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Guo T, Xu J. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: a versatile mediator in tumor progression, metastasis, and targeted therapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:1095-1116. [PMID: 38602594 PMCID: PMC11300527 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10186-7] [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: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been demonstrated to play a significant role in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major component of TME and exhibit heterogeneous properties in their communication with tumor cells. This heterogeneity of CAFs can be attributed to various origins, including quiescent fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), adipocytes, pericytes, endothelial cells, and mesothelial cells. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing has identified diverse phenotypes of CAFs, with myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs) and inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) being the most acknowledged, alongside newly discovered subtypes like antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs). Due to these heterogeneities, CAFs exert multiple functions in tumorigenesis, cancer stemness, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, metabolism, and metastasis. As a result, targeted therapies aimed at the TME, particularly focusing on CAFs, are rapidly developing, fueling the promising future of advanced tumor-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianchen Guo
- Women's Reproductive Health Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junfen Xu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
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2
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Kim NH, Lee J, Kim SH, Kang SH, Bae S, Yu CH, Seo J, Kim HT. ALK5/VEGFR2 dual inhibitor TU2218 alone or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors enhances immune-mediated antitumor effects. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:190. [PMID: 39105882 PMCID: PMC11303640 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03777-4] [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: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is present in blood of patients who do not respond to anti-programmed cell death (ligand) 1 [PD-(L)1] treatment, and through synergy with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), it helps to create an environment that promotes tumor immune evasion and immune tolerance. Therefore, simultaneous inhibition of TGFβ/VEGF is more effective than targeting TGFβ alone. In this study, the dual inhibitory mechanism of TU2218 was identified through in vitro analysis mimicking the tumor microenvironment, and its antitumor effects were analyzed using mouse syngeneic tumor models. TU2218 directly restored the activity of damaged cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer cells inhibited by TGFβ and suppressed the activity and viability of regulatory T cells. The inactivation of endothelial cells induced by VEGF stimulation was completely ameliorated by TU2218, an effect not observed with vactosertib, which inhibits only TGFβ signaling. The combination of TU2218 and anti-PD1 therapy had a significantly greater antitumor effect than either drug alone in the poorly immunogenic B16F10 syngeneic tumor model. The mechanism of tumor reduction was confirmed by flow cytometry, which showed upregulated VCAM-1 expression in vascular cells and increased influx of CD8 + CTLs into the tumor. As another strategy, combination of anti-CTLA4 therapy and TU2218 resulted in high complete regression (CR) rates in CT26 and WEHI-164 tumor models. In particular, immunological memory generated by the combination of anti-CTLA4 and TU2218 in the CT26 model prevented the development of tumors after additional tumor cell transplantation, suggesting that the TU2218-based combination has therapeutic potential in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam-Hoon Kim
- TiumBio Co., Ltd. Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Lee
- TiumBio Co., Ltd. Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hyun Kim
- TiumBio Co., Ltd. Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Ho Kang
- TiumBio Co., Ltd. Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sowon Bae
- TiumBio Co., Ltd. Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan-Hee Yu
- TiumBio Co., Ltd. Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongmin Seo
- TiumBio Co., Ltd. Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hun-Taek Kim
- TiumBio Co., Ltd. Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Al-Ostoot FH, Salah S, Khanum SA. An Overview of Cancer Biology, Pathophysiological Development and It's Treatment Modalities: Current Challenges of Cancer anti-Angiogenic Therapy. Cancer Invest 2024; 42:559-604. [PMID: 38874308 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2024.2361295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
A number of conditions and factors can cause the transformation of normal cells in the body into malignant tissue by changing the normal functions of a wide range of regulatory, apoptotic, and signal transduction pathways. Despite the current deficiency in fully understanding the mechanism of cancer action accurately and clearly, numerous genes and proteins that are causally involved in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer have been identified. But due to the lack of space and the abundance of details on this complex topic, we have emphasized here more recent advances in our understanding of the principles implied tumor cell transformation, development, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Inhibition of angiogenesis is a significant strategy for the treatment of various solid tumors, that essentially depend on cutting or at least limiting the supply of blood to micro-regions of tumors, leading to pan-hypoxia and pan-necrosis inside solid tumor tissues. Researchers have continued to enhance the efficiency of anti-angiogenic drugs over the past two decades, to identify their potential in the drug interaction, and to discover reasonable interpretations for possible resistance to treatment. In this review, we have discussed an overview of cancer history and recent methods use in cancer therapy, focusing on anti-angiogenic inhibitors targeting angiogenesis formation. Further, this review has explained the molecular mechanism of action of these anti-angiogenic inhibitors in various tumor types and their limitations use. In addition, we described the synergistic mechanisms of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy and summarizes current clinical trials of these combinations. Many phase III trials found that combining immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy improved survival. Therefore, targeting the source supply of cancer cells to grow and spread with new anti-angiogenic agents in combination with different conventional therapy is a novel method to reduce cancer progression. The aim of this paper is to overview the varying concepts of cancer focusing on mechanisms involved in tumor angiogenesis and provide an overview of the recent trends in anti-angiogenic strategies for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fares Hezam Al-Ostoot
- Department of Chemistry, Yuvaraja's College, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Education & Science, Albaydha University, Al-Baydha, Yemen
| | - Salma Salah
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Thamar University, Dhamar, Yemen
| | - Shaukath Ara Khanum
- Department of Chemistry, Yuvaraja's College, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India
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4
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Szalanczy AM, Sherrill C, Fanning KM, Hart B, Caudell D, Davis AW, Whitfield J, Kavanagh K. A Novel TGFβ Receptor Inhibitor, IPW-5371, Prevents Diet-induced Hepatic Steatosis and Insulin Resistance in Irradiated Mice. Radiat Res 2024; 202:1-10. [PMID: 38772553 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00202.1] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
As the number of cancer survivors increases and the risk of accidental radiation exposure rises, there is a pressing need to characterize the delayed effects of radiation exposure and develop medical countermeasures. Radiation has been shown to damage adipose progenitor cells and increase liver fibrosis, such that it predisposes patients to developing metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and insulin resistance. The risk of developing these conditions is compounded by the global rise of diets rich in carbohydrates and fats. Radiation persistently increases the signaling cascade of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), leading to heightened fibrosis as characteristic of the delayed effects of radiation exposure. We investigate here a potential radiation medical countermeasure, IPW-5371, a small molecule inhibitor of TGFβRI kinase (ALK5). We found that mice exposed to sub-lethal whole-body irradiation and chronic Western diet consumption but treated with IPW-5371 had a similar body weight, food consumption, and fat mass compared to control mice exposed to radiation. The IPW-5371 treated mice maintained lower fibrosis and fat accumulation in the liver, were more responsive to insulin and had lower circulating triglycerides and better muscle endurance. Future studies are needed to verify the improvement by IPW-5371 on the structure and function of other metabolically active tissues such as adipose and skeletal muscle, but these data demonstrate that IPW-5371 protects liver and whole-body health in rodents exposed to radiation and a Western diet, and there may be promise in using IPW-5371 to prevent the development of MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria M Szalanczy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Chrissy Sherrill
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Katherine M Fanning
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Barry Hart
- Innovation Pathways, Palo Alto, California
| | - David Caudell
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Ashley W Davis
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Jordyn Whitfield
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Kylie Kavanagh
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- College of Health and Medicine, University o f Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
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5
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Weidle UH, Nopora A. CircRNAs in Pancreatic Cancer: New Tools for Target Identification and Therapeutic Intervention. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2024; 21:327-349. [PMID: 38944427 PMCID: PMC11215428 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20451] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
We have reviewed the literature for circular RNAs (circRNAs) with efficacy in preclinical pancreatic-cancer related in vivo models. The identified circRNAs target chemoresistance mechanisms (n=5), secreted proteins and transmembrane receptors (n=15), transcription factors (n=9), components of the signaling- (n=11), ubiquitination- (n=2), autophagy-system (n=2), and others (n=9). In addition to identifying targets for therapeutic intervention, circRNAs are potential new entities for treatment of pancreatic cancer. Up-regulated circRNAs can be inhibited by antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) or clustered regularly interspaced short-palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated protein (CRISPR-CAS)-based intervention. The function of down-regulated circRNAs can be reconstituted by replacement therapy using plasmids or virus-based vector systems. Target validation experiments and the development of improved delivery systems for corresponding agents were examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich H Weidle
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Adam Nopora
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
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6
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Giarratana AO, Prendergast CM, Salvatore MM, Capaccione KM. TGF-β signaling: critical nexus of fibrogenesis and cancer. J Transl Med 2024; 22:594. [PMID: 38926762 PMCID: PMC11201862 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05411-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway is a vital regulator of cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix production. It functions through canonical SMAD-mediated processes and noncanonical pathways involving MAPK cascades, PI3K/AKT, Rho-like GTPases, and NF-κB signaling. This intricate signaling system is finely tuned by interactions between canonical and noncanonical pathways and plays key roles in both physiologic and pathologic conditions including tissue homeostasis, fibrosis, and cancer progression. TGF-β signaling is known to have paradoxical actions. Under normal physiologic conditions, TGF-β signaling promotes cell quiescence and apoptosis, acting as a tumor suppressor. In contrast, in pathological states such as inflammation and cancer, it triggers processes that facilitate cancer progression and tissue remodeling, thus promoting tumor development and fibrosis. Here, we detail the role that TGF-β plays in cancer and fibrosis and highlight the potential for future theranostics targeting this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna O Giarratana
- Northwell Health - Peconic Bay Medical Center, 1 Heroes Way, Riverhead, NY, 11901, USA.
| | | | - Mary M Salvatore
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 11032, USA
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7
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Gong Y, Liu M, Zhang Q, Li J, Cai H, Ran J, Ma L, Ma Y, Quan S. Lysine acetyltransferase 14 mediates TGF-β-induced fibrosis in ovarian endometrioma via co-operation with serum response factor. J Transl Med 2024; 22:561. [PMID: 38867256 PMCID: PMC11167823 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05243-2] [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: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrogenesis within ovarian endometrioma (endometrioma), mainly induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), is characterized by myofibroblast over-activation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, contributing to endometrioma-associated symptoms such as infertility by impairing ovarian reserve and oocyte quality. However, the precise molecular mechanisms that underpin the endometrioma- associated fibrosis progression induced by TGF-β remain poorly understood. METHODS The expression level of lysine acetyltransferase 14 (KAT14) was validated in endometrium biopsies from patients with endometrioma and healthy controls, and the transcription level of KAT14 was further confirmed by analyzing a published single-cell transcriptome (scRNA-seq) dataset of endometriosis. We used overexpression, knockout, and knockdown approaches in immortalized human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) or human primary ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EcESCs) to determine the role of KAT14 in TGF-β-induced fibrosis. Furthermore, an adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying KAT14-shRNA was used in an endometriosis mice model to assess the role of KAT14 in vivo. RESULTS KAT14 was upregulated in ectopic lesions from endometrioma patients and predominantly expressed in activated fibroblasts. In vitro studies showed that KAT14 overexpression significantly promoted a TGF-β-induced profibrotic response in endometrial stromal cells, while KAT14 silencing showed adverse effects that could be rescued by KAT14 re-enhancement. In vivo, Kat14 knockdown ameliorated fibrosis in the ectopic lesions of the endometriosis mouse model. Mechanistically, we showed that KAT14 directly interacted with serum response factor (SRF) to promote the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) by increasing histone H4 acetylation at promoter regions; this is necessary for TGF-β-induced ECM production and myofibroblast differentiation. In addition, the knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of SRF significantly attenuated KAT14-mediating profibrotic effects under TGF-β treatment. Notably, the KAT14/SRF complex was abundant in endometrioma samples and positively correlated with α-SMA expression, further supporting the key role of KAT14/SRF complex in the progression of endometrioma-associated fibrogenesis. CONCLUSION Our results shed light on KAT14 as a key effector of TGF-β-induced ECM production and myofibroblast differentiation in EcESCs by promoting histone H4 acetylation via co-operating with SRF, representing a potential therapeutic target for endometrioma-associated fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Gong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hainan Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, 54-1 LongHua road, Haikou, Hainan, 570100, China
| | - Mian Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hainan Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, 54-1 LongHua road, Haikou, Hainan, 570100, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Postdoctoral Innovation Practice Base of Southern Medical University, Dongguan, 523001, China
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jinjing Li
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hainan Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, 54-1 LongHua road, Haikou, Hainan, 570100, China
| | - Hong Cai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Jing Ran
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Linna Ma
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hainan Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, 54-1 LongHua road, Haikou, Hainan, 570100, China
| | - Yanlin Ma
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hainan Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, 54-1 LongHua road, Haikou, Hainan, 570100, China.
| | - Song Quan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China.
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8
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Mansour MA, Hassan GS, Serya RAT, Jaballah MY, Abouzid KAM. Advances in the discovery of activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5) inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2024; 147:107332. [PMID: 38581966 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Activin receptor‑like kinase-5 (ALK5) is an outstanding member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family. (TGF-β) signaling pathway integrates pleiotropic proteins that regulate various cellular processes such as growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Dysregulation within the signaling pathway can cause variety of diseases, such as fibrosis, cardiovascular disease, and especially cancer, rendering ALK5 a potential drug target. Hence, various small molecules have been designed and synthesized as potent ALK5 inhibitors. In this review, we shed light on the current ATP-competitive inhibitors of ALK5 through diverse heterocyclic based scaffolds that are in clinical or pre-clinical phases of development. Moreover, we focused on the binding interactions of the compounds to the ATP binding site and the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of each scaffold, revealing new scopes for designing novel candidates with enhanced selectivity and metabolic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai A Mansour
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, School of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Ghaneya S Hassan
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, School of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo, Egypt; Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Rabah A T Serya
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Egypt
| | - Maiy Y Jaballah
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Egypt
| | - Khaled A M Abouzid
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Egypt.
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9
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Bao Q, Wang A, Hong W, Wang Y, Li B, He L, Yuan X, Ma G. The c-Abl-RACK1-FAK signaling axis promotes renal fibrosis in mice through regulating fibroblast-myofibroblast transition. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:247. [PMID: 38689280 PMCID: PMC11059681 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01603-z] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal fibrosis is a prevalent manifestation of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and effective treatments for this disease are currently lacking. Myofibroblasts, which originate from interstitial fibroblasts, aggregate in the renal interstitium, leading to significant accumulation of extracellular matrix and impairment of renal function. The nonreceptor tyrosine kinase c-Abl (encoded by the Abl1 gene) has been implicated in the development of renal fibrosis. However, the precise role of c-Abl in this process and its involvement in fibroblast-myofibroblast transition (FMT) remain poorly understood. METHODS To investigate the effect of c-Abl in FMT during renal fibrosis, we investigated the expression of c-Abl in fibrotic renal tissues of patients with CKD and mouse models. We studied the phenotypic changes in fibroblast or myofibroblast-specific c-Abl conditional knockout mice. We explored the potential targets of c-Abl in NRK-49F fibroblasts. RESULTS In this study, fibrotic mouse and cell models demonstrated that c-Abl deficiency in fibroblasts mitigated fibrosis by suppressing fibroblast activation, fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, and extracellular matrix deposition. Mechanistically, c-Abl maintains the stability of the RACK1 protein, which serves as a scaffold for proteins such as c-Abl and focal adhesion kinase at focal adhesions, driving fibroblast activation and differentiation during renal fibrosis. Moreover, specifically targeting c-Abl deletion in renal myofibroblasts could prove beneficial in established kidney fibrosis by reducing RACK1 expression and diminishing the extent of fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that c-Abl plays a pathogenic role in interstitial fibrosis through the regulation of RACK1 protein stabilization and myofibroblast differentiation, suggesting a promising strategy for the treatment of CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyi Bao
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 Ding Jiaqiao Rd, Nanjing, 210009, P.R. China
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Anyu Wang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Wenxuan Hong
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yushu Wang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Baojie Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Lin He
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 Ding Jiaqiao Rd, Nanjing, 210009, P.R. China
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodong Yuan
- Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.
| | - Gang Ma
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 Ding Jiaqiao Rd, Nanjing, 210009, P.R. China.
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
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10
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Längle D, Wojtowicz-Piotrowski S, Priegann T, Keller N, Wesseler F, Reckzeh ES, Steffens K, Grathwol C, Lemke J, Flasshoff M, Näther C, Jonson AC, Link A, Koch O, Di Guglielmo GM, Schade D. Expanding the Chemical Space of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGFβ) Receptor Type II Degraders with 3,4-Disubstituted Indole Derivatives. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1069-1085. [PMID: 38633593 PMCID: PMC11020067 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The TGFβ type II receptor (TβRII) is a central player in all TGFβ signaling downstream events, has been linked to cancer progression, and thus, has emerged as an auspicious anti-TGFβ strategy. Especially its targeted degradation presents an excellent goal for effective TGFβ pathway inhibition. Here, cellular structure-activity relationship (SAR) data from the TβRII degrader chemotype 1 was successfully transformed into predictive ligand-based pharmacophore models that allowed scaffold hopping. Two distinct 3,4-disubstituted indoles were identified from virtual screening: tetrahydro-4-oxo-indole 2 and indole-3-acetate 3. Design, synthesis, and screening of focused amide libraries confirmed 2r and 3n as potent TGFβ inhibitors. They were validated to fully recapitulate the ability of 1 to selectively degrade TβRII, without affecting TβRI. Consequently, 2r and 3n efficiently blocked endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cell migration in different cancer cell lines while not perturbing the microtubule network. Hence, 2 and 3 present novel TβRII degrader chemotypes that will (1) aid target deconvolution efforts and (2) accelerate proof-of-concept studies for small-molecule-driven TβRII degradation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Längle
- Department
of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Stephanie Wojtowicz-Piotrowski
- Department
of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich
School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London N6A 5C1, ON, Canada
| | - Till Priegann
- Department
of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Niklas Keller
- Department
of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Fabian Wesseler
- Department
of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical
University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Elena S. Reckzeh
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical
University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Karsten Steffens
- Department
of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Christoph Grathwol
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Strasse 17, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jana Lemke
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Strasse 17, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Maren Flasshoff
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical
University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christian Näther
- Institute
of Inorganic Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University
of Kiel, Max-Eyth-Straße
2, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Anna C. Jonson
- Early Chemical
Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | - Andreas Link
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Strasse 17, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Oliver Koch
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical
University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry and German Center of Infection
Research, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Gianni M. Di Guglielmo
- Department
of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich
School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London N6A 5C1, ON, Canada
| | - Dennis Schade
- Department
of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Gutenbergstrasse 76, 24118 Kiel, Germany
- Partner
Site Kiel, DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, 24105 Kiel, Germany
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11
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Guo Y, Wang Z, Zhou H, Pan H, Han W, Deng Y, Li Q, Xue J, Ge X, Wang S, Wang J, Zhang Y, Zhao C, Zhu H, Wang Y, Shen H, Liu D, Li J. First-in-human study of GFH018, a small molecule inhibitor of transforming growth factor-β receptor I inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:444. [PMID: 38600507 PMCID: PMC11007962 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12216-7] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a cytokine with multiple functions, including cell growth regulation, extracellular matrix production, angiogenesis homeostasis adjustment and et al. TGF-β pathway activation promotes tumor metastasis/progression and mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transmission suppressing immunosurveillance in advanced tumors. GFH018, a small molecule inhibitor blocking TGF-β signal transduction, inhibits the progression and/or metastasis of advanced cancers. This first-in-human study evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and efficacy of GFH018 monotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. METHODS This phase I, open-label, multicenter study used a modified 3+3 dose escalation and expansion design. Adult patients with advanced solid tumors failing the standard of care were enrolled. Starting at 5 mg, eight dose levels up to 85 mg were evaluated. Patients received GFH018 BID (14d-on/14d-off) starting on the 4th day after a single dose on cycle 1, day 1. Subsequent cycles were defined as 28 days. The study also explored the safety of 85 mg BID 7d-on/7d-off. Adverse events were graded using NCI criteria for adverse events (NCI-CTCAE v5.0). PK was analyzed using a noncompartmental method. Efficacy was evaluated using RECIST 1.1. Blood samples were collected for biomarker analysis. RESULTS Fifty patients were enrolled and received at least one dose of GFH018. No dose-limiting toxicity occurred, and the maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Forty-three patients (86.0%) had at least one treatment-related adverse event (TRAE), and three patients (6.0%) had ≥ G3 TRAEs. The most common TRAEs (any grade/grade ≥3) were AST increased (18%/0%), proteinuria (14%/2%), anemia (14%/2%), and ALT increased (12%/0%). No significant cardiotoxicity or bleeding was observed. GFH018 PK was linear and dose-independent, with a mean half-life of 2.25-8.60 h from 5 - 85 mg. Nine patients (18.0%) achieved stable disease, and one patient with thymic carcinoma achieved tumor shrinkage, with the maximum target lesion decreased by 18.4%. Serum TGF-β1 levels were not associated with clinical responses. The comprehensive recommended dose for Phase II was defined as 85 mg BID 14d-on/14d-off. CONCLUSIONS GFH018 monotherapy presented a favorable safety profile without cardiac toxicity or bleeding. Modest efficacy warrants further studies, including combination strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrial. gov ( https://www. CLINICALTRIALS gov/ ), NCT05051241. Registered on 2021-09-02.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zishu Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Huan Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Hongming Pan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weidong Han
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanhong Deng
- Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, China
| | - Qun Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junli Xue
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Ge
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Clinical Department, GenFleet Therapeutics Inc, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Translational Science, GenFleet Therapeutics Inc, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Clinical Department, GenFleet Therapeutics Inc, Shanghai, China
| | - Congqiao Zhao
- Clinical Department, GenFleet Therapeutics Inc, Shanghai, China
| | - Huaqiang Zhu
- Clinical Department, GenFleet Therapeutics Inc, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Clinical Department, GenFleet Therapeutics Inc, Shanghai, China
| | - Haige Shen
- Clinical Department, GenFleet Therapeutics Inc, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Translational Science, GenFleet Therapeutics Inc, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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12
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Mustafa M, Abbas K, Alam M, Ahmad W, Moinuddin, Usmani N, Siddiqui SA, Habib S. Molecular pathways and therapeutic targets linked to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Mol Cell Biochem 2024; 479:895-913. [PMID: 37247161 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04772-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cellular growth, abnormal morphology, and altered proliferation. Cancerous cells lose their ability to act as anchors, allowing them to spread throughout the body and infiltrate nearby cells, tissues, and organs. If these cells are not identified and treated promptly, they will likely spread. Around 70% of female breast cancers are caused by a mutation in the BRCA gene, specifically BRCA1. The absence of progesterone, oestrogen and HER2 receptors (human epidermal growth factor) distinguishes the TNBC subtype of breast cancer. There were approximately 6,85,000 deaths worldwide and 2.3 million new breast cancer cases in women in 2020. Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally, affecting 7.8 million people at the end of 2020. Compared to other cancer types, breast cancer causes more women to lose disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Worldwide, women can develop breast cancer at any age after puberty, but rates increase with age. The maintenance of mammary stem cell stemness is disrupted in TNBC, governed by signalling cascades controlling healthy mammary gland growth and development. Interpreting these essential cascades may facilitate an in-depth understanding of TNBC cancer and the search for an appropriate therapeutic target. Its treatment remains challenging because it lacks specific receptors, which renders hormone therapy and medications ineffective. In addition to radiotherapy, numerous recognized chemotherapeutic medicines are available as inhibitors of signalling pathways, while others are currently undergoing clinical trials. This article summarizes the vital druggable targets, therapeutic approaches, and strategies associated with TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Mustafa
- Department of Biochemistry, J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Kashif Abbas
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Mudassir Alam
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Waleem Ahmad
- Department of Medicine, J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Moinuddin
- Department of Biochemistry, J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Nazura Usmani
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Shahid Ali Siddiqui
- Department of Radiotherapy, J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Safia Habib
- Department of Biochemistry, J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India.
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13
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González-Álvarez H, Ensan D, Xin T, Wong JF, Zepeda-Velázquez CA, Cros J, Sweeney MN, Hoffer L, Kiyota T, Wilson BJ, Aman A, Roberts O, Isaac MB, Bullock AN, Smil D, Al-awar R. Discovery of Conformationally Constrained ALK2 Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2024; 67:4707-4725. [PMID: 38498998 PMCID: PMC10983009 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02308] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Despite decades of research on new diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) treatments, little or no progress has been made on improving patient outcomes. In this work, we explored novel scaffold modifications of M4K2009, a 3,5-diphenylpyridine ALK2 inhibitor previously reported by our group. Here we disclose the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a first-in-class set of 5- to 7-membered ether-linked and 7-membered amine-linked constrained inhibitors of ALK2. This rigidification strategy led us to the discovery of the ether-linked inhibitors M4K2308 and M4K2281 and the amine-linked inhibitors M4K2304 and M4K2306, each with superior potency against ALK2. Notably, M4K2304 and M4K2306 exhibit exceptional selectivity for ALK2 over ALK5, surpassing the reference compound. Preliminary studies on their in vivo pharmacokinetics, including blood-brain barrier penetration, revealed that these constrained scaffolds have favorable exposure and do open a novel chemical space for further optimization and future evaluation in orthotopic models of DIPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor González-Álvarez
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4207, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Deeba Ensan
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4207, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Tao Xin
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Jong Fu Wong
- Structural
Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Carlos A. Zepeda-Velázquez
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Julien Cros
- Centre
for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K.
| | - Melissa N. Sweeney
- Centre
for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K.
| | - Laurent Hoffer
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Taira Kiyota
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Brian J. Wilson
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Ahmed Aman
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
- Leslie
Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Owen Roberts
- M4K Pharma, 101 College Street, MaRS Centre,
South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Methvin B. Isaac
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Alex N. Bullock
- Centre
for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7FZ, U.K.
| | - David Smil
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Rima Al-awar
- Drug
Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for
Cancer Research, 661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre, West Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A3, Canada
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4207, 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
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14
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Tindall RR, Bailey-Lundberg JM, Cao Y, Ko TC. The TGF-β superfamily as potential therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1362247. [PMID: 38500662 PMCID: PMC10944957 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1362247] [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: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily has important physiologic roles and is dysregulated in many pathologic processes, including pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancer diagnoses, and current therapies are largely ineffective due to tumor resistance and late-stage diagnosis with poor prognosis. Recent efforts are focused on the potential of immunotherapies in improving therapeutic results for patients with pancreatic cancer, among which TGF-β has been identified as a promising target. This review focuses on the role of TGF-β in the diseased pancreas and pancreatic cancer. It also aims to summarize the current status of therapies targeting the TGF-β superfamily and postulate potential future directions in targeting the TGF-β signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R. Tindall
- McGovern Medical School, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jennifer M. Bailey-Lundberg
- McGovern Medical School, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yanna Cao
- McGovern Medical School, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tien C. Ko
- McGovern Medical School, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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15
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Hong YK, Lin YC, Cheng TL, Lai CH, Chang YH, Huang YL, Hung CY, Wu CH, Hung KS, Ku YC, Ho YT, Tang MJ, Lin SW, Shi GY, McGrath JA, Wu HL, Hsu CK. TEM1/endosialin/CD248 promotes pathologic scarring and TGF-β activity through its receptor stability in dermal fibroblasts. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:12. [PMID: 38254097 PMCID: PMC10804696 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-01001-0] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathologic scars, including keloids and hypertrophic scars, represent a common form of exaggerated cutaneous scarring that is difficult to prevent or treat effectively. Additionally, the pathobiology of pathologic scars remains poorly understood. We aim at investigating the impact of TEM1 (also known as endosialin or CD248), which is a glycosylated type I transmembrane protein, on development of pathologic scars. METHODS To investigate the expression of TEM1, we utilized immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting, and single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) techniques. We conducted in vitro cell culture experiments and an in vivo stretch-induced scar mouse model to study the involvement of TEM1 in TGF-β-mediated responses in pathologic scars. RESULTS The levels of the protein TEM1 are elevated in both hypertrophic scars and keloids in comparison to normal skin. A re-analysis of scRNA-seq datasets reveals that a major profibrotic subpopulation of keloid and hypertrophic scar fibroblasts greatly expresses TEM1, with expression increasing during fibroblast activation. TEM1 promotes activation, proliferation, and ECM production in human dermal fibroblasts by enhancing TGF-β1 signaling through binding with and stabilizing TGF-β receptors. Global deletion of Tem1 markedly reduces the amount of ECM synthesis and inflammation in a scar in a mouse model of stretch-induced pathologic scarring. The intralesional administration of ontuxizumab, a humanized IgG monoclonal antibody targeting TEM1, significantly decreased both the size and collagen density of keloids. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that TEM1 plays a role in pathologic scarring, with its synergistic effect on the TGF-β signaling contributing to dermal fibroblast activation. Targeting TEM1 may represent a novel therapeutic approach in reducing the morbidity of pathologic scars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Kai Hong
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration (iWRR), National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Lin
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration (iWRR), National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Lin Cheng
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Orthopaedic Research Center, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- College of Professional Studies, National Pingtung University of Science Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Han Lai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Han Chang
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lun Huang
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yi Hung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Han Wu
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration (iWRR), National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Shu Hung
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Chu Ku
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ting Ho
- Department of Stem Cell Therapy Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ming-Jer Tang
- International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration (iWRR), National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Wha Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Guey-Yueh Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - John A McGrath
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Hua-Lin Wu
- International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration (iWRR), National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Chao-Kai Hsu
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration (iWRR), National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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16
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Zhou K, Liu Y, Yuan S, Zhou Z, Ji P, Huang Q, Wen F, Li Q. Signalling in pancreatic cancer: from pathways to therapy. J Drug Target 2023; 31:1013-1026. [PMID: 37869884 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2023.2274806] [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: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common malignant tumour in the digestive system. Due to the lack of sensitive diagnostic markers, strong metastasis ability, and resistance to anti-cancer drugs, the prognosis of PC is inferior. In the past decades, increasing evidence has indicated that the development of PC is closely related to various signalling pathways. With the exploration of RAS-driven, epidermal growth factor receptor, Hedgehog, NF-κB, TGF-β, and NOTCH signalling pathways, breakthroughs have been made to explore the mechanism of pancreatic carcinogenesis, as well as the novel therapies. In this review, we discussed the signalling pathways involved in PC and summarised current targeted agents in the treatment of PC. Furthermore, opportunities and challenges in the exploration of potential therapies targeting signalling pathways were also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexun Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingping Liu
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | | | - Ziyu Zhou
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Ji
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qianhan Huang
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Feng Wen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiu Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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17
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Beran GJO. Frontiers of molecular crystal structure prediction for pharmaceuticals and functional organic materials. Chem Sci 2023; 14:13290-13312. [PMID: 38033897 PMCID: PMC10685338 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc03903j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The reliability of organic molecular crystal structure prediction has improved tremendously in recent years. Crystal structure predictions for small, mostly rigid molecules are quickly becoming routine. Structure predictions for larger, highly flexible molecules are more challenging, but their crystal structures can also now be predicted with increasing rates of success. These advances are ushering in a new era where crystal structure prediction drives the experimental discovery of new solid forms. After briefly discussing the computational methods that enable successful crystal structure prediction, this perspective presents case studies from the literature that demonstrate how state-of-the-art crystal structure prediction can transform how scientists approach problems involving the organic solid state. Applications to pharmaceuticals, porous organic materials, photomechanical crystals, organic semi-conductors, and nuclear magnetic resonance crystallography are included. Finally, efforts to improve our understanding of which predicted crystal structures can actually be produced experimentally and other outstanding challenges are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J O Beran
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Riverside Riverside CA 92521 USA
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18
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Cirella A, Bolaños E, Luri-Rey C, Di Trani CA, Olivera I, Gomis G, Glez-Vaz J, Pinci B, Garasa S, Sánchez-Gregorio S, Azpilikueta A, Eguren-Santamaria I, Valencia K, Palencia B, Alvarez M, Ochoa MC, Teijeira Á, Berraondo P, Melero I. Intratumoral immunotherapy with mRNAs encoding chimeric protein constructs encompassing IL-12, CD137 agonists, and TGF-β antagonists. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:668-682. [PMID: 37650116 PMCID: PMC10462790 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Intratumoral immunotherapy strategies for cancer based on interleukin-12 (IL-12)-encoding cDNA and mRNA are under clinical development in combination with anti-PD-(L)1 monoclonal antibodies. To make the most of these approaches, we have constructed chimeric mRNAs encoding single-chain IL-12 fused to single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies that bind to transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and CD137 (4-1BB). Several neutralizing TGF-β agents and CD137 agonists are also undergoing early-phase clinical trials. To attain TGF-β and CD137 binding by the constructions, we used bispecific tandem scFv antibodies (taFvs) derived from the specific 1D11 and 1D8 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), respectively. Transfection of mRNAs encoding the chimeric constructs achieved functional expression of the proteins able to act on their targets. Upon mRNA intratumoral injections in the transplantable mouse cancer models CT26, MC38, and B16OVA, potent therapeutic effects were observed following repeated injections into the tumors. Efficacy was dependent on the number of CD8+ T cells able to recognize tumor antigens that infiltrated the malignant tissue. Although the abscopal effects on concomitant uninjected lesions were modest, such distant effects on untreated lesions were markedly increased when combined with systemic PD-1 blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assunta Cirella
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elixabet Bolaños
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Luri-Rey
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Claudia Augusta Di Trani
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Irene Olivera
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Gomis
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Glez-Vaz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Beatrice Pinci
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Saray Garasa
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sandra Sánchez-Gregorio
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Arantza Azpilikueta
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iñaki Eguren-Santamaria
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karmele Valencia
- Program of Solid Tumors, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Palencia
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite Alvarez
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria C. Ochoa
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Teijeira
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 28027 Madrid, Spain
- Centro Del Cancer de La Universidad de Navarra (CCUN), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM), University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
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19
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Luo L, Zhang B, Tao F, Chen Z, Ye Q, Zhao X, Wu J. Perfluorotributylamine-Loaded Albumin Nanoparticles Downregulate Platelet-Derived TGFβ to Inhibit Tumor Metastasis. ACS NANO 2023; 17:15388-15400. [PMID: 37526429 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c00295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Tumor metastasis contributes to the low overall survival of tumor patients, while transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) has been recognized as a prominently promoting factor in the development of tumor metastasis. Platelets reserve abundant TGFβ, which will be secreted to peripheral blood after activation, and they are the dominant source of circulating TGFβ. Therefore, downregulation of platelet-derived TGFβ is expected to inhibit the metastasis of circulating tumor cells. Here, unfolded human serum albumin (HSA)-coated perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA) nanoparticles were constructed to display a favorable platelet delivery and an antiplatelet effect to downregulate platelet-derived TGFβ in vitro and in blood plasma. PFTBA@HSA-mediated TGFβ downregulation impaired epithelial-mesenchymal transition of tumor cells as well as their migration and invasion behaviors and enhanced immune surveillance of NK cells. Intravenous injection of PFTBA@HSA effectively reduced tumor metastasis on the lungs or liver to improve the survival rate of mice on multiple metastatic models, including CT26 colon cancer, B16F10 melanoma, and 4T1 breast cancer. Compared with the clinical antiplatelet drug ticagrelor, PFTBA@HSA reduced bleeding risk when displaying a favorable downregulation on platelet-derived TGFβ, thereby obtaining a higher therapy benefit. Together, this study confirmed that downregulation of platelet-derived TGFβ by PFTBA@HSA will be a potential approach and therapeutic candidate for the prevention of tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifeng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Department of Urology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Baoli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Feng Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Qingsong Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Xiaozhi Zhao
- Department of Urology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jinhui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
- Wuxi Xishan NJU Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Wuxi 214101, China
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20
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Silva-García CG. Devo-Aging: Intersections Between Development and Aging. GeroScience 2023; 45:2145-2159. [PMID: 37160658 PMCID: PMC10651630 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00809-2] [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: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
There are two fundamental questions in developmental biology. How does a single fertilized cell give rise to a whole body? and how does this body later produce progeny? Synchronization of these embryonic and postembryonic developments ensures continuity of life from one generation to the next. An enormous amount of work has been done to unravel the molecular mechanisms behind these processes, but more recently, modern developmental biology has been expanded to study development in wider contexts, including regeneration, environment, disease, and even aging. However, we have just started to understand how the mechanisms that govern development also regulate aging. This review discusses examples of signaling pathways involved in development to elucidate how their regulation influences healthspan and lifespan. Therefore, a better knowledge of developmental signaling pathways stresses the possibility of using them as innovative biomarkers and targets for aging and age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Giovanni Silva-García
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
- Center on the Biology of Aging, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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21
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Nadal E, Saleh M, Aix SP, Ochoa-de-Olza M, Patel SP, Antonia S, Zhao Y, Gueorguieva I, Man M, Estrem ST, Liu J, Avsar E, Lin WH, Benhadji KA, Gandhi L, Guba SC, Diaz IA. A phase Ib/II study of galunisertib in combination with nivolumab in solid tumors and non-small cell lung cancer. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:708. [PMID: 37507657 PMCID: PMC10386782 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11153-1] [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: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this phase Ib/II open-label study, tumor immune suppression was targeted in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors and patients with recurrent/refractory non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using galunisertib with nivolumab. METHODS Eligible patients were ≥ 18 years old, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 1, and were treatment-naive for anti-programmed cell death-1, its ligand, or transforming growth factor β receptor 1 kinase inhibitors. Phase Ib was an open-label, dose-escalation assessment of the safety and tolerability of galunisertib with nivolumab in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors. Phase II evaluated the safety of galunisertib with nivolumab in NSCLC patients who had received prior platinum-based treatment but were immuno-oncology agent-naive. RESULTS This trial was conducted between October 2015 and August 2020. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed in phase I. In the phase II NSCLC cohort (n = 25), patients received 150 mg twice daily galunisertib (14 days on/14 days off dosing schedule for all phases) plus nivolumab at 3 mg/kg (intravenously every 2 weeks). In this phase, the most frequent treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were pruritus (n = 9, 36%), fatigue (n = 8, 32%), and decreased appetite (n = 7, 28%). No grade 4 or 5 treatment-related AEs were observed. Six (24%) patients had confirmed partial response (PR) and 4 (16%) had stable disease; 1 additional patient had confirmed PR after initial pseudo-progression. The median duration of response was 7.43 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.75, NR). Among the 7 responders, including the delayed responder, 1 had high PD-L1 expression (≥ 50%). The median progression-free survival was 5.26 months (95% CI: 1.77, 9.20) and the median overall survival was 11.99 months (95% CI: 8.15, NR). Interferon gamma response genes were induced post-treatment and cell adhesion genes were repressed, although the association of these observations with tumor response and clinical outcomes was not statistically powered due to limited samples available. CONCLUSIONS The study met its primary endpoint as galunisertib combined with nivolumab was well tolerated. Preliminary efficacy was observed in a subset of patients in the Phase 2 NSCLC cohort. TRIAL REGISTRATION Trial registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02423343; 22.04.2015).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Nadal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | - Scott Antonia
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Yumin Zhao
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Michael Man
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | | | - Emin Avsar
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Wen Hong Lin
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Immune-Onc Therapeutics, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | - Leena Gandhi
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Inmaculada Ales Diaz
- UGCI Oncología Médica, Hospitales Universitarios Regional Y Virgen de La Victoria, IBIMA, Málaga, Spain
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22
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Shen K, Ke S, Chen B, Zhang T, Wang H, Lv J, Gao W. Identification and validation of biomarkers for epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related cells to estimate the prognosis and immune microenvironment in primary gastric cancer by the integrated analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2023; 20:13798-13823. [PMID: 37679111 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2023614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with gastric cancer (GC) progression and immune microenvironment. To better understand the heterogeneity underlying EMT, we integrated single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data and bulk sequencing data from GC patients to evaluate the prognostic utility of biomarkers for EMT-related cells (ERCs), namely, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and epithelial cells (ECs). METHODS scRNA-seq data from primary GC tumor samples were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify ERC marker genes. Bulk GC datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GEO were used as training and validation sets, respectively. Differentially expressed markers were identified from the TCGA database. Univariate Cox, least-absolute shrinkage, and selection operator regression analyses were performed to identify EMT-related cell-prognostic genes (ERCPGs). Kaplan-Meier, Cox regression, and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were adopted to evaluate the prognostic utility of the ERCPG signature. An ERCPG-based nomogram was constructed by integrating independent prognostic factors. Finally, we evaluated the correlations between the ERCPG signature and immune-cell infiltration and verified the expression of ERCPG prognostic signature genes by in vitro cellular assays. RESULTS The ERCPG signature was comprised of seven genes (COL4A1, F2R, MMP11, CAV1, VCAN, FKBP10, and APOD). Patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups based on the ERCPG risk scores. Patients in the high-risk group showed a poor prognosis. ROC and calibration curves suggested that the ERCPG signature and nomogram had a good prognostic utility. An immune cell-infiltration analysis suggested that the abnormal expression of ERCPGs induced the formation of an unfavorable tumor immune microenvironment. In vitro cellular assays showed that ERCPGs were more abundantly expressed in GC cell lines compared to normal gastric tissue cell lines. CONCLUSIONS We constructed and validated an ERCPG signature using scRNA-seq and bulk sequencing data from ERCs of GC patients. Our findings support the estimation of patient prognosis and tumor treatment in future clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyu Shen
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Shuaiyi Ke
- Department of Internal Medicine, XianJu People's Hospital, XianJu 317399, China
| | - Binyu Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Tiantian Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Hongtai Wang
- Department of General Surgery, XianJu People' Hospital, XianJu 317399, China
| | - Jianhui Lv
- Department of General Surgery, XianJu People' Hospital, XianJu 317399, China
| | - Wencang Gao
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310005, China
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23
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Barcellos-Hoff MH, Gulley JL. Molecular Pathways and Mechanisms of TGFβ in Cancer Therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:2025-2033. [PMID: 36598437 PMCID: PMC10238558 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-3750] [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: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Even though the number of agents that inhibit TGFβ being tested in patients with cancer has grown substantially, clinical benefit from TGFβ inhibition has not yet been achieved. The myriad mechanisms in which TGFβ is protumorigenic may be a key obstacle to its effective deployment; cancer cells frequently employ TGFβ-regulated programs that engender plasticity, enable a permissive tumor microenvironment, and profoundly suppress immune recognition, which is the target of most current early-phase trials of TGFβ inhibitors. Here we discuss the implications of a less well-recognized aspect of TGFβ biology regulating DNA repair that mediates responses to radiation and chemotherapy. In cancers that are TGFβ signaling competent, TGFβ promotes effective DNA repair and suppresses error-prone repair, thus conferring resistance to genotoxic therapies and limiting tumor control. Cancers in which TGFβ signaling is intrinsically compromised are more responsive to standard genotoxic therapy. Recognition that TGFβ is a key moderator of both DNA repair and immunosuppression might be used to synergize combinations of genotoxic therapy and immunotherapy to benefit patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Helen Barcellos-Hoff
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - James L. Gulley
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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24
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Chen PY, Qin L, Simons M. TGFβ signaling pathways in human health and disease. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1113061. [PMID: 37325472 PMCID: PMC10267471 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1113061] [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: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) is named for the function it was originally discovered to perform-transformation of normal cells into aggressively growing malignant cells. It became apparent after more than 30 years of research, however, that TGFβ is a multifaceted molecule with a myriad of different activities. TGFβs are widely expressed with almost every cell in the human body producing one or another TGFβ family member and expressing its receptors. Importantly, specific effects of this growth factor family differ in different cell types and under different physiologic and pathologic conditions. One of the more important and critical TGFβ activities is the regulation of cell fate, especially in the vasculature, that will be the focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yu Chen
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Lingfeng Qin
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Michael Simons
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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25
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Zhang C, Fei Y, Wang H, Hu S, Liu C, Hu R, Du Q. CAFs orchestrates tumor immune microenvironment—A new target in cancer therapy? Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1113378. [PMID: 37007004 PMCID: PMC10064291 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1113378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has opened a new landscape in cancer treatment, however, the poor specificity and resistance of most targeted therapeutics have limited their therapeutic efficacy. In recent years, the role of CAFs in immune regulation has been increasingly noted as more evidence has been uncovered regarding the link between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and the evolutionary process of tumor progression. CAFs interact with immune cells to shape the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) that favors malignant tumor progression, a crosstalk process that leads to the failure of cancer immunotherapies. In this review, we outline recent advances in the immunosuppressive function of CAFs, highlight the mechanisms of CAFs-immune cell interactions, and discuss current CAF-targeted therapeutic strategies for future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxiang Fei
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sheng Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Qianming Du, ; Rong Hu, ; Chao Liu,
| | - Rong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Physiology, China Pharmaceutical University, Jiangsu Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Qianming Du, ; Rong Hu, ; Chao Liu,
| | - Qianming Du
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Qianming Du, ; Rong Hu, ; Chao Liu,
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26
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Tzavlaki K, Ohata Y, Morén A, Watanabe Y, Eriksson J, Tsuchiya M, Kubo Y, Yamamoto K, Sellin ME, Kato M, Caja L, Heldin CH, Moustakas A. The liver kinase B1 supports mammary epithelial morphogenesis by inhibiting critical factors that mediate epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:790-812. [PMID: 36791282 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30975] [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: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The liver kinase B1 (LKB1) controls cellular metabolism and cell polarity across species. We previously established a mechanism for negative regulation of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling by LKB1. The impact of this mechanism in the context of epithelial polarity and morphogenesis remains unknown. After demonstrating that human mammary tissue expresses robust LKB1 protein levels, whereas invasive breast cancer exhibits significantly reduced LKB1 levels, we focused on mammary morphogenesis studies in three dimensional (3D) acinar organoids. CRISPR/Cas9-introduced loss-of-function mutations of STK11 (LKB1) led to profound defects in the formation of 3D organoids, resulting in amorphous outgrowth and loss of rotation of young organoids embedded in matrigel. This defect was associated with an enhanced signaling by TGFβ, including TGFβ auto-induction and induction of transcription factors that mediate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Protein marker analysis confirmed a more efficient EMT response to TGFβ signaling in LKB1 knockout cells. Accordingly, chemical inhibition of the TGFβ type I receptor kinase largely restored the morphogenetic defect of LKB1 knockout cells. Similarly, chemical inhibition of the bone morphogenetic protein pathway or the TANK-binding kinase 1, or genetic silencing of the EMT factor SNAI1, partially restored the LKB1 knockout defect. Thus, LKB1 sustains mammary epithelial morphogenesis by limiting pathways that promote EMT. The observed downregulation of LKB1 expression in breast cancer is therefore predicted to associate with enhanced EMT induced by SNAI1 and TGFβ family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Tzavlaki
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yae Ohata
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anita Morén
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yukihide Watanabe
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Jens Eriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maiko Tsuchiya
- Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pathology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Kubo
- Department of Comprehensive Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouhei Yamamoto
- Department of Comprehensive Pathology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mikael E Sellin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mitsuyasu Kato
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Laia Caja
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carl-Henrik Heldin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aristidis Moustakas
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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27
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Chen C, Wang Z, Ding Y, Qin Y. Tumor microenvironment-mediated immune evasion in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1133308. [PMID: 36845131 PMCID: PMC9950271 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1133308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is the third leading cause of tumor-related mortality worldwide. In recent years, the emergency of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) has revolutionized the management of HCC. Especially, the combination of atezolizumab (anti-PD1) and bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) has been approved by the FDA as the first-line treatment for advanced HCC. Despite great breakthrough in systemic therapy, HCC continues to portend a poor prognosis owing to drug resistance and frequent recurrence. The tumor microenvironment (TME) of HCC is a complex and structured mixture characterized by abnormal angiogenesis, chronic inflammation, and dysregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, collectively contributing to the immunosuppressive milieu that in turn prompts HCC proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment coexists and interacts with various immune cells to maintain the development of HCC. It is widely accepted that a dysfunctional tumor-immune ecosystem can lead to the failure of immune surveillance. The immunosuppressive TME is an external cause for immune evasion in HCC consisting of 1) immunosuppressive cells; 2) co-inhibitory signals; 3) soluble cytokines and signaling cascades; 4) metabolically hostile tumor microenvironment; 5) the gut microbiota that affects the immune microenvironment. Importantly, the effectiveness of immunotherapy largely depends on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Also, the gut microbiota and metabolism profoundly affect the immune microenvironment. Understanding how TME affects HCC development and progression will contribute to better preventing HCC-specific immune evasion and overcoming resistance to already developed therapies. In this review, we mainly introduce immune evasion of HCC underlying the role of immune microenvironment, describe the dynamic interaction of immune microenvironment with dysfunctional metabolism and the gut microbiome, and propose therapeutic strategies to manipulate the TME in favor of more effective immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yanru Qin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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28
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Chan MKK, Chan ELY, Ji ZZ, Chan ASW, Li C, Leung KT, To KF, Tang PMK. Transforming growth factor-β signaling: from tumor microenvironment to anticancer therapy. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:316-343. [PMID: 37205317 PMCID: PMC10185444 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is an important pathway for promoting the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, including cancer. The roles of TGF-β signaling are heterogeneous and versatile in cancer development and progression, both anticancer and protumoral actions are reported. Interestingly, increasing evidence suggests that TGF-β enhances disease progression and drug resistance via immune-modulatory actions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors. A better understanding of its regulatory mechanisms in the TME at the molecular level can facilitate the development of precision medicine to block the protumoral actions of TGF-β in the TME. Here, the latest information about the regulatory mechanisms and translational research of TGF-β signaling in the TME for therapeutic development had been summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Kam-Kwan Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Emily Lok-Yiu Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Zoey Zeyuan Ji
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Alex Siu-Wing Chan
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Chunjie Li
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Kam-Tong Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Ka-Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Correspondence: Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang, Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
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Yi M, Li T, Niu M, Wu Y, Zhao Z, Wu K. TGF-β: A novel predictor and target for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1061394. [PMID: 36601124 PMCID: PMC9807229 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1061394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling regulates multiple physiological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, immune homeostasis, and wound healing. Besides, TGF-β plays a vital role in diseases, including cancer. Accumulating evidence indicates that TGF-β controls the composition and behavior of immune components in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Advanced cancers leverage TGF-β to reshape the TME and escape immune surveillance. TGF-β-mediated immune evasion is an unfavorable factor for cancer immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that hyperactive TGF-β signaling is closely associated with ICI resistance. It has been validated that TGF-β blockade synergizes with ICI and overcomes treatment resistance. TGF-β-targeted therapies, including trap and bispecific antibodies, have shown immense potential for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we summarized the predictive value of TGF-β signaling and the prospects of TGF-β-targeted therapies for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tianye Li
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuze Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhao
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Kongming Wu, ; Zhenyu Zhao,
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Kongming Wu, ; Zhenyu Zhao,
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30
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Breast cancer prevention by short-term inhibition of TGFβ signaling. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7558. [PMID: 36476730 PMCID: PMC9729304 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35043-5] [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: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer prevention has a profound impact on cancer-associated mortality and morbidity. We previously identified TGFβ signaling as a candidate regulator of mammary epithelial cells associated with breast cancer risk. Here, we show that short-term TGFBR inhibitor (TGFBRi) treatment of peripubertal ACI inbred and Sprague Dawley outbred rats induces lasting changes and prevents estrogen- and carcinogen-induced mammary tumors, respectively. We identify TGFBRi-responsive cell populations by single cell RNA-sequencing, including a unique epithelial subpopulation designated secretory basal cells (SBCs) with progenitor features. We detect SBCs in normal human breast tissues and find them to be associated with breast cancer risk. Interactome analysis identifies SBCs as the most interactive cell population and the main source of insulin-IGF signaling. Accordingly, inhibition of TGFBR and IGF1R decrease proliferation of organoid cultures. Our results reveal a critical role for TGFβ in regulating mammary epithelial cells relevant to breast cancer and serve as a proof-of-principle cancer prevention strategy.
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31
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Pre-Existing and Acquired Resistance to PARP Inhibitor-Induced Synthetic Lethality. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235795. [PMID: 36497275 PMCID: PMC9741207 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The advanced development of synthetic lethality has opened the doors for specific anti-cancer medications of personalized medicine and efficient therapies against cancers. One of the most popular approaches being investigated is targeting DNA repair pathways as the implementation of the PARP inhibitor (PARPi) into individual or combinational therapeutic schemes. Such treatment has been effectively employed against homologous recombination-defective solid tumors as well as hematopoietic malignancies. However, the resistance to PARPi has been observed in both preclinical research and clinical treatment. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms responsible for the resistance to PARPi is pivotal for the further success of this intervention. Apart from mechanisms of acquired resistance, the bone marrow microenvironment provides a pre-existing mechanism to induce the inefficiency of PARPi in leukemic cells. Here, we describe the pre-existing and acquired mechanisms of the resistance to PARPi-induced synthetic lethality. We also discuss the potential rationales for developing effective therapies to prevent/repress the PARPi resistance in cancer cells.
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32
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Damaskos C, Garmpis N, Dimitroulis D, Garmpi A, Psilopatis I, Sarantis P, Koustas E, Kanavidis P, Prevezanos D, Kouraklis G, Karamouzis MV, Marinos G, Kontzoglou K, Antoniou EA. Targeted Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment: A New Era Ahead-A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214117. [PMID: 36430594 PMCID: PMC9698799 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common malignancies and the third cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with surgery being the best prognostic tool. Among the well-known causative factors of HCC are chronic liver virus infections, chronic virus hepatitis B (HBV) and chronic hepatitis virus C (HCV), aflatoxins, tobacco consumption, and non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD). There is a need for the development of efficient molecular markers and alternative therapeutic targets of great significance. In this review, we describe the general characteristics of HCC and present a variety of targeted therapies that resulted in progress in HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Damaskos
- Renal Transplantation Unit, Laiko General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Nikolaos Christeas Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-694-846-7790
| | - Nikolaos Garmpis
- Nikolaos Christeas Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Dimitroulis
- Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Garmpi
- First Department of Propedeutic Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Iason Psilopatis
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt—Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Panagiotis Sarantis
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Koustas
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Prodromos Kanavidis
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Gregory Kouraklis
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Michail V. Karamouzis
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Marinos
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kontzoglou
- Nikolaos Christeas Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Efstathios A. Antoniou
- Nikolaos Christeas Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Samer S, Thomas Y, Araínga M, Carter C, Shirreff LM, Arif MS, Avita JM, Frank I, McRaven MD, Thuruthiyil CT, Heybeli VB, Anderson MR, Owen B, Gaisin A, Bose D, Simons LM, Hultquist JF, Arthos J, Cicala C, Sereti I, Santangelo PJ, Lorenzo-Redondo R, Hope TJ, Villinger FJ, Martinelli E. Blockade of TGF-β signaling reactivates HIV-1/SIV reservoirs and immune responses in vivo. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e162290. [PMID: 36125890 PMCID: PMC9675457 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.162290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
TGF-β plays a critical role in maintaining immune cells in a resting state by inhibiting cell activation and proliferation. Resting HIV-1 target cells represent the main cellular reservoir after long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). We hypothesized that releasing cells from TGF-β-driven signaling would promote latency reversal. To test our hypothesis, we compared HIV-1 latency models with and without TGF-β and a TGF-β type 1 receptor inhibitor, galunisertib. We tested the effect of galunisertib in SIV-infected, ART-treated macaques by monitoring SIV-env expression via PET/CT using the 64Cu-DOTA-F(ab')2 p7D3 probe, along with plasma and tissue viral loads (VLs). Exogenous TGF-β reduced HIV-1 reactivation in U1 and ACH-2 models. Galunisertib increased HIV-1 latency reversal ex vivo and in PBMCs from HIV-1-infected, ART-treated, aviremic donors. In vivo, oral galunisertib promoted increased total standardized uptake values in PET/CT images in gut and lymph nodes of 5 out of 7 aviremic, long-term ART-treated, SIV-infected macaques. This increase correlated with an increase in SIV RNA in the gut. Two of the 7 animals also exhibited increases in plasma VLs. Higher anti-SIV T cell responses and antibody titers were detected after galunisertib treatment. In summary, our data suggest that blocking TGF-β signaling simultaneously increases retroviral reactivation events and enhances anti-SIV immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Samer
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yanique Thomas
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mariluz Araínga
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Crystal Carter
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Lisa M. Shirreff
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Muhammad S. Arif
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Juan M. Avita
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ines Frank
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael D. McRaven
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Christopher T. Thuruthiyil
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Veli B. Heybeli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Meegan R. Anderson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Benjamin Owen
- Integrated Molecular Structure Education and Research (IMSERC), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Arsen Gaisin
- Integrated Molecular Structure Education and Research (IMSERC), Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Deepanwita Bose
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Lacy M. Simons
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Judd F. Hultquist
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - James Arthos
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Claudia Cicala
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Irini Sereti
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Philip J. Santangelo
- WH Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ramon Lorenzo-Redondo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Havey Institute for Global Health Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas J. Hope
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Francois J. Villinger
- New Iberia Research Center (NIRC), University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
| | - Elena Martinelli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Wen Y, Zhu Y, Zhang C, Yang X, Gao Y, Li M, Yang H, Liu T, Tang H. Chronic inflammation, cancer development and immunotherapy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1040163. [PMID: 36313280 PMCID: PMC9614255 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1040163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role in cancer development. Cancer cells interact with adjacent cellular components (pro-inflammatory cells, intrinsic immune cells, stromal cells, etc.) and non-cellular components to form the inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME). Interleukin 6 (IL-6), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), immune checkpoint factors and other pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by intrinsic immune cells in TME are the main mediators of intercellular communication in TME, which link chronic inflammation to cancer by stimulating different oncogenic signaling pathways and improving immune escape to promote cancer development. In parallel, the ability of monocytes, T regulatory cells (Tregs) and B regulatory cells (Bregs) to perform homeostatic tolerogenic functions is hijacked by cancer cells, leading to local or systemic immunosuppression. Standard treatments for advanced malignancies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have improved in the last decades. However, clinical outcomes of certain malignant cancers are not satisfactory due to drug resistance and side effects. The clinical application of immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) has brought hope to cancer treatment, although therapeutic efficacy are still limited due to the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Emerging evidences reveal that ideal therapies including clearance of tumor cells, disruption of tumor-induced immunosuppression by targeting suppressive TME as well as reactivation of anti-tumor T cells by ICT. Here, we review the impacts of the major pro-inflammatory cells, mediators and their downstream signaling molecules in TME on cancer development. We also discuss the application of targeting important components in the TME in the clinical management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalei Wen
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Caishi Zhang
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuchen Gao
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei Li
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Yang
- Department of Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Hongyan Yang, ; Tongzheng Liu, ; Hui Tang,
| | - Tongzheng Liu
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Hongyan Yang, ; Tongzheng Liu, ; Hui Tang,
| | - Hui Tang
- Department of Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University (Heyuan Shenhe People’s Hospital), Heyuan, China,*Correspondence: Hongyan Yang, ; Tongzheng Liu, ; Hui Tang,
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35
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Trelford CB, Dagnino L, Di Guglielmo GM. Transforming growth factor-β in tumour development. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:991612. [PMID: 36267157 PMCID: PMC9577372 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.991612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a ubiquitous cytokine essential for embryonic development and postnatal tissue homeostasis. TGFβ signalling regulates several biological processes including cell growth, proliferation, apoptosis, immune function, and tissue repair following injury. Aberrant TGFβ signalling has been implicated in tumour progression and metastasis. Tumour cells, in conjunction with their microenvironment, may augment tumourigenesis using TGFβ to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, immune suppression, and autophagy. Therapies that target TGFβ synthesis, TGFβ-TGFβ receptor complexes or TGFβ receptor kinase activity have proven successful in tissue culture and in animal models, yet, due to limited understanding of TGFβ biology, the outcomes of clinical trials are poor. Here, we review TGFβ signalling pathways, the biology of TGFβ during tumourigenesis, and how protein quality control pathways contribute to the tumour-promoting outcomes of TGFβ signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles B. Trelford
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Lina Dagnino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Gianni M. Di Guglielmo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Gianni M. Di Guglielmo,
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36
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Wang B, Bai J, Tian B, Chen H, Yang Q, Chen Y, Xu J, Zhang Y, Dai H, Ma Q, Fei Z, Wang H, Xu F, Zhou X, Wang C. Genetically Engineered Hematopoietic Stem Cells Deliver TGF-β Inhibitor to Enhance Bone Metastases Immunotherapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2201451. [PMID: 35948516 PMCID: PMC9534984 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Owing to the immune microenvironment of bones and low selectivity of the drug, patients with bone metastases often respond poorly to immunotherapy. In this study, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1)-expressing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are genetically engineered for bone-targeted delivery of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) small-molecule inhibitor SB-505124 (SB@HSCs-PD-1). Intriguingly, compared to anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies, as "living drugs", HSCs-PD-1 not only show great targeting ability to the bone marrow, but are also able to reduplicate themselves within the bone marrow niche and continuously express PD-1 molecules. The SB released from HSCs-PD-1 competitively bound to TGF-β receptors on CD4+ T cells and facilitate CD4+ T cell differentiation to helper T (TH )1 and TH 2 cells, thereby reprogramming the local immunosuppressive milieu of the bone marrow. Additionally, HSCs-PD-1 can block programmed death-ligand 1 on tumor and myeloid cells, resulting in reinvigorated anti-tumor immunity of T cells. In conclusion, in the present study, an alternative cell engineering strategy is delineated for immune checkpoint blockade therapy, to target bone metastasis using HSCs as a platform, which shows great promise in the treatment of bone metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beilei Wang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Jinyu Bai
- Department of OrthopedicsThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsu215004China
| | - Bo Tian
- Department of OrthopedicsThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsu215004China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of OrthopedicsThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsu215004China
| | - Qianyu Yang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Yitong Chen
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Jialu Xu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Huaxing Dai
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Qingle Ma
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Ziying Fei
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Heng Wang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Fang Xu
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
| | - Xiaozhong Zhou
- Department of OrthopedicsThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsu215004China
| | - Chao Wang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon‐Based Functional Materials & DevicesSoochow University199 Ren'ai RoadSuzhouJiangsu215123China
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37
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Vugmeyster Y, Grisic AM, Wilkins JJ, Loos AH, Hallwachs R, Osada M, Venkatakrishnan K, Khandelwal A. Model-informed approach for risk management of bleeding toxicities for bintrafusp alfa, a bifunctional fusion protein targeting TGF-β and PD-L1. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2022; 90:369-379. [PMID: 36066618 PMCID: PMC9474582 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-022-04468-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Bintrafusp alfa (BA) is a bifunctional fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor II fused to a human immunoglobulin G1 antibody blocking programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). The recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) was selected based on phase 1 efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic (PK)-pharmacodynamic data, assuming continuous inhibition of PD-L1 and TGF-β is required. Here, we describe a model-informed dose modification approach for risk management of BA-associated bleeding adverse events (AEs). METHODS The PK and AE data from studies NCT02517398, NCT02699515, NCT03840915, and NCT04246489 (n = 936) were used. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate potential relationships between bleeding AEs and BA time-averaged concentration (Cavg), derived using a population PK model. The percentage of patients with trough concentrations associated with PD-L1 or TGF-β inhibition across various dosing regimens was derived. RESULTS The probability of bleeding AEs increased with increasing Cavg; 50% dose reduction was chosen based on the integration of modeling and clinical considerations. The resulting AE management guidance to investigators regarding temporary or permanent treatment discontinuation was further refined with recommendations on restarting at RP2D or at 50% dose, depending on the grade and type of bleeding (tumoral versus nontumoral) and investigator assessment of risk of additional bleeding. CONCLUSION A pragmatic model-informed approach for management of bleeding AEs was implemented in ongoing clinical trials of BA. This approach is expected to improve benefit-risk profile; however, its effectiveness will need to be evaluated based on safety data generated after implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Vugmeyster
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Inc., An Affiliate of Merck KGaA, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA.
| | - Ana-Marija Grisic
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Anja H Loos
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Roland Hallwachs
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Motonobu Osada
- Merck Biopharma Co., Ltd., An Affiliate of Merck KGaA, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Karthik Venkatakrishnan
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Inc., An Affiliate of Merck KGaA, 45 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA, 01821, USA
| | - Akash Khandelwal
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany.
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Limb-Bud and Heart (LBH) Upregulation in Cardiomyocytes under Hypoxia Promotes the Activation of Cardiac Fibroblasts via Exosome Secretion. Mediators Inflamm 2022; 2022:8939449. [PMID: 36110098 PMCID: PMC9470350 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8939449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) after myocardial infarction (MI) is essential for post-MI infarct healing, during which the regulation of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) signaling is predominant. We have demonstrated that TGF-β1-mediated upregulation of LBH contributes to post-MI CF activation via modulating αB-crystallin (CRYAB), after being upregulated by TGF-β1. In this study, the effect of LBH-CRYAB signaling on the cardiac microenvironment via exosome communication and the corresponding mechanisms were investigated. The upregulation of LBH and CRYAB was verified in both cardiomyocytes (CMs) and CFs in hypoxic, post-MI peri-infarct tissues. CM-derived exosomes were isolated and identified, and LBH distribution was elevated in exosomes derived from LBH-upregulated CMs under hypoxia. Treatment with LBH+ exosomes promoted cellular proliferation, differentiation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like processes in CFs. Additionally, in primary LBHKO CFs, western blotting showed that LBH knockout partially inhibited TGF-β1-induced CF activation, while LBH-CRYAB signaling affected TGF-β1 expression and secretion through a positive feedback loop. The administration of a Smad3 phosphorylation inhibitor to LBHKO CFs under TGF-β1 stimulation indicated that Smad3 phosphorylation partially accounted for TGF-β1-induced LBH upregulation. In conclusion, LBH upregulation in CMs in post-MI peri-infarct areas correlated with a hypoxic cardiac microenvironment and led to elevated exosomal LBH levels, promoting the activation of recipient CFs, which brings new insights into the studies and therapeutic strategies of post-MI cardiac repair.
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Escriche‐Navarro B, Escudero A, Lucena‐Sánchez E, Sancenón F, García‐Fernández A, Martínez‐Máñez R. Mesoporous Silica Materials as an Emerging Tool for Cancer Immunotherapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2200756. [PMID: 35866466 PMCID: PMC9475525 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202200756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has emerged in the past decade as a promising strategy for treating many forms of cancer by stimulating the patient's immune system. Although immunotherapy has achieved some promising results in clinics, more efforts are required to improve the limitations of current treatments related to lack of effective and targeted cancer antigens delivery to immune cells, dose-limiting toxicity, and immune-mediated adverse effects, among others. In recent years, the use of nanomaterials has proven promising to enhance cancer immunotherapy efficacy and reduce side effects. Among nanomaterials, attention has been recently paid to mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as a potential multiplatform for enhancing cancer immunotherapy by considering their unique properties, such as high porosity, and good biocompatibility, facile surface modification, and self-adjuvanticity. This review explores the role of MSN and other nano/micro-materials as an emerging tool to enhance cancer immunotherapy, and it comprehensively summarizes the different immunotherapeutic strategies addressed to date by using MSN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Escriche‐Navarro
- Interuniversity Research Institute for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development (IDM) Polytechnic University of Valencia‐University of ValenciaCamino de Vera s/nValencia46022Spain
- Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaJoint Unit UPV‐CIPF of Developmental Biology and Disease Models and Nanomedicine, Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV)‐Príncipe Felipe Research Center Foundation (CIPF)C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3.Valencia46012Spain
- Joint Unit of Nanomedicine and Sensors, Polytechnic University of Valencia, IIS La FeAv. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106Valencia46026Spain
| | - Andrea Escudero
- Interuniversity Research Institute for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development (IDM) Polytechnic University of Valencia‐University of ValenciaCamino de Vera s/nValencia46022Spain
- Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaJoint Unit UPV‐CIPF of Developmental Biology and Disease Models and Nanomedicine, Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV)‐Príncipe Felipe Research Center Foundation (CIPF)C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3.Valencia46012Spain
| | - Elena Lucena‐Sánchez
- Interuniversity Research Institute for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development (IDM) Polytechnic University of Valencia‐University of ValenciaCamino de Vera s/nValencia46022Spain
- Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaJoint Unit UPV‐CIPF of Developmental Biology and Disease Models and Nanomedicine, Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV)‐Príncipe Felipe Research Center Foundation (CIPF)C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3.Valencia46012Spain
| | - Félix Sancenón
- Interuniversity Research Institute for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development (IDM) Polytechnic University of Valencia‐University of ValenciaCamino de Vera s/nValencia46022Spain
- Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaJoint Unit UPV‐CIPF of Developmental Biology and Disease Models and Nanomedicine, Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV)‐Príncipe Felipe Research Center Foundation (CIPF)C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3.Valencia46012Spain
- Joint Unit of Nanomedicine and Sensors, Polytechnic University of Valencia, IIS La FeAv. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106Valencia46026Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER‐BBN)Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3–5. Pabellón 11., Planta 0Madrid28029Spain
| | - Alba García‐Fernández
- Interuniversity Research Institute for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development (IDM) Polytechnic University of Valencia‐University of ValenciaCamino de Vera s/nValencia46022Spain
- Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaJoint Unit UPV‐CIPF of Developmental Biology and Disease Models and Nanomedicine, Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV)‐Príncipe Felipe Research Center Foundation (CIPF)C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3.Valencia46012Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER‐BBN)Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3–5. Pabellón 11., Planta 0Madrid28029Spain
| | - Ramón Martínez‐Máñez
- Interuniversity Research Institute for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development (IDM) Polytechnic University of Valencia‐University of ValenciaCamino de Vera s/nValencia46022Spain
- Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaJoint Unit UPV‐CIPF of Developmental Biology and Disease Models and Nanomedicine, Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV)‐Príncipe Felipe Research Center Foundation (CIPF)C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3.Valencia46012Spain
- Joint Unit of Nanomedicine and Sensors, Polytechnic University of Valencia, IIS La FeAv. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106Valencia46026Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER‐BBN)Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3–5. Pabellón 11., Planta 0Madrid28029Spain
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Su X, Wu W, Zhu Z, Lin X, Zeng Y. The effects of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions in COPD induced by cigarette smoke: an update. Respir Res 2022; 23:225. [PMID: 36045410 PMCID: PMC9429334 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-022-02153-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cigarette smoke is a complex aerosol containing a large number of compounds with a variety of toxicity and carcinogenicity. Long-term exposure to cigarette smoke significantly increases the risk of a variety of diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a unique biological process, that refers to epithelial cells losing their polarity and transforming into mobile mesenchymal cells, playing a crucial role in organ development, fibrosis, and cancer progression. Numerous recent studies have shown that EMT is an important pathophysiological process involved in airway fibrosis, airway remodeling, and malignant transformation of COPD. In this review, we summarized the effects of cigarette smoke on the development and progression of COPD and focus on the specific changes and underlying mechanisms of EMT in COPD induced by cigarette smoke. We spotlighted the signaling pathways involved in EMT induced by cigarette smoke and summarize the current research and treatment approaches for EMT in COPD, aiming to provide ideas for potential new treatment and research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshan Su
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Respirology Medicine Centre of Fujian Province, Quanzhou, China
| | - Weijing Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Respirology Medicine Centre of Fujian Province, Quanzhou, China
| | - Zhixing Zhu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Respirology Medicine Centre of Fujian Province, Quanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Lin
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Respirology Medicine Centre of Fujian Province, Quanzhou, China
| | - Yiming Zeng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Respirology Medicine Centre of Fujian Province, Quanzhou, China.
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41
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Small Molecule Inhibitors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Advances and Challenges. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175537. [PMID: 36080304 PMCID: PMC9457820 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175537] [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: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
According to data provided by World Health Organization, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cause of deaths due to cancer worldwide. Tremendous progress has been achieved over the last 10 years developing novel agents for HCC treatment, including small-molecule kinase inhibitors. Several small molecule inhibitors currently form the core of HCC treatment due to their versatility since they would be more easily absorbed and have higher oral bioavailability, thus easier to formulate and administer to patients. In addition, they can be altered structurally to have greater volumes of distribution, allowing them to block extravascular molecular targets and to accumulate in a high concentration in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, they can be designed to have shortened half-lives to control for immune-related adverse events. Most importantly, they would spare patients, healthcare institutions, and society as a whole from the burden of high drug costs. The present review provides an overview of the pharmaceutical compounds that are licensed for HCC treatment and other emerging compounds that are still investigated in preclinical and clinical trials. These molecules are targeting different molecular targets and pathways that are proven to be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.
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42
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Targeted Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Old and New Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14164028. [PMID: 36011021 PMCID: PMC9406380 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14164028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primitive cancer of the liver, accounting for 90% of all recorded cases. HCC is the third most common cause of cancer-related death, with a 5-year survival rate of just 3%. In terms of the advanced stages, systemic treatments have allowed patients to achieve clinical benefits, although the prognosis remains very poor. In the past few decades, new molecular targeted therapies have been developed and clinically evaluated with interesting results. However, on the basis of the poor prognoses and the meager benefits deriving from the available systemic therapies, research into new treatments is extremely necessary. In this review, we focus on the available systemic therapies for advanced HCC, with a look toward the future. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primitive cancer of the liver, accounting for 90% of all recorded cases. HCC is the third most common cause of cancer-related death, with a 5-year survival rate of just 3%. In the advanced stages, systemic treatments allow doctors to obtain clinical benefits, although the prognosis remains very poor. In the past few decades, new molecular targeted therapies against receptor tyrosine kinases have been developed and clinically evaluated. Sorafenib was the first oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved for the treatment of advanced HCC in 2007. Subsequently, other TKIs, including Cabozantinib, Regorafenib, Lenvatinib, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors such as Ramucirumab and VEGF inhibitors such as Bevacizumab have been approved as first- or second-line treatments. More recently, the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and VEGF inhibitors (Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab) have been analyzed and approved for the treatment of advanced HCC. On the basis of the poor prognoses and the meager benefits deriving from the available systemic therapies, research into new treatments is extremely necessary. In this review, we focus on the available systemic therapies for advanced HCC, with a look toward the future.
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Li X, Chen L, Peng X, Zhan X. Progress of tumor-associated macrophages in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of tumor. Front Oncol 2022; 12:911410. [PMID: 35965509 PMCID: PMC9366252 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.911410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
As a significant public health problem with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, tumor is one of the major diseases endangering human life. Moreover, metastasis is the most important contributor to the death of tumor patients. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential biological process in developing primary tumors to metastasis. It underlies tumor progression and metastasis by inducing a series of alterations in tumor cells that confer the ability to move and migrate. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are one of the primary infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, and they play an indispensable role in the EMT process of tumor cells by interacting with tumor cells. With the increasing clarity of the relationship between TAMs and EMT and tumor metastasis, targeting TAMs and EMT processes is emerging as a promising target for developing new cancer therapies. Therefore, this paper reviews the recent research progress of tumor-associated macrophages in tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition and briefly discusses the current anti-tumor therapies targeting TAMs and EMT processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xiaobo Peng
- *Correspondence: Xiaobo Peng, ; Xianbao Zhan,
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44
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Thakur A, Faujdar C, Sharma R, Sharma S, Malik B, Nepali K, Liou JP. Glioblastoma: Current Status, Emerging Targets, and Recent Advances. J Med Chem 2022; 65:8596-8685. [PMID: 35786935 PMCID: PMC9297300 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant
brain tumor characterized
by a heterogeneous population of genetically unstable and highly infiltrative
cells that are resistant to chemotherapy. Although substantial efforts
have been invested in the field of anti-GBM drug discovery in the
past decade, success has primarily been confined to the preclinical
level, and clinical studies have often been hampered due to efficacy-,
selectivity-, or physicochemical property-related issues. Thus, expansion
of the list of molecular targets coupled with a pragmatic design of
new small-molecule inhibitors with central nervous system (CNS)-penetrating
ability is required to steer the wheels of anti-GBM drug discovery
endeavors. This Perspective presents various aspects of drug discovery
(challenges in GBM drug discovery and delivery, therapeutic targets,
and agents under clinical investigation). The comprehensively covered
sections include the recent medicinal chemistry campaigns embarked
upon to validate the potential of numerous enzymes/proteins/receptors
as therapeutic targets in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandeep Thakur
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chetna Faujdar
- Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida 201307, India
| | - Ram Sharma
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Sachin Sharma
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Basant Malik
- Department of Sterile Product Development, Research and Development-Unit 2, Jubiliant Generics Ltd., Noida 201301, India
| | - Kunal Nepali
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Jing Ping Liou
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
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45
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Cunha PS, Laranjo S, Heijman J, Oliveira MM. The Atrium in Atrial Fibrillation - A Clinical Review on How to Manage Atrial Fibrotic Substrates. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:879984. [PMID: 35859594 PMCID: PMC9289204 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.879984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in the population and is associated with a significant clinical and economic burden. Rigorous assessment of the presence and degree of an atrial arrhythmic substrate is essential for determining treatment options, predicting long-term success after catheter ablation, and as a substrate critical in the pathophysiology of atrial thrombogenesis. Catheter ablation of AF has developed into an essential rhythm-control strategy. Nowadays is one of the most common cardiac ablation procedures performed worldwide, with its success inversely related to the extent of atrial structural disease. Although atrial substrate evaluation remains complex, several diagnostic resources allow for a more comprehensive assessment and quantification of the extent of left atrial structural remodeling and the presence of atrial fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the pathophysiology, etiology, and electrophysiological aspects of atrial substrates promoting the development of AF. We also describe the risk factors for its development and how to diagnose its presence using imaging, electrocardiograms, and electroanatomic voltage mapping. Finally, we discuss recent data regarding fibrosis biomarkers that could help diagnose atrial fibrotic substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Silva Cunha
- Arrhythmology, Pacing and Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiology Service, Santa Marta Hospital, Central Lisbon Hospital University Center, Lisbon, Portugal
- Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Laranjo
- Arrhythmology, Pacing and Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiology Service, Santa Marta Hospital, Central Lisbon Hospital University Center, Lisbon, Portugal
- Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jordi Heijman
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Mário Martins Oliveira
- Arrhythmology, Pacing and Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiology Service, Santa Marta Hospital, Central Lisbon Hospital University Center, Lisbon, Portugal
- Lisbon School of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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46
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Huang X, Han L, Wang R, Zhu W, Zhang N, Qu W, Liu W, Liu F, Feng F, Xue J. Dual-responsive nanosystem based on TGF-β blockade and immunogenic chemotherapy for effective chemoimmunotherapy. Drug Deliv 2022; 29:1358-1369. [PMID: 35506467 PMCID: PMC9090387 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2069877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The antitumor immune response induced by chemotherapy has attracted considerable attention. However, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment hinders the immune activation effect of cancer chemotherapy. TGF-β plays a key role in driving tumor immunosuppression and can prevent effective antitumor immune response through multiple roles. In this study, a dual-responsive prodrug micelle (PAOL) is designed to co-deliver LY2109761 (a TGF-β receptor I/II inhibitor) and oxaliplatin (OXA, a conventional chemotherapy) to remodel tumor microenvironment and trigger immunogenic cell death (ICD) to induce antitumor immunity response. Under hypoxia tumor environment, the polyethylene glycol shell of the micelle cleavages, along with the release of LY2109761 and OXA prodrug. Cytotoxic effect of OXA is then activated by glutathione-mediated reduction in tumor cells and the activated OXA significantly enhances tumor immunogenicity and promotes intratumoral accumulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Meanwhile, TGF-β blockade through LY2109761 reprograms tumor microenvironment by correcting the immunosuppressive state and regulating tumor extracellular matrix, which further maintaining OXA induced immune response. Therefore, due to the capability of boosting tumor-specific antitumor immunity, the bifunctional micelle presents markedly synergistic antitumor efficacies and provides a potent therapeutic strategy for chemoimmunotherapy of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxian Huang
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lingfei Han
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruyi Wang
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wanfang Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Qu
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenyuan Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,Zhejiang Center for Safety Study of Drug Substances (Industrial Technology Innovation Platform), Hangzhou, China
| | - Fulei Liu
- Tumor Precise Intervention and Translational Medicine Laboratory, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian, China.,Pharmaceutical Department, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian, China
| | - Feng Feng
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceutical Science College, Huaian, China
| | - Jingwei Xue
- Tumor Precise Intervention and Translational Medicine Laboratory, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian, China
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Le TMD, Yoon AR, Thambi T, Yun CO. Polymeric Systems for Cancer Immunotherapy: A Review. Front Immunol 2022; 13:826876. [PMID: 35273607 PMCID: PMC8902250 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.826876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy holds enormous promise to create a new outlook of cancer therapy by eliminating tumors via activation of the immune system. In immunotherapy, polymeric systems play a significant role in improving antitumor efficacy and safety profile. Polymeric systems possess many favorable properties, including magnificent biocompatibility and biodegradability, structural and component diversity, easy and controllable fabrication, and high loading capacity for immune-related substances. These properties allow polymeric systems to perform multiple functions in immunotherapy, such as immune stimulants, modifying and activating T cells, delivery system for immune cargos, or as an artificial antigen-presenting cell. Among diverse immunotherapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell, and oncolytic virus recently have been dramatically investigated for their remarkable success in clinical trials. In this report, we review the monotherapy status of immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell, and oncolytic virus, and their current combination strategies with diverse polymeric systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thai Minh Duy Le
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanayang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - A-Rum Yoon
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanayang University, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Hanayang University, Seoul, South Korea.,Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (HY-IBB), Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Thavasyappan Thambi
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanayang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chae-Ok Yun
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanayang University, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Hanayang University, Seoul, South Korea.,Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (HY-IBB), Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea.,GeneMedicine CO., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
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48
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Hirata N, Yamada S, Yanagida S, Ono A, Yasuhiko Y, Kanda Y. Transforming Growth Factor Beta Promotes the Expansion of Cancer Stem Cells <i>via</i> S1PR3 by Ligand-Independent Notch Activation. Biol Pharm Bull 2022; 45:649-658. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b22-00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Hirata
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences
| | - Shigeru Yamada
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences
| | - Shota Yanagida
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduated School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
| | - Atsushi Ono
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduated School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
| | - Yukuto Yasuhiko
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences
| | - Yasunari Kanda
- Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences
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49
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Feng B, Wu J, Shen B, Jiang F, Feng J. Cancer-associated fibroblasts and resistance to anticancer therapies: status, mechanisms, and countermeasures. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:166. [PMID: 35488263 PMCID: PMC9052457 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02599-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are critical components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) with diverse functions such as extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, modulation of metabolism and angiogenesis, and crosstalk with both cancer cells and infiltrating immune cells by production of growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. Within the TME milieu, CAFs exhibit morphological and functional transitions with relatively specific markers and hold tremendous potential to facilitate tumorigenesis, development, and resistance towards multiple therapeutic strategies including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, anti-angiogenesis therapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine therapy. Accordingly, CAFs themselves and the downstream effectors and/or signaling pathways are potential targets for optimizing the sensitivity of anti-cancer therapies. This review aims to provide a detailed landscape of the role that CAFs play in conferring therapeutic resistance in different cancers and the underlying mechanisms. The translational and therapeutic perspectives of CAFs in the individualized treatment of malignant tumors are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Feng
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jianzhong Wu
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Bo Shen
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Jifeng Feng
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Wu D, Chen T, Zhao X, Huang D, Huang J, Huang Y, Huang Q, Liang Z, Chen C, Chen M, Li D, Wu B, Li L. HIF1α-SP1 interaction disrupts the circ-0001875/miR-31-5p/SP1 regulatory loop under a hypoxic microenvironment and promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:156. [PMID: 35473752 PMCID: PMC9044860 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02336-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important role in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially under tumor hypoxia. However, the precise functions and underlying mechanisms of dysregulated circRNAs in NSCLC are largely unknown. METHODS High-throughput RNA sequencing was performed to identify significantly expressed circRNAs in NSCLC tissues. The functions of circ-0001875 in NSCLC cells were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The regulatory relationships of circ-0001875, miR-31-5p and SP1 were examined by dual luciferase reporter assays and rescue experiments. The signal pathway of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and the formation of filopodia were analyzed by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The binding of SP1 to Alu elements was evaluated by RNA immunoprecipitation, and the HIF1α and SP1 interaction was detected by co-immunoprecipitation. RESULTS We identified the novel Has_circ_0001875 as a significantly upregulated circRNA in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. circ-0001875 promoted the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC both in vitro and in vivo, and induced NSCLC cells to extend filopodia. Mechanistically, circ-0001875 sponged miR-31-5p to regulate SP1, influencing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via the TGFβ/Smad2 signal pathway. SP1 negatively regulated circ-0001875 formation through an AluSq-dependent feedback loop, which was disrupted by competitive binding of HIF1α to SP1 under hypoxia condition. The circ-0001875/miR-31-5p/SP1 axis was associated with the clinical features and prognosis of NSCLC patients. CONCLUSIONS Our results revealed that the circ-0001875/miR-31-5p/SP1 axis and the complex regulatory loops influence NSCLC progression. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of circRNA formation under tumor hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Tingting Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Xuanna Zhao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Dan Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jiawei Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yujie Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Qiu Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Zhu Liang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Chunyuan Chen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Dongming Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.
| | - Lixia Li
- Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China.
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