1
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Huh HD, Park HW. Emerging paradigms in cancer cell plasticity. BMB Rep 2024; 57:273-280. [PMID: 38627950 PMCID: PMC11214895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells metastasize to distant organs by altering their characteristics within the tumor microenvironment (TME) to effectively overcome challenges during the multistep tumorigenesis. Plasticity endows cancer cell with the capacity to shift between different morphological states to invade, disseminate, and seed metastasis. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a theory derived from tissue biopsy, which explains the acquisition of EMT transcription factors (TFs) that convey mesenchymal features during cancer migration and invasion. On the other hand, adherent-to-suspension transition (AST) is an emerging theory derived from liquid biopsy, which describes the acquisition of hematopoietic features by AST-TFs that reprograms anchorage dependency during the dissemination of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The induction and plasticity of EMT and AST dynamically reprogram cell-cell interaction and cell-matrix interaction during cancer dissemination and colonization. Here, we review the mechanisms governing cellular plasticity of AST and EMT during the metastatic cascade and discuss therapeutic challenges posed by these two morphological adaptations to provide insights for establishing new therapeutic interventions. [BMB Reports 2024; 57(6): 273-280].
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunbin D. Huh
- Department of Biochemistry, Brain Korea 21 Project, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Hyun Woo Park
- Department of Biochemistry, Brain Korea 21 Project, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
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2
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Liu Y, Sun Y, Yang J, Wu D, Yu S, Liu J, Hu T, Luo J, Zhou H. DNMT1-targeting remodeling global DNA hypomethylation for enhanced tumor suppression and circumvented toxicity in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:104. [PMID: 38755637 PMCID: PMC11097543 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01993-1] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The faithful maintenance of DNA methylation homeostasis indispensably requires DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in cancer progression. We previously identified DNMT1 as a potential candidate target for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, how the DNMT1- associated global DNA methylation is exploited to regulate OSCC remains unclear. METHODS The shRNA-specific DNMT1 knockdown was employed to target DNMT1 on oral cancer cells in vitro, as was the use of DNMT1 inhibitors. A xenografted OSCC mouse model was established to determine the effect on tumor suppression. High-throughput microarrays of DNA methylation, bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, multiplex immunohistochemistry, functional sphere formation and protein immunoblotting were utilized to explore the molecular mechanism involved. Analysis of human samples revealed associations between DNMT1 expression, global DNA methylation and collaborative molecular signaling with oral malignant transformation. RESULTS We investigated DNMT1 expression boosted steadily during oral malignant transformation in human samples, and its inhibition considerably minimized the tumorigenicity in vitro and in a xenografted OSCC model. DNMT1 overexpression was accompanied by the accumulation of cancer-specific DNA hypomethylation during oral carcinogenesis; conversely, DNMT1 knockdown caused atypically extensive genome-wide DNA hypomethylation in cancer cells and xenografted tumors. This novel DNMT1-remodeled DNA hypomethylation pattern hampered the dual activation of PI3K-AKT and CDK2-Rb and inactivated GSK3β collaboratively. When treating OSCC mice, targeting DNMT1 achieved greater anticancer efficacy than the PI3K inhibitor, and reduced the toxicity of blood glucose changes caused by the PI3K inhibitor or combination of PI3K and CDK inhibitors as well as adverse insulin feedback. CONCLUSIONS Targeting DNMT1 remodels a novel global DNA hypomethylation pattern to facilitate anticancer efficacy and minimize potential toxic effects via balanced signaling synergia. Our study suggests DNMT1 is a crucial gatekeeper regarding OSCC destiny and treatment outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangfan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
- School of Stomatology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, Hainan, China
| | - Jin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Deyang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Junjiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Tao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jingjing Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Hongmei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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3
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Guo Q, Zhou Y, Xie T, Yuan Y, Li H, Shi W, Zheng L, Li X, Zhang W. Tumor microenvironment of cancer stem cells: Perspectives on cancer stem cell targeting. Genes Dis 2024; 11:101043. [PMID: 38292177 PMCID: PMC10825311 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
There are few tumor cell subpopulations with stem cell characteristics in tumor tissue, defined as cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs), which can reconstruct neoplasms with malignant biological behaviors such as invasiveness via self-renewal and unlimited generation. The microenvironment that CSCs depend on consists of various cellular components and corresponding medium components. Among these factors existing at a variety of levels and forms, cytokine networks and numerous signal pathways play an important role in signaling transduction. These factors promote or maintain cancer cell stemness, and participate in cancer recurrence, metastasis, and resistance. This review aims to summarize the recent molecular data concerning the multilayered relationship between CSCs and CSC-favorable microenvironments. We also discuss the therapeutic implications of targeting this synergistic interplay, hoping to give an insight into targeting cancer cell stemness for tumor therapy and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
| | - Tianyuan Xie
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
| | - Yin Yuan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
| | - Huilong Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
| | - Wanjin Shi
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
| | - Lufeng Zheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211198, China
| | - Xiaoman Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Wenzhou Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
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4
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Zhang H, Yue X, Chen Z, Liu C, Wu W, Zhang N, Liu Z, Yang L, Jiang Q, Cheng Q, Luo P, Liu G. Define cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment: new opportunities in cancer immunotherapy and advances in clinical trials. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:159. [PMID: 37784082 PMCID: PMC10544417 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01860-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite centuries since the discovery and study of cancer, cancer is still a lethal and intractable health issue worldwide. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained much attention as a pivotal component of the tumor microenvironment. The versatility and sophisticated mechanisms of CAFs in facilitating cancer progression have been elucidated extensively, including promoting cancer angiogenesis and metastasis, inducing drug resistance, reshaping the extracellular matrix, and developing an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Owing to their robust tumor-promoting function, CAFs are considered a promising target for oncotherapy. However, CAFs are a highly heterogeneous group of cells. Some subpopulations exert an inhibitory role in tumor growth, which implies that CAF-targeting approaches must be more precise and individualized. This review comprehensively summarize the origin, phenotypical, and functional heterogeneity of CAFs. More importantly, we underscore advances in strategies and clinical trials to target CAF in various cancers, and we also summarize progressions of CAF in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinghai Yue
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Wantao Wu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liping Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Guodong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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5
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Gao Q, Zhan Y, Sun L, Zhu W. Cancer Stem Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment in Tumor Drug Resistance. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2141-2154. [PMID: 37477773 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10593-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Although there has been some progress in the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs, drug resistance remains challenging. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are self-renewing and differentiate into cancer tissues with tumor heterogeneity. CSCs are associated with the progression of breast, colon, and lung cancers. Hence, recent studies have focused on the role of CSCs in resistance to anti-cancer drugs. Increasing evidence suggests that CSCs interact with components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as vascular and immune cells, as well as various cytokines, and are regulated by multiple signaling pathways, thereby promoting drug resistance in various cancers. Therefore, it is important to clarify the mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between CSCs and the TME for the development of targeted anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuzhi Gao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China
| | - Yixiang Zhan
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215300, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
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6
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Li X, Ke Y, Hernandez AL, Yu J, Bian L, Hall SC, Nolan K, Wang JH, Young CD, Wang XJ. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-activated Cxcr2 signaling in myeloid cells promotes TGFβ-dependent squamous cell carcinoma lung metastasis. Cancer Lett 2023; 570:216330. [PMID: 37524225 PMCID: PMC10530117 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216330] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) activity is linked to metastasis in many cancer types, but whether TGFβ activity is necessary for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) lung metastasis has not been studied. Here we used a lung metastatic SCC model derived from keratin 15 (K15). KrasG12D.Smad4-/- SCC and human SCC specimens to identify metastasis drivers and test therapeutic interventions. We demonstrated that a TGFβ receptor (TGFβR) inhibitor reduced lung metastasis in mouse SCC correlating with reduced CD11b+/Ly6G+ myeloid cells positive for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Further, TGFβ activity and iNOS were higher in primary human oral SCCs with metastasis than SCCs without metastasis. Consistently, either depleting myeloid cells with anti-Gr1 antibody or inhibiting iNOS with L-N6-(1-iminoethyl)-l-lysine (L-NIL) reduced SCC lung metastasis. L-NIL treated tumor-bearing mice exhibited reductions in tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells and in plasma Cxcl5 levels, and attenuated primary tumor growth with increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation. Blocking Cxcl5 with an antagonist of its receptor Cxcr2, SB225002, also reduced SCC lung metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Li
- Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, PR China; Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Yao Ke
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Ariel L Hernandez
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Jingjing Yu
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Li Bian
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Spencer C Hall
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kyle Nolan
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Jing H Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Christian D Young
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA; Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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7
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Pérez-González A, Bévant K, Blanpain C. Cancer cell plasticity during tumor progression, metastasis and response to therapy. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:1063-1082. [PMID: 37537300 PMCID: PMC7615147 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00595-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Cell plasticity represents the ability of cells to be reprogrammed and to change their fate and identity, enabling homeostasis restoration and tissue regeneration following damage. Cell plasticity also contributes to pathological conditions, such as cancer, enabling cells to acquire new phenotypic and functional features by transiting across distinct cell states that contribute to tumor initiation, progression, metastasis and resistance to therapy. Here, we review the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms driving cell plasticity that promote tumor growth and proliferation as well as metastasis and drug tolerance. Finally, we discuss how cell plasticity could be exploited for anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pérez-González
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kevin Bévant
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cédric Blanpain
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
- WELBIO, ULB, Bruxelles, Belgium.
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8
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Matarrese P, Vona R, Ascione B, Cittadini C, Tocci A, Mileo AM. Tumor Microenvironmental Cytokines Drive NSCLC Cell Aggressiveness and Drug-Resistance via YAP-Mediated Autophagy. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071048. [PMID: 37048121 PMCID: PMC10093141 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic reciprocity between cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and tumor cells occurs primarily through the interaction of soluble signals, i.e., cytokines produced by stromal cells to support cancer initiation and progression by regulating cell survival, differentiation and immune cell functionality, as well as cell migration and death. In the present study, we focused on the analysis of the functional response of non-small cell lung cancer cell lines elicited by the treatment with some crucial stromal factors which, at least in part, mimic the stimulus exerted in vivo on tumor cells by microenvironmental components. Our molecular and functional results highlight the role played by the autophagic machinery in the cellular response in terms of the invasive capacity, stemness and drug resistance of two non-small lung cancer cell lines treated with stromal cytokines, also highlighting the emerging role of the YAP pathway in the mutual and dynamic crosstalk between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment elements. The results of this study provide new insights into the YAP-mediated autophagic mechanism elicited by microenvironmental cytokines on non-small cell lung cancer cell lines and may suggest new potential strategies for future cancer therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Matarrese
- Oncology Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (A.M.M.)
| | - Rosa Vona
- Oncology Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Ascione
- Oncology Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Cittadini
- Oncology Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tocci
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi, 53-00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Mileo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi, 53-00144 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (A.M.M.)
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9
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Aleman J, Young CD, Karam SD, Wang XJ. Revisiting laminin and extracellular matrix remodeling in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma: What have we learned after more than four decades of research? Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:5-23. [PMID: 35596706 PMCID: PMC9676410 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have significantly lower survival upon the development of distant metastases. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a consistent yet dynamic influence on the metastatic capacity of SCCs. The ECM encompasses a milieu of structural proteins, signaling molecules, and enzymes. Just over 40 years ago, the fibrous ECM glycoprotein laminin was identified. Roughly four decades of research have revealed a pivotal role of laminins in metastasis. However, trends in ECM alterations in some cancers have been applied broadly to all metastatic diseases, despite evidence that these characteristics vary by tumor type. We will summarize how laminins influence the SCC metastatic process exclusively. Enhanced laminin protein deposition occurs at the invasive edge of SCC tumors, which correlates with elevated levels of laminin-binding β1 integrins on SCC cells, increased MMP-3 presence, worse prognosis, and lymphatic dissemination. Although these findings are significant, gaps in knowledge of the formation of a premetastatic niche, the processes of intra- and extravasation, and the contributions of the ECM to SCC metastatic cell dormancy persist. Bridging these gaps requires novel in vitro systems and animal models that reproduce tumor-stromal interactions and spontaneous metastasis seen in the clinic. These advances will allow accurate assessment of laminins to predict responders to transforming growth factor-β inhibitors and immunotherapy, as well as potential combinatorial therapies with the standard of care. Such clinical interventions may drastically improve quality of life and patient survival by explicitly targeting SCC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Aleman
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Christian D. Young
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Sana D. Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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10
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Xu M, Zhang T, Xia R, Wei Y, Wei X. Targeting the tumor stroma for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:208. [PMID: 36324128 PMCID: PMC9628074 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01670-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors are comprised of both cancer cells and surrounding stromal components. As an essential part of the tumor microenvironment, the tumor stroma is highly dynamic, heterogeneous and commonly tumor-type specific, and it mainly includes noncellular compositions such as the extracellular matrix and the unique cancer-associated vascular system as well as a wide variety of cellular components including activated cancer-associated fibroblasts, mesenchymal stromal cells, pericytes. All these elements operate with each other in a coordinated fashion and collectively promote cancer initiation, progression, metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have been conducted to study the interaction and crosstalk between stromal components and neoplastic cells. Meanwhile, we have also witnessed an exponential increase in the investigation and recognition of the critical roles of tumor stroma in solid tumors. A series of clinical trials targeting the tumor stroma have been launched continually. In this review, we introduce and discuss current advances in the understanding of various stromal elements and their roles in cancers. We also elaborate on potential novel approaches for tumor-stroma-based therapeutic targeting, with the aim to promote the leap from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maosen Xu
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Ruolan Xia
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
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11
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Shi X, Yang J, Deng S, Xu H, Wu D, Zeng Q, Wang S, Hu T, Wu F, Zhou H. TGF-β signaling in the tumor metabolic microenvironment and targeted therapies. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:135. [PMID: 36115986 PMCID: PMC9482317 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01349-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractTransforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling has a paradoxical role in cancer progression, and it acts as a tumor suppressor in the early stages but a tumor promoter in the late stages of cancer. Once cancer cells are generated, TGF-β signaling is responsible for the orchestration of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and supports cancer growth, invasion, metastasis, recurrence, and therapy resistance. These progressive behaviors are driven by an “engine” of the metabolic reprogramming in cancer. Recent studies have revealed that TGF-β signaling regulates cancer metabolic reprogramming and is a metabolic driver in the tumor metabolic microenvironment (TMME). Intriguingly, TGF-β ligands act as an “endocrine” cytokine and influence host metabolism. Therefore, having insight into the role of TGF-β signaling in the TMME is instrumental for acknowledging its wide range of effects and designing new cancer treatment strategies. Herein, we try to illustrate the concise definition of TMME based on the published literature. Then, we review the metabolic reprogramming in the TMME and elaborate on the contribution of TGF-β to metabolic rewiring at the cellular (intracellular), tissular (intercellular), and organismal (cancer-host) levels. Furthermore, we propose three potential applications of targeting TGF-β-dependent mechanism reprogramming, paving the way for TGF-β-related antitumor therapy from the perspective of metabolism.
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12
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Scola L, Bongiorno MR, Forte GI, Aiello A, Accardi G, Scrimali C, Spina R, Lio D, Candore G. TGF-β/VEGF-A Genetic Variants Interplay in Genetic Susceptibility to Non-Melanocytic Skin Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13071235. [PMID: 35886018 PMCID: PMC9317818 DOI: 10.3390/genes13071235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Differential genetically determined expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β pathway and of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) might modulate the molecular “milieu” involved in the etio-pathogenesis of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). We have evaluated the frequency of some functionally relevant SNPs of TGF-β and VEGF-A genes in 70 NMSC patients and 161 healthy controls, typed for TGF-β1 rs1800471, TGF-β2 rs900, TGF-βR1 rs334348 and rs334349, TGF-βR2 rs4522809 and VEGF-A rs3025039 SNPs. TGF-βR2 rs1800629G allele and related genotypes were found to be associated with a possible protective role against NMSC, whereas VEGF-A rs3025039T was associated with an increased risk. To evaluate the effect of genotype combinations on NMSC susceptibility, we determined the frequencies of 31 pseudo-haplotypes due to non-random linkage among alleles of loci not lying on the same chromosome. Two pseudo-haplotypes that imply a minor allele of TGF-βR2 or minor allele of VEGF-A SNPs combined with major alleles of the other SNPs were, respectively, associated with a protective effect, and susceptibility to NMSC. In addition, a pseudo-haplotype involving minor alleles of TGF-β2 rs900, TGF-βR1 rs334348 and rs4522809 SNPs might be a susceptibility marker for NMSC. In conclusion, our data suggest that a complex interplay among the genetic polymorphisms of TGF-β, TGF-β receptors and VEGF-A genes might influence the net effect of genetic background of the patients on NMSC development. This might be relevant in the risk evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of NMSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Scola
- Clinical Pathology, Department of Bio-Medicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90135 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Maria Rita Bongiorno
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giusi Irma Forte
- Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology, National Research Council (IBFM-CNR), 90015 Cefalù, Italy;
| | - Anna Aiello
- General Pathology, Department of Bio-Medicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90135 Palermo, Italy; (A.A.); (G.A.); (G.C.)
| | - Giulia Accardi
- General Pathology, Department of Bio-Medicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90135 Palermo, Italy; (A.A.); (G.A.); (G.C.)
| | - Chiara Scrimali
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (C.S.); (R.S.)
| | - Rossella Spina
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (C.S.); (R.S.)
| | - Domenico Lio
- Interdepartmental Research Center “Migrate”, University of Palermo, 90135 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giuseppina Candore
- General Pathology, Department of Bio-Medicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90135 Palermo, Italy; (A.A.); (G.A.); (G.C.)
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13
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Arora L, Kalia M, Dasgupta S, Singh N, Verma AK, Pal D. Development of a Multicellular 3D Tumor Model to Study Cellular Heterogeneity and Plasticity in NSCLC Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:881207. [PMID: 35837091 PMCID: PMC9273950 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.881207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneity is a characteristic feature of solid tumors. Intra-tumor heterogeneity includes phenotypic diversity, epigenetic abnormalities, cell proliferation, and plasticity that eventually drives disease progression. Studying tumor heterogeneity in 2D culture is challenging as it cannot simulate the microenvironmental features, such as hypoxia, nutrient unavailability, and cell-ECM interactions. We propose the development of multicellular (tri-culture) 3D spheroids using a hanging drop method to study the non-tumorigenic (BEAS-2B) vs. tumorigenic NSCLC (A549/NCI-H460)cells’ interaction with lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) and monocytes (THP-1). Unlike the non-tumorigenic model, the tumorigenic 3D spheroids show significant induction of cell proliferation, hypoxia, pluripotency markers, notable activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts, and tumor-associated macrophages. CD68+ macrophages isolated from tumorigenic spheroids exhibited profound induction of phenotypic endothelial characteristics. The results are zebrafish tumor xenograft model and by using human patient samples. This multicellular 3D tumor model is a promising tool to study tumor-stroma interaction and cellular plasticity, targeting tumor heterogeneity, and facilitating cancer therapy success against NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena Arora
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Punjab, India
| | - Moyna Kalia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Punjab, India
| | - Suman Dasgupta
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Assam, India
| | - Navneet Singh
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Anita K. Verma
- Department of Zoology, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Durba Pal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Punjab, India
- *Correspondence: Durba Pal, ; orcid.org/0000-0001-7672-3529
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14
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Yan H, Shi J, Dai Y, Li X, Wu Y, Zhang J, Gu Z, Zhang C, Leng J. Technique integration of single-cell RNA sequencing with spatially resolved transcriptomics in the tumor microenvironment. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:155. [PMID: 35440049 PMCID: PMC9020011 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02580-4] [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: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The tumor microenvironment contributes to tumor initiation, growth, invasion, and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment is heterogeneous in cellular and acellular components, particularly structural features and their gene expression at the inter-and intra-tumor levels. Main text Single-cell RNA sequencing profiles single-cell transcriptomes to reveal cell proportions and trajectories while spatial information is lacking. Spatially resolved transcriptomics redeems this lack with limited coverage or depth of transcripts. Hence, the integration of single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial data makes the best use of their strengths, having insights into exploring diverse tissue architectures and interactions in a complicated network. We review applications of integrating the two methods, especially in cellular components in the tumor microenvironment, showing each role in cancer initiation and progression, which provides clinical relevance in prognosis, optimal treatment, and potential therapeutic targets. Conclusion The integration of two approaches may break the bottlenecks in the spatial resolution of neighboring cell subpopulations in cancer, and help to describe the signaling circuitry about the intercommunication and its exact mechanisms in producing different types and malignant stages of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailan Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jinghua Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yi Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yushi Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhiyue Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Chenyu Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jinhua Leng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, No.1 Shuaifuyuan Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
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15
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Strait AA, Wang XJ. Setting up clinical trials for success: Applying preclinical advances in combined TGFβ/PD-L1 inhibition to ongoing clinical studies. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:239-242. [PMID: 34793609 PMCID: PMC8799489 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Combined TGFβ/PD-L1 inhibition is currently undergoing clinical trials in multiple cancer types. The early reported clinical trials of bintrafusp alfa, a bifunctional fusion protein targeting both of these pathways, have had mixed results. Here, we briefly review recent preclinical advances that can be used to refine these ongoing clinical trials and improve their outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A. Strait
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA,Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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