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Nguyen TM, Ngoc DTM, Choi JH, Lee CH. Unveiling the Neural Environment in Cancer: Exploring the Role of Neural Circuit Players and Potential Therapeutic Strategies. Cells 2023; 12:1996. [PMID: 37566075 PMCID: PMC10417274 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulation of the immune environment within the tumor microenvironment has provided new opportunities for cancer treatment. However, an important microenvironment surrounding cancer that is often overlooked despite its significance in cancer progression is the neural environment surrounding the tumor. The release of neurotrophic factors from cancer cells is implicated in cancer growth and metastasis by facilitating the infiltration of nerve cells into the tumor microenvironment. This nerve-tumor interplay can elicit cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in response to neurotransmitters. Moreover, it is possible that cancer cells could establish a network resembling that of neurons, allowing them to communicate with one another through neurotransmitters. The expression levels of players in the neural circuits of cancers could serve as potential biomarkers for cancer aggressiveness. Notably, the upregulation of certain players in the neural circuit has been linked to poor prognosis in specific cancer types such as breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, basal cell carcinoma, and stomach cancer. Targeting these players with inhibitors holds great potential for reducing the morbidity and mortality of these carcinomas. However, the efficacy of anti-neurogenic agents in cancer therapy remains underexplored, and further research is necessary to evaluate their effectiveness as a novel approach for cancer treatment. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of players in the neural circuits of cancers and the potential of anti-neurogenic agents for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Minh Nguyen
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (T.M.N.); (D.T.M.N.)
| | - Dinh Thi Minh Ngoc
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (T.M.N.); (D.T.M.N.)
| | - Jung-Hye Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Hoon Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea; (T.M.N.); (D.T.M.N.)
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Ricci A, Salvucci C, Castelli S, Carraturo A, de Vitis C, D’Ascanio M. Adenocarcinomas of the Lung and Neurotrophin System: A Review. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102531. [PMID: 36289793 PMCID: PMC9598928 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins (NTs) represent a group of growth factors with pleiotropic activities at the central nervous system level. The prototype of these molecules is represented by the nerve growth factor (NGF), but other factors with similar functions have been identified, including the brain derived-growth factor (BDNF), the neurotrophin 3 (NT-3), and NT-4/5. These growth factors act by binding specific low (p75) and high-affinity tyrosine kinase (TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC) receptors. More recently, these growth factors have shown effects outside the nervous system in different organs, particularly in the lungs. These molecules are involved in the natural development of the lungs, and their homeostasis. However, they are also important in different pathological conditions, including lung cancer. The involvement of neurotrophins in lung cancer has been detailed most for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in particular adenocarcinoma. This review aimed to extensively analyze the current knowledge of NTs and lung cancer and clarify novel molecular mechanisms for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Several clinical trials on humans are ongoing using NT receptor antagonists in different cancer cell types for further therapeutic applications. The pharmacological intervention against NT signaling may be essential to directly counteract cancer cell biology, and also indirectly modulate it in an inhibitory way by affecting neurogenesis and/or angiogenesis with potential impacts on tumor growth and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Michela D’Ascanio
- UOC Respiratory Disease, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
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Mobasheri T, Rayzan E, Shabani M, Hosseini M, Mahmoodi Chalbatani G, Rezaei N. Neuroblastoma-targeted nanoparticles and novel nanotechnology-based treatment methods. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:1751-1775. [PMID: 32735058 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a complicated pediatric tumor, originating from the neural crest, which is the most prevalent in adrenal glands, but may rarely be seen in some other tissues as well. Studies are focused on developing new strategies through novel chemo- and immuno-therapeutic drug targets. Different types of oncogenes such as MYCN, tumor suppressor genes such as p53, and some structural genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor are considered as targets for neuroblastoma therapy. The individual expression patterns in NB cells make them appropriate for this purpose. The combined effect of nano-drug delivery systems and specific drug targets will result in lower systemic side effects, prolonged therapeutic effects, and improvements in the pharmacokinetic properties of the drugs. Some of these novel drug delivery systems with a focus on liposomes as carriers are also discussed. In this review, genes and protein products that are beneficial as drug targets in the treatment of neuroblastoma have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taranom Mobasheri
- International Hematology/Oncology of Pediatrics Experts (IHOPE), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Elham Rayzan
- International Hematology/Oncology of Pediatrics Experts (IHOPE), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies (RCID), Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsima Shabani
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies (RCID), Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,International Hematology/Oncology of Pediatrics Experts (IHOPE), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mina Hosseini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies (RCID), Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
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