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do Nascimento RB, Cerqueira PSG, Silva JC, Fontes EK, Dos Santos EA, Dos Santos JN, Nunes FD, Rodrigues MFSD, Paiva KBS, Xavier FCDA. Cholesterol depletion induces mesenchymal properties in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line. J Oral Pathol Med 2024; 53:246-257. [PMID: 38503722 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13524] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholesterol in cell membranes is crucial for cell signaling, adhesion, and migration. Membranes feature cholesterol-rich caveolae with caveolin proteins, playing roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer progression. Despite elevated cholesterol levels in tumors, its precise function and the effects of its depletion in oral squamous cell carcinoma remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of cholesterol depletion in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. METHODS Cholesterol depletion was induced on SCC-9 cells by methyl-β-cyclodextrin and cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and colony formation capacities were evaluated. Gene and protein expressions were evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western Blot, respectively, and cell sublocalization was assessed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS Cholesterol depletion resulted in alteration of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell morphology at different concentrations of methyl-β-cyclodextrin, as well as decreased cell proliferation and viability rates. Analysis of CAV1 transcript expression revealed increased gene expression in the treated SCC-9 during the 24 h period, at different concentrations of methyl-β-cyclodextrin: 5 , 7.5, 10, and 15 mM, in relation to parental SCC-9. CAV1 protein expression was increased, with subsequent dose-dependent decrease. A statistically significant difference was observed in samples treated with 5 mM of methyl-β-cyclodextrin (p = 0.02, Kruskal-Wallis test). The immunofluorescence assay showed lower cytoplasmic and membrane labeling intensity in the treated samples for CAV1. CONCLUSION These findings indicate the modulation of cholesterol as a possible mechanism underlying the regulation of these molecules and activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Barros do Nascimento
- Postgraduate Program in Dentistry and Health, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Jamerson Carvalho Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Dentistry and Health, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Elisa Kauark Fontes
- Postgraduate Program in Dentistry and Health, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Elias Almeida Dos Santos
- Postgraduate Program in Dentistry and Health, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Jean Nunes Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Fábio Daumas Nunes
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Katiúcia Batista Silva Paiva
- Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Biology and Cellular Interaction, Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flávia Caló de Aquino Xavier
- Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
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Al-Hamaly MA, Cox AH, Haney MG, Zhang W, Arvin EC, Sampathi S, Wimsett M, Liu C, Blackburn JS. Zebrafish drug screening identifies Erlotinib as an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and self-renewal in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:116013. [PMID: 38104416 PMCID: PMC10833092 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116013] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway's significance in cancer initiation, progression, and stem cell biology underscores its therapeutic potential. However, the clinical application of Wnt inhibitors remains limited due to challenges posed by off-target effects and complex cross-talk of Wnt signaling with other pathways. In this study, we leveraged a zebrafish model to perform a robust and rapid drug screening of 773 FDA-approved compounds to identify Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors with minimal toxicity. Utilizing zebrafish expressing a Wnt reporter, we identified several drugs that suppressed Wnt signaling without compromising zebrafish development. The efficacy of the top hit, Erlotinib, extended to human cells, where it blocked Wnt/β-catenin signaling downstream of the destruction complex. Notably, Erlotinib treatment reduced self-renewal in human T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia cells, which rely on active β-catenin signaling for maintenance of leukemia-initiating cells. Erlotinib also reduced leukemia-initiating cell frequency and delayed disease formation in zebrafish models. This study underscores zebrafish's translational potential in drug discovery and repurposing and highlights a new use for Erlotinib as a Wnt inhibitor for cancers driven by aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majd A Al-Hamaly
- Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States; Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - Anna H Cox
- College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States
| | - Meghan G Haney
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Wen Zhang
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States
| | - Emma C Arvin
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States
| | - Shilpa Sampathi
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States
| | - Mary Wimsett
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Chunming Liu
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States
| | - Jessica S Blackburn
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, United States; Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40356, United States.
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Sun Q, Chen X, Luo H, Meng C, Zhu D. Cancer stem cells of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; distance towards clinical application; a systematic review of literature. Am J Cancer Res 2023; 13:4315-4345. [PMID: 37818051 PMCID: PMC10560931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the major pathological type of head and neck cancer (HNC). The disease ranks sixth among the most common malignancies worldwide, with an increasing incidence rate yearly. Despite the development of therapy, the prognosis of HNSCC remains unsatisfactory, which may be attributed to the resistance to traditional radio-chemotherapy, relapse, and metastasis. To improve the diagnosis and treatment, the targeted therapy for HNSCC may be successful as that for some other tumors. Nanocarriers are the most effective system to deliver the anti-cancerous agent at the site of interest using passive or active targeting approaches. The system enhances the drug concentration in HCN target cells, increases retention, and reduces toxicity to normal cells. Among the different techniques in nanotechnology, quantum dots (QDs) possess multiple fluorescent colors emissions under single-source excitation and size-tunable light emission. Dendrimers are the most attractive nanocarriers, which possess the desired properties of drug retention, release, unaffecting by the immune system, blood circulation time enhancing, and cells or organs specific targeting properties. In this review, we have discussed the up-to-date knowledge of the Cancer Stem Cells of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Although a lot of data is available, still much more efforts remain to be made to improve the treatment of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingjia Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin UniversityXiantai Street 126, Changchun 130033, Jilin, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin UniversityXiantai Street 126, Changchun 130033, Jilin, China
| | - Hong Luo
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of QiqiharQiqihar 161005, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Cuida Meng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin UniversityXiantai Street 126, Changchun 130033, Jilin, China
| | - Dongdong Zhu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin UniversityXiantai Street 126, Changchun 130033, Jilin, China
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4
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Al-Hamaly MA, Cox AH, Haney MG, Zhang W, Arvin EC, Sampathi S, Wimsett M, Liu C, Blackburn JS. Zebrafish Drug Screening Identifies Erlotinib as an Inhibitor of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling and Self-Renewal in T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.28.555200. [PMID: 37693603 PMCID: PMC10491167 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.28.555200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway's significance in cancer initiation, progression, and stem cell biology underscores its therapeutic potential, yet clinical application of Wnt inhibitors remains limited due to challenges posed by off-target effects and complex crosstalk with other pathways. In this study, we leveraged the zebrafish model to perform a robust and rapid drug screening of 773 FDA-approved compounds to identify Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors with minimal toxicity. Utilizing zebrafish expressing a Wnt reporter, we identified several drugs that suppressed Wnt signaling without compromising zebrafish development. The efficacy of the top hit, Erlotinib, extended to human cells, where it blocked Wnt/β-catenin signaling downstream of the destruction complex. Notably, Erlotinib treatment reduced self-renewal in human T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia cells, which are known to rely on active β-catenin signaling for maintenance of leukemia-initiating cells. Erlotinib also reduced leukemia-initiating cell frequency and delayed disease formation in zebrafish models. This study underscores zebrafish's translational potential in drug discovery and repurposing, and highlights a new use for Erlotinib as a Wnt inhibitor for cancers driven by aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Highlights Zebrafish-based drug screening offers an inexpensive and robust platform for identifying compounds with high efficacy and low toxicity in vivo . Erlotinib, an Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, emerged as a potent and promising Wnt inhibitor with effects in both zebrafish and human cell-based Wnt reporter assays.The identification of Erlotinib as a Wnt inhibitor underscores the value of repurposed drugs in developing targeted therapies to disrupt cancer stemness and improve clinical outcomes.
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Nallasamy P, Nimmakayala RK, Parte S, Are AC, Batra SK, Ponnusamy MP. Tumor microenvironment enriches the stemness features: the architectural event of therapy resistance and metastasis. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:225. [PMID: 36550571 PMCID: PMC9773588 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01682-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer divergence has many facets other than being considered a genetic term. It is a tremendous challenge to understand the metastasis and therapy response in cancer biology; however, it postulates the opportunity to explore the possible mechanism in the surrounding tumor environment. Most deadly solid malignancies are distinctly characterized by their tumor microenvironment (TME). TME consists of stromal components such as immune, inflammatory, endothelial, adipocytes, and fibroblast cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer stem-like cells are a small sub-set of the population within cancer cells believed to be a responsible player in the self-renewal, metastasis, and therapy response of cancer cells. The correlation between TME and CSCs remains an enigma in understanding the events of metastasis and therapy resistance in cancer biology. Recent evidence suggests that TME dictates the CSCs maintenance to arbitrate cancer progression and metastasis. The immune, inflammatory, endothelial, adipocyte, and fibroblast cells in the TME release growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, microRNAs, and exosomes that provide cues for the gain and maintenance of CSC features. These intricate cross-talks are fueled to evolve into aggressive, invasive, migratory phenotypes for cancer development. In this review, we have abridged the recent developments in the role of the TME factors in CSC maintenance and how these events influence the transition of tumor progression to further translate into metastasis and therapy resistance in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palanisamy Nallasamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Rama Krishna Nimmakayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Seema Parte
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Abhirup C Are
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Pinto MAF, Ferreira CBR, de Lima BES, Molon ÂC, Ibarra AMC, Cecatto RB, Dos Santos Franco AL, Rodrigues MFSD. Effects of 5-ALA mediated photodynamic therapy in oral cancer stem cells. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2022; 235:112552. [PMID: 36088836 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2022.112552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of PDT using the photosensitizer 5-aminoulevulinic acid (5-ALA) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) behavior, mainly regarding its role on the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes and in maintenance of the stem cell properties. Two OSCC cell lines were used and divided in the groups: Control, 5-ALA, LED 6 J/cm2 and PDT. MTT and Neutral red assays were used to access cellular viability, cell migration was evaluated by the wound healing assay. The stem cell phenotype was analyzed by flow cytometry to evaluate the CD44high/ESAhigh, CD44high/ESAlow and CD44low populations, by the clonogenic and tumor sphere formation assays as well as by RT-qPCR. The presence of Protoporphyrin IX in each CSC fraction was evaluated by flow cytometry. The OSCC cell lines showed a significant decrease in cell viability and migration after PDT. The percentage of CD44high/ESAhigh cells decreased after PDT, which was associated with an increase in the CD44low cells and with a functional decrease in the colony and sphere formation capacity. CD44high/ESAhigh cells showed increased PpIX, which contributed for their greater sensitivity to PDT. INV gene increased significantly after PDT, indicating cellular differentiation. Altogether, our results demonstrate that 5-ALA mediated PDT decreases not only the fraction of oral CSC but also their functional capabilities, inducing their differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cássia Bosi Ribeiro Ferreira
- Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Nove de Julho University, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Evelyn Santos de Lima
- Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Nove de Julho University, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ângela Cristina Molon
- Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Nove de Julho University, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Melissa Coppa Ibarra
- Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Nove de Julho University, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rebeca Boltes Cecatto
- Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Nove de Julho University, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil
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de Camargo MR, Frazon TF, Inacio KK, Smiderle FR, Amôr NG, Dionísio TJ, Santos CF, Rodini CO, Lara VS. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides inhibit in vitro tumorigenesis, cancer stem cell properties and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in oral squamous cell carcinoma. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 286:114891. [PMID: 34910952 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The polysaccharides of the millenary mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (GL) have been shown for decades to present anti-tumor activities, but few studies evaluated its importance on cancer stem cells and EMT process. Cancer stem cells (CSC) drive the development of carcinoma and are also involved in cancer treatment failure, being a good target for treatment success. Also, the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in metastasis and cancer relapse. Besides that, the increasing incidence worldwide of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) became a public health issue with a high rate of metastasis and poor quality of life for patients during and after treatment. AIM OF THE STUDY to evaluate G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLPS) in vitro effects on OSCC, focusing on hallmarks associated with tumorigenesis using the SCC-9, a squamous cells carcinoma lineage from the tongue. MATERIALS AND METHODS SCC-9 cells were treated in vitro for 72h with different GLPS concentrations. The controls cells were maintained with culture media only and cisplatin was used as treatment control. After the treatment period, the cells were evaluated. RESULTS GLPS treatment changed cell morphology and granularity, delayed migration, decreased colony, and impaired sphere formation, thereby leading to a non-invasive and less proliferative behavior of tumoral cells. Additionally, GLPS downregulated CSC, EMT, and drug sensitivity (ABC) markers. CONCLUSIONS These results show that the natural product GLPS has the potential to be an important ally for tongue squamous cell carcinoma treatment, bringing the millenary compound to modern therapy, providing a basis for future studies and the improvement of life quality for OSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Rodrigues de Camargo
- Department of Surgery, Stomatology, Pathology and Radiology. Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Talita Fonseca Frazon
- Department of Surgery, Stomatology, Pathology and Radiology. Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Kelly Karina Inacio
- Department of Biological Sciences. Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Fhernanda Ribeiro Smiderle
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil; Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Nádia Ghinelli Amôr
- Department of Biological Sciences. Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago José Dionísio
- Department of Biological Sciences. Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Ferreira Santos
- Department of Biological Sciences. Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Oliveira Rodini
- Department of Biological Sciences. Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Soares Lara
- Department of Surgery, Stomatology, Pathology and Radiology. Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
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Shahoumi LA. Oral Cancer Stem Cells: Therapeutic Implications and Challenges. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2022; 2:685236. [PMID: 35048028 PMCID: PMC8757826 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2021.685236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is currently one of the 10 most common malignancies worldwide, characterized by a biologically highly diverse group of tumors with non-specific biomarkers and poor prognosis. The incidence rate of HNSCC varies widely throughout the world, with an evident prevalence in developing countries such as those in Southeast Asia and Southern Africa. Tumor relapse and metastasis following traditional treatment remain major clinical problems in oral cancer management. Current evidence suggests that therapeutic resistance and metastasis of cancer are mainly driven by a unique subpopulation of tumor cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), or cancer-initiating cells (CICs), which are characterized by their capacity for self-renewal, maintenance of stemness and increased tumorigenicity. Thus, more understanding of the molecular mechanisms of CSCs and their behavior may help in developing effective therapeutic interventions that inhibit tumor growth and progression. This review provides an overview of the main signaling cascades in CSCs that drive tumor repropagation and metastasis in oral cancer, with a focus on squamous cell carcinoma. Other oral non-SCC tumors, including melanoma and malignant salivary gland tumors, will also be considered. In addition, this review discusses some of the CSC-targeted therapeutic strategies that have been employed to combat disease progression, and the challenges of targeting CSCs, with the aim of improving the clinical outcomes for patients with oral malignancies. Targeting of CSCs in head and neck cancer (HNC) represents a promising approach to improve disease outcome. Some CSC-targeted therapies have already been proven to be successful in pre-clinical studies and they are now being tested in clinical trials, mainly in combination with conventional treatment regimens. However, some studies revealed that CSCs may not be the only players that control disease relapse and progression of HNC. Further, clinical research studying a combination of therapies targeted against head and neck CSCs may provide significant advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linah A Shahoumi
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
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Li H, Peyser ND, Zeng Y, Ha PK, Johnson DE, Grandis JR. NSAIDs Overcome PIK3CA Mutation-Mediated Resistance to EGFR Inhibition in Head and Neck Cancer Preclinical Models. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030506. [PMID: 35158773 PMCID: PMC8833811 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but remain under active clinical investigation for the treatment of both newly diagnosed and recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Despite EGFR expression in the majority of HNSCC tumors, the levels of total or phosphorylated EGFR have not consistently been correlated with a response to EGFR targeting agents. The lack of predictive biomarkers represents a major obstacle to successful use of these drugs. Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling by mutation of the PIK3CA oncogene represents a plausible mechanism for EGFR inhibitor drug resistance. We compared the impact of EGFR inhibitors, alone or in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), in preclinical HNSCC models harboring mutant versus wild-type PIK3CA. Our results demonstrate additive or synergistic effects of NSAIDs and EGFR inhibitors in vitro and in vivo in PIK3CA-mutated HNSCC models. These findings suggest that the addition of NSAIDs to EGFR inhibitors for the treatment of HNSCC may represent a promising therapeutic strategy in PIK3CA-mutated cancers.
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Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer Stem Cells in Lung, Head and Neck, and Bladder Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205098. [PMID: 34680249 PMCID: PMC8534162 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Effective cancer treatment hinges upon overcoming therapeutic resistance mechanisms that allow for the continued proliferation of cancer cell subpopulations. Exposure to pharmacotherapy invariably leads to resistance as tumor cells with selected advantageous features evade destruction and alter the tumor composition. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) with features of plasticity that allow for regeneration and differentiation are particularly responsible for this phenomenon. Advances in tumor biology and molecular signaling have highlighted their role in neoplastic initiation, invasion, and maintenance. Novel strategies to direct therapy against these tumor cell subpopulations have the potential to dramatically alter tumor response and change the course of cancer care. Abstract Resistance to cancer therapy remains a significant obstacle in treating patients with various solid malignancies. Exposure to current chemotherapeutics and targeted agents invariably leads to therapy resistance, heralding the need for novel agents. Cancer stem cells (CSCs)—a subpopulation of tumor cells with capacities for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation—represent a pool of therapeutically resistant cells. CSCs often share physical and molecular characteristics with the stem cell population of the human body. It remains challenging to selectively target CSCs in therapeutically resistant tumors. The generation of CSCs and induction of therapeutic resistance can be attributed to several deregulated critical growth regulatory signaling pathways such as WNT/β-catenin, Notch, Hippo, and Hedgehog. Beyond growth regulatory pathways, CSCs also change the tumor microenvironment and resist endogenous immune attack. Thus, CSCs can interfere with each stage of carcinogenesis from malignant transformation to the onset of metastasis to tumor recurrence. A thorough review of novel targeted agents to act against CSCs is fundamental for advancing cancer treatment in the setting of both intrinsic and acquired resistance.
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Affolter A, Lammert A, Kern J, Scherl C, Rotter N. Precision Medicine Gains Momentum: Novel 3D Models and Stem Cell-Based Approaches in Head and Neck Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:666515. [PMID: 34307351 PMCID: PMC8296983 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.666515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the current progress in the development of new concepts of precision medicine for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), in particular targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibition (CPI), overall survival rates have not improved during the last decades. This is, on the one hand, caused by the fact that a significant number of patients presents with late stage disease at the time of diagnosis, on the other hand HNSCC frequently develop therapeutic resistance. Distinct intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity is one of the strongest features in HNSCC and has hindered both the identification of specific biomarkers and the establishment of targeted therapies for this disease so far. To date, there is a paucity of reliable preclinical models, particularly those that can predict responses to immune CPI, as these models require an intact tumor microenvironment (TME). The "ideal" preclinical cancer model is supposed to take both the TME as well as tumor heterogeneity into account. Although HNSCC patients are frequently studied in clinical trials, there is a lack of reliable prognostic biomarkers allowing a better stratification of individuals who might benefit from new concepts of targeted or immunotherapeutic strategies. Emerging evidence indicates that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are highly tumorigenic. Through the process of stemness, epithelial cells acquire an invasive phenotype contributing to metastasis and recurrence. Specific markers for CSC such as CD133 and CD44 expression and ALDH activity help to identify CSC in HNSCC. For the majority of patients, allocation of treatment regimens is simply based on histological diagnosis and on tumor location and disease staging (clinical risk assessments) rather than on specific or individual tumor biology. Hence there is an urgent need for tools to stratify HNSCC patients and pave the way for personalized therapeutic options. This work reviews the current literature on novel approaches in implementing three-dimensional (3D) HNSCC in vitro and in vivo tumor models in the clinical daily routine. Stem-cell based assays will be particularly discussed. Those models are highly anticipated to serve as a preclinical prediction platform for the evaluation of stable biomarkers and for therapeutic efficacy testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Affolter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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12
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Amôr NG, Buzo RF, Ortiz RC, Lopes NM, Saito LM, Mackenzie IC, Rodini CO. In vitro and in vivo characterization of cancer stem cell subpopulations in oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Oral Pathol Med 2020; 50:52-59. [PMID: 32816395 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite advances in cancer diagnosis and therapeutics, the overall 5-year survival rate of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains low. Tumor formation, progression, recurrence, and chemo-resistance are associated with the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC) that show phenotypic heterogeneity, but how they influence tumor behavior remains poorly understood. We aimed to describe how two CSC phenotypes from an OSCC cell line, CD44High ESAHigh (Epi-CSC) and CD44High ESALow (EMT-CSC), behave in vitro and in vivo. METHODS In vitro behavior of FACS-sorted Epi-CSC and EMT-CSC from OSCC cells was characterized by their ability to form colonies, migrate, proliferate, and to invade a solid matrix. In vivo experiments were conducted in immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice by orthotopic xenografting of FACS-sorted OSCC subpopulations. RESULTS In vitro, the Epi-CSC phenotype was more proliferative and generated more holoclones than the EMT phenotype. On the other hand, EMT-CSC migrate and invaded more than Epi-CSC cells in 3D culture, suggesting the CSC phenotype affects tumor cell behavior. When inoculated orthotopically into the tongues of immunodeficient mice, both subpopulations generated OSCC, but EMT-CSC formed fewer and smaller tumors. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that while cells in the Epi-CSC form the subpopulation that enables tumor growth, the EMT-CSC are related to migration and invasion. Clinically, this may reflect the importance of Epi-CSC for tumorigenesis and of the EMT-CSC for metastasis and highlights that variation in the proportion of CSC phenotypes from patient to patient may be relevant to the design of individual treatment protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nádia Ghinelli Amôr
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Fonseca Buzo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Rafael Carneiro Ortiz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Nathália Martins Lopes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Luciana Mieli Saito
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Ian Campbell Mackenzie
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Camila Oliveira Rodini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
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13
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Blanas A, Zaal A, van der Haar Àvila I, Kempers M, Kruijssen L, de Kok M, Popovic MA, van der Horst JC, J. van Vliet S. FUT9-Driven Programming of Colon Cancer Cells towards a Stem Cell-Like State. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092580. [PMID: 32927726 PMCID: PMC7565653 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are located in dedicated niches, where they remain inert to chemotherapeutic drugs and drive metastasis. Although plasticity in the CSC pool is well appreciated, the molecular mechanisms implicated in the regulation of cancer stemness are still elusive. Here, we define a fucosylation-dependent reprogramming of colon cancer cells towards a stem cell-like phenotype and function. De novo transcriptional activation of Fut9 in the murine colon adenocarcinoma cell line, MC38, followed by RNA seq-based regulon analysis, revealed major gene regulatory networks related to stemness. Lewisx, Sox2, ALDH and CD44 expression, tumorsphere formation, resistance to 5-FU treatment and in vivo tumor growth were increased in FUT9-expressing MC38 cells compared to the control cells. Likewise, human CRC cell lines highly expressing FUT9 displayed phenotypic features of CSCs, which were significantly impaired upon FUT9 knock-out. Finally, in primary CRC FUT9+ tumor cells pathways related to cancer stemness were enriched, providing a clinically meaningful annotation of the complicity of FUT9 in stemness regulation and may open new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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14
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Dual EGFR blockade with cetuximab and erlotinib combined with anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab in advanced solid tumors: a phase 1 dose escalation triplet combination trial. Exp Hematol Oncol 2020; 9:7. [PMID: 32337094 PMCID: PMC7171918 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-020-00159-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Angiogenesis and activation of the epidermal growth factor (EGFR) pathway play an essential role in tumor proliferation and metastasis. Targeting angiogenesis or EGFR alone does not yield adequate tumor control in most solid tumors. Overcoming intrinsic and/or acquired resistance may need a doublet or triplet therapy strategy. Herein, we report the safety and feasibility of dual EGFR blockade with EGFR monoclonal antibody and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor combined with anti-VEGF antibody in advanced solid tumors. Methods We conducted a phase I study combining erlotinib, cetuximab, and bevacizumab. Patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors (excluding colorectal and non-small cell lung cancers) were analyzed for safety, toxicity profile, and response. Anti-tumor activity was evaluated per response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST 1.0). Results Thirty-six patients received treatment on a range of dose-levels. The most frequent tumor types enrolled were cervical (n = 10), head and neck squamous cell (n = 10), and follicular thyroid (n = 4) cancers. The most common treatment-related grade ≥ 2 adverse events were rash (56%), hypomagnesemia (17%), pruritus (11%), diarrhea (8%), and tumor-related bleeding (8%). Seventeen of 19 patients (89%) treated at the maximum tolerated dose did not present treatment-related dose-limiting toxicity. Fifteen (63%) of the 24 evaluable patients achieved a disease control (stable disease ≥ 4 months (n = 14) and partial response (n = 1). The median number of prior lines of therapies was 3 (range 1–10). Conclusions The triplet combination of erlotinib, cetuximab, and bevacizumab was well tolerated, conferring clinical benefit in heavily pretreated patients. Future studies are warranted with second or third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase triplet combinations in the EGFR pathway aberrant patients. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00543504. Sponsor(s): National Cancer Institute (NCI), MD Anderson Cancer Center
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15
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Gunduz M, Gunduz E, Tamagawa S, Enomoto K, Hotomi M. Identification and chemoresistance of cancer stem cells in HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer. Oncol Lett 2019; 19:965-971. [PMID: 31897209 PMCID: PMC6924148 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.11127] [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: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The underlying mechanisms of resistance to chemoradiotherapy of human papilloma virus (HPV)-negative patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) remain unclear. The present study aimed to characterize cancer stem cells (CSC) of the HPV-negative OPC cell line in terms of chemotherapy resistance. CSCs were isolated through magnetic activated cell sorting using the CSC specific marker aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 antibody, and characterized by sphere formation capacity, immunofluorescence staining, and CSC marker expression. CSC response to cisplatin treatment was evaluated via XTT-assays. Spheres of CSCs of the HPV-negative UTSCC-60A cell line were highly dark holospheres. RNA expression levels of CSC markers OCT4, SOX2, Kruppel-like factor 4 and BMI1 were significantly higher in CSC. CSCs were significantly resistant to cisplatin treatment at various dosages compared with nonCSC. The present study suggested that the proportion of CSCs is very low in the tumor bulk, CSCs are resistant to cisplatin in HPV-negative OPC, which requires further investigation to define their mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Gunduz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
| | - Esra Gunduz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
| | - Shunji Tamagawa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
| | - Keisuke Enomoto
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
| | - Muneki Hotomi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
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16
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Sun HR, Wang S, Yan SC, Zhang Y, Nelson PJ, Jia HL, Qin LX, Dong QZ. Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Cancer Stem Cells and Their Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1104. [PMID: 31709180 PMCID: PMC6821685 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been demonstrated in a variety of tumors and are thought to act as a clonogenic core for the genesis of new tumor growth. This small subpopulation of cancer cells has been proposed to help drive tumorigenesis, metastasis, recurrence and conventional therapy resistance. CSCs show self-renewal and flexible clonogenic properties and help define specific tumor microenvironments (TME). The interaction between CSCs and TME is thought to function as a dynamic support system that fosters the generation and maintenance of CSCs. Investigation of the interaction between CSCs and the TME is shedding light on the biologic mechanisms underlying the process of tumor malignancy, metastasis, and therapy resistance. We summarize recent advances in CSC biology and their environment, and discuss the challenges and future strategies for targeting this biology as a new therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Ran Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Can Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peter J Nelson
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Hu-Liang Jia
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lun-Xiu Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiong-Zhu Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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17
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Chen D, Wang CY. Targeting cancer stem cells in squamous cell carcinoma. PRECISION CLINICAL MEDICINE 2019; 2:152-165. [PMID: 31598386 PMCID: PMC6770277 DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbz016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly aggressive tumor and the sixth
most common cancer worldwide. Current treatment strategies for HNSCC are surgery,
radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or combinatorial therapies. However, the overall
5-year survival rate of HNSCC patients remains at about 50%. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a
small population among tumor cells, are able to self-renew and differentiate into
different tumor cell types in a hierarchical manner, similar to normal tissue. In HNSCC,
CSCs are proposed to be responsible for tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, drug
resistance, and recurrence. In this review, we discuss the molecular and cellular
characteristics of CSCs in HNSCC. We summarize current approaches used in the literature
for identification of HNSCC CSCs, and mechanisms required for CSC regulation. We also
highlight the role of CSCs in treatment failure and therapeutic targeting options for
eliminating CSCs in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demeng Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling, Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Cun-Yu Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling, Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Broad Stem Cell Research Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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18
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Jagadeeshan S, Prasad M, Ortiz-Cuaran S, Gregoire V, Saintigny P, Elkabets M. Adaptive Responses to Monotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer: Interventions for Rationale-Based Therapeutic Combinations. Trends Cancer 2019; 5:365-390. [PMID: 31208698 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Most Phase II and III clinical trials in head and neck cancer (HNC) combine two or more treatment modalities, which are based, in part, on knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of innate and acquired resistance to monotherapy. In this review, we describe the range of tumor-cell autonomously derived (intrinsic) and tumor-microenvironment-derived (extrinsic) acquired-resistance mechanisms to various FDA-approved monotherapies for HNC. Specifically, we describe how tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) respond to radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy (cetuximab), and immunotherapies [programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors] and adapt to the selective pressure of these monotherapies. Due to the diversity of adaptive responses to monotherapy, monitoring the response to treatment in patients is critical to understand the path that leads to resistance and to guide the optimal therapeutic drug combinations in the clinical setting. We envisage that applying such a rationale-based therapeutic strategy will improve treatment efficacy in HNC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankar Jagadeeshan
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Manu Prasad
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Sandra Ortiz-Cuaran
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon 69008, France
| | - Vincent Gregoire
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon 69008, France; Department of Radiation Therapy, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon 69008, France
| | - Pierre Saintigny
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon 69008, France; Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon 69008, France
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.
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19
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López-Verdín S, Lavalle-Carrasco J, Carreón-Burciaga RG, Serafín-Higuera N, Molina-Frechero N, González-González R, Bologna-Molina R. Molecular Markers of Anticancer Drug Resistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Literature Review. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10100376. [PMID: 30308958 PMCID: PMC6210289 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10100376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This manuscript provides an update to the literature on molecules with roles in tumor resistance therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Although significant improvements have been made in the treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, physicians face yet another challenge-that of preserving oral functions, which involves the use of multidisciplinary therapies, such as multiple chemotherapies (CT) and radiotherapy (RT). Designing personalized therapeutic options requires the study of genes involved in drug resistance. This review provides an overview of the molecules that have been linked to resistance to chemotherapy in HNSCC, including the family of ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs), nucleotide excision repair/base excision repair (NER/BER) enzymatic complexes (which act on nonspecific DNA lesions generated by gamma and ultraviolet radiation by cross-linking and forming intra/interchain chemical adducts), cisplatin (a chemotherapeutic agent that causes DNA damage and induces apoptosis, which is a paradox because its effectiveness is based on the integrity of the genes involved in apoptotic signaling pathways), and cetuximab, including a discussion of the genes involved in the cell cycle and the proliferation of possible markers that confer resistance to cetuximab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra López-Verdín
- Research Institute of Dentistry, Health Science Center, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 4430, JAL, Mexico.
| | - Jesús Lavalle-Carrasco
- Department of Research, School of Dentistry, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Durango 34000, DGO, Mexico.
| | - Ramón G Carreón-Burciaga
- Department of Research, School of Dentistry, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Durango 34000, DGO, Mexico.
| | - Nicolás Serafín-Higuera
- Molecular Biology Department, School of Dentistry, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali 21040, Mexico.
| | - Nelly Molina-Frechero
- Department of Health Care, Xochimilco Unit, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico.
| | - Rogelio González-González
- Department of Research, School of Dentistry, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Durango 34000, DGO, Mexico.
| | - Ronell Bologna-Molina
- Department of Research, School of Dentistry, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Durango 34000, DGO, Mexico.
- Molecular Pathology Area, School of Dentistry, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay.
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20
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Bocci F, Jolly MK, George JT, Levine H, Onuchic JN. A mechanism-based computational model to capture the interconnections among epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells and Notch-Jagged signaling. Oncotarget 2018; 9:29906-29920. [PMID: 30042822 PMCID: PMC6057462 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSCs) formation are two fundamental and well-studied processes contributing to cancer metastasis and tumor relapse. Cells can undergo a partial EMT to attain a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotype or a complete EMT to attain a mesenchymal one. Similarly, cells can reversibly gain or lose 'stemness'. This plasticity in cell states is modulated by signaling pathways such as Notch. However, the interconnections among the cell states enabled by EMT, CSCs and Notch signaling remain elusive. Here, we devise a computational model to investigate the coupling among the core decision-making circuits for EMT, CSCs and Notch. Our model predicts that hybrid E/M cells are most likely to associate with stem-like traits and enhanced Notch-Jagged signaling – a pathway implicated in therapeutic resistance. Further, we show that the position of the 'stemness window' on the 'EMT axis' is varied by altering the coupling strength between EMT and CSC circuits, and/or modulating Notch signaling. Finally, we analyze the gene expression profile of CSCs from several cancer types and observe a heterogeneous distribution along the 'EMT axis', suggesting that different subsets of CSCs may exist with varying phenotypes along the epithelial-mesenchymal axis. We further investigate therapeutic perturbations such as treatment with metformin, a drug associated with decreased cancer incidence and increased lifespan of patients. Our mechanism-based model explains how metformin can both inhibit EMT and blunt the aggressive potential of CSCs simultaneously, by driving the cells out of a hybrid E/M stem-like state with enhanced Notch-Jagged signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Bocci
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Jason Thomas George
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - José Nelson Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
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