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Tiwari M, Srivastava P, Abbas S, Jegatheesan J, Ranjan A, Sharma S, Maurya VP, Saxena AK, Sharma LK. Emerging Role of Autophagy in Governing Cellular Dormancy, Metabolic Functions, and Therapeutic Responses of Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2024; 13:447. [PMID: 38474411 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050447] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumors are composed of heterogeneous populations of dysregulated cells that grow in specialized niches that support their growth and maintain their properties. Tumor heterogeneity and metastasis are among the major hindrances that exist while treating cancer patients, leading to poor clinical outcomes. Although the factors that determine tumor complexity remain largely unknown, several genotypic and phenotypic changes, including DNA mutations and metabolic reprograming provide cancer cells with a survival advantage over host cells and resistance to therapeutics. Furthermore, the presence of a specific population of cells within the tumor mass, commonly known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), is thought to initiate tumor formation, maintenance, resistance, and recurrence. Therefore, these CSCs have been investigated in detail recently as potential targets to treat cancer and prevent recurrence. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in CSC proliferation, self-renewal, and dormancy may provide important clues for developing effective therapeutic strategies. Autophagy, a catabolic process, has long been recognized to regulate various physiological and pathological processes. In addition to regulating cancer cells, recent studies have identified a critical role for autophagy in regulating CSC functions. Autophagy is activated under various adverse conditions and promotes cellular maintenance, survival, and even cell death. Thus, it is intriguing to address whether autophagy promotes or inhibits CSC functions and whether autophagy modulation can be used to regulate CSC functions, either alone or in combination. This review describes the roles of autophagy in the regulation of metabolic functions, proliferation and quiescence of CSCs, and its role during therapeutic stress. The review further highlights the autophagy-associated pathways that could be used to regulate CSCs. Overall, the present review will help to rationalize various translational approaches that involve autophagy-mediated modulation of CSCs in controlling cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Tiwari
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Pransu Srivastava
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Sabiya Abbas
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Janani Jegatheesan
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Ashish Ranjan
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Sadhana Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Ved Prakash Maurya
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow 226014, India
| | - Ajit Kumar Saxena
- Department of Pathology/Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 801507, India
| | - Lokendra Kumar Sharma
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science, Lucknow 226014, India
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Strippoli R, Niayesh-Mehr R, Adelipour M, Khosravi A, Cordani M, Zarrabi A, Allameh A. Contribution of Autophagy to Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition Induction during Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:807. [PMID: 38398197 PMCID: PMC10886827 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040807] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a dedifferentiation process implicated in many physio-pathological conditions including tumor transformation. EMT is regulated by several extracellular mediators and under certain conditions it can be reversible. Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process in which intracellular components such as protein/DNA aggregates and abnormal organelles are degraded in specific lysosomes. In cancer, autophagy plays a controversial role, acting in different conditions as both a tumor suppressor and a tumor-promoting mechanism. Experimental evidence shows that deep interrelations exist between EMT and autophagy-related pathways. Although this interplay has already been analyzed in previous studies, understanding mechanisms and the translational implications of autophagy/EMT need further study. The role of autophagy in EMT is not limited to morphological changes, but activation of autophagy could be important to DNA repair/damage system, cell adhesion molecules, and cell proliferation and differentiation processes. Based on this, both autophagy and EMT and related pathways are now considered as targets for cancer therapy. In this review article, the contribution of autophagy to EMT and progression of cancer is discussed. This article also describes the multiple connections between EMT and autophagy and their implication in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Strippoli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, I.R.C.C.S., 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Reyhaneh Niayesh-Mehr
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran P.O. Box 14115-331, Iran;
| | - Maryam Adelipour
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 61357-15794, Iran;
| | - Arezoo Khosravi
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul Okan University, Istanbul 34959, Türkiye;
| | - Marco Cordani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istinye University, Istanbul 34396, Türkiye;
- Department of Research Analytics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
| | - Abdolamir Allameh
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran P.O. Box 14115-331, Iran;
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Jiao Y, Yu Y, Zheng M, Yan M, Wang J, Zhang Y, Zhang S. Dormant cancer cells and polyploid giant cancer cells: The roots of cancer recurrence and metastasis. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1567. [PMID: 38362620 PMCID: PMC10870057 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1567] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumour cell dormancy is critical for metastasis and resistance to chemoradiotherapy. Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) with giant or multiple nuclei and high DNA content have the properties of cancer stem cell and single PGCCs can individually generate tumours in immunodeficient mice. PGCCs represent a dormant form of cancer cells that survive harsh tumour conditions and contribute to tumour recurrence. Hypoxic mimics, chemotherapeutics, radiation and cytotoxic traditional Chinese medicines can induce PGCCs formation through endoreduplication and/or cell fusion. After incubation, dormant PGCCs can recover from the treatment and produce daughter cells with strong proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities via asymmetric cell division. Additionally, PGCCs can resist hypoxia or chemical stress and have a distinct protein signature that involves chromatin remodelling and cell cycle regulation. Dormant PGCCs form the cellular basis for therapeutic resistance, metastatic cascade and disease recurrence. This review summarises regulatory mechanisms governing dormant cancer cells entry and exit of dormancy, which may be used by PGCCs, and potential therapeutic strategies for targeting PGCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Jiao
- School of Integrative MedicineTianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
| | - Yongjun Yu
- Department of PathologyTianjin Union Medical CenterTianjinChina
| | - Minying Zheng
- Department of PathologyTianjin Union Medical CenterNankai UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Man Yan
- School of Integrative MedicineTianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
| | - Jiangping Wang
- School of Integrative MedicineTianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
| | - Yue Zhang
- School of Integrative MedicineTianjin University of Traditional Chinese MedicineTianjinChina
| | - Shiwu Zhang
- Department of PathologyTianjin Union Medical CenterTianjinChina
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Kusaczuk M, Ambel ET, Naumowicz M, Velasco G. Cellular stress responses as modulators of drug cytotoxicity in pharmacotherapy of glioblastoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189054. [PMID: 38103622 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite the extensive efforts to find effective therapeutic strategies, glioblastoma (GBM) remains a therapeutic challenge with dismal prognosis of survival. Over the last decade the role of stress responses in GBM therapy has gained a great deal of attention, since depending on the duration and intensity of these cellular programs they can be cytoprotective or promote cancer cell death. As such, initiation of the UPR, autophagy or oxidative stress may either impede or facilitate drug-mediated cell killing. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms that regulate ER stress, autophagy, and oxidative stress during GBM development and progression to later discuss the involvement of these stress pathways in the response to different treatments. We also discuss how a precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating stress responses evoked by different pharmacological agents could decisively contribute to the design of novel and more effective combinational treatments against brain malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kusaczuk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2A, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland.
| | - Elena Tovar Ambel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Complutense University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Monika Naumowicz
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bialystok, K. Ciolkowskiego 1K, 15-245 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Guillermo Velasco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Complutense University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Rezaee A, Tehrany PM, Tirabadi FJ, Sanadgol N, Karimi AS, Ajdari A, Eydivandi S, Etemad S, Rajabi R, Rahmanian P, Khorrami R, Nabavi N, Aref AR, Fan X, Zou R, Rashidi M, Zandieh MA, Hushmandi K. Epigenetic regulation of temozolomide resistance in human cancers with an emphasis on brain tumors: Function of non-coding RNAs. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115187. [PMID: 37499452 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115187] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors, which are highly malignant, pose a significant threat to health and often result in substantial rates of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The brain cancer therapy has been challenging due to obstacles such as the BBB, which hinders effective delivery of therapeutic agents. Additionally, the emergence of drug resistance further complicates the management of brain tumors. TMZ is utilized in brain cancer removal, but resistance is a drawback. ncRNAs are implicated in various diseases, and their involvement in the cancer is particularly noteworthy. The focus of the current manuscript is to explore the involvement of ncRNAs in controlling drug resistance, specifically in the context of resistance to the chemotherapy drug TMZ. The review emphasizes the function of ncRNAs, particularly miRNAs, in modulating the growth and invasion of brain tumors, which significantly influences their response to TMZ treatment. Through their interactions with various molecular pathways, miRNAs are modulators of TMZ response. Similarly, lncRNAs also associate with molecular pathways and miRNAs, affecting the efficacy of TMZ chemotherapy. Given their functional properties, lncRNAs can either induce or suppress TMZ resistance in brain tumors. Furthermore, circRNAs, which are cancer controllers, regulate miRNAs by acting as sponges, thereby impacting the response to TMZ chemotherapy. The review explores the correlation between ncRNAs and TMZ chemotherapy, shedding light on the underlying molecular pathways involved in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryan Rezaee
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Farimah Jafari Tirabadi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Negin Sanadgol
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Asal Sadat Karimi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Atra Ajdari
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sepideh Eydivandi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sara Etemad
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, Semnan, Iran.
| | - Romina Rajabi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Parham Rahmanian
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ramin Khorrami
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H3Z6, Canada.
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc. 6, Tide Street, Boston, MA 02210, USA.
| | - Xiaoping Fan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong, China.
| | - Rongjun Zou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong, China.
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Arad Zandieh
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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Giordani S, Marassi V, Placci A, Zattoni A, Roda B, Reschiglian P. Field-Flow Fractionation in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. Molecules 2023; 28:6201. [PMID: 37687030 PMCID: PMC10488451 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28176201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Field-flow fractionation (FFF) is a family of single-phase separative techniques exploited to gently separate and characterize nano- and microsystems in suspension. These techniques cover an extremely wide dynamic range and are able to separate analytes in an interval between a few nm to 100 µm size-wise (over 15 orders of magnitude mass-wise). They are flexible in terms of mobile phase and can separate the analytes in native conditions, preserving their original structures/properties as much as possible. Molecular biology is the branch of biology that studies the molecular basis of biological activity, while biotechnology deals with the technological applications of biology. The areas where biotechnologies are required include industrial, agri-food, environmental, and pharmaceutical. Many species of biological interest belong to the operational range of FFF techniques, and their application to the analysis of such samples has steadily grown in the last 30 years. This work aims to summarize the main features, milestones, and results provided by the application of FFF in the field of molecular biology and biotechnology, with a focus on the years from 2000 to 2022. After a theoretical background overview of FFF and its methodologies, the results are reported based on the nature of the samples analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Giordani
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Valentina Marassi
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy (V.M.)
- byFlow srl, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Placci
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy (V.M.)
| | - Andrea Zattoni
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy (V.M.)
- byFlow srl, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Roda
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy (V.M.)
- byFlow srl, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Reschiglian
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy (V.M.)
- byFlow srl, 40129 Bologna, Italy
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Laribee RN, Boucher AB, Madireddy S, Pfeffer LM. The STAT3-Regulated Autophagy Pathway in Glioblastoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:671. [PMID: 37242454 PMCID: PMC10223172 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain malignancy in adults with a dismal prognosis. Despite advances in genomic analysis and surgical technique and the development of targeted therapeutics, most treatment options are ineffective and mainly palliative. Autophagy is a form of cellular self-digestion with the goal of recycling intracellular components to maintain cell metabolism. Here, we describe some recent findings that suggest GBM tumors are more sensitive to the excessive overactivation of autophagy leading to autophagy-dependent cell death. GBM cancer stem cells (GSCs) are a subset of the GBM tumor population that play critical roles in tumor formation and progression, metastasis, and relapse, and they are inherently resistant to most therapeutic strategies. Evidence suggests that GSCs are able to adapt to a tumor microenvironment of hypoxia, acidosis, and lack of nutrients. These findings have suggested that autophagy may promote and maintain the stem-like state of GSCs as well as their resistance to cancer treatment. However, autophagy is a double-edged sword and may have anti-tumor properties under certain conditions. The role of the STAT3 transcription factor in autophagy is also described. These findings provide the basis for future research aimed at targeting the autophagy-dependent pathway to overcome the inherent therapeutic resistance of GBM in general and to specifically target the highly therapy-resistant GSC population through autophagy regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Nicholas Laribee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
| | - Andrew B. Boucher
- Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
| | - Saivikram Madireddy
- College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
| | - Lawrence M. Pfeffer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Center for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
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Colardo M, Gargano D, Russo M, Petraroia M, Pensabene D, D'Alessandro G, Santoro A, Limatola C, Segatto M, Di Bartolomeo S. Bromodomain and Extraterminal Domain (BET) Protein Inhibition Hinders Glioblastoma Progression by Inducing Autophagy-Dependent Differentiation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087017. [PMID: 37108181 PMCID: PMC10138987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087017] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive type of malignant primary brain tumor, and it is characterized by a high recurrence incidence and poor prognosis due to the presence of a highly heterogeneous mass of stem cells with self-renewal capacity and stemness maintenance ability. In recent years, the epigenetic landscape of GBM has been explored and many epigenetic alterations have been investigated. Among the investigated epigenetic abnormalities, the bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) chromatin readers have been found to be significantly overexpressed in GBM. In this work, we investigated the effects of BET protein inhibition on GBM cell reprogramming. We found that the pan-BET pharmacological inhibitor JQ1 was able to promote a differentiation program in GBM cells, thus impairing cell proliferation and enhancing the toxicity of the drug Temozolomide (TMZ). Notably, the pro-differentiation capability of JQ1 was prevented in autophagy-defective models, suggesting that autophagy activation is necessary for BET protein activity in regulating glioma cell fate. Given the growing interest in epigenetic therapy, our results further support the possibility of introducing a BET-based approach in GBM clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra Colardo
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Deborah Gargano
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Miriam Russo
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Michele Petraroia
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina D'Alessandro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Neuromed IRCCS, Via Atinense, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Antonio Santoro
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Neuromed IRCCS, Via Atinense, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Marco Segatto
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
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Advanced Bioinformatics Analysis and Genetic Technologies for Targeting Autophagy in Glioblastoma Multiforme. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060897. [PMID: 36980238 PMCID: PMC10047676 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
As the most malignant primary brain tumor in adults, a diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) continues to carry a poor prognosis. GBM is characterized by cytoprotective homeostatic processes such as the activation of autophagy, capability to confer therapeutic resistance, evasion of apoptosis, and survival strategy even in the hypoxic and nutrient-deprived tumor microenvironment. The current gold standard of therapy, which involves radiotherapy and concomitant and adjuvant chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ), has been a game-changer for patients with GBM, relatively improving both overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS); however, TMZ is now well-known to upregulate undesirable cytoprotective autophagy, limiting its therapeutic efficacy for induction of apoptosis in GBM cells. The identification of targets utilizing bioinformatics-driven approaches, advancement of modern molecular biology technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)—CRISPR-associated protein (Cas9) or CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, and usage of microRNA (miRNA)-mediated regulation of gene expression led to the selection of many novel targets for new therapeutic development and the creation of promising combination therapies. This review explores the current state of advanced bioinformatics analysis and genetic technologies and their utilization for synergistic combination with TMZ in the context of inhibition of autophagy for controlling the growth of GBM.
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Wang X, Lee J, Xie C. Autophagy Regulation on Cancer Stem Cell Maintenance, Metastasis, and Therapy Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020381. [PMID: 35053542 PMCID: PMC8774167 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Certain types of cancer have higher relapse rates compared to others, and cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been shown as the main drivers of cancer relapse and cancer severity. This subpopulation of cells displays stem-like characteristics which bolster tumorigenesis along with metastasis and lead to poorer prognoses. Autophagy has been studied as a mechanism by which CSCs maintain stemness and acquire resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. The aim of this review is to condense and organize what has been recently published on the connection between cancer stem cells (CSCs) and autophagy. Multiple studies on autophagy have suggested that the pathway is a double-edged sword, which can either undermine or enhance CSC characteristics depending on interactions with different pathways. Thus, future research should investigate regulation of autophagy in combination with traditional cancer therapies as a possible method to effectively eliminate CSCs and minimize cancer relapse. Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of the tumor population that play critical roles in tumorigenicity, metastasis, and relapse. A key feature of CSCs is their resistance to numerous therapeutic strategies which include chemotherapy, radiation, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In recent years, there is a growing body of literature that suggests a link between CSC maintenance and autophagy, a mechanism to recycle intracellular components during moments of environmental stress, especially since CSCs thrive in a tumor microenvironment that is plagued with hypoxia, acidosis, and lack of nutrients. Autophagy activation has been shown to aid in the upkeep of a stemness state along with bolstering resistance to cancer treatment. However, recent studies have also suggested that autophagy is a double-edged sword with anti-tumorigenic properties under certain circumstances. This review summarizes and integrates what has been published in the literature in terms of what role autophagy plays in stemness maintenance of CSCs and suggests that there is a more complex interplay between autophagy and apoptosis which involves multiple pathways of regulation. Future cancer therapy strategies are needed to eradicate this resistant subset of the cell population through autophagy regulation.
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