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MacLean MR, Walker OL, Arun RP, Fernando W, Marcato P. Informed by Cancer Stem Cells of Solid Tumors: Advances in Treatments Targeting Tumor-Promoting Factors and Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4102. [PMID: 38612911 PMCID: PMC11012648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074102] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation within tumors that promote cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence due to their self-renewal capacity and resistance to conventional therapies. CSC-specific markers and signaling pathways highly active in CSCs have emerged as a promising strategy for improving patient outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic targets associated with CSCs of solid tumors across various cancer types, including key molecular markers aldehyde dehydrogenases, CD44, epithelial cellular adhesion molecule, and CD133 and signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and Sonic Hedgehog. We discuss a wide array of therapeutic modalities ranging from targeted antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and near-infrared photoimmunotherapy to advanced genetic approaches like RNA interference, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, aptamers, antisense oligonucleotides, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, CAR natural killer cells, bispecific T cell engagers, immunotoxins, drug-antibody conjugates, therapeutic peptides, and dendritic cell vaccines. This review spans developments from preclinical investigations to ongoing clinical trials, highlighting the innovative targeting strategies that have been informed by CSC-associated pathways and molecules to overcome therapeutic resistance. We aim to provide insights into the potential of these therapies to revolutionize cancer treatment, underscoring the critical need for a multi-faceted approach in the battle against cancer. This comprehensive analysis demonstrates how advances made in the CSC field have informed significant developments in novel targeted therapeutic approaches, with the ultimate goal of achieving more effective and durable responses in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya R. MacLean
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
| | - Olivia L. Walker
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
| | - Raj Pranap Arun
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
| | - Wasundara Fernando
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Paola Marcato
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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Zhang J, Wang Z, Zhao H, Wei Y, Zhou Y, Zhang S, Zhao J, Li X, Lin Y, Liu K. The roles of the SOX2 protein in the development of esophagus and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and pharmacological target for therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114764. [PMID: 37100016 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
SOX2 is a transcription factor belonging to the SOX gene family, whose activity has been associated with the maintenance of the stemness and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), as well as the induction of differentiated cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Moreover, accumulating studies have shown that SOX2 is amplified in various cancers, notably in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In addition, SOX2 expression is linked to multiple malignant processes, including proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance. Taken together, targeting SOX2 might shed light on novel approaches for cancer therapy. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge regarding SOX2 in the development of esophagus and ESCC. We also highlight several therapeutic strategies for targeting SOX2 in different cancer types, which can provide new tools to treat cancers possessing abnormal levels of SOX2 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Hongzhou Zhao
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Yuxuan Wei
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Yijian Zhou
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Shihui Zhang
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Xinxin Li
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China
| | - Yong Lin
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China.
| | - Kuancan Liu
- Central Laboratory, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China; Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350101, China.
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3
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Advance of SOX Transcription Factors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Role, Tumor Immune Relevance to Targeted Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051165. [PMID: 35267473 PMCID: PMC8909699 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest human health burdens worldwide. However, the molecular mechanism of HCC development is still not fully understood. Sex determining region Y-related high-mobility group box (SOX) transcription factors not only play pivotal roles in cell fate decisions during development but also participate in the initiation and progression of cancer. Given the significance of SOX factors in cancer and their ‘undruggable’ properties, we summarize the role and molecular mechanism of SOX family members in HCC and the regulatory effect of SOX factors in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of various cancers. For the first time, we analyze the association between the levels of SOX factors and that of immune components in HCC, providing clues to the pivotal role of SOX factors in the TIME of HCC. We also discuss the opportunities and challenges of targeting SOX factors for cancer. Abstract Sex determining region Y (SRY)-related high-mobility group (HMG) box (SOX) factors belong to an evolutionarily conserved family of transcription factors that play essential roles in cell fate decisions involving numerous developmental processes. In recent years, the significance of SOX factors in the initiation and progression of cancers has been gradually revealed, and they act as potential therapeutic targets for cancer. However, the research involving SOX factors is still preliminary, given that their effects in some leading-edge fields such as tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) remain obscure. More importantly, as a class of ‘undruggable’ molecules, targeting SOX factors still face considerable challenges in achieving clinical translation. Here, we mainly focus on the roles and regulatory mechanisms of SOX family members in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the fatal human health burdens worldwide. We then detail the role of SOX members in remodeling TIME and analyze the association between SOX members and immune components in HCC for the first time. In addition, we emphasize several alternative strategies involved in the translational advances of SOX members in cancer. Finally, we discuss the alternative strategies of targeting SOX family for cancer and propose the opportunities and challenges they face based on the current accumulated studies and our understanding.
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Dey A, Kundu M, Das S, Jena BC, Mandal M. Understanding the function and regulation of Sox2 for its therapeutic potential in breast cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188692. [PMID: 35122882 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sox family of transcriptional factors play essential functions in development and are implicated in multiple clinical disorders, including cancer. Sox2 being their most prominent member and performing a critical role in reprogramming differentiated adult cells to an embryonic phenotype is frequently upregulated in multiple cancers. High Sox2 levels are detected in breast tumor tissues and correlate with a worse prognosis. In addition, Sox2 expression is connected with resistance to conventional anticancer therapy. Together, it can be said that inhibiting Sox2 expression can reduce the malignant features associated with breast cancer, including invasion, migration, proliferation, stemness, and chemoresistance. This review highlights the critical roles played by the Sox gene family members in initiating or suppressing breast tumor development, while primarily focusing on Sox2 and its role in breast tumor initiation, maintenance, and progression, elucidates the probable mechanisms that control its activity, and puts forward potential therapeutic strategies to inhibit its expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Dey
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
| | - Moumita Kundu
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
| | - Subhayan Das
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
| | - Bikash Chandra Jena
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
| | - Mahitosh Mandal
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
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5
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Takahashi K, Asano N, Imatani A, Kondo Y, Saito M, Takeuchi A, Jin X, Saito M, Hatta W, Asanuma K, Uno K, Koike T, Masamune A. Sox2 induces tumorigenesis and angiogenesis of early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through secretion of Suprabasin. Carcinogenesis 2021; 41:1543-1552. [PMID: 32055838 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgaa014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Early stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is known to be accompanied by angiogenesis and morphological changes of microvessels. Transcription factor Sox2 is amplified in various cancers including ESCC, but the role of Sox2 in the carcinogenesis and angiogenesis has not been determined. Hence, we aimed to investigate the role of Sox2 in the early stage of ESCC. We found that the expression of Sox2 was significantly higher in early-stage ESCC tissues than that in their adjacent normal tissues. We then established Sox2-inducible normal human esophageal squamous cell line (HetSox2) to investigate the role of Sox2 in esophageal carcinogenesis and angiogenesis in vitro. Sox2 overexpression led to increased cell proliferation and spheroid formation. The culture supernatant of Sox2-overexpressing HetSox2 induced migration and sprouting of endothelial cell line HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cell). As for the mechanism, we found that the expression of secreted protein Suprabasin was directly induced by Sox2. Suprabasin enhanced proliferation of normal human esophageal squamous cells when added to the culture. Moreover, Suprabasin enhanced migration and sprouting of HUVEC cells, which were observed with the culture supernatant of Sox2-overexpressing HetSox2. This angiogenic effect of Suprabasin was abolished by inhibiting AKT phosphorylation, which suggested its dependence on AKT signaling. Finally, we showed that Suprabasin expression and the density of microvessels were significantly higher in ESCC tissues with high Sox2 expression. Our study suggested that increased Sox2 expression in esophageal squamous cells induced Suprabasin expression, and as a result initiated the carcinogenesis via increased cell proliferation and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiichi Takahashi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Naoki Asano
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Akira Imatani
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kondo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Masashi Saito
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Akio Takeuchi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Xiaoyi Jin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Masahiro Saito
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Waku Hatta
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Asanuma
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Kaname Uno
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Koike
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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6
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Functional characterization of SOX2 as an anticancer target. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:135. [PMID: 32728033 PMCID: PMC7391717 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00242-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
SOX2 is a well-characterized pluripotent factor that is essential for stem cell self-renewal, reprogramming, and homeostasis. The cellular levels of SOX2 are precisely regulated by a complicated network at the levels of transcription, post-transcription, and post-translation. In many types of human cancer, SOX2 is dysregulated due to gene amplification and protein overexpression. SOX2 overexpression is associated with poor survival of cancer patients. Mechanistically, SOX2 promotes proliferation, survival, invasion/metastasis, cancer stemness, and drug resistance. SOX2 is, therefore, an attractive anticancer target. However, little progress has been made in the efforts to discover SOX2 inhibitors, largely due to undruggable nature of SOX2 as a transcription factor. In this review, we first briefly introduced SOX2 as a transcription factor, its domain structure, normal physiological functions, and its involvement in human cancers. We next discussed its role in embryonic development and stem cell-renewal. We then mainly focused on three aspects of SOX2: (a) the regulatory mechanisms of SOX2, including how SOX2 level is regulated, and how SOX2 cross-talks with multiple signaling pathways to control growth and survival; (b) the role of SOX2 in tumorigenesis and drug resistance; and (c) current drug discovery efforts on targeting SOX2, and the future perspectives to discover specific SOX2 inhibitors for effective cancer therapy.
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7
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Malinee M, Kumar A, Hidaka T, Horie M, Hasegawa K, Pandian GN, Sugiyama H. Targeted suppression of metastasis regulatory transcription factor SOX2 in various cancer cell lines using a sequence-specific designer pyrrole-imidazole polyamide. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 28:115248. [PMID: 31879179 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis, a deadly feature of cancer, compromises the prognosis and accounts for mortality in the majority of cancer patients. SOX2, a well-known pluripotency transcription factor, plays a central role in cell fate determination and has an overlapping role as a regulatory factor in tumorigenesis and metastasis. The demand is increasing for clinically useful strategies for artificial control of SOX2 expression and its complex transcription machinery in cancer cells. N-Methylpyrrole (Py) and N-methylimidazole (Im) polyamides are small programmable designer ligands that can be pre-programmed to selectively recognize DNA sequence and control endogenous gene expression. Herein, we evaluated the anticancer activity of a designer ligand (SOX2i). SOX2i remarkably altered the expression of SOX2 at the mRNA and protein level in human cancer cell lines such as SW620 (colorectal adenocarcinoma), MKN45 (gastric adenocarcinoma), MCF7 (breast carcinoma), U2OS (osteosarcoma) and other cancer cell lines of different origin and type. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis and cell-based assays showed SOX2 to be a downregulated upstream regulator that alters cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, metabolism and apoptotic pathway. Studies in the mouse model confirmed the anti-metastatic property of SOX2i. SOX2i inhibited the expression of genes associated with EMT and stemness. Moreover, Wnt-canonical signaling was found to be downregulated in the SOX2i-treated group. Our proof-of-concept study supports the potential of DNA-based programmable small molecules for controlling the key regulatory factors associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhu Malinee
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Alok Kumar
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takuya Hidaka
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masanobu Horie
- Division of Biochemical System Engineering, Radioisotope Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kouichi Hasegawa
- Institute of Integrated Cell Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University of Advanced Study, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ganesh N Pandian
- Institute of Integrated Cell Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University of Advanced Study, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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Chai Y, Li Q, Zhao H, Zhang Z, Yu X, Pang L, Liu Z, Zhao J, Wang L, Li F. SOX2 antagonizes WWC1 to drive YAP1 activation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Med 2019; 8:7055-7064. [PMID: 31560173 PMCID: PMC6853808 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether SOX2 and ACTL6A/TP63 interact with the Hippo-YAP1 pathway in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. Here, we reveal that SOX2, ACTL6A, and TP63 are co-amplified and upregulated in ESCC samples. Multiple SOX2 binding peaks in the locus of WWC1, a Hippo-YAP1 regulator, and an inverse correlation between the expression of SOX2 and WWC1 are identified, suggesting direct repression of WWC1 by SOX2. Expression scores of SOX2 are higher in tumors than normal tissues and positively correlated with nuclear YAP1 staining in primary ESCC. Moreover, SOX2 gain-of-function significantly promotes nuclear YAP1 expression in ESCC cells while silencing of SOX2 expression inhibits YAP1 activation. SOX2 overexpression leads to a significant enhancement of cell migration and invasion as well as chemoresistance to cisplatin, whereas knockdown of SOX2 or ectopic expression of WWC1 suppresses the SOX2-induced migration ability and invasive potential. Disruption of this SOX2-WWC1-YAP1 axis could be a therapeutic strategy for SOX2-dependent tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Chai
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases/the First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, China
| | - Qihang Li
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases/the First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, China
| | - Hongying Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases/the First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, China.,Department of Pathology and Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodan Yu
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases/the First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, China.,Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, China
| | - Lijuan Pang
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases/the First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Pathology and Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases/the First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, China
| | - Lianghai Wang
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases/the First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases/the First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, China.,Department of Pathology and Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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9
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Chaudhary S, Islam Z, Mishra V, Rawat S, Ashraf GM, Kolatkar PR. Sox2: A Regulatory Factor in Tumorigenesis and Metastasis. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2019; 20:495-504. [PMID: 30907312 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666190325102255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor Sox2 plays an important role in various phases of embryonic development, including cell fate and differentiation. These key regulatory functions are facilitated by binding to specific DNA sequences in combination with partner proteins to exert their effects. Recently, overexpression and gene amplification of Sox2 has been associated with tumor aggression and metastasis in various cancer types, including breast, prostate, lung, ovarian and colon cancer. All the different roles for Sox2 involve complicated regulatory networks consisting of protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions. Their involvement in the EMT modulation is possibly enabled by Wnt/ β-catenin and other signaling pathways. There are number of in vivo models which show Sox2 association with increased cancer aggressiveness, resistance to chemo-radiation therapy and decreased survival rate suggesting Sox2 as a therapeutic target. This review will focus on the different roles for Sox2 in metastasis and tumorigenesis. We will also review the mechanism of action underlying the cooperative Sox2- DNA/partner factors binding where Sox2 can be potentially explored for a therapeutic opportunity to treat cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zeyaul Islam
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Vijaya Mishra
- RASA Life science Informatics, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sakshi Rawat
- RASA Life science Informatics, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Prasanna R Kolatkar
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
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10
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Tsolou A, Lamprou I, Fortosi AO, Liousia M, Giatromanolaki A, Koukourakis MI. 'Stemness' and 'senescence' related escape pathways are dose dependent in lung cancer cells surviving post irradiation. Life Sci 2019; 232:116562. [PMID: 31201845 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Lung cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide and radiotherapy is a major treatment of choice. However, radioresistance is a main reason for radiotherapy failure or tumor relapse. Here, we investigated possible mechanisms associated with cancer cell radioresistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS We compared two newly derived cell lines, namely A549-IR3 and A549-IR6, which survived repeated (3 or 6 times) 4 Gy exposure of parental A549 lung cancer cell line. DNA repair ability, stemness and senescence were comparatively studied. KEY FINDINGS A549-IR3 exhibited higher proliferation ability and radioresistance compared to parental and A549-IR6 cells. Enhanced radioresistance was not accompanied by chemoresistance to cisplatin or docetaxel. DNA repair kinetics (γΗ2ΑΧ expression) were similar in all cell lines. A549-IR3 cells exhibited a significant rise in stem cell markers (CD44, CD133, OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG) whereas A549-IR6 displayed an increased senescent population. SIGNIFICANCE Cancer cells surviving after radiotherapy may follow two different escape pathways: selection for radioresistance resulting in regrowth, and in clinical terms relapse, or above an irradiation threshold, stem-cells die and cancer cells become senescent, leading the tumor to a state of dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avgi Tsolou
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace and University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece
| | - Ioannis Lamprou
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace and University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece
| | - Alexandra-Ourania Fortosi
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace and University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece
| | - Maria Liousia
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace and University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece
| | - Alexandra Giatromanolaki
- Department of Pathology, Democritus University of Thrace and University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece
| | - Michael I Koukourakis
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Democritus University of Thrace and University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece.
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Sumikawa T, Ohno S, Watanabe T, Yamamoto R, Yamano M, Mori T, Mori K, Tobimatsu T, Sera T. Site-Specific Integration by Recruitment of a Complex of ΦC31 Integrase and Donor DNA to a Target Site by Using a Tandem, Artificial Zinc-Finger Protein. Biochemistry 2018; 57:6868-6877. [PMID: 30462489 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
To solve the problem of uncontrolled therapeutic gene integration, which is a critical drawback of retroviral vectors for gene therapy, the integration sites of exogenous genes should be precisely controlled not to perturb endogenous gene expression. To accomplish this, we explored the possibility of site-specific integration using two six-finger artificial zinc-finger proteins (AZPs) tandemly conjugated via a flexible peptide linker (designated "Tandem AZP"). A Tandem AZP in which two AZPs recognize specific 19 bp targets in a donor and acceptor DNA was expected to site-specifically recruit the donor DNA to the acceptor DNA. Thereafter, an exogenously added integrase was expected to integrate the donor DNA into a specific site in the acceptor DNA (as it might be in the human genome). We demonstrated in vitro that in the presence of Tandem AZP, ΦC31 integrase selectively integrated a donor plasmid into a target acceptor plasmid not only at 30 °C (the optimum temperature of the integrase) but also at 37 °C (for future application in humans). We expect that with further improvement of our current system, a combination of Tandem AZP with integrase/recombinase will enable site-specific integration in mammalian cells and provide safer gene therapy technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuhiko Sumikawa
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology , Okayama University , Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530 , Japan
| | - Serika Ohno
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology , Okayama University , Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530 , Japan
| | - Takeharu Watanabe
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology , Okayama University , Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530 , Japan
| | - Ryo Yamamoto
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology , Okayama University , Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530 , Japan
| | - Miyu Yamano
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology , Okayama University , Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530 , Japan
| | - Tomoaki Mori
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology , Okayama University , Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530 , Japan
| | - Koichi Mori
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology , Okayama University , Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530 , Japan
| | - Takamasa Tobimatsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology , Okayama University , Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530 , Japan
| | - Takashi Sera
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology , Okayama University , Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku , Okayama 700-8530 , Japan
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Hüser L, Novak D, Umansky V, Altevogt P, Utikal J. Targeting SOX2 in anticancer therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2018; 22:983-991. [PMID: 30366514 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2018.1538359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION SOX2 is a transcription factor that is important in the development and maintenance of the stem cell state. Furthermore, SOX2 is associated with cancer progression because it promotes the migration, invasion, and proliferation of cancer cells. SOX2 is also expressed in cancer stem cells and appears to be involved in the resistance toward anticancer therapies. These features render SOX2 an attractive target for cancer therapy. Areas covered: In this review, we highlight the role of SOX2 in cancer and in the resistance toward anticancer therapies. We summarize recent studies dealing with SOX2 as a direct or indirect therapeutic target in cancer. Expert opinion: SOX2 is an attractive target in cancer therapy because of its role in cancer progression and therapy resistance. SOX2 is a transcription factor, hence direct targeting is difficult. Studies aimed at a functional depletion, for example by knock-down with siRNAs, are difficult to translate into clinical settings. Alternatively, the identification of SOX2 upstream or downstream regulators that are easier to target is of paramount importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hüser
- a Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology , University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg , Mannheim , Germany
| | - Daniel Novak
- a Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology , University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg , Mannheim , Germany
| | - Viktor Umansky
- a Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology , University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg , Mannheim , Germany
| | - Peter Altevogt
- a Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology , University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg , Mannheim , Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- a Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology , University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg , Mannheim , Germany
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