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Almalki WH, Almujri SS. Circular RNAs and the JAK/STAT pathway: New frontiers in cancer therapeutics. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 260:155408. [PMID: 38909403 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Circular RNAs, known as circRNAs, have drawn more attention to cancer biology in the last few years. Novel functions of circRNAs in cancer therapy open promising prospects for personalized medicine. This review focuses on the molecular properties and potential of circRNAs as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. Unique properties of circular RNAs associated with a circular form provide stability and resilience to RNA exonuclease degradation. Circular RNAs' most important characteristic is that they are involved in the JAK/STAT pathway associated with oncogenesis. Notably, their deregulation has been reported in multiple carcinomas due to involvement in JAK/STAT signaling cascade modulation. Increased knowledge about circRNAs' interaction with the JAK/STAT pathway leads to the emergence of new possibilities for targeted cancer therapy. In addition, since circRNAs demonstrate tissue-relatedness of expression, they may be a reliable biomarker for predicting and diagnosing cancer. With the development of new technologies for targeting circRNAs, novel therapeutics can be produced that offer more personalized cancer treatment options based on the nature of the patient. The present review explores the exciting prospects of circRNAs for transforming cancer treatment into personalized medicine. It describes the current understanding of circRNA biology, its relationship to tumorigenesis, and possible targeting methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Salem Salman Almujri
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Aseer 61421, Saudi Arabia
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Abbasi-Malati Z, Azizi SG, Milani SZ, Serej ZA, Mardi N, Amiri Z, Sanaat Z, Rahbarghazi R. Tumorigenic and tumoricidal properties of exosomes in cancers; a forward look. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:130. [PMID: 38360641 PMCID: PMC10870553 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01510-3] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, emerging data have highlighted the critical role of extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially (exosomes) Exos, in the progression and development of several cancer types. These nano-sized vesicles are released by different cell lineages within the cancer niche and maintain a suitable platform for the interchange of various signaling molecules in a paracrine manner. Based on several studies, Exos can transfer oncogenic factors to other cells, and alter the activity of immune cells, and tumor microenvironment, leading to the expansion of tumor cells and metastasis to the remote sites. It has been indicated that the cell-to-cell crosstalk is so complicated and a wide array of factors are involved in this process. How and by which mechanisms Exos can regulate the behavior of tumor cells and non-cancer cells is at the center of debate. Here, we scrutinize the molecular mechanisms involved in the oncogenic behavior of Exos released by different cell lineages of tumor parenchyma. Besides, tumoricidal properties of Exos from various stem cell (SC) types are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Abbasi-Malati
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Seyed Ghader Azizi
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Soheil Zamen Milani
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zeinab Aliyari Serej
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Narges Mardi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Amiri
- Department of Tissue Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zohreh Sanaat
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Reza Rahbarghazi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Han T, Chen L, Li K, Hu Q, Zhang Y, You X, Han L, Chen T, Li K. Significant CircRNAs in liver cancer stem cell exosomes: mediator of malignant propagation in liver cancer? Mol Cancer 2023; 22:197. [PMID: 38053070 PMCID: PMC10696692 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01891-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide, presents a significant global healthcare challenge. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), which can influence neighboring non-CSCs, are believed to play a crucial role in tumor growth and resistance to treatment, but the specific mechanisms and mediators are not fully understood. Regulation of the CSC state is considered an ideal therapeutic strategy both in the early stages of tumor formation and within established tumors. Exosomes have emerged as key players in intercellular communication, similar to classical hormone signaling, and are essential for facilitating communication between cells in liver cancer. Here, by coupling immunomagnetic bead sorting and exosomal sequencing, we found that exosome-derived circRNAs enriched in liver cancer CSCs were the key subsets with stemness characteristics and ultimately promoted HCC development. Of interest, we found that circ-ZEB1 and circ-AFAP1 are strongly correlated with liver cancer stemness and a poor prognosis, and can regulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Our novel exosome-derived circRNAs play a vital role as key components of various intercellular crosstalk and communication systems in malignant transmission. This finding not only provides valuable support for utilizing plasma exosomal circRNAs as clinical prognostic indicators for HCC patients but also highlights a new research direction in exploring the signaling between liver CSCs and the messenger molecules contained within exosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Han
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, China
| | - Lujun Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, China
- Postgraduate College, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, North New District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110122, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110017, China
| | - Kerui Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, China
| | - Qilin Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 358 Datong Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 200137, China
| | - Xuan You
- Postgraduate College, China Medical University, 77 Puhe Road, North New District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110122, China
| | - Lei Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110017, China
| | - Tingsong Chen
- Department of Oncology, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 358 Datong Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 200137, China.
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, China.
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