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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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Pinto AF, Nunes JS, Severino Martins JE, Leal AC, Silva CCVC, da Silva AJFS, da Cruz Olímpio DS, da Silva ETN, Campos TA, Lima Leite AC. Thiazole, Isatin and Phthalimide Derivatives Tested in vivo against Cancer Models: A Literature Review of the Last Six Years. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2991-3032. [PMID: 37170994 DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666230426154055] [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: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is a disease characterized by the abnormal multiplication of cells and is the second leading cause of death in the world. The search for new effective and safe anticancer compounds is ongoing due to factors such as low selectivity, high toxicity, and multidrug resistance. Thus, heterocyclic compounds derived from isatin, thiazole and phthalimide that have achieved promising in vitro anticancer activity have been tested in vivo and in clinical trials. OBJECTIVE This review focused on the compilation of promising data from thiazole, isatin, and phthalimide derivatives, reported in the literature between 2015 and 2022, with in vivo anticancer activity and clinical trials. METHODS A bibliographic search was carried out in the PUBMED, MEDLINE, ELSEVIER, and CAPES PERIODIC databases, selecting relevant works for each pharmacophoric group with in vivo antitumor activity in the last 6 years. RESULTS In our study, 68 articles that fit the scope were selected and critically analyzed. These articles were organized considering the type of antitumor activity and their year of publication. Some compounds reported here demonstrated potent antitumor activity against several tumor types. CONCLUSION This review allowed us to highlight works that reported promising structures for the treatment of various cancer types and also demonstrated that the privileged structures thiazole, isatin and phthalimide are important in the design of new syntheses and molecular optimization of compounds with antitumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Ferreira Pinto
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Janine Siqueira Nunes
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - José Eduardo Severino Martins
- Regulatory Affairs Advisory, Empresa Brasileira de Hemoderivados e Biotecnologia (HEMOBRAS), CEP 51021-410, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Amanda Calazans Leal
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Carla Cauanny Vieira Costa Silva
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Anderson José Firmino Santos da Silva
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Daiane Santiago da Cruz Olímpio
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Elineide Tayse Noberto da Silva
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Thiers Araújo Campos
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina Lima Leite
- Laboratory of Planning in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, 50740-520, Recife, PE, Brazil
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Occhiuzzi MA, Lico G, Ioele G, De Luca M, Garofalo A, Grande F. Recent advances in PI3K/PKB/mTOR inhibitors as new anticancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 246:114971. [PMID: 36462440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The biochemical role of the PI3K/PKB/mTOR signalling pathway in cell-cycle regulation is now well known. During the onset and development of different forms of cancer it becomes overactive reducing apoptosis and allowing cell proliferation. Therefore, this pathway has become an important target for the treatment of various forms of malignant tumors, including breast cancer and follicular lymphoma. Recently, several more or less selective inhibitors targeting these proteins have been identified. In general, drugs that act on multiple targets within the entire pathway are more efficient than single targeting inhibitors. Multiple inhibitors exhibit high potency and limited drug resistance, resulting in promising anticancer agents. In this context, the present survey focuses on small molecule drugs capable of modulating the PI3K/PKB/mTOR signalling pathway, thus representing drugs or drug candidates to be used in the pharmacological treatment of different forms of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gernando Lico
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Ioele
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Michele De Luca
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Antonio Garofalo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Fedora Grande
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.
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Wang S, Li Z, Li P, Li L, Liu Y, Feng Y, Li R, Xia S. SOX2 Promotes Radioresistance in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer by Regulating Tumor Cells Dedifferentiation. Int J Med Sci 2023; 20:781-796. [PMID: 37213675 PMCID: PMC10198148 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.75315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Radiation therapy plays an important role in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the radiocurability is greatly limited because of radioresistance which leads to treatment failure, tumor recurrence, and metastasis. Cancer stem cell (CSC) has been identified as the main factor that contributes to radiation resistance. SOX2, one of the transcription factors specifically expressed in CSC, is involved in tumorigenesis, progression, and maintenance of cell stemness. But the association between SOX2 and NSCLC radioresistance is not clear now. Methods: We constructed the radiotherapy-resistant cell line of NSCLC by multiple radiotherapy treatments. Colony formation assay, western blot, and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the radiosensitivity of cells. Western blot, qRT-PCR, and sphere formation assay were used to detect CSC characteristics of cells. Wound healing assay and Transwell assay were used to determine cell migration motility. The SOX2-upregulated model and SOX2-downregulated model was constructed by lentivirus transduction. Finally, the expression and clinical relevance of SOX2 in NSCLC were investigated by bioinformatics analysis based on TCGA and GEO datasets. Results: The expression of SOX2 was increased in radioresistant cells and a trend of dedifferentiation were observed. The results of wound healing assay and Transwell assay showed that SOX2 overexpression significantly promote the migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, overexpression of SOX2 enhanced radioresistance and DNA damage repair capability of parental cells, while down-regulation of SOX2 led to decreased radioresistance and DNA repair ability in radioresistant cells, all of which were related to cells dedifferentiation regulated by SOX2. In addition, bioinformatics analysis show that high expression of SOX2 was strongly associated with the progression and poor prognosis of patients with NSCLC. Conclusions: Our study revealed that SOX2 regulates radiotherapy resistance in NSCLC via promoting cell dedifferentiation. Therefore, SOX2 may be a promising therapeutic target for overcoming radioresistance in NSCLC, providing a new perspective to improve the curative effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shennan Wang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhou Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Piao Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingling Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Xiangyang Central Hospital, Xiangyang, China
| | - Yanqi Feng
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ruichao Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu Xia
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- ✉ Corresponding author: Shu Xia. Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China. Email address:
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Che J, Li D, Hong W, Wang L, Guo Y, Wu M, Lu J, Tong L, Weng Q, Wang J, Dong X. Discovery of new macrophage M2 polarization modulators as multiple sclerosis treatment agents that enable the inflammation microenvironment remodeling. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114732. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Vishnubalaji R, Shaath H, Al-Alwan M, Abdelalim EM, Alajez NM. Reciprocal interplays between MicroRNAs and pluripotency transcription factors in dictating stemness features in human cancers. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 87:1-16. [PMID: 36354097 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.10.007] [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: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The interplay between microRNAs (miRNAs) and pluripotency transcription factors (TFs) orchestrates the acquisition of cancer stem cell (CSC) features during the course of malignant transformation, rendering them essential cancer cell dependencies and therapeutic vulnerabilities. In this review, we discuss emerging themes in tumor heterogeneity, including the clonal evolution and the CSC models and their implications in resistance to cancer therapies, and then provide thorough coverage on the roles played by key TFs in maintaining normal and malignant stem cell pluripotency and plasticity. In addition, we discuss the reciprocal interactions between miRNAs and MYC, OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, and KLF4 pluripotency TFs and their contributions to tumorigenesis. We provide our view on the potential to interfere with key miRNA-TF networks through the use of RNA-based therapeutics as single agents or in combination with other therapeutic strategies, to abrogate the CSC state and render tumor cells more responsive to standard and targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhakrishnan Vishnubalaji
- Translational Cancer and Immunity Center (TCIC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hibah Shaath
- Translational Cancer and Immunity Center (TCIC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Monther Al-Alwan
- Stem Cell and Tissue Re-Engineering Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Essam M Abdelalim
- Diabetes Research Center (DRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar; College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nehad M Alajez
- Translational Cancer and Immunity Center (TCIC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar; College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar.
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DiNatale A, Castelli MS, Nash B, Meucci O, Fatatis A. Regulation of Tumor and Metastasis Initiation by Chemokine Receptors. J Cancer 2022; 13:3160-3176. [PMID: 36118530 PMCID: PMC9475358 DOI: 10.7150/jca.72331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are a rare sub-population of cells within the bulk of a tumor that are major contributors to tumor initiation, metastasis, and chemoresistance. TICs have a stem-cell-like phenotype that is dictated by the expression of master regulator transcription factors, including OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2. These transcription factors are expressed via activation of multiple signaling pathways that drive cancer initiation and progression. Importantly, these same signaling pathways can be activated by select chemokine receptors. Chemokine receptors are increasingly being revealed as major drivers of the TIC phenotype, as their signaling can lead to activation of stemness-controlling transcription factors. Additionally, the cell surface expression of chemokine receptors provides a unique therapeutic target to disrupt signaling pathways that control the expression of master regulator transcription factors and the TIC phenotype. This review summarizes the master regulator transcription factors known to dictate the TIC phenotype, along with the complex signaling pathways that can mediate their expression and the chemokine receptors that are most upstream of this phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony DiNatale
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.,Present Address: Janssen Oncology, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Maria Sofia Castelli
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.,Present address: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bradley Nash
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Olimpia Meucci
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.,Program in Immune Cell Regulation & Targeting, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Alessandro Fatatis
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.,Program in Translational and Cellular Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Targeting protein kinases in cancer stem cells. Essays Biochem 2022; 66:399-412. [PMID: 35607921 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are subpopulations of cancer cells within the tumor bulk that have emerged as an attractive therapeutic target for cancer therapy. Accumulating evidence has shown the critical involvement of protein kinase signaling pathways in driving tumor development, cancer relapse, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Given that protein kinases are druggable targets for cancer therapy, tremendous efforts are being made to target CSCs with kinase inhibitors. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge and overview of the roles of protein kinases in various signaling pathways in CSC regulation and drug resistance. Furthermore, we provide an update on the preclinical and clinical studies for the use of kinase inhibitors alone or in combination with current therapies for effective cancer therapy. Despite great premises for the use of kinase inhibitors against CSCs, further investigations are needed to evaluate their efficiencies without any adverse effects on normal stem cells.
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Hemmati S, Poor Heravi MR, Nami N, Khalilzadeh MA. Novel One-Pot Pseudo-Five-Component Green Synthesis and Biological Activities In Vitro of 5,5′-(Arylmethylene)Bis (4-Hydroxythiazol-2(3 H)-One) Using Triton-X-100 as High Efficient Catalytic System. Polycycl Aromat Compd 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/10406638.2022.2048033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sana Hemmati
- Department of Chemistry, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran
| | | | - Navabeh Nami
- Department of Chemistry, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran
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Wang Y, Sun J, Yao N. Correlation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Eur J Histochem 2021; 65. [PMID: 34783234 PMCID: PMC8611413 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2021.3304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary aim of this study was to examine the correlation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway with the clinicopathological features and prognostic significance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The study tissues were collected from 285 patients with NPC and normal mucosal tissues were obtained from 289 individuals with normal nasopharynxes. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detected the expression of the AKT, mTOR, and p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (P70S6K) proteins. Follow-up was performed for between 8 and 60 months. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation of the expression of the AKT, mTOR, and P70S6K proteins in NPC tissues. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to show the survival of patients with NPC. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to explore the independent risk factors for prognosis. The expression of the AKT, mTOR, and P70S6K proteins in NPC tissues was higher than that in healthy nasopharyngeal mucosal tissues, and was correlated with T-staging, N-staging, clinical stage, distant metastasis, and differentiation. The positive expression of the AKT, mTOR, and P70S6K proteins was higher in patients with stage III/IV NPC, low differentiation, and metastasis. The survival rates of patients with NPC with AKT-positive, mTOR-positive, and P70S6K-positive expression were considerably lower than those without the expression of these proteins. Distant metastasis and the overexpression of the AKT, mTOR, and P70S6K proteins were independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with NPC. The results obtained from this study indicated an association between the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and the progression of NPC. The upregulation of the AKT/mTOR pathway in patients with NPC is a predictor of poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong.
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong.
| | - Ninghua Yao
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong.
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Zhu QY, Zhao GX, Li Y, Talakatta G, Mai HQ, Le QT, Young LS, Zeng MS. Advances in pathogenesis and precision medicine for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. MedComm (Beijing) 2021; 2:175-206. [PMID: 34766141 PMCID: PMC8491203 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a squamous carcinoma with apparent geographical and racial distribution, mostly prevalent in East and Southeast Asia, particularly concentrated in southern China. The epidemiological trend over the past decades has suggested a substantial reduction in the incidence rate and mortality rate due to NPC. These results may reflect changes in lifestyle and environment, and more importantly, a deeper comprehension of the pathogenic mechanism of NPC, leading to much progress in the preventing, screening, and treating for this cancer. Herein, we present the recent advances on the key signal pathways involved in pathogenesis of NPC, the mechanism of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) entry into the cell, and the progress of EBV vaccine and screening biomarkers. We will also discuss in depth the development of various therapeutic approaches including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. These research advancements have led to a new era of precision medicine in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Ying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Ge-Xin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Girish Talakatta
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Hai-Qiang Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
| | - Quynh-Thu Le
- Department of Radiation Oncology Stanford California
| | - Lawrence S Young
- Warwick Medical School University of Warwick Coventry United Kingdom
| | - Mu-Sheng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) Guangzhou China
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Rajarajan D, Kaur B, Penta D, Natesh J, Meeran SM. miR-145-5p as a predictive biomarker for breast cancer stemness by computational clinical investigation. Comput Biol Med 2021; 135:104601. [PMID: 34186326 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast tumors enriched with breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), play a crucial role in metastasis and tumor relapse. Hence, targeting BCSCs may lead to efficacious breast cancer therapy. BCSCs have a unique expression of stemness markers, including Nanog, POU5F1, SOX2, and CD44, which play a vital role in cancer stem cell properties. However, the regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs)-mediated cancer stem cell marker expressions is largely unclear. METHODS MIENTURNET was used to predict miRNA-target interactions. miR-TV, UALCAN and GEPIA databases were used to analyze the expression of miR-145-5p and SOX2. Survival analysis was obtained by cBioportal, KM plotter and Breast Cancer Gene-Expression Miner. RNAComposer was used to perform miRNA-mRNA duplex prediction. In vitro mRNA and miRNA analysis was performed by qRT-PCR. RESULTS It was observed that miR-145-5p was the common miRNA targeting stemness markers. miR-145-5p expression was found to be lower in breast cancer patients compared to healthy subjects. Based on survival analysis, low expression of miR-145-5p and high expression of SOX2 led to a poor overall survival rate in breast cancer patients. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that SOX2 was highly enriched with transcription factors. Moreover, SOX2 expression level was also upregulated in axillary metastatic lymph nodules. Further, in vitro ectopic expression of miR-145-5p by its mimic downregulated the SOX2 expression compared to the control mimic. Overall, SOX2 was a direct target for miR-145-5p as per the binding and minimal-free energy. CONCLUSIONS In this study, miR-145-5p targeting SOX2 was identified as a potential predictive biomarker for breast cancer stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dheeran Rajarajan
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570020, Karnataka, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201 002, India
| | - Bhavjot Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570020, Karnataka, India
| | - Dhanamjai Penta
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570020, Karnataka, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201 002, India
| | - Jagadish Natesh
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570020, Karnataka, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201 002, India
| | - Syed Musthapa Meeran
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570020, Karnataka, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201 002, India.
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Sadeghi F, Afkhami A, Madrakian T, Ghavami R. Computational study on subfamilies of piperidine derivatives: QSAR modelling, model external verification, the inter-subset similarity determination, and structure-based drug designing. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 32:433-462. [PMID: 33960256 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2021.1891568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A new subset of furan-pyrazole piperidine derivatives was used for QSAR model development. These compounds exhibit good Akt1 inhibitory activity; moreover, antiproliferative activities in vitro against OVCAR-8 (Human ovarian carcinoma cells) and HCT116 (human colon cancer cells), were confirmed for them. Based on the relevant three-dimensional (3D) and 2D autocorrelation descriptors, selected by genetic algorithm (GA), multiple linear regression (MLR) was established on half maximal-inhibitory concentration (IC50), in Akt1 and cancer cell lines independently. Robustness, stability, and predictive ability of the models were evaluated using external and internal validation (r2: 0.742-0.832, Q2LOO: 0.684-0.796, RMSE: 0.247-0.299, F: 32.283-57.578, and r2y-random: 0.049-0.080). Furthermore, in the new strategy, each of the evaluated models was generalized to two other subfamilies of piperidines to simultaneously compare the activities and structural similarity of these three subsets. Probably, structural similarity can be more considered as a criterion of similarity in the mechanism of action. Also, external verification of suggested predictive models was performed by another subset. Finally, by focusing on M64 as the most potent in vivo antitumor compound, 15 new derivatives were designed and six potent candidates were proposed for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Sadeghi
- Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - A Afkhami
- Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
- Department of Chemistry, D-8 International University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - T Madrakian
- Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - R Ghavami
- Chemometrics Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
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Park JH, Kim YH, Shim S, Kim A, Jang H, Lee SJ, Park S, Seo S, Jang WI, Lee SB, Kim MJ. Radiation-Activated PI3K/AKT Pathway Promotes the Induction of Cancer Stem-Like Cells via the Upregulation of SOX2 in Colorectal Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010135. [PMID: 33445526 PMCID: PMC7827893 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The current treatment strategy for patients with aggressive colorectal cancer has been hampered by resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy due to the existence of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). Recent studies have shown that SOX2 expression plays an important role in the maintenance of CSC properties in colorectal cancer. In this study, we investigated the induction and regulatory role of SOX2 following the irradiation of radioresistant and radiosensitive colorectal cancer cells. We used FACS and western blotting to analyze SOX2 expression in cells. Among the markers of colorectal CSCs, the expression of CD44 increased upon irradiation in radioresistant cells. Further analysis revealed the retention of CSC properties with an upregulation of SOX2 as shown by enhanced resistance to radiation and metastatic potential in vitro. Interestingly, both the knockdown and overexpression of SOX2 led to increase in CD44+ population and induction of CSC properties in colorectal cancer following irradiation. Furthermore, selective genetic and pharmacological inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway, but not the MAPK pathway, attenuated SOX2-dependent CD44 expression and metastatic potential upon irradiation in vitro. Our findings suggested that SOX2 regulated by radiation-induced activation of PI3K/AKT pathway contributes to the induction of colorectal CSCs, thereby highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hye Park
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Korea; (J.-H.P.); (Y.-H.K.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (H.J.); (S.P.); (W.I.J.)
| | - Young-Heon Kim
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Korea; (J.-H.P.); (Y.-H.K.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (H.J.); (S.P.); (W.I.J.)
| | - Sehwan Shim
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Korea; (J.-H.P.); (Y.-H.K.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (H.J.); (S.P.); (W.I.J.)
| | - Areumnuri Kim
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Korea; (J.-H.P.); (Y.-H.K.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (H.J.); (S.P.); (W.I.J.)
| | - Hyosun Jang
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Korea; (J.-H.P.); (Y.-H.K.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (H.J.); (S.P.); (W.I.J.)
| | - Su-Jae Lee
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea;
| | - Sunhoo Park
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Korea; (J.-H.P.); (Y.-H.K.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (H.J.); (S.P.); (W.I.J.)
- Department of Pathology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Korea
| | - Songwon Seo
- Laboratory of Radiation Epidermiology, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Korea;
| | - Won Il Jang
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Korea; (J.-H.P.); (Y.-H.K.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (H.J.); (S.P.); (W.I.J.)
| | - Seung Bum Lee
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Korea; (J.-H.P.); (Y.-H.K.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (H.J.); (S.P.); (W.I.J.)
- Correspondence: (S.B.L.); (M.-J.K.); Tel.: +82-2-3399-5874 (S.B.L.); +82-2-3399-5875 (M.-J.K.)
| | - Min-Jung Kim
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure & Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Korea; (J.-H.P.); (Y.-H.K.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (H.J.); (S.P.); (W.I.J.)
- Correspondence: (S.B.L.); (M.-J.K.); Tel.: +82-2-3399-5874 (S.B.L.); +82-2-3399-5875 (M.-J.K.)
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15
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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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16
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SOX2 and p53 Expression Control Converges in PI3K/AKT Signaling with Versatile Implications for Stemness and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21144902. [PMID: 32664542 PMCID: PMC7402325 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Stemness and reprogramming involve transcriptional master regulators that suppress cell differentiation while promoting self-renewal. A distinguished example thereof is SOX2, a high mobility group (HMG)-box transcription factor (TF), whose subcellular localization and turnover regulation in embryonic, induced-pluripotent, and cancer stem cells (ESCs, iPSCs, and CSCs, respectively) is mediated by the PI3K/AKT/SOX2 axis, a stem cell-specific branch of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Further effector functions associated with PI3K/AKT induction include cell cycle progression, cellular (mass) growth, and the suppression of apoptosis. Apoptosis, however, is a central element of DNA damage response (DDR), where it provides a default mechanism for cell clearance when DNA integrity cannot be maintained. A key player in DDR is tumor suppressor p53, which accumulates upon DNA-damage and is counter-balanced by PI3K/AKT enforced turnover. Accordingly, stemness sustaining SOX2 expression and p53-dependent DDR mechanisms show molecular–functional overlap in PI3K/AKT signaling. This constellation proves challenging for stem cells whose genomic integrity is a functional imperative for normative ontogenesis. Unresolved mutations in stem and early progenitor cells may in fact provoke transformation and cancer development. Such mechanisms are also particularly relevant for iPSCs, where genetic changes imposed through somatic cell reprogramming may promote DNA damage. The current review aims to summarize the latest advances in the understanding of PI3K/AKT/SOX2-driven stemness and its intertwined relations to p53-signaling in DDR under conditions of pluripotency, reprogramming, and transformation.
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Lv B, Li F, Liu X, Lin L. The tumor-suppressive role of microRNA-873 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma correlates with downregulation of ZIC2 and inhibition of AKT signaling pathway. Cancer Gene Ther 2020; 28:74-88. [PMID: 32555352 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-020-0185-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for tumor initiation, relapse, and metastasis. Thus, residual CSCs after chemotherapy may result in poor prognosis for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Emerging evidence suggests that differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate genes that carry out important functions in CSCs. Here we investigate the interaction of microRNA-873 (miR-873) with the Zic family member 2 (ZIC2) and the effects on downstream serine-threonine protein kinase (AKT) signaling pathway in CSCs in the context of NPC. Initially, microarray-based gene expression profiling identified ZIC2 as a key differentially expressed gene in NPC, which was subsequently confirmed to be upregulated in clinical NPC tissue samples. NPC cells were subjected to sphere-formation conditions in low-attachment plates, followed by sorting of CD133+ cells, which were selected as NPC stem cells after further characterization of stem cell biomarkers. ZIC2 was then shown to be enriched in NPC stem cells at both mRNA and protein levels. However, loss of ZIC2 was associated with the self-renewal, proliferative and tumorigenic properties of NPC stem cells. Next, miRNAs potentially able to target ZIC2 were predicted by the intersection of mirDIP and TargetScan database results, and miRNA miR-873 was found to be downregulated in NPC tissues in general but especially in NPC stem cells. Upregulation of miR-873 inhibited the stem-like properties and tumorigenicity of NPC stem cells, which was found to take place through downregulation of ZIC2 and disruption of the AKT signaling pathway. Collectively, the results obtained suggest that overexpression of miR-873 could aid NPC tumor suppression through reduction of the malignant potential of CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baotao Lv
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, 276000, Linyi, P.R. China
| | - Fuzhou Li
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, 276000, Linyi, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Department of Psychology, Linyi Rongjun Hospital, 276003, Linyi, P.R. China
| | - Liqiang Lin
- Department of E.N.T., Linyi People's Hospital, 276000, Linyi, P.R. China.
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18
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Schaefer T, Lengerke C. SOX2 protein biochemistry in stemness, reprogramming, and cancer: the PI3K/AKT/SOX2 axis and beyond. Oncogene 2020; 39:278-292. [PMID: 31477842 PMCID: PMC6949191 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0997-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Research of the past view years expanded our understanding of the various physiological functions the cell-fate determining transcription factor SOX2 exerts in ontogenesis, reprogramming, and cancer. However, while scientific reports featuring novel and exciting aspects of SOX2-driven biology are published in near weekly routine, investigations in the underlying protein-biochemical processes that transiently tailor SOX2 activity to situational demand are underrepresented and have not yet been comprehensively summarized. Largely unrecognizable to modern array or sequencing-based technology, various protein secondary modifications and concomitant function modulations have been reported for SOX2. The chemical modifications imposed onto SOX2 are inherently heterogeneous, comprising singular or clustered events of phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, PARPylation, and O-glycosylation that reciprocally affect each other and critically impact SOX2 functionality, often in a tissue and species-specific manner. One recurring regulatory principle though is the canonical PI3K/AKT signaling axis to which SOX2 relates in various entangled, albeit not exclusive ways. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on SOX2 protein modifications, their proposed relationship to the PI3K/AKT pathway, and regulatory influence on SOX2 with regards to stemness, reprogramming, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten Schaefer
- University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Department of Biomedicine, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Claudia Lengerke
- University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Department of Biomedicine, Basel, Switzerland
- University Hospital Basel, Division of Hematology, Basel, Switzerland
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19
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Tomassetti M, Lupidi G, Piermattei P, Rossi FV, Lillini S, Bianchini G, Aramini A, Ciufolini MA, Marcantoni E. Catalyst-Free Synthesis of Polysubstituted 5-Acylamino-1,3-Thiazoles via Hantzsch Cyclization of α-Chloroglycinates. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24213846. [PMID: 31731437 PMCID: PMC6864457 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24213846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A catalyst-free heterocyclization reaction of α-chloroglycinates with thiobenzamides or thioureas leading to 2,4-disubstituted-5-acylamino-1,3-thiazoles has been developed. The methodology provides straightforward access to valuable building blocks for pharmaceutically relevant compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Tomassetti
- Dompé Farmaceutici S.p.A., Via Pietro Castellino, Napoli 80131, Italy; (S.L.); (A.A.)
- Correspondence: (M.T.); (E.M.); Tel.: +39-(816)-132-220 (M.T.); Tel.: +39-(737)-402-255 (E.M.)
| | - Gabriele Lupidi
- School of Science and Technology, Chemistry Division, University of Camerino, Camerino 62032, Italy; (G.L.); (P.P.); (F.V.R.)
| | - Pamela Piermattei
- School of Science and Technology, Chemistry Division, University of Camerino, Camerino 62032, Italy; (G.L.); (P.P.); (F.V.R.)
| | - Federico V. Rossi
- School of Science and Technology, Chemistry Division, University of Camerino, Camerino 62032, Italy; (G.L.); (P.P.); (F.V.R.)
| | - Samuele Lillini
- Dompé Farmaceutici S.p.A., Via Pietro Castellino, Napoli 80131, Italy; (S.L.); (A.A.)
| | | | - Andrea Aramini
- Dompé Farmaceutici S.p.A., Via Pietro Castellino, Napoli 80131, Italy; (S.L.); (A.A.)
- Dompé Farmaceutici S.p.A., Via Campo di Pile, L’Aquila 67100, Italy;
| | - Marco A. Ciufolini
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada;
| | - Enrico Marcantoni
- School of Science and Technology, Chemistry Division, University of Camerino, Camerino 62032, Italy; (G.L.); (P.P.); (F.V.R.)
- Correspondence: (M.T.); (E.M.); Tel.: +39-(816)-132-220 (M.T.); Tel.: +39-(737)-402-255 (E.M.)
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20
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Zhan W, Che J, Xu L, Wu Y, Hu X, Zhou Y, Cheng G, Hu Y, Dong X, Li J. Discovery of pyrazole-thiophene derivatives as highly Potent, orally active Akt inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 180:72-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Dong X, Zhan W, Zhao M, Che J, Dai X, Wu Y, Xu L, Zhou Y, Zhao Y, Tian T, Cheng G, Jin Z, Li J, Shao Y, He Q, Yang B, Weng Q, Hu Y. Discovery of 3,4,6-Trisubstituted Piperidine Derivatives as Orally Active, Low hERG Blocking Akt Inhibitors via Conformational Restriction and Structure-Based Design. J Med Chem 2019; 62:7264-7288. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lei Xu
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yubo Zhou
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | | | | | - Gang Cheng
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China
| | | | - Jia Li
- National Center for Drug Screening, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yanfei Shao
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310014, China
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Jin PY, Zheng ZH, Lu HJ, Yan J, Zheng GH, Zheng YL, Wu DM, Lu J. Roles of β-catenin, TCF-4, and survivin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: correlation with clinicopathological features and prognostic significance. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:48. [PMID: 30867651 PMCID: PMC6396483 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-019-0764-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignant tumor of the head and neck region with poorly understood progression and prognosis. The present study aims at exploring whether the expression of β-catenin, TCF-4, and survivin affects clinicopathological features and prognostic significance in NPC. Methods We enrolled 164 patients with NPC and 70 patients with chronic nasopharyngitis (CNP) in this study. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were conducted to evaluate the expression of β-catenin, TCF-4, and survivin. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis and Pearson correlation analysis were used to measure the correlation of β-catenin, TCF-4, and survivin. Risk factors for prognosis and survival conditions of NPC patients were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan–Meier curves. Results The results obtained revealed that mRNA and protein expression of β-catenin, TCF-4, and survivin was higher in NPC tissues than in CNP tissues. Positive correlations amongst β-catenin, TCF-4, and survivin were identified by Spearman’s rank correlation analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. There was a significant correlation in expression of β-catenin, TCF-4, and survivin with EBV DNA, EBV-VCA-IgA, EBV-EA-IgA, T stage, N stage, and clinicopathological stages. Lower overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were detected in NPC patients with positive expression of β-catenin, TCF-4, and survivin, in contrast to those with negative expression. Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that β-catenin, TCF-4, and survivin protein positive expression were independent risk factors for OS and DFS of NPC prognosis; there was an evident correlation between clinicopathological stages, TCF-4, and EBV-EA-IgA and OS, DMFS, LRFS, and DFS of NPC. Conclusions The aforementioned results indicate that β-catenin, TCF-4, and survivin proteins are highly expressed in NPC, which can be used as factors to predict the malignancy of NPC. In addition, positive expression of β-catenin, TCF-4, and survivin are potential risk factors that lead to an unfavorable prognosis of OS and DFS in NPC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Ying Jin
- 1Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, No. 101, Shanghai Road, Tongshan District, Xuzhou, 221116 Jiangsu People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-Hui Zheng
- 2State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base For TCM Quality and Efficacy, School of Medicine and Life Science, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023 People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Jie Lu
- 1Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, No. 101, Shanghai Road, Tongshan District, Xuzhou, 221116 Jiangsu People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Yan
- 3Emergency Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221009 People's Republic of China
| | - Gui-Hong Zheng
- 1Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, No. 101, Shanghai Road, Tongshan District, Xuzhou, 221116 Jiangsu People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Lin Zheng
- 1Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, No. 101, Shanghai Road, Tongshan District, Xuzhou, 221116 Jiangsu People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Mei Wu
- 1Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, No. 101, Shanghai Road, Tongshan District, Xuzhou, 221116 Jiangsu People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Lu
- 1Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, No. 101, Shanghai Road, Tongshan District, Xuzhou, 221116 Jiangsu People's Republic of China
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23
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Lu Y, Liang Y, Zheng X, Deng X, Huang W, Zhang G. EVI1 promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cell features and chemo-/radioresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:82. [PMID: 30770775 PMCID: PMC6377731 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1077-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant EVI1 expression is frequently reported in cancer studies; however, its role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been examined in detail. The aim of the present study is to investigate the involvement of EVI1 in progression and prognosis of NPC. METHODS RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot assays were used to examine the expression of EVI1 in NPC tissues and cell lines. Fluorescence in situ hybridization assay was used to examine the amplification of EVI1 in NPC tissues. The biological effect of EVI1 was determined by both in vitro and in vivo studies. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm that EVI1 bind at E-cadherin andβ-catenin promoters. The ChIP, EMSA, and coimmunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry assays were used to analyze the EVI1 regulated proteins. RESULTS EVI1 expression level was up-regulated in NPC tissues and cell lines. EVI1 was amplificated in NPC tissues. We observed that EVI1 down-regulation decreased the cell proliferation and invasive capacity of NPC cells in vitro and in vivo. EVI1, snail, and HDAC1 formed a co-repressor complex to repress E-cadherin expression and ultimately contributed to epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype in NPC cells. In another way, EVI1 directly bound at β-catenin promoter and activated its expression. β-catenin mediated EVI1's function on cancer stem cells (CSCs) properties. EVI1 up-regulation predicted unfavorable prognosis and contributed to chemo/radio-resistance in NPC cells. Finally, we constructed arsenic trioxide-loaded nanoparticles (ALNPs) and revealed that ALNPs exerted anti-tumor effect in NPC cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicated that EVI1 played an oncogenic role in NPC growth and metastasis and that EVI1 might serve as a novel molecular target for the treatment of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyong Lu
- Department of Oncology (Section 3), Gaozhou People's Hospital, Gaozhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingying Liang
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Yanling Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xubin Deng
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Wendong Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Maoming People's Hospital, Maoming, Guangdong, China.
| | - Gong Zhang
- Department of Radiotherapy, People's Hospital of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, China.
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24
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Li JY, Xiao T, Yi HM, Yi H, Feng J, Zhu JF, Huang W, Lu SS, Zhou YH, Li XH, Xiao ZQ. S897 phosphorylation of EphA2 is indispensable for EphA2-dependent nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell invasion, metastasis and stem properties. Cancer Lett 2018; 444:162-174. [PMID: 30583071 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Our phosphoproteomics identified that phosphorylation of EphA2 at serine 897 (pS897-EphA2) was significantly upregulated in the high metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells relative to non-metastatic NPC cells. However, the role and underlying mechanism of pS897-EphA2 in cancer metastasis and stem properties maintenance remain poorly understood. In this study, we established NPC cell lines with stable expression of exogenous EphA2 and EphA2-S897A using endogenous EphA2 knockdown cells, and observed that pS897-EphA2 maintained EphA2-dependent NPC cell in vitro migration and invasion, in vivo metastasis and cancer stem properties. Using phospho-kinase antibody array to identify signaling downstream of pS897-EphA2, we found that AKT/Stat3 signaling mediated pS897-EphA2-promoting NPC cell invasion, metastasis and stem properties, and Sox-2 and c-Myc were the effectors of pS897-EphA2. Immunohistochemistry showed that pS897-EphA2 was positively correlated with NPC metastasis and negatively correlated with patient overall survival. Moreover, ERK/RSK signaling controlled serum-induced pS897-EphA2 in NPC cells. Collectively, our results demonstrate that pS897-EphA2 is indispensable for EphA2-dependent NPC cell invasion, metastasis and stem properties by activating AKT/Stat3/Sox-2 and c-Myc signaling pathway, suggesting that pS897-EphA2 can serve as a therapeutic target in NPC and perhaps in other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao-Yang Li
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Ta Xiao
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210042, China
| | - Hong-Mei Yi
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Hong Yi
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Juan Feng
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Jin-Feng Zhu
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Shan-Shan Lu
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Yan-Hong Zhou
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Xin-Hui Li
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Xiao
- Research Center of Carcinogenesis and Targeted Therapy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; The Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Cancer Proteomics and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
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25
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Yu X, Shi L, Yan L, Wang H, Wen Y, Zhang X. Downregulation of glucose-regulated protein 78 enhances the cytotoxic effects of curcumin on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Int J Mol Med 2018; 42:2943-2951. [PMID: 30226563 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Curcumin is a conventional Chinese medicine, which exerts a marked effect on various tumor types and suppresses tumor invasion. The present study analyzed the antineoplastic effects of curcumin on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells and determined the effects of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress on curcumin‑induced cytotoxicity. The Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay examined the viability of SUNE1 and SUNE2 NPC cells. The Annexin V/propidium iodide staining technique was used to detect cell apoptosis and flow cytometry was used to examine cell cycle distribution. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to detect ER stress‑associated molecules. Furthermore, the toxic effects of curcumin treatment alongside glucose‑regulated protein 78 (GRP78) knockdown using small interfering (si)RNA, and treatment with the pan‑caspase inhibitor Z‑VAD‑FMK and the protein kinase B (AKT) inhibitor MK‑2206 were detected. The results demonstrated that curcumin markedly reduced cell viability, blocked cell cycle progression and induced apoptosis of human NPC cells. In addition, curcumin activated ER stress‑associated proteins to participate in the apoptosis of human NPC cells. siRNA‑induced knockdown of GRP78 may be able to strengthen the toxic effects of curcumin through mediating the AKT signaling pathway. These findings indicated that downregulation of GRP78 promoted the therapeutic effects of curcumin on NPC cells. The present study identified a potential, novel therapeutic method for the treatment of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250031, P.R. China
| | - Long Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Li Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250031, P.R. China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250031, P.R. China
| | - Yan Wen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250031, P.R. China
| | - Xiuping Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250031, P.R. China
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26
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Annexin A2-mediated cancer progression and therapeutic resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Biomed Sci 2018; 25:30. [PMID: 29598816 PMCID: PMC5877395 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-018-0430-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a head and neck cancer with poor clinical outcomes and insufficient treatments in Southeast Asian populations. Although concurrent chemoradiotherapy has improved recovery rates of patients, poor overall survival and low efficacy are still critical problems. To improve the therapeutic efficacy, we focused on a tumor-associated protein called Annexin A2 (ANXA2). This review summarizes the mechanisms by which ANXA2 promotes cancer progression (e.g., proliferation, migration, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion, and cancer stem cell formation) and therapeutic resistance (e.g., radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy). These mechanisms gave us a deeper understanding of the molecular aspects of cancer progression, and further provided us with a great opportunity to overcome therapeutic resistance of NPC and other cancers with high ANXA2 expression by developing this prospective ANXA2-targeted therapy.
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27
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Wuebben EL, Rizzino A. The dark side of SOX2: cancer - a comprehensive overview. Oncotarget 2018; 8:44917-44943. [PMID: 28388544 PMCID: PMC5546531 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The pluripotency-associated transcription factor SOX2 is essential during mammalian embryogenesis and later in life, but SOX2 expression can also be highly detrimental. Over the past 10 years, SOX2 has been shown to be expressed in at least 25 different cancers. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the roles of SOX2 in cancer and focuses on two broad topics. The first delves into the expression and function of SOX2 in cancer focusing on the connection between SOX2 levels and tumor grade as well as patient survival. As part of this discussion, we address the developing connection between SOX2 expression and tumor drug resistance. We also call attention to an under-appreciated property of SOX2, its levels in actively proliferating tumor cells appear to be optimized to maximize tumor growth - too little or too much SOX2 dramatically alters tumor growth. The second topic of this review focuses on the exquisite array of molecular mechanisms that control the expression and transcriptional activity of SOX2. In addition to its complex regulation at the transcriptional level, SOX2 expression and activity are controlled carefully by microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and post-translational modifications. In the Conclusion and Future Perspectives section, we point out that there are still important unanswered questions. Addressing these questions is expected to lead to new insights into the functions of SOX2 in cancer, which will help design novels strategies for more effectively treating some of the most deadly cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L Wuebben
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Angie Rizzino
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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28
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Cai K, Wang B, Dou H, Luan R, Bao X, Chu J. IL-17A promotes the proliferation of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through p300-mediated Akt1 acetylation. Oncol Lett 2017; 13:4238-4244. [PMID: 28588706 PMCID: PMC5452892 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.5962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-17A is a T helper (Th)17 cell-secreted cytokine that is able to induce various inflammatory responses. There is emerging evidence that IL-17A is generated in the cancer microenvironment of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the role of IL-17A in NPC remains unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the direct influence of IL-17A stimulation on the proliferation of human NPC cells and identify the underlying molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, E1A binding protein p300 (p300)-mediated AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt1) acetylation and its role in regulating the proliferation of NPC cells was investigated. The results of the current study demonstrated that IL-17A stimulation in vitro increased the proliferation of human NPC cells. Furthermore, Akt1 acetylation was identified to be enhanced in human NPC cells induced by IL-17A. Additionally, p300 induction was demonstrated to be required for Akt1 acetylation in human NPC cells following exposure to IL-17A. Functionally, p300-mediated Akt1 acetylation contributed to the proliferation of human NPC cells stimulated by IL-17A. In conclusion, the results of the present demonstrate a novel activity of IL-17A that promotes human NPC cell proliferation via p300-mediated Akt1 acetylation. This may provide a potential strategy for the treatment of patients with NPC through the inhibition of IL-17A or its receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kemin Cai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, Jiangsu 225300, P.R. China
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital Affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, P.R. China
| | - Hongmei Dou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, Jiangsu 225300, P.R. China
| | - Ronglan Luan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, Jiangsu 225300, P.R. China
| | - Xueli Bao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, Jiangsu 225300, P.R. China
| | - Jiusheng Chu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, Jiangsu 225300, P.R. China
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29
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Zhou TJ, Zhang SL, He CY, Zhuang QY, Han PY, Jiang SW, Yao H, Huang YJ, Ling WH, Lin YC, Lin ZN. Downregulation of mitochondrial cyclooxygenase-2 inhibits the stemness of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by decreasing the activity of dynamin-related protein 1. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:1389-1406. [PMID: 28435473 PMCID: PMC5399601 DOI: 10.7150/thno.17647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of malignant cells, possessing stemness, with strong tumorigenic capability, conferring resistance to therapy and leading to the relapse of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Our previous study suggested that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) would be a novel target for the CSCs-like side population (SP) cells in NPC. In the present study, we further found that COX-2 maintained the stemness of NPC by enhancing the activity of mitochondrial dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a mitochondrial fission mediator, by studying both sorted SP cells from NPC cell lines and gene expression analyses in NPC tissues. Using both overexpression and knockdown of COX-2, we demonstrated that the localization of COX-2 at mitochondria promotes the stemness of NPC by recruiting the mitochondrial translocation of p53, increasing the activity of Drp1 and inducing mitochondrial fisson. Inhibition of the expression or the activity of Drp1 by siRNA or Mdivi-1 downregulates the stemness of NPC. The present study also found that inhibition of mitochondrial COX-2 with resveratrol (RSV), a natural phytochemical, increased the sensitivity of NPC to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a classical chemotherapy drug for NPC. The underlying mechanism is that RSV suppresses mitochondrial COX-2, thereby reducing NPC stemness by inhibiting Drp1 activity as demonstrated in both the in vitro and the in vivo studies. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that mitochondrial COX-2 is a potential theranostic target for the CSCs in NPC. Inhibition of mitochondrial COX-2 could be an attractive therapeutic option for the effective clinical treatment of therapy-resistant NPC.
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30
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Malak PN, Dannenmann B, Hirth A, Rothfuss OC, Schulze-Osthoff K. Novel AKT phosphorylation sites identified in the pluripotency factors OCT4, SOX2 and KLF4. Cell Cycle 2016; 14:3748-54. [PMID: 26654770 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1104444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The four OSKM factors OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC are key transcription factors modulating pluripotency, self-renewal and tumorigenesis in stem cells. However, although their transcriptional targets have been extensively studied, little is known about how these factors are regulated at the posttranslational level. In this study, we established an in vitro system to identify phosphorylation patterns of the OSKM factors by AKT kinase. OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC were expressed in Sf9 insect cells employing the baculoviral expression system. OCT4, SOX2 and KLF4 were localized in the nucleus of insect cells, allowing their easy purification to near homogeneity upon nuclear fractionation. All transcription factors were isolated as biologically active DNA-binding proteins. Using in vitro phosphorylation and mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteome analyses several novel and known AKT phosphorylation sites could be identified in OCT4, SOX2 and KLF4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter N Malak
- a Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry ; University of Tübingen ; Tübingen , Germany
| | - Benjamin Dannenmann
- a Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry ; University of Tübingen ; Tübingen , Germany
| | - Alexander Hirth
- a Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry ; University of Tübingen ; Tübingen , Germany
| | - Oliver C Rothfuss
- a Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry ; University of Tübingen ; Tübingen , Germany
| | - Klaus Schulze-Osthoff
- a Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry ; University of Tübingen ; Tübingen , Germany.,b German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center ; Heidelberg , Germany
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31
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Schaefer T, Wang H, Mir P, Konantz M, Pereboom TC, Paczulla AM, Merz B, Fehm T, Perner S, Rothfuss OC, Kanz L, Schulze-Osthoff K, Lengerke C. Molecular and functional interactions between AKT and SOX2 in breast carcinoma. Oncotarget 2016; 6:43540-56. [PMID: 26498353 PMCID: PMC4791249 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor SOX2 is a key regulator of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells and plays important roles in early organogenesis. Recently, SOX2 expression was documented in various cancers and suggested as a cancer stem cell (CSC) marker. Here we identify the Ser/Thr-kinase AKT as an upstream regulator of SOX2 protein turnover in breast carcinoma (BC). SOX2 and pAKT are co-expressed and co-regulated in breast CSCs and depletion of either reduces clonogenicity. Ectopic SOX2 expression restores clonogenicity and in vivo tumorigenicity of AKT-inhibited cells, suggesting that SOX2 acts as a functional downstream AKT target. Mechanistically, we show that AKT physically interacts with the SOX2 protein to modulate its subcellular distribution. AKT kinase inhibition results in enhanced cytoplasmic retention of SOX2, presumably via impaired nuclear import, and in successive cytoplasmic proteasomal degradation of the protein. In line, blockade of either nuclear transport or proteasomal degradation rescues SOX2 expression in AKT-inhibited BC cells. Finally, AKT inhibitors efficiently suppress the growth of SOX2-expressing putative cancer stem cells, whereas conventional chemotherapeutics select for this population. Together, our results suggest the AKT/SOX2 molecular axis as a regulator of BC clonogenicity and AKT inhibitors as promising drugs for the treatment of SOX2-positive BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten Schaefer
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Perihan Mir
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Martina Konantz
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tamara C Pereboom
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna M Paczulla
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Britta Merz
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Tanja Fehm
- Women's Hospital, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Sven Perner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Oliver C Rothfuss
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Lothar Kanz
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Schulze-Osthoff
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Lengerke
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Clinic for Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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32
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Abstract
The expression of annexin A2 (ANXA2) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells induces the immunosuppressive response in dendritic cells; however, the oncogenic effect and clinical significance of ANXA2 have not been fully investigated in NPC cells. Immunohistochemical staining for ANXA2 was performed in 61 patients and the association with clinicopathological status was determined. Short hairpin (sh)RNA knockdown of ANXA2 was used to examine cellular effects of ANXA2, by investigating alterations in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, adhesion, tube-formation assay, and chemo- and radiosensitivity assays were performed. RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence were applied to determine molecular expression levels. Clinical association studies showed that the expression of ANXA2 was significantly correlated with metastasis (p = 0.0326) and poor survival (p = 0.0256). Silencing of ANXA2 suppressed the abilities of cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion, and vascular formation in NPC cell. ANXA2 up-regulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition associated signal proteins. Moreover, ANXA2 reduced sensitivities to irradiation and chemotherapeutic drugs. These results define ANXA2 as a novel prognostic factor for malignant processes, and it can serve as a molecular target of therapeutic interventions for NPC.
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33
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Zhou XM, Sun R, Luo DH, Sun J, Zhang MY, Wang MH, Yang Y, Wang HY, Mai SJ. Upregulated TRIM29 promotes proliferation and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma via PTEN/AKT/mTOR signal pathway. Oncotarget 2016; 7:13634-50. [PMID: 26872369 PMCID: PMC4924667 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Tripartite motif-containing 29 (TRIM29) has been reported to be dysregulated in human cancers. Up-regulation of TRIM29 was first observed in NPC cell lines by a genome-wide transcriptome analysis in our previous study. However, its expression biological function and clinical significance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain unclear. In this study, TRIM29 expression was validated by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry in 69 NPC samples. Notably, TRIM29 protein expression was significantly and positively correlated with the tumor size, clinical stage and metastasis. TRIM29 was identified as the direct target of miR-335-5p and miR-15b-5p, both of which were down-regulated and negatively associated with TRIM29 expression in NPC cell lines and clinical samples. Ectopic TRIM29 expression promoted proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and invasion in NPC cells, while its depletion inhibited cell invasion and EMT phenotype. Mechanistically, TRIM29 overexpression reduced PTEN expression and increase phosphorylated protein level of AKT, p70S6K and 4E-BP1. Correspondingly, AKT inhibitor and Rapamycin blocked the effect of TRIM29 on cell invasion. In conclusion, our results suggest that miR-335-5p and miR-15b-5p down-regulation results in TRIM29 over-expression, which induces proliferation, EMT and metastasis of NPC through the PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Hua Luo
- Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei-Yin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng-He Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui-Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Juan Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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34
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Gigantol Suppresses Cancer Stem Cell-Like Phenotypes in Lung Cancer Cells. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2015; 2015:836564. [PMID: 26339272 PMCID: PMC4539074 DOI: 10.1155/2015/836564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2015] [Revised: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
As cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to malignancy, metastasis, and relapse of cancers, potential of compound in inhibition of CSCs has garnered most attention in the cancer research as well as drug development fields recently. Herein, we have demonstrated for the first time that gigantol, a pure compound isolated from Dendrobium draconis, dramatically suppressed stem-like phenotypes of human lung cancer cells. Gigantol at nontoxic concentrations significantly reduced anchorage-independent growth and survival of the cancer cells. Importantly, gigantol significantly reduced the ability of the cancer cells to form tumor spheroids, a critical hallmark of CSCs. Concomitantly, the treatment of the compound was shown to reduce well-known lung CSCs markers, including CD133 and ALDH1A1. Moreover, we revealed that gigantol decreased stemness in the cancer cells by suppressing the activation of protein kinase B (Akt) signal which in turn decreased the cellular levels of pluripotency and self-renewal factors Oct4 and Nanog. In conclusion, gigantol possesses CSCs suppressing activity which may facilitate the development of this compound for therapeutic approaches by targeting CSCs.
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35
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Schaefer T, Lengerke C. AKT-driven phospho-patterns of pluripotency. Cell Cycle 2015; 14:3784-5. [PMID: 26697835 PMCID: PMC4825714 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1115642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten Schaefer
- Department of Biomedicine; University Hospital Basel; Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Lengerke
- Department of Biomedicine; University Hospital Basel; Basel, Switzerland
- Clinic for Hematology; University Hospital Basel; Basel, Switzerland
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