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Chu X, Tian W, Ning J, Xiao G, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Zhai Z, Tanzhu G, Yang J, Zhou R. Cancer stem cells: advances in knowledge and implications for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:170. [PMID: 38965243 PMCID: PMC11224386 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01851-y] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small subset of cells in tumors that are characterized by self-renewal and continuous proliferation, lead to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and maintain tumor heterogeneity. Cancer continues to be a significant global disease burden. In the past, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were the main cancer treatments. The technology of cancer treatments continues to develop and advance, and the emergence of targeted therapy, and immunotherapy provides more options for patients to a certain extent. However, the limitations of efficacy and treatment resistance are still inevitable. Our review begins with a brief introduction of the historical discoveries, original hypotheses, and pathways that regulate CSCs, such as WNT/β-Catenin, hedgehog, Notch, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, TGF-β, PI3K/AKT, PPAR pathway, and their crosstalk. We focus on the role of CSCs in various therapeutic outcomes and resistance, including how the treatments affect the content of CSCs and the alteration of related molecules, CSCs-mediated therapeutic resistance, and the clinical value of targeting CSCs in patients with refractory, progressed or advanced tumors. In summary, CSCs affect therapeutic efficacy, and the treatment method of targeting CSCs is still difficult to determine. Clarifying regulatory mechanisms and targeting biomarkers of CSCs is currently the mainstream idea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjing Chu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Wentao Tian
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jiaoyang Ning
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yunqi Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Zhuofan Zhai
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Guilong Tanzhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410008, China.
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Huang CG, Liu Q, Zheng ST, Liu T, Tan YY, Peng TY, Chen J, Lu XM. Chemokines and Their Receptors: Predictors of Therapeutic Potential in Tumor Microenvironment on Esophageal Cancer. Dig Dis Sci 2024; 69:1562-1570. [PMID: 38580886 PMCID: PMC11098888 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08392-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) is an aggressive solid tumor. The 5-year survival rate for patients with ESCA is estimated to be less than 20%, mainly due to tumor invasion and metastasis. Therefore, it is urgent to improve early diagnostic tools and effective treatments for ESCA patients. Tumor microenvironment (TME) enhances the ability of tumor cells to proliferate, migrate, and escape from the immune system, thus promoting the occurrence and development of tumor. TME contains chemokines. Chemokines consist of four major families, which are mainly composed of CC and CXC families. The main purpose of this review is to understand the CC and CXC chemokines and their receptors in ESCA, to improve the understanding of tumorigenesis of ESCA and determine new biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of ESCA. We reviewed the literature on CC and CXC chemokines and their receptors in ESCA identified by PubMed database. This article introduces the general structures and functions of CC, CXC chemokines and their receptors in TME, as well as their roles in the progress of ESCA. Chemokines are involved in the development of ESCA, such as cancer cell invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and radioresistance, and are key determinants of disease progression, which have a great impact on patient prognosis and treatment response. In addition, a full understanding of their mechanism of action is essential to further verify that these chemokines and their receptors may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets of ESCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Gai Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China
- Precision Pathology Diagnosis for Serious Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Luzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Shu-Tao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Tao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yi-Yi Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Tian-Yuan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xiao-Mei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
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Zhang XJ, Yu Y, Zhao HP, Guo L, Dai K, Lv J. Mechanisms of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment formation in esophageal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30:2195-2208. [PMID: 38690024 PMCID: PMC11056912 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i16.2195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
As a highly invasive malignancy, esophageal cancer (EC) is a global health issue, and was the eighth most prevalent cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide in 2020. Due to its highly immunogenic nature, emer-ging immunotherapy approaches, such as immune checkpoint blockade, have demonstrated promising efficacy in treating EC; however, certain limitations and challenges still exist. In addition, tumors may exhibit primary or acquired resistance to immunotherapy in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME); thus, understanding the TIME is urgent and crucial, especially given the im-portance of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in tumor progression. The aim of this review was to better elucidate the mechanisms of the suppressive TIME, including cell infiltration, immune cell subsets, cytokines and signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment of EC patients, as well as the downregulated expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules in tumor cells, to obtain a better understanding of the differences in EC patient responses to immunotherapeutic strategies and accurately predict the efficacy of immunotherapies. Therefore, personalized treatments could be developed to maximize the advantages of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jun Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yan Yu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - He-Ping Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Lei Guo
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Kun Dai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Yanliang Railway Hospital of Xi’an, Xi’an 710089, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Jing Lv
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi Province, China
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Ding G, Yu H, Jin J, Qiao X, Ma J, Zhang T, Cheng X. Reciprocal relationship between cancer stem cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells: implications for tumor progression and therapeutic strategies. Future Oncol 2024; 20:215-228. [PMID: 38390682 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2023-0907] [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] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been an increased focus on cancer stem cells (CSCs) due to their resilience, making them difficult to eradicate. This resilience often leads to tumor recurrence and metastasis. CSCs adeptly manipulate their surroundings to create an environment conducive to their survival. In this environment, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a crucial role in promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and bolstering CSCs' stemness. In response, CSCs attract MDSCs, enhancing their infiltration, expansion and immunosuppressive capabilities. This interaction between CSCs and MDSCs increases the difficulty of antitumor therapy. In this paper, we discuss the interplay between CSCs and MDSCs based on current research and highlight recent therapeutic strategies targeting either CSCs or MDSCs that show promise in achieving effective antitumor outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiqing Ding
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Yue-yang Hospital of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China
| | - Hua Yu
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Yue-yang Hospital of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China
| | - Jason Jin
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Yue-yang Hospital of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China
| | - Xi Qiao
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Yue-yang Hospital of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China
| | - Jinyun Ma
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Yue-yang Hospital of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Yue-yang Hospital of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, Yue-yang Hospital of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China
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Wang X, Jin Y, Xu L, Tao S, Wu Y, Ao C. Integrating Single-Cell RNA-Seq and Bulk RNA-Seq to Construct a Novel γδT Cell-Related Prognostic Signature for Human Papillomavirus-Infected Cervical Cancer. Cancer Control 2024; 31:10732748241274228. [PMID: 39206965 PMCID: PMC11363054 DOI: 10.1177/10732748241274228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gamma delta (γδ) T cells play dual roles in human tumors, with both antitumor and tumor-promoting functions. However, the role of γδT cells in HPV-infected cervical cancer is still undetermined. Therefore, we aimed to identify γδT cell-related prognostic signatures in the cervical tumor microenvironment. METHODS Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data, bulk RNA-seq data, and corresponding clinical information of cervical cancer patients were obtained from the TCGA and GEO databases. The Seurat R package was used for single-cell analysis, and machine learning algorithms were used to screen and construct a γδT cell-related prognostic signature. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the expression of prognostic signature genes. RESULTS Single-cell analysis indicated distinct populations of γδT cells between HPV-positive (HPV+) and HPV-negative (HPV-) cervical cancers. A trajectory analysis indicated γδT cells clustered into differential clusters with the pseudotime. High-dimensional Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (hdWGCNA) identified the key γδT cell-related gene modules. Bulk RNA-seq analysis also demonstrated the heterogeneity of immune cells, and the γδT-score was positively associated with inflammatory response and negatively associated with MYC stemness. Eight γδT cell-related hub genes (GTRGs), including ITGAE, IKZF3, LSP1, NEDD9, CLEC2D, RBPJ, TRBC2, and OXNAD1, were selected and validated as a prognostic signature for cervical cancer. CONCLUSION We identified γδT cell-related prognostic signatures that can be considered independent factors for survival prediction in cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochuan Wang
- Department of Dermatology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, the Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Kunming, China
| | - Yichao Jin
- Department of Dermatology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, the Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Kunming, China
| | - Liangheng Xu
- Department of Dermatology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, the Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Kunming, China
| | - Sizhen Tao
- Department of Dermatology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, the Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Kunming, China
| | - Yifei Wu
- Department of Dermatology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, the Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Kunming, China
| | - Chunping Ao
- Department of Dermatology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, the Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Kunming, China
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Xi Y, Shen Y, Chen L, Tan L, Shen W, Niu X. Exosome-mediated metabolic reprogramming: Implications in esophageal carcinoma progression and tumor microenvironment remodeling. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2023; 73:78-92. [PMID: 37696716 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2023.08.010] [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: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal carcinoma is among the most fatal malignancies with increasing incidence globally. Tumor onset and progression can be driven by metabolic reprogramming, especially during esophageal carcinoma development. Exosomes, a subset of extracellular vesicles, display an average size of ∼100 nanometers, containing multifarious components (nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, etc.). An increasing number of studies have shown that exosomes are capable of transferring molecules with biological functions into recipient cells, which play crucial roles in esophageal carcinoma progression and tumor microenvironment that is a highly heterogeneous ecosystem through rewriting the metabolic processes in tumor cells and environmental stromal cells. The review introduces the reprogramming of glucose, lipid, amino acid, mitochondrial metabolism in esophageal carcinoma, and summarize current pharmaceutical agents targeting such aberrant metabolism rewiring. We also comprehensively overview the biogenesis and release of exosomes, and recent advances of exosomal cargoes and functions in esophageal carcinoma and their promising clinical application. Moreover, we discuss how exosomes trigger tumor growth, metastasis, drug resistance, and immunosuppression as well as tumor microenvironment remodeling through focusing on their capacity to transfer materials between cells or between cells and tissues and modulate metabolic reprogramming, thus providing a theoretical reference for the design potential pharmaceutical agents targeting these mechanisms. Altogether, our review attempts to fully understand the significance of exosome-based metabolic rewriting in esophageal carcinoma progression and remodeling of the tumor microenvironment, bringing novel insights into the prevention and treatment of esophageal carcinoma in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Xi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315040, Zhejiang, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yaxing Shen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lijie Chen
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China; China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Lijie Tan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Weiyu Shen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315040, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xing Niu
- China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning, China.
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An L, Li M, Jia Q. Mechanisms of radiotherapy resistance and radiosensitization strategies for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:140. [PMID: 37598158 PMCID: PMC10439611 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01839-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with more than half of them occurred in China. Radiotherapy (RT) has been widely used for treating ESCC. However, radiation-induced DNA damage response (DDR) can promote the release of cytokines and chemokines, and triggers inflammatory reactions and changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby inhibiting the immune function and causing the invasion and metastasis of ESCC. Radioresistance is the major cause of disease progression and mortality in cancer, and it is associated with heterogeneity. Therefore, a better understanding of the radioresistance mechanisms may generate more reversal strategies to improve the cure rates and survival periods of ESCC patients. We mainly summarized the possible mechanisms of radioresistance in order to reveal new targets for ESCC therapy. Then we summarized and compared the current strategies to reverse radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingbo An
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
- College of Medical Technology, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mingyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Qingge Jia
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.
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Purazo ML, Ice RJ, Shimpi R, Hoenerhoff M, Pugacheva EN. NEDD9 Overexpression Causes Hyperproliferation of Luminal Cells and Cooperates with HER2 Oncogene in Tumor Initiation: A Novel Prognostic Marker in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1119. [PMID: 36831460 PMCID: PMC9954084 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
HER2 overexpression occurs in 10-20% of breast cancer patients. HER2+ tumors are characterized by an increase in Ki67, early relapse, and increased metastasis. Little is known about the factors influencing early stages of HER2- tumorigenesis and diagnostic markers. Previously, it was shown that the deletion of NEDD9 in mouse models of HER2 cancer interferes with tumor growth, but the role of NEDD9 upregulation is currently unexplored. We report that NEDD9 is overexpressed in a significant subset of HER2+ breast cancers and correlates with a limited response to anti-HER2 therapy. To investigate the mechanisms through which NEDD9 influences HER2-dependent tumorigenesis, we generated MMTV-Cre-NEDD9 transgenic mice. The analysis of mammary glands shows extensive ductal epithelium hyperplasia, increased branching, and terminal end bud expansion. The addition of oncogene Erbb2 (neu) leads to the earlier development of early hyperplastic benign lesions (~16 weeks), with a significantly shorter latency than the control mice. Similarly, NEDD9 upregulation in MCF10A-derived acini leads to hyperplasia-like DCIS. This phenotype is associated with activation of ERK1/2 and AURKA kinases, leading to an increased proliferation of luminal cells. These findings indicate that NEDD9 is setting permissive conditions for HER2-induced tumorigenesis, thus identifying this protein as a potential diagnostic marker for early detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc L. Purazo
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Ryan J. Ice
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Rahul Shimpi
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Mark Hoenerhoff
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Elena N. Pugacheva
- WVU Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
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Li R, Huang B, Tian H, Sun Z. Immune evasion in esophageal squamous cell cancer: From the perspective of tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1096717. [PMID: 36698392 PMCID: PMC9868934 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1096717] [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: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most life-threatening malignancies worldwide. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the dominant subtype, accounting for approximately 90% of new incident EC each year. Although multidisciplinary treatment strategies have advanced rapidly, patients with ESCC are often diagnosed at advanced stage and the long-term prognosis remains unsatisfactory. In recent decades, immunotherapy, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), tumor vaccines, and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, has been successfully used in clinical practice as a novel therapy for treating tumors, bringing new hope to ESCC patients. However, only a small fraction of patients achieved clinical benefits due to primary or acquired resistance. Immune evasion plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of ESCC. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms by which ESCC cells escape from anti-tumor immunity is necessary for a more effective multidisciplinary treatment strategy. It has been widely recognized that immune evasion is closely associated with the crosstalk between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). TME is a dynamic complex and comprehensive system including not only cellular components but also non-cellular components, which influence hallmarks and fates of tumor cells from the outside. Novel immunotherapy targeting tumor-favorable TME represents a promising strategy to achieve better therapeutic responses for patients with ESCC. In this review, we provide an overview of immune evasion in ESCC, mainly focusing on the molecular mechanisms that underlie the role of TME in immune evasion of ESCC. In addition, we also discuss the challenges and opportunities of precision therapy for ESCC by targeting TME.
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An J, Hu X, Liu F. Current understanding of cancer stem cells: Immune evasion and targeted immunotherapy in gastrointestinal malignancies. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1114621. [PMID: 36910604 PMCID: PMC9996315 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1114621] [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: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
As a relatively rare population of cancer cells existing in the tumor microenvironment, cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess properties of immune privilege to evade the attack of immune system, regulated by the microenvironment of CSCs, the so-called CSCs niche. The bidirectional interaction of CSCs with tumor microenvironment (TME) components favors an immunosuppressive shelter for CSCs' survival and maintenance. Gastrointestinal cancer stem cells (GCSCs) are broadly regarded to be intimately involved in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis and recurrence, with elevated tumor resistance to conventional therapies, which pose a major hindrance to the clinical efficacy for treated patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Thus, a multitude of efforts have been made to combat and eradicate GCSCs within the tumor mass. Among diverse methods of targeting CSCs in gastrointestinal malignancies, immunotherapy represents a promising strategy. And the better understanding of GCSCs immunomodulation and immunoresistance mechanisms is beneficial to guide and design novel GCSCs-specific immunotherapies with enhanced immune response and clinical efficacy. In this review, we have gathered available and updated information to present an overview of the immunoevasion features harbored by cancer stem cells, and we focus on the description of immune escape strategies utilized by CSCs and microenvironmental regulations underlying CSCs immuno-suppression in the context of gastrointestinal malignancies. Importantly, this review offers deep insights into recent advances of CSC-targeting immunotherapeutic approaches in gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi An
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohua Hu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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11
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Ya G, Ren W, Qin R, He J, Zhao S. Role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the formation of pre-metastatic niche. Front Oncol 2022; 12:975261. [PMID: 36237333 PMCID: PMC9552826 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.975261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is a complex process, which depends on the interaction between tumor cells and host organs. Driven by the primary tumor, the host organ will establish an environment suitable for the growth of tumor cells before their arrival, which is called the pre-metastasis niche. The formation of pre-metastasis niche requires the participation of a variety of cells, in which myeloid-derived suppressor cells play a very important role. They reach the host organ before the tumor cells, and promote the establishment of the pre-metastasis niche by influencing immunosuppression, vascular leakage, extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis and so on. In this article, we introduced the formation of the pre-metastasis niche and discussed the important role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. In addition, this paper also emphasized the targeting of myeloid-derived suppressor cells as a therapeutic strategy to inhibit the formation of pre-metastasis niche, which provided a research idea for curbing tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqi Ya
- The First Clinical Medical Institute, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weihong Ren
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Weihong Ren,
| | - Rui Qin
- The First Clinical Medical Institute, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiao He
- The First Clinical Medical Institute, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shuo Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
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Yang T, Liang N, Li J, Hu P, Huang Q, Zhao Z, Wang Q, Zhang H. MDSCs might be "Achilles heel" for eradicating CSCs. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 65:39-50. [PMID: 35595600 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
During tumor initiation and progression, the complicated role of immune cells in the tumor immune microenvironment remains a concern. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a group of immune cells that originate from the bone marrow and have immunosuppressive potency in various diseases, including cancer. In recent years, the key role of cancer stemness has received increasing attention in cancer development and therapy. Several studies have demonstrated the important regulatory relationship between MDSCs and cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, there is still no clear understanding regarding the complex interacting regulation of tumor malignancy, and current research progress is limited. In this review, we summarize the complicated role of MDSCs in the modulation of cancer stemness, evaluate the mechanism of the relationship between CSCs and MDSCs, and discuss potential strategies for eradicating CSCs with respect to MDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yang
- Department of Pain Treatment, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Ning Liang
- Department of General Surgery, The 75th Group Army Hospital, Dali 671000, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Stomatology, Shaanxi Provincial Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, China
| | - Pan Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the 920 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese PLA, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Qian Huang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The 75th Group Army Hospital, Dali 671000, China
| | - Zifeng Zhao
- Department of Pain Treatment, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
| | - Hongxin Zhang
- Department of Pain Treatment, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China; Department of Intervention Therapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712046, China.
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Li X, Zhong J, Deng X, Guo X, Lu Y, Lin J, Huang X, Wang C. Targeting Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells to Enhance the Antitumor Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 12:754196. [PMID: 35003065 PMCID: PMC8727744 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.754196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells that are activated under pathological conditions, such as cancer, or mature myeloid cells that are converted immune-suppressive cells via tumor-derived exosomes, and potently support the tumor processes at different levels. Currently, multiple studies have demonstrated that MDSCs induce immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy resistance through their contribution to the immunosuppressive network in the tumor microenvironment. In addition, non-immunosuppressive mechanisms of MDSCs such as promotion of angiogenesis and induction of cancer stem cells also exert a powerful role in tumor progression. Thus, MDSCs are potential therapeutic targets to enhance the antitumor efficacy of ICB therapy in cases of multiple cancers. This review focuses on the tumor-promoting mechanism of MDSCs and provides an overview of current strategies that target MDSCs with the objective of enhancing the antitumor efficacy of ICB therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyan Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Geriatric Institute, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Zhong
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue Deng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Guo
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yantong Lu
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juze Lin
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Geriatric Institute, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuhui Huang
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Geriatric Institute, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changjun Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Geriatric Institute, Guangzhou, China
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Bioinformatics Characterization of Candidate Genes Associated with Gene Network and miRNA Regulation in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12031083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The gene expression profile GSE161533 contained 84 samples, in that 28 tumor tissues and 28 normal tissues encoded as ESCC patients were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The obtained data were validated and screened for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal and tumor tissues with the GEO2R tool. Next, the protein–protein network (PPI) was constructed using the (STRING 2.0) and reconstructed with Cytoscape 3.8.2, and the top ten hub genes (HGsT10) were predicted using the Maximal Clique Centrality (MCC) algorithm of the CytoHubba plugin. The identified hub genes were mapped in GSE161533, and their expression was determined and compared with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA.) ESCC patient’s samples. The overall survival rate for HGsT10 wild and mutated types was analyzed with the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis2 (GEPIA2) server and UCSC Xena database. The functional and pathway enrichment analysis was performed using the WebGestalt database with the reference gene from lumina human ref 8.v3.0 version. The promoter methylation for the HGsT10 was identified using the UALCAN server. Additionally, the miRNA-HGsT10 regulatory network was constructed to identify the top ten hub miRNAs (miRT10). Finally, we identified the top ten novel driving genes from the DEGs of GSE161533 ESCC patient’s sample using a multi-omics approach. It may provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment for the ESCC affected patients early in the future.
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Zhang Y, Murphy S, Lu X. Cancer-cell-intrinsic mechanisms regulate MDSCs through cytokine networks. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 375:1-31. [PMID: 36967150 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shifted the paradigm of cancer treatment. However, the majority of cancer patients display de novo or acquired resistance to immunotherapy. One of the main mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance is the immunosuppressive microenvironment dominated by the myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Emerging evidence demonstrates that genetic or epigenetic aberrations in cancer cells shape the accumulation and activation of MDSCs. Understanding this genotype-immunophenotype relationship is critical to the rational design of combination immunotherapy. Here, we review the mechanisms of how molecular changes in cancer cells induce recruitment and reprogram the function of tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells, particularly MDSCs. Tumor-infiltrating MDSCs elicit various pro-tumor functions to promote tumor cell fitness, immune evasion, angiogenesis, tissue remodeling, and metastasis. Through understanding the genotype-immunophenotype relationship between neoplastic cells and MDSCs, new approaches can be developed to tailor current immunotherapy strategies to improve cancer patient outcomes.
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Qiu Y, Cao Y, Tu G, Li J, Su Y, Fang F, Zhang X, Cang J, Rong R, Luo Z. Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Alleviate Renal Fibrosis Progression via Regulation of CCL5-CCR5 Axis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:698894. [PMID: 34566958 PMCID: PMC8460909 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.698894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal fibrosis is inevitable in all progressive chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) and represents a serious public health problem. Immune factors contribute to the progression of renal fibrosis. Thus, it is very possible that immunosuppression cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), could bring benefits to renal fibrosis. Herein, this study investigated the antifibrotic and reno-protective effect of MDSCs and the possible mechanisms. METHODS Murine and cell models of unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) renal fibrosis were used. Bone marrow-induced MDSCs and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were pretreated before surgery. Kidney weight, pathological injury, extracellular matrix deposition, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression were examined. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1)/Smad/Snail signaling pathway involvement was investigated through Western blotting and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Accumulation of MDSC, CD4+ T cell, regulatory T (Treg), and T helper 1 (TH1) cell accumulation, and CCL5 and CCR5 expression level in MDSCs and non-MDSCs were evaluated using flow cytometry. RESULTS In vitro- and in vivo-induced MDSCs significantly ameliorated UUO-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis, inhibited the TGF-β1/Smad/Snail signaling pathway, and enhanced MDSC and Treg infiltration in the kidney while downregulating the TH1 cells. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed CCL5 elevation in the two MDSC-treated groups. CONCLUSION In vitro- and in vivo-induced MDSCs alleviated renal fibrosis similarly through promoting the CCL5-CCR5 axis interaction and TGF-β1/Smad/Snail signaling pathway inhibition. Our results indicate an alternative treatment for renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qiu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yirui Cao
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Guowei Tu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiawei Li
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Su
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuepeng Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Cang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Cang, ; Ruiming Rong, ; Zhe Luo,
| | - Ruiming Rong
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Cang, ; Ruiming Rong, ; Zhe Luo,
| | - Zhe Luo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Xiamen Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Cang, ; Ruiming Rong, ; Zhe Luo,
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