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Zhou Y, Ma Y, Sheng J, Ma Y, Ding J, Zhou W. Breaking Down Barriers in Drug Delivery by Stromal Remodeling Approaches in Pancreatic Cancer. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:3764-3776. [PMID: 39049481 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c00329] [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] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains a formidable challenge in oncology due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. The dense stroma surrounding pancreatic tumors not only provides structural support but also presents a formidable barrier to effective therapy, hindering drug penetration and immune cell infiltration. This review delves into the intricate interplay between stromal components and cancer cells, highlighting their impact on treatment resistance and prognosis. Strategies for stromal remodeling, including modulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) activation states, and targeting extracellular matrix (ECM) components, are examined for their potential to enhance drug penetration and improve therapeutic efficacy. Integration of stromal remodeling with conventional therapies, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, is discussed along with the emerging field of intelligent nanosystems for targeted drug delivery. This comprehensive overview underscores the importance of stromal remodeling in pancreatic cancer treatment and offers insights into promising avenues for future research and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Yunxiao Ma
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Jianwei Sheng
- China Quality Mark Certification (Shandong) Co., LTD, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Yiran Ma
- Hunan Bainianyiren Chinese Traditional Medical Institute Co., LTD, Changsha, Hunan 410221, China
| | - Jinsong Ding
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Wenhu Zhou
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Nanotechnology of National Health Commission, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
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Bell ATF, Mitchell JT, Kiemen AL, Lyman M, Fujikura K, Lee JW, Coyne E, Shin SM, Nagaraj S, Deshpande A, Wu PH, Sidiropoulos DN, Erbe R, Stern J, Chan R, Williams S, Chell JM, Ciotti L, Zimmerman JW, Wirtz D, Ho WJ, Zaidi N, Thompson E, Jaffee EM, Wood LD, Fertig EJ, Kagohara LT. PanIN and CAF transitions in pancreatic carcinogenesis revealed with spatial data integration. Cell Syst 2024:S2405-4712(24)00183-2. [PMID: 39116880 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
This study introduces a new imaging, spatial transcriptomics (ST), and single-cell RNA-sequencing integration pipeline to characterize neoplastic cell state transitions during tumorigenesis. We applied a semi-supervised analysis pipeline to examine premalignant pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs) that can develop into pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Their strict diagnosis on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples limited the single-cell characterization of human PanINs within their microenvironment. We leverage whole transcriptome FFPE ST to enable the study of a rare cohort of matched low-grade (LG) and high-grade (HG) PanIN lesions to track progression and map cellular phenotypes relative to single-cell PDAC datasets. We demonstrate that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), including antigen-presenting CAFs, are located close to PanINs. We further observed a transition from CAF-related inflammatory signaling to cellular proliferation during PanIN progression. We validate these findings with single-cell high-dimensional imaging proteomics and transcriptomics technologies. Altogether, our semi-supervised learning framework for spatial multi-omics has broad applicability across cancer types to decipher the spatiotemporal dynamics of carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander T F Bell
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jacob T Mitchell
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashley L Kiemen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Melissa Lyman
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kohei Fujikura
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jae W Lee
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Erin Coyne
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sarah M Shin
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sushma Nagaraj
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Atul Deshpande
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pei-Hsun Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dimitrios N Sidiropoulos
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rossin Erbe
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Lauren Ciotti
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jacquelyn W Zimmerman
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Skip Viragh Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Denis Wirtz
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences - Oncology Center, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Won Jin Ho
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Skip Viragh Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Neeha Zaidi
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Skip Viragh Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth Thompson
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Skip Viragh Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Jaffee
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Skip Viragh Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Laura D Wood
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Skip Viragh Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Skip Viragh Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Luciane T Kagohara
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Skip Viragh Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Carlomagno S, Setti C, Ortolani F, Sivori S. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma microenvironment: Soluble factors and cancer associated fibroblasts as modulators of NK cell functions. Immunol Lett 2024; 269:106898. [PMID: 39019404 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2024.106898] [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: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most frequent pancreatic cancer and represents one of the most aggressive human neoplasms. Typically identified at advance stage disease, most PDAC tumors are unresectable and resistant to standard therapies. The immunosuppressive microenvironment in PDAC impedes tumor control but a greater understanding of the complex stromal interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the development of strategies capable of restoring antitumor effector immune responses could be crucial to fight this aggressive tumor and its spread. Natural Killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in cancer immunosurveillance and represent an attractive target for immunotherapies, both as cell therapy and as a pharmaceutical target. This review describes some crucial components of the PDAC TME (collagens, soluble factors and fibroblasts) that can influence the presence, phenotype and function of NK cells in PDAC patients tumor tissue. This focused overview highlights the therapeutic relevance of dissecting the complex stromal composition to define new strategies for NK cell-based immunotherapies to improve the treatment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Carlomagno
- Department of Medicine (DMED), University of Udine, Piazzale Kolbe 4, Udine 33100, Italy.
| | - Chiara Setti
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Via Leon Battista Alberti 2, Genoa 16132, Italy
| | - Fulvia Ortolani
- Department of Medicine (DMED), University of Udine, Piazzale Kolbe 4, Udine 33100, Italy
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Via Leon Battista Alberti 2, Genoa 16132, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
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Benmelech S, Le T, McKay M, Nam J, Subramaniam K, Tellez D, Vlasak G, Mak M. Biophysical and biochemical aspects of immune cell-tumor microenvironment interactions. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:021502. [PMID: 38572312 PMCID: PMC10990568 DOI: 10.1063/5.0195244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME), composed of and influenced by a heterogeneous set of cancer cells and an extracellular matrix, plays a crucial role in cancer progression. The biophysical aspects of the TME (namely, its architecture and mechanics) regulate interactions and spatial distributions of cancer cells and immune cells. In this review, we discuss the factors of the TME-notably, the extracellular matrix, as well as tumor and stromal cells-that contribute to a pro-tumor, immunosuppressive response. We then discuss the ways in which cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems respond to tumors from both biochemical and biophysical perspectives, with increased focus on CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Building upon this information, we turn to immune-based antitumor interventions-specifically, recent biophysical breakthroughs aimed at improving CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoham Benmelech
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Thien Le
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Maggie McKay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Jungmin Nam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Krupakar Subramaniam
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Daniela Tellez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Grace Vlasak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Michael Mak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
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5
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Connaughton M, Dabagh M. Modeling Physical Forces Experienced by Cancer and Stromal Cells Within Different Organ-Specific Tumor Tissue. IEEE JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL ENGINEERING IN HEALTH AND MEDICINE 2024; 12:413-434. [PMID: 38765886 PMCID: PMC11100865 DOI: 10.1109/jtehm.2024.3388561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical force exerted on cancer cells by their microenvironment have been reported to drive cells toward invasive phenotypes by altering cells' motility, proliferation, and apoptosis. These mechanical forces include compressive, tensile, hydrostatic, and shear forces. The importance of forces is then hypothesized to be an alteration of cancer cells' and their microenvironment's biophysical properties as the indicator of a tumor's malignancy state. Our objective is to investigate and quantify the correlation between a tumor's malignancy state and forces experienced by the cancer cells and components of the microenvironment. In this study, we have developed a multicomponent, three-dimensional model of tumor tissue consisting of a cancer cell surrounded by fibroblasts and extracellular matrix (ECM). Our results on three different organs including breast, kidney, and pancreas show that: A) the stresses within tumor tissue are impacted by the organ specific ECM's biophysical properties, B) more invasive cancer cells experience higher stresses, C) in pancreas which has a softer ECM (Young modulus of 1.0 kPa) and stiffer cancer cells (Young modulus of 2.4 kPa and 1.7 kPa) than breast and kidney, cancer cells experienced significantly higher stresses, D) cancer cells in contact with ECM experienced higher stresses compared to cells surrounded by fibroblasts but the area of tumor stroma experiencing high stresses has a maximum length of 40 μm when the cancer cell is surrounded by fibroblasts and 12 μm for when the cancer cell is in vicinity of ECM. This study serves as an important first step in understanding of how the stresses experienced by cancer cells, fibroblasts, and ECM are associated with malignancy states of cancer cells in different organs. The quantification of forces exerted on cancer cells by different organ-specific ECM and at different stages of malignancy will help, first to develop theranostic strategies, second to predict accurately which tumors will become highly malignant, and third to establish accurate criteria controlling the progression of cancer cells malignancy. Furthermore, our in silico model of tumor tissue can yield critical, useful information for guiding ex vivo or in vitro experiments, narrowing down variables to be investigated, understanding what factors could be impacting cancer treatments or even biomarkers to be looking for.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Connaughton
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukeeWI53211USA
| | - Mahsa Dabagh
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukeeWI53211USA
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Zabransky DJ, Chhabra Y, Fane ME, Kartalia E, Leatherman JM, Hüser L, Zimmerman JW, Delitto D, Han S, Armstrong TD, Charmsaz S, Guinn S, Pramod S, Thompson ED, Hughes SJ, O'Connell J, Egan JM, Jaffee EM, Weeraratna AT. Fibroblasts in the Aged Pancreas Drive Pancreatic Cancer Progression. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1221-1236. [PMID: 38330147 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-24-0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is more prevalent in older individuals and often carries a poorer prognosis for them. The relationship between the microenvironment and pancreatic cancer is multifactorial, and age-related changes in nonmalignant cells in the tumor microenvironment may play a key role in promoting cancer aggressiveness. Because fibroblasts have profound impacts on pancreatic cancer progression, we investigated whether age-related changes in pancreatic fibroblasts influence cancer growth and metastasis. Proteomics analysis revealed that aged fibroblasts secrete different factors than young fibroblasts, including increased growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15). Treating young mice with GDF-15 enhanced tumor growth, whereas aged GDF-15 knockout mice showed reduced tumor growth. GDF-15 activated AKT, rendering tumors sensitive to AKT inhibition in an aged but not young microenvironment. These data provide evidence for how aging alters pancreatic fibroblasts and promotes tumor progression, providing potential therapeutic targets and avenues for studying pancreatic cancer while accounting for the effects of aging. SIGNIFICANCE Aged pancreatic fibroblasts secrete GDF-15 and activate AKT signaling to promote pancreatic cancer growth, highlighting the critical role of aging-mediated changes in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment in driving tumor progression. See related commentary by Isaacson et al., p. 1185.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Zabransky
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Yash Chhabra
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mitchell E Fane
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Emma Kartalia
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - James M Leatherman
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Laura Hüser
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jacquelyn W Zimmerman
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel Delitto
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Song Han
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Todd D Armstrong
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Soren Charmsaz
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Samantha Guinn
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sneha Pramod
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth D Thompson
- Department of Pathology, Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Steven J Hughes
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jennifer O'Connell
- Diabetes Section/Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Josephine M Egan
- Diabetes Section/Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth M Jaffee
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- The Johns Hopkins Cancer Convergence Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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Sun L, Zheng M, Gao Y, Brigstock DR, Gao R. Retinoic acid signaling pathway in pancreatic stellate cells: Insight into the anti-fibrotic effect and mechanism. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 967:176374. [PMID: 38309676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176374] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are activated following loss of cytoplasmic vitamin A (retinol)-containing lipid droplets, which is a key event in the process of fibrogenesis of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDCA). PSCs are the major source of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that produce stroma to induce PDAC cancer cell growth, invasion, and metastasis. As an active metabolite of retinol, retinoic acid (RA) can regulate target gene expression in PSCs through its nuclear receptor complex (RAR/RXR or RXR/RXR) or transcriptional intermediary factor. Additionally, RA also has extranuclear and non-transcriptional effects. In vitro studies have shown that RA induces PSC deactivation which reduces extracellular matrix production through multiple modes of action, such as inhibiting TβRⅡ, PDGFRβ, β-catenin and Wnt production, downregulating ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylation and suppressing active TGF-β1 release. RA alone or in combination with other reagents have been demonstrated to have an effective anti-fibrotic effect on cerulein-induced mouse CP models in vivo studies. Clinical trial data have shown that repurposing all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) as a stromal-targeting agent for human pancreatic cancer is safe and tolerable, suggesting the possibility of using RA for the treatment of CP and PDCA in humans. This review focuses on RA signaling pathways in PSCs and the effects and mechanisms of RA in PSC-mediated fibrogenesis as well as the anti-fibrotic and anti-tumor effects of RA targeting PSCs or CAFs in vitro and in vivo, highlighting the potential therapies of RA against CP and PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Sun
- Department of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Pathology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Meifang Zheng
- Department of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanhang Gao
- Department of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - David R Brigstock
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Runping Gao
- Department of Hepatic Biliary Pancreatic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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8
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Kuramochi T, Sano M, Kajiwara I, Oshima Y, Itaya T, Kim J, Ichimaru Y, Kitajima O, Masamune A, Ijichi H, Suzuki T. Effects of tramadol via a µ-opioid receptor on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2024; 49:200-208. [PMID: 37353355 DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2023-104511] [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: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tramadol, a weak opioid anesthetic, is used for pain management in patients with cancer, but the effects of tramadol on cancer via µ-opioid receptor are still unknown. We assessed the effects of tramadol on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma using transgenic mice (LSL-KrasG12D/+; Trp53flox/flox; Pdx-1cre/+ ). METHODS Six-week-old transgenic mice were orally administered 10 mg/kg/day tramadol (n=12), 10 mg/kg/day tramadol and 1 mg/kg/day naltrexone (n=9), or vehicle water (n=14) until the humane endpoint. Cancer-related pain and plasma cytokine levels were assessed by the mouse grimace scale and cytokine array, respectively. Tumor status was determined histopathologically. Tramadol's effects on proliferation and invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines were studied in vitro. RESULTS Tramadol with/without naltrexone improved mouse grimace scale scores while decreasing inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. Proliferative Ki-67 and cyclins decreased by tramadol, while local M1-like tumor-associated macrophages increased by tramadol, which was blocked by naltrexone. Meanwhile, tramadol with/without naltrexone reduced juxta-tumoral cancer-associated fibroblasts and M2-like tumor-associated macrophages. Tumor-associated neutrophils, natural killers, and cytotoxic T cells were not altered. Tramadol decreased the proliferative and invasive potentials of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines via decreasing cyclins/cyclin-dependent kinases, which was partially reversed by naltrexone. CONCLUSIONS These findings imply that tramadol might be a useful anesthetic for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: inhibiting the proliferation and invasion along with increasing antitumor M1-like tumor-associated macrophages via the µ-opioid receptor, while improving cancer-associated pain possibly through the antitumor effects with the decrease of inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Kuramochi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Sano
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ichie Kajiwara
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukino Oshima
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Itaya
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jinsuk Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Ichimaru
- School of Pharmacy, Shonan University of Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Osamu Kitajima
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Hideaki Ijichi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Clinical Nutrition Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Suzuki
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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9
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Fergatova A, Affara NI. The cellular triumvirate: fibroblasts entangled in the crosstalk between cancer cells and immune cells. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1337333. [PMID: 38313431 PMCID: PMC10835808 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1337333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
This review article will focus on subpopulations of fibroblasts that get reprogrammed by tumor cells into cancer-associated fibroblasts. Throughout this article, we will discuss the intricate interactions between fibroblasts, immune cells, and tumor cells. Unravelling complex intercellular crosstalk will pave the way for new insights into cellular mechanisms underlying the reprogramming of the local tumor immune microenvironment and propose novel immunotherapy strategies that might have potential in harnessing and modulating immune system responses.
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10
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Ni Y, Lu M, Li M, Hu X, Li F, Wang Y, Xue D. Unraveling the underlying pathogenic factors driving nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma: an in-depth analysis of prognostically relevant gene signatures in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Transl Med 2024; 22:72. [PMID: 38238845 PMCID: PMC10795264 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04885-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive manifestation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the growing knowledge of NASH and HCC, the association between the two conditions remains to be fully explored. Bioinformatics has emerged as a valuable approach for identifying disease-specific feature genes, enabling advancements in disease prediction, prevention, and personalized treatment strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, we utilized CellChat, copy number karyotyping of aneuploid tumors (CopyKAT), consensus Non-negative Matrix factorization (cNMF), Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), Gene set variation analysis (GSVA), Monocle, spatial co-localization, single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), Slingshot, and the Scissor algorithm to analyze the cellular and immune landscape of NASH and HCC. Through the Scissor algorithm, we identified three cell types correlating with disease phenotypic features and subsequently developed a novel clinical prediction model using univariate, LASSO, and multifactor Cox regression. RESULTS Our results revealed that macrophages are a significant pathological factor in the development of NASH and HCC and that the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cellular crosstalk at the molecular level. We deduced three prognostic genes (YBX1, MED8, and KPNA2), demonstrating a strong diagnostic capability in both NASH and HCC. CONCLUSION These findings shed light on the pathological mechanisms shared between NASH and HCC, providing valuable insights for the development of novel clinical strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ni
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Maoqing Lu
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Ming Li
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xixi Hu
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yan Wang
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Dong Xue
- College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (College of Life Sciences), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
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11
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Sari D, Gozuacik D, Akkoc Y. Role of autophagy in cancer-associated fibroblast activation, signaling and metabolic reprograming. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1274682. [PMID: 38234683 PMCID: PMC10791779 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1274682] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumors not only consist of cancerous cells, but they also harbor several normal-like cell types and non-cellular components. cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of these cellular components that are found predominantly in the tumor stroma. Autophagy is an intracellular degradation and quality control mechanism, and recent studies provided evidence that autophagy played a critical role in CAF formation, metabolic reprograming and tumor-stroma crosstalk. Therefore, shedding light on the autophagy and its role in CAF biology might help us better understand the roles of CAFs and the TME in cancer progression and may facilitate the exploitation of more efficient cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, we provide an overview about the involvement of autophagy in CAF-related pathways, including transdifferentiation and activation of CAFs, and further discuss the implications of targeting tumor stroma as a treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dyana Sari
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Devrim Gozuacik
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Biotechnology, SUNUM Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Yunus Akkoc
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
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12
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Singh S, Singh AP, Mitra R. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: Major Co-Conspirators in Tumor Development. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:211. [PMID: 38201638 PMCID: PMC10778099 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a critical determinant of tumor progression, metastasis, and therapeutic outcomes [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhangi Singh
- Department of International Studies (Global Health), College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA
| | - Ajay P. Singh
- Cancer Biology Program, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA
- Department of Pathology, Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36617, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Ranjana Mitra
- Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, Las Vegas, NV 89135, USA
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13
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Yoshihara M, Iyoshi S, Mogi K, Uno K, Fujimoto H, Miyamoto E, Nomura S, Kitami K, Kajiyama H. Ovarian cancer: Novel mechanisms and therapeutic targets regarding the microenvironment in the abdominal cavity. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2023; 49:2620-2628. [PMID: 37533323 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15756] [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: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is an intractable disease that is mostly diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a high recurrence rate. The early development of characteristic peritoneal dissemination via ascites contributes to a poor prognosis. Based on the "seed and soil" theory, ovarian cancer is considered to form a disseminated tumor that interacts with the peritoneum; superficial mesothelial cells are structurally important. Thus far, we have reported that peritoneal mesothelial cells, which originally are ecological defenses, transform into ovarian cancer-associated mesothelial cells, which are allies of cancer. They are found to be actively involved in the formation of a friendly "soil" that promotes the survival of "seeds" of ovarian cancer cells. We also demonstrated that the progression of ovarian cancer and the induction of its refractory nature are partially mediated through competition and cooperation between ovarian cancer and mesothelial cells. We believe that it is necessary to shift the aim of treatment strategies from solely targeting cancer cells to focusing on the crosstalk between the surrounding environment and ovarian cancer, an approach that ultimately aims to achieve "coexistence" with cancer through disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Yoshihara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shohei Iyoshi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Mogi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kaname Uno
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hiroki Fujimoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Adelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Emiri Miyamoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nomura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Kitami
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kajiyama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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14
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Mitchell MI, Loudig O. Communicator Extraordinaire: Extracellular Vesicles in the Tumor Microenvironment Are Essential Local and Long-Distance Mediators of Cancer Metastasis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2534. [PMID: 37760975 PMCID: PMC10526527 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092534] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human tumors are increasingly being described as a complex "ecosystem", that includes many different cell types, secreted growth factors, extracellular matrix (ECM) components, and microvessels, that altogether create the tumor microenvironment (TME). Within the TME, epithelial cancer cells control the function of surrounding stromal cells and the non-cellular ECM components in an intricate orchestra of signaling networks specifically designed for cancer cells to exploit surrounding cells for their own benefit. Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) released into the tumor microenvironment are essential mediators in the reprogramming of surrounding stromal cells, which include cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and tumor endothelial cells (TECs), which are responsible for the promotion of neo-angiogenesis, immune cell evasion, and invasion which are essential for cancer progression. Perhaps most importantly, tumor-derived EVs play critical roles in the metastatic dissemination of tumor cells through their two-fold role in initiating cancer cell invasion and the establishment of the pre-metastatic niche, both of which are vital for tumor cell migration, homing, and colonization at secondary tumor sites. This review discusses extracellular vesicle trafficking within the tumor microenvironment and pre-metastatic niche formation, focusing on the complex role that EVs play in orchestrating cancer-to-stromal cell communication in order to promote the metastatic dissemination of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olivier Loudig
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA;
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15
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Raudenska M, Balvan J, Hanelova K, Bugajova M, Masarik M. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Mediators of head and neck tumor microenvironment remodeling. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188940. [PMID: 37331641 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are involved in critical aspects of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) pathogenesis, such as the formation of a tumor-permissive extracellular matrix structure, angiogenesis, or immune and metabolic reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment (TME), with implications for metastasis and resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The pleiotropic effect of CAFs in TME is likely to reflect the heterogeneity and plasticity of their population, with context-dependent effects on carcinogenesis. The specific properties of CAFs provide many targetable molecules that could play an important role in the future therapy of HNSCC. In this review article, we will focus on the role of CAFs in the TME of HNSCC tumors. We will also discuss clinically relevant agents targeting CAFs, their signals, and signaling pathways, which are activated by CAFs in cancer cells, with the potential for repurposing for HNSCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Raudenska
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Balvan
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Klara Hanelova
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Bugajova
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Masarik
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University / Kamenice 5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Pathophysiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, / U Nemocnice 5, CZ-128 53 Prague, Czech Republic.
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16
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Sarkar R, Xu Z, Perera CJ, Apte MV. Emerging role of pancreatic stellate cell-derived extracellular vesicles in pancreatic cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 93:114-122. [PMID: 37225047 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer that is characterised by a prominent collagenous stromal reaction/desmoplasia surrounding tumour cells. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are responsible for the production of this stroma and have been shown to facilitate PDAC progression. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs), in particular, small extracellular vesicles (exosomes) have been a topic of interest in the field of cancer research for their emerging roles in cancer progression and diagnosis. EVs act as a form of intercellular communication by carrying their molecular cargo from one cell to another, regulating functions of the recipient cells. Although the knowledge of the bi-directional interactions between the PSCs and cancer cells that promote disease progression has advanced significantly over the past decade, studies on PSC-derived EVs in PDAC are currently rather limited. This review provides an overview of PDAC, pancreatic stellate cells and their interactions with cancer cells, as well as the currently known role of extracellular vesicles derived from PSCs in PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Sarkar
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia
| | - Zhihong Xu
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia
| | - Chamini J Perera
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia.
| | - Minoti V Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Sydney 2170, Australia
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17
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Morgan A, Griffin M, Kameni L, Wan DC, Longaker MT, Norton JA. Medical Biology of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Pancreatic Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1044. [PMID: 37626931 PMCID: PMC10451924 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer with one of the lowest 5-year survival rates of all cancer types. A defining characteristic of pancreatic cancer is the existence of dense desmoplastic stroma that, when exposed to stimuli such as cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines, generate a tumor-promoting environment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are activated during the progression of pancreatic cancer and are a crucial component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). CAFs are primarily pro-tumorigenic in their activated state and function as promoters of cancer invasion, proliferation, metastasis, and immune modulation. Aided by many signaling pathways, cytokines, and chemokines in the tumor microenvironment, CAFs can originate from many cell types including resident fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, pancreatic stellate cells, adipocytes, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and other cell types. CAFs are a highly heterogeneous cell type expressing a variety of surface markers and performing a wide range of tumor promoting and inhibiting functions. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses have revealed a high degree of specialization among CAFs. Some examples of CAF subpopulations include myofibrotic CAFs (myCAFs), which exhibit a matrix-producing contractile phenotype; inflammatory CAFs (iCAF) that are classified by their immunomodulating, secretory phenotype; and antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs), which have antigen-presenting capabilities and express Major Histocompatibility Complex II (MHC II). Over the last several years, various attempts have been undertaken to describe the mechanisms of CAF-tumor cell interaction, as well as CAF-immune cell interaction, that contribute to tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Although our understanding of CAF biology in cancer has steadily increased, the extent of CAFs heterogeneity and their role in the pathobiology of pancreatic cancer remains elusive. In this regard, it becomes increasingly evident that further research on CAFs in pancreatic cancer is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annah Morgan
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
| | - Michelle Griffin
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lionel Kameni
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
| | - Derrick C. Wan
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael T. Longaker
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jeffrey A. Norton
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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18
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Henderson EA, Lukomski S, Boone BA. Emerging applications of cancer bacteriotherapy towards treatment of pancreatic cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1217095. [PMID: 37588093 PMCID: PMC10425600 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1217095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive form of cancer with a five-year survival rate of only ten percent. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for ninety percent of those cases. PDAC is associated with a dense stroma that confers resistance to current treatment modalities. Increasing resistance to cancer treatments poses a challenge and a need for alternative therapies. Bacterial mediated cancer therapies were proposed in the late 1800s by Dr. William Coley when he injected osteosarcoma patients with live streptococci or a fabrication of heat-killed Streptococcus pyogenes and Serratia marcescens known as Coley's toxin. Since then, several bacteria have gained recognition for possible roles in potentiating treatment response, enhancing anti-tumor immunity, and alleviating adverse effects to standard treatment options. This review highlights key bacterial mechanisms and structures that promote anti-tumor immunity, challenges and risks associated with bacterial mediated cancer therapies, and applications and opportunities for use in PDAC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A. Henderson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Slawomir Lukomski
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
- West Virginia Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Brian A. Boone
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
- West Virginia Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
- Department of Surgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
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19
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Itaya T, Sano M, Kajiwara I, Oshima Y, Kuramochi T, Kim J, Ichimaru Y, Kitajima O, Masamune A, Ijichi H, Ishii Y, Suzuki T. Mirogabalin improves cancer-associated pain but increases the risk of malignancy in mice with pancreatic cancer. Pain 2023; 164:1545-1554. [PMID: 36701124 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002852] [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: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Mirogabalin, a selective voltage-gated calcium channel α2δ ligand, improves peripheral neuropathic pain; however, its effects on patients with cancers including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain unknown. We analyzed the effects of mirogabalin on a KPPC ( LSL-KrasG12D/+; Trp53flox/flox; Pdx-1cre/+ ) mouse model of PDAC. Six-week-old KPPC mice received oral mirogabalin (10 mg/kg/day) (n = 10) or vehicle water (n = 14) until the humane end point. Cancer-associated pain was evaluated using the scores of hunching and mouse grimace scale (MGS). Tumor status and plasma cytokine levels were determined using histopathological analysis and cytokine array, respectively. The effects of mirogabalin on the proliferative ability of PDAC cell lines were determined. The scores of the hunching and MGS improved after mirogabalin administration with a decrease in the plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interferon-γ. Although no significant difference in the survival rate was observed, mirogabalin significantly increased pancreatic tumor size and proliferative index of Ki-67 and cyclins. Local arginase-1 + M2-like tumor-associated macrophages and CD31 + tumor blood vessels increased after mirogabalin administration. By contrast, the number of α-smooth muscle actin + cancer-associated fibroblasts, desmoplastic stroma, and CD8 + T cells decreased. Local myeloperoxidase + tumor-associated neutrophils and CD45R + B cells were unaltered. Mirogabalin enhanced the proliferative ability of PDAC cell lines with the upregulation of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases; however, it inhibited the potential of pancreatic stellate cells in vitro. Therefore, our results suggest that mirogabalin improves cancer-associated pain but enhances the proliferative potential of PDAC in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoaki Itaya
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Sano
- Division of Medical Research Planning and Development, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ichie Kajiwara
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukino Oshima
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoya Kuramochi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jinsuk Kim
- Division of Medical Research Planning and Development, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Ichimaru
- School of Pharmacy, Shonan University of Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Osamu Kitajima
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hideaki Ijichi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Clinical Nutrition Center, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukimoto Ishii
- Division of Medical Research Planning and Development, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Suzuki
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Tsunedomi R, Shindo Y, Nakajima M, Yoshimura K, Nagano H. The tumor immune microenvironment in pancreatic cancer and its potential in the identification of immunotherapy biomarkers. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2023; 23:1121-1134. [PMID: 37947389 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2281482] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pancreatic cancer (PC) has an extremely poor prognosis, even with surgical resection and triplet chemotherapy treatment. Cancer immunotherapy has been recently approved for tumor-agnostic treatment with genome analysis, including in PC. However, it has limited efficacy. AREAS COVERED In addition to the low tumor mutation burden, one of the difficulties of immunotherapy in PC is the presence of abundant stromal cells in its microenvironment. Among stromal cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a major role in immunotherapy resistance, and CAF-targeted therapies are currently under development, including those in combination with immunotherapies. Meanwhile, microbiomes and tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) have been shown to alter the behavior of distant receptor cells in PC. This review discusses the role of CAFs, microbiomes, and TDEs in PC tumor immunity. EXPERT OPINION Elucidating the mechanisms by which CAFs, microbiomes, and TDEs are involved in the tumorigenesis of PC will be helpful for developing novel immunotherapeutic strategies and identifying companion biomarkers for immunotherapy. Spatial single-cell analysis of the tumor microenvironment will be useful for identifying biomarkers of PC immunity. Furthermore, given the complexity of immune mechanisms, artificial intelligence models will be beneficial for predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryouichi Tsunedomi
- Department of Gastroenterological, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yoshitaro Shindo
- Department of Gastroenterological, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Masao Nakajima
- Department of Gastroenterological, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Yoshimura
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Clinical Immuno-Oncology, Clinical Research Institute for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Showa University, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Nagano
- Department of Gastroenterological, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
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21
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Wlodarczyk B, Durko L, Wlodarczyk P, Talar-Wojnarowska R, Malecka-Wojciesko E. CA 19-9 but Not IGF-1/IGFBP-2 Is a Useful Biomarker for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and Chronic Pancreatitis (CP) Differentiation. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4050. [PMID: 37373743 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12124050] [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] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There are still no effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The differentiation between PDAC and chronic pancreatitis (CP) is often challenging. The inflammatory mass in the course of CP causes diagnostic difficulties in differentiating them from neoplastic lesions and, thus, delays the initiation of radical treatment. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) form a network involved in PDAC development. The role of IGFs in promoting pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, survival, and migration is well established, and their ability to stimulate tumor growth and metastasis is well documented. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usability of IGF-1, IGFBP-2, and IGF-1/IGFBP-2 ratio in PDAC and CP differentiation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 137 patients: 89 patients with PDAC and 48 patients with CP. All subjects were tested for the levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-2 using the ELISA method (Corgenix UK Ltd. R&D Systems), along with the level of CA 19-9 in serum. Additionally, the IGF-1/IGFBP-2 ratio was calculated. Further analyses used logit and probit models with varying determinants in order to discern between PDAC and CP patients. The models served as a basis for AUROC calculation. RESULTS The mean IGF-1 serum level was equal to 52.12 ± 33.13 ng/mL in PDAC vs. 74.23 ± 48.98 ng/mL in CP (p = 0.0053). The mean level of IGFBP-2 was equal to 305.95 ± 194.58 ng/mL in PDAC vs. 485.43 ± 299 ng/mL in CP (p = 0.0002). The mean CA 19-9 serum concentration was 434.95 ± 419.98 U/mL in PDAC vs. 78.07 ± 182.36 U/mL in CP (p = 0.0000). The mean IGF-1/IGFBP-2 ratio was 0.213 ± 0.14 in PDAC vs. 0.277 ± 0.33 in CP (p = 0.1914). The diagnostic usefulness of indicators for the purpose of PDAC and CP differentiation was assessed by means of AUROC comparison. The AUROCs of IGF-1, IGFBP-2, and IGF-1/IGFBP-2 ratio ranged below 0.7, being lower than the AUROC of CA 19-9 (0.7953; 0.719 within 95% CI). Together, the CA 19-9 and IGFBP-2 AUROCs also ranged below 0.8. When age was included, the AUROC increased to 0.8632, and its 95% confidence interval held above the 0.8 limit. The sensitivity of the used markers was not correlated to the stage of pancreatic PDAC. CONCLUSIONS The presented results indicate that CA 19-9 is a marker demonstrating high potential for PDAC and CP differentiation. The inclusion of additional variables into the model, such as the serum level of IGF-1 or IGFBP-2, slightly increased the sensitivity in differentiating CP from PDAC. The IGF-1/IGFBP-2 ratio turned out to be a good marker of pancreatic diseases, but insufficient for the purpose of CP and PDAC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Wlodarczyk
- Department of Digestive Tract Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| | - Lukasz Durko
- Department of Digestive Tract Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| | | | | | - Ewa Malecka-Wojciesko
- Department of Digestive Tract Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
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22
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Patras L, Paul D, Matei IR. Weaving the nest: extracellular matrix roles in pre-metastatic niche formation. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1163786. [PMID: 37350937 PMCID: PMC10282420 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1163786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery that primary tumors condition distant organ sites of future metastasis for seeding by disseminating tumor cells through a process described as the pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation revolutionized our understanding of cancer progression and opened new avenues for therapeutic interventions. Given the inherent inefficiency of metastasis, PMN generation is crucial to ensure the survival of rare tumor cells in the otherwise hostile environments of metastatic organs. Early on, it was recognized that preparing the "soil" of the distal organ to support the outgrowth of metastatic cells is the initiating event in PMN development, achieved through the remodeling of the organ's extracellular matrix (ECM). Remote restructuring of ECM at future sites of metastasis under the influence of primary tumor-secreted factors is an iterative process orchestrated through the crosstalk between resident stromal cells, such as fibroblasts, epithelial and endothelial cells, and recruited innate immune cells. In this review, we will explore the ECM changes, cellular effectors, and the mechanisms of ECM remodeling throughout PMN progression, as well as its impact on shaping the PMN and ultimately promoting metastasis. Moreover, we highlight the clinical and translational implications of PMN ECM changes and opportunities for therapeutically targeting the ECM to hinder PMN formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Patras
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Center of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Doru Paul
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Irina R. Matei
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Center of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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23
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Palma AM, Bushnell GG, Wicha MS, Gogna R. Tumor microenvironment interactions with cancer stem cells in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 159:343-372. [PMID: 37268400 PMCID: PMC11218813 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.02.007] [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] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer in the United States. Additionally, the low survival rate makes PDAC the third-leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States, and it is projected that by 2030, it will become the second-leading cause of cancer mortality. Several biological factors contribute to PDAC aggressiveness, and their understanding will narrow the gap from biology to clinical care of PDAC, leading to earlier diagnoses and the development of better treatment options. In this review, we describe the origins of PDAC highlighting the role of cancer stem cells (CSC). CSC, also known as tumor initiating cells, which exhibit a unique metabolism that allows them to maintain a highly plastic, quiescent, immune- and therapy-evasive state. However, CSCs can exit quiescence during proliferation and differentiation, with the capacity to form tumors while constituting a small population in tumor tissues. Tumorigenesis depends on the interactions between CSCs and other cellular and non-cellular components in the microenvironment. These interactions are fundamental to support CSC stemness and are maintained throughout tumor development and metastasis. PDAC is characterized by a massive desmoplastic reaction, which result from the deposition of high amounts of extracellular matrix components by stromal cells. Here we review how this generates a favorable environment for tumor growth by protecting tumor cells from immune responses and chemotherapy and inducing tumor cell proliferation and migration, leading to metastasis formation ultimately leading to death. We emphasize the interactions between CSCs and the tumor microenvironment leading to metastasis formation and posit that better understanding and targeting of these interactions will improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grace G Bushnell
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Max S Wicha
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
| | - Rajan Gogna
- VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
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24
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Palma AM, Vudatha V, Peixoto ML, Madan E. Tumor heterogeneity: An oncogenic driver of PDAC progression and therapy resistance under stress conditions. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 159:203-249. [PMID: 37268397 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a clinically challenging disease usually diagnosed at advanced or metastasized stage. By this year end, there are an expected increase in 62,210 new cases and 49,830 deaths in the United States, with 90% corresponding to PDAC subtype alone. Despite advances in cancer therapy, one of the major challenges combating PDAC remains tumor heterogeneity between PDAC patients and within the primary and metastatic lesions of the same patient. This review describes the PDAC subtypes based on the genomic, transcriptional, epigenetic, and metabolic signatures observed among patients and within individual tumors. Recent studies in tumor biology suggest PDAC heterogeneity as a major driver of disease progression under conditions of stress including hypoxia and nutrient deprivation, leading to metabolic reprogramming. We therefore advance our understanding in identifying the underlying mechanisms that interfere with the crosstalk between the extracellular matrix components and tumor cells that define the mechanics of tumor growth and metastasis. The bilateral interaction between the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment and PDAC cells serves as another important contributor that characterizes the tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressing phenotypes providing an opportunity for an effective treatment regime. Furthermore, we highlight the dynamic reciprocating interplay between the stromal and immune cells that impact immune surveillance or immune evasion response and contribute towards a complex process of tumorigenesis. In summary, the review encapsulates the existing knowledge of the currently applied treatments for PDAC with emphasis on tumor heterogeneity, manifesting at multiple levels, impacting disease progression and therapy resistance under stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vignesh Vudatha
- Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | | | - Esha Madan
- Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
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25
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Knipper K, Damanakis AI, Zhao Y, Bruns CJ, Schmidt T, Popp FC, Quaas A, Lyu SI. Specific Subtypes of Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts Are Correlated with Worse Survival in Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072049. [PMID: 37046710 PMCID: PMC10093167 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancer entities. Effective therapy options are still lacking. The tumor microenvironment possibly bears further treatment possibilities. This study aimed to describe the expression patterns of four established carcinoma-associated fibroblast (CAFs) markers and their correlation in PDAC tissue samples. METHODS This project included 321 patients with PDAC who underwent surgery with a curative intent in one of the PANCALYZE study centers. Immunohistochemical stainings for FAP, PDGFR, periostin, and SMA were performed. The expression patterns of each marker were divided into low- and high-expressing CAFs and correlated with patients' survival. RESULTS Tumors showing SMAhigh-, PeriostinhighSMAhigh-, or PeriostinhighSMAlowPDGFRlowFAPhigh-positive CAFs demonstrated significantly worse survival. Additionally, a high expression of SMA in PDAC tissue samples was shown to be an independent risk factor for worse survival. CONCLUSION This project identified three subgroups of PDAC with different expression patterns of CAF markers which showed significantly worse survival. This could be the base for the further characterization of the fibroblast subgroups in PDAC and contribute to the development of new targeted therapy options against CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Knipper
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexander I Damanakis
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Christiane J Bruns
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmidt
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Felix C Popp
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexander Quaas
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Su Ir Lyu
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
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26
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Desai N, Hasan U, K J, Mani R, Chauhan M, Basu SM, Giri J. Biomaterial-based platforms for modulating immune components against cancer and cancer stem cells. Acta Biomater 2023; 161:1-36. [PMID: 36907233 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.03.004] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy involves the therapeutic alteration of the patient's immune system to identify, target, and eliminate cancer cells. Dendritic cells, macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and regulatory T cells make up the tumor microenvironment. In cancer, these immune components (in association with some non-immune cell populations like cancer-associated fibroblasts) are directly altered at a cellular level. By dominating immune cells with molecular cross-talk, cancer cells can proliferate unchecked. Current clinical immunotherapy strategies are limited to conventional adoptive cell therapy or immune checkpoint blockade. Targeting and modulating key immune components presents an effective opportunity. Immunostimulatory drugs are a research hotspot, but their poor pharmacokinetics, low tumor accumulation, and non-specific systemic toxicity limit their use. This review describes the cutting-edge research undertaken in the field of nanotechnology and material science to develop biomaterials-based platforms as effective immunotherapeutics. Various biomaterial types (polymer-based, lipid-based, carbon-based, cell-derived, etc.) and functionalization methodologies for modulating tumor-associated immune/non-immune cells are explored. Additionally, emphasis has been laid on discussing how these platforms can be used against cancer stem cells, a fundamental contributor to chemoresistance, tumor relapse/metastasis, and failure of immunotherapy. Overall, this comprehensive review strives to provide up-to-date information to an audience working at the juncture of biomaterials and cancer immunotherapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cancer immunotherapy possesses incredible potential and has successfully transitioned into a clinically lucrative alternative to conventional anti-cancer therapies. With new immunotherapeutics getting rapid clinical approval, fundamental problems associated with the dynamic nature of the immune system (like limited clinical response rates and autoimmunity-related adverse effects) have remained unanswered. In this context, treatment approaches that focus on modulating the compromised immune components within the tumor microenvironment have garnered significant attention amongst the scientific community. This review aims to provide a critical discussion on how various biomaterials (polymer-based, lipid-based, carbon-based, cell-derived, etc.) can be employed along with immunostimulatory agents to design innovative platforms for selective immunotherapy directed against cancer and cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimeet Desai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Uzma Hasan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India; Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Jeyashree K
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Rajesh Mani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Meenakshi Chauhan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Suparna Mercy Basu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India
| | - Jyotsnendu Giri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India.
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27
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Coffelt SB, Morton JP. LOXL2 in pancreatic tumourigenesis: the complexity of tumour-stromal crosstalk exemplified. Gut 2023; 72:221-222. [PMID: 35428658 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Seth B Coffelt
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jennifer P Morton
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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28
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Luong T, Golivi Y, Nagaraju GP, El-Rayes BF. Fibroblast heterogeneity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Perspectives in immunotherapy. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 68:107-115. [PMID: 36096869 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the key component in pancreatic tumor microenvironment (TME), originate from many sources and are naturally heterogeneous in phenotype and function. Numerous studies have identified their crucial role in promoting tumorigenesis through many routes including fostering cancer proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Conversely, research also indicates that subsets of CAFs express anti-tumor activity. These dual effects reflect the complexity of CAF heterogeneity and their interactions with other cells and factors in pancreatic TME. A critical component in this environment is infiltrated immune cells and immune mediators, which can communicate with CAFs. The crosstalk occurs via the production of various cytokines, chemokines, and other mediators and shapes the immunological state in TME. Comprehensive studies of the crosstalk between CAFs and tumor immune environment, particularly internal mechanisms interlinking CAFs and immune effectors, may provide new approaches for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) treatments. In this review, we explore the characteristics of CAFs, describe the interplay among CAFs, infiltrated immune cells, other mediators, and provide an overview of recent CAF-target therapies, their limitations, and potential research directions in CAF in the context of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tha Luong
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35201, USA
| | - Yuvasri Golivi
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35201, USA
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35201, USA.
| | - Bassel F El-Rayes
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35201, USA.
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29
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Lefler JE, MarElia-Bennett CB, Thies KA, Hildreth BE, Sharma SM, Pitarresi JR, Han L, Everett C, Koivisto C, Cuitino MC, Timmers CD, O'Quinn E, Parrish M, Romeo MJ, Linke AJ, Hobbs GA, Leone G, Guttridge DC, Zimmers TA, Lesinski GB, Ostrowski MC. STAT3 in tumor fibroblasts promotes an immunosuppressive microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:e202201460. [PMID: 35803738 PMCID: PMC9270499 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with an incredibly dense stroma, which contributes to its recalcitrance to therapy. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the most abundant cell types within the PDAC stroma and have context-dependent regulation of tumor progression in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Therefore, understanding tumor-promoting pathways in CAFs is essential for developing better stromal targeting therapies. Here, we show that disruption of the STAT3 signaling axis via genetic ablation of Stat3 in stromal fibroblasts in a Kras G12D PDAC mouse model not only slows tumor progression and increases survival, but re-shapes the characteristic immune-suppressive TME by decreasing M2 macrophages (F480+CD206+) and increasing CD8+ T cells. Mechanistically, we show that loss of the tumor suppressor PTEN in pancreatic CAFs leads to an increase in STAT3 phosphorylation. In addition, increased STAT3 phosphorylation in pancreatic CAFs promotes secretion of CXCL1. Inhibition of CXCL1 signaling inhibits M2 polarization in vitro. The results provide a potential mechanism by which CAFs promote an immune-suppressive TME and promote tumor progression in a spontaneous model of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Lefler
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Catherine B MarElia-Bennett
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Katie A Thies
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Blake E Hildreth
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Sudarshana M Sharma
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jason R Pitarresi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lu Han
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Caroline Everett
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Christopher Koivisto
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Maria C Cuitino
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Cynthia D Timmers
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Elizabeth O'Quinn
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Melodie Parrish
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Martin J Romeo
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Amanda J Linke
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - G Aaron Hobbs
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Gustavo Leone
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Denis C Guttridge
- Department of Pediatrics and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Teresa A Zimmers
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Gregory B Lesinski
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael C Ostrowski
- Hollings Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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30
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Zhang T, Ren Y, Yang P, Wang J, Zhou H. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:897. [PMID: 36284087 PMCID: PMC9596464 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05351-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal cancer with a prominent extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and poor prognosis. High levels of ECM proteins derived from tumour cells reduce the efficacy of conventional cancer treatment paradigms and contribute to tumour progression and metastasis. As abundant tumour-promoting cells in the ECM, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are promising targets for novel anti-tumour interventions. Nonetheless, related clinical trials are hampered by the lack of specific markers and elusive differences between CAF subtypes. Here, we review the origins and functional diversity of CAFs and show how they create a tumour-promoting milieu, focusing on the crosstalk between CAFs, tumour cells, and immune cells in the tumour microenvironment. Furthermore, relevant clinical advances and potential therapeutic strategies relating to CAFs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Zhang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yanxian Ren
- grid.412643.60000 0004 1757 2902Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Yang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jufang Wang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Heng Zhou
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.450259.f0000 0004 1804 2516Key Laboratory of Space Radiobiology of Gansu Province & Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
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31
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P-element-Induced Wimpy-Testis-Like Protein 1 Regulates the Activation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells Through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 68:1339-1350. [PMID: 36002675 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-022-07605-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
AIM Pancreatic fibrosis is the main pathological characteristic of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a critical role in pancreatic fibrosis. Any targets that may have an impact on the activation of PSCs could become potential treatment candidates for CP and pancreatic cancer. Our goal was to investigate the effect of P-element-induced wimpy-testis (PIWI) protein 1 (PIWIL1) on PSC activation. METHODS Lentivirus-based RNA interference (RNAi) and overexpression vector construction were used to knock down and over-express the PIWIL1 protein. Immunocytofluorescent staining, western blotting, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and phalloidin staining were used to investigate the effects of PIWIL1 on the secretion of extracellular matrix components (EMC), actin cytoskeleton, and on the invasion and migration abilities of primary PSCs isolated from C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, pancreatic fibrosis was induced by L-arginine in C57BL/6 mice. The expression of PIWIL1 and collagen deposition in vivo were tested by western blotting and Sirius red staining. RESULTS Expression levels of collagen I, collagen III, and α-smooth muscle actin were significantly decreased in the LV-PIWIL1 group. Compared with the si-PIWIL1 group, significant differences were observed in the expression of desmin, p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR in the LV-PIWIL1 group. Furthermore, PIWIL1 suppressed the PSCs' invasion and migration abilities. In a rescue experiment, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was found to be the underlying mechanism in PSCs activation mediated by PIWIL1. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that PIWIL1 inhibits the activation of PSCs via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. PIWIL1 is a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic fibrosis.
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Li J, Peng L, Chen Q, Ye Z, Zhao T, Hou S, Gu J, Hang Q. Integrin β1 in Pancreatic Cancer: Expressions, Functions, and Clinical Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143377. [PMID: 35884437 PMCID: PMC9318555 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive malignant tumor with an extremely poor prognosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to improving the survival rate of PC patients. Emerging studies show that integrins might contribute to the pathogenesis of PC. This review presents the various signaling pathways that are mediated by integrins in PC and emphasizes the multiple functions of integrin β1 in malignant behaviors of PC. It also discusses the clinical significance of integrin β1 as well as integrin β1-based therapy in PC patients. Abstract Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by rapid progression and a high mortality rate. The current treatment is still based on surgical treatment, supplemented by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and new methods of combining immune and molecular biological treatments are being explored. Despite this, the survival rate of PC patients is still very disappointing. Therefore, clarifying the molecular mechanism of PC pathogenesis and developing precisely targeted drugs are key to improving PC prognosis. As the most common β subunit of the integrin family, integrin β1 has been proved to be closely related to the vascular invasion, distant metastasis, and survival of PC patients, and treatment targeting integrin β1 in PC has gained initial success in animal models. In this review, we summarize the various signaling pathways by which integrins are involved in PC, focusing on the roles of integrin β1 in the malignant behaviors of PC. Additionally, recent studies regarding the feasibility of integrin β1 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in PC are also discussed. Finally, we present the progress of several integrin β1-based clinical trials to highlight the potential of integrin β1 as a target for personalized therapy in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (J.L.); (S.H.)
| | - Liyao Peng
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210000, China;
| | - Qun Chen
- Pancreas Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China;
| | - Ziping Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China;
| | - Tiantian Zhao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China;
| | - Sicong Hou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (J.L.); (S.H.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China;
| | - Jianguo Gu
- Division of Regulatory Glycobiology, Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai 81-8558, Japan
- Correspondence: (J.G.); (Q.H.); Tel.: +86-13-8145-8885 (Q.H.)
| | - Qinglei Hang
- Division of Regulatory Glycobiology, Institute of Molecular Biomembrane and Glycobiology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai 81-8558, Japan
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: (J.G.); (Q.H.); Tel.: +86-13-8145-8885 (Q.H.)
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Masugi Y. The Desmoplastic Stroma of Pancreatic Cancer: Multilayered Levels of Heterogeneity, Clinical Significance, and Therapeutic Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133293. [PMID: 35805064 PMCID: PMC9265767 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant disease with treatment resistance to standardized chemotherapies. In addition, only a small fraction of patients with pancreatic cancer has, to date, actionable genetic aberrations, leading to a narrow therapeutic window for molecularly targeted therapies or immunotherapies. A lot of preclinical and translational studies are ongoing to discover potential vulnerabilities to treat pancreatic cancer. Histologically, human pancreatic cancer is characterized by abundant cancer-associated fibrotic stroma, called “desmoplastic stroma”. Recent technological advances have revealed that desmoplastic stroma in pancreatic cancer is much more complicated than previously thought, playing pleiotropic roles in manipulating tumor cell fate and anti-tumor immunity. Moreover, real-world specimen-based analyses of pancreatic cancer stroma have also uncovered spatial heterogeneity and an intertumoral variety associated with molecular alterations, clinicopathological factors, and patient outcomes. This review describes an overview of the current efforts in the field of pancreatic cancer stromal biology and discusses treatment opportunities of stroma-modifying therapies against this hard-to-treat cancer. Abstract Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies and is becoming a dramatically increasing cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Abundant desmoplastic stroma is a histological hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Emerging evidence suggests a promising therapeutic effect of several stroma-modifying therapies that target desmoplastic stromal elements in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment. The evidence also unveils multifaceted roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in manipulating pancreatic cancer progression, immunity, and chemotherapeutic response. Current state-of-the-art technologies, including single-cell transcriptomics and multiplexed tissue imaging techniques, have provided a more profound knowledge of CAF heterogeneity in real-world specimens from pancreatic cancer patients, as well as in genetically engineered mouse models. In this review, we describe recent advances in the understanding of the molecular pathology bases of pancreatic cancer desmoplastic stroma at multilayered levels of heterogeneity, namely, (1) variations in cellular and non-cellular members, including CAF subtypes and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins; (2) geographical heterogeneity in relation to cell–cell interactions and signaling pathways at niche levels and spatial heterogeneity at locoregional levels or organ levels; and (3) intertumoral stromal heterogeneity at individual levels. This review further discusses the clinicopathological significance of desmoplastic stroma and the potential opportunities for stroma-targeted therapies against this lethal malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Masugi
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan; ; Tel.: +81-3-5363-3764; Fax: +81-3-3353-3290
- Department of Pathology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
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Wu Q, Song L, Guo Y, Liu S, Wang W, Liu H, Gong A, Liao X, Zhu H, Wang D. Activated Stellate Cell Paracrine HGF Exacerbated Pancreatic Cancer Cell Ferroptosis Resistance. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:2985249. [PMID: 35693705 PMCID: PMC9177329 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2985249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
As a refractory tumor, pancreatic carcinoma is more vulnerable to ferroptosis, a novel regulated cell death mode. However, the exact role of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) in pancreatic cancer ferroptosis is still unclear. Using the coculture system, we revealed that activated PSCs promote pancreatic cancer cell ferroptosis resistance. Mechanistically, activated PSCs secreted HGF, which further activated the HGF receptor, c-MET, in pancreatic cancer cells, prevented lipid peroxidation, and ultimately triggered pancreatic cancer cell ferroptosis resistance in vitro and in vivo. TCGA and GEPIA databases also revealed a strong correlation between c-MET and antiferroptosis indicators. Our study supplied the evidence for the cross-talk between activated PSCs and pancreatic cancer cells in ferroptosis, which suggested a strategy to inhibit PSC paracrine signaling for preventing pancreatic carcinoma ferroptosis resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Wu
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China 212001
| | - Lian Song
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China 212001
| | - Yaxin Guo
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China 212001
| | - Sai Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China 212001
| | - Wenyao Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China 212001
| | - Huli Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China 212001
| | - Aihua Gong
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China 212013
| | - Xiang Liao
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China 212001
| | - Haitao Zhu
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China 212001
- Central Laboratory of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
| | - Dongqing Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China 212001
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Fleming Martinez AK, Döppler HR, Bastea LI, Edenfield BH, Liou GY, Storz P. Ym1 + macrophages orchestrate fibrosis, lesion growth, and progression during development of murine pancreatic cancer. iScience 2022; 25:104327. [PMID: 35602933 PMCID: PMC9118688 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmoplasia around pancreatic lesions is a barrier for immune cells and a hallmark of developing and established pancreatic cancer. However, the contribution of the innate immune system to this process is ill-defined. Using the KC mouse model and primary cells in vitro, we show that alternatively activated macrophages (AAM) crosstalk with pancreatic lesion cells and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) to mediate fibrosis and progression of lesions. TGFβ1 secreted by AAM not only drives activation of quiescent PSCs but also in activated PSCs upregulates expression of TIMP1, a factor previously shown as crucial in fibrosis. Once activated, PSCs auto-stimulate proliferation via CXCL12. Furthermore, we found that TIMP1/CD63 signaling mediates PanIN lesion growth and TGFβ1 contributes to a cadherin switch and drives structural collapse of lesions, indicating a potential progression step. Taken together, our data indicate TGFβ1 produced by Ym1+ AAM as a major driver of processes that initiate the development of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heike R. Döppler
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Ligia I. Bastea
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Brandy H. Edenfield
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Geou-Yarh Liou
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA,Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Cancer Research & Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
| | - Peter Storz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA,Corresponding author
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Masamune A, Hamada S. Editorial: Mechanisms of Inflammation and Fibrosis Interplays in the Digestive Diseases. Front Physiol 2022; 13:906742. [PMID: 35492620 PMCID: PMC9048022 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.906742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Sánchez-Ramírez D, Medrano-Guzmán R, Candanedo-González F, De Anda-González J, García-Rios LE, Pérez-Koldenkova V, Gutiérrez-de la Barrera M, Rodríguez-Enríquez S, Velasco-Velázquez M, Pacheco-Velázquez SC, Piña-Sánchez P, Mayani H, Gómez-Delgado A, Monroy-García A, Martínez-Lara AK, Montesinos JJ. High expression of both desmoplastic stroma and epithelial to mesenchymal transition markers associate with shorter survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Eur J Histochem 2022; 66. [PMID: 35174683 PMCID: PMC8883614 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2022.3360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmoplastic stroma (DS) and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) play a key role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression. To date, however, the combined expression of DS and EMT markers, and their association with variations in survival within each clinical stage and degree of tumor differentiation is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between expression of DS and EMT markers and survival variability in patients diagnosed with PDAC. We examined the expression levels of DS markers alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, and vimentin, and the EMT markers epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM), pan-cytokeratin, and vimentin, by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray in a retrospective cohort of 25 patients with PDAC. The results were examined for association with survival by clinical stage and by degree of tumor differentiation. High expression of DS markers -α-SMA, fibronectin, and vimentin- was associated with decreased survival at intermediate and advanced clinical stages (p=0.006-0.03), as well as with both poorly and moderately differentiated tumor grades (p=0.01-0.02). Interestingly, the same pattern was observed for EMT markers, i.e., EPCAM, pan-cytokeratin, and vimentin (p=0.00008-0.03). High expression of DS and EMT markers within each clinical stage and degree of tumor differentiation was associated with lower PDAC survival. Evaluation of these markers may have a prognostic impact on survival time variation in patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damián Sánchez-Ramírez
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells Laboratory, Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Rafael Medrano-Guzmán
- Department of Sarcomas, Oncology Hospital, High Specialty Medical Unit (UMAE), National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Fernando Candanedo-González
- Department of Pathology, Oncology Hospital, High Specialty Medical Unit (UMAE), National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Jazmín De Anda-González
- Department of Pathology, Oncology Hospital, High Specialty Medical Unit (UMAE), National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Luis Enrique García-Rios
- Department of Sarcomas, Oncology Hospital, High Specialty Medical Unit (UMAE), National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Vadim Pérez-Koldenkova
- National Laboratory of Advanced Microscopy-IMSS, National Medical Center, Siglo XXI IMSS, Mexico City.
| | | | | | - Marco Velasco-Velázquez
- Department of Pharmacology and Peripheral Research Unit in Translational Biomedicine (CMN 20 de noviembre, ISSSTE), School of Medicine, UNAM, Mexico City.
| | | | - Patricia Piña-Sánchez
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Héctor Mayani
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells Laboratory, Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Alejandro Gómez-Delgado
- Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical Research Unit, Pediatric Hospital, National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Alberto Monroy-García
- Immunology and Cancer Laboratory, Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center (IMSS), Mexico City.
| | - Ana Karen Martínez-Lara
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells Laboratory, Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
| | - Juan José Montesinos
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells Laboratory, Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City.
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Mouratidis PXE, ter Haar G. Latest Advances in the Use of Therapeutic Focused Ultrasound in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:638. [PMID: 35158903 PMCID: PMC8833696 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional oncological interventions have failed to improve survival for pancreatic cancer patients significantly. Novel treatment modalities able to release cancer-specific antigens, render immunologically "cold" pancreatic tumours "hot" and disrupt or reprogram the pancreatic tumour microenvironment are thus urgently needed. Therapeutic focused ultrasound exerts thermal and mechanical effects on tissue, killing cancer cells and inducing an anti-cancer immune response. The most important advances in therapeutic focused ultrasound use for initiation and augmentation of the cancer immunity cycle against pancreatic cancer are described. We provide a comprehensive review of the use of therapeutic focused ultrasound for the treatment of pancreatic cancer patients and describe recent studies that have shown an ultrasound-induced anti-cancer immune response in several tumour models. Published studies that have investigated the immunological effects of therapeutic focused ultrasound in pancreatic cancer are described. This article shows that therapeutic focused ultrasound has been deemed to be a safe technique for treating pancreatic cancer patients, providing pain relief and improving survival rates in pancreatic cancer patients. Promotion of an immune response in the clinic and sensitisation of tumours to the effects of immunotherapy in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer is shown, making it a promising candidate for use in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros X. E. Mouratidis
- Department of Physics, Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research: Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, London SM25NG, UK;
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Vokurka M, Lacina L, Brábek J, Kolář M, Ng YZ, Smetana K. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Influence the Biological Properties of Malignant Tumours via Paracrine Secretion and Exosome Production. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:964. [PMID: 35055153 PMCID: PMC8778626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are an essential component of the tumour microenvironment. They represent a heterogeneous group of cells that are under the control of cancer cells and can reversely influence the cancer cell population. They affect the cancer cell differentiation status, and the migration and formation of metastases. This is achieved through the production of the extracellular matrix and numerous bioactive factors. IL-6 seems to play the central role in the communication of noncancerous and cancer cells in the tumour. This review outlines the role of exosomes in cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Available data on the exosomal cargo, which can significantly intensify interactions in the tumour, are summarised. The role of exosomes as mediators of the dialogue between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts is discussed together with their therapeutic relevance. The functional unity of the paracrine- and exosome-mediated communication of cancer cells with the tumour microenvironment represented by CAFs is worthy of attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Vokurka
- Institute of Pathological Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic;
| | - Lukáš Lacina
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
- Department of Dermatovenereology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, 120 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Brábek
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic;
- BIOCEV, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kolář
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic;
| | - Yi Zhen Ng
- A*STAR Skin Research Labs (A*SRL)—Biopolis, Skin Research Institute of Singapore, 8A Biomedical Grove #06-06 Immunos Singapore, Singapore 138665, Singapore;
| | - Karel Smetana
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
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