Stroma-derived miR-214 coordinates tumor dissemination

Circulating non-coding RNA biomarkers of endocrine tumours

Circulating non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecules are being investigated as biomarkers of malignancy, prognosis and follow-up in several neoplasms, including endocrine tumours of the pituitary, parathyroid, pancreas and adrenal glands. Most of these tumours are classified as neuroendocrine neoplasms (comprised of neuroendocrine tumours and neuroendocrine carcinomas) and include tumours of variable aggressivity. We consider them together here in this Review owing to similarities in their clinical presentation, pathomechanism and genetic background. No preoperative biomarkers of malignancy are available for several forms of these endocrine tumours. Moreover, biomarkers are also needed for the follow-up of tumour progression (especially in hormonally inactive tumours), prognosis and treatment efficacy monitoring. Circulating blood-borne ncRNAs show promising utility as biomarkers. These ncRNAs, including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs, are involved in several aspects of gene expression regulation, and their stability and tissue-specific expression could make them ideal biomarkers. However, no circulating ncRNA biomarkers have yet been introduced into routine clinical practice, which is mostly owing to methodological and standardization problems. In this Review, following a brief synopsis of these endocrine tumours and the biology of ncRNAs, the major research findings, pathomechanisms and methodological questions are discussed along with an outlook for future studies.

Unlocking the Crucial Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Metastasis: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects

BACKGROUND

Tumor metastasis represents a stepwise progression and stands as a principal determinant of unfavorable prognoses among cancer patients. Consequently, an in-depth exploration of its mechanisms holds paramount clinical significance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), constituting the most abundant stromal cell population within the tumor microenvironment (TME), have garnered robust evidence support for their pivotal regulatory roles in tumor metastasis.

AIM

of Review This review systematically explores the roles of CAFs at eight critical stages of tumorigenic dissemination: 1) extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, 2) epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), 3) angiogenesis, 4) tumor metabolism, 5) perivascular migration, 6) immune escape, 7) dormancy, and 8) premetastatic niche (PMN) formation. Additionally, we provide a compendium of extant strategies aimed at targeting CAFs in cancer therapy. Key Scientific Concepts of Review This review delineates a structured framework for the interplay between CAFs and tumor metastasis while furnishing insights for the potential therapeutic developments. It contributes to a deeper understanding of cancer metastasis within the TME, facilitating the utilization of CAF-targeting therapies in anti-metastatic approaches.

Non-neoplastic astrocytes: key players for brain tumor progression

Astrocytes are highly plastic cells whose activity is essential to maintain the cerebral homeostasis, regulating synaptogenesis and synaptic transmission, vascular and metabolic functions, ions, neuro- and gliotransmitters concentrations. In pathological conditions, astrocytes may undergo transient or long-lasting molecular and functional changes that contribute to disease resolution or exacerbation. In recent years, many studies demonstrated that non-neoplastic astrocytes are key cells of the tumor microenvironment that contribute to the pathogenesis of glioblastoma, the most common primary malignant brain tumor and of secondary metastatic brain tumors. This Mini Review covers the recent development of research on non-neoplastic astrocytes as tumor-modulators. Their double-edged capability to promote cancer progression or to represent potential tools to counteract brain tumors will be discussed.

miR-590-5p/Tiam1-mediated glucose metabolism promotes malignant evolution of pancreatic cancer by regulating SLC2A3 stability

BACKGROUND

T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (Tiam1) is a tumor related gene that specifically activates Rho-like GTPases Rac1 and plays a critical role in the progression of various malignancies. Glycolysis plays an important role in cancer progression, it is crucial for supplying energy and producing metabolic end products, which can maintain the survival of tumor cells. As yet, however, the mechanism of Tiam1 in glycolysis reprogramming of pancreatic cancer (PC) remains to be clarified. Here, we investigated the functional role of Tiam1 in PC cell proliferation, metastasis and glycolysis reprogramming. It is expected to provide a new direction for clinical treatment.

METHODS

The clinical relevance of Tiam1 was evaluated in 66 patients with PC, the effect of Tiam1 on cell proliferation was detected via 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) and colony formation. The ability of cell migration was detected by the wound healing and Transwell. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and luciferase reporter gene experiments clarify the regulatory relationship of miR-590-5p inhibiting Tiam1. Detection of the molecular mechanism of Tiam1 regulating glucose metabolism reprogramming in PC by glucose metabolism kit. RNA sequencing and Co-Immunoprecipitation (CoIP) have identified glucose transporter protein 3 (SLC2A3) as a key downstream target gene for miR-590-5p/Tiam1.

RESULTS

We found that Tiam1 expression increased in PC tissues and was associated with lymph node metastasis. The silencing or exogenous overexpression of Tiam1 significantly altered the proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of PC cells through glucose metabolism pathway. In addition, Tiam1 could interact with the crucial SLC2A3 and promote the evolution of PC in a SLC2A3-dependent manner. Moreover, miR-590-5p was found to exacerbate the PC cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting Tiam1. Furthermore, the reversing effects on proliferation, migration and invasion were found in PC cells with miR-590-5p/Tiam1 overexpression after applying glucose metabolism inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate the critical role of Tiam1 in PC development and the miR-590-5p/Tiam1/SLC2A3 signaling pathway may serve as a target for new PC therapeutic strategies.

The role of non-coding RNAs in extracellular vesicles in breast cancer and their diagnostic implications

Breast Cancer (BC) is the most common form of cancer worldwide, responsible for 25% of cancers in women. Whilst treatment is effective and often curative in early BC, metastatic disease is incurable, highlighting the need for early detection. Currently, early detection relies on invasive procedures, however recent studies have shown extracellular vesicles (EVs) obtained from liquid biopsies may have clinical utility. EVs transport diverse bioactive cargos throughout the body, play major roles in intercellular communication and, importantly, mirror their cell of origin. In cancer cells, EVs alter the behaviour of the tumour microenvironment (TME), forming a bridge of communication between cancerous and non-cancerous cells to alter all aspects of cancer progression, including the formation of a pre-metastatic niche. Through gene regulatory frameworks, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) modulate vital molecular and cellular processes and can act as both tumour suppressors and oncogenic drivers in various cancer types. EVs transport and protect ncRNAs, facilitating their use clinically as liquid biopsies for early BC detection. This review summarises current research surrounding ncRNAs and EVs within BC, focusing on their roles in cancer progression through bi-directional communication with the microenvironment and their diagnostic implications. The role of EV ncRNAs in breast cancer. A representation of the different EV ncRNAs involved in tumourigenic processes in breast cancer. Pro-tumourigenic ncRNAs displayed in green and ncRNAs which inhibit oncogenic processes are shown in red.