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Hu ZY, Ding D, Song Y, Deng YF, Zhang CM, Yu T. Molecular mechanism of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: The heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts and key signaling pathways. World J Clin Oncol 2025; 16:97007. [DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v16.i2.97007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 10/04/2024] [Accepted: 11/04/2024] [Indexed: 12/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma stands out as an exceptionally fatal cancer owing to the complexities associated with its treatment and diagnosis, leading to a notably low five-year survival rate. This study offers a detailed exploration of epidemiological trends in pancreatic cancer and key molecular drivers, such as mutations in CDKN2A, KRAS, SMAD4, and TP53, along with the influence of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on disease progression. In particular, we focused on the pivotal roles of signaling pathways such as the transforming growth factor-β and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in the development of pancreatic cancer and investigated their application in emerging therapeutic strategies. This study provides new scientific perspectives on pancreatic cancer treatment, especially in the development of precision medicine and targeted therapeutic strategies, and demonstrates the importance of signaling pathway research in the development of effective therapeutic regimens. Future studies should explore the subtypes of CAFs and their specific roles in the tumor microenvironment to devise more effective therapeutic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Yuan Hu
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712000, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Ding Ding
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712000, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yu Song
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712000, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Ya-Feng Deng
- Graduate School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Cheng-Ming Zhang
- Digestive Department I, Shaanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an 710000, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Tao Yu
- Digestive Department I, Shaanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an 710000, Shaanxi Province, China
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2
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Li H, Wang M, Han S, Yang F, Wang Y, Jin G, Sun C. Synthesis of pyridyl pyrimidine hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors and their antitumor activity in human pancreatic cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 280:116961. [PMID: 39447457 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116961] [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: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 10/09/2024] [Accepted: 10/11/2024] [Indexed: 10/26/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an extremely lethal malignant tumor. The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is implicated in embryonic development, regulation of tumor stem cells, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Aberrant activation of Hh pathway leads to the development of multiple malignant tumors, especially Hh-driven PC. Targeting the molecular regulation of the Hh signaling pathway presents a promising therapeutic strategy for PC treatment. Hence, there is a high demand for novel molecules that inhibit the Hh pathway. In this study, the Hh pathway inhibitors bearing pyridyl pyrimidine skeleton were designed, synthesized, and characterized. Among them, N-(4-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl)-4-((4-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-yl)amino)benzamide (B31) emerged as the most potent analog following screening with a Gli luciferase reporter assay, competing with cyclopamine in the binding site of Smo protein. Molecular simulation revealed that B31 interacts with Smo through hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic forces. B31 inhibited PC cell proliferation, migration, and induced apoptosis by suppressing Gli1 expression at both the transcriptional and translational levels. Moreover, B31 significantly regressed subcutaneous tumors formed by BxPC-3 cells in nude mice without inducing toxic effects. These results underscore the enhanced efficacy of B31 in the PC model and offer a new avenue for developing effective Hh pathway inhibitors for clinical PC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjuan Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, China
| | - Miao Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, China
| | - Shu Han
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, China
| | - Fangliang Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, China
| | - Youbing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, China
| | - Ge Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, China
| | - Chiyu Sun
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, China; School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110034, China.
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Repetowski P, Warszyńska M, Dąbrowski JM. NIR-activated multifunctional agents for the combined application in cancer imaging and therapy. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 336:103356. [PMID: 39612723 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 11/17/2024] [Indexed: 12/01/2024]
Abstract
Anticancer therapies that combine both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities hold significant promise for enhancing treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. Among these, agents responsive to near-infrared (NIR) photons are of particular interest due to their negligible toxicity and multifunctionality. These compounds are not only effective in photodynamic therapy (PDT), but also serve as contrast agents in various imaging modalities, including fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging. In this review, we explore the photophysical and photochemical properties of NIR-activated porphyrin, cyanine, and phthalocyanines derivatives as well as aggregation-induced emission compounds, highlighting their application in synergistic detection, diagnosis, and therapy. Special attention is given to the design and optimization of these agents to achieve high photostability, efficient NIR absorption, and significant yields of fluorescence, heat, or reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation depending on the application. Additionally, we discuss the incorporation of these compounds into nanocarriers to enhance their solubility, stability, and target specificity. Such nanoparticle-based systems exhibit improved pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, facilitating more effective tumor targeting and broadening the application range to photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy. Furthermore, we summarize the application of these NIR-responsive agents in multimodal imaging techniques, which combine the advantages of fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging to provide comprehensive diagnostic information. Finally, we address the current challenges and limitations of photodiagnosis and phototherapy and highlight some critical barriers to their clinical implementation. These include issues related to their phototoxicity, limited tissue penetration, and potential off-target effects. The review concludes by highlighting future research directions aimed at overcoming these obstacles, with a focus on the development of next-generation agents and platforms that offer enhanced therapeutic efficacy and imaging capabilities in the field of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Repetowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Kraków, Poland
| | - Marta Warszyńska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Kraków, Poland
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Zhang JX, Shen YB, Ma DD, Li ZH, Zhang ZY, Jin WD. LINC01857 promotes cell proliferation and migration while dampening cell apoptosis in pancreatic cancer by upregulating CDC42EP3 via miR-450b-5p. Heliyon 2024; 10:e38427. [PMID: 39524859 PMCID: PMC11547965 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 09/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a devastating human malignancy with a poor survival outcome (5-year survival less than 10 %). In recent years, the regulatory roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in various types of cancers have been widely reported. Based on bioinformatics analysis, LINC01857 is shown to be highly expressed in PC tissue. Nevertheless, the role of LINC01857 in PC is limitedly reported. Hence, this study aimed to explore the effects of lncRNA LINC01857 on PC cell process and the related mechanism. Methods RT-qPCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay were conducted to measure LINC01857 expression and distribution in PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells. Colony formation and wound healing assays as well as flow cytometry analyses were employed to estimate the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of PC cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-LINC01857 or si-LINC01857 compared with the behavior of PC cells transfected with empty pcDNA3.1 vector (control) or si-negative control (NC). Furthermore, RNA pulldown and luciferase reporter assays were utilized to demonstrate the interaction of LINC01857 and miR-450b-5p or to validate the binding of miR-450b-5p and cell division cycle 42 effector protein 3 (CDC42EP3). Results LINC01857 was highly expressed in PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells in contrast to its expression in pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (8.9 folds and 7.1 folds, p < 0.001). Silencing LINC01857 significantly reduced cell proliferation and migration while enhancing apoptosis (p < 0.0005). In contrast, overexpression of LINC01857 markedly (p < 0.05) accelerated these malignant behavior of PC cells. MiR-450b-5p was targeted and inversely regulated by LINC01857. Moreover, CDC42EP3 was verified to be targeted by miR-450b-5p, and CDC42EP3 was correlated to LINC01857 in a positive manner (p < 0.001). Rescue experiments manifested that silencing CDC42EP3 effectively (p < 0.05) reversed the promoting effect of LINC01857 on malignant behavior of PC cells. Conclusion LINC01857 promotes PC cell proliferation and migration while obstructing cell apoptosis by binding to miR-450b-5p and thus regulating CDC42EP3 expression. The study presents a novel and promising regulatory axis, which holds potential for the identification of biomarkers and development of therapeutic strategies for PC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dan-Dan Ma
- Department of General Surgery, The Central Theater Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhong-Hu Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Central Theater Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Central Theater Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Wei-Dong Jin
- Department of General Surgery, The Central Theater Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, 430070, China
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Calistri S, Ottaviano G, Ubaldini A. Radiopharmaceuticals for Pancreatic Cancer: A Review of Current Approaches and Future Directions. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:1314. [PMID: 39458955 PMCID: PMC11510189 DOI: 10.3390/ph17101314] [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: 09/13/2024] [Revised: 09/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/27/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer requires novel treatment options. This review examines the evolution of radiopharmaceuticals in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Established strategies such as peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) offer targeted and effective treatment, compared to conventional treatments. However, there are currently no radiopharmaceuticals approved for the treatment of pancreatic cancer in Europe, which requires further research and novel approaches. New radiopharmaceuticals including radiolabeled antibodies, peptides, and nanotechnological approaches are promising in addressing the challenges of pancreatic cancer therapy. These new agents may offer more specific targeting and potentially improve efficacy compared to traditional therapies. Further research is needed to optimize efficacy, address limitations, and explore the overall potential of these new strategies in the treatment of this aggressive and harmful pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Calistri
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, C.R. Bologna, Via Martiri di Monte Sole 4, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (G.O.); (A.U.)
| | - Giuseppe Ottaviano
- ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, C.R. Bologna, Via Martiri di Monte Sole 4, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (G.O.); (A.U.)
| | - Alberto Ubaldini
- ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, C.R. Bologna, Via Martiri di Monte Sole 4, 40129 Bologna, Italy; (G.O.); (A.U.)
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Yi Q, Zhu G, Zhu W, Wang J, Ouyang X, Yang K, Fan Y, Zhong J. LINC01094: A key long non-coding RNA in the regulation of cancer progression and therapeutic targets. Heliyon 2024; 10:e37527. [PMID: 39309878 PMCID: PMC11415682 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
LINC01094 is a long non-coding RNA that plays a crucial role in cancer progression by modulating key signaling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β Signaling Pathway Feedback Loop. In this review we summarize the recent research on the functional mechanisms of LINC01094 in various cancers, including its impact on tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting LINC01094 and highlight the current strategies and challenges in this area. Perspectives on future development of LINC01094-based therapies are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Yi
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, 341000, China
| | - Gangfeng Zhu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, 341000, China
| | - Weijian Zhu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, 341000, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, 341000, China
| | - Xinting Ouyang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, 341000, China
| | - Kuan Yang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, 341000, China
| | - Yu Fan
- The First Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, 341000, China
| | - Jinghua Zhong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, 341000, China
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Wu B, Qi B, Duan L, Chen J. Lidamycin induces mitophagy in pancreatic cancer cells by regulating the expression of Mfn2. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20713. [PMID: 39237684 PMCID: PMC11377765 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71377-4] [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: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Lidamycin (LDM) has been confirmed to have a strong anti-pancreatic cancer effect and can affect the mitochondrial function of pancreatic cancer cells. Mitofusin-2 (Mfn2) is located in the outer membrane of mitochondria, and Mfn2 is currently believed to play a role in cancer inhibition in pancreatic cancer. In order to explore whether the anti-pancreatic cancer effect of LDM is related to Mfn2-mediated mitophagy, Bioinformatics and in vitro cell experiments are used for experimental research. The experimental results demonstrated that Mfn2 is correlated with mitochondrial autophagy in pancreatic cancer. Lidamycin can increase the expression of Mfn2 in pancreatic cancer and affect the process of EMT, affect the level of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential, and increase the expression of mitochondrial autophagy marker proteins BNIP3L and Beclin1. These results demonstrate that Mfn2 affects mitophagy in pancreatic cancer cells by regulating the expression of Mfn2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boya Wu
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan Key Laboratory for Preclinical and Basic Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Bing Qi
- College of Life Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai Road, Caofeidian Xincheng, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Liumeng Duan
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, Tangshan Key Laboratory for Preclinical and Basic Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Jing Chen
- College of Life Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai Road, Caofeidian Xincheng, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
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8
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Li X, Yu R, Shi B, Chawla A, Feng X, Zhang K, Liang L. Liquid-liquid phase separation-related features of PYGB/ACTR3/CCNA2/ITGB1/ATP8A1/RAP1GAP2 predict the prognosis of pancreatic cancer. J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 15:1723-1745. [PMID: 39279964 PMCID: PMC11399862 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-24-426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The growth and metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PC) has been found to be closely associated with liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). This study sought to identify LLPS-related biomarkers in PC to construct a robust prognostic model. Methods Transcriptomic data and clinical information related to PC were retrieved from publicly accessible databases. The PC-related data set was subjected to differential expression, Mendelian randomization (MR), univariate Cox, and least absolute selection and shrinkage operator analyses to identify biomarkers. Using the biomarkers, we subsequently constructed a risk model, identified the independent prognostic factors of PC, established a nomogram, and conducted an immune analysis. Results The study identified four genes linked with an increased risk of PC; that is, PYGB, ACTR3, CCNA2, and ITGB1. Conversely, ATP8A1, and RAP1GAP2 were found to provide protection against PC. These findings contributed significantly to the development of a highly precise risk model in which risk, age, and pathology N stage were categorized as independent factors in predicting the prognosis of PC patients. Using these factors, a nomogram was established to predict survival outcomes accurately. An immune analysis revealed varying levels of eosinophils, gamma delta T cells, and other immune cells between the distinct risk groups. The high-risk patients exhibited increased potential for immune escape, while the low-risk patients showed a higher response to immunotherapy. Conclusions Six genes were identified as having potential causal relationships with PC. These genes were integrated into a prognostic risk model, thereby serving as unique prognostic signatures. Our findings provide novel insights into predicting the prognosis of PC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ranran Yu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Baochang Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Akhil Chawla
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xianguang Feng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Li Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Swain S, Narayan RK, Mishra PR. Unraveling the interplay: exploring signaling pathways in pancreatic cancer in the context of pancreatic embryogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1461278. [PMID: 39239563 PMCID: PMC11374643 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1461278] [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: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer continues to be a deadly disease because of its delayed diagnosis and aggressive tumor biology. Oncogenes and risk factors are being reported to influence the signaling pathways involved in pancreatic embryogenesis leading to pancreatic cancer genesis. Although studies using rodent models have yielded insightful information, the scarcity of human pancreatic tissue has made it difficult to comprehend how the human pancreas develops. Transcription factors like IPF1/PDX1, HLXB9, PBX1, MEIS, Islet-1, and signaling pathways, including Hedgehog, TGF-β, and Notch, are directing pancreatic organogenesis. Any derangements in the above pathways may lead to pancreatic cancer. TP53: and CDKN2A are tumor suppressor genes, and the mutations in TP53 and somatic loss of CDKN2A are the drivers of pancreatic cancer. This review clarifies the complex signaling mechanism involved in pancreatic cancer, the same signaling pathways in pancreas development, the current therapeutic approach targeting signaling molecules, and the mechanism of action of risk factors in promoting pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sashikanta Swain
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Ravi Kant Narayan
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
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Qin B, Xiong Q, Xin L, Li K, Shi W, Song Q, Sun Q, Shao J, Zhang J, Zhao X, Liu J, Wang J, Yang B. Synergistic effect of additional anlotinib and immunotherapy as second-line or later-line treatment in pancreatic cancer: A retrospective cohort study. CANCER INNOVATION 2024; 3:e123. [PMID: 38948252 PMCID: PMC11212301 DOI: 10.1002/cai2.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is in urgent need of a second-line or later-line treatment strategy. We aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of additional anlotinib, specifically anlotinib in combination with immunotherapy, in patients with PDAC who have failed first-line therapy. Methods Patients with pathological diagnosis of PDAC were additionally treated with anlotinib, and some patients were treated with anti-PD-1 agents at the same time, which could be retrospectively analyzed. The efficacy and safety of additional anlotinib were evaluated. Results A total of 23 patients were included. In patients treated with additional anlotinib, the overall median progression-free survival (PFS) was 1.8 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 6.3 months, regardless of anti-PD-1 agents. Among patients receiving additional anlotinib in combination with anti-PD-1 agents, median PFS and OS were 1.8 and 6.5 months, respectively. Adverse events (AEs) were observed in 16 patients (69.6%). In patients treated with additional anlotinib, the majority of AEs were grade 1-3. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with baseline red blood cell distribution width (RDW) <14% treated with additional anlotinib plus anti-PD-1 agents had significantly longer OS than patients with baseline RDW ≥14% (p = 0.025). Patients with additional anlotinib plus anti-PD-1 agents as second-line therapy had a longer OS than those treated as later-line therapy (p = 0.012). Multivariate analysis showed that baseline RDW was the only independent risk factor for OS (p = 0.042). Conclusion The combination of anlotinib and immunotherapy represents an effective add-on therapy with tolerable AEs as second- or later-line therapy in patients with PDAC, particularly in patients with baseline RDW <14%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyu Qin
- Department of OncologyThe Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Qi Xiong
- Department of OncologyThe Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Lingli Xin
- Department of Gynaecology and ObstetricsPLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical CenterBeijingChina
- Department of Graduate AdministrationChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Ke Li
- Department of OncologyThe First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Weiwei Shi
- Department of OncologyThe Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Qi Song
- Department of OncologyThe Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Qiong Sun
- Department of OncologyThe Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Jiakang Shao
- Department of OncologyThe Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of OncologyThe Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Xiao Zhao
- Department of OncologyThe Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Jinyu Liu
- Department of PharmacyMedical Supplies Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Jinliang Wang
- Department of OncologyThe Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of OncologyThe Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
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Agarwal H, Bynum RC, Saleh N, Harris D, MacCuaig WM, Kim V, Sanderson EJ, Dennahy IS, Singh R, Behkam B, Gomez-Gutierrez JG, Jain A, Edil BH, McNally LR. Theranostic nanoparticles for detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 16:e1983. [PMID: 39140128 PMCID: PMC11328968 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most recalcitrant cancers due to its late diagnosis, poor therapeutic response, and highly heterogeneous microenvironment. Nanotechnology has the potential to overcome some of the challenges to improve diagnostics and tumor-specific drug delivery but they have not been plausibly viable in clinical settings. The review focuses on active targeting strategies to enhance pancreatic tumor-specific uptake for nanoparticles. Additionally, this review highlights using actively targeted liposomes, micelles, gold nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, and iron oxide nanoparticles to improve pancreatic tumor targeting. Active targeting of nanoparticles toward either differentially expressed receptors or PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME) using peptides, antibodies, small molecules, polysaccharides, and hormones has been presented. We focus on microenvironment-based hallmarks of PDAC and the potential for actively targeted nanoparticles to overcome the challenges presented in PDAC. It describes the use of nanoparticles as contrast agents for improved diagnosis and the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents that target various aspects within the TME of PDAC. Additionally, we review emerging nano-contrast agents detected using imaging-based technologies and the role of nanoparticles in energy-based treatments of PDAC. This article is categorized under: Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanoscale Tools and Techniques in Surgery Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Happy Agarwal
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Ryan C Bynum
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Nada Saleh
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Danielle Harris
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - William M MacCuaig
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Vung Kim
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Emma J Sanderson
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Isabel S Dennahy
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Rohit Singh
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Bahareh Behkam
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Ajay Jain
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Barish H Edil
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Lacey R McNally
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
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Nedelcu A, Mocan T, Sabau LI, Matea CT, Tabaran F, Pop T, Delcea C, Mosteanu O, Mocan L. In vitro photothermal therapy of pancreatic cancer mediated by immunoglobulin G-functionalized silver nanoparticles. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14417. [PMID: 38909066 PMCID: PMC11193743 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63142-4] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, and treatment options are limited. One therapeutic approach is to use nanoparticles to deliver the active agent directly to pancreatic cancer cells. Nanoparticles can be designed to specifically target cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Silver nanoparticles have the unique ability to absorb light, especially in the near-infrared (NIR) region. In this study, silver nanoparticles functionalized with IgG molecules were synthesized and administered to pancreatic cancer cell lines. Subsequently, the cells were photo-excited using a 2 W 808 nm laser and further examined in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell lines. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy combined with immunochemical staining were used to examine the interaction between photo-excited silver nanoparticles and pancreatic cancer cells. The photothermal therapy based on IgG-functionalized silver nanoparticles in pancreatic cancer induces dysfunction in the Golgi apparatus, leading to the activation of the caspase-3 apoptotic pathway and ultimately resulting in cellular apoptosis. These findings suggest that our proposed IgG nanoparticle laser treatment could emerge as a novel approach for the therapy of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Nedelcu
- 3rd Surgery Clinic, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, ClujNapoca, Romania
- Nanomedicine Department, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, ClujNapoca, Romania
| | - Teodora Mocan
- Nanomedicine Department, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, ClujNapoca, Romania.
- Physiology Department, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, ClujNapoca, Romania.
| | - Lavinia Ioana Sabau
- Physiology Department, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, ClujNapoca, Romania
| | - Cristian Tudor Matea
- Nanomedicine Department, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, ClujNapoca, Romania
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Flaviu Tabaran
- Department of Pathology, Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural, ClujNapoca, Romania
| | - Teodora Pop
- 3rd Surgery Clinic, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, ClujNapoca, Romania
- Department of Gastroenterology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, ClujNapoca, Romania
| | - Cristian Delcea
- Department of Forensic Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, ClujNapoca, Romania.
| | - Ofelia Mosteanu
- 3rd Surgery Clinic, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, ClujNapoca, Romania
- Department of Gastroenterology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, ClujNapoca, Romania
| | - Lucian Mocan
- 3rd Surgery Clinic, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, ClujNapoca, Romania.
- Nanomedicine Department, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, ClujNapoca, Romania.
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13
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Liu GH, Tan XY, Xu ZY, Li JX, Zhong GH, Zhai JW, Li MY. REEP3 is a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker correlated with immune infiltration in pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13834. [PMID: 38879709 PMCID: PMC11180088 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64720-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Receptor Expression-Enhancing Protein 3 (REEP3) serves as a pivotal enzyme crucial for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) clearance during mitosis and is implicated in the advancement of diverse malignancies. Nonetheless, the biological role and mechanisms of REEP3 in pancreatic cancer patients, along with its interplay with immune infiltration, remain inadequately elucidated. In this study, we initially analyzed the differential expression of REEP3 between pancreatic cancer tissues and normal pancreas tissues using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), GTEx and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Subsequently, we utilized Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox regression and ROC curve to determine the predictive value of REEP3 for the clinical outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients. Functional enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), were conducted to explore the potential signaling pathways and biological functions associated with pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, we investigated the PPI network, miRNA, RBP and transcription factor interactions of REEP3 using databases such as GeneMania, STRING, StarBase, KnockTK, ENCODE, Jaspar and hTFtarget. Lastly, the "ssGSEA" algorithm and TIMER database were employed to investigate the correlation between REEP3 expression and immune infiltration as well as immune checkpoints. The expression of REEP3 in pancreatic cancer showed a significantly higher level compared to that in normal tissues. ROC curve analysis indicated that REEP3 holds substantial diagnostic potential for pancreatic cancer patients. Elevated REEP3 expression correlated with unfavorable outcomes in terms of both overall survival and relapse-free survival, establishing it as a notable adverse prognostic marker in pancreatic cancer. Moreover, both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrated that REEP3 maintained an independent association with overall survival. Functional enrichment analyses revealed pathways significantly linked to REEP3, including cytoplasmic translation, wound healing, viral processes, regulation of cellular component size and actin filament organization. Additionally, REEP3 expression displayed a significant positive correlation with CD8+ T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, dendritic cells and macrophages. REEP3 is a potential diagnostic, prognostic marker and immunotherapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Hua Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Surgery, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Tan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhen-Yue Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, Guangdong, China
| | - Jia-Xing Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, Guangdong, China
| | - Guo-Hui Zhong
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing-Wei Zhai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming-Yi Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, Guangdong, China.
- Institute of Surgery, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, China.
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14
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Zhang K, Zhu J, Wang P, Chen Y, Wang Z, Ge X, Wu J, Chen L, Lu Y, Xu P, Yao J. Plasma metabolites as mediators in immune cell-pancreatic cancer risk: insights from Mendelian randomization. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1402113. [PMID: 38933268 PMCID: PMC11199692 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1402113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Immune cells play a crucial role in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer, yet the causal relationship remains uncertain due to complex immune microenvironments and conflicting research findings. Mendelian randomization (MR), this study aims to delineate the causal relationships between immune cells and pancreatic cancer while identifying intermediary factors. Methods The genome-wide association study (GWAS) data on immune cells, pancreatic cancer, and plasma metabolites are derived from public databases. In this investigation, inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the primary analytical approach to investigate the causal relationship between exposure and outcome. Furthermore, this study incorporates MR-Egger, simple mode, weighted median, and weighted mode as supplementary analytical approaches. To ensure the reliability of our findings, we further assessed horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity and evaluated the stability of MR results using the Leave-one-out method. In conclusion, this study employed mediation analysis to elucidate the potential mediating effects of plasma metabolites. Results Our investigation revealed a causal relationship between immune cells and pancreatic cancer, highlighting the pivotal roles of CD11c+ monocytes (odds ratio, ORIVW=1.105; 95% confidence interval, 95%CI: 1.002-1.218; P=0.045), HLA DR+ CD4+ antigen-presenting cells (ORIVW=0.920; 95%CI: 0.873-0.968; P=0.001), and HLA DR+ CD8br T cells (ORIVW=1.058; 95%CI: 1.002-1.117; P=0.041) in pancreatic cancer progression. Further mediation analysis indicated that oxalate (proportion of mediation effect in total effect: -11.6%, 95% CI: -89.7%, 66.6%) and the mannose to trans-4-hydroxyproline ratio (-19.4, 95% CI: -136%, 96.8%) partially mediate the relationship between HLA DR+ CD8br T cells and pancreatic cancer in nature. In addition, our analysis indicates that adrenate (-8.39%, 95% CI: -18.3%, 1.54%) plays a partial mediating role in the association between CD11c+ monocyte and pancreatic cancer, while cortisone (-26.6%, 95% CI: 138%, -84.8%) acts as a partial mediator between HLA DR+ CD4+ AC and pancreatic cancer. Conclusion This MR investigation provides evidence supporting the causal relationship between immune cell and pancreatic cancer, with plasma metabolites serving as mediators. Identifying immune cell phenotypes with potential causal effects on pancreatic cancer sheds light on its underlying mechanisms and suggests novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhengwang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Ge
- Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Junqing Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Long Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yipin Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jie Yao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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15
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Chen Z, Miao P, Lin H, Lu Y. AHNAK2 Promotes the Progression of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Maintaining the Stability of c-MET. Cancer Manag Res 2024; 16:431-444. [PMID: 38751848 PMCID: PMC11095252 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s451486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is extremely malignant and rapidly progresses. The overall response rate of PDAC to current treatment methods is still unsatisfactory. Thus, identifying novel targets and clarifying the underlying mechanisms associated with PDAC progression may potentially offer additional treatment strategies. AHNAK2 is aberrantly expressed in a variety of tumors and exerts pro-tumorigenic effects. However, the biological role of AHNAK2 in PDAC remains poorly understood. Methods The expression of AHNAK2 in PDAC and paired non-tumor tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Lentivirus knockdown was performed to investigate the impact of AHNAK2 on the biological function of pancreatic cancer cells. The subcutaneous cell-derived xenograft (CDX) model and the KPC spontaneous mouse model with AHNAK2 silencing were used to observe the effects of AHNAK2 on tumor growth and prognosis. The expression of c-MET at protein level in response to HGF treatment was assessed using western blot. Results Our results demonstrated that AHNAK2 was highly expressed in PDAC clinical samples and associated with poor prognosis. Knockdown of AHNAK2 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. AHNAK2 knockdown or knockout resulted in tumor growth suppression and prolonged survival in mice with PDAC. In addition, AHNAK2 and c-MET expression levels showed a significant positive correlation at the post-transcriptional level. Mechanistically, AHNAK2 promoted tumor progression by preventing c-MET degradation and persistently activating the HGF/c-MET signaling pathway. Conclusion Overall, our study revealed that AHNAK2 plays an important role in PDAC progression by modulating the c-MET signaling pathway, and targeting AHNAK2 may be an effective therapeutic strategy for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
- Shenshan Medical Center, Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shanwei, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pengbiao Miao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongcao Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
- Shenshan Medical Center, Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shanwei, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanan Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
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16
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Wang M, Xue W, Yuan H, Wang Z, Yu L. Nano-Drug Delivery Systems Targeting CAFs: A Promising Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:2823-2849. [PMID: 38525013 PMCID: PMC10959015 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s451151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumors. PC is typically diagnosed at a late stage, exhibits a poor response to conventional treatment, and has a bleak prognosis. Unfortunately, PC's survival rate has not significantly improved since the 1960s. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a key component of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment (TME). They play a vital role in maintaining the extracellular matrix and facilitating the intricate communication between cancer cells and infiltrated immune cells. Exploring therapeutic approaches targeting CAFs may reverse the current landscape of PC therapy. In recent years, nano-drug delivery systems have evolved rapidly and have been able to accurately target and precisely release drugs with little or no toxicity to the whole body. In this review, we will comprehensively discuss the origin, heterogeneity, potential targets, and recent advances in the nano-drug delivery system of CAFs in PC. We will also propose a novel integrated treatment regimen that utilizes a nano-drug delivery system to target CAFs in PC, combined with radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Additionally, we will address the challenges that this regimen currently faces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjie Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenxiang Xue
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hanghang Yuan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhicheng Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Yu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People’s Republic of China
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17
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Luo X, Ye Z, Xu C, Chen H, Dai S, Chen W, Bao G. Corosolic acid enhances oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and senescence in pancreatic cancer cells by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:176. [PMID: 38252208 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09105-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a fatal human malignancy with a poor prognosis. Corosolic acid (CRA) is a triterpenoid, has been reported to have inhibitory effects on tumor growth. However, the role of CRA on PC has not been explored. Here, we aimed to uncover the molecular mechanisms of CRA in PC progression. METHODS Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, cell apoptosis and senescence were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), LDH, flow cytometry and senescence associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) assay. Levels of relevant proteins and oxidative stress (OS) markers were evaluated by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A xenograft tumor model was established to explore the in vivo effects of CRA on PC. RESULTS We found that CRA inhibited PC cell viability and promoted LDH release in a dose-dependent manner, but had no significant effect on human normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells HPDE6C7. CRA increased OS-induced cell apoptosis and senescence in HAPC and SW1990 cells. And CRA decreased the levels of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and elevated the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and senescence-associated proteins P21 and P53. Besides, CRA decreased tumor growth in xenograft models. Furthermore, CRA inactivated the Janus kinase-2 (JAK2)/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in HAPC and SW1990 cells. Functional experiments demonstrated that activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway by the JAK2 activator coumermycin A1 (C-A1) or the STAT3 activator colivelin (col) reduced the contribution effect of OS, apoptosis and senescence by CRA. CONCLUSION Taken together, our findings indicated that CRA exerted anti-cancer effects in PC by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Luo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 295, Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Zhengchen Ye
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 295, Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Chenglei Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 295, Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Huan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 295, Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Shupeng Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 295, Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Weihong Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 295, Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Guoqing Bao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 295, Xichang Road, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan Province, China.
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18
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Chakkera M, Foote JB, Farran B, Nagaraju GP. Breaking the stromal barrier in pancreatic cancer: Advances and challenges. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189065. [PMID: 38160899 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide due to the absence of early detection methods and the low success rates of traditional therapeutic strategies. Drug resistance in PC is driven by its desmoplastic stroma, which creates a barrier that shields cancer niches and prevents the penetration of drugs. The PC stroma comprises heterogeneous cellular populations and non-cellular components involved in aberrant ECM deposition, immunosuppression, and drug resistance. These components can influence PC development through intricate and complex crosstalk with the PC cells. Understanding how stromal components and cells interact with and influence the invasiveness and refractoriness of PC cells is thus a prerequisite for developing successful stroma-modulating strategies capable of remodeling the PC stroma to alleviate drug resistance and enhance therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we explore how non-cellular and cellular stromal components, including cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages, contribute to the immunosuppressive and tumor-promoting effects of the stroma. We also examine the signaling pathways underlying their activation, tumorigenic effects, and interactions with PC cells. Finally, we discuss recent pre-clinical and clinical work aimed at developing and testing novel stroma-modulating agents to alleviate drug resistance and improve therapeutic outcomes in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohana Chakkera
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Jeremy B Foote
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Batoul Farran
- Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
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Kpenu EK, Kelley MR. Combating PDAC Drug Resistance: The Role of Ref-1 Inhibitors in Accelerating Progress in Pancreatic Cancer Research. JOURNAL OF CELLULAR SIGNALING 2024; 5:208-216. [PMID: 39635662 PMCID: PMC11616473 DOI: 10.33696/signaling.5.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal solid tumor diagnoses given its limited treatment options and dismal prognosis. Its complex tumor microenvironment (TME), heterogeneity, and high propensity for drug resistance are major obstacles in developing effective therapies. Here, we highlight the critical role of Redox effector 1 (Ref-1) in PDAC progression and drug resistance, focusing on its redox regulation of key transcription factors (TFs) such as STAT3, HIF1α, and NF-κB, which are pivotal for tumor survival, proliferation, and immune evasion. We discuss the development of novel Ref-1 inhibitors, including second-generation compounds with enhanced potency and improved pharmacokinetic profiles, which have shown significant promise in preclinical models. These inhibitors disrupt Ref-1's redox function, leading to decreased TF activity and increased chemosensitivity in PDAC cells. We further detail our utilization of advanced preclinical models, such as 3D spheroids, organoids, and Tumor-Microenvironment-on-Chip (T-MOC) systems, which better simulate the complex conditions of the PDAC TME and improve the predictive power of therapeutic responses. By targeting Ref-1 and its associated pathways, in conjunction with improved models, more replicative of PDAC's TME, we are focused on approaches which hold the potential to overcome current therapeutic limitations and advance the development of more effective treatments for PDAC. Our findings suggest that integrating Ref-1 inhibitors into combination therapies could disrupt multiple survival mechanisms within the tumor, offering new hope for improving outcomes in this challenging cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyram K. Kpenu
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Mark R. Kelley
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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20
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Cheng P, Ming S, Cao W, Wu J, Tian Q, Zhu J, Wei W. Recent advances in sonodynamic therapy strategies for pancreatic cancer. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 16:e1945. [PMID: 38403882 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer, a prevalent malignancy of the digestive system, has a poor 5-year survival rate of around 10%. Although numerous minimally invasive alternative treatments, including photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, have shown effectiveness compared with traditional surgical procedures, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, the application of these alternative treatments is constrained by their depth of penetration, making it challenging to treat pancreatic cancer situated deep within the tissue. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has emerged as a promising minimally invasive therapy method that is particularly potent against deep-seated tumors such as pancreatic cancer. However, the unique characteristics of pancreatic cancer, including a dense surrounding matrix, high reductivity, and a hypoxic tumor microenvironment, impede the efficient application of SDT. Thus, to guide the evolution of SDT for pancreatic cancer therapy, this review addresses these challenges, examines current strategies for effective SDT enhancement for pancreatic cancer, and investigates potential future advances to boost clinical applicability. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Cheng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shuai Ming
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jixiao Wu
- School of Materials and Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qiwei Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhu
- School of Materials and Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
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21
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Yoon AR, Hong J, Jung BK, Ahn HM, Zhang S, Yun CO. Oncolytic adenovirus as pancreatic cancer-targeted therapy: Where do we go from here? Cancer Lett 2023; 579:216456. [PMID: 37940067 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216456] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers with extremely high mortality rate, and the number of cases is expected to steadily increase with time. Pancreatic cancer is refractory to conventional cancer treatment options, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and commercialized immunotherapeutics, owing to its immunosuppressive and desmoplastic phenotype. Due to these reasons, development of an innovative treatment option that can overcome these challenges posed by the pancreatic tumor microenvironment (TME) is in an urgent need. The present review aims to summarize the evolution of oncolytic adenovirus (oAd) engineering and usage as therapeutics (either monotherapy or combination therapy) over the last decade to overcome these hurdles to instigate a potent antitumor effect against desmoplastic and immunosuppressive pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-Rum Yoon
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (HY-IBB), Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - JinWoo Hong
- GeneMedicine Co., Ltd., 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Kyeong Jung
- GeneMedicine Co., Ltd., 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Min Ahn
- GeneMedicine Co., Ltd., 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Songnam Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Yanbian University Hospital, Jilin, China
| | - Chae-Ok Yun
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (HY-IBB), Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; GeneMedicine Co., Ltd., 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Liu J, Gu X, Guan Z, Huang D, Xing H, Zheng L. Role of m6A modification in regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in cancer. J Transl Med 2023; 21:774. [PMID: 37915034 PMCID: PMC10619263 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04651-0] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cancer. The dysregulation of this pathway has been linked to the development and initiation of various types of cancer. Recently, epigenetic modifications, particularly N6-methyladenosine (m6A), have been recognized as essential contributors to mRNA-related biological processes and translation. The abnormal expression of m6A modification enzymes has been associated with oncogenesis, tumor progression, and drug resistance. Here, we review the role of m6A modification in regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway in cancer and its implications in the development of novel strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Xinyu Gu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471000, Henan, China
| | - Zhenjie Guan
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Di Huang
- Department of Child Health Care, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Huiwu Xing
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
| | - Lian Zheng
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
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