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Steffens RC, Folda P, Fendler NL, Höhn M, Bücher-Schossau K, Kempter S, Snyder NL, Hartmann L, Wagner E, Berger S. GalNAc- or Mannose-PEG-Functionalized Polyplexes Enable Effective Lectin-Mediated DNA Delivery. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:351-370. [PMID: 38440876 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
A cationic, dendrimer-like oligo(aminoamide) carrier with four-arm topology based on succinoyl tetraethylene pentamine and histidines, cysteines, and N-terminal azido-lysines was screened for plasmid DNA delivery on various cell lines. The incorporated azides allow modification with various shielding agents of different polyethylene glycol (PEG) lengths and/or different ligands by copper-free click reaction, either before or after polyplex formation. Prefunctionalization was found to be advantageous over postfunctionalization in terms of nanoparticle formation, stability, and efficacy. A length of 24 ethylene oxide repetition units and prefunctionalization of ≥50% of azides per carrier promoted optimal polyplex shielding. PEG shielding resulted in drastically reduced DNA transfer, which could be successfully restored by active lectin targeting via novel GalNAc or mannose ligands, enabling enhanced receptor-mediated endocytosis of the carrier system. The involvement of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) in the uptake of GalNAc-functionalized polyplexes was confirmed in the ASGPR-positive hepatocarcinoma cell lines HepG2 and Huh7. Mannose-modified polyplexes showed superior cellular uptake and transfection efficacy compared to unmodified and shielded polyplexes in mannose-receptor-expressing dendritic cell-like DC2.4 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricarda C Steffens
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Paul Folda
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Nikole L Fendler
- Department of Chemistry, Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina 28035, United States
| | - Miriam Höhn
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Bücher-Schossau
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Susanne Kempter
- Faculty of Physics, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Nicole L Snyder
- Department of Chemistry, Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina 28035, United States
| | - Laura Hartmann
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, University Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 31, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany
| | - Simone Berger
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for NanoScience (CeNS), LMU Munich, 80799 Munich, Germany
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2
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Sun B, Ji WD, Wang WC, Chen L, Ma JY, Tang EJ, Lin MB, Zhang XF. Circulating tumor cells participate in the formation of microvascular invasion and impact on clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Genet 2023; 14:1265866. [PMID: 38028589 PMCID: PMC10652898 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1265866] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Although the treatment strategies have been improved in recent years, the long-term prognosis of HCC is far from satisfactory mainly due to high postoperative recurrence and metastasis rate. Vascular tumor thrombus, including microvascular invasion (MVI) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT), affects the outcome of hepatectomy and liver transplantation. If vascular invasion could be found preoperatively, especially the risk of MVI, more reasonable surgical selection will be chosen to reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence and metastasis. However, there is a lack of reliable prediction methods, and the formation mechanism of MVI/PVTT is still unclear. At present, there is no study to explore the possibility of tumor thrombus formation from a single circulating tumor cell (CTC) of HCC, nor any related study to describe the possible leading role and molecular mechanism of HCC CTCs as an important component of MVI/PVTT. In this study, we review the current understanding of MVI and possible mechanisms, discuss the function of CTCs in the formation of MVI and interaction with immune cells in the circulation. In conclusion, we discuss implications for potential therapeutic targets and the prospect of clinical treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Sun
- Center for Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Dan Ji
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Chao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Yong Ma
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Er-Jiang Tang
- Center for Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mou-Bin Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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3
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Salehi M, Lavasani ZM, Keshavarz Alikhani H, Shokouhian B, Hassan M, Najimi M, Vosough M. Circulating Tumor Cells as a Promising Tool for Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cells 2023; 12:2260. [PMID: 37759483 PMCID: PMC10527869 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a significant contributor to the cancer burden, and its incidence rates have recently increased in almost all countries. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Because of the late diagnosis and lack of efficient therapeutic modality for advanced stages of HCC, the death rate continues to increase by ~2-3% per year. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are promising tools for early diagnosis, precise prognosis, and follow-up of therapeutic responses. They can be considered to be an innovative biomarker for the early detection of tumors and targeted molecular therapy. In this review, we briefly discuss the novel materials and technologies applied for the practical isolation and detection of CTCs in HCC. Also, the clinical value of CTC detection in HCC is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Salehi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Tehran 1665666311, Iran; (M.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Zohre Miri Lavasani
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1983969411, Iran;
| | - Hani Keshavarz Alikhani
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Tehran 1665666311, Iran; (M.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Bahare Shokouhian
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Tehran 1665666311, Iran; (M.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Moustapha Hassan
- Experimental Cancer Medicine, Institution for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Mustapha Najimi
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hepatology and Cell Therapy, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), UCLouvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Tehran 1665666311, Iran; (M.S.); (B.S.)
- Experimental Cancer Medicine, Institution for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
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4
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Shaik MR, Sagar PR, Shaik NA, Randhawa N. Liquid Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Significance of Circulating Tumor Cells in Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment Monitoring. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10644. [PMID: 37445822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignancy with poor outcomes when diagnosed at an advanced stage. Current curative treatments are most effective in early-stage HCC, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. However, existing diagnostic methods, such as radiological imaging, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) testing, and biopsy, have limitations that hinder early diagnosis. AFP elevation is absent in a significant portion of tumors, and imaging may have low sensitivity for smaller tumors or in the presence of cirrhosis. Additionally, as our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of HCC grows, there is an increasing need for molecular information about the tumors. Biopsy, although informative, is invasive and may not always be feasible depending on tumor location. In this context, liquid biopsy technology has emerged as a promising approach for early diagnosis, enabling molecular characterization and genetic profiling of tumors. This technique involves analyzing circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), or tumor-derived exosomes. CTCs are cancer cells shed from the primary tumor or metastatic sites and circulate in the bloodstream. Their presence not only allows for early detection but also provides insights into tumor metastasis and recurrence. By detecting CTCs in peripheral blood, real-time tumor-related information at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels can be obtained. This article provides an overview of CTCs and explores their clinical significance for early detection, prognosis, treatment selection, and monitoring treatment response in HCC, citing relevant literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Rifat Shaik
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Prem Raj Sagar
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Nishat Anjum Shaik
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Pathology of Combined Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Cholangiocarcinoma: An Update. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020494. [PMID: 36672443 PMCID: PMC9856551 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Combined hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) is a rare primary liver cancer that is composed of both hepatocellular and cholangiocellular differentiated cells. It is slightly more common in men and among Asian and Pacific islanders. Overall, risk factors are similar to classic risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The classification has significantly evolved over time. The last WHO classification (2019) mainly emphasized diagnosis on morphological basis with routine stainings, discarded previously recognized classifications with carcinomas with stem cell features, introduced intermediate cell carcinoma as a specific subtype and considered cholangiolocarcinoma as a subtype of cholangiocellular carcinoma. Immunohistochemical markers may be applied for further specification but have limited value for diagnosis. Recent discoveries in molecular pathway regulation may pioneer new therapeutic approaches for this poor prognostic and challenging diagnosis.
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6
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Roa-Colomo A, López Garrido MÁ, Molina-Vallejo P, Rojas A, Sanchez MG, Aranda-García V, Salmeron J, Romero-Gomez M, Muntane J, Padillo J, Alamo JM, Lorente JA, Serrano MJ, Garrido-Navas MC. Hepatocellular carcinoma risk-stratification based on ASGR1 in circulating epithelial cells for cancer interception. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1074277. [PMID: 36518850 PMCID: PMC9742249 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1074277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Lack of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma impedes stratifying patients based on their risk of developing cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity of circulating epithelial cells (CECs) based on asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 (ASGR1) and miR-122-5p expression as potential diagnostic and prognostic tools in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis (LC). Methods: Peripheral blood samples were extracted from LC and HCC patients at different disease stages. CECs were isolated using positive immunomagnetic selection. Genetic and phenotypic characterization was validated by double immunocytochemistry for cytokeratin (CK) and ASGR1 or by in situ hybridization with miR-122-5p and CECs were visualized by confocal microscopy. Results: The presence of CECs increased HCC risk by 2.58-fold, however, this was only significant for patients with previous LC (p = 0.028) and not for those without prior LC (p = 0.23). Furthermore, the number of CECs lacking ASGR1 expression correlated significantly with HCC incidence and absence of miR-122-5p expression (p = 0.014; r = 0.23). Finally, overall survival was significantly greater for patients at earlier cancer stages (p = 0.018), but this difference was only maintained in the group with the presence of CECs (p = 0.021) whereas progression-free survival was influenced by the absence of ASGR1 expression. Conclusion: Identification and characterization of CECs by ASGR1 and/or miR-122-5p expression may be used as a risk-stratification tool in LC patients, as it was shown to be an independent prognostic and risk-stratification marker in LC and early disease stage HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amparo Roa-Colomo
- Clinical Medicine and Public Health Doctoral Program, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, San Cecilio University Hospital, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Pilar Molina-Vallejo
- Genyo-Centro Pfizer-Universidad De Granada-Junta De Andalucía De Genómica e Investigación Oncológica, Granada, Spain
| | - Angela Rojas
- Seliver Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS)/ Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad De Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Spanish Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes González Sanchez
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Virgen De Las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain
| | - Violeta Aranda-García
- Statistician at Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria Andalucía Oriental Alejandro Otero (FIBAO), Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Salmeron
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, San Cecilio University Hospital, Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Romero-Gomez
- Seliver Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS)/ Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad De Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Spanish Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Muntane
- Spanish Network for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Hospital University Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, Seville, Spain
- Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Javier Padillo
- General and Gastrointestinal Surgery Division, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jose María Alamo
- General and Gastrointestinal Surgery Division, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jose A. Lorente
- Genyo-Centro Pfizer-Universidad De Granada-Junta De Andalucía De Genómica e Investigación Oncológica, Granada, Spain
- Legal Medicine Department, Medicine School, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - María José Serrano
- Genyo-Centro Pfizer-Universidad De Granada-Junta De Andalucía De Genómica e Investigación Oncológica, Granada, Spain
- Comprehensive Oncology Division, Clinical University Hospital, Virgen de las Nieves-IBS, Granada, Spain
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - M. Carmen Garrido-Navas
- Genyo-Centro Pfizer-Universidad De Granada-Junta De Andalucía De Genómica e Investigación Oncológica, Granada, Spain
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7
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Hua Y, Dong J, Hong J, Wang B, Yan Y, Li Z. Clinical applications of circulating tumor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:968591. [PMID: 36091119 PMCID: PMC9448983 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.968591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant tumor and ranked as the fourth cause of cancer-related mortality. The poor clinical prognosis is due to an advanced stage and resistance to systemic treatment. There are no obvious clinical symptoms in the early stage and the early diagnosis rate remains low. Novel effective biomarkers are important for early diagnosis and tumor surveillance to improve the survival of HCC patients. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cancer cells shed from primary or metastatic tumor and extravasate into the blood system. The number of CTCs is closely related to the metastasis of various solid tumors. CTCs escape from blood vessels and settle in target organs, then form micro-metastasis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) plays a crucial role in distant metastasis, which confers strong invasiveness to CTCs. The fact that CTCs can provide complete cellular biological information, which allows CTCs to be one of the most promising liquid biopsy targets. Recent studies have shown that CTCs are good candidates for early diagnosis, prognosis evaluation of metastasis or recurrence, and even a potential therapeutic target in patients with HCC. It is a new indicator for clinical application in the future. In this review, we introduce the enrichment methods and mechanisms of CTCs, and focus on clinical application in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinggang Hua
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingqing Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinsong Hong
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bailin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiming Li, ; Yong Yan,
| | - Zhiming Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiming Li, ; Yong Yan,
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8
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Słomka A, Wang B, Mocan T, Horhat A, Willms AG, Schmidt-Wolf IGH, Strassburg CP, Gonzalez-Carmona MA, Lukacs-Kornek V, Kornek MT. Extracellular Vesicles and Circulating Tumour Cells - complementary liquid biopsies or standalone concepts? Theranostics 2022; 12:5836-5855. [PMID: 35966579 PMCID: PMC9373826 DOI: 10.7150/thno.73400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsies do promise a lot, but are they keeping it? In the past decade, additional novel biomarkers qualified to be called like that, of which, some took necessary hurdles resulting in FDA approval and clinical use. Some others are since a while around, well known and were once regarded to be a game changer in cancer diagnosis or cancer screening. But, during their clinical use limitations were observed from statistical significance and questions raised regarding their robustness, that eventually led to be dropped from associated clinical guidelines for certain applications including cancer diagnosis. The purpose of this review isn't to give a broad overview of all current liquid biopsy as biomarkers, weight them and promise a brighter future in cancer prevention, but rather to take a deeper look on two of those who do qualify to be called liquid biopsies now or then. These two are probably of greatest interest conceptually and methodically, and likely have the highest chances to be in clinical use soon, with a portfolio extension over their original conceptual usage. We aim to dig deeper beyond cancer diagnosis or cancer screening. Actually, we aim to review in depth extracellular vesicles (EVs) and compare with circulating tumour cells (CTCs). The latter methodology is partially FDA approved and in clinical use. We will lay out similarities as taking advantage of surface antigens on EVs and CTCs in case of characterization and quantification. But drawing readers' attention to downstream application based on capture/isolation methodology and simply on their overall nature, here apparently being living material eventually recoverable as CTCs are vs. dead material with transient effects on recipient cell as in case of EVs. All this we try to bring in perspective, compare and conclude towards which future direction we are aiming for, or should aim for. Do we announce a winner between CTCs vs EVs? No, but we provide good reasons to intensify research on them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Słomka
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Bingduo Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Medicine & Experimental Immunology, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Tudor Mocan
- Octavian Fodor Institute for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iuliu Haţieganu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adelina Horhat
- Octavian Fodor Institute for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iuliu Haţieganu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Arnulf G Willms
- Institute of Molecular Medicine & Experimental Immunology, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany.,Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, German Armed Forces Hospital Hamburg, 22049 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ingo G H Schmidt-Wolf
- Department of Integrated Oncology, Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO), University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian P Strassburg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Maria A Gonzalez-Carmona
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Veronika Lukacs-Kornek
- Institute of Molecular Medicine & Experimental Immunology, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Miroslaw T Kornek
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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9
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Teng PC, Agopian VG, Lin TY, You S, Zhu Y, Tseng HR, Yang JD. Circulating tumor cells: A step toward precision medicine in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 37:1179-1190. [PMID: 35543075 PMCID: PMC9271591 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Serum alpha-fetoprotein and radiologic imaging are the most commonly used tests for early diagnosis and dynamic monitoring of treatment response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the accuracy of these tests is limited, and they may not reflect the underlying biology of the tumor. Thus, developing highly accurate novel HCC biomarkers reflecting tumor biology is a clinically unmet need. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have long been proposed as a noninvasive biomarker in clinical oncology. Most CTC assays utilize immunoaffinity-based, size-based, and/or enrichment-free mechanisms followed by immunocytochemical staining to characterize CTCs. The prognostic value of HCC CTC enumeration has been extensively validated. Subsets of CTCs expressing mesenchymal markers are also reported to have clinical significance. In addition, researchers have been devoting their efforts to molecular characterizations of CTCs (e.g. genetics and transcriptomics) as molecular profiling can offer a more accurate readout and provide biological insights. As new molecular profiling techniques, such as digital polymerase chain reaction, are developed to detect minimal amounts of DNA/RNA, several research groups have established HCC CTC digital scoring systems to quantify clinically relevant gene panels. Given the versatility of CTCs to provide intact molecular and functional data that reflects the underlying tumor, CTCs have great potential as a noninvasive biomarker in HCC. Large-scale, prospective studies for HCC CTCs with a standardized protocol are necessary for successful clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pai-Chi Teng
- Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital Renai Branch, Taipei, Taiwan,Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA,California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vatche G. Agopian
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ting-Yi Lin
- Doctoral Degree Program of Translational Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taiwan,Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sungyong You
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yazhen Zhu
- California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hsian-Rong Tseng
- California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ju Dong Yang
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA,corresponding author (Dr. Ju Dong Yang):
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10
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Xu Z, Huo W, Ireland T, Huang L, Ocampo T, Vegas AJ. A Quantitative Metal-Encoded Conjugate Platform for Targeting Ligand Discovery. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:1279-1285. [PMID: 35758018 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The indiscriminate biodistribution of therapeutics can be a key barrier to their safety and efficacy. Localization of compounds into non-diseased tissues often leads to both toxic and dose-limiting effects. To overcome this barrier, nanomedicine implements targeting agents to localize or selectively uptake drugs at disease sites. However, to date there are only a small number of targeting agents with limited scope for targeting tissues. Small-molecule ligands are particularly attractive as targeting agents due to their relatively low cost, tunability, and ease of conjugation. Currently, there are no systematic approaches to the discovery of new small-molecule targeting ligands. Here, we developed a quantitative metal-encoded conjugate platform to determine the biodistribution of multiple small molecules in vivo. By utilizing lanthanide metal complexes, this platform successfully distinguished known ligands with differential tissue targeting in vivo. This system will facilitate the discovery of small molecules as targeting ligands and can accelerate the identification of novel biological targets for tissue-targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Wenwen Huo
- Department of Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, United States
| | - Thomas Ireland
- Department of Earth and Environment, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Lihang Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Tonatiuh Ocampo
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Arturo J Vegas
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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11
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Yan Q, Sun YS, An R, Liu F, Fang Q, Wang Z, Xu T, Chen L, Du J. Application and progress of the detection technologies in hepatocellular carcinoma. Genes Dis 2022. [PMID: 37492708 PMCID: PMC10363596 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a very high incidence and fatality rate, and in most cases, it is already at an advanced stage when diagnosed. Therefore, early prevention and detection of HCC are two of the most effective strategies. However, the methods recommended in the practice guidelines for the detection of HCC cannot guarantee high sensitivity and specificity except for the liver biopsy, which is known as the "gold standard". In this review, we divided the detection of HCC into pre-treatment diagnosis and post-treatment monitoring, and found that in addition to the traditional imaging detection and liver biopsy, alpha fetoprotein (AFP), lens culinaris-agglutinin-reactive fraction of AFP (AFP-L3), protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) and other biomarkers are excellent biomarkers for HCC, especially when they are combined together. Most notably, the emerging liquid biopsy shows great promise in detecting HCC. In addition, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) and other relevant biomarkers may become promising biomarkers for HCC post-treatment monitoring. Through the detailed introduction of the diagnostic technology of HCC, we can have a detailed understanding of its development process and then obtain some enlightenment from the diagnosis, to improve the diagnostic rate of HCC and reduce its mortality.
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12
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Suresh A, Dhanasekaran R. Implications of genetic heterogeneity in hepatocellular cancer. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 156:103-135. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Budaya TN, Permatasari HK, Widodo W, Prawiro SR. Novel Insight of Cytokeratin 14 as a Biomarker in Diagnosing Bladder Cancer. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2021.7258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is the ninth most common type of cancer occurring in men. Screening for bladder cancer is often difficult due to limited proper modality and symptoms that is mild and unspecific. Leaving it untreated leads to greater morbidity and mortality. Therefore, finding a simple biomarker for screening purpose is necessary. Cytokeratin (CK) has been studied extensively as cancer biomarker. Detectable soluble CK was found in body fluid, including urine, and histological specimen using immunoassays. The level of its expression is mainly affected by cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cellular stress. CK 14, which is type I CK, was detected in the basal layer of epithelial cells and specific for squamous type of epithelial cell. CK 14 analysis in bladder cancer has revealed numerous functions such as predicting the development of bladder cancer, differentiating cancer origins, stratifying bladder cancer patients based on disease severity, and predicting bladder cancer recurrence. Its potential to become excellent biomarker makes it subject of interest in research development.
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14
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Espejo-Cruz ML, González-Rubio S, Zamora-Olaya J, Amado-Torres V, Alejandre R, Sánchez-Frías M, Ciria R, De la Mata M, Rodríguez-Perálvarez M, Ferrín G. Circulating Tumor Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review and Critical Appraisal. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222313073. [PMID: 34884878 PMCID: PMC8657934 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common neoplasm and a major cause of cancer-related death worldwide. There is no ideal biomarker allowing early diagnosis of HCC and tumor surveillance in patients receiving therapy. Liquid biopsy, and particularly circulating tumor cells (CTCs), have emerged as a useful tool for diagnosis and monitoring therapeutic responses in different tumors. In the present manuscript, we evaluate the current evidence supporting the quantitative and qualitative assessment of CTCs as potential biomarkers of HCC, as well as technical aspects related to isolation, identification, and classification of CTCs. Although the dynamic assessment of CTCs in patients with HCC may aid the decision-making process, there are still many uncertainties and technical caveats to be solved before this methodology has a true impact on clinical practice guidelines. More studies are needed to identify the optimal combination of surface markers, to increase the efficiency of ex-vivo expansion of CTCs, or even to target CTCs as a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent HCC recurrence after surgery or to hamper tumor progression and extrahepatic spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Lola Espejo-Cruz
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Sandra González-Rubio
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Javier Zamora-Olaya
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Víctor Amado-Torres
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rafael Alejandre
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Marina Sánchez-Frías
- Department of Pathology, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain;
| | - Rubén Ciria
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Manuel De la Mata
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Rodríguez-Perálvarez
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Gustavo Ferrín
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain; (M.L.E.-C.); (S.G.-R.); (J.Z.-O.); (V.A.-T.); (R.A.); (R.C.); (M.D.l.M.); (G.F.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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15
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Carissimi F, Barbaglia MN, Salmi L, Ciulli C, Roccamatisi L, Cordaro G, Mallela VR, Minisini R, Leone BE, Donadon M, Torzilli G, Pirisi M, Romano F, Famularo S. Finding the seed of recurrence: Hepatocellular carcinoma circulating tumor cells and their potential to drive the surgical treatment. World J Gastrointest Surg 2021; 13:967-978. [PMID: 34621473 PMCID: PMC8462072 DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v13.i9.967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) relies on liver resection, which is, however, burdened by a high rate of recurrence after surgery, up to 60% at 5 years. No pre-operative tools are currently available to assess the recurrence risk tailored to every single patient. Recently liquid biopsy has shown interesting results in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment allocation strategies in other types of cancers, since its ability to identify circulating tumor cells (CTCs) derived from the primary tumor. Those cells were advocated to be responsible for the majority of cases of recurrence and cancer-related deaths for HCC. In fact, after being modified by the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, CTCs circulate as “seeds” in peripheral blood, then reach the target organ as dormant cells which could be subsequently “awakened” and activated, and then initiate metastasis. Their presence may justify the disagreement registered in terms of efficacy of anatomic vs non-anatomic resections, particularly in the case of microvascular invasion, which has been recently pointed as a histological sign of the spread of those cells. Thus, their presence, also in the early stages, may justify the recurrence event also in the contest of liver transplant. Understanding the mechanism behind the tumor progression may allow improving the treatment selection according to the biological patient-based characteristics. Moreover, it may drive the development of novel biological tailored tests which could address a specific patient to neoadjuvant or adjuvant strategies, and in perspective, it could also become a new method to allocate organs for transplantation, according to the risk of relapse after liver transplant. The present paper will describe the most recent evidence on the role of CTCs in determining the relapse of HCC, highlighting their potential clinical implication as novel tumor behavior biomarkers able to influence the surgical choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Carissimi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza 20900, Italy
| | | | - Livia Salmi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara 28100, Italy
| | - Cristina Ciulli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza 20900, Italy
| | - Linda Roccamatisi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza 20900, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cordaro
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza 20900, Italy
| | - Venkata Ramana Mallela
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara 28100, Italy
| | - Rosalba Minisini
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara 28100, Italy
| | - Biagio Eugenio Leone
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza 20900, Italy
- Unit of Pathology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza 20900, Italy
| | - Matteo Donadon
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital-Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele 20090, Italy
| | - Guido Torzilli
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital-Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele 20090, Italy
| | - Mario Pirisi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara 28100, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Romano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza 20900, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza 20900, Italy
| | - Simone Famularo
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza 20900, Italy
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital-Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele 20090, Italy
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16
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Hepatic Cancer Stem Cells: Molecular Mechanisms, Therapeutic Implications, and Circulating Biomarkers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184550. [PMID: 34572776 PMCID: PMC8472624 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers. HCC is associated with multiple risk factors and is characterized by a marked tumor heterogeneity that makes its molecular classification difficult to apply in the clinics. The lack of circulating biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of response to treatments further undermines the possibility of developing personalized therapies. Accumulating evidence affirms the involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor heterogeneity, recurrence, and drug resistance. Owing to the contribution of CSCs to treatment failure, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutic strategies targeting, not only the tumor bulk, but also the CSC subpopulation. Clarification of the molecular mechanisms influencing CSC properties, and the identification of their functional roles in tumor progression, may facilitate the discovery of novel CSC-based therapeutic targets to be used alone, or in combination with current anticancer agents, for the treatment of HCC. Here, we review the driving forces behind the regulation of liver CSCs and their therapeutic implications. Additionally, we provide data on their possible exploitation as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in patients with HCC.
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17
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Maravelia P, Silva DN, Rovesti G, Chrobok M, Stål P, Lu YC, Pasetto A. Liquid Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Opportunities and Challenges for Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4334. [PMID: 34503144 PMCID: PMC8431414 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancer types worldwide. HCC is often diagnosed at a late stage when the therapeutic options are very limited. However, even at the earlier stages, the best treatment is liver transplantation, surgical resection or ablation. Surgical resection and ablation may carry a high risk of tumor recurrence. The recent introduction of immunotherapies resulted in clinical responses for a subgroup of patients, but there were still no effective predictive markers for response to immunotherapy or for recurrence after surgical therapy. The identification of biomarkers that could correlate and predict response or recurrence would require close monitoring of the patients throughout and after the completion of treatment. However, this would not be performed efficiently by repeated and invasive tissue biopsies. A better approach would be to use liquid biopsies including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating RNA (e.g., microRNAs), circulating tumor cells (CTC) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) (e.g., exosomes) for disease monitoring in a non-invasive manner. In this review, we discuss the currently available technology that can enable the use of liquid biopsy as a diagnostic and prognostic tool. Moreover, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of the clinical application of liquid biopsy for immunotherapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Maravelia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden; (D.N.S.); (G.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Daniela Nascimento Silva
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden; (D.N.S.); (G.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Giulia Rovesti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden; (D.N.S.); (G.R.); (M.C.)
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy
| | - Michael Chrobok
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden; (D.N.S.); (G.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Per Stål
- Unit of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine/Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Department of Upper GI Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 14186 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Yong-Chen Lu
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Anna Pasetto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden; (D.N.S.); (G.R.); (M.C.)
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18
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Pelizzaro F, Cardin R, Penzo B, Pinto E, Vitale A, Cillo U, Russo FP, Farinati F. Liquid Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Where Are We Now? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2274. [PMID: 34068786 PMCID: PMC8126224 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer related death worldwide. Diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers are urgently needed in order to improve patient survival. Indeed, the most widely used biomarkers, such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), have limited accuracy as both diagnostic and prognostic tests. Liver biopsy provides an insight on the biology of the tumor, but it is an invasive procedure, not routinely used, and not representative of the whole neoplasia due to the demonstrated intra-tumoral heterogeneity. In recent years, liquid biopsy, defined as the molecular analysis of cancer by-products, released by the tumor in the bloodstream, emerged as an appealing source of new biomarkers. Several studies focused on evaluating extracellular vesicles, circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA and non-coding RNA as novel reliable biomarkers. In this review, we aimed to provide a comprehensive overview on the most relevant available evidence on novel circulating biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognostic stratification, and therapeutic monitoring. Liquid biopsy seems to be a very promising instrument and, in the near future, some of these new non-invasive tools will probably change the clinical management of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Pelizzaro
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Romilda Cardin
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Barbara Penzo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Elisa Pinto
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (U.C.)
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (U.C.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (F.P.); (R.C.); (B.P.); (E.P.); (F.P.R.)
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19
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Key Enzymes in Pyrimidine Synthesis, CAD and CPS1, Predict Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040744. [PMID: 33670206 PMCID: PMC7916936 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have a highly variable clinical course. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new prognostic markers to determine prognosis and select specific therapies. Recently, it has been demonstrated that dysregulation of the urea cycle (UC) is a common phenomenon in multiple types of cancer. Upon UC dysregulation, nitrogen is diverted toward the multifunctional enzyme carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 2, aspartate transcarbamoylase, and dihydroorotase (CAD), and increases pyrimidine synthesis. In this study, we investigated the role of CAD and carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1), a rate-limiting enzyme of the UC highly expressed in hepatocytes, in HCC. We created a tissue microarray to analyze expression of both enzymes by immunohistochemistry in a large and well-characterized overall cohort of 871 HCCs of 561 patients that underwent surgery. CAD was induced in recurrent HCCs, and high expression predicted shorter overall survival. CPS1 was downregulated in HCC and further reduced in recurrent tumors and distant metastases. Additionally, low CPS1 was associated with short overall survival. A combined score of both enzymes was an independent prognostic marker in a multivariate Cox regression model (HR = 1.37, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.75, p = 0.014). Inhibition of pyrimidine synthesis may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC.
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20
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Ahn JC, Teng PC, Chen PJ, Posadas E, Tseng HR, Lu SC, Yang JD. Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells and Their Implications as a Biomarker for Diagnosis, Prognostication, and Therapeutic Monitoring in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Hepatology 2021; 73:422-436. [PMID: 32017145 PMCID: PMC8183673 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the leading causes of worldwide cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Poor prognosis of HCC is attributed primarily to tumor presentation at an advanced stage when there is no effective treatment to achieve the long term survival of patients. Currently available tests such as alpha-fetoprotein have limited accuracy as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker for HCC. Liver biopsy provides tissue that can reveal tumor biology but it is not used routinely due to its invasiveness and risk of tumor seeding, especially in early-stage patients. Liver biopsy is also limited in revealing comprehensive tumor biology due to intratumoral heterogeneity. There is a clear need for new biomarkers to improve HCC detection, prognostication, prediction of treatment response, and disease monitoring with treatment. Liquid biopsy could be an effective method of early detection and management of HCC. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cancer cells in circulation derived from the original tumor or metastatic foci, and their measurement by liquid biopsy represents a great potential in facilitating the implementation of precision medicine in patients with HCC. CTCs can be detected by a simple peripheral blood draw and potentially show global features of tumor characteristics. Various CTC detection platforms using immunoaffinity and biophysical properties have been developed to identify and capture CTCs with high efficiency. Quantitative abundance of CTCs, as well as biological characteristics and genomic heterogeneity among the CTCs, can predict disease prognosis and response to therapy in patients with HCC. This review article will discuss the currently available technologies for CTC detection and isolation, their utility in the clinical management of HCC patients, their limitations, and future directions of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C Ahn
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55904, United States
| | - Pai-Chi Teng
- Urologic Oncology Program and Uro-Oncology Research Laboratories, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States
| | - Pin-Jung Chen
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Edwin Posadas
- Urologic Oncology Program and Uro-Oncology Research Laboratories, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States,Translational Oncology Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States
| | - Hsian-Rong Tseng
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Shelly C. Lu
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States,Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States
| | - Ju Dong Yang
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States,Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States,Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States
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21
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Cui K, Ou Y, Shen Y, Li S, Sun Z. Clinical value of circulating tumor cells for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e22242. [PMID: 33019399 PMCID: PMC7535562 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000022242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate the clinical value of circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection in peripheral blood for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Public databases were searched, and a meta-analysis was performed to determine the specificity, sensitivity, negative- likelihood ratio (NLR) and positive-likelihood ratio (PLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (dOR) of CTC detection for the diagnosis of HCC. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed for the association of CTC detection with overall survival (OS) and HCC recurrence. The Meta-DiSc 1.4 and Review Manager 5.2 software programs were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Meta-analysis of 20 studies including 1191 patients showed that the specificity, sensitivity, NLR, PLR, and dOR of CTC testing for HCC diagnosis were 0.60 (95% CI = 0.57-0.63), 0.95 (95%CI = 0.93-0.96), 0.36 (95%CI = 0.28-0.48), 11.64 (95%CI = 5.85-23.14), and 38.94 (95%CI = 18.33-82.75), respectively. Meta-analysis of 18 studies including 1466 patients indicated that the OS of CTC-positive HCC patients was less than that of CTC-negative patients (HR = 2.31; 95% CI = 1.55-3.42; P < .01). Meta-analysis of 5 studies including 339 patients revealed that the presence of CTCs in peripheral blood significantly increased the risk of HCC recurrence (HR = 3.03, 95% CI = 1.89-4.86; P < .01). CONCLUSION CTCs in peripheral blood may be a useful marker for HCC diagnosis. In addition, the prognosis of CTC-positive HCC patients was significantly worse than that of CTC-negative HCC patients. Therefore, further studies are warranted to confirm the clinical potential of CTC detection in peripheral blood in patients with primary HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Cui
- Shandong Cancer Hospital affiliated to Shandong University
- Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences
| | - Yang Ou
- Shandong Cancer Hospital affiliated to Shandong University
- Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences
| | - Yangyang Shen
- Shandong Cancer Hospital affiliated to Shandong University
- Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences
| | - Sheng Li
- Shandong Cancer Hospital affiliated to Shandong University
- Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences
| | - Ziqiang Sun
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College, Ji’ning, Shandong, People's Republic of China
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22
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The Significance of Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Real-Time Monitoring and Moving Targets for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071734. [PMID: 32610709 PMCID: PMC7408113 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is ranked as the sixth most common cancer around the world. With the emergence of the state-of-the-art modalities lately, such as liver transplantation, image-guided ablation, and chemoembolization, the death rate is still high due to high metastasis rate after therapy. Observation by biannual ultrasonography allows effective diagnosis at an early stage for candidates with no extrahepatic metastasis, but its effectiveness still remains unsatisfactory. Developing a new test with improved effectiveness and specificity is urgently needed for HCC diagnosis, especially for patients after first line therapy. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a small sub-population of tumor cells in human peripheral blood, they release from the primary tumor and invade into the blood circulatory system, thereby residing into the distal tissues and survive. As CTCs have specific and aggressive properties, they can evade from immune defenses, induce gene alterations, and modulate signal transductions. Ultimately, CTCs can manipulate tumor behaviors and patient reactions to anti-tumor treatment. Given the fact that in HCC blood is present around the immediate vicinity of the tumor, which allows thousands of CTCs to release into the blood circulation daily, so CTCs are considered to be the main cause for HCC occurrence, and are also a pivotal factor for HCC prognosis. In this review, we highlight the characteristics and enrichment strategies of CTCs, and focus on the use of CTCs for tumor evaluation and management in patients with HCC.
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23
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Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Obesity-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051290. [PMID: 32443737 PMCID: PMC7281233 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a global, intractable issue, altering inflammatory and stress response pathways, and promoting tissue adiposity and tumorigenesis. Visceral fat accumulation is correlated with primary tumor recurrence, poor prognosis and chemotherapeutic resistance. Accumulating evidence highlights a close association between obesity and an increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Obesity drives HCC, and obesity-associated tumorigenesis develops via nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), progressing to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and ultimately to HCC. The better molecular elucidation and proteogenomic characterization of obesity-associated HCC might eventually open up potential therapeutic avenues. The mechanisms relating obesity and HCC are correlated with adipose tissue remodeling, alteration in the gut microbiome, genetic factors, ER stress, oxidative stress and epigenetic changes. During obesity-related hepatocarcinogenesis, adipokine secretion is dysregulated and the nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 1 (Nrf-1), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/Akt, and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathways are activated. This review captures the present trends allied with the molecular mechanisms involved in obesity-associated hepatic tumorigenesis, showcasing next generation molecular therapeutic strategies and their mechanisms for the successful treatment of HCC.
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24
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Effects of Pristine C 60 Fullerenes on Liver and Pancreas in α-Naphthylisothiocyanate-Induced Cholangitis. Dig Dis Sci 2020; 65:215-224. [PMID: 31312992 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-019-05730-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A significant role in pathogenesis of cholangitis is attributed to excessive reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress. Therefore, antioxidants could be promising therapeutics. AIMS The effects of powerful free radical scavenger C60 fullerene on hepatic and pancreatic manifestations of acute and chronic cholangitis in rats were aimed to be discovered. METHODS Acute (AC, 3 days) and chronic (CC, 28 days) cholangitis models were simulated by single (AC) and 4 weekly (CC) α-naphthylisothiocyanate per os administrations. Pristine C60 fullerene aqueous colloid solution (C60FAS, 0.15 mg/ml, size of aggregates 1.2-100 nm) was administered either per os or intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg C60 fullerene daily (AC) and every other day (CC). Prednisolone was used as a reference. Liver and pancreas autopsies were analyzed, and blood serum biochemical markers were measured. Pan-cytokeratin expression in HepG2 cells was assessed after 48-h incubation with C60FAS. RESULTS On AC, C60FAS normalized elevated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and triglycerides, diminished fibrotic alterations in liver, and improved pancreas state when applied by both ways. Additionally, C60FAS per os significantly reduced the signs of inflammation in liver and pancreas. On CC, C60FAS also mitigated liver fibrosis and inflammation, improved pancreas state, and normalized alkaline phosphatase and triglycerides. The remedy effect of C60FAS was more expressed compared to that of prednisolone on both models. Furthermore, C60FAS inhibited pan-cytokeratin expression in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION Pristine C60 fullerene inhibits liver inflammation and fibrogenesis and partially improved liver and pancreas state under acute and chronic cholangitis.
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25
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Anstee QM, Reeves HL, Kotsiliti E, Govaere O, Heikenwalder M. From NASH to HCC: current concepts and future challenges. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 16:411-428. [PMID: 31028350 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-019-0145-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 827] [Impact Index Per Article: 165.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Caloric excess and sedentary lifestyle have led to a global epidemic of obesity and metabolic syndrome. The hepatic consequence of metabolic syndrome and obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is estimated to affect up to one-third of the adult population in many developed and developing countries. This spectrum of liver disease ranges from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. Owing to the high prevalence of NAFLD, especially in industrialized countries but also worldwide, and the consequent burden of progressive liver disease, there is mounting epidemiological evidence that NAFLD has rapidly become a leading aetiology underlying many cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this Review, we discuss NAFLD-associated HCC, including its epidemiology, the key features of the hepatic NAFLD microenvironment (for instance, adaptive and innate immune responses) that promote hepatocarcinogenesis and the management of HCC in patients with obesity and associated metabolic comorbidities. The challenges and future directions of research will also be discussed, including clinically relevant biomarkers for early detection, treatment stratification and monitoring as well as approaches to therapies for both prevention and treatment in those at risk or presenting with NAFLD-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin M Anstee
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
- The Liver Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Helen L Reeves
- The Liver Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Multidisciplinary Team, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Elena Kotsiliti
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olivier Govaere
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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26
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Kim Y, Jo M, Schmidt J, Luo X, Prakash TP, Zhou T, Klein S, Xiao X, Post N, Yin Z, MacLeod AR. Enhanced Potency of GalNAc-Conjugated Antisense Oligonucleotides in Hepatocellular Cancer Models. Mol Ther 2019; 27:1547-1557. [PMID: 31303442 PMCID: PMC6731179 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are a novel therapeutic approach to target difficult-to-drug protein classes by targeting their corresponding mRNAs. Significantly enhanced ASO activity has been achieved by the targeted delivery of ASOs to selected tissues. One example is the targeted delivery of ASOs to hepatocytes, achieved with N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) conjugation to ASO, which results in selective uptake by asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR). Here we have evaluated the potential of GalNAc-conjugated ASOs as a therapeutic approach to targeting difficult-to-drug pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The activity of GalNAc-conjugated ASOs was superior to that of the unconjugated parental ASO in ASGR (+) human HCC cells in vitro, but not in ASGR (-) cells. Both human- and mouse-derived HCC displayed reduced levels of ASGR, however, despite this, GalNAc-conjugated ASOs showed a 5- to 10-fold increase in potency in tumors. Systemically administered GalNAc-conjugated ASOs demonstrated both enhanced antisense activity and antitumor activity in the diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC tumor model. Finally, GalNAc conjugation enhanced ASO activity in human circulating tumor cells from HCC patients, demonstrating the potential of this approach in primary human HCC tumor cells. Taken together, these results provide a strong rationale for a potential therapeutic use of GalNAc-conjugated ASOs for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngsoo Kim
- Department of Antisense Drug Discovery, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA.
| | - Minji Jo
- Department of Antisense Drug Discovery, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Joanna Schmidt
- Department of Antisense Drug Discovery, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Xiaolin Luo
- Department of Antisense Drug Discovery, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Thazha P Prakash
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Tianyuan Zhou
- Department of Antisense Drug Discovery, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Stephanie Klein
- Department of Antisense Drug Discovery, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Xiaokun Xiao
- Department of Antisense Drug Discovery, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Noah Post
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA
| | - Zhengfeng Yin
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - A Robert MacLeod
- Department of Antisense Drug Discovery, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92010, USA.
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27
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Mann J, Reeves HL, Feldstein AE. Liquid biopsy for liver diseases. Gut 2018; 67:2204-2212. [PMID: 30177542 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-315846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
With the growing number of novel therapeutic approaches for liver diseases, significant research efforts have been devoted to the development of liquid biopsy tools for precision medicine. This can be defined as non-invasive reliable biomarkers that can supplement and eventually replace the invasive liver biopsy for diagnosis, disease stratification and monitoring of response to therapeutic interventions. Similarly, detection of liver cancer at an earlier stage of the disease, potentially susceptible to curative resection, can be critical to improve patient survival. Circulating extracellular vesicles, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and tumour cells have emerged as attractive liquid biopsy candidates because they fulfil many of the key characteristics of an ideal biomarker. In this review, we summarise the currently available information regarding these promising and potential transformative tools, as well as the issues still needed to be addressed for adopting various liquid biopsy approaches into clinical practice. These studies may pave the way to the development of a new generation of reliable, mechanism-based disease biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Mann
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Helen L Reeves
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ariel E Feldstein
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
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28
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Li J, Han X, Yu X, Xu Z, Yang G, Liu B, Xiu P. Clinical applications of liquid biopsy as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma: circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:213. [PMID: 30176913 PMCID: PMC6122633 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0893-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant disease with a poor prognosis and high mortality due to a low early diagnosis rate, resistance to systemic treatments and progression to late-stage liver disease. Owing to limitations in the detection of HCC and the lack of awareness of healthcare systems, fewer than 40% of HCC patients are eligible for surgery due to advanced stages of the disease at the time of diagnosis and the occurrence of multiple lesions in the cirrhotic or fibrotic liver. At present, the updated American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) guidelines no longer recommend alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) testing as a part of diagnostic evaluation. Thus, it is imperative to establish a novel diagnostic strategy with high sensitivity and reliability to monitor risk factors to detect HCC at an early stage. In recent years, “liquid biopsy,” (including circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)), has emerged as a technique for the characterization of circulating cells, providing a strong basis for the individualized treatment of patients. As a noninvasive detection method, liquid biopsy is expected to play an important role in the early diagnosis, dynamic monitoring of cancer patients and drug screening. In this review, we will focus on the clinical applications, recent studies and future prospects of liquid biopsy, particularly focusing on HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Xu Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, 255000, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaona Yu
- Department of General Medicine, Weifang Rongfu Military Hospital, Weifang, 261000, Shandong, China
| | - Zongzhen Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Guangsheng Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Bingqi Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Peng Xiu
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, China.
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29
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D'Avola D, Villacorta-Martin C, Martins-Filho SN, Craig A, Labgaa I, von Felden J, Kimaada A, Bonaccorso A, Tabrizian P, Hartmann BM, Sebra R, Schwartz M, Villanueva A. High-density single cell mRNA sequencing to characterize circulating tumor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11570. [PMID: 30068984 PMCID: PMC6070499 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30047-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) release tumor cells to the bloodstream, which can be detected using cell surface markers. Despite numerous reports suggest a direct correlation between the number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and poor clinical outcomes, few studies have provided a thorough molecular characterization of CTCs. Due to the limited access to tissue samples in patients at advanced stages of HCC, it is crucial to develop new technologies to identify HCC cancer drivers in routine clinical conditions. Here, we describe a method that sequentially combines image flow cytometry and high density single-cell mRNA sequencing to identify CTCs in HCC patients. Genome wide expression profiling of CTCs using this approach demonstrates CTC heterogeneity and helps detect known oncogenic drivers in HCC such as IGF2. This integrated approach provides a novel tool for biomarker development in HCC using liquid biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia D'Avola
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- LiverUnit and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Villacorta-Martin
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Sebastiao N Martins-Filho
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda Craig
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Ismail Labgaa
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johann von Felden
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Allette Kimaada
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | | | - Parissa Tabrizian
- Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Boris M Hartmann
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Robert Sebra
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Sema4, a Mount Sinai Venture, Stamford, CT, USA
| | - Myron Schwartz
- Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Augusto Villanueva
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
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30
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Oklu R, Sheth R, Albadawi H, Bhan I, Fatih Sarioglu A, Choz M, Zeinali M, Deshpande V, Maheswaran S, Haber DA, Stott SL, Zhu AX, Goyal L, Toner M, Ting DT. Relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma circulating tumor cells and tumor volume. CANCER CONVERGENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1186/s41236-018-0009-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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31
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Court CM, Hou S, Winograd P, Segel NH, Li QW, Zhu Y, Sadeghi S, Finn RS, Ganapathy E, Song M, French SW, Naini BV, Sho S, Kaldas FM, Busuttil RW, Tomlinson JS, Tseng HR, Agopian VG. A novel multimarker assay for the phenotypic profiling of circulating tumor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver Transpl 2018; 24:946-960. [PMID: 29624843 PMCID: PMC6097911 DOI: 10.1002/lt.25062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Current clinicopathologic staging systems and serum biomarkers poorly discriminate tumor biology in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with high recurrence rates following curative-intent surgical resection and liver transplantation (LT). Identification of accurate biomarkers for improved prognostication and treatment selection is a critical unmet need. We sought to develop a novel "liquid-biopsy" assay capable of detecting HCC circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and characterizing phenotypic subpopulations with prognostic significance. Using HCC cell lines, a tissue microarray, and human blood samples, an antibody cocktail targeting the cell-surface markers asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), glypican-3, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule was optimized for HCC CTC capture using the NanoVelcro CTC Assay. The ability of HCC CTCs and vimentin (VIM)-positive CTCs (a subpopulation expressing an epithelial-to-mesenchymal phenotype) to accurately discriminate tumor stage, recurrence, progression, and overall survival (OS) was evaluated in a prospective study of 80 patients. Multimarker capture detected greater numbers of CTCs than any individual antibody alone for both cell line and patient samples (P < 0.001). HCC CTCs were identified in 59/61 (97%) patients, and HCC (median, 6 CTCs) and non-HCC patients (median, 1 CTC; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] = 0.92; P < 0.001; sensitivity = 84.2%; specificity = 88.5%) were accurately discriminated. VIM-positive CTCs accurately discriminated early-stage, LT eligible patients (median, 0 CTCs) from locally advanced/metastatic, LT ineligible patients (median, 6 CTCs; AUROC = 0.89; P = 0.001; sensitivity = 87.1%; specificity = 90.0%), and predicted OS for all patients (hazard ratio [HR], 2.21; P = 0.001), and faster recurrence after curative-intent surgical or locoregional therapy in potentially curable early-stage HCC (HR, 3.14; P = 0.002). In conclusion, we developed a novel multimarker CTC enrichment assay that detects HCC CTCs with high efficiency and accuracy. A phenotypic subpopulation of VIM-positive CTCs appears to signify the presence of aggressive underlying disease and occult metastases and may have important implications for treatment selection. Liver Transplantation 24 946-960 2018 AASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin M. Court
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Surgery,Veteran’s Health Administration, Greater Los Angeles, Department of Surgery,University of California Los Angeles, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology
| | - Shuang Hou
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Surgery
| | - Paul Winograd
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Surgery,Veteran’s Health Administration, Greater Los Angeles, Department of Surgery
| | - Nicholas H. Segel
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Surgery,University of California Los Angeles, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology
| | - Qingyu Wilda Li
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Surgery,University of California Los Angeles, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology
| | - Yazhen Zhu
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology,California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Saeed Sadeghi
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology
| | - Richard S. Finn
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology
| | - Ekambaram Ganapathy
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
| | - Min Song
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology,California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Samuel W French
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
| | - Bita V. Naini
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
| | - Shonan Sho
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Surgery,Veteran’s Health Administration, Greater Los Angeles, Department of Surgery
| | - Fady M Kaldas
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Surgery
| | | | - James S Tomlinson
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Surgery,Veteran’s Health Administration, Greater Los Angeles, Department of Surgery,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Hsian-Rong Tseng
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology,California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Vatche G. Agopian
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Surgery,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles,Corresponding author: Vatche G. Agopian, MD, FACS, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, 757 Westwood Plaza, Suite 8501-B, LA, CA 90095, , Phone: (310) 267-9610; Fax: (310) 267-9350
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32
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Li P, Han J, Li D, Chen J, Wang W, Xu W. Synthetic Glycopolypeptide Micelle for Targeted Drug Delivery to Hepatic Carcinoma. Polymers (Basel) 2018; 10:E611. [PMID: 30966645 PMCID: PMC6403909 DOI: 10.3390/polym10060611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs to tumor lesions is a major challenge for the treatment of tumors. Up until now, various polymeric nanoparticles have been explored to improve the targetability of these therapeutic drugs through passive or active targeting processes. In the design and construction of polymer nanoparticles, glycopolypeptide has shown great potential owing to its excellent targeting ability and biocompatibility. In order to enhance the antitumor effect of doxorubicin (DOX), a glycopolypeptide-based micelle (GPM) modified by α-lactose (Lac) was synthesized for targeted treatment of hepatoma. The DOX-loaded GPM (i.e., GPM/DOX) could significantly target human hepatoma (HepG2) cells and further inhibit their proliferation in vitro. Additionally, GPM/DOX exhibited a much higher drug accumulation in tumor tissue and a stronger antitumor effect in vivo than free DOX. The above results revealed that this drug delivery system provides a promising platform for the targeting therapy of hepatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengqiang Li
- Department of Chemistry, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China.
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Jiandong Han
- Department of Chemistry, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China.
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Di Li
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Jinjin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China.
| | - Weiguo Xu
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China.
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Cell-surface major vault protein promotes cancer progression through harboring mesenchymal and intermediate circulating tumor cells in hepatocellular carcinomas. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13201. [PMID: 29038587 PMCID: PMC5643512 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13501-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a major role in the metastasis and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we found that major vault protein (MVP) is expressed on the surface of HCC cells and further induced under stressful environments. MVP knockdown reduces cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in HCC cells. Treatment of HCC cells with anti-MVP antibody (α-MVP) recognizing cell-surface MVP (csMVP) inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. csMVP-positive HCC cells have a higher clonogenic survival than csMVP-negative HCC cells, and treatment of HCC cells with α-MVP inhibits clonogenic survival, suggesting that csMVP contributes to HCC cell survival, migration, and invasion. The function of csMVP is mediated through mTOR, FAK, ERK and Akt signaling pathways. csMVP-positive CTCs are detected in HCC patients (89.7%) but not in healthy donors, and the number of csMVP-positive CTCs is further increased in patients with metastatic cancers. csMVP is exclusively detectable in CTCs with mesenchymal phenotype or intermediate phenotype with neither epithelial nor mesenchymal markers, suggesting that csMVP-associated survival and metastatic potential harbor CTCs with nonepithelial phenotypes. The results suggest that csMVP promotes cancer progression and serves as a surface marker for mesenchymal and intermediate CTCs in patients with HCC and metastatic cancers.
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Peters DT, Henderson CA, Warren CR, Friesen M, Xia F, Becker CE, Musunuru K, Cowan CA. Asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 is a specific cell-surface marker for isolating hepatocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Development 2017; 143:1475-81. [PMID: 27143754 DOI: 10.1242/dev.132209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) are derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in vitro, but differentiation protocols commonly give rise to a heterogeneous mixture of cells. This variability confounds the evaluation of in vitro functional assays performed using HLCs. Increased differentiation efficiency and more accurate approximation of the in vivo hepatocyte gene expression profile would improve the utility of hPSCs. Towards this goal, we demonstrate the purification of a subpopulation of functional HLCs using the hepatocyte surface marker asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 (ASGR1). We analyzed the expression profile of ASGR1-positive cells by microarray, and tested their ability to perform mature hepatocyte functions (albumin and urea secretion, cytochrome activity). By these measures, ASGR1-positive HLCs are enriched for the gene expression profile and functional characteristics of primary hepatocytes compared with unsorted HLCs. We have demonstrated that ASGR1-positive sorting isolates a functional subpopulation of HLCs from among the heterogeneous cellular population produced by directed differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek T Peters
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christopher A Henderson
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Curtis R Warren
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Max Friesen
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Fang Xia
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Caroline E Becker
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kiran Musunuru
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chad A Cowan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Takahashi M, Mohan P, Mukai K, Takeda Y, Matsumoto T, Matsumura K, Takakura M, Arai H, Taguchi T, Maenosono S. Magnetic Separation of Autophagosomes from Mammalian Cells Using Magnetic-Plasmonic Hybrid Nanobeads. ACS OMEGA 2017; 2:4929-4937. [PMID: 30023731 PMCID: PMC6044991 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.7b00929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Developments in subcellular fractionation strategies have provided the means to analyze the protein and lipid composition of organelles by proteomics. Here, we developed ultrasmall magnetic-plasmonic hybrid nanobeads and applied them to the isolation of autophagosomes by applying a magnetic field. The beads were chemically synthesized and comprised an Ag/FeCo/Ag core/shell/shell structure with a mean diameter of 15 nm. The Ag core and the FeCo shell conferred imaging and magnetic separation capabilities, respectively. The nanobeads were transfected into mammalian cells by lipofection. Thirty minutes after lipofection, the nanobeads colocalized with Vps26 and subsequently with LC3. Cell lysates were prepared at the appropriate time points and were subjected to magnetic separation. The separated fraction contained LC3-II, transferrin receptor, and LAMP2, but not LC3-I, suggesting that autophagosomes engulfing endosomal origin had been isolated. The magnetic separation process was completed in less than 30 min, providing a rapid method for isolation of autophagosomes. The present organelle isolation technique using the hybrid nanobeads with imaging and magnetic separation capabilities is highly promising for isolation of other types of organelles such as endosomes and endosome-related organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Takahashi
- School
of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
| | - Priyank Mohan
- School
of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
| | - Kojiro Mukai
- Department
of Health Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yuichi Takeda
- Department
of Biochemistry, Osaka University Graduate
School of Medicine, 2-2
Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takeo Matsumoto
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kanazawa University
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 13-1 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Matsumura
- School
of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takakura
- Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kanazawa Medical
University, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada-machi, Kahoku-gun, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Arai
- Department
of Health Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Taguchi
- Pathological
Cell Biology Laboratory, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Shinya Maenosono
- School
of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
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Okajima W, Komatsu S, Ichikawa D, Miyamae M, Ohashi T, Imamura T, Kiuchi J, Nishibeppu K, Arita T, Konishi H, Shiozaki A, Morimura R, Ikoma H, Okamoto K, Otsuji E. Liquid biopsy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Circulating tumor cells and cell-free nucleic acids. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:5650-5668. [PMID: 28883691 PMCID: PMC5569280 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i31.5650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with its high incidence and mortality rate, is one of the most common malignant tumors. Despite recent development of a diagnostic and treatment method, the prognosis of HCC remains poor. Therefore, to provide optimal treatment for each patient with HCC, more precise and effective biomarkers are urgently needed which could facilitate a more detailed individualized decision-making during HCC treatment, including the following; risk assessment, early cancer detection, prediction of treatment or prognostic outcome. In the blood of cancer patients, accumulating evidence about circulating tumor cells and cell-free nucleic acids has suggested their potent clinical utilities as novel biomarker. This concept, so-called “liquid biopsy” is widely known as an alternative approach to cancer tissue biopsy. This method might facilitate a more sensitive diagnosis and better decision-making by obtaining genetic and epigenetic aberrations that are closely associated with cancer initiation and progression. In this article, we review recent developments based on the available literature on both circulating tumor cells and cell-free nucleic acids in cancer patients, especially focusing on Hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Okajima
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Shuhei Komatsu
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ichikawa
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Mahito Miyamae
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Takuma Ohashi
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Taisuke Imamura
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Jun Kiuchi
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Keiji Nishibeppu
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Arita
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Konishi
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shiozaki
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Ryo Morimura
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hisashi Ikoma
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Kazuma Okamoto
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Eigo Otsuji
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
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Sun C, Liao W, Deng Z, Li E, Feng Q, Lei J, Yuan R, Zou S, Mao Y, Shao J, Wu L, Zhang C. The diagnostic value of assays for circulating tumor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e7513. [PMID: 28723763 PMCID: PMC5521903 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000007513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are considered potential biomarkers for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Many studies have attempted to explore this role, but the results are variable. We conducted the first comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic value of CTC assay for HCC patients. Additional prognostic value was also assessed. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN All articles included in our study were assessed using QUADAS guidelines after a literature search. Using bivariate generalized linear mixed model and random-effects model, effect measures such as pooled sensitivity/specificity, positive likelihood ratios/negative likelihood ratios (NLRs), diagnostic odds ratios, hazard ratios (HRs), risk ratios, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. We used receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC) to summarize overall test performance. Heterogeneity, publication bias, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses were also performed. RESULTS A total of 2256 subjects including 998 HCC patients in 20 studies were recruited in this meta-analysis. Although the overall diagnostic accuracy of the CTC assay was high (AUC 0.93, 95% CI: [0.90-0.95]), there was a high probability of error rate (NLR 0.33, 95% CI: [0.23, 0.48]). The results were more robust when nonmagnetic-activated isolation was used, compared with magnetic-activated isolation subgroup (NLR: 0.18 vs. 0.41; z = 2.118, P = .034). CTCs positivity was significantly associated with relapse-free survival (HR 2.417, 95% CI: [1.421-3.250]; P < .001), overall survival (HR 3.59, 95% CI: [1.984-6.495]; P < .001), and some clinical characteristics. CONCLUSION CTC assay is not recommended as an independent HCC diagnostic tool, but is associated with poor clinicopathologic characteristics of HCC patients and could indicate poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Sun
- Department of Nursing, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University
| | - Wenjun Liao
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang
| | - Zefu Deng
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang
| | - Enliang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang
| | - Qian Feng
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang
| | - Jun Lei
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang
| | - Rongfa Yuan
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang
| | - Shubing Zou
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang
| | - Yilei Mao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianghua Shao
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang
| | - Linquan Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University
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Fang M, Zheng WJ, Yao M, Dong ZZ, Yao DF. Novel specific markers for hepatocellular carcinoma: Perspective on clinical applications. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2017; 25:865-873. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v25.i10.865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Despite continuous global efforts aimed at HCC eradication and improvements in various treatment techniques, the prognosis of HCC remains very poor. How to monitor malignant transformation of hepatocytes or diagnose HCC at early stage is still a medical challenge. A growing understanding of the multiple pathogenic factors including hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection, lipid accumulation, aflatoxin B1 intake and so on suggests that hepatocarcinogenesis is a multistep process. A large number of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes have been identified. Early screening of HCC patients has been reported to confer a survival benefit. Although serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and hepatoma-specific AFP have been used as conventional tumor markers, they often show false-positive results and lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity. In order to provide optimal treatment for each patient with HCC, more precise and effective biomarkers are urgently needed in all phases of management from early detection to staging, treatment monitoring, and prognosis evaluation. Recently, numerous studies have shown the clinical utility of novel blood-based biomarkers, such as circulating tumor cells, key signal molecules or specific proteins, long non-coding RNAs, and microRNAs. In this article, we will review some novel HCC-related biomarkers and discuss their future perspective on clinical applications.
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39
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Chen L, Wu LL, Zhang ZL, Hu J, Tang M, Qi CB, Li N, Pang DW. Biofunctionalized magnetic nanospheres-based cell sorting strategy for efficient isolation, detection and subtype analyses of heterogeneous circulating hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Biosens Bioelectron 2016; 85:633-640. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2016.05.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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40
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Hu Y, Yu X, Xu G, Liu S. Metastasis: an early event in cancer progression. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2016; 143:745-757. [DOI: 10.1007/s00432-016-2279-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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41
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Zhang Y, Zhang X, Zhang J, Sun B, Zheng L, Li J, Liu S, Sui G, Yin Z. Microfluidic chip for isolation of viable circulating tumor cells of hepatocellular carcinoma for their culture and drug sensitivity assay. Cancer Biol Ther 2016; 17:1177-1187. [PMID: 27662377 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2016.1235665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been proposed to be an active source of metastasis or recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The enumeration and characterization of CTCs has important clinical significance in recurrence prediction and treatment monitoring in HCC patients. We previously developed a unique method to separate HCC CTCs based on the interaction of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) expressed on their membranes with its ligand. The current study applied the ligand-receptor binding assay to a CTC-chip in a microfluidic device. Efficient capture of HCC CTCs originates from the small dimensions of microfluidic channels and enhanced local topographic interactions between the microfluidic channel and extracellular extensions. With the optimized conditions, a capture yield reached > 85% for artificial CTC blood samples. Clinical utility of the system was further validated. CTCs were detected in all the examined 36 patients with HCC, with an average of 14 ± 10/2 mL. On the contrary, no CTCs were detected in healthy, benign liver disease or non-HCC cancer subjects. The current study also successfully demonstrated that the captured CTCs on our CTC-chip were readily released with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA); released CTCs remained alive and could be expanded to form a spheroid-like structure in a 3-dimensional cell culture assay; furthermore, sensitivity of released CTCs to chemotherapeutic agents (sorafenib or oxaliplatin) could be effectively tested utilizing this culture assay. In conclusion, the methodologies presented here offer great promise for accurate enumeration and easy release of captured CTCs, and released CTCs could be cultured for further functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- a Molecular Oncology Laboratory , Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , P.R. China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhang
- a Molecular Oncology Laboratory , Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , P.R. China
| | - Jinling Zhang
- b Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science & Engineering , Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University , Shanghai , P.R. China
| | - Bin Sun
- a Molecular Oncology Laboratory , Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , P.R. China
| | - Lulu Zheng
- b Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science & Engineering , Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University , Shanghai , P.R. China
| | - Jun Li
- a Molecular Oncology Laboratory , Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , P.R. China
| | - Sixiu Liu
- b Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science & Engineering , Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University , Shanghai , P.R. China
| | - Guodong Sui
- b Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science & Engineering , Institute of Biomedical Science, Fudan University , Shanghai , P.R. China
| | - Zhengfeng Yin
- a Molecular Oncology Laboratory , Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University , Shanghai , P.R. China
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A Hybrid Chalcone Combining the Trimethoxyphenyl and Isatinyl Groups Targets Multiple Oncogenic Proteins and Pathways in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161025. [PMID: 27525972 PMCID: PMC4985065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Small molecule inhibitors that can simultaneously inhibit multiple oncogenic proteins in essential pathways are promising therapeutic chemicals for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To combine the anticancer effects of combretastatins, chalcones and isatins, we synthesized a novel hybrid molecule 3’,4’,5’-trimethoxy-5-chloro-isatinylchalcone (3MCIC). 3MCIC inhibited proliferation of cultured HepG2 cells, causing rounding-up of the cells and massive vacuole accumulation in the cytoplasm. Paxillin and focal adhesion plaques were downregulated by 3MCIC. Surprisingly, unlike the microtubule (MT)-targeting agent CA-4 that inhibits tubulin polymerization, 3MCIC stabilized tubulin polymers both in living cells and in cell lysates. 3MCIC treatment reduced cyclin B1, CDK1, p-CDK1/2, and Rb, but increased p53 and p21. Moreover, 3MCIC caused GSK3β degradation by promoting GSK3β-Ser9 phosphorylation. Nevertheless, 3MCIC inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by downregulating β-catenin, c-Myc, cyclin D1 and E2F1. 3MCIC treatment not only activated the caspase-3-dependent apoptotic pathway, but also caused massive autophagy evidenced by rapid and drastic changes of LC3 and p62. 3MCIC also promoted cleavage and maturation of the lysosomal protease cathepsin D. Using ligand-affinity chromatography (LAC), target proteins captured onto the Sephacryl S1000-C12-3MCIC resins were isolated and analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). Some of the LAC-MS identified targets, i.e., septin-2, vimentin, pan-cytokeratin, nucleolin, EF1α1/2, EBP1 (PA2G4), cyclin B1 and GSK3β, were further detected by Western blotting. Moreover, both septin-2 and HIF-1α decreased drastically in 3MCIC-treated HepG2 cells. Our data suggest that 3MCIC is a promising anticancer lead compound with novel targeting mechanisms, and also demonstrate the efficiency of LAC-MS based target identification in anticancer drug development.
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Palaniappan A, Ramar K, Ramalingam S. Computational Identification of Novel Stage-Specific Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer Progression. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156665. [PMID: 27243824 PMCID: PMC4887059 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well-known that the conversion of normal colon epithelium to adenoma and then to carcinoma stems from acquired molecular changes in the genome. The genetic basis of colorectal cancer has been elucidated to a certain extent, and much remains to be known about the identity of specific cancer genes that are associated with the advancement of colorectal cancer from one stage to the next. Here in this study we attempted to identify novel cancer genes that could underlie the stage-specific progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer. We conducted a stage-based meta-analysis of the voluminous tumor genome-sequencing data and mined using multiple approaches for novel genes driving the progression to stage-II, stage-III and stage-IV colorectal cancer. The consensus of these driver genes seeded the construction of stage-specific networks, which were then analyzed for the centrality of genes, clustering of subnetworks, and enrichment of gene-ontology processes. Our study identified three novel driver genes as hubs for stage-II progression: DYNC1H1, GRIN2A, GRM1. Four novel driver genes were identified as hubs for stage-III progression: IGF1R, CPS1, SPTA1, DSP. Three novel driver genes were identified as hubs for stage-IV progression: GSK3B, GGT1, EIF2B5. We also identified several non-driver genes that appeared to underscore the progression of colorectal cancer. Our study yielded potential diagnostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer as well as novel stage-specific drug targets for rational intervention. Our methodology is extendable to the analysis of other types of cancer to fill the gaps in our knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Palaniappan
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu 603103, India
- * E-mail:
| | - Karthick Ramar
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu 603103, India
| | - Satish Ramalingam
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu 603103, India
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Lu LC, Hsu CH, Hsu C, Cheng AL. Tumor Heterogeneity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Facing the Challenges. Liver Cancer 2016; 5:128-38. [PMID: 27386431 PMCID: PMC4906428 DOI: 10.1159/000367754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), such as that found in second primary tumors after curative treatment, synchronous multifocal tumors of different clonality, or intratumor heterogeneity, poses severe challenges for the development and administration of systemic molecular targeted therapies. Various methodologies, including historical DNA ploidy analysis, integrated hepatitis B virus DNA analysis, DNA fingerprinting, and next-generation sequencing technologies, are used to explore tumor heterogeneity in HCC. It is estimated that 30%-60% of recurrent or metastatic tumors harbor clones different from the primary tumor, 22%-79% of synchronous tumors vary clonally, and 12%-66% of single tumors contain intratumor heterogeneity. Substantial intertumor and intratumor heterogeneity renders biomarker identification, which is critical for the development and administration of molecular targeted therapy, challenging when applied to a single tumor biopsy specimen. The use of circulating tumor cells or circulating tumor DNA to evaluate overall tumor heterogeneity may help resolve this problem. This article reviews previous studies of tumor heterogeneity and discusses the implications and future opportunities regarding tumor heterogeneity in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Chun Lu
- Departments of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (ROC),Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan (ROC)
| | - Chih-Hung Hsu
- Departments of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (ROC),Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan (ROC)
| | - Chiun Hsu
- Departments of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (ROC),Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan (ROC)
| | - Ann-Lii Cheng
- Departments of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (ROC),Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (ROC),Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan (ROC),*Ann-Lii Cheng, MD, PhD, Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 10002, Taiwan (ROC), Tel. +886 2 2312 3456 ext. 67251, E-Mail
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Court CM, Ankeny JS, Sho S, Tomlinson JS. Circulating Tumor Cells in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Current Practices and Future Directions. Cancer Treat Res 2016; 168:345-376. [PMID: 29206383 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-34244-3_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
GI cancers are the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide primarily due to a combination of late presentation and aggressive biology. The lack of adequate biomarkers for screening, diagnosis, staging, and prognosis confounds clinical decision-making and delays potentially effective therapies. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a new biomarker with particular promise in GI cancers, potentially offering clinicians and researchers real-time access to tumor tissue in a reliable, safe, and cost-effective manner. Preliminary studies have investigated the potential clinical utility of CTCs for all GI cancer types with promising results. Furthermore, advances in single cell analytics have been successfully applied to CTCs, allowing for exciting new clinical and research applications. In this chapter, we will review the current state of CTC research in GI cancers as well as the potential future applications that are currently being developed.
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Howell JA, Sharma R. The clinical role of 'liquid biopsy' in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepat Oncol 2015; 3:45-55. [PMID: 30191026 DOI: 10.2217/hep.15.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating free tumor DNA (ctDNA) is DNA released from necrotic or apoptotic tumor cells into the bloodstream. Absolute levels of ctDNA, as well as genetic mutations and epigenetic changes detected in ctDNA are useful biomarkers of tumor biology, progression and response to therapy in many tumor types and recent evidence suggests they may be useful in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ctDNA detected in blood, therefore, offers a minimally invasive, easily repeated 'liquid biopsy' of cancer, providing real-time dynamic analysis of tumor behavior and treatment response that could revolutionize both clinical and research practice in HCC. In this review, we provide a critical summary of the evidence for the utility of ctDNA as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Howell
- Department of Hepatology, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK.,Centre for Population Health, MacFarlane-Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Hepatology, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK.,Centre for Population Health, MacFarlane-Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rohini Sharma
- Department of Oncology, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK.,Department of Oncology, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK
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Chiu TK, Lei KF, Hsieh CH, Hsiao HB, Wang HM, Wu MH. Development of a microfluidic-based optical sensing device for label-free detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) through their lactic acid metabolism. SENSORS 2015; 15:6789-806. [PMID: 25808775 PMCID: PMC4435186 DOI: 10.3390/s150306789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This study reports a microfluidic-based optical sensing device for label-free detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), a rare cell species in blood circulation. Based on the metabolic features of cancer cells, live CTCs can be quantified indirectly through their lactic acid production. Compared with the conventional schemes for CTC detection, this label-free approach could prevent the biological bias due to the heterogeneity of the surface antigens on cancer cells. In this study, a microfluidic device was proposed to generate uniform water-in-oil cell-encapsulating micro-droplets, followed by the fluorescence-based optical detection of lactic acid produced within the micro-droplets. To test its feasibility to quantify cancer cells, experiments were carried out. Results showed that the detection signals were proportional to the number of cancer cells within the micro-droplets, whereas such signals were insensitive to the existence and number of leukocytes within. To further demonstrate its feasibility for cancer cell detection, the cancer cells with known cell number in a cell suspension was detected based on the method. Results revealed that there was no significant difference between the detected number and the real number of cancer cells. As a whole, the proposed method opens up a new route to detect live CTCs in a label-free manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Keng Chiu
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
| | - Kin-Fong Lei
- Graduate Institute of Medical Mechatronics, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Hsun Hsieh
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkuo, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
| | - Hung-Bo Hsiao
- Graduate Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
| | - Hung-Ming Wang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
| | - Min-Hsien Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biochemical and Biomedical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
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Liu HY, Qian HH, Zhang XF, Li J, Yang X, Sun B, Ma JY, Chen L, Yin ZF. Improved method increases sensitivity for circulating hepatocellular carcinoma cells. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:2918-2925. [PMID: 25780289 PMCID: PMC4356911 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i10.2918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To improve an asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR)-based enrichment method for detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from healthy subjects, patients with HCC or various other cancers, and patients with hepatic lesions or hepatitis. CTCs were enriched from whole blood by extracting CD45-expressing leukocytes with monoclonal antibody coated-beads following density gradient centrifugation. The remaining cells were cytocentrifuged on polylysine-coated slides. Isolated cells were treated by triple immunofluorescence staining with CD45 antibody and a combination of antibodies against ASGPR and carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1), used as liver-specific markers, and costained with DAPI. The cell slide was imaged and stained tumor cells that met preset criteria were counted. Recovery, sensitivity and specificity of the detection methods were determined and compared by spiking experiments with various types of cultured human tumor cell lines. Expression of ASGPR and CPS1 in cultured tumor cells and tumor tissue specimens was analyzed by flow cytometry and triple immunofluorescence staining, respectively.
RESULTS: CD45 depletion of leukocytes resulted in a significantly greater recovery of multiple amounts of spiked HCC cells than the ASGPR+ selection (Ps < 0.05). The expression rates of either ASGPR or CPS1 were different in various liver cancer cell lines, ranging between 18% and 99% for ASGPR and between 9% and 98% for CPS1. In both human HCC tissues and liver cancer cell lines, there were a few HCC cells that did not stain positive for ASGPR or CPS1. The mixture of monoclonal antibodies against ASGPR and CPS1 identified more HCC cells than either antibody alone. However, these antibodies did not detect any tumor cells in blood samples spiked with the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and the human renal cancer cell line A498. ASGPR+ or/and CPS1+ CTCs were detected in 29/32 (91%) patients with HCC, but not in patients with any other kind of cancer or any of the other test subjects. Furthermore, the improved method detected a higher CTC count in all patients examined than did the previous method (P = 0.001), and consistently achieved 12%-21% higher sensitivity of CTC detection in all seven HCC patients with more than 40 CTCs.
CONCLUSION: Negative depletion enrichment combined with identification using a mixture of antibodies against ASGPR and CPS1 improves sensitivity and specificity for detecting circulating HCC cells.
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Lee YY, Li CF, Lin CY, Lee SW, Sheu MJ, Lin LC, Chen TJ, Wu TF, Hsing CH. Overexpression of CPS1 is an independent negative prognosticator in rectal cancers receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:11097-105. [PMID: 25099619 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-2425-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Locally advanced rectal cancers are currently treated with neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) followed by surgery, but stratification of risk and final outcomes remain suboptimal. In view of the fact that glutamine metabolism is usually altered in cancer, we profiled and validated the significance of genes involved in this pathway in rectal cancers treated with CCRT. From a published transcriptome of rectal cancers (GSE35452), we focused on glutamine metabolic process-related genes (GO:0006541) and found upregulation of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) gene most significantly predicted poor response to CCRT. We evaluated the expression levels of CPS1 using immunohistochemistry to analyze tumor specimens obtained during colonoscopy from 172 rectal cancer patients. Expression levels of CPS1 were further correlated with major clinicopathological features and survivals in this validation cohort. To further confirm CPS1 expression levels, Western blotting was performed for human colon epithelial primary cell (HCoEpiC) and four human colon cancer cells, including HT29, SW480, LoVo, and SW620. CPS1 overexpression was significantly related to advanced posttreatment tumor (T3, T4; P = 0.006) and nodal status (N1, N2; P < 0.001), and inferior tumor regression grade (P = 0.004). In survival analyses, CPS1 overexpression was significantly associated with shorter disease-specific survival (DSS) and metastasis-free survival (MeFS). Furthermore, using multivariate analysis, it was also independently predictive of worse DSS (P = 0.021, hazard ratio = 2.762) and MeFS (P = 0.004, hazard ratio = 3.897). CPS1 protein expression, as detected by Western blotting, is more abundant in colon cancer cells than nonneoplastic HCoEpiC. Overexpression of CPS1 is associated with poor therapeutic response and adverse outcomes among rectal cancer patients receiving CCRT, justifying the potential theranostic value of CPS1 for such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ying Lee
- Department of Pathology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
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Liu H, Zhang X, Li J, Sun B, Qian H, Yin Z. The biological and clinical importance of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in circulating tumor cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2014; 141:189-201. [PMID: 24965746 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-014-1752-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Movement of tumor cells from a primary tumor to a nonadjacent or distant site is a contiguous and complex process. Among the multiple natural cellular programs that promote initiation and progression of tumor metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may play a key role in the ultimate generation of a metastatic foci. Acquisition of the EMT phenotype by tumor cells not only increases their migration and invasion potentials, thereby facilitating their ability to infiltrate blood vessels and to produce circulating tumor cells (CTCs), but also promotes survival of CTCs in the bloodstream and their ability to extravasate out of the circulatory system and invade proximal tissues. In organs distal to the primary tumor, the phenotypic switching mechanism of mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) enables CTCs to grow and colonize, enhancing the likelihood of establishing metastasis. In addition, CTCs that have undergone EMT attain increased resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. CTCs with the EMT phenotype have become recognized as an active source of metastases, and targeting EMT/MET processes during the individual steps of tumor metastasis represents a promising new approach for alleviating cancer metastasis and recurrence. In this article, we focus on the biological and clinical importance of EMT and/or MET in CTCs during the individual steps of tumor metastasis, summarizing the recent findings of the regulatory roles played by EMT and/or MET in the generation, survival, and recolonization of CTCs and discussing the EMT-targeting strategies developed for tumor diagnosis as well as their potential for management of metastatic malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Liu
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438, China
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