1
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Plaugher D, Murrugarra D. Cancer mutationscape: revealing the link between modular restructuring and intervention efficacy among mutations. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2024; 10:74. [PMID: 39003264 PMCID: PMC11246485 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-024-00398-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that biological systems are modular in both structure and function. Complex biological signaling networks such as gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are proving to be composed of subcategories that are interconnected and hierarchically ranked. These networks contain highly dynamic processes that ultimately dictate cellular function over time, as well as influence phenotypic fate transitions. In this work, we use a stochastic multicellular signaling network of pancreatic cancer (PC) to show that the variance in topological rankings of the most phenotypically influential modules implies a strong relationship between structure and function. We further show that induction of mutations alters the modular structure, which analogously influences the aggression and controllability of the disease in silico. We finally present evidence that the impact and location of mutations with respect to PC modular structure directly corresponds to the efficacy of single agent treatments in silico, because topologically deep mutations require deep targets for control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Plaugher
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
| | - David Murrugarra
- Department of Mathematics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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2
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Argentiero A, Andriano A, Caradonna IC, de Martino G, Desantis V. Decoding the Intricate Landscape of Pancreatic Cancer: Insights into Tumor Biology, Microenvironment, and Therapeutic Interventions. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2438. [PMID: 39001498 PMCID: PMC11240778 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents significant oncological challenges due to its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in progression and treatment resistance. Non-neoplastic cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), contribute to tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. Although immune cells infiltrate TME, tumor cells evade immune responses by secreting chemokines and expressing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Vascular components, like endothelial cells and pericytes, stimulate angiogenesis to support tumor growth, while adipocytes secrete factors that promote cell growth, invasion, and treatment resistance. Additionally, perineural invasion, a characteristic feature of PDAC, contributes to local recurrence and poor prognosis. Moreover, key signaling pathways including Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), Notch, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), and Wnt/β-catenin drive tumor progression and resistance. Targeting the TME is crucial for developing effective therapies, including strategies like inhibiting CAFs, modulating immune response, disrupting angiogenesis, and blocking neural cell interactions. A recent multi-omic approach has identified signature genes associated with anoikis resistance, which could serve as prognostic biomarkers and targets for personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandro Andriano
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Pharmacology Section, Medical School, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Ingrid Catalina Caradonna
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Pharmacology Section, Medical School, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giulia de Martino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Vanessa Desantis
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Pharmacology Section, Medical School, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
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3
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Singh G, Kutcher D, Lally R, Rai V. Targeting Neoantigens in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2101. [PMID: 38893220 PMCID: PMC11171042 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer and is currently the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States after lung and colon cancer. PDAC is estimated to be the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030. The diagnosis at a late stage is the underlying cause for higher mortality and poor prognosis after surgery. Treatment resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy results in recurrence after surgery and poor prognosis. Neoantigen burden and CD8+ T-cell infiltration are associated with clinical outcomes in PDAC and paucity of neoantigen-reactive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes may be the underlying cause for treatment resistance for immunotherapy. This suggests a need to identify additional neoantigens and therapies targeting these neoantigens to improve clinical outcomes in PDAC. In this review, we focus on describing the pathophysiology, current treatment strategies, and treatment resistance in PDAC followed by the need to target neoantigens in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vikrant Rai
- Department of Translational Research, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA; (G.S.); (D.K.); (R.L.)
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4
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Plaugher D, Murrugarra D. Pancreatic cancer mutationscape: revealing the link between modular restructuring and intervention efficacy amidst common mutations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.27.577546. [PMID: 38352601 PMCID: PMC10862704 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.27.577546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2024]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that biological systems are modular in both structure and function. Complex biological signaling networks such as gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are proving to be composed of subcategories that are interconnected and hierarchically ranked. These networks contain highly dynamic processes that ultimately dictate cellular function over time, as well as influence phenotypic fate transitions. In this work, we use a stochastic multicellular signaling network of pancreatic cancer (PC) to show that the variance in topological rankings of the most phenotypically influential modules implies a strong relationship between structure and function. We further show that induction of mutations alters the modular structure, which analogously influences the aggression and controllability of the disease in silico. We finally present evidence that the impact and location of mutations with respect to PC modular structure directly corresponds to the efficacy of single agent treatments in silico, because topologically deep mutations require deep targets for control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Plaugher
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky
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5
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Stefanoudakis D, Frountzas M, Schizas D, Michalopoulos NV, Drakaki A, Toutouzas KG. Significance of TP53, CDKN2A, SMAD4 and KRAS in Pancreatic Cancer. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:2827-2844. [PMID: 38666907 PMCID: PMC11049225 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46040177] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The present review demonstrates the major tumor suppressor genes, including TP53, CDKN2A and SMAD4, associated with pancreatic cancer. Each gene's role, prevalence and impact on tumor development and progression are analyzed, focusing on the intricate molecular landscape of pancreatic cancer. In addition, this review underscores the prognostic significance of specific mutations, such as loss of TP53, and explores some potential targeted therapies tailored to these molecular signatures. The findings highlight the importance of genomic analyses for risk assessment, early detection and the design of personalized treatment approaches in pancreatic cancer. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the molecular intricacies of pancreatic tumors, paving the way for more effective and tailored therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Stefanoudakis
- First Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, Hippocration General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (N.V.M.)
| | - Maximos Frountzas
- First Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, Hippocration General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (N.V.M.)
| | - Dimitrios Schizas
- First Department of Surgery, Laikon General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Nikolaos V. Michalopoulos
- First Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, Hippocration General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (N.V.M.)
| | - Alexandra Drakaki
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Konstantinos G. Toutouzas
- First Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, Hippocration General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (D.S.); (N.V.M.)
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Iliesiu A, Toma RV, Ciongariu AM, Costea R, Zarnescu N, Bîlteanu L. A pancreatic adenocarcinoma mimicking hepatoid carcinoma of uncertain histogenesis: A case report and literature review. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:442. [PMID: 37720666 PMCID: PMC10502951 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.14029] [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: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In rare cases, metastatic adenocarcinomas of different origin may exhibit the features of hepatoid carcinoma (HC), a rare malignant epithelial tumor, most commonly occurring in the ovaries and stomach, as well as in the pancreas and biliary ducts. A case of a 72-year-old female patient who developed a highly aggressive, poorly differentiated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with peritoneal carcinomatosis, demonstrating hepatoid differentiation upon conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining is reported in the present study. The patient presented with severe abdominal pain, and the radiological investigations performed revealed ovarian and hepatic tumor masses and peritoneal lesions, which were surgically removed. The gross examination of the peritoneum and omentum revealed multiple solid, firm, grey-white nodules, diffusely infiltrating the adipose tissue. The microscopic examination revealed a malignant epithelial proliferation, composed of polygonal cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and irregular, pleomorphic nuclei. Certain cells presented with intracytoplasmic mucus inclusions, raising suspicion of a HC with an uncertain histogenesis. Immunohistochemical staining was performed, and the tumor cells were found to be positive for cytokeratin (CK)7, CK18 and mucin 5AC, whereas negative staining for CK20, caudal-type homeobox transcription factor 2, α-fetoprotein, paired box gene 8, GATA-binding protein 3 and Wilms tumor 1 were documented. Thus, the diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma was established. The main aim of the present study was to provide further knowledge concerning poorly differentiated metastatic adenocarcinoma resembling HC, emphasizing the histopathological and immunohistochemical features of these malignant lesions and raising awareness of the diagnostic difficulties that may arise, as well as the importance of the use immunohistochemistry in differentiating carcinomas of uncertain histogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Iliesiu
- Department of Pathology, University Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Bucharest 014461, Romania
- Faculty of General Medicine, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 050474, Romania
| | - Radu-Valeriu Toma
- Faculty of General Medicine, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 050474, Romania
- Oncological Institute ‘Alexandru Trestioreanu’, Bucharest 022328, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Ciongariu
- Department of Pathology, University Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Bucharest 014461, Romania
- Faculty of General Medicine, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 050474, Romania
| | - Radu Costea
- Faculty of General Medicine, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 050474, Romania
- Second Department of Surgery, University Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Bucharest 050098, Romania
| | - Narcis Zarnescu
- Faculty of General Medicine, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 050474, Romania
- Second Department of Surgery, University Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Bucharest 050098, Romania
| | - Liviu Bîlteanu
- Oncological Institute ‘Alexandru Trestioreanu’, Bucharest 022328, Romania
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest 050097, Romania
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7
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Sarkar R, Xu Z, Perera CJ, Apte MV. Emerging role of pancreatic stellate cell-derived extracellular vesicles in pancreatic cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 93:114-122. [PMID: 37225047 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer that is characterised by a prominent collagenous stromal reaction/desmoplasia surrounding tumour cells. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are responsible for the production of this stroma and have been shown to facilitate PDAC progression. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs), in particular, small extracellular vesicles (exosomes) have been a topic of interest in the field of cancer research for their emerging roles in cancer progression and diagnosis. EVs act as a form of intercellular communication by carrying their molecular cargo from one cell to another, regulating functions of the recipient cells. Although the knowledge of the bi-directional interactions between the PSCs and cancer cells that promote disease progression has advanced significantly over the past decade, studies on PSC-derived EVs in PDAC are currently rather limited. This review provides an overview of PDAC, pancreatic stellate cells and their interactions with cancer cells, as well as the currently known role of extracellular vesicles derived from PSCs in PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Sarkar
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia
| | - Zhihong Xu
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia
| | - Chamini J Perera
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia.
| | - Minoti V Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia
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8
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Agrawal R, Natarajan KN. Oncogenic signaling pathways in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 159:251-283. [PMID: 37268398 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common (∼90% cases) pancreatic neoplasm and one of the most lethal cancer among all malignances. PDAC harbor aberrant oncogenic signaling that may result from the multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations such as the mutation in driver genes (KRAS, CDKN2A, p53), genomic amplification of regulatory genes (MYC, IGF2BP2, ROIK3), deregulation of chromatin-modifying proteins (HDAC, WDR5) among others. A key event is the formation of Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PanIN) that often results from the activating mutation in KRAS. Mutated KRAS can direct a variety of signaling pathways and modulate downstream targets including MYC, which play an important role in cancer progression. In this review, we discuss recent literature shedding light on the origins of PDAC from the perspective of major oncogenic signaling pathways. We highlight how MYC directly and indirectly, with cooperation with KRAS, affect epigenetic reprogramming and metastasis. Additionally, we summarize the recent findings from single cell genomic approaches that highlight heterogeneity in PDAC and tumor microenvironment, and provide molecular avenues for PDAC treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Agrawal
- DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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9
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Arsenijevic T, Coulonval K, Raspé E, Demols A, Roger PP, Van Laethem JL. CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Pancreatobiliary Cancers: Opportunities and Challenges. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:968. [PMID: 36765923 PMCID: PMC9913743 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Existing treatment strategies for pancreatobiliary malignancies are limited. Nowadays, surgery is the only path to cure these types of cancer, but only a small number of patients present with resectable tumors at the time of diagnosis. The notoriously poor prognosis, lack of diverse treatment options associated with pancreaticobiliary cancers, and their resistance to current therapies reflect the urge for the development of novel therapeutic targets. Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors have emerged as an attractive therapeutic strategy in a number of cancers since their approval for treatment in patients with ER+/HER- breast cancer in combination with antiestrogens. In this article, we discuss the therapeutic potential of CDK4/6 inhibitors in pancreatobiliary cancers, notably cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Arsenijevic
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Oncology, HUB Bordet Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Katia Coulonval
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (Iribhm), ULB-Cancer Research Center (U-crc), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus Erasme, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eric Raspé
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (Iribhm), ULB-Cancer Research Center (U-crc), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus Erasme, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne Demols
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Oncology, HUB Bordet Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre P. Roger
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (Iribhm), ULB-Cancer Research Center (U-crc), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus Erasme, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Luc Van Laethem
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Oncology, HUB Bordet Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
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10
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Plaugher D, Aguilar B, Murrugarra D. Uncovering potential interventions for pancreatic cancer patients via mathematical modeling. J Theor Biol 2022; 548:111197. [PMID: 35752283 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is widely known for its poor prognosis because it is often diagnosed when the cancer is in a later stage. We built a Boolean model to analyze the microenvironment of pancreatic cancer in order to better understand the interplay between pancreatic cancer, stellate cells, and their signaling cytokines. Specifically, we have used our model to study the impact of inducing four common mutations: KRAS, TP53, SMAD4, and CDKN2A. After implementing the various mutation combinations, we used our stochastic simulator to derive aggressiveness scores based on simulated attractor probabilities and long-term trajectory approximations. These aggression scores were then corroborated with clinical data. Moreover, we found sets of control targets that are effective among common mutations. These control sets contain nodes within both the pancreatic cancer cell and the pancreatic stellate cell, including PIP3, RAF, PIK3 and BAX in pancreatic cancer cell as well as ERK and PIK3 in the pancreatic stellate cell. Many of these nodes were found to be differentially expressed among pancreatic cancer patients in the TCGA database. Furthermore, literature suggests that many of these nodes can be targeted by drugs currently in circulation. The results herein help provide a proof of concept in the path towards personalized medicine through a means of mathematical systems biology. All data and code used for running simulations, statistical analysis, and plotting is available on a GitHub repository athttps://github.com/drplaugher/PCC_Mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Plaugher
- Department of Mathematics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
| | | | - David Murrugarra
- Department of Mathematics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
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Digiacomo G, Volta F, Garajova I, Balsano R, Cavazzoni A. Biological Hallmarks and New Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of PDAC. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11080843. [PMID: 34440587 PMCID: PMC8400856 DOI: 10.3390/life11080843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest solid tumors and is estimated to become a leading cause of cancer-related death in coming years. Despite advances in surgical approaches and the emergence of new chemotherapy options, its poor prognosis has not improved in the last decades. The current treatment for PDAC is the combination of cytotoxic chemotherapy agents. However, PDAC shows resistance to many antineoplastic therapies with rapid progression. Although PDAC represents a heterogeneous disease, there are common alterations including oncogenic mutations of KRAS, and the frequent inactivation of different cell cycle regulators including the CDKN2A tumor suppressor gene. An emerging field of investigation focuses on inhibiting the function of proteins that suppress the immune checkpoint PD-1/PD-L1, with activation of the endogenous immune response. To date, all conventional immunotherapies have been less successful in patients with PDAC compared to other tumors. The need for new targets, associated with an extended molecular analysis of tumor samples could give new pharmacological options for the treatment of PDAC. It is, therefore, important to push for a broader molecular approach in PDAC research. Here, we provide a selected summary of emerging strategy options for targeting PDAC using CDK4/6 inhibitors, RAS inhibitors, and new drug combinations with immune checkpoint agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziana Digiacomo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (F.V.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0521-903965
| | - Francesco Volta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (F.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Ingrid Garajova
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy; (I.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Rita Balsano
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Hospital of Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy; (I.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Andrea Cavazzoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (F.V.); (A.C.)
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12
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Sun H, Zhang D, Huang C, Guo Y, Yang Z, Yao N, Dong X, Cheng R, Zhao N, Meng J, Sun B, Hao J. Hypoxic microenvironment induced spatial transcriptome changes in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Biol Med 2021; 18:j.issn.2095-3941.2021.0158. [PMID: 34086429 PMCID: PMC8185871 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2021.0158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hypoxia is a significant feature of solid tumors, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is associated with tumor invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. However, the spatial distribution of hypoxia-related heterogeneity in PDAC remains unclear. METHODS Spatial transcriptomics (STs), a new technique, was used to investigate the ST features of engrafted human PDAC in the ischemic hind limbs of nude mice. Transcriptomes from ST spots in the hypoxic tumor and the control were clustered using differentially-expressed genes. These data were compared to determine the spatial organization of hypoxia-induced heterogeneity in PDAC. Clinical relevance was validated using the Tumor Cancer Genome Atlas and KM-plotter databases. The CMAP website was used to identify molecules that may serve as therapeutic targets for PDAC. RESULTS ST showed that the tumor cell subgroups decreased to 7 subgroups in the hypoxia group, compared to 9 subgroups in the control group. Different subgroups showed positional characteristics and different gene signatures. Subgroup 6 located at the invasive front showed a higher proliferative ability under hypoxia. Subgroup 6 had active functions including cell proliferation, invasion, and response to stress. Expressions of hypoxia-related genes, LDHA, TPI1, and ENO1, induced changes. CMAP analysis indicated that ADZ-6482, a PI3K inhibitor, was targeted by the invasive subgroup in hypoxic tumors. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to describe hypoxic microenvironment-induced spatial transcriptome changes in PDAC, and to identify potential treatment targets for PDAC. These data will provide the basis for further investigations of the prognoses and treatments of hypoxic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizhi Sun
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Danfang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Chongbiao Huang
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Yuhong Guo
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Zhao Yang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Nan Yao
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xueyi Dong
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Runfen Cheng
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Nan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jie Meng
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Baocun Sun
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jihui Hao
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
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13
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Lu W, Sun J, Zhou H, Wang F, Zhao C, Li K, Fan C, Ding G, Wang J. HNF1B inhibits cell proliferation via repression of SMAD6 expression in prostate cancer. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:14539-14548. [PMID: 33174391 PMCID: PMC7754016 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men in developed countries. In previous study, we identified HNF1B (Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1β) as a downstream effector of Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). HNF1B suppresses EZH2‐mediated migration of two prostate cancer cell lines via represses the EMT process by inhibiting SLUG expression. Besides, HNF1B expression inhibits cell proliferation through unknown mechanisms. Here, we demonstrated that HNF1B inhibited the proliferation rate of prostate cancer cells. Overexpression of HNF1B in prostate cancer cells led to the arrest of G1 cell cycle and decreased Cyclin D1 expression. In addition, we re‐explored data from ChIP‐sequencing (ChIP‐seq) and RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq), and demonstrated that HNF1B repressed Cyclin D1 via direct suppression of SMAD6 expression. We also identified CDKN2A as a HNF1B‐interacting protein that would contribute to HNF1B‐mediated repression of SMAD6 expression. In summary, we provide the novel mechanisms and evidence in support HNF1B as a tumour suppressor gene for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lu
- School of Nursing, Suzhou Vocational Health College, Suzhou, China
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Huihui Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chunchun Zhao
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Caibin Fan
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Guanxiong Ding
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianqing Wang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
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