1
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Hou Y, Zhao Z, Li P, Cao Y, Zhang Y, Guo C, Nie X, Hou J. Combination therapies with Wnt signaling inhibition: A better choice for prostate cancer treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189186. [PMID: 39332651 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Revised: 09/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
The intractability and high mortality rate of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remain the most challenging problems in the field of prostate cancer (PCa). Emerging evidence has shown that the dysregulation of Wnt signaling pathways, which are highly conserved cascades that regulate embryonic development and maintain tissue homeostasis, is involved in various stages of PCa occurrence and progression. In this review, we systemically discuss the mechanisms by which the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway and Wnt signaling pathways participate in the occurrence of PCa and its progression to CRPC. Specifically, we elaborate on how Wnt signaling pathways induce the malignant transformation of prostate cells, promote the malignant progression of PCa and establish an immunosuppressive prostate tumor microenvironment through interaction with the AR pathway or in an AR-independent manner. We also discuss how Wnt signaling pathways enhances the stemness characteristics of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) to induce the occurrence and metastasis of CPPC. Additionally, we discuss the latest progress in the use of different types of drugs that inhibit the Wnt signaling pathways in the treatment of PCa. We believe that the combination of Wnt signaling-based drugs with endocrine and other therapies is necessary and may enhance the clinical efficacy in the treatment of all types of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Hou
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; Kaifeng 155 Hospital, China RongTong Medical Healthcare Group Co. Ltd., Kaifeng 475003, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhao
- Ma'anshan 86 Hospital, China RongTong Medical Healthcare Group Co. Ltd, Ma'anshan 243100, China
| | - Pan Li
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yujia Cao
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Changsheng Guo
- Kaifeng 155 Hospital, China RongTong Medical Healthcare Group Co. Ltd., Kaifeng 475003, China
| | - Xiaobo Nie
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Junqing Hou
- Kaifeng 155 Hospital, China RongTong Medical Healthcare Group Co. Ltd., Kaifeng 475003, China.
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2
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Jin X, Wang S, Luo L, Yan F, He Q. Targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer: Potential for advancement. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 227:116463. [PMID: 39102994 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancers (GICs) are highly prevalent cancers that threaten human health worldwide. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has been reported to play a pivotal role in the carcinogenesis of GICs. Numerous interventions targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in GICs are currently being tested in clinical trials with promising results. Unfortunately, there are no clinically approved drugs that effectively target this pathway. This comprehensive review aims to evaluate the impact of clinical therapies targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in GICs. By integrating data from bioinformatics databases and recent literature from the past five years, we examine the heterogeneous expression and regulatory mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin pathway genes and proteins in GICs. Specifically, we focus on expression patterns, mutation frequencies, and clinical prognoses to understand their implications for treatment strategies. Additionally, we discuss recent clinical trial efforts targeting this pathway. Understanding the inhibitors currently under clinical investigation may help optimize foundational research and clinical strategies. We hope that elucidating the current status of precision therapeutic stratification for patients targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway will guide future innovations in precision medicine for GICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xizhi Jin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China; Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China; Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, PR China
| | - Sijie Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China
| | - Lihua Luo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China.
| | - Fangjie Yan
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China; Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, PR China.
| | - Qiaojun He
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PR China.
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3
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Tümen D, Heumann P, Huber J, Hahn N, Macek C, Ernst M, Kandulski A, Kunst C, Gülow K. Unraveling Cancer's Wnt Signaling: Dynamic Control through Protein Kinase Regulation. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2686. [PMID: 39123414 PMCID: PMC11312265 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16152686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the initial identification of oncogenic Wnt in mice and Drosophila, the Wnt signaling pathway has been subjected to thorough and extensive investigation. Persistent activation of Wnt signaling exerts diverse cancer characteristics, encompassing tumor initiation, tumor growth, cell senescence, cell death, differentiation, and metastasis. Here we review the principal signaling mechanisms and the regulatory influence of pathway-intrinsic and extrinsic kinases on cancer progression. Additionally, we underscore the divergences and intricate interplays of the canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways and their critical influence in cancer pathophysiology, exhibiting both growth-promoting and growth-suppressing roles across diverse cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Karsten Gülow
- Department of Internal Medicine I Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (D.T.); (N.H.)
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4
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de Pellegars-Malhortie A, Picque Lasorsa L, Mazard T, Granier F, Prévostel C. Why Is Wnt/β-Catenin Not Yet Targeted in Routine Cancer Care? Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:949. [PMID: 39065798 PMCID: PMC11279613 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment, the still limited number of therapeutic options is an obstacle towards increasing the cancer cure rate. In recent years, many efforts were put forth to develop therapeutics that selectively target different components of the oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These include small molecule inhibitors, antibodies, and more recently, gene-based approaches. Although some of them showed promising outcomes in clinical trials, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is still not targeted in routine clinical practice for cancer management. As for most anticancer treatments, a critical limitation to the use of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors is their therapeutic index, i.e., the difficulty of combining effective anticancer activity with acceptable toxicity. Protecting healthy tissues from the effects of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors is a major issue due to the vital role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in adult tissue homeostasis and regeneration. In this review, we provide an up-to-date summary of clinical trials on Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitors, examine their anti-tumor activity and associated adverse events, and explore strategies under development to improve the benefit/risk profile of this therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auriane de Pellegars-Malhortie
- IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute), University of Montpellier, Inserm, ICM (Montpellier Regional Cancer Institute), 34298 Montpellier, CEDEX 5, France; (A.d.P.-M.); (L.P.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Laurence Picque Lasorsa
- IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute), University of Montpellier, Inserm, ICM (Montpellier Regional Cancer Institute), 34298 Montpellier, CEDEX 5, France; (A.d.P.-M.); (L.P.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Thibault Mazard
- IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute), University of Montpellier, Inserm, ICM (Montpellier Regional Cancer Institute), 34298 Montpellier, CEDEX 5, France; (A.d.P.-M.); (L.P.L.); (T.M.)
- Medical Oncology Department, ICM, University of Montpellier, CEDEX 5, 34298 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Corinne Prévostel
- IRCM (Montpellier Cancer Research Institute), University of Montpellier, Inserm, ICM (Montpellier Regional Cancer Institute), 34298 Montpellier, CEDEX 5, France; (A.d.P.-M.); (L.P.L.); (T.M.)
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5
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Rathee M, Umar SM, Dev AJR, Kashyap A, Mathur SR, Gogia A, Mohapatra P, Prasad CP. Canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling upregulates aerobic glycolysis in diverse cancer types. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:788. [PMID: 38970704 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09694-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Despite many efforts, a comprehensive understanding and clarification of the intricate connections within cancer cell metabolism remain elusive. This might pertain to intracellular dynamics and the complex interplay between cancer cells, and cells with the tumor stroma. Almost a century ago, Otto Warburg found that cancer cells exhibit a glycolytic phenotype, which continues to be a subject of thorough investigation. Past and ongoing investigations have demonstrated intricate mechanisms by which tumors modulate their functionality by utilizing extracellular glucose as a substrate, thereby sustaining the essential proliferation of cancer cells. This concept of "aerobic glycolysis," where cancer cells (even in the presence of enough oxygen) metabolize glucose to produce lactate plays a critical role in cancer progression and is regulated by various signaling pathways. Recent research has revealed that the canonical wingless-related integrated site (WNT) pathway promotes aerobic glycolysis, directly and indirectly, thereby influencing cancer development and progression. The present review seeks to gather knowledge about how the WNT/β-catenin pathway influences aerobic glycolysis, referring to relevant studies in different types of cancer. Furthermore, we propose the concept of impeding the glycolytic phenotype of tumors by employing specific inhibitors that target WNT/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meetu Rathee
- Department of Medical Oncology Lab, DR BRA IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 4thFloor, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Sheikh Mohammad Umar
- Department of Medical Oncology Lab, DR BRA IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 4thFloor, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Arundhathi J R Dev
- Department of Medical Oncology Lab, DR BRA IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 4thFloor, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Akanksha Kashyap
- Department of Medical Oncology Lab, DR BRA IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 4thFloor, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Sandeep R Mathur
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Ajay Gogia
- Department of Medical Oncology, DR BRA IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India
| | | | - Chandra Prakash Prasad
- Department of Medical Oncology Lab, DR BRA IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 4thFloor, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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6
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Yu M, Qin K, Fan J, Zhao G, Zhao P, Zeng W, Chen C, Wang A, Wang Y, Zhong J, Zhu Y, Wagstaff W, Haydon RC, Luu HH, Ho S, Lee MJ, Strelzow J, Reid RR, He TC. The evolving roles of Wnt signaling in stem cell proliferation and differentiation, the development of human diseases, and therapeutic opportunities. Genes Dis 2024; 11:101026. [PMID: 38292186 PMCID: PMC10825312 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The evolutionarily conserved Wnt signaling pathway plays a central role in development and adult tissue homeostasis across species. Wnt proteins are secreted, lipid-modified signaling molecules that activate the canonical (β-catenin dependent) and non-canonical (β-catenin independent) Wnt signaling pathways. Cellular behaviors such as proliferation, differentiation, maturation, and proper body-axis specification are carried out by the canonical pathway, which is the best characterized of the known Wnt signaling paths. Wnt signaling has emerged as an important factor in stem cell biology and is known to affect the self-renewal of stem cells in various tissues. This includes but is not limited to embryonic, hematopoietic, mesenchymal, gut, neural, and epidermal stem cells. Wnt signaling has also been implicated in tumor cells that exhibit stem cell-like properties. Wnt signaling is crucial for bone formation and presents a potential target for the development of therapeutics for bone disorders. Not surprisingly, aberrant Wnt signaling is also associated with a wide variety of diseases, including cancer. Mutations of Wnt pathway members in cancer can lead to unchecked cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and metastasis. Altogether, advances in the understanding of dysregulated Wnt signaling in disease have paved the way for the development of novel therapeutics that target components of the Wnt pathway. Beginning with a brief overview of the mechanisms of canonical and non-canonical Wnt, this review aims to summarize the current knowledge of Wnt signaling in stem cells, aberrations to the Wnt pathway associated with diseases, and novel therapeutics targeting the Wnt pathway in preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Yu
- School of Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Kevin Qin
- School of Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jiaming Fan
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine, and Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Guozhi Zhao
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Piao Zhao
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Wei Zeng
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Neurology, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523475, China
| | - Connie Chen
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Annie Wang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Jiamin Zhong
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine, and Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - William Wagstaff
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Rex C. Haydon
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Hue H. Luu
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Sherwin Ho
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Michael J. Lee
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jason Strelzow
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Russell R. Reid
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Laboratory of Craniofacial Suture Biology and Development, Department of Surgery Section of Plastic Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Tong-Chuan He
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Laboratory of Craniofacial Suture Biology and Development, Department of Surgery Section of Plastic Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Liu R, Zhao Y, Su S, Kwabil A, Njoku PC, Yu H, Li X. Unveiling cancer dormancy: Intrinsic mechanisms and extrinsic forces. Cancer Lett 2024; 591:216899. [PMID: 38649107 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Tumor cells disseminate in various distant organs at early stages of cancer progression. These disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) can stay dormant/quiescent without causing patient symptoms for years or decades. These dormant tumor cells survive despite curative treatments by entering growth arrest, escaping immune surveillance, and/or developing drug resistance. However, these dormant cells can reactivate to proliferate, causing metastatic progression and/or relapse, posing a threat to patients' survival. It's unclear how cancer cells maintain dormancy and what triggers their reactivation. What are better approaches to prevent metastatic progression and relapse through harnessing cancer dormancy? To answer these remaining questions, we reviewed the studies of tumor dormancy and reactivation in various types of cancer using different model systems, including the brief history of dormancy studies, the intrinsic characteristics of dormant cells, and the external cues at the cellular and molecular levels. Furthermore, we discussed future directions in the field and the strategies for manipulating dormancy to prevent metastatic progression and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihua Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 010070, China; Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Yawei Zhao
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Shang Su
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Augustine Kwabil
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Prisca Chinonso Njoku
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Haiquan Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 010070, China.
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
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8
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Kishore C, Zi X. Wnt Signaling and Therapeutic Resistance in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. CURRENT PHARMACOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 9:261-274. [PMID: 37994344 PMCID: PMC10664806 DOI: 10.1007/s40495-023-00333-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a lethal form of prostate cancer (PCa) due to the development of resistance to androgen deprivation therapy and anti-androgens. Here, we review the emerging role of Wnt signaling in therapeutic resistance of CRPC. Recent Findings Convincing evidence have accumulated that Wnt signaling is aberrantly activated through genomic alterations and autocrine and paracrine augmentations. Wnt signaling plays a critical role in a subset of CRPC and in resistance to anti-androgen therapies. Wnt signaling navigates CRPC through PCa heterogeneity, neuroendocrine differentiation, DNA repair, PCa stem cell maintenance, epithelial-mesenchymal-transition and metastasis, and immune evasion. Summary Components of Wnt signaling can be harnessed for inhibiting PCa growth and metastasis and for developing novel therapeutic strategies to manage metastatic CRPC. There are many Wnt pathway-based potential drugs in different stages of pre-clinical development and clinical trials but so far, no Wnt signaling-specific drug has been approved by FDA for clinical use in CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Kishore
- Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine, 101 The City Drive South, Rt.81 Bldg.55 Rm.204, Orange, CA 92868, USA
| | - Xiaolin Zi
- Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine, 101 The City Drive South, Rt.81 Bldg.55 Rm.204, Orange, CA 92868, USA
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92868, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA
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Zhang X, Yu X. Crosstalk between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and DNA damage response in cancer: a new direction for overcoming therapy resistance. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1230822. [PMID: 37601042 PMCID: PMC10433774 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1230822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays an important role in regulating the biological behavior of cancers, and many drugs targeting this signaling have been developed. Recently, a series of research have revealed that Wnt signaling could regulate DNA damage response (DDR) which is crucial for maintaining the genomic integrity in cells and closely related to cancer genome instability. Many drugs have been developed to target DNA damage response in cancers. Notably, different components of the Wnt and DDR pathways are involved in crosstalk, forming a complex regulatory network and providing new opportunities for cancer therapy. Here, we provide a brief overview of Wnt signaling and DDR in the field of cancer research and review the interactions between these two pathways. Finally, we also discuss the possibility of therapeutic agents targeting Wnt and DDR as potential cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiaofeng Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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10
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Bueno MLP, Saad STO, Roversi FM. The antitumor effects of WNT5A against hematological malignancies. J Cell Commun Signal 2023:10.1007/s12079-023-00773-8. [PMID: 37310653 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-023-00773-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment (niche) is abnormally altered in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leading to deficient secretion of proteins, soluble factors, and cytokines by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) that modifies the crosstalk between MSC and hematopoietic cells. We focused on a WNT gene/protein family member, WNT5A, which is downregulated in leukemia and correlated with disease progression and poor prognosis. We demonstrated that WNT5A protein upregulated the WNT non-canonical pathway only in leukemic cells, without modulating normal cell behavior. We also introduced a novel WNT5A-mimicking compound, Foxy-5. Our results showed reduction of crucial biological functions that are upregulated in leukemia cells, including ROS generation, cell proliferation, and autophagy, as well as G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Additionally, Foxy-5 induced early-stage macrophage cell differentiation, a crucial process during leukemia development. At a molecular level, Foxy-5 led to the downregulation of two overexpressed leukemia pathways, PI3K and MAPK, which resulted in a disarrangement of actin polymerization with consequent impairment of CXCL12-induced chemotaxis. Notably, in a novel tri-dimensional bone marrow-mimicking model, Foxy-5 led to reduced leukemia cell growth and similar results were observed in a xenograft in vivo model. Overall, our findings highlight the pivotal role of WNT5A in leukemia and demonstrate that Foxy-5 acts as a specific antineoplastic agent in leukemia, counterbalancing several leukemic oncogenic processes related to the crosstalk in the bone marrow niche, and represents a promising therapeutic option for AML. WNT5A, a WNT gene/protein family member, is naturally secreted by mesenchymal stromal cells and contributes to the maintenance of the bone marrow microenvironment. WNT5A downregulation is correlated with disease progression and poor prognosis. The treatment with Foxy-5, a WNT5A mimetizing compound, counterbalanced several leukemogenic processes that are upregulated in leukemia cells, including ROS generation, cell proliferation, and autophagy and disruption of PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Lima Pereira Bueno
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center - University of Campinas/Hemocentro-UNICAMP, Rua Carlos Chagas, 480 - Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz - Barão Geraldo, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-878, Brazil
| | - Sara Teresinha Olalla Saad
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center - University of Campinas/Hemocentro-UNICAMP, Rua Carlos Chagas, 480 - Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz - Barão Geraldo, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-878, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Marconi Roversi
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center - University of Campinas/Hemocentro-UNICAMP, Rua Carlos Chagas, 480 - Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz - Barão Geraldo, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-878, Brazil.
- Department of Surgery Division of Transplantation, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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11
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Chinnadurai RK, Khan N, Meghwanshi GK, Ponne S, Althobiti M, Kumar R. Current research status of anti-cancer peptides: Mechanism of action, production, and clinical applications. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114996. [PMID: 37311281 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The escalating rate of cancer cases, together with treatment deficiencies and long-term side effects of currently used cancer drugs, has made this disease a global burden of the 21st century. The number of breast and lung cancer patients has sharply increased worldwide in the last few years. Presently, surgical treatment, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy strategies are used to cure cancer, which cause severe side effects, toxicities, and drug resistance. In recent years, anti-cancer peptides have become an eminent therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment due to their high specificity and fewer side effects and toxicity. This review presents an updated overview of different anti-cancer peptides, their mechanisms of action and current production strategies employed for their manufacture. In addition, approved and under clinical trials anti-cancer peptides and their applications have been discussed. This review provides updated information on therapeutic anti-cancer peptides that hold great promise for cancer treatment in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar Chinnadurai
- Mahatma Gandhi Medical Advanced Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidhyapeeth (Deemed-to-be-University), Pondicherry 607402, India
| | - Nazam Khan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Science, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Saravanaraman Ponne
- Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605014, India
| | - Maryam Althobiti
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Science, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Rajender Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden.
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12
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Zhou Y, Li T, Jia M, Dai R, Wang R. The Molecular Biology of Prostate Cancer Stem Cells: From the Past to the Future. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087482. [PMID: 37108647 PMCID: PMC10140972 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087482] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) continues to rank as the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in western countries, despite the golden treatment using androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or anti-androgen therapy. With decades of research, scientists have gradually realized that the existence of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) successfully explains tumor recurrence, metastasis and therapeutic failure of PCa. Theoretically, eradication of this small population may improve the efficacy of current therapeutic approaches and prolong PCa survival. However, several characteristics of PCSCs make their diminishment extremely challenging: inherent resistance to anti-androgen and chemotherapy treatment, over-activation of the survival pathway, adaptation to tumor micro-environments, escape from immune attack and being easier to metastasize. For this end, a better understanding of PCSC biology at the molecular level will definitely inspire us to develop PCSC targeted approaches. In this review, we comprehensively summarize signaling pathways responsible for homeostatic regulation of PCSCs and discuss how to eliminate these fractional cells in clinical practice. Overall, this study deeply pinpoints PCSC biology at the molecular level and provides us some research perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Man Jia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Rongyang Dai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Ronghao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
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13
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Wang K, Ma F, Arai S, Wang Y, Varkaris A, Poluben L, Voznesensky O, Xie F, Zhang X, Yuan X, Balk SP. WNT5a Signaling through ROR2 Activates the Hippo Pathway to Suppress YAP1 Activity and Tumor Growth. Cancer Res 2023; 83:1016-1030. [PMID: 36622276 PMCID: PMC10073315 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-3003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Noncanonical Wnt signaling by WNT5a has oncogenic and tumor suppressive activities, but downstream pathways mediating these specific effects remain to be fully established. In a subset of prostate cancer organoid culture and xenograft models, inhibition of Wnt synthesis stimulated growth, whereas WNT5a or a WNT5a mimetic peptide (Foxy5) markedly suppressed tumor growth. WNT5a caused a ROR2-dependent decrease in YAP1 activity, which was associated with increased phosphorylation of MST1/2, LATS1, MOB1, and YAP1, indicating Hippo pathway activation. Deletion of MST1/2 abrogated the WNT5a response. WNT5a similarly activated Hippo in ROR2-expressing melanoma cells, whereas WNT5a in ROR2-negative cells suppressed Hippo. This suppression was associated with increased inhibitory phosphorylation of NF2/Merlin that was not observed in ROR2-expressing cells. WNT5a also increased mRNA encoding Hippo pathway components including MST1 and MST2 and was positively correlated with these components in prostate cancer clinical datasets. Conversely, ROR2 and WNT5a expression was stimulated by YAP1, and correlated with increased YAP1 activity in clinical datasets, revealing a WNT5a/ROR2 negative feedback loop to modulate YAP1 activity. Together these findings identify Hippo pathway activation as a mechanism that mediates the tumor suppressive effects of WNT5a and indicate that expression of ROR2 may be a predictive biomarker for responsiveness to WNT5a-mimetic drugs. SIGNIFICANCE WNT5a signaling through ROR2 activates the Hippo pathway to downregulate YAP1/TAZ activity and suppress tumor growth, identifying ROR2 as a potential biomarker to identify patients that could benefit from WNT5a-related agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshan Wang
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Fen Ma
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Seiji Arai
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Urology, Gunma University Hospital, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Yun Wang
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR, China
| | - Andreas Varkaris
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Larysa Poluben
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Olga Voznesensky
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Fang Xie
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Steven P. Balk
- Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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14
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Gogola S, Rejzer M, Bahmad HF, Alloush F, Omarzai Y, Poppiti R. Anti-Cancer Stem-Cell-Targeted Therapies in Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051621. [PMID: 36900412 PMCID: PMC10000420 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second-most commonly diagnosed cancer in men around the world. It is treated using a risk stratification approach in accordance with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) in the United States. The main treatment options for early PCa include external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), brachytherapy, radical prostatectomy, active surveillance, or a combination approach. In those with advanced disease, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is considered as a first-line therapy. However, the majority of cases eventually progress while receiving ADT, leading to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The near inevitable progression to CRPC has spurred the recent development of many novel medical treatments using targeted therapies. In this review, we outline the current landscape of stem-cell-targeted therapies for PCa, summarize their mechanisms of action, and discuss avenues of future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Gogola
- Department of Translational Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Michael Rejzer
- Department of Translational Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Hisham F. Bahmad
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +1-305-674-2277
| | - Ferial Alloush
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
| | - Yumna Omarzai
- Department of Translational Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
| | - Robert Poppiti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
- The Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
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15
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Takahashi S, Takada I. Recent advances in prostate cancer: WNT signaling, chromatin regulation, and transcriptional coregulators. Asian J Androl 2023; 25:158-165. [PMID: 36695247 PMCID: PMC10069695 DOI: 10.4103/aja2022109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most common diseases in men worldwide. Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy are effective treatments for early-stage prostate cancer. However, the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer has increased the mortality rate of prostate cancer. To develop novel drugs for castration-resistant prostate cancer, the molecular mechanisms of prostate cancer progression must be elucidated. Among the signaling pathways regulating prostate cancer development, recent studies have revealed the importance of noncanonical wingless-type MMTV integration site family (WNT) signaling pathways, mainly that involving WNT5A, in prostate cancer progression and metastasis; however, its role remains controversial. Moreover, chromatin remodelers such as the switch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) complex and chromodomain helicase DNA-binding proteins 1 also play important roles in prostate cancer progression through genome-wide gene expression changes. Here, we review the roles of noncanonical WNT signaling pathways, chromatin remodelers, and epigenetic enzymes in the development and progression of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayuri Takahashi
- Department of Urology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.,Department of Urology, The Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Ichiro Takada
- Department of Urology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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16
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Verma P, Shukla N, Kumari S, Ansari M, Gautam NK, Patel GK. Cancer stem cell in prostate cancer progression, metastasis and therapy resistance. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188887. [PMID: 36997008 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most diagnosed malignancy in the men worldwide. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the sub-population of cells present in the tumor which possess unique properties of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation thus thought to be major cause of therapy resistance, disease relapse, and mortality in several malignancies including PCa. CSCs have also been shown positive for the common stem cells markers such as ALDH EZH2, OCT4, SOX2, c-MYC, Nanog etc. Therefore, isolation and characterization of CSCs specific markers which may discriminate CSCs and normal stem cells are critical to selectively eliminate CSCs. Rapid advances in the field offers a theoretical explanation for many of the enduring uncertainties encompassing the etiology and an optimism for the identification of new stem-cell targets, development of reliable and efficient therapies in the future. The emerging reports have also provided unprecedented insights into CSCs plasticity, quiescence, renewal, and therapeutic response. In this review, we discuss the identification of PCa stem cells, their unique properties, stemness-driving pathways, new diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions.
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17
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Liu N, Mishra K, Stiel AC, Gujrati V, Ntziachristos V. The sound of drug delivery: Optoacoustic imaging in pharmacology. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 189:114506. [PMID: 35998826 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Optoacoustic (photoacoustic) imaging offers unique opportunities for visualizing biological function in vivo by achieving high-resolution images of optical contrast much deeper than any other optical technique. The method detects ultrasound waves that are generated inside tissue by thermo-elastic expansion, i.e., the conversion of light absorption by tissue structures to ultrasound when the tissue is illuminated by the light of varying intensity. Listening instead of looking to light offers the major advantage of image formation with a resolution that obeys ultrasonic diffraction and not photon diffusion laws. While the technique has been widely used to explore contrast from endogenous photo-absorbing molecules, such as hemoglobin or melanin, the use of exogenous agents can extend applications to a larger range of biological and possible clinical applications, such as image-guided surgery, disease monitoring, and the evaluation of drug delivery, biodistribution, and kinetics. This review summarizes recent developments in optoacoustic agents, and highlights new functions visualized and potent pharmacology applications enabled with the use of external contrast agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian Liu
- Chair of Biological Imaging at the Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich 81675, Germany; Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München (GmbH), Neuherberg 85764, Germany; PET Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Kanuj Mishra
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München (GmbH), Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Andre C Stiel
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München (GmbH), Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Vipul Gujrati
- Chair of Biological Imaging at the Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich 81675, Germany; Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München (GmbH), Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Vasilis Ntziachristos
- Chair of Biological Imaging at the Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich 81675, Germany; Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München (GmbH), Neuherberg 85764, Germany; Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI), Technical University of Munich, Munich 80992, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany.
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18
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WNT5A in tumor development and progression: A comprehensive review. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 155:113599. [PMID: 36089446 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The investigation of tumor microenvironment (TME) is essential to better characterize the complex cellular crosstalk and to identify important immunological phenotypes and biomarkers. The niche is a crucial contributor to neoplasm initiation, maintenance and progression. Therefore, a deeper analysis of tumor surroundings could improve cancer diagnosis, prognosis and assertive treatment. Thus, the WNT family exerts a critical action in tumorigenesis of different types of neoplasms due to dysregulations in the TME. WNT5A, an evolutionary WNT member, is involved in several cellular and physiopathological processes, in addition to tissue homeostasis. The WNT5A protein exerts paradoxical effects while acting as both an oncogene or tumor suppressor by regulating several non-canonical signaling pathways, and consequently interfering in cell growth, cytoskeletal remodeling, migration and invasiveness. This review focuses on a thorough characterization of the role of WNT5A in neoplastic transformation and progression, which may help to understand the prognostic potentiality of WNT5A and its features as a therapeutic target in several cancers. Additionally, we herein summarized novel findings on the mechanisms by which WNT5A might favor tumorigenesis or suppression of cancer progression and discussed the recently developed treatment strategies using WNT5A as a protagonist.
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19
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Puzyrenko A, Kumar SN, Pantazis CG, Iczkowski KA. Inverse co-expression of EZH2 and acetylated H3K27 in prostatic tissue. Ann Diagn Pathol 2022; 59:151956. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2022.151956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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20
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Arredondo SB, Valenzuela-Bezanilla D, Santibanez SH, Varela-Nallar L. Wnt signaling in the adult hippocampal neurogenic niche. Stem Cells 2022; 40:630-640. [PMID: 35446432 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxac027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
The subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) is a neurogenic niche of the adult brain that contains neural stem cells (NSCs) able to generate excitatory glutamatergic granule neurons, which integrate into the DG circuit and contribute to hippocampal plasticity, learning, and memory. Thus, endogenous NSCs could be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. In this context, it is critical to characterize the molecular mechanisms controlling the generation and functional integration of adult-born neurons. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is tightly controlled by both cell-autonomous mechanisms and the interaction with the complex niche microenvironment, which harbors the NSCs and provides the signals to support their maintenance, activation, and differentiation. Among niche-derived factors, Wnt ligands play diverse roles. Wnts are secreted glycoproteins that bind to Frizzled receptors and co-receptors to trigger the Wnt signaling pathway. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about the roles of Wnts in the regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. We discuss the possible contribution of the different niche cells to the regulation of local Wnt signaling activity, and how Wnts derived from different cell types could induce differential effects. Finally, we discuss how the effects of Wnt signaling on hippocampal network activity might contribute to neurogenesis regulation. Although the evidence supports relevant roles for Wnt signaling in adult hippocampal neurogenesis, defining the cellular source and the mechanisms controlling secretion and diffusion of Wnts will be crucial to further understand Wnt signaling regulation of adult NSCs, and eventually, to propose this pathway as a therapeutic target to promote neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian B Arredondo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Echaurren 183, 8370071, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Valenzuela-Bezanilla
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Echaurren 183, 8370071, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian H Santibanez
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Echaurren 183, 8370071, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lorena Varela-Nallar
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Echaurren 183, 8370071, Santiago, Chile
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21
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Giridharan M, Rupani V, Banerjee S. Signaling Pathways and Targeted Therapies for Stem Cells in Prostate Cancer. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:193-206. [PMID: 35434534 PMCID: PMC9003388 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most frequently occurring cancers among men, and the current statistics show that it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. Over the years, research in PCa treatment and therapies has made many advances. Despite these efforts, the standardized therapies such as radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and surgery are not considered completely effective in treating advanced and metastatic PCa. In most situations, fast-dividing tumor cells are targeted, leaving behind relatively slowly dividing, chemoresistant cells known as cancer stem cells. Therefore, following the seemingly successful treatments, the lingering quiescent cancer stem cells are able to renew themselves, undergo differentiation into mature tumor cells, and sufficiently reinitiate the disease, leading to cancer relapse. Thus, prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) have been reported to play a vital role in controlling the dynamics of tumorigenesis, progression, and resistance to therapies in PCa. However, the complete knowledge on the mechanisms regulating the stemness of PCSCs is still unclear. Thus, studying the stemness of PCSCs will allow for the development of more effective cancer therapies due to the durable response, resulting in a reduction in recurrences of cancer. In this Review, we will specifically describe the molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating the stemness of PCSCs. Furthermore, current developments in stem cell-specific therapeutic approaches along with future prospects will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuvanthi Giridharan
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632104, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vasu Rupani
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632104, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Satarupa Banerjee
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632104, Tamil Nadu, India
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22
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WNT/β-Catenin Pathway in Soft Tissue Sarcomas: New Therapeutic Opportunities? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215521. [PMID: 34771683 PMCID: PMC8583315 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in fundamental processes for the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. However, little is known about its relevance for mesenchymal neoplasms, such us soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Chemotherapy based on doxorubicin (DXR) still remains the standard first-line treatment for locally advanced unresectable or metastatic STS, although overall survival could not be improved by combination with other chemotherapeutics. In this sense, the development of new therapeutic approaches continues to be an unmatched goal. This review covers the most important molecular alterations of the WNT signaling pathway in STS, broadening the current knowledge about STS as well as identifying novel drug targets. Furthermore, the current therapeutic options and drug candidates to modulate WNT signaling, which are usually classified by their interaction site upstream or downstream of β-catenin, and their presumable clinical impact on STS are discussed. Abstract Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a very heterogeneous group of rare tumors, comprising more than 50 different histological subtypes that originate from mesenchymal tissue. Despite their heterogeneity, chemotherapy based on doxorubicin (DXR) has been in use for forty years now and remains the standard first-line treatment for locally advanced unresectable or metastatic STS, although overall survival could not be improved by combination with other chemotherapeutics. In this sense, the development of new therapeutic approaches continues to be a largely unmatched goal. The WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in various fundamental processes for embryogenic development, including the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Although the role of this pathway has been widely researched in neoplasms of epithelial origin, little is known about its relevance for mesenchymal neoplasms. This review covers the most important molecular alterations of the WNT signaling pathway in STS. The detection of these alterations and the understanding of their functional consequences for those pathways controlling sarcomagenesis development and progression are crucial to broaden the current knowledge about STS as well as to identify novel drug targets. In this regard, the current therapeutic options and drug candidates to modulate WNT signaling, which are usually classified by their interaction site upstream or downstream of β-catenin, and their presumable clinical impact on STS are also discussed.
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23
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Rogers S, Scholpp S. Vertebrate Wnt5a - At the crossroads of cellular signalling. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 125:3-10. [PMID: 34686423 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signalling is an essential pathway in embryogenesis, differentiation, cell motility, development, and adult tissue homeostasis in vertebrates. The Wnt signalling network can activate several downstream pathways such as the β-catenin-dependent TCF/LEF transcription, the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, and the Wnt/Calcium pathway. Wnt5a is a vertebrate Wnt ligand that is most often associated with the Wnt/PCP signalling pathway. Wnt5a/PCP signalling has a well-described role in embryogenesis via binding to a receptor complex of Frizzled and its co-receptors to initiate downstream activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signalling cascade and the Rho and Rac GTPases, Rho-Kinase (ROCK). This activation results in the cytoskeletal remodelling required for cell polarity, migration, and subsequently, tissue re-arrangement and organ formation. This review will focus on more recent work that has revealed new roles for Wnt5a ligands and consequently, an emerging broader function. This is partly due to our growing understanding of the crosstalk between the Wnt/PCP pathway with both the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and other signalling pathways, and in part due to the identification of novel atypical receptors for Wnt5a that demonstrate a far broader role for this ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Rogers
- Living Systems Institute, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Steffen Scholpp
- Living Systems Institute, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
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24
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Yu F, Yu C, Li F, Zuo Y, Wang Y, Yao L, Wu C, Wang C, Ye L. Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancers and targeted therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:307. [PMID: 34456337 PMCID: PMC8403677 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00701-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 265] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been broadly implicated in human cancers and experimental cancer models of animals. Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is tightly linked with the increment of prevalence, advancement of malignant progression, development of poor prognostics, and even ascendence of the cancer-associated mortality. Early experimental investigations have proposed the theoretical potential that efficient repression of this signaling might provide promising therapeutic choices in managing various types of cancers. Up to date, many therapies targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancers have been developed, which is assumed to endow clinicians with new opportunities of developing more satisfactory and precise remedies for cancer patients with aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling. However, current facts indicate that the clinical translations of Wnt/β-catenin signaling-dependent targeted therapies have faced un-neglectable crises and challenges. Therefore, in this study, we systematically reviewed the most updated knowledge of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancers and relatively targeted therapies to generate a clearer and more accurate awareness of both the developmental stage and underlying limitations of Wnt/β-catenin-targeted therapies in cancers. Insights of this study will help readers better understand the roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancers and provide insights to acknowledge the current opportunities and challenges of targeting this signaling in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanyuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Changhao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Feifei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanqin Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yitian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chenzhou Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chenglin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Department of Endodontics, West China Stomatology Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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25
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Taank Y, Agnihotri N. Understanding the regulation of β-catenin expression and activity in colorectal cancer carcinogenesis: beyond destruction complex. Clin Transl Oncol 2021; 23:2448-2459. [PMID: 34426910 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-021-02686-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling is central to colorectal cancer carcinogenesis. The well-known potential of targeting the canonical Wnt signaling pathway for the treatment of CRC is largely attributed to the ability of this pathway to regulate various cellular processes such as cell proliferation, metastasis, drug resistance, immune response, apoptosis, and cellular metabolism. However, with the current approach of targeting this pathway, none of the Wnt-targeted agents have been successfully implicated in clinical practice. Instead of using classical approaches to target this pathway, there is a growing need to find new and modified approaches to achieve the same. For this, a better understanding of the regulation of β-catenin, a major effector of the canonical Wnt pathway is a must. The present review addresses the importance of understanding the regulation of β-catenin beyond the destruction complex. Few recently discovered β-catenin regulators such as ZNF281, TTPAL, AGR2, ARHGAP25, TREM2, and TIPE1 showed significant potential in regulating the development of CRC through modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Although the expression and activity of β-catenin is influenced by many protein regulators, the abovementioned proteins not only influence its expression and activation but are also directly involved in the development of CRC and various other solid tumors. Therefore, we hypothesise that focusing the current research on finding the detailed mechanism of action of these regulators may assist in providing with a better treatment approach or improve the current therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Taank
- Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - N Agnihotri
- Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
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26
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Cabri W, Cantelmi P, Corbisiero D, Fantoni T, Ferrazzano L, Martelli G, Mattellone A, Tolomelli A. Therapeutic Peptides Targeting PPI in Clinical Development: Overview, Mechanism of Action and Perspectives. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:697586. [PMID: 34195230 PMCID: PMC8236712 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.697586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting protein-protein interactions (PPIs) has been recently recognized as an emerging therapeutic approach for several diseases. Up today, more than half a million PPI dysregulations have been found to be involved in pathological events. The dynamic nature of these processes and the involvement of large protein surfaces discouraged anyway the scientific community in considering them promising therapeutic targets. More recently peptide drugs received renewed attention since drug discovery has offered a broad range of structural diverse sequences, moving from traditionally endogenous peptides to sequences possessing improved pharmaceutical profiles. About 70 peptides are currently on the marked but several others are in clinical development. In this review we want to report the update on these novel APIs, focusing our attention on the molecules in clinical development, representing the direct consequence of the drug discovery process of the last 10 years. The comprehensive collection will be classified in function of the structural characteristics (native, analogous, heterologous) and on the basis of the therapeutic targets. The mechanism of interference on PPI will also be reported to offer useful information for novel peptide design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Cabri
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alessandra Tolomelli
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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27
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Matsuoka T, Yashiro M. Molecular-targeted therapy toward precision medicine for gastrointestinal cancer: Current progress and challenges. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2021; 13:366-390. [PMID: 34040699 PMCID: PMC8131909 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i5.366] [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: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer remains the deadliest cancer in the world. The current standard treatment for GI cancer focuses on 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapeutic regimens and surgery, and molecular-targeted therapy is expected to be a more effective and less toxic therapeutic strategy for GI cancer. There is well-established evidence for the use of epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted and vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted antibodies, which should routinely be incorporated into treatment strategies for GI cancer. Other potential therapeutic targets involve the PI3K/AKT pathway, tumor growth factor-β pathway, mesenchymal-epithelial transition pathway, WNT pathway, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and immune checkpoints. Many clinical trials assessing the agents of targeted therapy are underway and have presented promising and thought-provoking results. With the development of molecular biology techniques, we can identify more targetable molecular alterations in larger patient populations with GI cancer. Targeting these molecules will allow us to reach the goal of precision medicine and improve the outcomes of patients with GI cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasuku Matsuoka
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
| | - Masakazu Yashiro
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
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28
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Lymph node metastasis-derived gastric cancer cells educate bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells via YAP signaling activation by exosomal Wnt5a. Oncogene 2021; 40:2296-2308. [PMID: 33654199 PMCID: PMC7994201 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01722-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Lymph node metastasis (LNM), a common metastatic gastric-cancer (GC) route, is closely related to poor prognosis in GC patients. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) preferentially engraft at metastatic lesions. Whether BM-MSCs are specifically reprogrammed by LNM-derived GC cells (LNM-GCs) and incorporated into metastatic LN microenvironment to prompt GC malignant progression remains unknown. Herein, we found that LNM-GCs specifically educated BM-MSCs via secretory exosomes. Exosomal Wnt5a was identified as key protein mediating LNM-GCs education of BM-MSCs, which was verified by analysis of serum exosomes collected from GC patients with LNM. Wnt5a-enriched exosomes induced YAP dephosphorylation in BM-MSCs, whereas Wnt5a-deficient exosomes exerted the opposite effect. Inhibition of YAP signaling by verteporfin blocked LNM-GC exosome- and serum exosome-mediated reprogramming in BM-MSCs. Analysis of MSC-like cells obtained from metastatic LN tissues of GC patients (GLN-MSCs) confirmed that BM-MSCs incorporated into metastatic LN microenvironment, and that YAP activation participated in maintaining their tumor-promoting phenotype and function. Collectively, our results show that LNM-GCs specifically educated BM-MSCs via exosomal Wnt5a-elicited activation of YAP signaling. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of LNM in GC and BM-MSC reprogramming, and will provide potential therapeutic targets and detection indicators for GC patients with LNM.
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29
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Zheng Q, Zhang M, Zhou F, Zhang L, Meng X. The Breast Cancer Stem Cells Traits and Drug Resistance. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:599965. [PMID: 33584277 PMCID: PMC7876385 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.599965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is a major challenge in breast cancer (BC) treatment at present. Accumulating studies indicate that breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are responsible for the BC drugs resistance, causing relapse and metastasis in BC patients. Thus, BCSCs elimination could reverse drug resistance and improve drug efficacy to benefit BC patients. Consequently, mastering the knowledge on the proliferation, resistance mechanisms, and separation of BCSCs in BC therapy is extremely helpful for BCSCs-targeted therapeutic strategies. Herein, we summarize the principal BCSCs surface markers and signaling pathways, and list the BCSCs-related drug resistance mechanisms in chemotherapy (CT), endocrine therapy (ET), and targeted therapy (TT), and display therapeutic strategies for targeting BCSCs to reverse drug resistance in BC. Even more importantly, more attention should be paid to studies on BCSC-targeted strategies to overcome the drug resistant dilemma of clinical therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghui Zheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengdi Zhang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Long Zhang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuli Meng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
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30
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Azbazdar Y, Karabicici M, Erdal E, Ozhan G. Regulation of Wnt Signaling Pathways at the Plasma Membrane and Their Misregulation in Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:631623. [PMID: 33585487 PMCID: PMC7873896 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.631623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is one of the key signaling pathways that govern numerous physiological activities such as growth, differentiation and migration during development and homeostasis. As pathway misregulation has been extensively linked to pathological processes including malignant tumors, a thorough understanding of pathway regulation is essential for development of effective therapeutic approaches. A prominent feature of cancer cells is that they significantly differ from healthy cells with respect to their plasma membrane composition and lipid organization. Here, we review the key role of membrane composition and lipid order in activation of Wnt signaling pathway by tightly regulating formation and interactions of the Wnt-receptor complex. We also discuss in detail how plasma membrane components, in particular the ligands, (co)receptors and extracellular or membrane-bound modulators, of Wnt pathways are affected in lung, colorectal, liver and breast cancers that have been associated with abnormal activation of Wnt signaling. Wnt-receptor complex components and their modulators are frequently misexpressed in these cancers and this appears to correlate with metastasis and cancer progression. Thus, composition and organization of the plasma membrane can be exploited to develop new anticancer drugs that are targeted in a highly specific manner to the Wnt-receptor complex, rendering a more effective therapeutic outcome possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yagmur Azbazdar
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, İzmir, Turkey.,Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Karabicici
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, İzmir, Turkey.,Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Esra Erdal
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, İzmir, Turkey.,Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Gunes Ozhan
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, İzmir, Turkey.,Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, İzmir, Turkey
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31
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Yadav V, Jobe N, Mehdawi L, Andersson T. Targeting Oncogenic WNT Signalling with WNT Signalling-Derived Peptides. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 269:279-303. [PMID: 34455485 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
WNT signalling is known to be a crucial regulator of embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Aberrant expression of WNT signalling elements or their mutations has been implicated in carcinogenesis and/or the progression of several different cancer types. Investigations of how WNT signalling affects carcinogenesis and cancer progression have revealed that it has essential roles in the regulation of proliferation, apoptosis, and cancer stemness and in angiogenesis and metastasis. Consequently, WNT-targeted therapy has gained much attention and has resulted in the development of several small molecules, the majority of which act as inhibitors of different WNT signalling events. However, although numerous inhibitory WNT signalling drug candidates have been included in clinical trials, no significant breakthroughs have been made. This could possibly be due to problems with inefficient binding to the target, compensatory signalling mechanisms and toxicity towards normal cells. Therapeutic peptides targeting WNT signalling in cancer cells have been developed as an alternative approach, with the hope that they might overcome the limitations reported for small WNT inhibitory molecules. In this chapter, we describe recent developments made in the design and characterization of WNT signalling-derived peptides aiming at their use as alternative cancer therapeutics and/or combined adjuvant therapy to conventional therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Yadav
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Research Centre, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Njainday Jobe
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Research Centre, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Lubna Mehdawi
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Research Centre, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Tommy Andersson
- Experimental Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Research Centre, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
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32
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Ruan Y, Ogana H, Gang E, Kim HN, Kim YM. Wnt Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1270:107-121. [PMID: 33123996 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-47189-7_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated Wnt signaling plays a central role in initiation, progression, and metastasis in many types of human cancers. Cancer development and resistance to conventional cancer therapies are highly associated with the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is composed of numerous stable non-cancer cells, including immune cells, extracellular matrix (ECM), fibroblasts, endothelial cells (ECs), and stromal cells. Recently, increasing evidence suggests that the relationship between Wnt signaling and the TME promotes the proliferation and maintenance of tumor cells, including leukemia. Here, we review the Wnt pathway, the role of Wnt signaling in different components of the TME, and therapeutic strategies for targeting Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Ruan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Heather Ogana
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eunji Gang
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hye Na Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yong-Mi Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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33
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Nisar S, Hashem S, Macha MA, Yadav SK, Muralitharan S, Therachiyil L, Sageena G, Al-Naemi H, Haris M, Bhat AA. Exploring Dysregulated Signaling Pathways in Cancer. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:429-445. [PMID: 31939726 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200115095937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell biology takes advantage of identifying diverse cellular signaling pathways that are disrupted in cancer. Signaling pathways are an important means of communication from the exterior of cell to intracellular mediators, as well as intracellular interactions that govern diverse cellular processes. Oncogenic mutations or abnormal expression of signaling components disrupt the regulatory networks that govern cell function, thus enabling tumor cells to undergo dysregulated mitogenesis, to resist apoptosis, and to promote invasion to neighboring tissues. Unraveling of dysregulated signaling pathways may advance the understanding of tumor pathophysiology and lead to the improvement of targeted tumor therapy. In this review article, different signaling pathways and how their dysregulation contributes to the development of tumors have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Nisar
- Translational Medicine, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sheema Hashem
- Translational Medicine, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States.,Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Santosh K Yadav
- Translational Medicine, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Lubna Therachiyil
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Hamda Al-Naemi
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Translational Medicine, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.,Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Translational Medicine, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
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34
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Bian J, Dannappel M, Wan C, Firestein R. Transcriptional Regulation of Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Colorectal Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092125. [PMID: 32961708 PMCID: PMC7564852 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway exerts integral roles in embryogenesis and adult homeostasis. Aberrant activation of the pathway is implicated in growth-associated diseases and cancers, especially as a key driver in the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Loss or inactivation of Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) results in constitutive activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which is considered as an initiating event in the development of CRC. Increased Wnt/β-catenin signaling is observed in virtually all CRC patients, underscoring the importance of this pathway for therapeutic intervention. Prior studies have deciphered the regulatory networks required for the cytoplasmic stabilisation or degradation of the Wnt pathway effector, β-catenin. However, the mechanism whereby nuclear β-catenin drives or inhibits expression of Wnt target genes is more diverse and less well characterised. Here, we describe a brief synopsis of the core canonical Wnt pathway components, set the spotlight on nuclear mediators and highlight the emerging role of chromatin regulators as modulators of β-catenin-dependent transcription activity and oncogenic output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Bian
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (J.B.); (M.D.); (C.W.)
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Marius Dannappel
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (J.B.); (M.D.); (C.W.)
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Chunhua Wan
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (J.B.); (M.D.); (C.W.)
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Ron Firestein
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (J.B.); (M.D.); (C.W.)
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Correspondence:
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35
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Espinosa-Sánchez A, Suárez-Martínez E, Sánchez-Díaz L, Carnero A. Therapeutic Targeting of Signaling Pathways Related to Cancer Stemness. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1533. [PMID: 32984007 PMCID: PMC7479251 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The theory of cancer stem cells (CSCs) proposes that the different cells within a tumor, as well as metastasis deriving from it, are originated from a single subpopulation of cells with self-renewal and differentiation capacities. These cancer stem cells are supposed to be critical for tumor expansion and metastasis, tumor relapse and resistance to conventional therapies, such as chemo- and radiotherapy. The acquisition of these abilities has been attributed to the activation of alternative pathways, for instance, WNT, NOTCH, SHH, PI3K, Hippo, or NF-κB pathways, that regulate detoxification mechanisms; increase the metabolic rate; induce resistance to apoptotic, autophagic, and senescence pathways; promote the overexpression of drug transporter proteins; and activate specific stem cell transcription factors. The elimination of CSCs is an important goal in cancer therapeutic approaches because it could decrease relapses and metastatic dissemination, which are main causes of mortality in oncology patients. In this work, we discuss the role of these signaling pathways in CSCs along with their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asunción Espinosa-Sánchez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Cancer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Suárez-Martínez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Cancer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez-Díaz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Cancer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Amancio Carnero
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Cancer, Madrid, Spain
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36
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STAT3 inhibition with galiellalactone effectively targets the prostate cancer stem-like cell population. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13958. [PMID: 32811873 PMCID: PMC7434889 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70948-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of quiescent cells with the potential to differentiate into tumor cells. CSCs are involved in tumor initiation and progression and contribute to treatment failure through their intrinsic resistance to chemo- or radiotherapy, thus representing a substantial concern for cancer treatment. Prostate CSCs’ activity has been shown to be regulated by the transcription factor Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3). Here we investigated the effect of galiellalactone (GL), a direct STAT3 inhibitor, on CSCs derived from prostate cancer patients, on docetaxel-resistant spheres with stem cell characteristics, on CSCs obtained from the DU145 cell line in vitro and on DU145 tumors in vivo. We found that GL significantly reduced the viability of docetaxel-resistant and patient-derived spheres. Moreover, CSCs isolated from DU145 cells were sensitive to low concentrations of GL, and the treatment with GL suppressed their viability and their ability to form colonies and spheres. STAT3 inhibition down regulated transcriptional targets of STAT3 in these cells, indicating STAT3 activity in CSCs. Our results indicate that GL can target the prostate stem cell niche in patient-derived cells, in docetaxel-resistant spheres and in an in vitro model. We conclude that GL represents a promising therapeutic approach for prostate cancer patients, as it reduces the viability of prostate cancer-therapy-resistant cells in both CSCs and non-CSC populations.
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In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of orthotopic prostate cancer. Biotechniques 2020; 69:395-403. [PMID: 32363906 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2020-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Methods for imaging orthotopic prostate tumors within the prostate or small tumors with extension outside the prostate are needed to more closely model human prostate tumors, which are most commonly located within the gland or may extend just through the gland. By comparing MR sequences, we found that the T2-based Dixon 'water only' sequence best visualized tumors within the prostate of mouse models in both young and old mice and that tumor weight derived from this sequence correlated highly with ex vivo tumor weight (r2 = 0.98, p < 0.001, n = 12). This should aid tumor detection, margin delineation and evaluation of tumor burden to enable studies including, but not limited to, evaluating the natural history of the disease, the mechanisms of action and the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.
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Kong D, Hughes CJ, Ford HL. Cellular Plasticity in Breast Cancer Progression and Therapy. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:72. [PMID: 32391382 PMCID: PMC7194153 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
With the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignant disease among women, with the majority of mortality being attributable to metastatic disease. Thus, even with improved early screening and more targeted treatments which may enable better detection and control of early disease progression, metastatic disease remains a significant problem. While targeted therapies exist for breast cancer patients with particular subtypes of the disease (Her2+ and ER/PR+), even in these subtypes the therapies are often not efficacious once the patient's tumor metastasizes. Increases in stemness or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in primary breast cancer cells lead to enhanced plasticity, enabling tumor progression, therapeutic resistance, and distant metastatic spread. Numerous signaling pathways, including MAPK, PI3K, STAT3, Wnt, Hedgehog, and Notch, amongst others, play a critical role in maintaining cell plasticity in breast cancer. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate breast cancer cell plasticity is essential for understanding the biology of breast cancer progression and for developing novel and more effective therapeutic strategies for targeting metastatic disease. In this review we summarize relevant literature on mechanisms associated with breast cancer plasticity, tumor progression, and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deguang Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Connor J. Hughes
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Heide L. Ford
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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Patel S, Alam A, Pant R, Chattopadhyay S. Wnt Signaling and Its Significance Within the Tumor Microenvironment: Novel Therapeutic Insights. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2872. [PMID: 31921137 PMCID: PMC6927425 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is one of the central mechanisms regulating tissue morphogenesis during embryogenesis and repair. The pivot of this signaling cascade is the Wnt ligand, which binds to receptors belonging to the Frizzled family or the ROR1/ROR2 and RYK family. This interaction governs the downstream signaling cascade (canonical/non-canonical), ultimately extending its effect on the cellular cytoskeleton, transcriptional control of proliferation and differentiation, and organelle dynamics. Anomalous Wnt signaling has been associated with several cancers, the most prominent ones being colorectal, breast, lung, oral, cervical, and hematopoietic malignancies. It extends its effect on tumorigenesis by modulating the tumor microenvironment via fine crosstalk between transformed cells and infiltrating immune cells, such as leukocytes. This review is an attempt to highlight the latest developments in the understanding of Wnt signaling in the context of tumors and their microenvironment. A dynamic process known as immunoediting governs the fate of tumor progression based on the correlation of various signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment and immune cells. Cancer cells also undergo a series of mutations in the tumor suppressor gene, which favors tumorigenesis. Wnt signaling, and its crosstalk with various immune cells, has both negative as well as positive effects on tumor progression. On one hand, it helps in the maintenance and renewal of the leucocytes. On the other hand, it promotes immune tolerance, limiting the antitumor response. Wnt signaling also plays a role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), thereby promoting the maintenance of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs). Furthermore, we have summarized the ongoing strategies used to target aberrant Wnt signaling as a novel therapeutic intervention to combat various cancers and their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Patel
- National Centre for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Aftab Alam
- Department of Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Richa Pant
- National Centre for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Samit Chattopadhyay
- National Centre for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India.,Department of Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
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Daskalopoulos EP, Hermans KCM, Debets J, Strzelecka A, Leenders P, Vervoort-Peters L, Janssen BJA, Blankesteijn WM. The Beneficial Effects of UM206 on Wound Healing After Myocardial Infarction in Mice Are Lost in Follow-Up Experiments. Front Cardiovasc Med 2019; 6:118. [PMID: 31620445 PMCID: PMC6759626 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2019.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: An inadequate wound healing following myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the main etiologies of heart failure (HF) development. Interventions aiming at improving this process may contribute to preserving cardiac function after MI. Our group, as well as others, have demonstrated the crucial role of Wnt/frizzled signaling in post-MI remodeling. In this overview, we provide the results of different studies aimed at confirming an initial study from our group, in which we observed beneficial effects of administration of a peptide fragment of Wnt5a, UM206, on infarct healing in a mouse MI model. Methods: Mice were subjected to permanent left coronary artery ligation, and treated with saline (control) or UM206, administered via osmotic minipumps. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and hemodynamic measurements, while infarct size and myofibroblast content were characterized by (immuno)histochemistry. Results: In total, we performed seven follow-up studies, but we were unable to reproduce the beneficial effects of UM206 on infarct healing in most of them. Variations in dose and timing of UM206 administration, its manufacturer and the genetic background of the mice could not restore the phenotype. An in-depth analysis of the datasets revealed that the absence of effect of UM206 coincided with a lack of adverse cardiac remodeling and HF development in all experimental groups, irrespective of the treatment. Discussion: Irreproducibility of experimental observations is a major issue in biomedical sciences. It can arise from a relatively low number of experimental observations in the original study, a faulty hypothesis or a variation in the experimental model that cannot be controlled. In this case, the lack of adverse cardiac remodeling and lung weight increases in the follow-up studies point out to altered experimental conditions as the most likely explanation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos P Daskalopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University (UM), Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Kevin C M Hermans
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University (UM), Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Jacques Debets
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University (UM), Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Agnieszka Strzelecka
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University (UM), Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Peter Leenders
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University (UM), Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Lily Vervoort-Peters
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University (UM), Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ben J A Janssen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University (UM), Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - W Matthijs Blankesteijn
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University (UM), Maastricht, Netherlands
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41
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Ram Makena M, Gatla H, Verlekar D, Sukhavasi S, K Pandey M, C Pramanik K. Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling: The Culprit in Pancreatic Carcinogenesis and Therapeutic Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4242. [PMID: 31480221 PMCID: PMC6747343 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is responsible for 7.3% of all cancer deaths. Even though there is a steady increase in patient survival for most cancers over the decades, the patient survival rate for pancreatic cancer remains low with current therapeutic strategies. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway controls the maintenance of somatic stem cells in many tissues and organs and is implicated in pancreatic carcinogenesis by regulating cell cycle progression, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, stemness, tumor immune microenvironment, etc. Further, dysregulated Wnt has been shown to cause drug resistance in pancreatic cancer. Although different Wnt antagonists are effective in pancreatic patients, limitations remain that must be overcome to increase the survival benefits associated with this emerging therapy. In this review, we have summarized the role of Wnt signaling in pancreatic cancer and suggested future directions to enhance the survival of pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monish Ram Makena
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Himavanth Gatla
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Dattesh Verlekar
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Sahithi Sukhavasi
- Center for Distance Learning, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam 530045, India
| | - Manoj K Pandey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Kartick C Pramanik
- Department of Basic Sciences, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Pikeville, Pikeville, KY 41501, USA.
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Betaglycan drives the mesenchymal stromal cell osteogenic program and prostate cancer-induced osteogenesis. Oncogene 2019; 38:6959-6969. [PMID: 31409900 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0913-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Bone metastatic prostate cancer provokes extensive osteogenesis by driving the recruitment and osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). The resulting lesions greatly contribute to patient morbidity and mortality, underscoring the need for defining how prostate metastases subvert the MSC-osteoblast differentiation program. To gain insights into this process we profiled the effects of co-culture of primary MSCs with validated bone metastatic prostate cancer cell line models. These analyses revealed a cast of shared differentially induced genes in MSC, including betaglycan, a co-receptor for TGFβ. Betaglycan has not been studied in the context of bone metastatic disease previously. Here we report that loss of betaglycan in MSC is sufficient to augment TGFβ signaling, proliferation and migration, and completely blocks the MSC-osteoblast differentiation program. Further, betaglycan was revealed as necessary for prostate cancer-induced osteogenesis in vivo. Mechanistically, gene expression analysis revealed betaglycan controls the expression of a large repertoire of genes in MSCs, and that betaglycan loss provokes >60-fold increase in the expression of Wnt5a that plays important roles in stemness. In accord with the increased Wnt5a levels, there was a marked induction of canonical Wnt signaling in betaglycan ablated MSCs, and the addition of recombinant Wnt5a to MSCs was sufficient to impair osteogenic differentiation. Finally, the addition of Wnt5a neutralizing antibody was sufficient to induce the expression of osteogenic genes in betaglycan-ablated MSCs. Collectively, these findings suggest a betaglycan-Wnt5a circuit represents an attractive vulnerability to ameliorate prostate cancer-induced osteogenesis.
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43
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Horai Y, Mizukawa M, Nishina H, Nishikawa S, Ono Y, Takemoto K, Baba N. Quantification of histopathological findings using a novel image analysis platform. J Toxicol Pathol 2019; 32:319-327. [PMID: 31719761 PMCID: PMC6831494 DOI: 10.1293/tox.2019-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Digital pathology, including image analysis and automatic diagnosis of pathological
tissue, has been developed remarkably. HALO is an image analysis platform specialized for
the study of pathological tissues, which enables tissue segmentation by using artificial
intelligence. In this study, we used HALO to quantify various histopathological changes
and findings that were difficult to analyze using conventional image processing software.
Using the tissue classifier module, the morphological features of degeneration/necrosis of
the hepatocytes and muscle fibers, bile duct in the liver, basophilic tubules and hyaline
casts in the kidney, cortex in the thymus, and red pulp, white pulp, and marginal zone in
the spleen were learned and separated, and areas of interest were quantified. Furthermore,
using the cytonuclear module and vacuole module in combination with the tissue classifier
module, the number of erythroblasts in the red pulp of the spleen and each area of acinar
cells in the parotid gland were quantified. The results of quantitative analysis were
correlated with the histopathological grades evaluated by pathologists. By using
artificial intelligence and other functions of HALO, we recognized morphological features,
analyzed histopathological changes, and quantified the histopathological grades of various
findings. The analysis of histopathological changes using HALO is expected to support
pathology evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Horai
- Sohyaku Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda-shi, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Mao Mizukawa
- Sohyaku Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda-shi, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Hironobu Nishina
- Sohyaku Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda-shi, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Satomi Nishikawa
- Sohyaku Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda-shi, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Yuko Ono
- Sohyaku Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda-shi, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Kana Takemoto
- Sohyaku Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda-shi, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Baba
- Sohyaku Innovative Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 2-2-50 Kawagishi, Toda-shi, Saitama 335-8505, Japan
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44
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Scioli MG, Storti G, D'Amico F, Gentile P, Fabbri G, Cervelli V, Orlandi A. The Role of Breast Cancer Stem Cells as a Prognostic Marker and a Target to Improve the Efficacy of Breast Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11071021. [PMID: 31330794 PMCID: PMC6678191 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11071021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common form of tumor in women and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Even though the major cellular burden in breast cancer is constituted by the so-called bulk tumor cells, another cell subpopulation named cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been identified. The latter have stem features, a self-renewal capacity, and the ability to regenerate the bulk tumor cells. CSCs have been described in several cancer types but breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) were among the first to be identified and characterized. Therefore, many efforts have been put into the phenotypic characterization of BCSCs and the study of their potential as prognostic indicators and therapeutic targets. Many dysregulated pathways in BCSCs are involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and are found up-regulated in circulating tumor cells (CTCs), another important cancer cell subpopulation, that shed into the vasculature and disseminate along the body to give metastases. Conventional therapies fail at eliminating BCSCs because of their quiescent state that gives them therapy resistance. Based on this evidence, preclinical studies and clinical trials have tried to establish novel therapeutic regimens aiming to eradicate BCSCs. Markers useful for BCSC identification could also be possible therapeutic methods against BCSCs. New approaches in drug delivery combined with gene targeting, immunomodulatory, and cell-based therapies could be promising tools for developing effective CSC-targeted drugs against breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giovanna Scioli
- Anatomic Pathology Institute, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Gabriele Storti
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Federico D'Amico
- Anatomic Pathology Institute, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Pietro Gentile
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Giulia Fabbri
- Anatomic Pathology Institute, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Valerio Cervelli
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Augusto Orlandi
- Anatomic Pathology Institute, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy.
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45
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Goldsberry WN, Londoño A, Randall TD, Norian LA, Arend RC. A Review of the Role of Wnt in Cancer Immunomodulation. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060771. [PMID: 31167446 PMCID: PMC6628296 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the Wnt signaling pathway are associated with the advancement of cancers; however, the exact mechanisms responsible remain largely unknown. It has recently been established that heightened intratumoral Wnt signaling correlates with tumor immunomodulation and immune suppression, which likely contribute to the decreased efficacy of multiple cancer therapeutics. Here, we review available literature pertaining to connections between Wnt pathway activation in the tumor microenvironment and local immunomodulation. We focus specifically on preclinical and clinical data supporting the hypothesis that strategies targeting Wnt signaling could act as adjuncts for cancer therapy, either in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, in a variety of tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney N Goldsberry
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Angelina Londoño
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Troy D Randall
- Division of Immunology & Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Lyse A Norian
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Rebecca C Arend
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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Abstract
Despite the clinical development of novel adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic drugs, metastatic breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death among women. The present review focuses on the relevance, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of targeting WNT5A as a future anti-metastatic treatment strategy for breast cancer patients by restoring WNT5A signaling as an innovative therapeutic option. WNT5A is an auto- and paracrine β-catenin-independent ligand that has been shown to induce tumor suppression as well as oncogenic signaling, depending upon cancer type. In breast cancer patients, WNT5A protein expression has been observed to be significantly reduced in between 45 and 75% of the cases and associated with early relapse and reduced disease-free survival. WNT5A triggers various downstream signaling pathways in breast cancer that primarily affect tumor cell migration and invasion. The accumulated in vitro results reveal that treatment of WNT5A-negative breast cancer cells with recombinant WNT5A caused different tumor-suppressive responses and in particular it impaired migration and invasion. The anti-migratory/invasive and anti-metastatic effects of reconstituting WNT5A signaling by the small WNT5A mimicking peptide Foxy5 form the basis for two successful clinical phase 1-studies aiming at determining safety and pharmacokinetics as well as defining dose-level for a subsequent phase 2-study. We conclude that re-installation of WNT5A signaling is an attractive and promising anti-metastatic therapeutic approach for future treatment of WNT5A-negative breast cancer patients.
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47
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A high-throughput assay pipeline for specific targeting of frizzled GPCRs in cancer. Methods Cell Biol 2019; 149:57-75. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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48
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Galluzzi L, Spranger S, Fuchs E, López-Soto A. WNT Signaling in Cancer Immunosurveillance. Trends Cell Biol 2019; 29:44-65. [PMID: 30220580 PMCID: PMC7001864 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Deregulated WNT signaling has been shown to favor malignant transformation, tumor progression, and resistance to conventional cancer therapy in a variety of preclinical and clinical settings. Accumulating evidence suggests that aberrant WNT signaling may also subvert cancer immunosurveillance, hence promoting immunoevasion and resistance to multiple immunotherapeutics, including immune checkpoint blockers. Here, we discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms through which WNT signaling influences cancer immunosurveillance and present potential therapeutic avenues to harness currently available WNT modulators for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, 75006 Paris, France.
| | - Stefani Spranger
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Elaine Fuchs
- Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alejandro López-Soto
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Área de Inmunología, Universidad de Oviedo. Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), 33006 Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (IISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
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49
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Ren D, Dai Y, Yang Q, Zhang X, Guo W, Ye L, Huang S, Chen X, Lai Y, Du H, Lin C, Peng X, Song L. Wnt5a induces and maintains prostate cancer cells dormancy in bone. J Exp Med 2018; 216:428-449. [PMID: 30593464 PMCID: PMC6363426 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20180661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt5a from osteoblastic niche induces and maintains the dormancy of prostate cancer cells in bone and inhibits bone metastasis in a preventive manner, uncovering a potential therapeutic utility of Wnt5a in the treatment of bone metastatic prostate cancer. In a substantial fraction of prostate cancer (PCa) patients, bone metastasis appears after years or even decades of latency. Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been proposed to be implicated in dormancy of cancer cells. However, how these tumor cells are kept dormant and recur under control of Wnt/β-catenin signaling derived from bone microenvironment remains unknown. Here, we report that Wnt5a from osteoblastic niche induces dormancy of PCa cells in a reversible manner in vitro and in vivo via inducing Siah E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase 2 (SIAH2) expression, which represses Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, this effect of Wnt5a-induced dormancy of PCa cells depends on receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2), and a negative correlation of ROR2 expression with bone metastasis–free survival is observed in PCa patients. Therefore, these results demonstrate that Wnt5a/ROR2/SIAH2 signaling axis plays a crucial role in inducing and maintaining PCa cells dormancy in bone, suggesting a potential therapeutic utility of Wnt5a via inducing dormancy of PCa cells in bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Ren
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhu Dai
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,Clinical Experimental Center, Jiangmen Central Hospital, Affiliated Jiangmen Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Jiangmen, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liping Ye
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuai Huang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingrong Lai
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Du
- Department of Pathology, the First People's Hospital of Guangzhou City, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuyong Lin
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinsheng Peng
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Libing Song
- Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China .,Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Holmquist Mengelbier L, Lindell-Munther S, Yasui H, Jansson C, Esfandyari J, Karlsson J, Lau K, Hui CC, Bexell D, Hopyan S, Gisselsson D. The Iroquois homeobox proteins IRX3 and IRX5 have distinct roles in Wilms tumour development and human nephrogenesis. J Pathol 2018; 247:86-98. [PMID: 30246301 PMCID: PMC6588170 DOI: 10.1002/path.5171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Wilms tumour is a paediatric malignancy with features of halted kidney development. Here, we demonstrate that the Iroquois homeobox genes IRX3 and IRX5 are essential for mammalian nephrogenesis and govern the differentiation of Wilms tumour. Knock‐out Irx3−/Irx5− mice showed a strongly reduced embryonic nephron formation. In human foetal kidney and Wilms tumour, IRX5 expression was already activated in early proliferative blastema, whereas IRX3 protein levels peaked at tubular differentiation. Accordingly, an orthotopic xenograft mouse model of Wilms tumour showed that IRX3−/− cells formed bulky renal tumours dominated by immature mesenchyme and active canonical WNT/β‐catenin‐signalling. In contrast, IRX5−/− cells displayed activation of Hippo and non‐canonical WNT‐signalling and generated small tumours with abundant tubulogenesis. Our findings suggest that promotion of IRX3 signalling or inhibition of IRX5 signalling could be a route towards differentiation therapy for Wilms tumour, in which WNT5A is a candidate molecule for enforced tubular maturation. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Lindell-Munther
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hiroaki Yasui
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Caroline Jansson
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Javanshir Esfandyari
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Karlsson
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kimberly Lau
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chi-Chung Hui
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Bexell
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sevan Hopyan
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Gisselsson
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, Medical Services, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.,Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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