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Fanchon E, Stéphanou A. Is Cancer Metabolism an Atavism? Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2415. [PMID: 39001477 PMCID: PMC11240651 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132415] [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: 06/08/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The atavistic theory of cancer posits that cancer emerges and progresses through the reversion of cellular phenotypes to more ancestral types with genomic and epigenetic changes deactivating recently evolved genetic modules and activating ancient survival mechanisms. This theory aims at explaining the known cancer hallmarks and the paradox of cancer's predictable progression despite the randomness of genetic mutations. Lineweaver and colleagues recently proposed the Serial Atavism Model (SAM), an enhanced version of the atavistic theory, which suggests that cancer progression involves multiple atavistic reversions where cells regress through evolutionary stages, losing recently evolved traits first and reactivating primitive ones later. The Warburg effect, where cancer cells upregulate glycolysis and lactate production in the presence of oxygen instead of using oxidative phosphorylation, is one of the key feature of the SAM. It is associated with the metabolism of ancient cells living on Earth before the oxygenation of the atmosphere. This review addresses the question of whether cancer metabolism can be considered as an atavistic reversion. By analyzing several known characteristics of cancer metabolism, we reach the conclusion that this version of the atavistic theory does not provide an adequate conceptual frame for cancer research. Cancer metabolism spans a whole spectrum of metabolic states which cannot be fully explained by a sequential reversion to an ancient state. Moreover, we interrogate the nature of cancer metabolism and discuss its characteristics within the framework of the SAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Fanchon
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, UMR 5525, VetAgro Sup, Grenoble INP, TIMC, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Angélique Stéphanou
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, UMR 5525, VetAgro Sup, Grenoble INP, TIMC, 38000 Grenoble, France
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Ramazi S, Daddzadi M, Sahafnejad Z, Allahverdi A. Epigenetic regulation in lung cancer. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e401. [PMID: 37901797 PMCID: PMC10600507 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is indeed a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The development of tumors involves a complex interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation (DNAm), histone modifications, and microRNA expression, play a crucial role in this process. Changes in DNAm patterns can lead to the silencing of important genes involved in cellular functions, contributing to the development and progression of lung cancer. MicroRNAs and exosomes have also emerged as reliable biomarkers for lung cancer. They can provide valuable information about early diagnosis and treatment assessment. In particular, abnormal hypermethylation of gene promoters and its effects on tumorigenesis, as well as its roles in the Wnt signaling pathway, have been extensively studied. Epigenetic drugs have shown promise in the treatment of lung cancer. These drugs target the aberrant epigenetic modifications that are involved in the development and progression of the disease. Several factors have been identified as drug targets in non-small cell lung cancer. Recently, combination therapy has been discussed as a successful strategy for overcoming drug resistance. Overall, understanding the role of epigenetic mechanisms and their targeting through drugs is an important area of research in lung cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahin Ramazi
- Department of BiophysicsFaculty of Biological SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Meadeh Daddzadi
- Department of BiotechnologyFaculty of Advanced Science and TechnologyTehran Medical SciencesIslamic Azad UniversityTehranIran
| | - Zahra Sahafnejad
- Department of BiophysicsFaculty of Biological SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Abdollah Allahverdi
- Department of BiophysicsFaculty of Biological SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
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Lai YC, Lu MY, Wang WC, Hou TC, Kuo CY. Correlations between histological characterizations and methylation statuses of tumour suppressor genes in Wilms' tumours. Int J Exp Pathol 2022; 103:121-128. [PMID: 35436013 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12442] [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: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Wilms' tumour is a solid tumour that frequently occurs in children. Genetic changes in WT1 and epigenetic aberrations that affect imprinted control region 1 in WT2 loci are implicated in its aetiology. Moreover, tumour suppressor genes are frequently silenced by methylation in this tumour. In the present study, we analysed the methylation statuses of promoter regions of 24 tumour suppressor genes using a methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA)-based approach in 6 Wilms' tumours. Methylation of RASSF1 was specific to all 6 Wilms' tumours and was not observed in normal tissues. Moreover, methylated HIC1 was identified in stromal-type Wilms' tumours and methylated BRCA1 was identified in epithelial-type Wilms' tumours. Unmethylated CASP8, RARB, MLH1_167, APC and CDKN2A were found only in blastemal predominant-type Wilms' tumour. Our results indicated that methylation of RASSF1 may be a vital event in the tumorigenesis of Wilms' tumour, which informs its clinical and therapeutic management. In addition, mixed-type Wilms' tumours may be classified according to epithelial, stromal and blastemal components via MS-MLPA-based approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Chein Lai
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Yao Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chung Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jen-Ai Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Cheng Hou
- Department of Pathology, Jen-Ai Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yun Kuo
- Department of Pathology, Jen-Ai Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Di Fiore R, Suleiman S, Drago-Ferrante R, Felix A, O’Toole SA, O’Leary JJ, Ward MP, Beirne J, Yordanov A, Vasileva-Slaveva M, Subbannayya Y, Pentimalli F, Giordano A, Calleja-Agius J. LncRNA MORT (ZNF667-AS1) in Cancer-Is There a Possible Role in Gynecological Malignancies? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157829. [PMID: 34360598 PMCID: PMC8346052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Gynecological cancers (GCs) are currently among the major threats to female health. Moreover, there are different histologic subtypes of these cancers, which are defined as ‘rare’ due to an annual incidence of <6 per 100,000 women. The majority of these tend to be associated with a poor prognosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical role in the normal development of organisms as well as in tumorigenesis. LncRNAs can be classified into tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes, depending on their function within the cellular context and the signaling pathways in which they are involved. These regulatory RNAs are potential therapeutic targets for cancer due to their tissue and tumor specificity. However, there still needs to be a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which lncRNAs are involved in the regulation of numerous biological functions in humans, both in normal health and disease. The lncRNA Mortal Obligate RNA Transcript (MORT; alias ZNF667-AS1) has been identified as a tumor-related lncRNA. ZNF667-AS1 gene, located in the human chromosome region 19q13.43, has been shown to be silenced by DNA hypermethylation in several cancers. In this review, we report on the biological functions of ZNF667-AS1 from recent studies and describe the regulatory functions of ZNF667-AS1 in human disease, including cancer. Furthermore, we discuss the emerging insights into the potential role of ZNF667-AS1 as a biomarker and novel therapeutic target in cancer, including GCs (ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers).
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Di Fiore
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta;
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA;
- Correspondence: (R.D.F.); (J.C.-A.)
| | - Sherif Suleiman
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta;
| | | | - Ana Felix
- Department of Pathology, Instituto Portugues de Oncologia de Lisboa, NOVA Medical School, University NOVA of Lisbon, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Sharon A. O’Toole
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D08 HD53 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - John J. O’Leary
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Trinity College Dublin and Coombe Women’s and Infants University Hospital, D08 RX0X Dublin, Ireland; (J.J.O.); (M.P.W.)
| | - Mark P. Ward
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, Emer Casey Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Trinity College Dublin and Coombe Women’s and Infants University Hospital, D08 RX0X Dublin, Ireland; (J.J.O.); (M.P.W.)
| | - James Beirne
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, St James Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, D08 X4RX Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Angel Yordanov
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Medical University Pleven, 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria;
| | | | - Yashwanth Subbannayya
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway;
| | - Francesca Pentimalli
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA;
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Jean Calleja-Agius
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta;
- Correspondence: (R.D.F.); (J.C.-A.)
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Miranda Furtado CL, Dos Santos Luciano MC, Silva Santos RD, Furtado GP, Moraes MO, Pessoa C. Epidrugs: targeting epigenetic marks in cancer treatment. Epigenetics 2019; 14:1164-1176. [PMID: 31282279 PMCID: PMC6791710 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1640546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that aberrant epigenetic regulation of gene function is strongly related to the genesis of cancer. Unlike genetic mutations, the ability to reprogram the epigenetic landscape in the cancer epigenome is one of the most promising target therapies in both treatment and reversibility of drug resistance. Epigenetic alterations in cancer development and progression may be the basis for the individual variation in drug response. Thus, this review focuses on the emerging area of pharmaco(epi)genomics, specifically highlighting epigenetic reprogramming during tumorigenesis and how epigenetic markers are targeted as a therapy (epidrugs) and the clinical implications of this for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Renan Da Silva Santos
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | - Manoel Odorico Moraes
- Department of Surgery, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Claudia Pessoa
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
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