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Skurikhin E, Ermakova N, Zhukova M, Pan E, Widera D, Sandrikina L, Kogai L, Pershina O, Pakhomova A, Pan VY, Kushlinskii N, Kubatiev A, Morozov S, Dygai A. Effects of reprogrammed splenic CD8 + T-cells in vitro and in mice with spontaneous metastatic Lewis lung carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:522. [PMID: 38664641 PMCID: PMC11046928 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12203-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastatic disease is a major and difficult-to-treat complication of lung cancer. Considering insufficient effectiveness of existing therapies and taking into account the current problem of lung cancer chemoresistance, it is necessary to continue the development of new treatments. METHODS Previously, we have demonstrated the antitumor effects of reprogrammed CD8+ T-cells (rCD8+ T-cells) from the spleen in mice with orthotopic lung carcinoma. Reprogramming was conducted by inhibiting the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway through MEKi and the immune checkpoint PD-1/PD-L1. Concurrently, CD8+ T-cells were trained in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells. We suggested that rCD8+ T-cells isolated from the spleen might impede the development of metastatic disease. RESULTS The present study has indicated that the reprogramming procedure enhances the survival and cytotoxicity of splenic CD8+ T-cells in LLC culture. In an LLC model of spontaneous metastasis, splenic rCD8 + T-cell therapy augmented the numbers of CD8+ T-cells and CD4+ T-cells in the lungs of mice. These changes can account for the partial reduction of tumors in the lungs and the mitigation of metastatic activity. CONCLUSIONS Our proposed reprogramming method enhances the antitumor activity of CD8+ T-cells isolated from the spleen and could be valuable in formulating an approach to treating metastatic disease in patients with lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Skurikhin
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315, Moscow, Russia.
| | - N Ermakova
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315, Moscow, Russia
- Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028, Tomsk, Russia
| | - M Zhukova
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315, Moscow, Russia.
| | - E Pan
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315, Moscow, Russia
| | - D Widera
- Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Group, School of Pharmacy, Whiteknights Campus, RG6 6AP, Reading, UK
| | - L Sandrikina
- Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028, Tomsk, Russia
| | - L Kogai
- Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028, Tomsk, Russia
- Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Siberian State Medical University, Moskovski, 2, 634050, Tomsk, Russia
| | - O Pershina
- Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028, Tomsk, Russia
| | - A Pakhomova
- Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028, Tomsk, Russia
| | - V Yu Pan
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315, Moscow, Russia
| | - N Kushlinskii
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 115522, Moscow, Russia
| | - A Kubatiev
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315, Moscow, Russia
| | - S Morozov
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315, Moscow, Russia
| | - A Dygai
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315, Moscow, Russia
- Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028, Tomsk, Russia
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2
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Kimura T, Doolittle WKL, Kruhlak M, Zhao L, Hwang E, Zhu X, Tang B, Wolcott KM, Cheng SY. Inhibition of MEK Signaling Attenuates Cancer Stem Cell Activity in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid 2024; 34:484-495. [PMID: 38115586 PMCID: PMC10998707 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2023.0521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is highly aggressive and has very limited treatment options. Recent studies suggest that cancer stem cell (CSC) activity in ATC could underlie this recurrence and resistance to treatment. The recent approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of the combined treatment of BRAF and MEK inhibitors for ATC patients has shown some efficacy in patients harboring the BRAFV600E mutation. However, it was unknown whether the combined treatment could affect the CSC activity. This study explores the effects of the BRAF and MEK inhibitors on CSC activity in human ATC cells. Methods: Using three human ATC cells, THJ-11T, THJ-16T, and 8505C cells, we evaluated the effects of dabrafenib (a BRAF kinase inhibitor), trametinib (an MEK inhibitor), or a combined treatment of the two drugs on the CSC activity by tumorsphere formation, Aldefluor assays, expression profiles of key CSC markers, immunohistochemistry, and in vivo xenograft mouse models. Furthermore, we also used confocal imaging to directly visualize the effects on drugs on CSCs by the SORE6-mCherry reporter in cultured cells and xenograft tumor cells. Results: The BRAF inhibitor, dabrafenib, had weak efficacy, while the MEK inhibitor, trametinib, showed strong efficacy in attenuating the CSC activity, as evidenced by suppression of CSC marker expression, tumorsphere formation, and Aldefluor assays. Using ATC cells expressing a fluorescent CSC SORE6 reporter, we showed reduction of CSC activity in the rank order of combined > trametinib > dabrafenib through in vitro and in vivo xenograft models. Molecular analyses showed that suppression of CSC activity by these drugs was, in part, mediated by attenuation of the transcription by dampening the RNA polymerase II activity. Conclusions: Our analyses demonstrated the presence of CSCs in ATC cells. The inhibition of CSC activity by the MEK signaling could partially account for the efficacy of the combined treatment shown in ATC patients. However, our studies also showed that not all CSC activity was totally abolished, which may account for the recurrence observed in ATC patients. Our findings have provided new insights into the molecular basis of efficacy and limitations of these drugs in ATC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Kimura
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Woo Kyung Lee Doolittle
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael Kruhlak
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Eunmi Hwang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Xuguang Zhu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Binwu Tang
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Karen M. Wolcott
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity Flow Cytometry Core, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sheue-yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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3
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Zhang M, Ding Y, Gao M, Lu X, Tan J, Yu F, Gu C, Gu L, Ren X, Hao C, Ming L, Xu K, Mao W, Jin Y, Zhang M, You L, Wang Z, Sun Y, Jiang J, Yang Y, Zhang D, Tang X. Discovery of Novel N-(Anthracen-9-ylmethyl) Benzamide Derivatives as ZNF207 Inhibitors Promising in Treating Glioma. J Med Chem 2024; 67:3909-3934. [PMID: 38377560 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Targeting tumor stemness is an innovative approach to cancer treatment. Zinc Finger Protein 207 (ZNF207) is a promising target for weakening the stemness of glioma cells. Here, a series of novel N-(anthracen-9-ylmethyl) benzamide derivatives against ZNF207 were rationally designed and synthesized. The inhibitory activity was evaluated, and their structure-activity relationships were summarized. Among them, C16 exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity, as evidenced by its IC50 values ranging from 0.5-2.5 μM for inhibiting sphere formation and 0.5-15 μM for cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we found that C16 could hinder tumorigenesis and migration and promote apoptosis in vitro. These effects were attributed to the downregulation of stem-related genes. The in vivo evaluation demonstrated that C16 exhibited efficient permeability across the blood-brain barrier and potent efficacy in both subcutaneous and orthotopic glioma tumor models. Hence, C16 may serve as a potential lead compound targeting ZNF207 and has promising therapeutic potential for glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghan Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Yushi Ding
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Mengkang Gao
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Xiaolin Lu
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Jun Tan
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Fei Yu
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Congying Gu
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Lujun Gu
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Xiameng Ren
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Chenyan Hao
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Liqin Ming
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Kang Xu
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Wenhao Mao
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Yuqing Jin
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Min Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Linjun You
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Zhanbo Wang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Yuanyuan Sun
- Shuangyun BioMed Sci & Tech (Suzhou) Co., Ltd, Suzhou, China 215000
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- Shuangyun BioMed Sci & Tech (Suzhou) Co., Ltd, Suzhou, China 215000
| | - Yong Yang
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
- School of Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China 221004
| | - Dayong Zhang
- School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
| | - Xinying Tang
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China 211112
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4
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Fernandes Q, Therachiyil L, Khan AQ, Bedhiafi T, Korashy HM, Bhat AA, Uddin S. Shrinking the battlefield in cancer therapy: Nanotechnology against cancer stem cells. Eur J Pharm Sci 2023; 191:106586. [PMID: 37729956 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106586] [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: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, presenting a significant healthcare challenge owing to the limited efficacy of current treatments. The application of nanotechnology in cancer treatment leverages the unique optical, magnetic, and electrical attributes of nanomaterials to engineer innovative, targeted therapies. Specifically, manipulating nanomaterials allows for enhanced drug loading efficiency, improved bioavailability, and targeted delivery systems, reducing the non-specific cytotoxic effects characteristic of conventional chemotherapies. Furthermore, recent advances in nanotechnology have demonstrated encouraging results in specifically targeting CSCs, a key development considering the role of these cells in disease recurrence and resistance to treatment. Despite these breakthroughs, the clinical approval rates of nano-drugs have not kept pace with research advances, pointing to existing obstacles that must be addressed. In conclusion, nanotechnology presents a novel, powerful tool in the fight against cancer, particularly in targeting the elusive and treatment-resistant CSCs. This comprehensive review delves into the intricacies of nanotherapy, explicitly targeting cancer stem cells, their markers, and associated signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Queenie Fernandes
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Hamad Medical Corporation, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, PO. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Lubna Therachiyil
- Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Translational Research Institute, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Abdul Q Khan
- Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Translational Research Institute, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Takwa Bedhiafi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Hesham M Korashy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Dermatology Institute, Doha 3050, Qatar; Laboratory of Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 22602, India.
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5
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Saito H, Suzuki N. Establishment of a novel experimental system using single cell-derived pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines expressing K-RasG12V and deficient in p53. Exp Anim 2023; 72:446-453. [PMID: 37081671 PMCID: PMC10658087 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.22-0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma (PRMS) predominantly arises in adult skeletal musculature and is usually associated with poor prognosis. Thus, effective treatments must be developed. PRMS is a rare tumor; therefore, it is critical to develop an experimental system to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of PRMS. We previously demonstrated that PRMS develops after p53 gene deletion and oncogenic K-Ras expression in the skeletal muscle tissue. In that study, oncogenic K-Ras-expressing cells were diverse and the period until disease onset was difficult to control. In this study, we developed an experimental system to address this problem. Single cell-derived murine cell lines, designated as RMS310 and RMSg2, were established by limiting the dilution of cells from a lung metastatic tumor colony that were positive for various cancer stem cells and activated skeletal muscle-resident stem/progenitor cell marker genes by RT-PCR. All cell lines stably recapitulated the histological characteristics of human PRMS as bizarre giant cells, desmin-positive cells, and lung metastases in C57BL/6 mice. All subclones of the RMSg2 cells by the limiting dilution in vitro could seed PRMS subcutaneously, and as few as 500 RMSg2 cells were sufficient to form tumors. These results suggest that the RMSg2 cells are multipotent cancer cells that partially combine the properties of skeletal muscle-resident stem/progenitor cells and high tumorigenicity. Thus, our model system's capacity to regenerate tumor tissue in vivo and maintain stable cells in vitro makes it useful for developing therapeutics to treat PRMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromitsu Saito
- Department of Animal Functional Genomics of Advanced Science Research Promotion Center, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion at Mie University, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
| | - Noboru Suzuki
- Department of Animal Functional Genomics of Advanced Science Research Promotion Center, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion at Mie University, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
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6
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Wang Y, Yang Z, Zhu W, Chen Y, He X, Li J, Han Z, Yang Y, Liu W, Zhang K. Dihydroartemisinin inhibited stem cell-like properties and enhanced oxaliplatin sensitivity of colorectal cancer via AKT/mTOR signaling. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:988-998. [PMID: 37132439 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22067] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common tumor with high morbidity and mortality. The use of oxaliplatin (L-OHP) as a first-line treatment for CRC is limited due to chemoresistance. Growing evidence have revealed that the existence of cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) is one of the important reasons for drug resistance and recurrence of cancers. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a derivative of artemisinin, has showed anticancer effects on a variety of malignancies, in addition to its antimalarial effects. However, the effect and mechanism of DHA on CSLCs and chemosensitivity in CRC cells remains unclear. In this study, we found that DHA inhibited cell viability in HCT116 and SW620 cells. Moreover, DHA decreased cell clonogenicity, and improved L-OHP sensitivity. Furthermore, DHA treatment attenuated tumor sphere formation, and the expressions of stem cell surface marker (CD133 and CD44) and stemness-associated transcription factor (Nanog, c-Myc, and OCT4). Mechanistically, the present findings showed that DHA inhibited of AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The activation of AKT/mTOR signaling reversed DHA-decreased cell viability, clonogenicity, L-OHP resistance, tumor sphere, and expressions of stemness-associated protein in CRC. The inhibitory effect of DHA on tumorigenicity of CRC cells has also been demonstrated in BALB/c nude mice. In conclusion, this study revealed that DHA inhibited CSLCs properties in CRC via AKT/mTOR signaling, suggesting that DHA may be used as a potential therapeutic agent for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujun Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhirong Yang
- Pathology Department, Deyang People's Hospital, Deyang, China
| | - Wanglong Zhu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, China
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuzhuo Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Xingqiang He
- College of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaofeng Li
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhengyu Han
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuhan Yang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, China
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, China
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, China
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
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7
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Kim JH, Park S, Jung E, Shin J, Kim YJ, Kim JY, Sessler JL, Seo JH, Kim JS. A dual-action niclosamide-based prodrug that targets cancer stem cells and inhibits TNBC metastasis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304081120. [PMID: 37186828 PMCID: PMC10214212 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304081120] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy typically destroys the tumor mass but rarely eradicates the cancer stem cells (CSCs) that can drive metastatic recurrence. A key current challenge is finding ways to eradicate CSCs and suppress their characteristics. Here, we report a prodrug, Nic-A, created by combining a carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) inhibitor, acetazolamide, with a signal transducer and transcriptional activator 3 (STAT3) inhibitor, niclosamide. Nic-A was designed to target triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) CSCs and was found to inhibit both proliferating TNBC cells and CSCs via STAT3 dysregulation and suppression of CSC-like properties. Its use leads to a decrease in aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 activity, CD44high/CD24low stem-like subpopulations, and tumor spheroid-forming ability. TNBC xenograft tumors treated with Nic-A exhibited decreased angiogenesis and tumor growth, as well as decreased Ki-67 expression and increased apoptosis. In addition, distant metastases were suppressed in TNBC allografts derived from a CSC-enriched population. This study thus highlights a potential strategy for addressing CSC-based cancer recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hyeon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
| | - Soeun Park
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul08308, Korea
| | - Eunsun Jung
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul08308, Korea
| | - Jinwoo Shin
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
| | - Yoon-Jae Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul08308, Korea
| | - Ji Young Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul08308, Korea
| | - Jonathan L. Sessler
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712-1224
| | - Jae Hong Seo
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul08308, Korea
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul02841, Korea
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8
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Niu T, Zhu J, Dong L, Yuan P, Zhang L, Liu D. Inorganic pyrophosphatase 1 activates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling to promote tumorigenicity and stemness properties in colorectal cancer. Cell Signal 2023; 108:110693. [PMID: 37141926 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110693] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor of the human digestive tract. Inorganic pyrophosphatase 1 (PPA1) plays an imperative role in the advancement of malignant tumors, but its function in CRC is ill-defined. In this study, we inspected the functions of PPA1 in CRC. The abundance of PPA1 in CRC tissues was analyzed by utilizing publicly available data from the The Cancer Genome Atlas and Human Protein Atlas project. Cell counting kit-8 assay and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay were used to evaluate the viability and proliferation of CRC cells. Bioinformatics analysis was used to forecast the PPA1 related genes and signal pathways in CRC. The protein expression was examined by western blot. The xenograft model was implemented to determine the influence of PPA1 in CRC in vivo. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen, CD133, and CD44 contents in xenograft tumors were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. In the present study, we found that the PPA1 content was heightened in CRC, and the diagnostic value of PPA1 in CRC was enormous. Overexpression of PPA1 enhanced cell proliferation and stemness properties in CRC cells, while downregulation of PPA1 had the opposite effects. PPA1 promoted the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. Activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling reversed the effect of PPA1 silencing on cell proliferation and stemness properties in CRC cells. Silencing of PPA1 reduced xenograft tumor growth via modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in vivo. In conclusion, PPA1 promoted cell proliferation and stemness properties in CRC by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbao Niu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Lujia Dong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Pengfei Yuan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Like Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Dechun Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China.
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9
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Park M, Sunwoo K, Kim YJ, Won M, Xu Y, Kim J, Pu Z, Li M, Kim JY, Seo JH, Kim JS. Cutting Off H + Leaks on the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane: A Proton Modulation Approach to Selectively Eradicate Cancer Stem Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:4647-4658. [PMID: 36745678 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c12587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are associated with the invasion and metastatic relapse of various cancers. However, current cancer therapies are limited to targeting the bulk of primary tumor cells while remaining the CSCs untouched. Here, we report a new proton (H+) modulation approach to selectively eradicate CSCs via cutting off the H+ leaks on the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). Based on the fruit extract of Gardenia jasminoides, a multimodal molecule channel blocker with high biosafety, namely, Bo-Mt-Ge, is developed. Importantly, in this study, we successfully identify that mitochondrial uncoupling protein UCP2 is closely correlated with the stemness of CSCs, which may offer a new perspective for selective CSC drug discovery. Mechanistic studies show that Bo-Mt-Ge can specifically inhibit the UCP2 activities, decrease the H+ influx in the matrix, regulate the electrochemical gradient, and deplete the endogenous GSH, which synergistically constitute a unique MoA to active apoptotic CSC death. Intriguingly, Bo-Mt-Ge also counteracts the therapeutic resistance via a two-pronged tactic: drug efflux pump P-glycoprotein downregulation and antiapoptotic factor (e.g., Bcl-2) inhibition. With these merits, Bo-Mt-Ge proved to be one of the safest and most efficacious anti-CSC agents, with ca. 100-fold more potent than genipin alone in vitro and in vivo. This study offers new insights and promising solutions for future CSC therapies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minsu Park
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul 08308, Korea
| | - Kyoung Sunwoo
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Yoon-Jae Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul 08308, Korea
| | - Miae Won
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Yunjie Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Jaewon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Zhongji Pu
- Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 311200, P. R. China
| | - Mingle Li
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Ji Young Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul 08308, Korea
| | - Jae Hong Seo
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul 08308, Korea
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
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10
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Ali M, Wani SUD, Salahuddin M, S.N. M, K M, Dey T, Zargar MI, Singh J. Recent advance of herbal medicines in cancer- a molecular approach. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13684. [PMID: 36865478 PMCID: PMC9971193 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioactive compounds are crucial for an extensive range of therapeutic uses, and some exhibit anticancer activity. Scientists advocate that phytochemicals modulate autophagy and apoptosis, involved in the underlying pathobiology of cancer development and regulation. The pharmacological aiming of the autophagy-apoptosis signaling pathway using phytocompounds hence offers an auspicious method that is complementary to conventional cancer chemotherapy. The current review aims to explore the molecular level of the autophagic-apoptotic pathway to know its implication in the pathobiology of cancer and explore the essential cellular process as a druggable anticancer target and therapeutic emergence of naturally derived phytocompound-based anticancer agents. The data in the review were collected from scientific databases such as Google search, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Clinical Trials. With a broad outlook, we investigated their cutting-edge scientifically revealed and/or searched pharmacologic effects, a novel mechanism of action, and molecular signaling pathway of phytochemicals in cancer therapy. In this review, the evidence is focused on molecular pharmacology, specifically caspase, Nrf2, NF-kB, autophagic-apoptotic pathway, and several mechanisms to understand their role in cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ali
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, East Point College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, 560049, India
| | - Shahid Ud Din Wani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences and Technology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, India
| | - Md Salahuddin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, 560027, India
| | - Manjula S.N.
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy Mysuru, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, 570004, India
| | - Mruthunjaya K
- Department of Pharmacognosy, JSS College of Pharmacy Mysuru, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, 570004, India
| | - Tathagata Dey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, East Point College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, 560049, India
| | - Mohammed Iqbal Zargar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences and Technology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, 190006, India
| | - Jagadeesh Singh
- Department of Pharmacognosy, East Point College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, 560049, India
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11
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Shirinsokhan A, Azarmehr Z, Jalili A, Sadrabadi AE, Partan AS, Tutunchi S, Bereimipour A. Selection hub MicroRNAs as biomarkers in breast cancer stem cells in extracellular matrix using bioinformatics analyses. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s43042-022-00359-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, and many people get it every year. The cancer stem cells are maybe crucial role to exacerbates and relapse the breast cancer. Therefore, finding biomarkers in human secretions can be an suitable solution for early detection and neo adjuvant therapy. This study aimed to investigate the molecular events related to the cancer stem cells in breast cancer, after which we nominated a suitable MicroRNAs participates in breast cancer pathogenesis.
Methods
In this study, we investigated the relationship between molecular pathways using a bioinformatics approach. First, we selected the appropriate RNA-Seq datasets from the GEO database. We used Enrichr, KEGG, and Shiny GO databases to evaluate the signal pathways and gene ontology after isolating the gene expression profiles. In the next step, we used the STRING database to assess the protein network, and we used the Targetscan database to nominate the MicroRNA.
Results
510 high-expression genes and 460 low-expression genes were associated with breast cancer and the cancer stem cells. Highly expressed genes were involved in the cell cycle and cellular aging pathways. On the other hand, low-expression genes were involved in the RNA transports, spliceosome, and apoptosis pathways. After evaluating the ontology of genes and the relationship between proteins, high-expression SPARC, INHBA, FN1, and GBA proteins were nominated. In the next section, the MicroRNAs related to these genes were hsa miR-9.5p, hsa miR-203.3p, and hsa miR-429.
Conclusion
In general, we examined more closely and more the relationship between the cancer stem cells pathway and breast cancer using a regular and accurate bioinformatics framework. Finally, we nominated suitable MicroRNAs that were involved in breast cancer stem cells.
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12
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Destroying the Shield of Cancer Stem Cells: Natural Compounds as Promising Players in Cancer Therapy. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11236996. [PMID: 36498571 PMCID: PMC9737492 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11236996] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In a scenario where eco-sustainability and a reduction in chemotherapeutic drug waste are certainly a prerogative to safeguard the biosphere, the use of natural products (NPs) represents an alternative therapeutic approach to counteract cancer diseases. The presence of a heterogeneous cancer stem cell (CSC) population within a tumor bulk is related to disease recurrence and therapy resistance. For this reason, CSC targeting presents a promising strategy for hampering cancer recurrence. Increasing evidence shows that NPs can inhibit crucial signaling pathways involved in the maintenance of CSC stemness and sensitize CSCs to standard chemotherapeutic treatments. Moreover, their limited toxicity and low costs for large-scale production could accelerate the use of NPs in clinical settings. In this review, we will summarize the most relevant studies regarding the effects of NPs derived from major natural sources, e.g., food, botanical, and marine species, on CSCs, elucidating their use in pre-clinical and clinical studies.
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13
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Mishra A, Pathak Y, Mishra SK, Prakash H, Tripathi V. Natural compounds as a potential modifier of stem cells renewal: Comparative analysis. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 938:175412. [PMID: 36427534 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175412] [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: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are indispensable for development, progression, drug resistance, and tumor metastasis. Current cancer-directed interventions target targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells and slow dividing CSCs, which are the root cause of cancer origin and recurrence. The most promising targets include several self-renewal pathways involved in the maintenance and renewal of CSCs, such as the Wnt/β-Catenin, Sonic Hedgehog, Notch, Hippo, Autophagy, and Ferroptosis. In view of safety, natural compounds are coming to the front line of treatment modalities for modifying various signaling pathways simultaneously involved in maintaining CSCs. Therefore, targeting CSCs with natural compounds is a promising approach to treating various types of cancers. In view of this, here we provide a comprehensive update on the current status of natural compounds that effectively tune key self-renewal pathways of CSCs. In addition, we highlighted surface expression markers in several types of cancer. We also emphasize how natural compounds target these self-renewal pathways to reduce therapy resistance and cancer recurrence properties of CSCs, hence providing valuable cancer therapeutic strategies. The inclusion of nutraceuticals is believed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of current cancer-directed interventions significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaresh Mishra
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, 201310, India
| | - Yamini Pathak
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, 201310, India
| | | | - Hridayesh Prakash
- Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vishwas Tripathi
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, 201310, India.
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14
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Bryl R, Piwocka O, Kawka E, Mozdziak P, Kempisty B, Knopik-Skrocka A. Cancer Stem Cells-The Insight into Non-Coding RNAs. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223699. [PMID: 36429127 PMCID: PMC9688207 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Since their initial identification three decades ago, there has been extensive research regarding cancer stem cells (CSCs). It is important to consider the biology of cancer stem cells with a particular focus on their phenotypic and metabolic plasticity, the most important signaling pathways, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulating these cellular entities. Furthermore, the current status of therapeutic approaches against CSCs is an important consideration regarding employing the technology to improve human health. Cancer stem cells have claimed to be one of the most important group of cells for the development of several common cancers as they dictate features, such as resistance to radio- and chemotherapy, metastasis, and secondary tumor formation. Therapies which could target these cells may develop into an effective strategy for tumor eradication and a hope for patients for whom this disease remains uncurable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rut Bryl
- Section of Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Research, Natural Sciences Club, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Oliwia Piwocka
- Section of Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Research, Natural Sciences Club, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
- Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznań, Poland
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznań, Poland
| | - Emilia Kawka
- Section of Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Research, Natural Sciences Club, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Paul Mozdziak
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Bartosz Kempisty
- Prestage Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Division of Anatomy, Medical University of Wrocław, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
- Correspondence: or
| | - Agnieszka Knopik-Skrocka
- Section of Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Research, Natural Sciences Club, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
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15
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Sher G, Masoodi T, Patil K, Akhtar S, Kuttikrishnan S, Ahmad A, Uddin S. Dysregulated FOXM1 signaling in the regulation of cancer stem cells. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:107-121. [PMID: 35931301 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Since the introduction of the cancer stem cell (CSC) paradigm, significant advances have been made in understanding the functional and biological plasticity of these elusive components in malignancies. Endowed with self-renewing abilities and multilineage differentiation potential, CSCs have emerged as cellular drivers of virtually all facets of tumor biology, including metastasis, tumor recurrence/relapse, and drug resistance. The functional and biological characteristics of CSCs, such as self-renewal, cell fate decisions, survival, proliferation, and differentiation are regulated by an array of extracellular factors, signaling pathways, and pluripotent transcriptional factors. Besides the well-characterized regulatory role of transcription factors OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, KLF4, and MYC in CSCs, evidence for the central role of Forkhead box transcription factor FOXM1 in the establishment, maintenance, and functions of CSCs is accumulating. Conventionally identified as a master regulator of the cell cycle, a comprehensive understanding of this molecule has revealed its multifarious oncogenic potential and uncovered its role in angiogenesis, invasion, migration, self-renewal, and drug resistance. This review compiles the large body of literature that has accumulated in recent years that provides evidence for the mechanisms by which FOXM1 expression promotes stemness in glioblastoma, breast, colon, ovarian, lung, hepatic, and pancreatic carcinomas. We have also compiled the data showing the association of stem cell mediators with FOXM1 using TCGA mRNA expression data. Further, the prognostic importance of FOXM1 and other stem cell markers is presented. The delineation of FOXM1-mediated regulation of CSCs can aid in the development of molecularly targeted pharmacological approaches directed at the selective eradication of CSCs in several human malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulab Sher
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Tariq Masoodi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Cancer Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar
| | - Kalyani Patil
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Sabah Akhtar
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Shilpa Kuttikrishnan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Aamir Ahmad
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar.
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16
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Sun WH, Peng TJ, Tang SJ, Lin JY, Wang CY, Fang HJ, Sun KH. CXCR3 isoform A promotes head and neck cancer progression by enhancing stem-like property and chemoresistance. J Oral Pathol Med 2022; 51:791-800. [PMID: 35998229 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13346] [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: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The chemokine network orchestrates the cancer stem-like property and consequently participates in cancer progression. CXCR3 contributes cancer progressive property and immunomodulation in the tumor microenvironment. The two major isoforms of CXCR3 are scrutinized and the divergence is showed that CXCR3A promotes cancer cell growth and motility while CXCR3B functions contrarily in many studies. However, rare studies illustrate the role of CXCR3 isoforms in cancer stem-like property and chemoresistance, especially in head and neck cancer (HNC). First, we used immunohistochemistry staining to evaluate expression levels of CXCR3, CXCR3B, and Sox2 cancer stem cell (CSC) marker and association with tumor progression in HNC tissues. Results showed that high levels of CXCR3 were significantly associated with advanced stage (p <0.01), regional lymph node metastasis (p <0.05), and poor differentiation (p <0.005) and further correlated with worse survival rate in oral cancer patients (p = 0.036). Higher levels of CXCR3B were found in regional lymphatic invasion of HNC and progressive stage of squamous cell carcinoma. Elevated Sox2 expression was significantly associated with the advanced stage of HNC in the oral cavity, and demonstrated a co-expression pattern with CXCR3B. Furthermore, lentivirus-mediated overexpression of CXCR3A and CXCR3B in SAS human oral cancer cells promoted cell mobility. CXCR3A overexpression enhanced sphere-forming ability and chemoresistance of CSCs by upregulating stemness-related genes. This study first provides a novel insight of CXCR3 isoform A in HNC cancer progression via regulating cancer stem-like properties and chemoresistance, suggesting that CXCR3A may be a prognostic marker and novel target for HNC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Hsuan Sun
- Division of Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ta-Jung Peng
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.,Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shye-Jye Tang
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jo-Yu Lin
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Yi Wang
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsueh-Jou Fang
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kuang-Hui Sun
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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17
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Safa AR. Drug and apoptosis resistance in cancer stem cells: a puzzle with many pieces. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2022; 5:850-872. [PMID: 36627897 PMCID: PMC9771762 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2022.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to anticancer agents and apoptosis results in cancer relapse and is associated with cancer mortality. Substantial data have provided convincing evidence establishing that human cancers emerge from cancer stem cells (CSCs), which display self-renewal and are resistant to anticancer drugs, radiation, and apoptosis, and express enhanced epithelial to mesenchymal progression. CSCs represent a heterogeneous tumor cell population and lack specific cellular targets, which makes it a great challenge to target and eradicate them. Similarly, their close relationship with the tumor microenvironment creates greater complexity in developing novel treatment strategies targeting CSCs. Several mechanisms participate in the drug and apoptosis resistance phenotype in CSCs in various cancers. These include enhanced expression of ATP-binding cassette membrane transporters, activation of various cytoprotective and survival signaling pathways, dysregulation of stemness signaling pathways, aberrant DNA repair mechanisms, increased quiescence, autophagy, increased immune evasion, deficiency of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, upregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins including c-FLIP [cellular FLICE (FADD-like IL-1β-converting enzyme)-inhibitory protein], Bcl-2 family members, inhibitors of apoptosis proteins, and PI3K/AKT signaling. Studying such mechanisms not only provides mechanistic insights into these cells that are unresponsive to drugs, but may lead to the development of targeted and effective therapeutics to eradicate CSCs. Several studies have identified promising strategies to target CSCs. These emerging strategies may help target CSC-associated drug resistance and metastasis in clinical settings. This article will review the CSCs drug and apoptosis resistance mechanisms and how to target CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad R. Safa
- Correspondence to: Dr. Ahmad R. Safa, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 635 Barnhill Dr. MS A416, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. E-mail:
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18
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Wolf I, Gratzke C, Wolf P. Prostate Cancer Stem Cells: Clinical Aspects and Targeted Therapies. Front Oncol 2022; 12:935715. [PMID: 35875084 PMCID: PMC9304860 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.935715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research and successful improvements in diagnosis and therapy, prostate cancer (PC) remains a major challenge. In recent years, it has become clear that PC stem cells (PCSCs) are the driving force in tumorigenesis, relapse, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance of PC. In this minireview, we discuss the impact of PCSCs in the clinical practice. Moreover, new therapeutic approaches to combat PCSCs are presented with the aim to achieve an improved outcome for patients with PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isis Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Gratzke
- Department of Urology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Philipp Wolf,
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19
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Revisiting Epithelial Carcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137437. [PMID: 35806442 PMCID: PMC9267463 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin of cancer remains one of the most important enigmas in modern biology. This paper presents a hypothesis for the origin of carcinomas in which cellular aging and inflammation enable the recovery of cellular plasticity, which may ultimately result in cancer. The hypothesis describes carcinogenesis as the result of the dedifferentiation undergone by epithelial cells in hyperplasia due to replicative senescence towards a mesenchymal cell state with potentially cancerous behavior. In support of this hypothesis, the molecular, cellular, and histopathological evidence was critically reviewed and reinterpreted when necessary to postulate a plausible generic series of mechanisms for the origin and progression of carcinomas. In addition, the implications of this theoretical framework for the current strategies of cancer treatment are discussed considering recent evidence of the molecular events underlying the epigenetic switches involved in the resistance of breast carcinomas. The hypothesis also proposes an epigenetic landscape for their progression and a potential mechanism for restraining the degree of dedifferentiation and malignant behavior. In addition, the manuscript revisits the gradual degeneration of the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to propose an integrative generalized mechanistic explanation for the involution and carcinogenesis of tissues associated with aging. The presented hypothesis might serve to understand and structure new findings into a more encompassing view of the genesis of degenerative diseases and may inspire novel approaches for their study and therapy.
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20
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Nakayama J, Matsunaga H, Arikawa K, Yoda T, Hosokawa M, Takeyama H, Yamamoto Y, Semba K. Identification of two cancer stem cell-like populations in triple-negative breast cancer xenografts. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:275514. [PMID: 35611554 PMCID: PMC9235877 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression analysis at the single-cell level by next-generation sequencing has revealed the existence of clonal dissemination and microheterogeneity in cancer metastasis. The current spatial analysis technologies can elucidate the heterogeneity of cell–cell interactions in situ. To reveal the regional and expressional heterogeneity in primary tumors and metastases, we performed transcriptomic analysis of microtissues dissected from a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line MDA-MB-231 xenograft model with our automated tissue microdissection punching technology. This multiple-microtissue transcriptome analysis revealed three cancer cell-type clusters in the primary tumor and axillary lymph node metastasis, two of which were cancer stem cell (CSC)-like clusters (CD44/MYC-high, HMGA1-high). Reanalysis of public single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets confirmed that the two CSC-like populations existed in TNBC xenograft models and in TNBC patients. The diversity of these multiple CSC-like populations could cause differential anticancer drug resistance, increasing the difficulty of curing this cancer. Summary: We identified two types of cancer stem cell (CSC)-like populations in triple-negative breast cancer xenografts and patients. These CSC-like populations could potentially make tumors more drug resistant and thus more difficult to treat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Nakayama
- Laboratory of Integrative Oncology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.,Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.,Computational Bio-Big Data Open Innovation Laboratory (CBBD-OIL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroko Matsunaga
- Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Koji Arikawa
- Computational Bio-Big Data Open Innovation Laboratory (CBBD-OIL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo 169-8555, Japan.,Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Takuya Yoda
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.,Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Masahito Hosokawa
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.,Computational Bio-Big Data Open Innovation Laboratory (CBBD-OIL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo 169-8555, Japan.,Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Haruko Takeyama
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.,Computational Bio-Big Data Open Innovation Laboratory (CBBD-OIL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo 169-8555, Japan.,Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Integrative Oncology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Kentaro Semba
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.,Translational Research Center, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
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21
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You L, Su PR, Betjes M, Rad RG, Chou TC, Beerens C, van Oosten E, Leufkens F, Gasecka P, Muraro M, van Tol R, van Steenderen D, Farooq S, Hardillo JAU, de Jong RB, Brinks D, Chien MP. Linking the genotypes and phenotypes of cancer cells in heterogenous populations via real-time optical tagging and image analysis. Nat Biomed Eng 2022; 6:667-675. [PMID: 35301448 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-022-00853-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Linking single-cell genomic or transcriptomic profiles to functional cellular characteristics, in particular time-varying phenotypic changes, could help unravel molecular mechanisms driving the growth of tumour-cell subpopulations. Here we show that a custom-built optical microscope with an ultrawide field of view, fast automated image analysis and a dye activatable by visible light enables the screening and selective photolabelling of cells of interest in large heterogeneous cell populations on the basis of specific functional cellular dynamics, such as fast migration, morphological variation, small-molecule uptake or cell division. Combining such functional single-cell selection with single-cell RNA sequencing allowed us to (1) functionally annotate the transcriptomic profiles of fast-migrating and spindle-shaped MCF10A cells, of fast-migrating MDA-MB-231 cells and of patient-derived head-and-neck squamous carcinoma cells, and (2) identify critical genes and pathways driving aggressive migration and mesenchymal-like morphology in these cells. Functional single-cell selection upstream of single-cell sequencing does not depend on molecular biomarkers, allows for the enrichment of sparse subpopulations of cells, and can facilitate the identification and understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying functional phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li You
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pin-Rui Su
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Max Betjes
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Reza Ghadiri Rad
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ting-Chun Chou
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cecile Beerens
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eva van Oosten
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Felix Leufkens
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paulina Gasecka
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mauro Muraro
- Single Cell Discoveries, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud van Tol
- Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Debby van Steenderen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shazia Farooq
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jose Angelito U Hardillo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Baatenburg de Jong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daan Brinks
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Miao-Ping Chien
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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22
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Haldavnekar R, Ganesh S, Venkatakrishnan K, Tan B. Cancer Stem Cell DNA Enabled Real-Time Genotyping with Self-Functionalized Quantum Superstructures-Overcoming the Barriers of Noninvasive cfDNA Cancer Diagnostics. SMALL METHODS 2022; 6:e2101467. [PMID: 35247038 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202101467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer diagnosis and determining its tissue of origin are crucial for clinical implementation of personalized medicine. Conventional diagnostic techniques such as imaging and tissue biopsy are unable to capture the dynamic tumor landscape. Although circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) shows promise for diagnosis, the clinical relevance of ctDNA remains largely undetermined due to several biological and technical complexities. Here, cancer stem cell-ctDNA is used to overcome the biological complexities like the inability for molecular analysis of ctDNA and dependence on ctDNA concentration rather than the molecular profile. Ultrasensitive quantum superstructures overcome the technical complexities of trace-level detection and rapid diagnosis to detect ctDNA within its short half-life. Activation of multiple surface enhanced Raman scattering mechanisms of the quantum superstructures achieved a very high enhancement factor (1.35 × 1011 ) and detection at ultralow concentration (10-15 M) with very high reliability (RSD: 3-12%). Pilot validation with clinical plasma samples from an independent validation cohort achieved a diagnosis sensitivity of ≈95% and specificity of 83%. Quantum superstructures identified the tissue of origin with ≈75-86% sensitivity and ≈92-96% specificity. With large scale clinical validation, the technology can develop into a clinically useful liquid biopsy tool improving cancer diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupa Haldavnekar
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (I BEST), Partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
- Ultrashort Laser Nanomanufacturing Research Facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nanocharacterization Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nano-Bio Interface facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Swarna Ganesh
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (I BEST), Partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
- Ultrashort Laser Nanomanufacturing Research Facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nanocharacterization Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nano-Bio Interface facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Krishnan Venkatakrishnan
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (I BEST), Partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
- Ultrashort Laser Nanomanufacturing Research Facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nanocharacterization Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Nano-Bio Interface facility, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Bo Tan
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (I BEST), Partnership between Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
- Nanocharacterization Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
- Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Science, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
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23
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He D, Wu B, Du J, Li L, Zhao J. Synergistic inhibition of the growth of MDA‑MB‑231 cells in triple‑negative breast cancer by salinomycin combined with 17‑AAG and its mechanism. Oncol Lett 2022; 23:138. [PMID: 35317027 PMCID: PMC8907932 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Salinomycin (SAL), a typical ion carrier antibiotic, inhibits tumor growth and metastasis by inducing apoptosis or autophagy in cancer or cancer stem cells and thus overcomes drug resistance. 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), a heat shock protein Hsp90 competitive inhibitor, also has a role in inhibiting tumor development. However, their combination on the growth of breast cancer cells and its specific mechanism remains to be elucidated. The present study tested the influence of SAL and 17-AAG on cell growth, apoptosis and autophagy by MTT assays, Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide double staining assay and immunoelectron microscopy. The influence of SAL and 17-AAG on proteomics was investigated by isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation. It was found that SAL combined with 17-AAG synergistically inhibited the cell growth and induced the apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner, with the expression of caspase 3 and Bcl-2 were decreased while the expression of Bax was increased. In addition, SAL combined with 17-AAG inhibited autophagy, with the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3, Beclin1, p62 being decreased. Mechanistically, SAL combined with 17-AAG synergistically inhibited the reactive oxygen species/JNK signaling pathway. In conclusion, SAL combined with 17-AAG had a synergistic inhibitory effect on cell growth of breast cancer via inducing apoptosis and inhibiting autophagy. The present study might provide a new strategy for potential clinical application of SAL as a new anti-tumor drug especially as a drug combination with other molecular targeting therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo He
- Key Laboratory for Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi 716000, P.R. China
| | - Bo Wu
- Key Laboratory for Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi 716000, P.R. China
| | - Juan Du
- Key Laboratory for Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi 716000, P.R. China
| | - Ling Li
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Jumei Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi 716000, P.R. China
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24
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Zou W, Zhang Y, Bai G, Zhuang J, Wei L, Wang Z, Sun M, Wang J. siRNA-induced CD44 knockdown suppresses the proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer stem cells through inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:1969-1978. [PMID: 35229451 PMCID: PMC8980945 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17221] [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: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
CD44 has shown prognostic values and promising therapeutic potential in multiple human cancers; however, the effects of CD44 silencing on biological behaviors of cancer stem cells (CSCs) have not been fully understood in colorectal cancer. To examine the contribution of siRNA‐induced knockdown of CD44 to the biological features of colorectal CSCs, colorectal CSCs HCT116‐CSCs were generated, and CD44 was knocked down in HCT116‐CSCs using siRNA. The proliferation, migration and invasion of HCT116‐CSCs were measured, and apoptosis and cell‐cycle analyses were performed. The sensitivity of HCT116‐CSCs to oxaliplatin was tested, and xenograft tumor growth assay was performed to examine the role of CD44 in HCT116‐CSCs tumorigenesis in vivo. In addition, the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin and vimentin was quantified. siRNA‐induced knockdown of CD44 was found to inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion, induce apoptosis, promote cell‐cycle arrest at the G1/G0 phase and increase the sensitivity of HCT116‐CSCs to oxaliplatin in HCT116‐CSCs, and knockdown of CD44 suppressed in vivo tumorigenesis and intrapulmonary metastasis of HCT116‐CSCs. Moreover, silencing CD44 resulted in EMT inhibition. Our findings demonstrate that siRNA‐induced CD44 knockdown suppresses the proliferation, invasion and in vivo tumorigenesis and metastasis of colorectal CSCs by inhibiting EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyan Zou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu City, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- The Second Department of Surgery, Xiamen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen City, China
| | - Guangfu Bai
- Department of Emergency, Wuxi Huishan District People's Hospital, Wuxi City, China
| | - Jialu Zhuang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu City, China
| | - Lin Wei
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu City, China
| | - Zishu Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu City, China
| | - Meiqun Sun
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu City, China
| | - Junbin Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu City, China
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25
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Effective targeting of breast cancer stem cells by combined inhibition of Sam68 and Rad51. Oncogene 2022; 41:2196-2209. [PMID: 35217791 PMCID: PMC8993694 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02239-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the second cause of cancer-related deceases in the worldwide female population. Despite the successful treatment advances, 25% of BC develops resistance to current therapeutic regimens, thereby remaining a major hurdle for patient management. Current therapies, targeting the molecular events underpinning the adaptive resistance, still require effort to improve BC treatment. Using BC sphere cells (BCSphCs) as a model, here we showed that BC stem-like cells express high levels of Myc, which requires the presence of the multifunctional DNA/RNA binding protein Sam68 for the DNA-damage repair. Analysis of a cohort of BC patients displayed that Sam68 is an independent negative factor correlated with the progression of the disease. Genetic inhibition of Sam68 caused a defect in PARP-induced PAR chain synthesis upon DNA-damaging insults, resulting in cell death of TNBC cells. In contrast, BC stem-like cells were able to survive due to an upregulation of Rad51. Importantly, the inhibition of Rad51 showed synthetic lethal effect with the silencing of Sam68, hampering the cell viability of patient-derived BCSphCs and stabilizing the growth of tumor xenografts, including those TNBC carrying BRCA mutation. Moreover, the analysis of Myc, Sam68 and Rad51 expression demarcated a signature of a poor outcome in a large cohort of BC patients. Thus, our findings suggest the importance of targeting Sam68-PARP1 axis and Rad51 as potential therapeutic candidates to counteract the expansion of BC cells with an aggressive phenotype.
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26
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Berg AL, Rowson-Hodel A, Hu M, Keeling M, Wu H, VanderVorst K, Chen JJ, Hatakeyama J, Jilek J, Dreyer CA, Wheeler MR, Yu AM, Li Y, Carraway KL. The Cationic Amphiphilic Drug Hexamethylene Amiloride Eradicates Bulk Breast Cancer Cells and Therapy-Resistant Subpopulations with Similar Efficiencies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040949. [PMID: 35205696 PMCID: PMC8869814 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The resistance of cancer cell subpopulations, including cancer stem cell (CSC) populations, to apoptosis-inducing chemotherapeutic agents is a key barrier to improved outcomes for cancer patients. The cationic amphiphilic drug hexamethylene amiloride (HMA) has been previously demonstrated to efficiently kill bulk breast cancer cells independent of tumor subtype or species but acts poorly toward non-transformed cells derived from multiple tissues. Here, we demonstrate that HMA is similarly cytotoxic toward breast CSC-related subpopulations that are resistant to conventional chemotherapeutic agents, but poorly cytotoxic toward normal mammary stem cells. HMA inhibits the sphere-forming capacity of FACS-sorted human and mouse mammary CSC-related cells in vitro, specifically kills tumor but not normal mammary organoids ex vivo, and inhibits metastatic outgrowth in vivo, consistent with CSC suppression. Moreover, HMA inhibits viability and sphere formation by lung, colon, pancreatic, brain, liver, prostate, and bladder tumor cell lines, suggesting that its effects may be applicable to multiple malignancies. Our observations expose a key vulnerability intrinsic to cancer stem cells and point to novel strategies for the exploitation of cationic amphiphilic drugs in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia L. Berg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Ashley Rowson-Hodel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Michelle Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Michael Keeling
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Kacey VanderVorst
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Jenny J. Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Jason Hatakeyama
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Joseph Jilek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Courtney A. Dreyer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Madelyn R. Wheeler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Ai-Ming Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Yuanpei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Kermit L. Carraway
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (A.L.B.); (A.R.-H.); (M.H.); (M.K.); (H.W.); (K.V.); (J.J.C.); (J.H.); (J.J.); (C.A.D.); (M.R.W.); (A.-M.Y.); (Y.L.)
- Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Correspondence:
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27
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Dissecting the Mechanism of Action of Spiperone-A Candidate for Drug Repurposing for Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030776. [PMID: 35159043 PMCID: PMC8834219 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite advances in primary and adjuvant treatments, approximately 50% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients still die from recurrence and metastatic disease. Thus, alternative and more effective therapeutic approaches are expected to be developed. Drug repurposing is increasing interest in cancer therapy, as it represents a cheaper and faster alternative strategy to de novo drug synthesis. Psychiatric medications are promising as a new generation of antitumor drugs. Here, we demonstrate that spiperone—a licensed drug for the treatment of schizophrenia—induces apoptosis in CRC cells. Our data reveal that spiperone’s cytotoxicity in CRC cells is mediated by phospholipase C activation, intracellular calcium homeostasis dysregulation, and irreversible endoplasmic reticulum stress induction, resulting in lipid metabolism alteration and Golgi apparatus damage. By identifying new targetable pathways in CRC cells, our findings represent a promising starting point for the design of novel therapeutic strategies for CRC. Abstract Approximately 50% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients still die from recurrence and metastatic disease, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Drug repurposing is attracting increasing attention because, compared to traditional de novo drug discovery processes, it may reduce drug development periods and costs. Epidemiological and preclinical evidence support the antitumor activity of antipsychotic drugs. Herein, we dissect the mechanism of action of the typical antipsychotic spiperone in CRC. Spiperone can reduce the clonogenic potential of stem-like CRC cells (CRC-SCs) and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, in both differentiated and CRC-SCs, at clinically relevant concentrations whose toxicity is negligible for non-neoplastic cells. Analysis of intracellular Ca2+ kinetics upon spiperone treatment revealed a massive phospholipase C (PLC)-dependent endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ release, resulting in ER Ca2+ homeostasis disruption. RNA sequencing revealed unfolded protein response (UPR) activation, ER stress, and induction of apoptosis, along with IRE1-dependent decay of mRNA (RIDD) activation. Lipidomic analysis showed a significant alteration of lipid profile and, in particular, of sphingolipids. Damage to the Golgi apparatus was also observed. Our data suggest that spiperone can represent an effective drug in the treatment of CRC, and that ER stress induction, along with lipid metabolism alteration, represents effective druggable pathways in CRC.
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28
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Gaggianesi M, Mangiapane LR, Modica C, Pantina VD, Porcelli G, Di Franco S, Lo Iacono M, D’Accardo C, Verona F, Pillitteri I, Turdo A, Veschi V, Brancato OR, Muratore G, Pistone G, Bongiorno MR, Todaro M, De Maria R, Stassi G. Dual Inhibition of Myc Transcription and PI3K Activity Effectively Targets Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030673. [PMID: 35158939 PMCID: PMC8833549 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030673] [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: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Compelling evidence has shown that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for high resistance to conventional anti-cancer therapies. Here, we demonstrate that the tumor microenvironment protects CR-CSCs from EGFR/HER2, BRAF and PI3K targeting, promoting CD44v6 and Myc expression. Alternatively, as a substitution for HER2 and BRAF, the Myc transcription inhibitor can overcome the protective effects of microenvironmental cytokines, impairing the survival of CR-CSCs. These data highlight the targeting of Myc and PI3K activity as a novel therapeutic strategy against advanced colorectal cancer. Abstract Despite advances in the curative approach, the survival rate of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is still poor, which is likely due to the emergence of cancer cell clones resistant to the available therapeutic options. We have already shown that CD44v6-positive CRC stem cells (CR-CSCs) are refractory toward standard anti-tumor therapeutic agents due to the activation of the PI3K pathway together with high HER2 expression levels. Tumor microenvironmental cytokines confer resistance to CR-CSCs against HER2/PI3K targeting by enhancing activation of the MAPK pathway. Here, we show that the CSC compartment, spared by BRAF inhibitor-based targeted therapy, is associated with increased expression levels of CD44v6 and Myc and retains boosted clonogenic activity along with residual tumorigenic potential. Inhibition of Myc transcription, downstream of the MAPK cascade components, and PI3K pathway activity was able to overcome the protective effects of microenvironmental cytokines, affecting the survival and the clonogenic activity of CR-CSCs, regardless of their mutational background. Likewise, the double targeting induced stabilization of mouse tumor avatars. Altogether, these data outline the rationale for dual kinase targeting of CR-CSCs to prevent their adaptive response, which would lead to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Gaggianesi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (C.M.); (V.D.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.L.I.); (I.P.); (V.V.); (O.R.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Laura Rosa Mangiapane
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.R.M.); (G.P.); (C.D.); (F.V.); (A.T.); (G.P.); (M.R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Chiara Modica
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (C.M.); (V.D.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.L.I.); (I.P.); (V.V.); (O.R.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Davide Pantina
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (C.M.); (V.D.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.L.I.); (I.P.); (V.V.); (O.R.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Gaetana Porcelli
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.R.M.); (G.P.); (C.D.); (F.V.); (A.T.); (G.P.); (M.R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Simone Di Franco
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (C.M.); (V.D.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.L.I.); (I.P.); (V.V.); (O.R.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Melania Lo Iacono
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (C.M.); (V.D.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.L.I.); (I.P.); (V.V.); (O.R.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Caterina D’Accardo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.R.M.); (G.P.); (C.D.); (F.V.); (A.T.); (G.P.); (M.R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Francesco Verona
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.R.M.); (G.P.); (C.D.); (F.V.); (A.T.); (G.P.); (M.R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Irene Pillitteri
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (C.M.); (V.D.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.L.I.); (I.P.); (V.V.); (O.R.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Alice Turdo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.R.M.); (G.P.); (C.D.); (F.V.); (A.T.); (G.P.); (M.R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Veronica Veschi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (C.M.); (V.D.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.L.I.); (I.P.); (V.V.); (O.R.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Ornella Roberta Brancato
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (C.M.); (V.D.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.L.I.); (I.P.); (V.V.); (O.R.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Giampaolo Muratore
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (C.M.); (V.D.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.L.I.); (I.P.); (V.V.); (O.R.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Pistone
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.R.M.); (G.P.); (C.D.); (F.V.); (A.T.); (G.P.); (M.R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Maria Rita Bongiorno
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.R.M.); (G.P.); (C.D.); (F.V.); (A.T.); (G.P.); (M.R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Matilde Todaro
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.R.M.); (G.P.); (C.D.); (F.V.); (A.T.); (G.P.); (M.R.B.); (M.T.)
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico A Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.D.M.); (G.S.); Tel.: +39-06-3015-4914 (R.D.M.); +39-091-2389-0813 (G.S.)
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (M.G.); (C.M.); (V.D.P.); (S.D.F.); (M.L.I.); (I.P.); (V.V.); (O.R.B.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: (R.D.M.); (G.S.); Tel.: +39-06-3015-4914 (R.D.M.); +39-091-2389-0813 (G.S.)
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Turdo A, D'Accardo C, Glaviano A, Porcelli G, Colarossi C, Colarossi L, Mare M, Faldetta N, Modica C, Pistone G, Bongiorno MR, Todaro M, Stassi G. Targeting Phosphatases and Kinases: How to Checkmate Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:690306. [PMID: 34778245 PMCID: PMC8581442 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.690306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic disease represents the major cause of death in oncologic patients worldwide. Accumulating evidence have highlighted the relevance of a small population of cancer cells, named cancer stem cells (CSCs), in the resistance to therapies, as well as cancer recurrence and metastasis. Standard anti-cancer treatments are not always conclusively curative, posing an urgent need to discover new targets for an effective therapy. Kinases and phosphatases are implicated in many cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation and oncogenic transformation. These proteins are crucial regulators of intracellular signaling pathways mediating multiple cellular activities. Therefore, alterations in kinases and phosphatases functionality is a hallmark of cancer. Notwithstanding the role of kinases and phosphatases in cancer has been widely investigated, their aberrant activation in the compartment of CSCs is nowadays being explored as new potential Achille's heel to strike. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the major protein kinases and phosphatases pathways by which CSCs can evade normal physiological constraints on survival, growth, and invasion. Moreover, we discuss the potential of inhibitors of these proteins in counteracting CSCs expansion during cancer development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Turdo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Caterina D'Accardo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Glaviano
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaetana Porcelli
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Cristina Colarossi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology (IOM), Catania, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Colarossi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology (IOM), Catania, Italy
| | - Marzia Mare
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology (IOM), Catania, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Modica
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pistone
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Bongiorno
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matilde Todaro
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico (AOUP), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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30
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Rizvi A, Merlin MA, Shah GM. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition in cancer: Potential impact in cancer stem cells and therapeutic implications. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 911:174546. [PMID: 34600907 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) are used in mono- or combination therapies for several malignancies. They are also used as maintenance therapy for some cancers after initial treatment. While the focus of this therapeutic approach is on the effect of PARP inhibition on the bulk tumour cells, in this review, we discuss their effect on the cancer stem cells. We identify key mediators and pathways in cancer stem cells whose response to PARP inhibition is not necessarily the same as the rest of the tumour cells. Since the cancer stem cells are known drivers of growth of tumours and their resistance to therapy, the clinical outcome might be drastically different than what is expected, if the effect of PARP inhibition on the cancer stem cells is not taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Rizvi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, The Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India; CHU de Québec Université Laval Research Center, Neuroscience Division, Québec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.
| | - Marine A Merlin
- CHU de Québec Université Laval Research Center, Neuroscience Division, Québec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada; Cancer Research Center, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Girish M Shah
- CHU de Québec Université Laval Research Center, Neuroscience Division, Québec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada; Cancer Research Center, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
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31
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Garza-Treviño EN, Martínez-Rodríguez HG, Delgado-González P, Solís-Coronado O, Ortíz-Lopez R, Soto-Domínguez A, Treviño VM, Padilla-Rivas GR, Islas-Cisneros JF, Quiroz-Reyes AG, Said-Fernández SL. Chemosensitivity analysis and study of gene resistance on tumors and cancer stem cell isolates from patients with colorectal cancer. Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:721. [PMID: 34396431 PMCID: PMC8383037 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main causes of mortality. Recent studies suggest that cancer stem cells (CSCs) can survive after chemotherapy and promote tumor invasiveness and aggression. According to a higher hierarchy complexity of CSC, different protocols for isolation, expansion, and characterization have been used; however, there are no available resistance biomarkers that allow predicting the clinical response of treatment 5‑fluorouracil (5FU) and oxaliplatin. Therefore, the primary aim of the present study was to analyze the expression of gene resistance on tumors and CSC‑derived isolates from patients CRC. In the present study, adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum (CRAC) were classified based on an in vitro adenosine triphosphate‑based chemotherapy response assay, as sensitive and resistant and the percentage of CD24 and CD44 markers are evaluated by immunohistochemistry. To isolate resistant colon‑CSC, adenocarcinoma tissues resistant to 5FU and oxaliplatin were evaluated. Finally, all samples were sequenced using a custom assay with chemoresistance‑associated genes to find a candidate gene on resistance colon‑CSC. Results showed that 59% of the CRC tissue analyzed was resistant and had a higher percentage of CD44 and CD24 markers. An association was found in the expression of some genes between the tumor‑resistant tissue and CSC. Overall, isolates of the CSC population CD44+ resistant to 5FU and oxaliplatin demonstrated different expression profiles; however, the present study was able to identify overexpression of the KRT‑18 gene, in most of the isolates. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed overexpression of KRT‑18 in CD44+ cells is associated with chemoresistance to 5FU and oxaliplatin in CRAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa N. Garza-Treviño
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, University Hospital ‘Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez’, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64460, Mexico
| | - Herminia G. Martínez-Rodríguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, University Hospital ‘Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez’, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64460, Mexico
| | - Paulina Delgado-González
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, University Hospital ‘Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez’, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64460, Mexico
| | - Orlando Solís-Coronado
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, University Hospital ‘Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez’, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64460, Mexico
| | - Rocio Ortíz-Lopez
- Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64710, Mexico
| | - Adolfo Soto-Domínguez
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, University Hospital ‘Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez’, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64460, Mexico
| | - Víctor M. Treviño
- Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64710, Mexico
| | - Gerardo R. Padilla-Rivas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, University Hospital ‘Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez’, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64460, Mexico
| | - Jose F. Islas-Cisneros
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, University Hospital ‘Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez’, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64460, Mexico
| | - Adriana G. Quiroz-Reyes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, University Hospital ‘Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez’, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64460, Mexico
| | - Salvador L. Said-Fernández
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, University Hospital ‘Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez’, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64460, Mexico
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Mare M, Colarossi L, Veschi V, Turdo A, Giuffrida D, Memeo L, Stassi G, Colarossi C. Cancer Stem Cell Biomarkers Predictive of Radiotherapy Response in Rectal Cancer: A Systematic Review. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101502. [PMID: 34680897 PMCID: PMC8535834 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rectal cancer (RC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed and particularly challenging tumours to treat due to its location in the pelvis and close proximity to critical genitourinary organs. Radiotherapy (RT) is recognised as a key component of therapeutic strategy to treat RC, promoting the downsizing and downstaging of large RCs in neoadjuvant settings, although its therapeutic effect is limited due to radioresistance. Evidence from experimental and clinical studies indicates that the likelihood of achieving local tumour control by RT depends on the complete eradication of cancer stem cells (CSC), a minority subset of tumour cells with stemness properties. METHODS A systematic literature review was conducted by querying two scientific databases (Pubmed and Scopus). The search was restricted to papers published from 2009 to 2021. RESULTS After assessing the quality and the risk of bias, a total of 11 studies were selected as they mainly focused on biomarkers predictive of RT-response in CSCs isolated from patients affected by RC. Specifically these studies showed that elevated levels of CD133, CD44, ALDH1, Lgr5 and G9a are associated with RT-resistance and poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS This review aimed to provide an overview of the current scenario of in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating the biomarkers predictive of RT-response in CSCs derived from RC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Mare
- Medical Oncology Unit, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, 95029 Viagrande, Italy; (M.M.); (D.G.)
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Colarossi
- Pathology Unit, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, 95029 Viagrande, Italy; (L.C.); (L.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Veronica Veschi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Alice Turdo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Dario Giuffrida
- Medical Oncology Unit, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, 95029 Viagrande, Italy; (M.M.); (D.G.)
| | - Lorenzo Memeo
- Pathology Unit, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, 95029 Viagrande, Italy; (L.C.); (L.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-091-2389-0813
| | - Cristina Colarossi
- Pathology Unit, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, 95029 Viagrande, Italy; (L.C.); (L.M.); (C.C.)
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Pupa SM, Ligorio F, Cancila V, Franceschini A, Tripodo C, Vernieri C, Castagnoli L. HER2 Signaling and Breast Cancer Stem Cells: The Bridge behind HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Aggressiveness and Therapy Refractoriness. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194778. [PMID: 34638263 PMCID: PMC8507865 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer (BC) is not a single disease, but a group of different tumors, and altered HER2 expression defines a particularly aggressive subtype. Although HER2 pharmacological inhibition has dramatically improved the prognosis of HER2-positive BC patients, there is still an urgent need for improved knowledge of HER2 biology and mechanisms underlying HER2-driven aggressiveness and drug susceptibility. Emerging data suggest that the clinical efficacy of molecularly targeted therapies is related to their ability to target breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), a population that is not only self-sustaining and able to differentiate into distinct lineages, but also contributes to tumor growth, aggressiveness, metastasis and treatment resistance. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of how the full-length HER2 receptor, the d16HER2 splice variant and the truncated p95HER2 variants are involved in the regulation and maintenance of BCSCs. Abstract HER2 overexpression/amplification occurs in 15–20% of breast cancers (BCs) and identifies a highly aggressive BC subtype. Recent clinical progress has increased the cure rates of limited-stage HER2-positive BC and significantly prolonged overall survival in patients with advanced disease; however, drug resistance and tumor recurrence remain major concerns. Therefore, there is an urgent need to increase knowledge regarding HER2 biology and implement available treatments. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subset of malignant cells capable of unlimited self-renewal and differentiation and are mainly considered to contribute to tumor onset, aggressiveness, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Seminal studies have highlighted the key role of altered HER2 signaling in the maintenance/enrichment of breast CSCs (BCSCs) and elucidated its bidirectional communication with stemness-related pathways, such as the Notch and Wingless/β-catenin cascades. d16HER2, a splice variant of full-length HER2 mRNA, has been identified as one of the most oncogenic HER2 isoform significantly implicated in tumorigenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)/stemness and the response to targeted therapy. In addition, expression of a heterogeneous collection of HER2 truncated carboxy-terminal fragments (CTFs), collectively known as p95HER2, identifies a peculiar subgroup of HER2-positive BC with poor prognosis, with the p95HER2 variants being able to regulate CSC features. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current evidence regarding HER2-/d16HER2-/p95HER2-positive BCSCs in the context of the signaling pathways governing their properties and describes the future prospects for targeting these components to achieve long-lasting tumor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serenella M. Pupa
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, AmadeoLab, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.F.); (L.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-022-390-2573; Fax: +39-022-390-2692
| | - Francesca Ligorio
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.L.); or (C.V.)
| | - Valeria Cancila
- Tumor Immunology Unit, University of Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (V.C.); (C.T.)
| | - Alma Franceschini
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, AmadeoLab, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.F.); (L.C.)
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, University of Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (V.C.); (C.T.)
| | - Claudio Vernieri
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.L.); or (C.V.)
- IFOM the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Castagnoli
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, AmadeoLab, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.F.); (L.C.)
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Howard CM, Bush S, Zgheib NB, Lirette ST, Cortese A, Mollo A, Valluri J, Claudio PP. Cancer Stem Cell Assay for the Treatment of Platinum-Resistant Recurrent Ovarian Cancer. HSOA JOURNAL OF STEM CELLS RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & THERAPY 2021; 7:076. [PMID: 34796266 PMCID: PMC8597976 DOI: 10.24966/srdt-2060/100076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disease recurrence and progression of ovarian cancer is a common event, which is accompanied by the development of platinum-resistant or refractory disease. The presence of chemo-resistant Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) contribute to tumor propagation, maintenance, and treatment resistance of this difficult to treat disease. We have developed ChemoID, a cytotoxic synergy assay against CSCs that identifies the most effective chemotherapy treatment from a panel of FDA-approved chemotherapies using fresh cancer biopsies. PATIENTS AND METHODS Ascites or interventional radiology biopsies were collected under physician order from 78 consecutive patients affected by 3rd relapsed ovarian cancer. Test results from the assay were used when possible to treat patients with the highest cell kill drugs, taking into consideration their health status and using dose reductions, if needed. A chart analysis and review of CT and PET scans were performed to determine patients' outcomes for tumor response, Progression-Free Survival (PFS), and Overall Survival (OS). RESULTS We observed that recurrent ovarian cancer patients treated with high-cell kill chemotherapy agents guided by the CSCs drug response assay had an improvement in their median PFS and OS when compared to historical median PFS and OS and/or when compared to patients who could not receive high cell kill chemotherapies (PFS low cell kill 3.5 months vs. high cell kill 12.0 months; OS low cell kill 6.0 months vs. high cell kill 15.0 months). CONCLUSION This data indicates that the drug cytotoxicity assay aimed at targeting CSCs may be a useful tool for optimizing treatment selection when first-line therapy fails, and when there are multiple clinically-acceptable and -equivalent treatments available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace M Howard
- Department of Radiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Stephen Bush
- Gynecologic Oncology, Charleston Area Medical Center Hospital, Charleston, WV, USA
| | - Nadim Bou Zgheib
- Gynecologic Oncology, Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
| | - Seth T Lirette
- Department of Data Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Antonio Cortese
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Italy
| | - Antonio Mollo
- Obstetric and Gynecologic Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Jagan Valluri
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
| | - Pier Paolo Claudio
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
- Cancer Center & Research Institute, Departments of Radiation Oncology and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
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Ramos A, Sadeghi S, Tabatabaeian H. Battling Chemoresistance in Cancer: Root Causes and Strategies to Uproot Them. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9451. [PMID: 34502361 PMCID: PMC8430957 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
With nearly 10 million deaths, cancer is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Along with major key parameters that control cancer treatment management, such as diagnosis, resistance to the classical and new chemotherapeutic reagents continues to be a significant problem. Intrinsic or acquired chemoresistance leads to cancer recurrence in many cases that eventually causes failure in the successful treatment and death of cancer patients. Various determinants, including tumor heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment, could cause chemoresistance through a diverse range of mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the key determinants and the underlying mechanisms by which chemoresistance appears. We then describe which strategies have been implemented and studied to combat such a lethal phenomenon in the management of cancer treatment, with emphasis on the need to improve the early diagnosis of cancer complemented by combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha Ramos
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore;
| | - Samira Sadeghi
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore;
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Hossein Tabatabaeian
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
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Roundhill EA, Chicon-Bosch M, Jeys L, Parry M, Rankin KS, Droop A, Burchill SA. RNA sequencing and functional studies of patient-derived cells reveal that neurexin-1 and regulators of this pathway are associated with poor outcomes in Ewing sarcoma. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2021; 44:1065-1085. [PMID: 34403115 PMCID: PMC8516792 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00619-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The development of biomarkers and molecularly targeted therapies for patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES) in order to minimise morbidity and improve outcome is urgently needed. Here, we set out to isolate and characterise patient-derived ES primary cell cultures and daughter cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) to identify biomarkers of high-risk disease and candidate therapeutic targets. Methods Thirty-two patient-derived primary cultures were established from treatment-naïve tumours and primary ES-CSCs isolated from these cultures using functional methods. By RNA-sequencing we analysed the transcriptome of ES patient-derived cells (n = 24) and ES-CSCs (n = 11) to identify the most abundant and differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Expression of the top DEG(s) in ES-CSCs compared to ES cells was validated at both RNA and protein levels. The functional and prognostic potential of the most significant gene (neurexin-1) was investigated using knock-down studies and immunohistochemistry of two independent tumour cohorts. Results ES-CSCs were isolated from all primary cell cultures, consistent with the premise that ES is a CSC driven cancer. Transcriptional profiling confirmed that these cells were of mesenchymal origin, revealed novel cell surface targets for therapy that regulate cell-extracellular matrix interactions and identified candidate drivers of progression and relapse. High expression of neurexin-1 and low levels of regulators of its activity, APBA1 and NLGN4X, were associated with poor event-free and overall survival rates. Knock-down of neurexin-1 decreased viable cell numbers and spheroid formation. Conclusions Genes that regulate extracellular interactions, including neurexin-1, are candidate therapeutic targets in ES. High levels of neurexin-1 at diagnosis are associated with poor outcome and identify patients with localised disease that will relapse. These patients could benefit from more intensive or novel treatment modalities. The prognostic significance of neurexin-1 should be validated independently. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13402-021-00619-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ann Roundhill
- Children's Cancer Research Group, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Mariona Chicon-Bosch
- Children's Cancer Research Group, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Lee Jeys
- Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol Road South, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2AP, UK
| | - Michael Parry
- Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol Road South, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2AP, UK
| | - Kenneth S Rankin
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4AD, UK
| | - Alastair Droop
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Susan Ann Burchill
- Children's Cancer Research Group, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK.
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Nobiletin and Xanthohumol Sensitize Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells to Standard Chemotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13163927. [PMID: 34439086 PMCID: PMC8392547 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13163927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer stem cells (CR-CSCs) play a pivotal role in the therapy resistance and relapse of CRC patients. Herein we demonstrate that new treatment approaches comprising polymethoxyflavones and prenylflavonoids extracted from Citrus sinensis and Humulus lupulus, respectively, hamper the viability of CR-CSCs as well as synergizing with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (FOX)-based chemotherapy. Extract fractions containing Nobiletin and Xanthohumol, in combination with chemotherapy, decreased stemness properties of CR-CSCs and restrained the outgrowth of chemoresistant metastatic CR-CSCs. These data pinpoint Nobiletin and Xanthohumol as efficacious anti-cancer compounds in metastatic settings. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality is mainly caused by patient refractoriness to common anti-cancer therapies and consequent metastasis formation. Besides, the notorious toxic side effects of chemotherapy are a concurrent obstacle to be tackled. Thus, new treatment approaches are needed to effectively improve patient outcomes. Compelling evidence demonstrated that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for treatment failure and relapse. New natural treatment approaches showed capabilities to selectively target the CSC subpopulation by rendering them targetable by standard cytotoxic compounds. Herein we show the anti-cancer properties of the polymethoxyflavones and prenylflavonoids extracted from Citrus sinensis and Humulus lupulus, respectively. The natural biofunctional fractions, singularly and in combination, reduced the cell viability of CRC stem cells (CR-CSCs) and synergized with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (FOX) chemotherapy. These phenomena were accompanied by a reduced S and G2/M phase of the cell cycle and upregulation of cell death-related genes. Notably, both phytoextracts in combination with FOX thwarted stemness features in CR-CSCs as demonstrated by the impaired clonogenic potential and decreased Wnt pathway activation. Extracts lowered the expression of CD44v6 and affected the expansion of metastatic CR-CSCs in patients refractory to chemotherapy. Together, this study highlights the importance of polymethoxyflavones and prenylflavonoids as natural remedies to aid oncological therapies.
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Gaggianesi M, Di Franco S, Pantina VD, Porcelli G, D'Accardo C, Verona F, Veschi V, Colarossi L, Faldetta N, Pistone G, Bongiorno MR, Todaro M, Stassi G. Messing Up the Cancer Stem Cell Chemoresistance Mechanisms Supported by Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2021; 11:702642. [PMID: 34354950 PMCID: PMC8330815 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.702642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the recent advances in cancer patient management and in the development of targeted therapies, systemic chemotherapy is currently used as a first-line treatment for many cancer types. After an initial partial response, patients become refractory to standard therapy fostering rapid tumor progression. Compelling evidence highlights that the resistance to chemotherapeutic regimens is a peculiarity of a subpopulation of cancer cells within tumor mass, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). This cellular compartment is endowed with tumor-initiating and metastasis formation capabilities. CSC chemoresistance is sustained by a plethora of grow factors and cytokines released by neighboring tumor microenvironment (TME), which is mainly composed by adipocytes, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), immune and endothelial cells. TME strengthens CSC refractoriness to standard and targeted therapies by enhancing survival signaling pathways, DNA repair machinery, expression of drug efflux transporters and anti-apoptotic proteins. In the last years many efforts have been made to understand CSC-TME crosstalk and develop therapeutic strategy halting this interplay. Here, we report the combinatorial approaches, which perturb the interaction network between CSCs and the different component of TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Gaggianesi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simone Di Franco
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Davide Pantina
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaetana Porcelli
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Caterina D'Accardo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Verona
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Veronica Veschi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Naida Faldetta
- Department of Surgery, Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pistone
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Bongiorno
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Matilde Todaro
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Mokhtari RB, Sambi M, Qorri B, Baluch N, Ashayeri N, Kumar S, Cheng HLM, Yeger H, Das B, Szewczuk MR. The Next-Generation of Combination Cancer Immunotherapy: Epigenetic Immunomodulators Transmogrify Immune Training to Enhance Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3596. [PMID: 34298809 PMCID: PMC8305317 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy harnesses the immune system by targeting tumor cells that express antigens recognized by immune system cells, thus leading to tumor rejection. These tumor-associated antigens include tumor-specific shared antigens, differentiation antigens, protein products of mutated genes and rearrangements unique to tumor cells, overexpressed tissue-specific antigens, and exogenous viral proteins. However, the development of effective therapeutic approaches has proven difficult, mainly because these tumor antigens are shielded, and cells primarily express self-derived antigens. Despite innovative and notable advances in immunotherapy, challenges associated with variable patient response rates and efficacy on select tumors minimize the overall effectiveness of immunotherapy. Variations observed in response rates to immunotherapy are due to multiple factors, including adaptative resistance, competency, and a diversity of individual immune systems, including cancer stem cells in the tumor microenvironment, composition of the gut microbiota, and broad limitations of current immunotherapeutic approaches. New approaches are positioned to improve the immune response and increase the efficacy of immunotherapies, highlighting the challenges that the current global COVID-19 pandemic places on the present state of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Bayat Mokhtari
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (M.S.); (B.Q.)
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Thoreau Laboratory for Global Health, M2D2, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01852, USA;
| | - Manpreet Sambi
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (M.S.); (B.Q.)
| | - Bessi Qorri
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (M.S.); (B.Q.)
| | - Narges Baluch
- Department of Immunology and Allergy, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada;
| | - Neda Ashayeri
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Ali-Asghar Children Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran 1449614535, Iran;
| | - Sushil Kumar
- QPS, Holdings LLC, Pencader Corporate Center, 110 Executive Drive, Newark, DE 19702, USA;
| | - Hai-Ling Margaret Cheng
- The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada;
- Translational Biology & Engineering Program, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Herman Yeger
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada;
| | - Bikul Das
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Thoreau Laboratory for Global Health, M2D2, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01852, USA;
- KaviKrishna Laboratory, Department of Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, GBP, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati 781039, India
| | - Myron R. Szewczuk
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (M.S.); (B.Q.)
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Rabelo ILA, Arnaud-Sampaio VF, Adinolfi E, Ulrich H, Lameu C. Cancer Metabostemness and Metabolic Reprogramming via P2X7 Receptor. Cells 2021; 10:1782. [PMID: 34359950 PMCID: PMC8305434 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneity of tumor cell mass and the plasticity of cancer cell phenotypes in solid tumors allow for the insurgence of resistant and metastatic cells, responsible for cancer patients' clinical management's main challenges. Among several factors that are responsible for increased cancer aggression, metabolic reprogramming is recently emerging as an ultimate cancer hallmark, as it is central for cancer cell survival and self-renewal, metastasis and chemoresistance. The P2X7 receptor, whose expression is upregulated in many solid and hematological malignancies, is also emerging as a good candidate in cancer metabolic reprogramming and the regulation of stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Metabostemness refers to the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells toward less differentiated (CSCs) cellular states, and we believe that there is a strong correlation between metabostemness and P2X7 receptor functions in oncogenic processes. Here, we summarize important aspects of P2X7 receptor functions in normal and tumor tissues as well as essential aspects of its structure, regulation, pharmacology and its clinical use. Finally, we review current knowledge implicating P2X7 receptor functions in cancer-related molecular pathways, in metabolic reprogramming and in metabostemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izadora Lorrany Alves Rabelo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (I.L.A.R.); (V.F.A.-S.); (H.U.)
| | - Vanessa Fernandes Arnaud-Sampaio
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (I.L.A.R.); (V.F.A.-S.); (H.U.)
| | - Elena Adinolfi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Henning Ulrich
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (I.L.A.R.); (V.F.A.-S.); (H.U.)
| | - Claudiana Lameu
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (I.L.A.R.); (V.F.A.-S.); (H.U.)
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Targeting Melanoma-Initiating Cells by Caffeine: In Silico and In Vitro Approaches. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26123619. [PMID: 34199192 PMCID: PMC8231844 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The beneficial effects of coffee on human diseases are well documented, but the molecular mechanisms of its bioactive compounds on cancer are not completely elucidated. This is likely due to the large heterogeneity of coffee preparations and different coffee-based beverages, but also to the choice of experimental models where proliferation, differentiation and immune responses are differently affected. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of one of the most interesting bioactive compounds in coffee, i.e., caffeine, using a cellular model of melanoma at a defined differentiation level. A preliminary in silico analysis carried out on public gene-expression databases identified genes potentially involved in caffeine’s effects and suggested some specific molecular targets, including tyrosinase. Proliferation was investigated in vitro on human melanoma initiating cells (MICs) and cytokine expression was measured in conditioned media. Tyrosinase was revealed as a key player in caffeine’s mechanisms of action, suggesting a crucial role in immunomodulation through the reduction in IL-1β, IP-10, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and RANTES secretion onto MICs conditioned media. The potent antiproliferative effects of caffeine on MICs are likely to occur by promoting melanin production and reducing inflammatory signals’ secretion. These data suggest tyrosinase as a key player mediating the effects of caffeine on melanoma.
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42
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Mohan A, Raj Rajan R, Mohan G, Kollenchery Puthenveettil P, Maliekal TT. Markers and Reporters to Reveal the Hierarchy in Heterogeneous Cancer Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:668851. [PMID: 34150761 PMCID: PMC8209516 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.668851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A subpopulation within cancer, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), regulates tumor initiation, chemoresistance, and metastasis. At a closer look, CSCs show functional heterogeneity and hierarchical organization. The present review is an attempt to assign marker profiles to define the functional heterogeneity and hierarchical organization of CSCs, based on a series of single-cell analyses. The evidences show that analogous to stem cell hierarchy, self-renewing Quiescent CSCs give rise to the Progenitor CSCs with limited proliferative capacity, and later to a Progenitor-like CSCs, which differentiates to Proliferating non-CSCs. Functionally, the CSCs can be tumor-initiating cells (TICs), drug-resistant CSCs, or metastasis initiating cells (MICs). Although there are certain marker profiles used to identify CSCs of different cancers, molecules like CD44, CD133, ALDH1A1, ABCG2, and pluripotency markers [Octamer binding transcriptional factor 4 (OCT4), SOX2, and NANOG] are used to mark CSCs of a wide range of cancers, ranging from hematological malignancies to solid tumors. Our analysis of the recent reports showed that a combination of these markers can demarcate the heterogeneous CSCs in solid tumors. Reporter constructs are widely used for easy identification and quantification of marker molecules. In this review, we discuss the suitability of reporters for the widely used CSC markers that can define the heterogeneous CSCs. Since the CSC-specific functions of CD44 and CD133 are regulated at the post-translational level, we do not recommend the reporters for these molecules for the detection of CSCs. A promoter-based reporter for ABCG2 may also be not relevant in CSCs, as the expression of the molecule in cancer is mainly regulated by promoter demethylation. In this context, a dual reporter consisting of one of the pluripotency markers and ALDH1A1 will be useful in marking the heterogeneous CSCs. This system can be easily adapted to high-throughput platforms to screen drugs for eliminating CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrutha Mohan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Reshma Raj Rajan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Gayathri Mohan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
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Di Franco S, Parrino B, Gaggianesi M, Pantina VD, Bianca P, Nicotra A, Mangiapane LR, Lo Iacono M, Ganduscio G, Veschi V, Brancato OR, Glaviano A, Turdo A, Pillitteri I, Colarossi L, Cascioferro S, Carbone D, Pecoraro C, Fiori ME, De Maria R, Todaro M, Screpanti I, Cirrincione G, Diana P, Stassi G. CHK1 inhibitor sensitizes resistant colorectal cancer stem cells to nortopsentin. iScience 2021; 24:102664. [PMID: 34169240 PMCID: PMC8209271 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Limited therapeutic options are available for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Herein, we report that exposure to a neo-synthetic bis(indolyl)thiazole alkaloid analog, nortopsentin 234 (NORA234), leads to an initial reduction of proliferative and clonogenic potential of CRC sphere cells (CR-CSphCs), followed by an adaptive response selecting the CR-CSphC-resistant compartment. Cells spared by the treatment with NORA234 express high levels of CD44v6, associated with a constitutive activation of Wnt pathway. In CR-CSphC-based organoids, NORA234 causes a genotoxic stress paralleled by G2-M cell cycle arrest and activation of CHK1, driving the DNA damage repair of CR-CSphCs, regardless of the mutational background, microsatellite stability, and consensus molecular subtype. Synergistic combination of NORA234 and CHK1 (rabusertib) targeting is synthetic lethal inducing death of both CD44v6-negative and CD44v6-positive CRC stem cell fractions, aside from Wnt pathway activity. These data could provide a rational basis to develop an effective strategy for the treatment of patients with CRC. CR-CSCs acquire a long-term resistance to the NORA234 treatment Replicative and genotoxic stress induces the activation of CHK1 Adaptive response to NORA234 is associated with high expression levels of CHK1 NORA234 together with targeting of CHK1 leads to depletion of CR-CSC compartment
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Di Franco
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Barbara Parrino
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Miriam Gaggianesi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Davide Pantina
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paola Bianca
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Nicotra
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Laura Rosa Mangiapane
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Melania Lo Iacono
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gloria Ganduscio
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Veronica Veschi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ornella Roberta Brancato
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Glaviano
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alice Turdo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Irene Pillitteri
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Colarossi
- Pathology Unit, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, Viagrande, Catania, Italy
| | - Stella Cascioferro
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniela Carbone
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Camilla Pecoraro
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Micol Eleonora Fiori
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Institute of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Roma, Italy.,Policlinico A Gemelli, Lazio, Roma, Italy
| | - Matilde Todaro
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Girolamo Cirrincione
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Patrizia Diana
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Fernandes S, Fernandez T, Metze S, Balakrishnan PB, Mai BT, Conteh J, De Mei C, Turdo A, Di Franco S, Stassi G, Todaro M, Pellegrino T. Magnetic Nanoparticle-Based Hyperthermia Mediates Drug Delivery and Impairs the Tumorigenic Capacity of Quiescent Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:15959-15972. [PMID: 33797220 PMCID: PMC8045020 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c21349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the tumor cell subpopulation responsible for resistance to chemotherapy, tumor recurrence, and metastasis. An efficient therapy must act on low proliferating quiescent-CSCs (q-CSCs). We here investigate the effect of magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) in combination with local chemotherapy as a dual therapy to inhibit patient-derived colorectal qCR-CSCs. We apply iron oxide nanocubes as MHT heat mediators, coated with a thermoresponsive polymer (TR-Cubes) and loaded with DOXO (TR-DOXO) as a chemotherapeutic agent. The thermoresponsive polymer releases DOXO only at a temperature above 44 °C. In colony-forming assays, the cells exposed to TR-Cubes with MHT reveal that qCR-CSCs struggle to survive the heat damage and, with a due delay, restart the division of dormant cells. The eradication of qCR-CSCs with a complete stop of the colony formation was achieved only with TR-DOXO when exposed to MHT. The in vivo tumor formation study confirms the combined effects of MHT with heat-mediated drug release: only the group of animals that received the CR-CSCs pretreated, in vitro, with TR-DOXO and MHT lacked the formation of tumor even after several months. For DOXO-resistant CR-CSCs cells, the same results were shown, in vitro, when choosing the drug oxaliplatin rather than DOXO and applying MHT. These findings emphasize the potential of our nanoplatforms as an effective patient-personalized cancer treatment against qCR-CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraia Fernandes
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Tamara Fernandez
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Sabrina Metze
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Binh T. Mai
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - John Conteh
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Claudia De Mei
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Alice Turdo
- PROMISE
Department,Piazza delle Cliniche 2, University
of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Simone Di Franco
- DICHIRONS
Department, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- DICHIRONS
Department, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Matilde Todaro
- PROMISE
Department,Piazza delle Cliniche 2, University
of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Teresa Pellegrino
- Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
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45
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Xiong S, Xiong G, Li Z, Jiang Q, Yin J, Yin T, Zheng H. Gold nanoparticle-based nanoprobes with enhanced tumor targeting and photothermal/photodynamic response for therapy of osteosarcoma. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 32:155102. [PMID: 33395672 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/abd816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Abastract
Plasmonic nanomaterials, especially a wide variety of gold nanoparticles, demonstrate great potential for theranostics of cancer. Herein, a gold nanotriangle with CD133 and hyaluronic acid on its surface loaded with a near-infrared photosensitizer was prepared for enhanced photodynamic/photothermal combined anti-tumor therapy. CD133 and hyaluronic acid provide the nanoprobe with dual tumor targeting, while the hyaluronic acid also protects photosensitive drugs from photodegradation. Thus, the nanoprobe has enhanced photothermal/photodynamic effects. This integrated treatment strategy significantly enhanced photodynamic/photothermal destruction of osteosarcoma cells. In addition, this treatment, induced by mild irradiation with a single wavelength laser, inhibited tumor growth in an osteosarcoma mouse model. These results indicate that this systemic treatment strategy can achieve enhanced anti-tumor therapeutic effects through active tumor targeting and protection of the loaded drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengren Xiong
- Fuzhou Second Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350007, People's Republic of China
| | - Guosheng Xiong
- Fuzhou Second Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350007, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaohui Li
- Fuzhou Second Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350007, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Jiang
- Fuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Yin
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Yin
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Formulation Technology, Key Laboratory for Nanomedicine, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Zheng
- Fuzhou Second Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350007, People's Republic of China
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46
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NAZARI FERESHTEH, PEARSON ALEXANDERT, JACKSON TRACHETTEL. MATHEMATICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF HETEROGENEITY IN A CANCER STEM CELL DRIVEN TUMOR GROWTH MODEL WITH NONLINEAR SELF-RENEWAL. J BIOL SYST 2021. [DOI: 10.1142/s0218339021500029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The detection, in a wide variety of cancer types, of a population of highly tumorigenic cells that exhibit self-renewal and multipotency, which are hallmarks of stem cells, has transformed the current view of tumor initiation, progression, and treatment. Here, we develop and analyze a mathematical model for tumor growth that is based on the current biological understanding of the processes that underlie cellular expansion under the hierarchical guidelines of the cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis. Important features of the model include (i) a nonlinear probability of CSC self-renewal that reflects the fact that this key type of stem cell division can be regulated by extrinsic and intrinsic chemical signaling as well as environmental (niche) constraints and (ii) an amplification factor that captures the transient amplifying divisions that are a defining characteristic of progenitor cells. We present a thorough mathematical analysis of the model and highlight the conditions required for tumors to evolve toward either bounded or exponential growth. Numerical simulations further illustrate the impact of the various parameters on the tumor growth rate and on the heterogeneous cellular composition, which varies during progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- FERESHTEH NAZARI
- Applied BioMath, 210 Broadway, Suite 201, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - ALEXANDER T PEARSON
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - TRACHETTE L JACKSON
- Department of Mathematics, University of Michigan, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48108-1043, USA
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47
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Ferguson LP, Diaz E, Reya T. The Role of the Microenvironment and Immune System in Regulating Stem Cell Fate in Cancer. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:624-634. [PMID: 33509688 PMCID: PMC8318571 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite gains in knowledge of the intrinsic signals governing cancer progression, effective clinical management of cancer remains a challenge. Drug resistance and relapse, pose the greatest barriers to cancer care, and are often driven by the co-option of stem cell programs by subpopulations of aggressive cancer cells. Here, we focus on the role of the microenvironment in the acquisition and/ or maintenance of stem cell states in cancer in the context of resistance and metastasis. We further discuss the role of cancer stem cells in immune evasion through the course of metastasis, dormancy, and relapse. Understanding the niche in which cancer stem cells live and the signals that sustain them may lead to new strategies that target them by disrupting microenvironmental support.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Paige Ferguson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Emily Diaz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tannishtha Reya
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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48
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Mosca L, Ilari A, Fazi F, Assaraf YG, Colotti G. Taxanes in cancer treatment: Activity, chemoresistance and its overcoming. Drug Resist Updat 2021; 54:100742. [PMID: 33429249 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2020.100742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Since 1984, when paclitaxel was approved by the FDA for the treatment of advanced ovarian carcinoma, taxanes have been widely used as microtubule-targeting antitumor agents. However, their historic classification as antimitotics does not describe all their functions. Indeed, taxanes act in a complex manner, altering multiple cellular oncogenic processes including mitosis, angiogenesis, apoptosis, inflammatory response, and ROS production. On the one hand, identification of the diverse effects of taxanes on oncogenic signaling pathways provides opportunities to apply these cytotoxic drugs in a more rational manner. On the other hand, this may facilitate the development of novel treatment modalities to surmount anticancer drug resistance. In the latter respect, chemoresistance remains a major impediment which limits the efficacy of antitumor chemotherapy. Taxanes have shown impact on key molecular mechanisms including disruption of mitotic spindle, mitosis slippage and inhibition of angiogenesis. Furthermore, there is an emerging contribution of cellular processes including autophagy, oxidative stress, epigenetic alterations and microRNAs deregulation to the acquisition of taxane resistance. Hence, these two lines of findings are currently promoting a more rational and efficacious taxane application as well as development of novel molecular strategies to enhance the efficacy of taxane-based cancer treatment while overcoming drug resistance. This review provides a general and comprehensive picture on the use of taxanes in cancer treatment. In particular, we describe the history of application of taxanes in anticancer therapeutics, the synthesis of the different drugs belonging to this class of cytotoxic compounds, their features and the differences between them. We further dissect the molecular mechanisms of action of taxanes and the molecular basis underlying the onset of taxane resistance. We further delineate the possible modalities to overcome chemoresistance to taxanes, such as increasing drug solubility, delivery and pharmacokinetics, overcoming microtubule alterations or mitotic slippage, inhibiting drug efflux pumps or drug metabolism, targeting redox metabolism, immune response, and other cellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Mosca
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ilari
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council (IBPM-CNR), c/o Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Fazi
- Dept. Anatomical, Histological, Forensic & Orthopedic Sciences, Section of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University, Via A. Scarpa 14-16, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Yehuda G Assaraf
- The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Lab, Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Gianni Colotti
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, Italian National Research Council (IBPM-CNR), c/o Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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49
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Chen P, Hsu WH, Han J, Xia Y, DePinho RA. Cancer Stemness Meets Immunity: From Mechanism to Therapy. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108597. [PMID: 33406434 PMCID: PMC7839836 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are self-renewing cells that facilitate tumor initiation, promote metastasis, and enhance cancer therapy resistance. Transcriptomic analyses across many cancer types have revealed a prominent association between stemness and immune signatures, potentially implying a biological interaction between such hallmark features of cancer. Emerging experimental evidence has substantiated the influence of CSCs on immune cells, including tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and T cells, in the tumor microenvironment and, reciprocally, the importance of such immune cells in sustaining CSC stemness and its survival niche. This review covers the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the symbiotic interactions between CSCs and immune cells and how such heterotypic signaling maintains a tumor-promoting ecosystem and informs therapeutic strategies intercepting this co-dependency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiwen Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wen-Hao Hsu
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jincheng Han
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yan Xia
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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50
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Chowdhury S, Ghosh S. Cancer Stem Cells. Stem Cells 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-1638-9_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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