1
|
Jiang J, Mo W, Lian X, Cao D, Cheng H, Wang H. Detection of PD‑L1 expression and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition of circulating tumor cells in non‑small cell lung cancer. Exp Ther Med 2024; 28:294. [PMID: 38827467 PMCID: PMC11140314 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2024.12583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to assess the roles of peripheral circulating tumor cell (CTC) count, CTC subtypes and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in the clinical staging and prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A total of 100 patients with NSCLC with available tumor tissues were enrolled in the present study, and 7.5 ml peripheral blood was collected. Patients were divided into PD-L1-positive and PD-L1-negative groups according to PD-L1 immunohistochemical staining. Peripheral blood samples from both groups were analyzed to determine the CTC count, epithelial-type CTCs (E-CTCs), mesenchymal-type CTCs (M-CTCs) and PD-L1 expression. Clinical data were collected, and patients were followed up for a maximum of 36 months, with patient death as the endpoint event. Patients with PD-L1-positive tumors had a worse prognosis compared with those with PD-L1-negative tumors (P=0.045). The PD-L1-positive group exhibited significantly higher numbers of CTCs and M-CTCs compared with the PD-L1-negative group (P≤0.05). However, the number of E-CTCs did not differ significantly between the two groups (P>0.05). PD-L1-positive patients with higher CTC and M-CTC counts had relatively poorer prognoses (P≤0.05), while the number of E-CTCs had no significant effect on prognosis (P>0.05). Compared with the early-stage NSCLC group, the late-stage NSCLC group exhibited a significant increase in the CTC count (P≤0.05), while E-CTC and M-CTC counts did not significantly differ between the two groups (P>0.05). The PD-L1-positive group exhibited a significant increase in the number of PD-L1+ CTCs and PD-L1+ M-CTCs compared with the PD-L1-negative group (P≤0.05), while PD-L1+ E-CTC counts did not differ significantly between the two groups (P>0.05). The PD-L1-positive patients with a higher number of PD-L1+ CTCs and PD-L1+ M-CTCs had relatively poorer prognoses (P≤0.05), while the PD-L1+ E-CTC count had no significant effect on prognosis (P>0.05). Compared with the early-stage NSCLC group, the late-stage NSCLC group exhibited a significant increase in the number of PD-L1+ CTCs and PD-L1+ M-CTCs (P≤0.05), while PD-L1+ E-CTC counts did not significantly differ between the two groups (P>0.05). Based on univariate and multivariate analyses, the number of PD-L1+ M-CTCs was identified as an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC. In conclusion, the presence of CTCs in peripheral blood, particularly PD-L1+ M-CTC subtype, indicated poorer clinical staging and prognosis in patients with NSCLC. These findings suggested that CTCs, specifically the PD-L1+ M-CTC subtype, could serve as a monitoring indicator for the clinical staging and prognosis of patients with NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, P.R. China
| | - Weiqiang Mo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, P.R. China
| | - Xue Lian
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, P.R. China
| | - Dakui Cao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, P.R. China
| | - Haiying Cheng
- Department of Nursing Administration, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, P.R. China
| | - Haiqin Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Du YN, Zhao JW. GDF15: Immunomodulatory Role in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Implications. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2024; 11:1171-1183. [PMID: 38911292 PMCID: PMC11193986 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s471239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally and the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Evidence shows that growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis through various mechanisms. This paper reviews the latest insights into the role of GDF15 in the development of HCC, its role in the immune microenvironment of HCC, and its molecular mechanisms in metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)-related HCC. Additionally, as a serum biomarker for HCC, diagnostic and prognostic value of GDF15 for HCC is summarized. The article elaborates on the immunological effects of GDF15, elucidating its effects on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), liver fibrosis, as well as its role in HCC metastasis and tumor angiogenesis, and its interactions with anticancer drugs. Based on the impact of GDF15 on the immune response in HCC, future research should identify its signaling pathways, affected immune cells, and tumor microenvironment interactions. Clinical studies correlating GDF15 levels with patient outcomes can aid personalized treatment. Additionally, exploring GDF15-targeted therapies with immunotherapies could improve anti-tumor responses and patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ning Du
- Department of Medical Sciences, Li Ka-shing School of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jin-Wei Zhao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang S, Zhang Y, Zhang D, Meng J, Che N, Zhao X, Liu T. PTGER3 knockdown inhibits the vulnerability of triple-negative breast cancer to ferroptosis. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:2067-2081. [PMID: 38566528 PMCID: PMC11145128 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostaglandin E receptor 3 (PTGER3) is involved in a variety of biological processes in the human body and is closely associated with the development and progression of a variety of cancer types. However, the role of PTGER3 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear. In the present study, low PTGER3 expression was found to be associated with poor prognosis in TNBC patients. PTGER3 plays a crucial role in regulating TNBC cell invasion, migration, and proliferation. Upregulation of PTGER3 weakens the epithelial-mesenchymal phenotype in TNBC and promotes ferroptosis both in vitro and in vivo by repressing glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression. On the other hand, downregulation of PTGER3 inhibits ferroptosis by increasing GPX4 expression and activating the PI3K-AKT pathway. Upregulation of PTGER3 also enhances the sensitivity of TNBC cells to paclitaxel. Overall, this study has elucidated critical pathways in which low PTGER3 expression protects TNBC cells from undergoing ferroptosis, thereby promoting its progression. PTGER3 may thus serve as a novel and promising biomarker and therapeutic target for TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Song Wang
- Department of PathologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Yueyao Zhang
- Department of PathologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of PathologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Jie Meng
- Department of PathologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Na Che
- Department of PathologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
- Department of PathologyTianjin Medical University General HospitalTianjinChina
| | - Xiulan Zhao
- Department of PathologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
- Department of PathologyTianjin Medical University General HospitalTianjinChina
| | - Tieju Liu
- Department of PathologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
- Department of PathologyTianjin Medical University General HospitalTianjinChina
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Qiao Z, Teng X, Liu A, Yang W. Novel Isolating Approaches to Circulating Tumor Cell Enrichment Based on Microfluidics: A Review. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:706. [PMID: 38930676 PMCID: PMC11206030 DOI: 10.3390/mi15060706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), derived from the primary tumor and carrying genetic information, contribute significantly to the process of tumor metastasis. The analysis and detection of CTCs can be used to assess the prognosis and treatment response in patients with tumors, as well as to help study the metastatic mechanisms of tumors and the development of new drugs. Since CTCs are very rare in the blood, it is a challenging problem to enrich CTCs efficiently. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of microfluidics-based enrichment devices for CTCs in recent years. We explore in detail the methods of enrichment based on the physical or biological properties of CTCs; among them, physical properties cover factors such as size, density, and dielectric properties, while biological properties are mainly related to tumor-specific markers on the surface of CTCs. In addition, we provide an in-depth description of the methods for enrichment of single CTCs and illustrate the importance of single CTCs for performing tumor analyses. Future research will focus on aspects such as improving the separation efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing the detection sensitivity and accuracy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zezheng Qiao
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; (Z.Q.); (X.T.)
| | - Xiangyu Teng
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; (Z.Q.); (X.T.)
| | - Anqin Liu
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Yantai Institute of Technology, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Wenguang Yang
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; (Z.Q.); (X.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ortiz RC, Amôr NG, Saito LM, Santesso MR, Lopes NM, Buzo RF, Fonseca AC, Amaral-Silva GK, Moyses RA, Rodini CO. CSC highE-cadherin low immunohistochemistry panel predicts poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10583. [PMID: 38719848 PMCID: PMC11078993 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55594-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Identifying marker combinations for robust prognostic validation in primary tumour compartments remains challenging. We aimed to assess the prognostic significance of CSC markers (ALDH1, CD44, p75NTR, BMI-1) and E-cadherin biomarkers in OSCC. We analysed 94 primary OSCC and 67 metastatic lymph node samples, including central and invasive tumour fronts (ITF), along with clinicopathological data. We observed an increase in ALDH1+/CD44+/BMI-1- tumour cells in metastatic lesions compared to primary tumours. Multivariate analysis highlighted that elevated p75NTR levels (at ITF) and reduced E-cadherin expression (at the tumour centre) independently predicted metastasis, whilst ALDH1high exhibited independent predictive lower survival at the ITF, surpassing the efficacy of traditional tumour staging. Then, specifically at the ITF, profiles characterized by CSChighE-cadherinlow (ALDH1highp75NTRhighE-cadherinlow) and CSCintermediateE-cadherinlow (ALDH1 or p75NTRhighE-cadherinlow) were significantly associated with worsened overall survival and increased likelihood of metastasis in OSCC patients. In summary, our study revealed diverse tumour cell profiles in OSCC tissues, with varying CSC and E-cadherin marker patterns across primary tumours and metastatic sites. Given the pivotal role of reduced survival rates as an indicator of unfavourable prognosis, the immunohistochemistry profile identified as CSChighE-cadherinlow at the ITF of primary tumours, emerges as a preferred prognostic marker closely linked to adverse outcomes in OSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Carneiro Ortiz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Post-Graduation Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo (HRAC/USP), Av. Octavio Pinheiro Brisolla, 9-75, Jardim Brasil, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Nádia Ghinelli Amôr
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana Mieli Saito
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Rodrigues Santesso
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Nathália Martins Lopes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Fonseca Buzo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angélica Cristina Fonseca
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Raquel Ajub Moyses
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, LIM28, Clinical Hospital HCFMUSP, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Oliveira Rodini
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xie YJ, Tian S, Huang M, Lu LL, Liu ZQ, Chen JH, Fan XX. Depletion of regulatory T cells enhancing the anti-tumor effect of in situ vaccination in solid tumors. Pharmacol Res 2024; 203:107174. [PMID: 38580185 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the clinical treatment for tumor. However, the low response rate of ICIs remains the major obstacle for curing patients and effective approaches for patients with primary or secondary resistance to ICIs remain lacking. In this study, immune stimulating agent unmethylated CG-enriched (CpG) oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) was locally injected into the tumor to trigger a robust immune response to eradicate cancer cells, while anti-CD25 antibody was applied to remove immunosuppressive regulatory T cells, which further enhanced the host immune activity to attack tumor systematically. The combination of CpG and anti-CD25 antibody obtained notable regression in mouse melanoma model. Furthermore, rechallenge of tumor cells in the xenograft model has resulted in smaller tumor volume, which demonstrated that the combinational treatment enhanced the activity of memory T cells. Remarkably, this combinational therapy presented significant efficacy on multiple types of tumors as well and was able to prevent relapse of tumor partially. Taken together, our combinational immunotherapy provides a new avenue to enhance the clinical outcomes of patients who are insensitive or resistant to ICIs treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Jia Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Sha Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region of China; College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Min Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Lin-Lin Lu
- International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhong-Qiu Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun-Hui Chen
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Xing-Xing Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Special Administrative Region of China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhao G, Forn-Cuní G, Scheers M, Lindenbergh PP, Yin J, van Loosen Q, Passarini L, Chen L, Snaar-Jagalska BE. Simultaneous targeting of AMPK and mTOR is a novel therapeutic strategy against prostate cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 587:216657. [PMID: 38336289 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216657] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Metastatic colonization by circulating cancer cells is a highly inefficient process. To colonize distant organs, disseminating cancer cells must overcome many obstacles in foreign microenvironments, and only a small fraction of them survives this process. How these disseminating cancer cells cope with stress and initiate metastatic process is not fully understood. In this study, we report that the metastatic onset of prostate cancer cells is associated with the dynamic conversion of metabolism signaling pathways governed by the energy sensors AMPK and mTOR. While in circulation in blood flow, the disseminating cancer cells display decreased mTOR and increased AMPK activities that protect them from stress-induced death. However, after metastatic onset, the mTOR-AMPK activities are reversed, enabling mTOR-dependent tumor growth. Suppression of this dynamic conversion by co-targeting of AMPK and mTOR signaling significantly suppresses prostate cancer cell and tumor organoid growth in vitro and experimental metastasis in vivo, suggesting that this can be a therapeutic approach against metastasizing prostate cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gangyin Zhao
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gabriel Forn-Cuní
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marvin Scheers
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jie Yin
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Quint van Loosen
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Leonardo Passarini
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lanpeng Chen
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - B Ewa Snaar-Jagalska
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hoff CO, Dal Lago EA, Siqueira JM, de Sousa LG, El-Naggar AK, Ahnert JR, Ferrarotto R. First Use of AXL Targeting in Metastatic, Refractory, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: A Case Report. JCO Precis Oncol 2024; 8:e2300633. [PMID: 38579194 PMCID: PMC11018191 DOI: 10.1200/po.23.00633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
First use of AXL-targeting in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC); with positive results, ACC now included in AXL studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla O. Hoff
- Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | - Juliana Mota Siqueira
- Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Luana G. de Sousa
- Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Adel K. El-Naggar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jordi Rodon Ahnert
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Renata Ferrarotto
- Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Shih MS, Suk FM, Chiu WC, Lee CY, Hsu FY, Liao YJ. Long-term di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure reduces sorafenib treatment efficacy by enhancing mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 273:116161. [PMID: 38430581 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/04/2024]
Abstract
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a worldwide common plasticizer. Nevertheless, DEHP is easily leached out to the environment due to the lack of covalent bonds with plastic. High dose of DEHP exposure is often observed in hemodialysis patients because of the continual usage of plastic medical devices. Although the liver is the major organ that catabolizes DEHP, the impact of long-term DEHP exposure on the sensitivity of liver cancer to chemotherapy remains unclear. In this study, we established long-term DEHP-exposed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and two NOD/SCID mice models to investigate the effects and the underlying mechanisms of long-term DEHP exposure on chemosensitivity of HCC. The results showed long-term DEHP exposure potentially increased epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HCC cells. Next generation sequencing showed that long-term DEHP exposure increased cell adhesion/migratory related genes expression and blunted sorafenib treatment induced genes alterations. Long-term exposure to DEHP reduced the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib-induced anti-migratory effect by enhancing the EMT transcription factors (slug, twist, and ZEB1) and mesenchymal protein (vimentin) expression. In NOD/SCID mice model, we showed that long-term DEHP-exposed HCC cells exhibited higher growth rate. Regarding the anti-HCC effects of sorafenib, subcutaneous HuH7 tumor grew slowly in sorafenib-treated mice. Nonetheless, the anti-tumor growth effect of sorafenib was not observed in long-term DEHP-exposed mice. Higher mesenchymal markers and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression were found in sorafenib-treated long-term DEHP-exposed mice. In conclusion, long-term DEHP exposure promoted migratory activity in HCC cells and decreased sorafenib sensitivity in tumor-bearing mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Syuan Shih
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Shuang-Ho Campus, Taipei 235, Taiwan
| | - Fat-Moon Suk
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Chun Chiu
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; Research Center of Geriatric Nutrition, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110Taiwan; Department of Nutrition, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ya Lee
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Shuang-Ho Campus, Taipei 235, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Yu Hsu
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Shuang-Ho Campus, Taipei 235, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jen Liao
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Shuang-Ho Campus, Taipei 235, Taiwan; TMU Research Center for Digestive Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang S, Tamura A, Yui N. Enhanced Tumor Targeting and Antitumor Activity of Methylated β-Cyclodextrin-Threaded Polyrotaxanes by Conjugating Cyclic RGD Peptides. Biomolecules 2024; 14:223. [PMID: 38397461 PMCID: PMC10886891 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020223] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that acid-degradable methylated β-cyclodextrins (Me-β-CDs)-threaded polyrotaxanes (Me-PRXs) can induce autophagic cell death through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related autophagy, even in apoptosis-resistant cells. Hence, Me-PRXs show great potential as anticancer therapeutics. In this study, peptide-supermolecule conjugates were designed to achieve the targeted delivery of Me-PRX to malignant tumors. Arg-Gly-Asp peptides are well-known binding motifs of integrin αvβ3, which is overexpressed on angiogenic sites and many malignant tumors. The tumor-targeted cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp (cRGD) peptide was orthogonally post-modified to Me-PRX via click chemistry. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) results indicated that cRGD-Me-PRX strongly binds to integrin αvβ3, whereas non-targeted cyclic Arg-Ala-Glu (cRGE) peptide conjugated to Me-PRX (cRGE-Me-PRX) failed to interact with integrins αvβ3. In vitro, cRGD-Me-PRX demonstrated enhanced cellular internalization and antitumor activity in 4T1 cells than that of unmodified Me-PRX and non-targeted cRGE-Me-PRX, due to its ability to recognize integrin αvβ3. Furthermore, cRGD-Me-PRX accumulated effectively in tumors, leading to antitumor effects, and exhibited excellent biocompatibility and safety in vivo. Therefore, cRGD conjugation to enhance selectivity for integrin αvβ3-positive cancer cells is a promising design strategy for Me-PRXs in antitumor therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Atsushi Tamura
- Department of Organic Biomaterials, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bae SH, Lee KY, Han S, Yun CW, Park C, Jang H. SOX2 Expression Does Not Guarantee Cancer Stem Cell-like Characteristics in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Cells 2024; 13:216. [PMID: 38334608 PMCID: PMC10854781 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030216] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Effectively targeting cancer stemness is essential for successful cancer therapy. Recent studies have revealed that SOX2, a pluripotent stem cell factor, significantly contributes to cancer stem cell (CSC)-like characteristics closely associated with cancer malignancy. However, its contradictory impact on patient survival in specific cancer types, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), underscores the need for more comprehensive research to clarify its functional effect on cancer stemness. In this study, we demonstrate that SOX2 is not universally required for the regulation of CSC-like properties in LUAD. We generated SOX2 knockouts in A549, H358, and HCC827 LUAD cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Our results reveal unchanged CSC characteristics, including sustained proliferation, tumor sphere formation, invasion, migration, and therapy resistance, compared to normal cells. Conversely, SOX2 knockdown using conditional shRNA targeting SOX2, significantly reduced CSC traits. However, these loss-of-function effects were not rescued by SOX2 resistant to shRNA, underscoring the potential for SOX2 protein level-independent results in prior siRNA- or shRNA-based research. Ultimately, our findings demonstrate that SOX2 is not absolutely essential in LUAD cancer cells. This emphasizes the necessity of considering cancer subtype-dependent and context-dependent factors when targeting SOX2 overexpression as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in diverse cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hyun Bae
- Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.-H.B.)
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea;
| | - Kyung Yong Lee
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea;
- Division of Cancer Biology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Suji Han
- Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.-H.B.)
| | - Chul Won Yun
- Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.-H.B.)
| | - ChanHyeok Park
- Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.-H.B.)
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyonchol Jang
- Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea; (S.-H.B.)
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Republic of Korea;
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Maleki EH, Bahrami AR, Matin MM. Cancer cell cycle heterogeneity as a critical determinant of therapeutic resistance. Genes Dis 2024; 11:189-204. [PMID: 37588236 PMCID: PMC10425754 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Intra-tumor heterogeneity is now arguably one of the most-studied topics in tumor biology, as it represents a major obstacle to effective cancer treatment. Since tumor cells are highly diverse at genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic levels, intra-tumor heterogeneity can be assumed as an important contributing factor to the nullification of chemotherapeutic effects, and recurrence of the tumor. Based on the role of heterogeneous subpopulations of cancer cells with varying cell-cycle dynamics and behavior during cancer progression and treatment; herein, we aim to establish a comprehensive definition for adaptation of neoplastic cells against therapy. We discuss two parallel and yet distinct subpopulations of tumor cells that play pivotal roles in reducing the effects of chemotherapy: "resistant" and "tolerant" populations. Furthermore, this review also highlights the impact of the quiescent phase of the cell cycle as a survival mechanism for cancer cells. Beyond understanding the mechanisms underlying the quiescence, it provides an insightful perspective on cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their dual and intertwined functions based on their cell cycle state in response to treatment. Moreover, CSCs, epithelial-mesenchymal transformed cells, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and disseminated tumor cells (DTCs), which are mostly in a quiescent state of the cell cycle are proved to have multiple biological links and can be implicated in our viewpoint of cell cycle heterogeneity in tumors. Overall, increasing our knowledge of cell cycle heterogeneity is a key to identifying new therapeutic solutions, and this emerging concept may provide us with new opportunities to prevent the dreadful cancer recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim H. Maleki
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 9177948974 Mashhad, Iran
- Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, 31-007 Krakow, Poland
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ahmad Reza Bahrami
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 9177948974 Mashhad, Iran
- Industrial Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 9177948974 Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam M. Matin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 9177948974 Mashhad, Iran
- Novel Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 9177948974 Mashhad, Iran
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Khorasan Razavi Branch, 917751376 Mashhad, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mahmoudi R, Afshar S, Amini R, Jalali A, Saidijam M, Najafi R. Evaluation of BMP-2 as a Differentiating and Radiosensitizing Agent for Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 19:83-93. [PMID: 36998132 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x18666230330085615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite effective clinical responses, a large proportion of patients undergo resistance to radiotherapy. The low response rate to current treatments in different stages of colorectal cancer depends on the prominent role of stem cells in cancer. OBJECTIVE In the present study, the role of BMP-2 as an ionizing radiation-sensitive factor in colorectal cancer cells was investigated. METHODS A sphere formation assay was used for the enrichment of HCT-116 cancer stem cells (CSCs). The effects of combination therapy (BMP-2+ radiation) on DNA damage response (DDR), proliferation, and apoptosis were evaluated in HCT-116 and CSCs. Gene expressions of CSCs and epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were also evaluated. RESULTS We found that the sphere formation assay showed a significant increase in the percentage of CSCs. Moreover, expression of CSCs markers, EMT-related genes, and DNA repair proteins significantly decreased in HCT-116 cells compared to the CSCs group after radiation. In addition, BMP-2 promoted the radiosensitivity of HCT-116 cells by decreasing the survival rate of the treated cells at 2, 4, and 6 Gy compared to the control group in HCT-116 cells. CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that BMP-2 could affect numerous signaling pathways involved in radioresistance. Therefore, BMP-2 can be considered an appealing therapeutic target for the treatment of radioresistant human colorectal cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roghayeh Mahmoudi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Saeid Afshar
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Razieh Amini
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Akram Jalali
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Massoud Saidijam
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Rezvan Najafi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ajmeera D, Ajumeera R. Drug repurposing: A novel strategy to target cancer stem cells and therapeutic resistance. Genes Dis 2024; 11:148-175. [PMID: 37588226 PMCID: PMC10425757 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is an effortless and frequently used approach in cancer therapy. However, in most cases, it can only prolong life expectancy and does not guarantee a complete cure. Furthermore, chemotherapy is associated with severe adverse effects, one of the major complications of effective cancer therapy. In addition, newly published research outputs show that cancer stem cells are involved in cancer disease progression, drug resistance, metastasis, and recurrence and that they are functional in the trans-differentiation capacity of cancer stem cells to cancer cells in response to treatments. Novel strategies are therefore required for better management of cancer therapy. The prime approach would be to synthesize and develop novel drugs that need extensive resources, time, and endurance to be brought into therapeutic use. The subsequent approach would be to screen the anti-cancer activity of available non-cancerous drugs. This concept of repurposing non-cancer drugs as an alternative to current cancer therapy has become popular in recent years because using existing anticancer drugs has several adverse effects. Micronutrients have also been investigated for cancer therapy due to their significant anti-cancer effects with negligible or no side effects and availability in food sources. In this paper, we discuss an ideal hypothesis for screening available non-cancerous drugs with anticancer activity, with a focus on cancer stem cells and their clinical application for cancer treatment. Further, drug repurposing and the combination of micronutrients that can target both cancers and cancer stem cells may result in a better therapeutic approach leading to maximum tumor growth control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Divya Ajmeera
- Cell Biology Department, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, Telangana 500007, India
| | - Rajanna Ajumeera
- Cell Biology Department, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, Telangana 500007, India
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhan Q, Liu B, Situ X, Luo Y, Fu T, Wang Y, Xie Z, Ren L, Zhu Y, He W, Ke Z. New insights into the correlations between circulating tumor cells and target organ metastasis. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:465. [PMID: 38129401 PMCID: PMC10739776 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01725-9] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ-specific metastasis is the primary cause of cancer patient death. The distant metastasis of tumor cells to specific organs depends on both the intrinsic characteristics of the tumor cells and extrinsic factors in their microenvironment. During an intermediate stage of metastasis, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are released into the bloodstream from primary and metastatic tumors. CTCs harboring aggressive or metastatic features can extravasate to remote sites for continuous colonizing growth, leading to further lesions. In the past decade, numerous studies demonstrated that CTCs exhibited huge clinical value including predicting distant metastasis, assessing prognosis and monitoring treatment response et al. Furthermore, increasingly numerous experiments are dedicated to identifying the key molecules on or inside CTCs and exploring how they mediate CTC-related organ-specific metastasis. Based on the above molecules, more and more inhibitors are being developed to target CTCs and being utilized to completely clean CTCs, which should provide promising prospects to administer advanced tumor. Recently, the application of various nanomaterials and microfluidic technologies in CTCs enrichment technology has assisted to improve our deep insights into the phenotypic characteristics and biological functions of CTCs as a potential therapy target, which may pave the way for us to make practical clinical strategies. In the present review, we mainly focus on the role of CTCs being involved in targeted organ metastasis, especially the latest molecular mechanism research and clinical intervention strategies related to CTCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinru Zhan
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Bixia Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohua Situ
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yuting Luo
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Tongze Fu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yanxia Wang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Zhongpeng Xie
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Lijuan Ren
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
| | - Weiling He
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- School of Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, 361000, Xiamen, Fujian, P.R. China.
| | - Zunfu Ke
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510000, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Khoo SH, Wu PR, Yeh KT, Hsu SL, Wu CH. Biological and clinical significance of the AGE-RAGE axis in the aggressiveness and prognosis of prostate cancer. J Food Drug Anal 2023; 31:664-682. [PMID: 38526823 PMCID: PMC10962675 DOI: 10.38212/2224-6614.3475] [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: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Dietary factors and chronic hyperglycemia are linked to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and prostate cancer (PCa) risk. The activation of the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) acts as a bridge between various RAGE ligands and certain malignancies. This study showed that the interaction of AGEs and RAGE promoted PCa cell proliferation, invasion, and autophagy-mediated survival in response to chemotherapeutic agents. RAGE-overexpressed PCa cells underwent epithelial-mesenchymal transition and showed increased cancer stem cell-like properties. In mouse xenograft models, RAGE-overexpressed cells showed more substantial tumorigenic capacity than parental cells, whereas RAGE knockdown decreased tumorigenicity. The clinical data validated a positive correlation between high AGE and RAGE expressions with poor clinical outcomes. Our findings suggest that the AGE-RAGE axis facilitates PCa progression and aggressiveness. Prostatic AGEs and RAGE expression levels are associated with PCa prognosis. Adherence to a reduced-AGE diet and targeting RAGE are potential approaches to complement and synergize with the current PCa therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Hong Khoo
- School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301,
Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ru Wu
- Department of Pathology, Cheng-Ching General Hospital, Taichung 40764,
Taiwan
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 50006,
Taiwan
| | - Kun-Tu Yeh
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 50006,
Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201,
Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227,
Taiwan
| | - Shih-Lan Hsu
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705,
Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hao Wu
- Graduate Program of Nutrition Science, School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677,
Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Du NH, Ngoc TTB, Cang HQ, Luyen NTT, Thuoc TL, Le Quan T, Thao DTP. KTt-45, a T-type calcium channel blocker, acts as an anticancer agent by inducing apoptosis on HeLa cervical cancer cell line. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22092. [PMID: 38086845 PMCID: PMC10716508 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47199-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The abnormal expression in the T-type calcium channels is involved in various cancer types, thus inhibiting T-type calcium channels is one of approaches in cancer treatment. The fact that KTt-45 acted as a T-type calcium channel inhibitor as well as a pain-relief agent prompts us to address if KTt-45 plays any role against cancer cells. The results showed that KTt-45 caused cytotoxic effects towards HeLa cervical, Raji lymphoma, MCF-7 breast cancer, and A549 lung cancer cell lines with IC50 values less than 100 μM, in which highly selective toxicity was against HeLa cells (IC50 = 37.4 μM, SI > 3.2). Strikingly, the KTt-45 induced an accumulation of cytoplasmic vacuoles after 48 h treatment and mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis activation as evidenced by morphological features, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, and significant activation of caspase-9 as well as caspase-3. In conclusion, KTt-45 could inhibit cell growth and trigger mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in HeLa cervical cancer cells. The results, taken together, strongly demonstrated that KTt-45 is a potential agent for further study on anticancer drug development which not only targets cancer cells but also helps to relieve neuropathic pain in cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Huy Du
- Department of Molecular and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, VNU-HCM, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Laboratory of Cancer Research, VNU-HCM, University of Science, Duong so 4, Linh Trung, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vo Truong Toan, Linh Trung, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Central Laboratory of Analysis, VNU-HCM, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
| | - Truong Thi Bich Ngoc
- Department of Molecular and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, VNU-HCM, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Laboratory of Cancer Research, VNU-HCM, University of Science, Duong so 4, Linh Trung, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vo Truong Toan, Linh Trung, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
| | - Huynh Qui Cang
- Laboratory of Cancer Research, VNU-HCM, University of Science, Duong so 4, Linh Trung, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vo Truong Toan, Linh Trung, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thi Thuy Luyen
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vo Truong Toan, Linh Trung, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Central Laboratory of Analysis, VNU-HCM, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Department of Hydro-Geology-Engineering Geology and Environmental Geology, Faculty of Geology, VNU-HCM, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, VNU-HCM, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
| | - Tran Linh Thuoc
- Laboratory of Cancer Research, VNU-HCM, University of Science, Duong so 4, Linh Trung, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vo Truong Toan, Linh Trung, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
| | - Tran Le Quan
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vo Truong Toan, Linh Trung, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Central Laboratory of Analysis, VNU-HCM, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Department of Hydro-Geology-Engineering Geology and Environmental Geology, Faculty of Geology, VNU-HCM, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, VNU-HCM, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
| | - Dang Thi Phuong Thao
- Department of Molecular and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, VNU-HCM, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam.
- Laboratory of Cancer Research, VNU-HCM, University of Science, Duong so 4, Linh Trung, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam.
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vo Truong Toan, Linh Trung, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Yu S, Wang S, Xiong B, Peng C. Gut microbiota: key facilitator in metastasis of colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1270991. [PMID: 38023192 PMCID: PMC10643165 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1270991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in terms of incidence among all kinds of cancer. The main cause of death is metastasis. Recent studies have shown that the gut microbiota could facilitate cancer metastasis by promoting cancer cells proliferation, invasion, dissemination, and survival. Multiple mechanisms have been implicated, such as RNA-mediated targeting effects, activation of tumor signaling cascades, secretion of microbiota-derived functional substances, regulation of mRNA methylation, facilitated immune evasion, increased intravasation of cancer cells, and remodeling of tumor microenvironment (TME). The understanding of CRC metastasis was further deepened by the mechanisms mentioned above. In this review, the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota participates in the process of CRC metastasis were reviewed as followed based on recent studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuyi Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China
| | - Bin Xiong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunwei Peng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sun D, Guo Y, Tang P, Li H, Chen L. Arf6 as a therapeutic target: Structure, mechanism, and inhibitors. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:4089-4104. [PMID: 37799386 PMCID: PMC10547916 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6), a small G-protein of the Ras superfamily, plays pivotal roles in multiple cellular events, including exocytosis, endocytosis, actin remodeling, plasma membrane reorganization and vesicular transport. Arf6 regulates the progression of cancer through the activation of cell motility and invasion. Aberrant Arf6 activation is a potential therapeutic target. This review aims to understand the comprehensive function of Arf6 for future cancer therapy. The Arf6 GEFs, protein structure, and roles in cancer have been summarized. Comprehending the mechanism underlying Arf6-mediated cancer cell growth and survival is essential. The structural features of Arf6 and its efforts are discussed and may be contributed to the discovery of future novel protein-protein interaction inhibitors. In addition, Arf6 inhibitors and mechanism of action are listed in the table. This review further emphasizes the crucial roles in drug resistance and attempts to offer an outlook of Arf6 in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dejuan Sun
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yuanyuan Guo
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Piyu Tang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Hua Li
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Lixia Chen
- Wuya College of Innovation, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Deng X, Wang J, Lu C, Zhou Y, Shen L, Ge A, Fan H, Liu L. Updating the therapeutic role of ginsenosides in breast cancer: a bibliometrics study to an in-depth review. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1226629. [PMID: 37818185 PMCID: PMC10560733 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1226629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is currently the most common malignancy and has a high mortality rate. Ginsenosides, the primary bioactive constituents of ginseng, have been shown to be highly effective against breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. This study aims to comprehensively understand the mechanisms underlying the antineoplastic effects of ginsenosides on breast cancer. Through meticulous bibliometric analysis and an exhaustive review of pertinent research, we explore and summarize the mechanism of action of ginsenosides in treating breast cancer, including inducing apoptosis, autophagy, inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis, and regulating miRNA and lncRNA. This scholarly endeavor not only provides novel prospects for the application of ginsenosides in the treatment of breast cancer but also suggests future research directions for researchers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hongqiao Fan
- Department of Galactophore, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lifang Liu
- Department of Galactophore, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cao J, Du X, Zhao H, Zhu C, Li C, Zhang X, Wei L, Ke X. Sequentially degradable hydrogel-microsphere loaded with doxorubicin and pioglitazone synergistically inhibits cancer stemness of osteosarcoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115096. [PMID: 37421781 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance represents one of the greatest challenges in cancer treatment. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought to be the major cause of failure in cancer therapy due to their considerable resistance to most chemotherapeutic agents, resulting in tumor recurrence and eventually metastasis. Here, we report a treatment strategy for osteosarcoma using hydrogel-microspheres (Gel-Mps) complex mainly composed of collagenase (Col) and PLGA microspheres (Mps) carrying Pioglitazone (Pio) and Doxorubicin (Dox). Col was encapsulated in the thermosensitive gel to preferentially degrade tumor extracellular matrix (ECM), ensuring subsequent drug penetration, while Mps with Pio and Dox were co-delivered to synergistically inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Our results showed that the Gel-Mps dyad functions as a highly biodegradable, extremely efficient, and low-toxic reservoir for sustained drug release, displaying potent inhibition of tumor proliferation and subsequent lung metastasis. Selective PPARγ agonist Pio reversed drug resistance to Dox by significantly down-regulating the expression of stemness markers and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in osteosarcoma cells. The Gel@Col-Mps@Dox/Pio exhibited advanced therapeutic efficacy in vivo, demonstrating its great potential to serve a novel osteosarcoma therapy, which not only inhibits the growth of, but also attenuates the stemness of osteosarcoma. The dual effects reinforce the sensitivity and efficacy of chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Cao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Du
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chenhong Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chenchen Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Libin Wei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Xue Ke
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Cimmino A, Fasciglione GF, Gioia M, Marini S, Ciaccio C. Multi-Anticancer Activities of Phytoestrogens in Human Osteosarcoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13344. [PMID: 37686148 PMCID: PMC10487502 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713344] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytoestrogens are plant-derived bioactive compounds with estrogen-like properties. Their potential health benefits, especially in cancer prevention and treatment, have been a subject of considerable research in the past decade. Phytoestrogens exert their effects, at least in part, through interactions with estrogen receptors (ERs), mimicking or inhibiting the actions of natural estrogens. Recently, there has been growing interest in exploring the impact of phytoestrogens on osteosarcoma (OS), a type of bone malignancy that primarily affects children and young adults and is currently presenting limited treatment options. Considering the critical role of the estrogen/ERs axis in bone development and growth, the modulation of ERs has emerged as a highly promising approach in the treatment of OS. This review provides an extensive overview of current literature on the effects of phytoestrogens on human OS models. It delves into the multiple mechanisms through which these molecules regulate the cell cycle, apoptosis, and key pathways implicated in the growth and progression of OS, including ER signaling. Moreover, potential interactions between phytoestrogens and conventional chemotherapy agents commonly used in OS treatment will be examined. Understanding the impact of these compounds in OS holds great promise for developing novel therapeutic approaches that can augment current OS treatment modalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Chiara Ciaccio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Via Montpellier 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (G.F.F.); (M.G.); (S.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Garimella SV, Gampa SC, Chaturvedi P. Mitochondria in Cancer Stem Cells: From an Innocent Bystander to a Central Player in Therapy Resistance. Stem Cells Cloning 2023; 16:19-41. [PMID: 37641714 PMCID: PMC10460581 DOI: 10.2147/sccaa.s417842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer continues to rank among the world's leading causes of mortality despite advancements in treatment. Cancer stem cells, which can self-renew, are present in low abundance and contribute significantly to tumor recurrence, tumorigenicity, and drug resistance to various therapies. The drug resistance observed in cancer stem cells is attributed to several factors, such as cellular quiescence, dormancy, elevated aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, apoptosis evasion mechanisms, high expression of drug efflux pumps, protective vascular niche, enhanced DNA damage response, scavenging of reactive oxygen species, hypoxic stability, and stemness-related signaling pathways. Multiple studies have shown that mitochondria play a pivotal role in conferring drug resistance to cancer stem cells, through mitochondrial biogenesis, metabolism, and dynamics. A better understanding of how mitochondria contribute to tumorigenesis, heterogeneity, and drug resistance could lead to the development of innovative cancer treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sireesha V Garimella
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530045, India
| | - Siri Chandana Gampa
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530045, India
| | - Pankaj Chaturvedi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ibrahim MT, Lee J, Tao P. Homology modeling of Forkhead box protein C2: identification of potential inhibitors using ligand and structure-based virtual screening. Mol Divers 2023; 27:1661-1674. [PMID: 36048303 PMCID: PMC9975119 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10519-0] [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: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of Forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) has been associated with different types of carcinomas. FOXC2 plays an important role in the initiation and maintenance of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, which is essential for the development of higher-grade tumors with an enhanced ability for metastasis. Thus, FOXC2 has become a therapeutic target for the development of anticancer drugs. MC-1-F2, the only identified experimental inhibitor of FOXC2, interacts with the full length of FOXC2. However, only the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of FOXC2 has resolved crystal structure. In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) structure of the full-length FOXC2 using homology modeling was developed and used for structure-based drug design (SBDD). The quality of this 3D model of the full-length FOXC2 was evaluated using MolProbity, ERRAT, and ProSA modules. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was also carried out to verify its stability. Ligand-based drug design (LBDD) was carried out to identify similar analogues for MC-1-F2 against 15 million compounds from ChEMBL and ZINC databases. 792 molecules were retrieved from this similarity search. De novo SBDD was performed against the full-length 3D structure of FOXC2 through homology modeling to identify novel inhibitors. The combination of LBDD and SBDD helped in gaining a better insight into the binding of MC-1-F2 and its analogues against the full length of the FOXC2. The binding free energy of the top hits was further investigated using MD simulations and MM/GBSA calculations to result in eight promising hits as lead compounds targeting FOXC2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mayar Tarek Ibrahim
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jiyong Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA
| | - Peng Tao
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Research Computing, Center for Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery (CD4), Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Li X, Yuan X, Zhu X, Li C, Ji L, Lv K, Tian G, Ning K, Yang J. A meta-analysis of tissue microbial biomarkers for recurrence and metastasis in multiple cancer types. J Med Microbiol 2023; 72. [PMID: 37624368 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001744] [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] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Local recurrence and distant metastasis are the main causes of death in patients with cancer. Only considering species abundance changes when identifying markers of recurrence and metastasis in patients hinders finding solutions.Hypothesis. Consideration of microbial abundance changes and microbial interactions facilitates the identification of microbial markers of tumour recurrence and metastasis.Aim. This study aims to simultaneously consider microbial abundance changes and microbial interactions to identify microbial markers of recurrence and metastasis in multiple cancer types.Method. One thousand one hundred and six non-RM (patients without recurrence and metastasis within 3 years after initial surgery) tissue samples and 912 RM (patients with recurrence or metastasis within 3 years after initial surgery) tissue samples representing 11 cancer types were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).Results. Tumour tissue bacterial composition differed significantly among 11 cancers. Among them, the tissue microbiome of four cancers, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC), showed relatively good performance in predicting recurrence and metastasis in patients, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) of 0.78, 0.74, 0.91 and 0.93, respectively. Considering both species abundance changes and microbial interactions for the four cancers, a combination of nine genera (Niastella, Schlesneria, Thioalkalivibrio, Phaeobacter, Sphaerotilus, Thiomonas, Lawsonia, Actinobacillus and Spiroplasma) performed best in predicting patient survival.Conclusion. Taken together, our results imply that comprehensive consideration of microbial abundance changes and microbial interactions is helpful for mining bacterial markers that carry prognostic information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuebo Li
- Department of Radiotherapy, Weifang Yidu Central Hospital, Weifang, 262500, PR China
| | - Xuelian Yuan
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, PR China
| | - Xiumin Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Daqing Oilfield General Hospital, Daqing, 163001, PR China
| | - Changjun Li
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, PR China
| | - Lei Ji
- Geneis Beijing Co. Ltd, Beijing, 100102, PR China
- Qingdao Geneis Institute of Big Data Mining and Precision Medicine, Qingdao, 266000, PR China
| | - Kebo Lv
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, PR China
| | - Geng Tian
- Geneis Beijing Co. Ltd, Beijing, 100102, PR China
- Qingdao Geneis Institute of Big Data Mining and Precision Medicine, Qingdao, 266000, PR China
| | - Kang Ning
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Jialiang Yang
- Geneis Beijing Co. Ltd, Beijing, 100102, PR China
- Qingdao Geneis Institute of Big Data Mining and Precision Medicine, Qingdao, 266000, PR China
- Chifeng Municipal Hospital, Chifeng, 024000, PR China
- Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410219, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Yu H, Dai C, Li J, Zhang X. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related gene signature for prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e34271. [PMID: 37443495 PMCID: PMC10344514 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000034271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with tumor invasion and progression, and is regulated by DNA methylation. A prognostic signature of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) with EMT-related gene data has not yet been established. In our study, we constructed a co-expression network using differentially expressed genes (DEGs) obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to identify hub genes. We conducted a correlation analysis between the differentially methylated hub genes and differentially expressed EMT-related genes to screen EMT-related differentially methylated genes (ERDMGs). Functional enrichment was performed to annotate the ERDMGs. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and stepwise Cox regression analyses were performed to build a survival prognosis prediction model. Additionally, druggability analysis was performed to predict the potential drug targets of ERDMGs. We screened 11 ERDMGs that were enriched in cell adhesion molecules and other signaling pathways. Finally, we constructed a 4-ERDMG model, which showed good ability to predict survival prognosis in the training and validation sets. The model could serve as an independent predictive factor for patients with LUSC. Additionally, our druggability analysis predicted that CC chemokine ligand 23 (CCL23) and Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1b (HNF1B) may be the underlying drug targets of LUSC. We established a new risk score (RS) system as a prognostic indicator to predict the outcome of patients with LUSC, which will help in the improvement of treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongmin Yu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Frist Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Changxing Dai
- Otolaryngology Department, Qinhuangdao Haigang Hospital, Qinghuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Frist Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Xiangning Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Frist Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Serttas R, Erdogan S. Pretreatment of prostate cancer cells with salinomycin and Wnt inhibitor increases the efficacy of cabazitaxel by inducing apoptosis and decreasing cancer stem cells. Med Oncol 2023; 40:194. [PMID: 37264204 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02062-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are associated with metastasis and recurrence in prostate cancer as well as other cancers. We aimed to enhance the sensitivity of cabazitaxel in prostate cancer cell therapy by targeting CSCs with a Wnt inhibitor and salinomycin pretreatment. PC3, DU-145, and LNCaP human prostate cancer cells were exposed to Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor CCT036477 (iWnt) with salinomycin for 48 h, followed by cabazitaxel treatment for 48 h. Cell viability, mRNA, and protein expression changes were evaluated by MTT, RT-qPCR, and Western blot assays, respectively. Apoptosis was determined by image-based cytometry, and cell migration was assessed by wound healing assay. Three-dimensional culture was established to assess the malignant phenotype and stemness potential of transformed or cancer cells. CD44 + CSCs were isolated using magnetic-activated cell sorting system. Pretreatment of PC3, DU-145, and LNCaP cells with salinomycin iWnt significantly sensitized the cells to cabazitaxel therapy. Spheroid culture confirmed that the treatment modality was more effective than a single administration of chemotherapy. The pretreatment of PC3 cells increased the rate of apoptosis compared to single administration of cabazitaxel, which downregulated Bcl-2 and upregulated caspase 3, caspase 8 expressions. The pretreatment suppressed cell migration, downregulated the expression of Sox2 and Nanog, and significantly reduced CD44 + CSC numbers. Notably, the treatment modality reduced pAKT, p-P38 MAPK, and pERK1/2. The data suggest that pretreatment of prostate cancer cells with salinomycin and Wnt inhibitor may increase the efficacy of cabazitaxel therapy by inhibiting cell proliferation and migration, and eliminating cancer stem cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riza Serttas
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Trakya University, Balkan Campus, 22030, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Suat Erdogan
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Trakya University, Balkan Campus, 22030, Edirne, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Microbiota-Derived Natural Products Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: Inside the Gut Pharma Factory. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054997. [PMID: 36902427 PMCID: PMC10003410 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have drawn much attention as important tumour-initiating cells that may also be crucial for recurrence after chemotherapy. Although the activity of CSCs in various forms of cancer is complex and yet to be fully elucidated, opportunities for therapies targeting CSCs exist. CSCs are molecularly distinct from bulk tumour cells, so they can be targeted by exploiting their signature molecular pathways. Inhibiting stemness has the potential to reduce the risk posed by CSCs by limiting or eliminating their capacity for tumorigenesis, proliferation, metastasis, and recurrence. Here, we briefly described the role of CSCs in tumour biology, the mechanisms involved in CSC therapy resistance, and the role of the gut microbiota in cancer development and treatment, to then review and discuss the current advances in the discovery of microbiota-derived natural compounds targeting CSCs. Collectively, our overview suggests that dietary intervention, toward the production of those identified microbial metabolites capable of suppressing CSC properties, is a promising approach to support standard chemotherapy.
Collapse
|
29
|
Davies CR, Guo T, Burke E, Stankiewicz E, Xu L, Mao X, Scandura G, Rajan P, Tipples K, Alifrangis C, Wimalasingham AG, Galazi M, Crusz S, Powles T, Grey A, Oliver T, Kudahetti S, Shaw G, Berney D, Shamash J, Lu YJ. The potential of using circulating tumour cells and their gene expression to predict docetaxel response in metastatic prostate cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1060864. [PMID: 36727071 PMCID: PMC9885040 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1060864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Docetaxel improves overall survival (OS) in castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa) (CRPC) and metastatic hormone-sensitive PCa (mHSPC). However, not all patients respond due to inherent and/or acquired resistance. There remains an unmet clinical need for a robust predictive test to stratify patients for treatment. Liquid biopsy of circulating tumour cell (CTCs) is minimally invasive, can provide real-time information of the heterogeneous tumour and therefore may be a potentially ideal docetaxel response prediction biomarker. Objective In this study we investigate the potential of using CTCs and their gene expression to predict post-docetaxel tumour response, OS and progression free survival (PFS). Methods Peripheral blood was sampled from 18 mCRPC and 43 mHSPC patients, pre-docetaxel treatment, for CTC investigation. CTCs were isolated using the epitope independent Parsortix® system and gene expression was determined by multiplex RT-qPCR. We evaluated CTC measurements for post-docetaxel outcome prediction using receiver operating characteristics and Kaplan Meier analysis. Results Detection of CTCs pre-docetaxel was associated with poor patient outcome post-docetaxel treatment. Combining total-CTC number with PSA and ALP predicted lack of partial response (PR) with an AUC of 0.90, p= 0.037 in mCRPC. A significantly shorter median OS was seen in mCRPC patients with positive CTC-score (12.80 vs. 37.33 months, HR= 5.08, p= 0.0005), ≥3 total-CTCs/7.5mL (12.80 vs. 37.33 months, HR= 3.84, p= 0.0053), ≥1 epithelial-CTCs/7.5mL (14.30 vs. 37.33 months, HR= 3.89, p= 0.0041) or epithelial to mesenchymal transitioning (EMTing)-CTCs/7.5mL (11.32 vs. 32.37 months, HR= 6.73, p= 0.0001). Significantly shorter PFS was observed in patients with ≥2 epithelial-CTCs/7.5mL (7.52 vs. 18.83 months, HR= 3.93, p= 0.0058). mHSPC patients with ≥5 CTCs/7.5mL had significantly shorter median OS (24.57 vs undefined months, HR= 4.14, p= 0.0097). In mHSPC patients, expression of KLK2, KLK4, ADAMTS1, ZEB1 and SNAI1 was significantly associated with shorter OS and/or PFS. Importantly, combining CTC measurements with clinical biomarkers increased sensitivity and specificity for prediction of patient outcome. Conclusion While it is clear that CTC numbers and gene expression were prognostic for PCa post-docetaxel treatment, and CTC subtype analysis may have additional value, their potential predictive value for docetaxel chemotherapy response needs to be further investigated in large patient cohorts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R. Davies
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tianyu Guo
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom,Department of Cell Biology and the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Edwina Burke
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elzbieta Stankiewicz
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom,Central Biobank, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Lei Xu
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom,Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueying Mao
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Glenda Scandura
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Prabhakar Rajan
- Centre for Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom,Department of Urology, Barts Health National Health Service Trust (NHS), London, United Kingdom,Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom,University College London Hospitals, National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Tipples
- Department of Urology, Barts Health National Health Service Trust (NHS), London, United Kingdom
| | - Constantine Alifrangis
- University College London Hospitals, National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom,Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health National Health Service (NHS) Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Myria Galazi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health National Health Service (NHS) Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shanthini Crusz
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health National Health Service (NHS) Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Powles
- Department of Urology, Barts Health National Health Service Trust (NHS), London, United Kingdom,Centre for Experimental Cancer Medicine, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair Grey
- Department of Urology, Barts Health National Health Service Trust (NHS), London, United Kingdom,Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom,University College London Hospitals, National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Oliver
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sakunthala Kudahetti
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Greg Shaw
- Department of Urology, Barts Health National Health Service Trust (NHS), London, United Kingdom,Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom,University College London Hospitals, National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Berney
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Shamash
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health National Health Service (NHS) Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yong-Jie Lu
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Yong-Jie Lu,
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Li J, Zhu L, Kwok HF. Nanotechnology-based approaches overcome lung cancer drug resistance through diagnosis and treatment. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 66:100904. [PMID: 36462375 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2022.100904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer continues to be a malignant tumor with high mortality. Two obstacles interfere with curative therapy of lung cancer: (i) poor diagnosis at the early stages, as symptoms are not specific or asymptomatic; and (ii) invariably emerging drug resistance after treatment. Some factors contributing to drug resistance include preexisting genetic/genomic drug-resistant alteration(s); activation of adaptive drug resistance pathways; remodeling of the tumor microenvironment; and pharmacological mechanisms or activation of drug efflux pumps. Despite the mechanisms explored to better understand drug resistance, a gap remains between molecular understanding and clinical application. Therefore, facilitating the translation of basic science into the clinical setting is a great challenge. Nanomedicine has emerged as a promising tool for cancer treatment. Because of their excellent physicochemical properties and enhanced permeability and retention effects, nanoparticles have great potential to revolutionize conventional lung cancer diagnosis and combat drug resistance. Nanoplatforms can be designed as carriers to improve treatment efficacy and deliver multiple drugs in one system, facilitating combination treatment to overcome drug resistance. In this review, we describe the difficulties in lung cancer treatment and review recent research progress on nanoplatforms aimed at early diagnosis and lung cancer treatment. Finally, future perspectives and challenges of nanomedicine are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junnan Li
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR
| | - Lipeng Zhu
- Molecular Biology Research Center & Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Regulating the Plasticity of Osteosarcoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416155. [PMID: 36555795 PMCID: PMC9788144 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignancy that is becoming increasingly common in adolescents. OS stem cells (OSCs) form a dynamic subset of OS cells that are responsible for malignant progression and chemoradiotherapy resistance. The unique properties of OSCs, including self-renewal, multilineage differentiation and metastatic potential, 149 depend closely on their tumor microenvironment. In recent years, the likelihood of its dynamic plasticity has been extensively studied. Importantly, the tumor microenvironment appears to act as the main regulatory component of OS cell plasticity. For these reasons aforementioned, novel strategies for OS treatment focusing on modulating OS cell plasticity and the possibility of modulating the composition of the tumor microenvironment are currently being explored. In this paper, we review recent studies describing the phenomenon of OSCs and factors known to influence phenotypic plasticity. The microenvironment, which can regulate OSC plasticity, has great potential for clinical exploitation and provides different perspectives for drug and treatment design for OS.
Collapse
|
32
|
Nayak A, Warrier NM, Kumar P. Cancer Stem Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment: Targeting the Critical Crosstalk through Nanocarrier Systems. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:2209-2233. [PMID: 35876959 PMCID: PMC9489588 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10426-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The physiological state of the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a central role in cancer development due to multiple universal features that transcend heterogeneity and niche specifications, like promoting cancer progression and metastasis. As a result of their preponderant involvement in tumor growth and maintenance through several microsystemic alterations, including hypoxia, oxidative stress, and acidosis, TMEs make for ideal targets in both diagnostic and therapeutic ventures. Correspondingly, methodologies to target TMEs have been investigated this past decade as stratagems of significant potential in the genre of focused cancer treatment. Within targeted oncotherapy, nanomedical derivates-nanocarriers (NCs) especially-have emerged to present notable prospects in enhancing targeting specificity. Yet, one major issue in the application of NCs in microenvironmental directed therapy is that TMEs are too broad a spectrum of targeting possibilities for these carriers to be effectively employed. However, cancer stem cells (CSCs) might portend a solution to the above conundrum: aside from being quite heavily invested in tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance, CSCs also show self-renewal and fluid clonogenic properties that often define specific TME niches. Further scrutiny of the relationship between CSCs and TMEs also points towards mechanisms that underly tumoral characteristics of metastasis, malignancy, and even resistance. This review summarizes recent advances in NC-enabled targeting of CSCs for more holistic strikes against TMEs and discusses both the current challenges that hinder the clinical application of these strategies as well as the avenues that can further CSC-targeting initiatives. Central role of CSCs in regulation of cellular components within the TME.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aadya Nayak
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Neerada Meenakshi Warrier
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Praveen Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, Karnataka, India.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Effects of Combined Pentadecanoic Acid and Tamoxifen Treatment on Tamoxifen Resistance in MCF−7/SC Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911340. [PMID: 36232636 PMCID: PMC9570034 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptors are indicators of breast cancer adaptability to endocrine therapies, such as tamoxifen. Deficiency or absence of estrogen receptor α (ER−α) in breast cancer cells results in reduced efficacy of endocrine therapy. Here, we investigated the effect of combined tamoxifen and pentadecanoic acid therapy on ER−α−under−expressing breast cancer cells. Drug resistance gene expression patterns were determined by RNA sequencing analysis and in vitro experiments. For the first time, we demonstrate that the combined treatment of pentadecanoic acid, an odd−chain fatty acid, and tamoxifen synergistically suppresses the growth of human breast carcinoma MCF−7 stem cells (MCF−7/SCs), which were found to be tamoxifen−resistant and showed reduced ER−α expression compared with the parental MCF−7 cells. In addition, the combined treatment synergistically induced apoptosis and accumulation of sub−G1 cells and suppressed epithelial−to−mesenchymal transition (EMT). Exposure to this combination induces re−expression of ER−α at the transcriptional and protein levels, along with suppression of critical survival signal pathways, such as ERK1/2, MAPK, EGFR, and mTOR. Collectively, decreased ER−α expression was restored by pentadecanoic acid treatment, resulting in reversal of tamoxifen resistance. Overall, pentadecanoic acid exhibits the potential to enhance the efficacy of endocrine therapy in the treatment of ER−α−under−expressing breast cancer cells.
Collapse
|
34
|
DUSP4 Silencing Enhances the Sensitivity of Breast Cancer Cells to Doxorubicin through the Activation of the JNK/c-Jun Signalling Pathway. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196146. [PMID: 36234680 PMCID: PMC9572343 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Doxorubicin (Dox) has limited efficiency in breast cancer (BC) due to drug-acquired resistance. The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a major role in the survival and drug resistance of cancer cells. It was suggested that the JNK pathway was implicated in the response to Dox by regulating EMT. DUSP4/or MKP-2 is a well-known regulator of the JNK pathway and was found to be highly expressed in BC. However, its functional significance is not yet fully understood. In the present study, the possible involvement of MKP-2 in Dox-induced EMT was investigated in breast cancer cells. Immunohistochemistry for tissues obtained from BC patients (n = 108) revealed 71.3% of tissues stained positively for MKP-2 while only 28.7% stained negatively. However, MKP-2 protein expression exhibited no significant relationship between BC prognostic factors, such as histological grade, histological type, hormonal status, and Ki-67 marker, its expression was significantly correlated with age 40 or below. In MDA-MB-231 cells, Dox-induced phosphorylation of JNK was sufficiently enhanced in MKP-2 silenced cells. This resulted in the attenuation of Dox-induced EMT, cell cycle arrest, and ultimately accelerated apoptosis. It was confirmed that the acquisition of Dox sensitivity by MKP-2 silencing largely depends on the stimulation of the JNK pathway. Indeed, results showed that overexpressing MKP-2 in non-tumorigenic MCF-12A cells dramatically inhibited Dox-induced JNK activation and, subsequently, cell death. The present study, to our knowledge, is the first to provide evidence for the potential role of MKP-2 in chemoresistance to Dox through modulating the JNK pathway and enhancing EMT.
Collapse
|
35
|
Monzer A, Wakimian K, Ballout F, Al Bitar S, Yehya A, Kanso M, Saheb N, Tawil A, Doughan S, Hussein M, Mukherji D, Faraj W, Gali-Muhtasib H, Abou-Kheir W. Novel therapeutic diiminoquinone exhibits anticancer effects on human colorectal cancer cells in two-dimensional and three-dimensional in vitro models. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:4787-4811. [PMID: 36156922 PMCID: PMC9476858 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i33.4787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) in CRC, which are spared by many chemotherapeutics, have tumorigenic capacity and are believed to be the reason behind cancer relapse. So far, there have been no effective drugs to target colon CSCs. Diiminoquinone (DIQ) has shown promising effects on targeting colon cancer. However, there is limited research on the effects of DIQ on eradicating CSCs in CRC.
AIM To investigate the anticancer potential of DIQ on colon CSCs in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models using colonospheres and patient-derived organoids.
METHODS Various 2D methods have been used to assess the effect and the mechanism of DIQ on HCT116 and HT29 cell lines including cell proliferation and viability assays, migration and invasion assays, immunofluorescence staining, and flow cytometry. The potency of DIQ was also assessed in 3D culture using the sphere formation assay and colon cancer patient-derived organoid model.
RESULTS Our results showed that DIQ significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in HCT116 and HT29 cell lines. DIQ treatment induced apoptosis along with an accumulation of HCT116 and HT29 cancer cells in the sub-G1 region and an increase in reactive oxygen species in both CRC cell lines. DIQ reduced sphere-forming and self-renewal ability of colon cancer HCT116 and HT29 stem/progenitor cells at sub-toxic doses of 1 μmol/L. Mechanistically, DIQ targets CSCs by downregulating the main components of stem cell-related -catenin, AKT, and ERK oncogenic signaling pathways. Potently, DIQ displayed a highly significant decrease in both the count and the size of the organoids derived from colon cancer patients as compared to control and 5-fluorouracil conditions.
CONCLUSION This study is the first documentation of the molecular mechanism of the novel anticancer therapeutic DIQ via targeting CSC, a promising compound that needs further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alissar Monzer
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Kevork Wakimian
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Farah Ballout
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Samar Al Bitar
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Amani Yehya
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Mariam Kanso
- Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Nour Saheb
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Ayman Tawil
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Samer Doughan
- Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Maher Hussein
- Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Deborah Mukherji
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Walid Faraj
- Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Hala Gali-Muhtasib
- Department of Biology and Center for Drug Discovery, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Wassim Abou-Kheir
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Cui Y, Zhao M, Yang Y, Xu R, Tong L, Liang J, Zhang X, Sun Y, Fan Y. Reversal of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Inhibition of Tumor Stemness of Breast Cancer Cells Through Advanced Combined Chemotherapy. Acta Biomater 2022; 152:380-392. [PMID: 36028199 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The abnormal activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in drug-resistant tumor cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs) stimulate tumor metastasis and recurrence. Here, a promising combined chemotherapeutic strategy of salinomycin (SL) and doxorubicin (DOX) with specific inhibition of tumor stemness by a targeted co-delivery nanosystem was developed to overcome this abnormal progression. This strategy could be benefit drugs to effectively penetrate and infiltrate into spheres of 3D-cultured breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). The expression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related genes (β-catenin, LRP6, LEF1, and TCF12) and target genes (Cyclin D1, Cmyc, and Fibronectin) as well as CSC stemness-related genes (Oct4, Nanog, and Hes1) was downregulated by redox-sensitive co-delivery micelles decorated with oligohyaluronic acid as the active targeting moiety. The changes in EMT-associated gene expression (E-cadherin and Vimentin) in vitro showed that the EMT process was also effectively inverted. This strategy achieved a strong inhibitory effect on solid tumor growth and an effective reduction in the risk of tumor metastasis in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice in vivo and effectively alleviated splenomegaly caused by the malignant tumor. Immunohistochemical staining analysis of E-cadherin, Vimentin, and β-catenin confirmed that the inversion of the EMT was also achieved in solid tumors. These results highlight the potential of SL and DOX combined chemotherapeutic strategy for eliminating breast carcinoma. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cancer stem cells (CSCs), as an important part of tumor heterogeneity, can survive against conventional chemotherapy and initiate tumorigenesis, recurrence, and metastasis. Moreover, non-CSCs can convert into the CSC state through the abnormal Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which is closely related to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Here, redox-degradable binary drug-loaded micelles (PPH/DOX+SL) were designed to target CSCs and overcome drug resistance of breast cancer cells. The combined chemotherapy of salinomycin (SL) and doxorubicin (DOX) reversed drug resistance, while the PPH/DOX+SL micelles enhanced the intracellular accumulation and drug penetration of BCSC spheres. The introduction of SL downregulated the expression of tumor stemness genes and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related genes and inverted the EMT process. PPH/DOX+SL continuously inhibited tumor growth and invasion in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yani Cui
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China
| | - Mingda Zhao
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China
| | - Yuedi Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China
| | - Ruiling Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China
| | - Lei Tong
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China
| | - Jie Liang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; Sichuan Testing Centre for Biomaterials and Medical Devices, No.29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610064, China
| | - Xingdong Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China
| | - Yong Sun
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China.
| | - Yujiang Fan
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China; College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, 610064, P.R.China.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Early-stage colon cancer with high MALAT1 expression is associated with the 5-Fluorouracil resistance and future metastasis. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:11243-11253. [PMID: 35794508 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07680-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the role of long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) expression profiles to predict relapse and 5-FU response in patients with stage I/II colon cancer (CC). METHODS AND RESULTS The expression level of 15 LncRNA was analyzed in stage I/II colon tumors of 126 CC patients. To confirm the findings in-vitro, 5FU-resistant HT29 cells were generated by subjecting HT-29 cells to the increasing concentrations of 5FU for 6 months. The 5FU resistance was observed in WST-1 and Annexin V analyses. The colony formation and wound healing assays were assessed to determine the metastatic properties of the cells. Expression levels of LncRNAs and mRNA of EMT-related genes were determined by RT-PCR. The role of LncRNA on metastasis and 5FU sensitivity were confirmed in pcDNA3.0-PTENP1 and si-MALAT1 expressed 5FU-resistant HT29 cell lineages. RESULTS High MALAT1 (p = 0.0002) and low PTENP1 (p = 0.0044) expressions were significantly associated with 5-FU resistance and tumor relapse in stage I/II CC. The invasiveness and colony-forming characteristics of 5-FU-resistant cell lineages were higher as compared to the parent HT-29. Moreover, the expression of MALAT1 (p = 0.0009) was increased while the expression of PTENP1 (p = 0.0158) decreased in 5FU-resistant-HT-29 cells. Si-MALAT1 treatment increased cell sensitivity to 5FU, whereas it decreased invasive behaviors of 5 FU-resistant-HT-29 cells. CONCLUSION MALAT1 may be a biomarker in predicting recurrence in early-stage CC. Our findings suggest that a cell-based therapy to target MALAT1 could be established for these patients to prevent metastasis and 5-FU resistance.
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
Tissue factor (TF), an initiator of extrinsic coagulation pathway, is positively correlated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) of tumor patients. Beyond thrombosis, TF plays a vital role in tumor progression. TF is highly expressed in cancer tissues and circulating tumor cell (CTC), and activates factor VIIa (FVIIa), which increases tumor cells proliferation, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells(CSCs) activity. Furthermore, TF and TF-positive microvesicles (TF+MVs) activate the coagulation system to promote the clots formation with non-tumor cell components (e.g., platelets, leukocytes, fibrin), which makes tumor cells adhere to clots to form CTC clusters. Then, tumor cells utilize clots to cause its reducing fluid shear stress (FSS), anoikis resistance, immune escape, adhesion, extravasation and colonization. Herein, we review in detail that how TF signaling promotes tumor metastasis, and how TF-targeted therapeutic strategies are being in the preclinical and clinical trials.
Collapse
|
39
|
Moallem G, Pore AA, Gangadhar A, Sari-Sarraf H, Vanapalli SA. Detection of live breast cancer cells in bright-field microscopy images containing white blood cells by image analysis and deep learning. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2022; 27:JBO-210268RR. [PMID: 35831930 PMCID: PMC9278981 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.27.7.076003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are important biomarkers for cancer management. Isolated CTCs from blood are stained to detect and enumerate CTCs. However, the staining process is laborious and moreover makes CTCs unsuitable for drug testing and molecular characterization. AIM The goal is to develop and test deep learning (DL) approaches to detect unstained breast cancer cells in bright-field microscopy images that contain white blood cells (WBCs). APPROACH We tested two convolutional neural network (CNN) approaches. The first approach allows investigation of the prominent features extracted by CNN to discriminate in vitro cancer cells from WBCs. The second approach is based on faster region-based convolutional neural network (Faster R-CNN). RESULTS Both approaches detected cancer cells with higher than 95% sensitivity and 99% specificity with the Faster R-CNN being more efficient and suitable for deployment presenting an improvement of 4% in sensitivity. The distinctive feature that CNN uses for discrimination is cell size, however, in the absence of size difference, the CNN was found to be capable of learning other features. The Faster R-CNN was found to be robust with respect to intensity and contrast image transformations. CONCLUSIONS CNN-based DL approaches could be potentially applied to detect patient-derived CTCs from images of blood samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Golnaz Moallem
- Texas Tech University, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lubbock, Texas, United States
| | - Adity A. Pore
- Texas Tech University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Lubbock, Texas, United States
| | - Anirudh Gangadhar
- Texas Tech University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Lubbock, Texas, United States
| | - Hamed Sari-Sarraf
- Texas Tech University, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lubbock, Texas, United States
- Address all correspondence to Hamed Sari-Sarraf, ; Siva A. Vanapalli,
| | - Siva A. Vanapalli
- Texas Tech University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Lubbock, Texas, United States
- Address all correspondence to Hamed Sari-Sarraf, ; Siva A. Vanapalli,
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Cancer Stem Cells: From an Insight into the Basics to Recent Advances and Therapeutic Targeting. Stem Cells Int 2022; 2022:9653244. [PMID: 35800881 PMCID: PMC9256444 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9653244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is characterized by an abnormal growth of the cells in an uncontrolled manner. These cells have the potential to invade and can eventually turn into malignancy, leading to highly fatal forms of tumor. Small subpopulations of cancer cells that are long-lived with the potential of excessive self-renewal and tumor formation are called cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer-initiating cells or tumor stem cells. CSCs can be found in tissues, such as breast, brain, lung, liver, ovary, and testis; however, their origin is still a matter of debate. These cells can differentiate and possess self-renewal capacity maintained by numerous intracellular signal transduction pathways, such as the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, Notch signaling, transforming growth factor-β signaling, and Hedgehog signaling. They can also contribute to numerous malignancies and are an important reason for tumor recurrence and metastasis because they are resistant to the known therapeutic strategies that mainly target the bulk of the tumor cells. This review contains collected and compiled information after analyzing published works of the last three decades. The goal was to gather information of recent breakthroughs related to CSCs, strategies to target CSCs' niche (e.g., nanotechnology with tumor biology), and their signaling pathways for cancer therapy. Moreover, the role of metformin, an antidiabetic drug, acting as a chemotherapeutic agent on CSCs by inhibiting cellular transformation and its selective killing is also addressed.
Collapse
|
41
|
Yang X, Qin C, Zhao B, Li T, Wang Y, Li Z, Li T, Wang W. Long Noncoding RNA and Circular RNA: Two Rising Stars in Regulating Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Pancreatic Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:910678. [PMID: 35719940 PMCID: PMC9204003 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.910678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant tumor with especially poor prognosis. However, the molecular mechanisms of pancreatic oncogenesis and malignant progression are not fully elucidated. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process is important to drive pancreatic carcinogenesis. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs(circRNAs) have been characterized to participate in EMT in PDAC, which can affect the migration and invasion of tumor cells by playing important roles in epigenetic processes, transcription, and post-transcriptional regulation. LncRNAs can act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) to sequester target microRNAs(miRNAs), bind to the genes which localize physically nearby, and directly interact with EMT-related proteins. Currently known circRNAs mostly regulate the EMT process in PDAC also by acting as a miRNA sponge, directly affecting the protein degradation process. Therefore, exploring the functions of lncRNAs and circRNAs in EMT during pancreatic cancer might help pancreatic cancer treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Yang
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Qin
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Bangbo Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Tianhao Li
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zeru Li
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Weibin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Aramini B, Masciale V, Arienti C, Dominici M, Stella F, Martinelli G, Fabbri F. Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) and Their Interplay with Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs): A New World of Targets and Treatments. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102408. [PMID: 35626011 PMCID: PMC9139858 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The world of small molecules in solid tumors as cancer stem cells (CSCs), circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) continues to be under-debated, but not of minor interest in recent decades. One of the main problems in regard to cancer is the development of tumor recurrence, even in the early stages, in addition to drug resistance and, consequently, ineffective or an incomplete response against the tumor. The findings behind this resistance are probably justified by the presence of small molecules such as CSCs, CTCs and CAFs connected with the tumor microenvironment, which may influence the aggressiveness and the metastatic process. The mechanisms, connections, and molecular pathways behind them are still unknown. Our review would like to represent an important step forward to highlight the roles of these molecules and the possible connections among them. Abstract The importance of defining new molecules to fight cancer is of significant interest to the scientific community. In particular, it has been shown that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of cells within tumors with capabilities of self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenicity; on the other side, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) seem to split away from the primary tumor and appear in the circulatory system as singular units or clusters. It is becoming more and more important to discover new biomarkers related to these populations of cells in combination to define the network among them and the tumor microenvironment. In particular, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a key component of the tumor microenvironment with different functions, including matrix deposition and remodeling, extensive reciprocal signaling interactions with cancer cells and crosstalk with immunity. The settings of new markers and the definition of the molecular connections may present new avenues, not only for fighting cancer but also for the definition of more tailored therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Aramini
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine—DIMES of the Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, G.B. Morgagni—L. Pierantoni Hospital, 47121 Forlì, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Valentina Masciale
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41122 Modena, Italy; (V.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Chiara Arienti
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (C.A.); (G.M.); (F.F.)
| | - Massimo Dominici
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41122 Modena, Italy; (V.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Franco Stella
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine—DIMES of the Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, G.B. Morgagni—L. Pierantoni Hospital, 47121 Forlì, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (C.A.); (G.M.); (F.F.)
| | - Francesco Fabbri
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (C.A.); (G.M.); (F.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Long Non-Coding RNAs in Pancreatic Cancer: Biologic Functions, Mechanisms, and Clinical Significance. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092115. [PMID: 35565245 PMCID: PMC9100048 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite tremendous efforts devoted to research in pancreatic cancer (PC), the mechanism underlying the tumorigenesis and progression of PC is still not completely clear. Additionally, ideal biomarkers and satisfactory therapeutic strategies for clinical application in PC are still lacking. Accumulating evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) might participate in the pathogenesis of diverse cancers, including PC. The abnormal expression of lncRNAs in PC is considered a vital factor during tumorigenesis that affects tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. With this review of relevant articles published in recent years, we aimed to summarize the biogenesis mechanism, classifications, and modes of action of lncRNAs and to review the functions and mechanisms of lncRNAs in PC. Additionally, the clinical significance of lncRNAs in PC was discussed. Finally, we pointed out the questions remaining from recent studies and anticipated that further investigations would address these gaps in knowledge in this field.
Collapse
|
44
|
Identification of a Twelve Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Related lncRNA Prognostic Signature in Kidney Clear Cell Carcinoma. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:8131007. [PMID: 35371341 PMCID: PMC8967576 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8131007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a vital role in tumor metastasis and drug resistance. It has been reported that EMT is regulated by several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). We aimed to identify EMT-related lncRNAs and develop an EMT-related lncRNA prognostic signature in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). Materials and Methods In total, 530 ccRCC patients with 611 transcriptome profiles were included in this study. We first identified differentially expressed EMT-related lncRNAs. Then, all the samples with transcriptional data and clinical survival information were randomly split into training/test sets at a ratio of 1 : 1. Accordingly, we further developed a twelve differentially expressed EMT-related lncRNA prognostic signature in the training set. Following this, risk analysis, survival analysis, subgroup analysis, and the construction of the ROC curves were applied to verify the efficacy of the signature in the training set, test set, and all patients. Besides, we further investigated the differential immune infiltration, immune checkpoint expression, and immune-related functions between high-risk patients. Finally, we explored the different drug responses to targeted therapy (sunitinib and sorafenib) and immunotherapy (anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4). Results A twelve differentially expressed EMT-related lncRNA prognostic signature performed superior in predicting the overall survival of KIRC patients. High-risk patients were observed with a significantly higher immune checkpoint expression and showed better responses to the targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that the twelve differentially expressed EMT-related lncRNA prognostic signature could act as an efficient prognostic indicator for KIRC, which also contributes to the decision-making of the further treatment.
Collapse
|
45
|
Shmakova AA, Klimovich PS, Rysenkova KD, Popov VS, Gorbunova AS, Karpukhina AA, Karagyaur MN, Rubina KA, Tkachuk VA, Semina EV. Urokinase Receptor uPAR Downregulation in Neuroblastoma Leads to Dormancy, Chemoresistance and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040994. [PMID: 35205745 PMCID: PMC8870350 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary uPAR is a membrane receptor that contributes to extracellular matrix remodeling and controls cellular adhesion, proliferation, survival, and migration. We demonstrate that the initially high uPAR expression predicts poor survival in neuroblastoma. However, relapsed neuroblastomas have a significantly decreased uPAR expression. uPAR downregulation in neuroblastoma cells leads to dormancy and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. In mice, low uPAR-expressing neuroblastoma cells formed smaller primary tumors but more frequent metastasis. Abstract uPAR is a membrane receptor that binds extracellular protease urokinase, contributes to matrix remodeling and plays a crucial role in cellular adhesion, proliferation, survival, and migration. uPAR overexpression in tumor cells promotes mitogenesis, opening a prospective avenue for targeted therapy. However, uPAR targeting in cancer has potential risks. We have recently shown that uPAR downregulation in neuroblastoma promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), potentially associated with metastasis and chemoresistance. We used data mining to evaluate the role of uPAR expression in primary and relapsed human neuroblastomas. To model the decreased uPAR expression, we targeted uPAR using CRISPR/Cas9 and shRNA in neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells and evaluated their chemosensitivity in vitro as well as tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. We demonstrate that the initially high PLAUR expression predicts poor survival in human neuroblastoma. However, relapsed neuroblastomas have a significantly decreased PLAUR expression. uPAR targeting in neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells leads to p38 activation and an increased p21 expression (suggesting a dormant phenotype). The dormancy in neuroblastoma cells can be triggered by the disruption of uPAR-integrin interaction. uPAR-deficient cells are less sensitive to cisplatin and doxorubicin treatment and exhibit lower p53 activation. Finally, low uPAR-expressing Neuro2a cells formed smaller primary tumors, but more frequent metastasis in mice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study revealing the pathological role of dormant uPAR-deficient cancer cells having a chemoresistant and motile phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna A. Shmakova
- National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.S.); (P.S.K.); (K.D.R.); (V.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Polina S. Klimovich
- National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.S.); (P.S.K.); (K.D.R.); (V.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Karina D. Rysenkova
- National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.S.); (P.S.K.); (K.D.R.); (V.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Vladimir S. Popov
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Anna S. Gorbunova
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Anna A. Karpukhina
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Science, 117334 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Maxim N. Karagyaur
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Kseniya A. Rubina
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Vsevolod A. Tkachuk
- National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.S.); (P.S.K.); (K.D.R.); (V.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Ekaterina V. Semina
- National Cardiology Research Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.A.S.); (P.S.K.); (K.D.R.); (V.A.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; (V.S.P.); (A.S.G.); (M.N.K.); (K.A.R.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Synergistic Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells Reveals Prognostic Signatures in Pilot Study of Treatment-Naïve Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer Patients. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10010146. [PMID: 35052825 PMCID: PMC8773204 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancer types because it usually is not diagnosed until the cancer has spread throughout the body. In this study, we isolate cancer cells found in the blood of pancreatic cancer patients called circulating tumor cells (CTCs) to study their mutation and gene expression profiles. Comparing patients with better and worse survival duration revealed signatures found in these cancer cells. Characterizing these signatures may help improve patient care by using alternative treatment options. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is typically diagnosed at late stages and has one of the lowest five-year survival rates of all malignancies. In this pilot study, we identify signatures related to survival and treatment response found in circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Patients with poor survival had increased mutant KRAS expression and deregulation of connected pathways such as PI3K-AKT and MAPK signaling. Further, in a subset of these patients, expression patterns of gemcitabine resistance mechanisms were observed, even prior to initiating treatment. This work highlights the need for identifying patients with these resistance profiles and designing treatment regimens to circumvent these mechanisms.
Collapse
|
47
|
Peter K, Kar SK, Gothalwal R, Gandhi P. Curcumin in Combination with Other Adjunct Therapies for Brain Tumor Treatment: Existing Knowledge and Blueprint for Future Research. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR MEDICINE 2022; 10:163-181. [PMID: 35178355 PMCID: PMC8800460 DOI: 10.22088/ijmcm.bums.10.3.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Malignant brain tumors proliferate aggressively and have a debilitating outcome. Surgery followed by chemo-radiotherapy has been the standard procedure of care since 2005 but issues of therapeutic toxicity and relapse still remain unaddressed. Repurposing of drugs to develop novel combinations that can augment existing treatment regimens for brain tumors is the need of the hour. Herein, we discuss studies documenting the use of curcumin as an adjuvant to conventional and alternative therapies for brain tumors. Comprehensive analysis of data suggests that curcumin together with available therapies can generate a synergistic action achieved through multiple molecular targeting, which results in simultaneous inhibition of tumor growth, and reduced treatment-induced toxicity as well as resistance. The review also highlights approaches to increase bioavailability and bioaccumulation of drugs when co-delivered with curcumin using nano-cargos. Despite substantial preclinical work on radio-chemo sensitizing effects of curcumin, to date, there is only a single clinical report on brain tumors. Based on available lab evidence, it is proposed that antibody-conjugated nano-curcumin in combination with sub-toxic doses of conventional or repurposed therapeutics should be designed and tested in clinical studies. This will increase tumor targeting, the bioavailability of the drug combination, reduce therapy resistance, and tumor recurrence through modulation of aberrant signaling cascades; thus improving clinical outcomes in brain malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Peter
- Department of Biotechnology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, M.P, India
| | | | - Ragini Gothalwal
- Department of Biotechnology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, M.P, India
| | - Puneet Gandhi
- Department of Research, Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal, M.P, India
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Chícharo A, Caetano DM, Cardoso S, Freitas P. Evolution in Automatized Detection of Cells: Advances in Magnetic Microcytometers for Cancer Cells. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1379:413-444. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-04039-9_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
|
49
|
Serum Levels of lncRNA CCHE1 and TCF21 in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Their Clinical Significances. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2021:8526144. [PMID: 34970358 PMCID: PMC8714324 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8526144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective To detect serum level changes of CCHE1 and TCF21 in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and to explore their clinical significances. Patients and Methods. A total of 150 CAD patients were divided into the mild lesion group (n = 52), moderate lesion group (n = 48), and severe lesion group (n = 50), respectively, according to the Gensini score. In addition, they were divided into single vessel lesion (n = 42), two vessel lesions (n = 49), and three vessel lesions group (n = 59), respectively. Serum levels of CCHE1 and TCF21 in CAD patients were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Spearman's rank correlation was conducted to assess the relationship between levels of CCHE1 and TCF21 and severity and numbers of vessel lesions in CAD. Pearson's correlation test was used for analyzing the correlation between CCHE1 and TCF21 levels. A multivariable logistic regression test was performed to evaluate the influences of CCHE1 and TCF21 levels on CAD severity and the occurrence of cardiovascular events within 3 years of follow-up. Results Significant differences in incidences of diabetes and hypertension were identified in CAD patients divided according to CAD severity. In addition, significant differences in incidences of drinking, diabetes, and hypertension were identified in CAD patients divided according to numbers of vessel lesions. The serum level of CCHE1 was positively related to CAD severity and numbers of vessel lesions, while TCF21 displayed a negative relationship. During the 3-year follow-up, the incidence of cardiovascular events was 39.3% (59/150). CAD severity, numbers of vessel lesions, and serum levels of CCHE1 and TCF21 were independent factors influencing the occurrence of cardiovascular events in CAD patients. Conclusions The increased serum level of CCHE1 and decreased TCF21 level are closely related to CAD severity, which are able to influence the prognosis in CAD patients.
Collapse
|
50
|
The Transcription Factors Zeb1 and Snail Induce Cell Malignancy and Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype in Prostate Cells, Increasing Androgen Synthesis Capacity and Therapy Resistance. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1393:51-64. [PMID: 36587301 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-12974-2_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) incidence has increased during the last decades, becoming one of the leading causes of death by cancer in men worldwide. During an extended period of prostate cancer, malignant cells are androgen-sensitive being testosterone the main responsible for tumor growth. Accordingly, treatments blocking production and action of testosterone are mostly used. However, during disease progression, PCa cells become androgen insensitive producing a castration-resistant stage with a worse prognosis. Overcoming castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) has become a great challenge in the management of this disease. In the search for molecular pathways leading to therapy resistance, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and particularly the transcription factors zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (Zeb1) and zinc finger protein SNAI1 (Snail), master genes of the EMT, have shown to have pivotal roles. Also, the discovery that cancer stem cells (CSCs) can be generated de novo from their non-CSCs counterpart has led to the question whereas these EMT transcription factors could be implicated in this dynamic conversion between non-CSC and CSC. In this review, we analyze evidence supporting the idea that Zeb1 and Snail induce cell malignancy and cancer stem cell phenotype in prostate cells, increasing androgen synthesis capacity and therapy resistance.
Collapse
|