Group of Translational Research in Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMO2), Medical Oncology Intercenter Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria Hospitals, Institute of Biomedical Research in Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain; (J.O.); (B.M.-G.); (E.P.-R.); (J.C.B.)
| | - Javier Oliver
- Group of Translational Research in Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMO2), Medical Oncology Intercenter Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria Hospitals, Institute of Biomedical Research in Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain; (J.O.); (B.M.-G.); (E.P.-R.); (J.C.B.)
| | - María Garrido-Barros
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga (UMA), 29071 Málaga, Spain; (J.L.O.); (M.G.-B.); (A.G.-H.)
- Group of Translational Research in Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMO2), Medical Oncology Intercenter Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria Hospitals, Institute of Biomedical Research in Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain; (J.O.); (B.M.-G.); (E.P.-R.); (J.C.B.)
| | - Andrea González-Hernández
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga (UMA), 29071 Málaga, Spain; (J.L.O.); (M.G.-B.); (A.G.-H.)
- Group of Translational Research in Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMO2), Medical Oncology Intercenter Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria Hospitals, Institute of Biomedical Research in Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain; (J.O.); (B.M.-G.); (E.P.-R.); (J.C.B.)
| | - Beatriz Martínez-Gálvez
- Group of Translational Research in Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMO2), Medical Oncology Intercenter Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria Hospitals, Institute of Biomedical Research in Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain; (J.O.); (B.M.-G.); (E.P.-R.); (J.C.B.)
| | - Alicia Román
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, Institute of Biomedical Research in Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain; (A.R.); (R.O.-M.)
| | - Rafael Ordóñez-Marmolejo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, Institute of Biomedical Research in Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain; (A.R.); (R.O.-M.)
| | - Elisabeth Pérez-Ruiz
- Group of Translational Research in Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMO2), Medical Oncology Intercenter Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria Hospitals, Institute of Biomedical Research in Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain; (J.O.); (B.M.-G.); (E.P.-R.); (J.C.B.)
| | - José Carlos Benítez
- Group of Translational Research in Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMO2), Medical Oncology Intercenter Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria Hospitals, Institute of Biomedical Research in Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain; (J.O.); (B.M.-G.); (E.P.-R.); (J.C.B.)
| | - Andrés Mesas
- Medical Oncology Intercenter Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria Hospitals, 29010 Málaga, Spain;
| | - Andrés Vera
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr Negrín University Hospital, 35010 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
| | - Rodolfo Chicas-Sett
- Department of Radiation Oncology, La Fe University Hospital, 46026 Valencia, Spain;
- Group of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Le Fe Health Research Institute, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Rueda-Domínguez
- Group of Translational Research in Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMO2), Medical Oncology Intercenter Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria Hospitals, Institute of Biomedical Research in Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain; (J.O.); (B.M.-G.); (E.P.-R.); (J.C.B.)
| | - Isabel Barragán
- Group of Translational Research in Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMO2), Medical Oncology Intercenter Unit, Regional and Virgen de la Victoria Hospitals, Institute of Biomedical Research in Malaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain; (J.O.); (B.M.-G.); (E.P.-R.); (J.C.B.)
- Group of Pharmacoepigenetics, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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Chew V, Chuang CH, Hsu C. Translational research on drug development and biomarker discovery for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:22. [PMID: 38368324 PMCID: PMC10874078 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-01011-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Translational research plays a key role in drug development and biomarker discovery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, unique challenges exist in this field because of the limited availability of human tumor samples from surgery, the lack of homogenous oncogenic driver mutations, and the paucity of adequate experimental models. In this review, we provide insights into these challenges and review recent advancements, with a particular focus on the two main agents currently used as mainstream therapies for HCC: anti-angiogenic agents and immunotherapy. First, we examine the pre-clinical and clinical studies to highlight the challenges of determining the optimal therapeutic combinations with biologically effective dosage for HCC. Second, we discuss biomarker studies focusing on anti-PD1/anti-PD-L1-based combination therapy. Finally, we discuss the progress made in our collective understanding of tumor immunology and in multi-omics analysis technology, which enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying immunotherapy, characterize different patient subgroups, and facilitate the development of novel combination approaches to improve treatment efficacy. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive overview of efforts in translational research aiming at advancing our understanding of and improving the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Chew
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chien-Huai Chuang
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chiun Hsu
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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12
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Wang T, Guo K, Yang S, Zhang D, Cui H, Yin J, Yuan S, Wang Y, Qi Y, Wu W. Identification and validation of SLCO4C1 as a biological marker in hepatocellular carcinoma based on anoikis classification features. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:1440-1462. [PMID: 38226966 PMCID: PMC10866452 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205438] [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: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits a high degree of invasiveness and is closely associated with rapid disease progression. Multiple lines of evidence indicate a strong correlation between anoikis resistance and tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. Nevertheless, the classification of anoikis in HCC and the investigation of novel biological target mechanisms in this context continue to pose challenges, requiring further exploration. METHODS Combined with HCC samples from TCGA, GEO and ICGC databases, cluster analysis was conducted on anoikis genes, revealing novel patterns among different subtypes. Significant gene analysis of different gene subtypes was performed using WCGNA. The anoikis prognostic risk model was established by Lasso-Cox. Go, KEGG, and GSEA were applied to investigate pathway enrichment primarily observed in risk groups. We compared the disparities in immune infiltration, TMB, tumor microenvironment (TME), and drug sensitivity between the two risk groups. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were performed to validate the expression levels of SLCO4C1 in HCC. The biological functions of SLCO4C1 in HCC cells were assessed through various experiments, including CCK8 assay, colony formation assay, invasion migration assay, wound healing assay, and flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS HCC was divided into 2 anoikis subtypes, and the subtypeB had a better prognosis. An anoikis prognostic model based on 12 (COPZ2, ACTG2, IFI27, SPP1, EPO, SLCO4C1, RAB26, STC2, RAC3, NQO1, MYCN, HSPA1B) risk genes is important for survival and prognosis. Significant differences were observed in immune cell infiltration, TME, and drug sensitivity analysis between the risk groups. SLCO4C1 was downregulated in HCC. SLCO4C1 downregulation promoted the proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis of HCC cells. The tumor-suppressive role of SLCO4C1 in HCC has been confirmed. CONCLUSIONS Our study presents a novel anoikis classification method for HCC that reveals the association between anoikis features and HCC. The anoikis feature is a critical biomarker bridging tumor cell death and tumor immunity. In this study, we provided the first evidence of SLCO4C1 functioning as a tumor suppressor in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbing Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Kai Guo
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Shoushan Yang
- Anhui No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, China
- Anhui No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital, Hefei 230000, China
- The Fifth Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, China
- Department of General Surgery, Luan Fourth People’s Hospital, Luan 237000, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Clinical Genomic Center, Hefei KingMed for Clinical Laboratory, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Haodong Cui
- Anhui No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, China
- Anhui No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital, Hefei 230000, China
- The Fifth Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Jimin Yin
- Anhui No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, China
- Anhui No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital, Hefei 230000, China
- The Fifth Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Shuhui Yuan
- Anhui Huaheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Hefei 230000, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Yong Qi
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Wenyong Wu
- Anhui No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, China
- Anhui No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital, Hefei 230000, China
- The Fifth Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, China
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13
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Man Q, Zhang G, Chen X, Na SR, Bai S, Zhi H, Sun L, Pang H. EPS15-AS1 Inhibits AKR1B1 Expression to Enhance Ferroptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. J Cancer 2024; 15:1030-1040. [PMID: 38230218 PMCID: PMC10788721 DOI: 10.7150/jca.89993] [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: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor substrate 15 (EPS15) is part of the EGFR pathway and has been implicated in various tumorigenesis. Increasing evidence suggests that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plays an essential role in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) by regulating the expression of proteins and genes. Through analysis of the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database, we found that EPS15 is highly expressed in LIHC tissue, and lncRNA EPS15-antisense1 (EPS15-AS1) decreased in LIHC cell lines. However, the function of EPS15-AS1 in LIHC is still unknown. When EPS15-AS1 was overexpressed in HepG2 cell lines, the expression of EPS15 was reduced and cell activity and invasiveness were inhibited. In addition, we observed an increase in Fe2+ ion and lipid peroxidation after overexpression of EPS15-AS1, and further analysis showed that the susceptibility to ferroptosis increased. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B 1 (AKR1B1) belongs to the aldo/keto reductase superfamily and is involved in maintaining the cellular redox balance. Survival analysis revealed that patients with a higher level of AKR1B1 have a lower survival rate in the TCGA database. We also found that EPS15 enhanced the AKR1B1 expression in LIHC, and AKR1B1 had the ability to promote cell invasiveness. Moreover, overexpression of AKR1B1 alleviated the promoting effect of EPS15-AS1 on ferroptosis. Therefore, EPS15-AS1 can induce ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by inhibiting the expression of EPS15 and AKR1B1 and disrupting the redox balance. EPS15 and AKR1B1 may serve as biomarkers for diagnosis and lncRNA EPS15-AS1 potential drug for LIHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Man
- General Surgery, Tongliao City Hospital, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, 028000, China
| | - Guoyou Zhang
- General Surgery, Tongliao City Hospital, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, 028000, China
| | - Xiaojun Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongliao City Hospital, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, 028000, China
| | - Sa Ren Na
- Department of Pathology, Tongliao City Hospital, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, 028000, China
| | - Siguleng Bai
- General Surgery, Tongliao City Hospital, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, 028000, China
| | - Haoqiang Zhi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongliao City Hospital, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, 028000, China
| | - Ling Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongliao City Hospital, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, 028000, China
| | - Huifang Pang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongliao City Hospital, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, 028000, China
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Liu HT, Rau CS, Liu YW, Hsieh TM, Huang CY, Chien PC, Lin HP, Wu CJ, Chuang PC, Hsieh CH. Deciphering the Divergent Gene Expression Landscapes of m6A/m5C/m1A Methylation Regulators in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Single-Cell and Bulk RNA Transcriptomic Analysis. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:2383-2395. [PMID: 38164510 PMCID: PMC10758181 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s448047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction RNA modifications mediated by the m6A, m1A, and m5C regulatory genes are crucial for the progression of malignancy. This study aimed to explore the expression of regulator genes for m6A/m5C/m1A methylation at the single-cell level and to validate their expression in cancerous and adjacent para-cancerous liver tissues of adult patients with HCC who underwent tumor resection. Methods The bulk sequencing from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were used to identify the dysregulated m6A/m5C/m1A genes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) was used to measure the expression of dysregulated m6A/m5C/m1A genes in collected human HCC tissues and compared with adjacent para-cancerous liver tissues. Immune cell infiltration with these significantly expressed methylation-related genes was evaluated using Timer2.0. Results A discrepancy in m6A/m5C/m1A gene expression was observed between bulk sequencing and scRNA-seq. The clustered heatmap of the scRNA-seq-identified dysregulated m6A/m5C/m1A genes in TCGA cohort revealed heterogeneous expression of these methylation regulators within the cancer, whereas their expression in the adjacent liver tissues was more homogeneous. The real-time PCR validated the significant overexpression of DNMT1, NSUN5, TRMT6, IGF2BP1, and IGFBP3, which were identified using scRNA-seq, and IGFBP2, which was identified using bulk sequencing. These dysregulated methylation genes are mainly correlated with the infiltration of natural killer cells. Discussion This study suggests that cellular diversity inside tumors contributes to the discrepancy in the expression of methylation regulator genes between traditional bulk sequencing and scRNA-seq. This study identified five regulatory genes that will be the focus of further studies regarding the function of m6A/m5C/m1A in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang-Tsung Liu
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Shyuan Rau
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Wei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Min Hsieh
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ying Huang
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan
| | - Peng-Chen Chien
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ping Lin
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Wu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chin Chuang
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hua Hsieh
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 83301, Taiwan
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Georgieva M, Xenodochidis C, Krasteva N. Old age as a risk factor for liver diseases: Modern therapeutic approaches. Exp Gerontol 2023; 184:112334. [PMID: 37977514 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112334] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Recent scientific interest has been directed towards age-related diseases, driven by the significant increase in global life expectancy and the growing population of individuals aged 65 and above. The ageing process encompasses various biological, physiological, environmental, psychological, behavioural, and social changes, leading to an augmented susceptibility to chronic illnesses. Cardiovascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, liver and oncological diseases are prevalent in the elderly. Moreover, ageing individuals demonstrate reduced regenerative capacity and decreased tolerance towards therapeutic interventions, including organ transplantation. Liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, have emerged as significant public health concerns. Paradoxically, these conditions remain underestimated despite their substantial global impact. Age-related factors are closely associated with the severity and unfavorable prognosis of various liver diseases, warranting further investigation to enhance clinical management and develop novel therapeutic strategies. This comprehensive review focuses specifically on age-related liver diseases, their treatment strategies, and contemporary practices. It provides a detailed account of the global burden, types, molecular mechanisms, and epigenetic alterations underlying these liver pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Georgieva
- Institute of Molecular Biology "Acad. Roumen Tsanev", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
| | - Charilaos Xenodochidis
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Natalia Krasteva
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
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16
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Yu J, Li X, Cao J, Zhu T, Liang S, Du L, Cao M, Wang H, Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Shen B, Feng J, Zhang J, Wang J, Jin J. Components of the JNK-MAPK pathway play distinct roles in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:17495-17509. [PMID: 37902853 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05473-9] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), specifically the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-MAPK subfamily, play a crucial role in the development of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the specific roles of JNK1/2 and their upstream regulators, MKK4/7, in HCC carcinogenesis remain unclear. METHODS In this study, we performed differential expression analysis of JNK-MAPK components at both the transcriptome and protein levels using TCGA and HPA databases. We utilized Kaplan-Meier survival plots and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to evaluate the prognostic performance of a risk scoring model based on these components in the TCGA-HCC cohort. Additionally, we conducted immunoblotting, apoptosis analysis with FACS and soft agar assays to investigate the response of JNK-MAPK pathway components to various death stimuli (TRAIL, TNF-α, anisomycin, and etoposide) in HCC cell lines. RESULTS JNK1/2 and MKK7 levels were significantly upregulated in HCC samples compared to paracarcinoma tissues, whereas MKK4 was downregulated. ROC analyses suggested that JNK2 and MKK7 may serve as suitable diagnostic genes for HCC, and high JNK2 expression correlated with significantly poorer overall survival. Knockdown of JNK1 enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells, while JNK2 knockdown reduced TNF-α/cycloheximide (CHX)-and anisomycin-induced apoptosis. Neither JNK1 nor JNK2 knockdown affected etoposide-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, MKK7 knockdown augmented TNF-α/CHX- and TRAIL-induced apoptosis and inhibited colony formation in hepatoma cells. CONCLUSION Targeting MKK7, rather than JNK1/2 or MKK4, may be a promising therapeutic strategy to inhibit the JNK-MAPK pathway in HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jijun Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Xinying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Junxia Cao
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Ting Zhu
- Beijing No. 80 High School, Beijing, 100102, China
| | - Shuifeng Liang
- School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Le Du
- School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Meng Cao
- School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Haitao Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Yaolin Zhang
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Yinxi Zhou
- School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Beifen Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Jiannan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Jiyan Zhang
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Jianfeng Jin
- School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
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17
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Herranz JM, López-Pascual A, Clavería-Cabello A, Uriarte I, Latasa MU, Irigaray-Miramon A, Adán-Villaescusa E, Castelló-Uribe B, Sangro B, Arechederra M, Berasain C, Avila MA, Fernández-Barrena MG. Comprehensive analysis of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic genes' expression in human NAFLD. J Physiol Biochem 2023; 79:901-924. [PMID: 37620598 PMCID: PMC10636027 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-023-00976-y] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial condition with a complex etiology. Its incidence is increasing globally in parallel with the obesity epidemic, and it is now considered the most common liver disease in Western countries. The precise mechanisms underlying the development and progression of NAFLD are complex and still poorly understood. The dysregulation of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic mechanisms is increasingly recognized to play pathogenic roles in multiple conditions, including chronic liver diseases. Here, we have performed a comprehensive analysis of the expression of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic genes in a total of 903 liver tissue samples corresponding to patients with normal liver, obese patients, and patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), advancing stages in NAFLD progression. We integrated ten transcriptomic datasets in an unbiased manner, enabling their robust analysis and comparison. We describe the complete landscape of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic genes' expression along the course of the disease. We identify signatures of genes significantly dysregulated in association with disease progression, particularly with liver fibrosis development. Most of these epigenetic and epitranscriptomic effectors have not been previously described in human NAFLD, and their altered expression may have pathogenic implications. We also performed a comprehensive analysis of the expression of enzymes involved in the metabolism of the substrates and cofactors of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic effectors. This study provides novel information on NAFLD pathogenesis and may also guide the identification of drug targets to treat this condition and its progression towards hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M Herranz
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, CIMA, CCUN, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Amaya López-Pascual
- Hepatology Unit, CCUN, Navarra University Clinic, Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alex Clavería-Cabello
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, CIMA, CCUN, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iker Uriarte
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, CIMA, CCUN, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Ujúe Latasa
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, CIMA, CCUN, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ainara Irigaray-Miramon
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, CIMA, CCUN, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elena Adán-Villaescusa
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, CIMA, CCUN, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Borja Castelló-Uribe
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, CIMA, CCUN, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Bruno Sangro
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Hepatology Unit, CCUN, Navarra University Clinic, Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Arechederra
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, CIMA, CCUN, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carmen Berasain
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, CIMA, CCUN, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Matías A Avila
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, CIMA, CCUN, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite G Fernández-Barrena
- Hepatology Laboratory, Solid Tumors Program, CIMA, CCUN, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.
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18
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Irie T, Yamada H, Takeuchi C, Liu YY, Charvat H, Shimazu T, Ando T, Maekita T, Abe S, Takamaru H, Kodama M, Murakami K, Sugimoto K, Sakamoto K, Ushijima T. The methylation level of a single cancer risk marker gene reflects methylation burden in gastric mucosa. Gastric Cancer 2023; 26:667-676. [PMID: 37219707 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-023-01399-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer risk can be accurately predicted by measuring the methylation level of a single marker gene in gastric mucosa. However, the mechanism is still uncertain. We hypothesized that the methylation level measured reflects methylation alterations in the entire genome (methylation burden), induced by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, and thus cancer risk. METHODS Gastric mucosa of 15 healthy volunteers without H. pylori infection (G1), 98 people with atrophic gastritis (G2), and 133 patients with gastric cancer (G3) after H. pylori eradication were collected. Methylation burden of an individual was obtained by microarray analysis as an inverse of the correlation coefficient between the methylation levels of 265,552 genomic regions in the person's gastric mucosa and those in an entirely healthy mucosa. RESULTS The methylation burden significantly increased in the order of G1 (n = 4), G2 (n = 18), and G3 (n = 19) and was well correlated with the methylation level of a single marker gene (r = 0.91 for miR124a-3). The average methylation levels of nine driver genes tended to increase according to the risk levels (P = 0.08 between G2 vs G3) and was also correlated with the methylation level of a single marker gene (r = 0.94). Analysis of more samples (14 G1, 97 G2, and 131 G3 samples) yielded significant increases of the average methylation levels between risk groups. CONCLUSIONS The methylation level of a single marker gene reflects the methylation burden, which includes driver gene methylation, and thus accurately predicts cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Irie
- Department of Epigenomics, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Coloproctological Surgery, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Harumi Yamada
- Department of Epigenomics, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chihiro Takeuchi
- Department of Epigenomics, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yu-Yu Liu
- Department of Epigenomics, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hadrien Charvat
- Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taichi Shimazu
- Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ando
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Takao Maekita
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Seiichiro Abe
- Endoscopy Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Masaaki Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Kazunari Murakami
- Department of Gastroenterology Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Kiichi Sugimoto
- Department of Coloproctological Surgery, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Sakamoto
- Department of Coloproctological Surgery, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Ushijima
- Department of Epigenomics, Institute for Advanced Life Sciences, Hoshi University, Tokyo, Japan.
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19
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Chang YS, Tu SJ, Chen HD, Chung CC, Hsu MH, Chou YP, Lee YT, Yen JC, Jeng LB, Chang JG. Whole genome and RNA sequencing analyses for 254 Taiwanese hepatocellular carcinomas. Biomark Res 2023; 11:68. [PMID: 37403120 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00492-7] [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: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comprehensive and integrative analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is important. In this study, we explored Taiwanese HCCs using multi-omics analyses. METHODS We analyzed 254 HCCs by whole genome sequencing and total RNA sequencing, and then used bioinformatic tools to analyze genomic and transcriptomic alterations in coding and non-coding sequences to explore the clinical importance of each sequence. RESULTS The frequencies of the five most commonly mutated cancer-related genes were TERT, TP53, CTNNB1, RB1, and ARID1A. Genetic alteration frequencies influenced the etiology of HCC; some alterations were also correlated with clinicopathological conditions. Many cancer-related genes had copy number alterations (CNAs) and structure variants (SVs) that changed according to etiology and exhibited potential associations with survival. We also identified several alterations in histone-related genes, HCC-related long non-coding RNAs, and non-coding driver genes that may contribute to the onset and progression of HCC. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that 229 differentially expressed and 148 novel alternative splicing (AS) genes, as well as the presence of fusion genes, were associated with patient survival. Moreover, somatic mutations, CNAs, and SVs were associated with immune checkpoint gene expression and tumor microenvironment. Finally, we identified relationships among AS, immune checkpoint gene expression and tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that genomic alterations are associated with survival, including DNA-based and RNA-based data. Moreover, genomic alterations and their associations with immune checkpoint genes and the tumor microenvironment may provide novel insights for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Sian Chang
- Center for Precision Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Epigenome Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Siang-Jyun Tu
- Center for Precision Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Epigenome Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Da Chen
- Center for Precision Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Epigenome Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Chun Chung
- Center for Precision Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Epigenome Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hon Hsu
- Center for Precision Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Epigenome Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Pao Chou
- Center for Precision Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Epigenome Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ting Lee
- Center for Precision Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Epigenome Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Ju-Chen Yen
- Center for Precision Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
- Epigenome Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Long-Bin Jeng
- Organ Transplantation Center, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
| | - Jan-Gowth Chang
- Center for Precision Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
- Epigenome Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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20
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Wang Y, Zeng J, Chen W, Fan J, Hylemon PB, Zhou H. Long Noncoding RNA H19: A Novel Oncogene in Liver Cancer. Noncoding RNA 2023; 9:19. [PMID: 36960964 PMCID: PMC10037657 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna9020019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death globally, with limited treatment options. Recent studies have demonstrated the critical role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathogenesis of liver cancers. Of note, mounting evidence has shown that lncRNA H19, an endogenous noncoding single-stranded RNA, functions as an oncogene in the development and progression of liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the two most prevalent primary liver tumors in adults. H19 can affect many critical biological processes, including the cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis of liver cancer by its function on epigenetic modification, H19/miR-675 axis, miRNAs sponge, drug resistance, and its regulation of downstream pathways. In this review, we will focus on the most relevant molecular mechanisms of action and regulation of H19 in the development and pathophysiology of HCC and CCA. This review aims to provide valuable perspectives and translational applications of H19 as a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for liver cancer disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia, Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1220 East Broad Street, MMRB-5044, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Jing Zeng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia, Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1220 East Broad Street, MMRB-5044, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Weidong Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Jiangao Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Phillip B. Hylemon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia, Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1220 East Broad Street, MMRB-5044, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Huiping Zhou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia, Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1220 East Broad Street, MMRB-5044, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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21
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Role of Genetic and Epigenetic Modifications in the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic HCV Patients. LIVERS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/livers3010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity among chronically infected HCV patients. It is established that HCV is a primary risk factor for HCC progression. The treatment of HCV infection has been transformed by the introduction of DAAs with high rates of virological clearance. The reduction in cirrhosis-related consequences, particularly HCC, is the long-term objective of DAAs therapy for HCV. Although the risk of developing HCC is decreased in HCV patients who achieve a disease-sustaining virological response, these patients are nevertheless at risk, especially those with severe fibrosis and cirrhosis. Previous studies have shown that HCV induce several mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis in the host’s hepatic micro- and macro-environment, which leads to HCC progression. In an HCV-altered environment, compensatory liver regeneration favors chromosomal instability and irreversible alterations, which encourage hepatocyte neoplastic transformation and the development of malignant clones. These mechanisms involve a series of genetic and epigenetic modifications including host genetic factors, dysregulation of several signaling pathways, histone, and DNA modifications including methylation and acetylation. This review highlights the genetic and epigenetic factors that lead to the development of HCC in chronic HCV-infected individuals and can be targeted for earlier HCC diagnosis and prevention.
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22
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Zhao J, Li C, Li Q, Shen S, Hu X, Dong Z, Zhang Y, Xing J. Classification of Signature-Based Phenotypes of Aging-Related Genes to Identify Prognostic and Immune Characteristics in HCC. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2023; 2023:5735339. [PMID: 36994451 PMCID: PMC10042640 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5735339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which has become one of the most significant malignancies causing cancer-related mortality, presents genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity that makes predicting prognosis challenging. Aging-related genes have been increasingly reported as significant risk factors for many kinds of malignancies, including HCC. In this study, we comprehensively dissected the features of transcriptional aging-relevant genes in HCC from multiple perspectives. We applied public databases and self-consistent clustering analysis to classify patients into C1, C2, and C3 clusters. The C1 cluster had the shortest overall survival time and advanced pathological features. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was adopted to build the prognostic prediction model based on six aging-related genes (HMMR, S100A9, SPP1, CYP2C9, CFHR3, and RAMP3). These genes were differently expressed in HepG2 cell lines compared with LO2 cell lines measured by the mRNA expression level. The high-risk score group had significantly more immune checkpoint genes, higher tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score, and stronger chemotherapy response. The results indicated that the age-related genes have a close correlation with HCC prognosis and immune characteristics. Overall, the model based on six aging-associated genes demonstrated great prognostic prediction ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Zhao
- 1Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chong Li
- 2Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qinggang Li
- 3Infectious Diseases Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shen Shen
- 3Infectious Diseases Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaobo Hu
- 3Infectious Diseases Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zihui Dong
- 3Infectious Diseases Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yize Zhang
- 3Infectious Diseases Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiyuan Xing
- 3Infectious Diseases Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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23
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Fu Y, Yang K, Wu K, Wang H, Li Q, Zhang F, Yang K, Yao Q, Ma X, Deng Y, Zhang J, Liu C, Qu K. Identification of hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes based on PcG-related genes and biological relevance with cancer cells. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:184. [PMID: 36566204 PMCID: PMC9790136 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01393-6] [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: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an extensive heterogeneous disease where epigenetic factors contribute to its pathogenesis. Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are a group of subunits constituting various macro-molecular machines to regulate the epigenetic landscape, which contributes to cancer phenotype and has the potential to develop a molecular classification of HCC. RESULTS Here, based on multi-omics data analysis of DNA methylation, mRNA expression, and copy number of PcG-related genes, we established an epigenetic classification system of HCC, which divides the HCC patients into two subgroups with significantly different outcomes. Comparing these two epigenetic subgroups, we identified different metabolic features, which were related to epigenetic regulation of polycomb-repressive complex 1/2 (PRC1/2). Furthermore, we experimentally proved that inhibition of PcG complexes enhanced the lipid metabolism and reduced the capacity of HCC cells against glucose shortage. In addition, we validated the low chemotherapy sensitivity of HCC in Group A and found inhibition of PRC1/2 promoted HCC cells' sensitivity to oxaliplatin in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we found that aberrant upregulation of CBX2 in Group A and upregulation of CBX2 were associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. Furthermore, we found that manipulation of CBX2 affected the levels of H3K27me3 and H2AK119ub. CONTRIBUTIONS Our study provided a novel molecular classification system based on PcG-related genes data and experimentally validated the biological features of HCC in two subgroups. Our founding supported the polycomb complex targeting strategy to inhibit HCC progression where CBX2 could be a feasible therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunong Fu
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
| | - Kaibo Yang
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
| | - Kunjin Wu
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
| | - Hai Wang
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
| | - Qinglin Li
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
| | - Fengping Zhang
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
| | - Kun Yang
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
| | - Qing Yao
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
| | - Xiaohua Ma
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
| | - Yujie Deng
- grid.417295.c0000 0004 1799 374XDepartment of Geriatrics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi China
| | - Jingyao Zhang
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Surgical Intensive Care Units, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
| | - Chang Liu
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China ,grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Surgical Intensive Care Units, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
| | - Kai Qu
- grid.452438.c0000 0004 1760 8119Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
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Epidemiologic, Genetic, Pathogenic, Metabolic, Epigenetic Aspects Involved in NASH-HCC: Current Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010023. [PMID: PMID: 36612019 PMCID: PMC9818030 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and is the sixth most frequent cancer in the world, being the third cause of cancer-related deaths. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by fatty infiltration, oxidative stress and necroinflammation of the liver, with or without fibrosis, which can progress to advanced liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC. Obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and diabetes exacerbates the course of NASH, which elevate the risk of HCC. The growing prevalence of obesity are related with increasing incidence of NASH, which may play a growing role in HCC epidemiology worldwide. In addition, HCC initiation and progression is driven by reprogramming of metabolism, which indicates growing appreciation of metabolism in the pathogenesis of this disease. Although no specific preventive pharmacological treatments have recommended for NASH, dietary restriction and exercise are recommended. This review focuses on the molecular connections between HCC and NASH, including genetic and risk factors, highlighting the metabolic reprogramming and aberrant epigenetic alterations in the development of HCC in NASH. Current therapeutic aspects of NASH/HCC are also reviewed.
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Zeng Z, Zheng W, Hou P. The role of drug-metabolizing enzymes in synthetic lethality of cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108219. [PMID: 35636517 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) have shown increasing importance in anticancer therapy. It is not only due to their effect on activation or deactivation of anticancer drugs, but also because of their extensive connections with pathological and biochemistry changes during tumorigenesis. Meanwhile, it has become more accessible to discovery anticancer drugs that selectively targeted cancer cells with the development of synthetic lethal screen technology. Synthetic lethal strategy makes use of unique genetic markers that different cancer cells from normal tissues to discovery anticancer agents. Dysregulation of DMEs has been found in various cancers, making them promising candidates for synthetic lethal strategy. In this review, we will systematically discuss about the role of DMEs in tumor progression, the application of synthetic lethality strategy in drug discovery, and a link between DMEs and synthetic lethal of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zekun Zeng
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Wenfang Zheng
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Peng Hou
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China; Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China.
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Chen X, Ke Q, Wang L. Hepatocellular carcinoma mutation landscape and its differences between Asians and Whites. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2022; 11:724-728. [PMID: 36268251 PMCID: PMC9577991 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn-22-364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xingte Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qiao Ke
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
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27
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Feng Q, Wang D, Xue T, Lin C, Gao Y, Sun L, Jin Y, Liu D. The role of RNA modification in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:984453. [PMID: 36120301 PMCID: PMC9479111 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.984453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly mortal type of primary liver cancer. Abnormal epigenetic modifications are present in HCC, and RNA modification is dynamic and reversible and is a key post-transcriptional regulator. With the in-depth study of post-transcriptional modifications, RNA modifications are aberrantly expressed in human cancers. Moreover, the regulators of RNA modifications can be used as potential targets for cancer therapy. In RNA modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N7-methylguanosine (m7G), and 5-methylcytosine (m5C) and their regulators have important regulatory roles in HCC progression and represent potential novel biomarkers for the confirmation of diagnosis and treatment of HCC. This review focuses on RNA modifications in HCC and the roles and mechanisms of m6A, m7G, m5C, N1-methyladenosine (m1A), N3-methylcytosine (m3C), and pseudouridine (ψ) on its development and maintenance. The potential therapeutic strategies of RNA modifications are elaborated for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Feng
- Laboratory Animal Center, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dongxu Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tianyi Xue
- Laboratory Animal Center, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chao Lin
- School of Grain Science and Technology, Jilin Business and Technology College, Changchun, China
| | - Yongjian Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Liqun Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ye Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Dianfeng Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Dianfeng Liu,
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Hondo T, Ota C, Nakatani K, Miyake Y, Furutani H, Bamba T, Toyoda M. Attempts to Detect Lipid Metabolites from a Single Cell Using Proton-Transfer-Reaction Mass Spectrometry Coupled with Micro-Scale Supercritical Fluid Extraction: A Preliminary Study. Mass Spectrom (Tokyo) 2022; 11:A0112. [PMID: 36713805 PMCID: PMC9853953 DOI: 10.5702/massspectrometry.a0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Proton-transfer-reaction (PTR) mass spectrometry (MS), a widely used method for detecting trace-levels of volatile organic compounds in gaseous samples, can also be used for the analysis of small non-volatile molecules by using supercritical fluid as a transporter for the molecules. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a method that permits lipophilic compounds to be rapidly and selectively extracted from complex matrices. The combination of the high sensitivity of PTR MS with the SFE is a potentially novel method for analyzing small molecules in a single cell, particularly for the analysis of lipophilic compounds. We preliminarily evaluated this method for analyzing the components of a single HeLa cell that is fixed on a stainless steel frit and is then directly introduces the SFE extracts into the PTR MS. A total of 200/91 ions were observed in positive/negative ion mode time-of-flight mass spectra, and the masses of 11/10 ions could be matched to chemical formulae obtained from the LipidMaps lipids structure database. Using various authentic lipophilic samples, the method could be used to detect free fatty acids in the sub-femtomole to femtomole order in the negative ion mode, the femtomole to sub-picomole order for fat-soluble vitamins, and the picomole order for poly aromatic hydrocarbons in both the positive and negative ion mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshinobu Hondo
- MS-Cheminformatics LLC, 2–13–21 Sasao-nishi, Toin, Inabe, Mie 511–0231, Japan,Forefront Research Center, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1–1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560–0043, Japan,Correspondence to: Toshinobu Hondo, MS-Cheminformatics LLC, 2–13–21 Sasao-nishi, Toin, Inabe, Mie 511–0231, Japan, e-mail:
| | - Chihiro Ota
- Forefront Research Center, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1–1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560–0043, Japan,Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kansai University, 3–3–35 Yamate-cho, Suita, Osaka 564–8680, Japan
| | - Kohta Nakatani
- Division of Metabolomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3–1–1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812–8582, Japan
| | - Yumi Miyake
- Forefront Research Center, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1–1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560–0043, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Furutani
- Forefront Research Center, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1–1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560–0043, Japan,Center for Scientific Instrument Renovation and Manufacturing Support, Osaka University, 1–2 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560–0043, Japan
| | - Takeshi Bamba
- Division of Metabolomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3–1–1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812–8582, Japan
| | - Michisato Toyoda
- Forefront Research Center, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1–1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560–0043, Japan
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Fan L, Xu L, Tian S, Zheng X. Identification of a novel histone phosphorylation prognostic signature in hepatocellular carcinoma based on bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:965445. [PMID: 36120466 PMCID: PMC9470838 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.965445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of death in the world, characterized by high morbidity, poor prognosis and high mortality. Histone modifications regulate intracellular gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, and disturbances in the regulatory pattern of histone modifications at individual locus or across the genome can lead to tumorigenesis of HCC. In this study, we constructed a prognosis-related histone phosphorylation regulated (HPR) genes signature and elucidated whether HPR genes can predict overall survival in HCC patients. METHODS Differentially expressed genes were screened using TCGA, ICGC and GEO databases, and a new risk signature was constructed by univariate Cox regression and Lasso regression analysis. Predictive nomograms were established by multivariate Cox regression of risk scores and clinical parameters, calibration curve and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate the models. The ssGSEA methods were used to determine the effect of risk scores on the tumor immune microenvironment. Data for HCC single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) have been downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to understand the role of HPR genes in tumorigenesis. RESULTS Our analyses of nine HPR genes provided prognostic insights. Overall survival in the low-risk and high-risk groups was statistically higher, respectively (P<0.001). Cox regression analysis revealed that the risk score is a significant predictor of HCC outcomes (HR=2. 2.62, 95%CI: 1.248-5.514, P=0.011). In addition, a nomogram combining risk scores with TNM stages was constructed and tested from calibration curves and decision curves (AUC=0.780). MHC-class-I genes, iDCs, Macrophages, Tfh, Treg, Th2 were overexpressed in the high-risk group. CONCLUSION HPR genes risk score is closely related to the prognosis of HCC, tumor immune process and tumor cell progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shan Tian
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Xin Zheng,
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