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Fu M, Deng F, Chen J, Fu L, Lei J, Xu T, Chen Y, Zhou J, Gao Q, Ding H. Current data and future perspectives on DNA methylation in ovarian cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 2024; 64:62. [PMID: 38757340 PMCID: PMC11095605 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5650] [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: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) represents the most prevalent malignancy of the female reproductive system. Its distinguishing features include a high aggressiveness, substantial morbidity and mortality, and a lack of apparent symptoms, which collectively pose significant challenges for early detection. Given that aberrant DNA methylation events leading to altered gene expression are characteristic of numerous tumor types, there has been extensive research into epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation, in human cancers. In the context of OC, DNA methylation is often associated with the regulation of critical genes, such as BRCA1/2 and Ras‑association domain family 1A. Methylation modifications within the promoter regions of these genes not only contribute to the pathogenesis of OC, but also induce medication resistance and influence the prognosis of patients with OC. As such, a more in‑depth understanding of DNA methylation underpinning carcinogenesis could potentially facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic approaches for this intricate disease. The present review focuses on classical tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, signaling pathways and associated microRNAs in an aim to elucidate the influence of DNA methylation on the development and progression of OC. The advantages and limitations of employing DNA methylation in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of OC are also discussed. On the whole, the present literature review indicates that the DNA methylation of specific genes could potentially serve as a prognostic biomarker for OC and a therapeutic target for personalized treatment strategies. Further investigations in this field may yield more efficacious diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives for patients with OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyu Fu
- Institute for Fetology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Fengying Deng
- Institute for Fetology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Jie Chen
- Institute for Fetology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Li Fu
- Institute for Fetology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Jiahui Lei
- Institute for Fetology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Ting Xu
- Institute for Fetology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215100, P.R. China
| | - Youguo Chen
- Institute for Fetology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Jinhua Zhou
- Institute for Fetology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Qinqin Gao
- Institute for Fetology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Hongmei Ding
- Institute for Fetology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
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Duan JJ, Cai J, Gao L, Yu SC. ALDEFLUOR activity, ALDH isoforms, and their clinical significance in cancers. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2166035. [PMID: 36651035 PMCID: PMC9858439 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2166035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
High aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity is a metabolic feature of adult stem cells and various cancer stem cells (CSCs). The ALDEFLUOR system is currently the most commonly used method for evaluating ALDH enzyme activity in viable cells. This system is applied extensively in the isolation of normal stem cells and CSCs from heterogeneous cell populations. For many years, ALDH1A1 has been considered the most important subtype among the 19 ALDH family members in determining ALDEFLUOR activity. However, in recent years, studies of many types of normal and tumour tissues have demonstrated that other ALDH subtypes can also significantly influence ALDEFLUOR activity. In this article, we briefly review the relationships between various members of the ALDH family and ALDEFLUOR activity. The clinical significance of these ALDH isoforms in different cancers and possible directions for future studies are also summarised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Jie Duan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest Hospital; Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China,International Joint Research Center for Precision Biotherapy, Ministry of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China,Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, China,Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunopathology, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiao Cai
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest Hospital; Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China,International Joint Research Center for Precision Biotherapy, Ministry of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China,Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, China,Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunopathology, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Gao
- Department of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital; Third Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Shi-Cang Yu
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest Hospital; Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China,International Joint Research Center for Precision Biotherapy, Ministry of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China,Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, China,Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunopathology, Chongqing, China,Jin-feng Laboratory, Chongqing, China,CONTACT Shi-Cang Yu Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing400038, China
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3
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Englisz A, Smycz-Kubańska M, Mielczarek-Palacz A. Evaluation of the Potential Diagnostic Utility of the Determination of Selected Immunological and Molecular Parameters in Patients with Ovarian Cancer. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13101714. [PMID: 37238197 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13101714] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is one of the most serious challenges in modern gynaecological oncology. Due to its non-specific symptoms and the lack of an effective screening procedure to detect the disease at an early stage, ovarian cancer is still marked by a high mortality rate among women. For this reason, a great deal of research is being carried out to find new markers that can be used in the detection of ovarian cancer to improve early diagnosis and survival rates of women with ovarian cancer. Our study focuses on presenting the currently used diagnostic markers and the latest selected immunological and molecular parameters being currently investigated for their potential use in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Englisz
- The Doctoral School, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Marta Smycz-Kubańska
- Department of Immunology and Serology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Mielczarek-Palacz
- Department of Immunology and Serology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
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Izycka N, Rucinski M, Andrzejewska M, Szubert S, Nowak-Markwitz E, Sterzynska K. The Prognostic Value of Cancer Stem Cell Markers (CSCs) Expression-ALDH1A1, CD133, CD44-For Survival and Long-Term Follow-Up of Ovarian Cancer Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032400. [PMID: 36768723 PMCID: PMC9916537 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent disease and treatment-associated chemoresistance are the two main factors accounting for poor clinical outcomes of ovarian cancer (OC) patients. Both can be associated with cancer stem cells (CSCs), which contribute to cancer formation, progression, chemoresistance, and recurrence. Hence, this study investigated whether the expression of known CSC-associated markers ALDH1A, CD44, and CD133 may predict OC patient prognosis. We analyzed their expression in primary epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients using immunohistochemistry and related them to clinicopathological data, including overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Expression of ALDH1A1 was detected in 32%, CD133 in 28%, and CD44 in 33% of cases. While Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no association of the expression of CD133 and CD44 with PFS and OS, ALDH1A1-positive patients were characterized with both significantly shorter OS (p = 0.00022) and PFS (p = 0.027). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the expression of ALDH1A1, FIGO stage III-IV, and residual disease after suboptimal debulking or neoadjuvant chemotherapy correlated with shorter OS. The results of this study identify ALDH1A1 as a potential independent prognostic factor of shorter OS and PFS in EOC patients. Therefore, targeting ALDH1A1-positive cancer cells may be a promising therapeutic strategy to influence the disease course and treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Izycka
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecologic Oncology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Polna 33 St., 60-535 Poznań, Poland
| | - Marcin Rucinski
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Święcickiego 6 St., 61-781 Poznań, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Andrzejewska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Święcickiego 6 St., 61-781 Poznań, Poland
| | - Sebastian Szubert
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecologic Oncology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Polna 33 St., 60-535 Poznań, Poland
| | - Ewa Nowak-Markwitz
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecologic Oncology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Polna 33 St., 60-535 Poznań, Poland
| | - Karolina Sterzynska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Święcickiego 6 St., 61-781 Poznań, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-61-8546455
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Xia J, Li S, Liu S, Zhang L. Aldehyde dehydrogenase in solid tumors and other diseases: Potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e195. [PMID: 36694633 PMCID: PMC9842923 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The family of aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) contains 19 isozymes and is involved in the oxidation of endogenous and exogenous aldehydes to carboxylic acids, which contributes to cellular and tissue homeostasis. ALDHs play essential parts in detoxification, biosynthesis, and antioxidants, which are of important value for cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival in normal body tissues. However, ALDHs are frequently dysregulated and associated with various diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and especially solid tumors. Notably, the involvement of the ALDHs in tumor progression is responsible for the maintenance of the stem-cell-like phenotype, triggering rapid and aggressive clinical progressions. ALDHs have captured increasing attention as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis. Nevertheless, these require further longitudinal clinical studies in large populations for broad application. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding ALDHs as potential biomarkers in tumors and several non-tumor diseases, as well as recent advances in our understanding of the functions and underlying molecular mechanisms of ALDHs in disease development. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of ALDHs in diseases, especially in tumor therapy with an emphasis on their clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xia
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Cancer Institutes, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Siqin Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Cancer Institutes, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Suling Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Cancer Institutes, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina,Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Lixing Zhang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Cancer Institutes, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Zearalenone Exposure on Uterine Development in Weaned Gilts. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14100692. [PMID: 36287961 PMCID: PMC9610722 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14100692] [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: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the effect of zearalenone (ZEA) exposure on uterine development in weaned gilts by quantitative proteome analysis with tandem mass spectrometry tags (TMT). A total of 16 healthy weaned gilts were randomly divided into control (basal diet) and ZEA3.0 treatments groups (basal diet supplemented with 3.0 mg/kg ZEA). Results showed that vulva size and uterine development index were increased (p < 0.05), whereas serum follicle stimulation hormone, luteinizing hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone were decreased in gilts fed the ZEA diet (p < 0.05). ZEA, α-zearalenol (α-ZOL) and β-zearalenol (β-ZOL) were detected in the uteri of gilts fed a 3.0 mg/kg ZEA diet (p < 0.05). The relative protein expression levels of creatine kinase M-type (CKM), atriopeptidase (MME) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were up-regulated (p < 0.05), whereas aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member (ALDH1A2), secretogranin-1 (CHGB) and SURP and G-patch domain containing 1 (SUGP1) were down-regulated (p < 0.05) in the ZEA3.0 group by western blot, which indicated that the proteomics data were dependable. In addition, the functions of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) mainly involved the cellular process, biological regulation and metabolic process in the biological process category. Some important signaling pathways were changed in the ZEA3.0 group, such as extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, focal adhesion and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase−protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) signaling pathway (p < 0.01). This study sheds new light on the molecular mechanism of ZEA in the uterine development of gilts.
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Wilczyński JR, Wilczyński M, Paradowska E. Cancer Stem Cells in Ovarian Cancer-A Source of Tumor Success and a Challenging Target for Novel Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052496. [PMID: 35269636 PMCID: PMC8910575 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal neoplasm of the female genital organs. Despite indisputable progress in the treatment of ovarian cancer, the problems of chemo-resistance and recurrent disease are the main obstacles for successful therapy. One of the main reasons for this is the presence of a specific cell population of cancer stem cells. The aim of this review is to show the most contemporary knowledge concerning the biology of ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) and their impact on chemo-resistance and prognosis in ovarian cancer patients, as well as to present the treatment options targeted exclusively on the OCSCs. The review presents data concerning the role of cancer stem cells in general and then concentrates on OCSCs. The surface and intracellular OCSCs markers and their meaning both for cancer biology and clinical prognosis, signaling pathways specifically activated in OCSCs, the genetic and epigenetic regulation of OCSCs function including the recent studies on the non-coding RNA regulation, cooperation between OCSCs and the tumor microenvironment (ovarian cancer niche) including very specific environment such as ascites fluid, the role of shear stress, autophagy and metabolic changes for the function of OCSCs, and finally mechanisms of OCSCs escape from immune surveillance, are described and discussed extensively. The possibilities of anti-OCSCs therapy both in experimental settings and in clinical trials are presented, including the recent II phase clinical trials and immunotherapy. OCSCs are a unique population of cancer cells showing a great plasticity, self-renewal potential and resistance against anti-cancer treatment. They are responsible for the progression and recurrence of the tumor. Several completed and ongoing clinical trials have tested different anti-OCSCs drugs which, however, have shown unsatisfactory efficacy in most cases. We propose a novel approach to ovarian cancer diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek R Wilczyński
- Department of Gynecological Surgery and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, 4 Kosciuszki Str., 90-419 Lodz, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Miłosz Wilczyński
- Department of Gynecological, Endoscopic and Oncological Surgery, Polish Mother’s Health Center—Research Institute, 281/289 Rzgowska Str., 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
- Department of Surgical and Endoscopic Gynecology, Medical University of Lodz, 4 Kosciuszki Str., 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| | - Edyta Paradowska
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 106 Lodowa Str., 93-232 Lodz, Poland;
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Wilczyński JR. Cancer Stem Cells: An Ever-Hiding Foe. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2022; 113:219-251. [PMID: 35165866 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-91311-3_8] [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: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are a population of cells enable to reproduce the original phenotype of the tumor and capable to self-renewal, which is crucial for tumor proliferation, differentiation, recurrence, and metastasis, as well as chemoresistance. Therefore, the cancer stem cells (CSCs) have become one of the main targets for anticancer therapy and many ongoing clinical trials test anti-CSCs efficacy of plenty of drugs. This chapter describes CSCs starting from general description of this cell population, through CSCs markers, signaling pathways, genetic and epigenetic regulation, role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transition and autophagy, cooperation with microenvironment (CSCs niche), and finally role of CSCs in escaping host immunosurveillance against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek R Wilczyński
- Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Gynecologic Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
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Li DF, Tulahong A, Uddin MN, Zhao H, Zhang H. Meta-analysis identifying epithelial-derived transcriptomes predicts poor clinical outcome and immune infiltrations in ovarian cancer. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2021; 18:6527-6551. [PMID: 34517544 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2021324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies revealed that the epithelial component is associated with the modulation of the ovarian tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the identification of key transcriptional signatures of laser capture microdissected human ovarian cancer epithelia remains lacking. METHODS We identified the differentially expressed transcriptional signatures of human ovarian cancer epithelia by meta-analysis of GSE14407, GSE2765, GSE38666, GSE40595, and GSE54388. Then we investigated the enrichment of KEGG pathways that are associated with epithelia-derived transcriptomes. Finally, we investigated the correlation of key epithelia-hub genes with the survival prognosis and immune infiltrations. Finally, we investigated the genetic alterations of key prognostic hub genes and their diagnostic efficacy in ovarian cancer epithelia. RESULTS We identified 1339 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ovarian cancer epithelia including 541upregulated and 798 downregulated genes. We identified 21 (such as E2F4, FOXM1, TFDP1, E2F1, and SIN3A) and 11 (such as JUN, DDX4, FOSL1, NOC2L, and HMGA1) master transcriptional regulators (MTRs) that are interacted with upregulated and the downregulated genes in ovarian tumor epithelium, respectively. The STRING-based analysis identified hub genes (such as CDK1, CCNB1, AURKA, CDC20, and CCNA2) in ovarian cancer epithelia. The significant clusters of identified hub genes are associated with the enrichment of KEGG pathways including cell cycle, DNA replication, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, pathways in cancer, and focal adhesion. The upregulation of SCNN1A and CDCA3 and the downregulation of SOX6 are correlated with a shorter survival prognosis in ovarian cancer (OV). The expression level of SOX6 is negatively correlated with immune score and positively correlated with tumor purity in OV. Moreover, SOX6 is negatively correlated with the infiltration of TILs, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ Regulatory T cells, cytolytic activity, T cell activation, pDC, neutrophils, and macrophages in OV. Also, SOX6 is negatively correlated with various immune markers including CD8A, PRF1, GZMA, GZMB, NKG7, CCL3, and CCL4, indicating the immune regulatory efficiency of SOX6 in the TME of OV. Furthermore, SCNN1A, CDCA3, and SOX6 genes are genetically altered in OV and the expression levels of SCNN1A and SOX6 genes showed diagnostic efficacy in ovarian cancer epithelia. CONCLUSIONS The identified ovarian cancer epithelial-derived key transcriptional signatures are significantly correlated with survival prognosis and immune infiltrations, and may provide new insight into the diagnosis and treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Feng Li
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Aisikeer Tulahong
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Md Nazim Uddin
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Huan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
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Chhabra R, Rockfield S, Guergues J, Nadeau OW, Hill R, Stevens SM, Nanjundan M. Global miRNA/proteomic analyses identify miRNAs at 14q32 and 3p21, which contribute to features of chronic iron-exposed fallopian tube epithelial cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6270. [PMID: 33737539 PMCID: PMC7973504 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85342-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant transformation of fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells (FTSECs) is a key contributing event to the development of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). Our recent findings implicate oncogenic transformative events in chronic iron-exposed FTSECs, including increased expression of oncogenic mediators, increased telomerase transcripts, and increased growth/migratory potential. Herein, we extend these studies by implementing an integrated transcriptomic and mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach to identify global miRNA and protein alterations, for which we also investigate a subset of these targets to iron-induced functional alterations. Proteomic analysis identified > 4500 proteins, of which 243 targets were differentially expressed. Sixty-five differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, of which 35 were associated with the “top” proteomic molecules (> fourfold change) identified by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Twenty of these 35 miRNAs are at the 14q32 locus (encoding a cluster of 54 miRNAs) with potential to be regulated by DNA methylation and histone deacetylation. At 14q32, miR-432-5p and miR-127-3p were ~ 100-fold downregulated whereas miR-138-5p was 16-fold downregulated at 3p21 in chronic iron-exposed FTSECs. Combinatorial treatment with methyltransferase and deacetylation inhibitors reversed expression of these miRNAs, suggesting chronic iron exposure alters miRNA expression via epigenetic alterations. In addition, PAX8, an important target in HGSOC and a potential miRNA target (from IPA) was epigenetically deregulated in iron-exposed FTSECs. However, both PAX8 and ALDH1A2 (another IPA-predicted target) were experimentally identified to be independently regulated by these miRNAs although TERT RNA was partially regulated by miR-138-5p. Interestingly, overexpression of miR-432-5p diminished cell numbers induced by long-term iron exposure in FTSECs. Collectively, our global profiling approaches uncovered patterns of miRNA and proteomic alterations that may be regulated by genome-wide epigenetic alterations and contribute to functional alterations induced by chronic iron exposure in FTSECs. This study may provide a platform to identify future biomarkers for early ovarian cancer detection and new targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravneet Chhabra
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Stephanie Rockfield
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Jennifer Guergues
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 261 Mountain View Drive, Colchester, VT, 05446, USA
| | - Owen W Nadeau
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 261 Mountain View Drive, Colchester, VT, 05446, USA
| | - Robert Hill
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Stanley M Stevens
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 261 Mountain View Drive, Colchester, VT, 05446, USA
| | - Meera Nanjundan
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.
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Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells: Characterization and Role in Tumorigenesis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1330:151-169. [PMID: 34339036 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-73359-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a heterogenous disease with variable clinicopathological and molecular mechanisms being responsible for tumorigenesis. Despite substantial technological improvement, lack of early diagnosis contributes to its highest mortality. Ovarian cancer is considered to be the most lethal female gynaecological cancer across the world. Conventional treatment modules with platinum- and Taxane-based chemotherapy can cause an initial satisfactory improvement in ovarian cancer patients. However, approximately 75-80% patients of advanced stage ovarian cancer, experience relapse and nearly 40% have overall poor survival rate. It has been observed that a subpopulation of cells referred as cancer stem cells (CSCs), having self renewal property, escape the conventional chemotherapy because of their quiescent nature. Later, these CSCs following its interaction with microenvironment and release of various inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and matrix metalloproteinases, induce invasion and propagation to distant organs of the body mainly peritoneal cavity. These CSCs can be enriched by their specific surface markers such as CD44, CD117, CD133 and intracellular enzyme such as aldehyde dehydrogenase. This tumorigenicity is further aggravated by the epithelial to mesenchymal transition of CSCs and neovascularisation via epigenetic reprogramming and over-expression of various signalling cascades such as Wnt/β-catenin, NOTCH, Hedgehog, etc. to name a few. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of various cellular events involving interaction between cancer cells and cancer stem cells as well as its surrounding micro environmental components would be of unmet need to achieve the ultimate goal of better management of ovarian cancer patients. This chapter deals with the impact of ovarian cancer stem cells in tumorigenesis which would help in the implementation of basic research into the clinical field in the form of translational research in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality in ovarian cancer patients through amelioration of diagnosis and impoverishment of therapeutic resistance.
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Zuber E, Schweitzer D, Allen D, Parte S, Kakar SS. Stem Cells in Ovarian Cancer and Potential Therapies. PROCEEDINGS OF STEM CELL RESEARCH AND ONCOGENESIS 2020; 8:e1001. [PMID: 32776013 PMCID: PMC7413600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Zuber
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY40202
| | - Diana Schweitzer
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY40202
| | - Dominick Allen
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY40202
| | - Seema Parte
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE-68198-5870
| | - Sham S. Kakar
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY40202
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
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Sabini C, Sorbi F, Cunnea P, Fotopoulou C. Ovarian cancer stem cells: ready for prime time? Arch Gynecol Obstet 2020; 301:895-899. [PMID: 32200419 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-020-05510-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The role of cancer stem cells (CSC) remains controversial and increasingly subject of investigation as a potential oncogenetic platform with promising therapeutic implications. Understanding the role of CSCs in a highly heterogeneous disease like epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) may potentially lead to the better understanding of the oncogenetic and metastatic pathways of the disease, but also to develop novel strategies against its progression and platinum resistance. METHODS We have performed a review of all relevant literature that addresses the oncogenetic potential of stem cells in EOC, their mechanisms, and the associated therapeutic targets. RESULTS Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been reported to be implicated not only in the development and pathways of intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH), but also potentially modulating the tumor microenvironment, leading to the selection of sub-clones resistant to chemotherapy. Furthermore, it appears that the enhanced DNA repair abilities of CSCs are connected with their endurance and resistance maintaining their genomic integrity during novel targeted treatments such as PARP inhibitors, allowing them to survive and causing disease relapse functioning as a tumor seeds. CONCLUSIONS It appears that CSCs play a major role in the underlying mechanisms of oncogenesis and development of relapse in EOC. Part of promising future plans would be to not only use them as therapeutic targets, but also extent their value on a preventative level through engineering mechanisms and prevention of EOC in its origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Sabini
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Flavia Sorbi
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Paula Cunnea
- West London Gynecological Cancer Centre, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, W12 OHS, UK.,Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Christina Fotopoulou
- West London Gynecological Cancer Centre, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, W12 OHS, UK. .,Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS, UK.
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Identification of metabolism-associated pathways and genes involved in male and female liver cancer patients. J Theor Biol 2019; 480:218-228. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Lu T, Bankhead A, Ljungman M, Neamati N. Multi-omics profiling reveals key signaling pathways in ovarian cancer controlled by STAT3. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:5478-5496. [PMID: 31534498 PMCID: PMC6735387 DOI: 10.7150/thno.33444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting STAT3 signaling reduces tumor progression, metastasis and chemoresistance, however the precise molecular mechanism has not been fully delineated in ovarian cancer. Methods: In this study, we generated STAT3 knockout (KO) ovarian cancer cell lines. Effects of STAT3 KO on cell proliferation, migration and spheroid formation were assessed in vitro and effects on in vivo tumor growth were tested using several tumor xenograft models. We used multi-omic genome-wide profiling to identify multi-level (Bru-Seq, RNA-Seq, and MS Proteomic) expression signatures of STAT3 KO ovarian cancer cells. Results: We observed that deletion of STAT3 blocked cell proliferation and migration in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in mice. Deletion of STAT3 transcriptionally suppressed key genes involved in EMT, cell cycle progression, E2F signaling, and altered stemness markers. Notably, KO of STAT3 resulted in modulation of the expression of other STAT family members. Conclusion: Our study presents a rich, multi-faceted summary of the molecular mechanisms impacted by STAT3 deletion and provides new insight for STAT3's potential as a therapeutic target in ovarian cancer.
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Kenda Suster N, Virant-Klun I. Presence and role of stem cells in ovarian cancer. World J Stem Cells 2019; 11:383-397. [PMID: 31396367 PMCID: PMC6682502 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v11.i7.383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological malignancy. It is typically diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, with metastatic sites disseminated widely within the abdominal cavity. Ovarian cancer treatment is challenging due to high disease recurrence and further complicated pursuant to acquired chemoresistance. Cancer stem cell (CSC) theory proposes that both tumor development and progression are driven by undifferentiated stem cells capable of self-renewal and tumor-initiation. The most recent evidence revealed that CSCs in terms of ovarian cancer are not only responsible for primary tumor growth, metastasis and relapse of disease, but also for the development of chemoresistance. As the elimination of this cell population is critical for increasing treatment success, a deeper understanding of ovarian CSCs pathobiology, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, signaling pathways and tumor microenvironment, is needed. Finally, before introducing new therapeutic agents for ovarian cancer, targeting CSCs, accurate identification of different ovarian stem cell subpopulations, including the very small embryonic-like stem cells suggested as progenitors, is necessary. To these ends, reliable markers of ovarian CSCs should be identified. In this review, we present the current knowledge and a critical discussion concerning ovarian CSCs and their clinical role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Kenda Suster
- Department of Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Irma Virant-Klun
- Department of Human Reproduction, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
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Toledo-Guzmán ME, Hernández MI, Gómez-Gallegos ÁA, Ortiz-Sánchez E. ALDH as a Stem Cell Marker in Solid Tumors. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 14:375-388. [PMID: 30095061 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x13666180810120012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) is an enzyme that participates in important cellular mechanisms as aldehyde detoxification and retinoic acid synthesis; moreover, ALDH activity is involved in drug resistance, a characteristic of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Even though ALDH is found in stem cells, CSCs and progenitor cells, this enzyme has been successfully used to identify and isolate cell populations with CSC properties from several tumor origins. ALDH is allegedly involved in cell differentiation through its product, retinoic acid. However, direct or indirect ALDH inhibition, using specific inhibitors or retinoic acid, has shown a reduction in ALDH activity, along with the loss of stem cell traits, reduction of cell proliferation, invasion, and drug sensitization. For these reasons, ALDH and retinoic acid are promising therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the current evidence for ALDH as a CSCs marker in solid tumors, as well as current knowledge about the functional roles of ALDH in CSCs. We discuss the controversy of ALDH activity to maintain CSC stemness, or conversely, to promote cell differentiation. Finally, we review the advances in using ALDH inhibitors as anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariel E Toledo-Guzmán
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Laboratorio de Terapia Genica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas, Posgrado de Biomedicina y Biotecnologia Molecular, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
- Subdireccion de Investigacion Basica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Av San Fernando 22, Colonia Seccion XVI, Tlalpan 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel Ibañez Hernández
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Laboratorio de Terapia Genica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas, Posgrado de Biomedicina y Biotecnologia Molecular, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ángel A Gómez-Gallegos
- Subdireccion de Investigacion Basica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Av San Fernando 22, Colonia Seccion XVI, Tlalpan 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
- Posgrado de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Ortiz-Sánchez
- Subdireccion de Investigacion Basica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia, Av San Fernando 22, Colonia Seccion XVI, Tlalpan 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
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