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Leng X, Zhang M, Xu Y, Wang J, Ding N, Yu Y, Sun S, Dai W, Xue X, Li N, Yang Y, Shi Z. Non-coding RNAs as therapeutic targets in cancer and its clinical application. J Pharm Anal 2024; 14:100947. [PMID: 39149142 PMCID: PMC11325817 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer genomics has led to the discovery of numerous oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that play critical roles in cancer development and progression. Oncogenes promote cell growth and proliferation, whereas tumor suppressor genes inhibit cell growth and division. The dysregulation of these genes can lead to the development of cancer. Recent studies have focused on non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including circular RNA (circRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and microRNA (miRNA), as therapeutic targets for cancer. In this article, we discuss the oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes of ncRNAs associated with different types of cancer and their potential as therapeutic targets. Here, we highlight the mechanisms of action of these genes and their clinical applications in cancer treatment. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and identifying specific therapeutic targets are essential steps towards the development of effective cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Leng
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Mengyuan Zhang
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yujing Xu
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ning Ding
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yancheng Yu
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Shanliang Sun
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Weichen Dai
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xin Xue
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Nianguang Li
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ye Yang
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zhihao Shi
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
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Cai Q, Li G, Zhu M, Zhuo T, Xiao J. Development of a novel lncRNA-derived immune gene score using machine learning-based ensembles for predicting the survival of HCC. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:86. [PMID: 38334792 PMCID: PMC10858126 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05608-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in the tumor immunology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS HCC mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles were used to extract immune-related genes with the ImmPort database, and immune-related lncRNAs with the ImmLnc algorithm. The MOVICS package was used to cluster immune-related mRNA, immune-related lncRNA, gene mutation and methylation data on HCC from the TCGA. GEO and ICGC datasets were used to validate the model. Data from single-cell sequencing was used to determine the expression of genes from the model in various immune cell types. RESULTS With this model, the area under the curve (AUC) for 1-, 3- and 5-year survival of HCC patients was 0.862, 0.869 and 0.912, respectively. Single-cell sequencing showed EREG was significantly expressed in a variety of immune cell types. Knockdown of the EREG target gene resulted in significant anti-apoptosis, pro-proliferation and pro-migration effects in HepG2 and HUH7 cells. Moreover, serum and liver tissue EREG levels in HCC patients were significantly higher than those of healthy control patients. CONCLUSION We built a prognostic model with good accuracy for predicting HCC patient survival. EREG is a potential immunotherapeutic target and a promising prognostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Cai
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Liver Diseases, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, 1111 Jiangnan Rd., Ningbo, 315100, China.
| | - Guoqi Li
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150036, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Mingyan Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Liver Diseases, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, 1111 Jiangnan Rd., Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Tingting Zhuo
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Liver Diseases, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, 1111 Jiangnan Rd., Ningbo, 315100, China
| | - Jiaying Xiao
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150036, Heilongjiang, China
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Qi X, Liu L. The regulatory effect of lncRNA LINC00943 on the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with clinicopathological features. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2024; 48:102273. [PMID: 38145786 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2023.102273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The risk factors for the pathogenesis of HCC are highly variable, and the prognosis of patients is very unsatisfactory. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effect of LINC00943 on HCC progression and its relationship with clinicopathological features. METHODS LINC00943 level in HCC tissues and cell specimens was verified by RT-qPCR. The pathologic significance of LINC00943 in the prognosis of HCC was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. The behavioral function of LINC00943 in HCC cells was evaluated via CCK-8 and Transwell assays. The specific targeting relationship between LINC00943 and miR-195-5p was investigated by luciferase activity assay. RESULTS LINC00943 was highly expressed in HCC tissues and cell specimens. Clinical data analysis showed that elevated LINC00943 indicated poor prognosis in patients with HCC and was related to TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. Cell experiments demonstrated that silencing LINC00943 sponge miR-195-5p suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells. Mechanistically, miR-195-5p inhibitor remedied the suppressive effect of silencing LINC00943 on the biological functions of HCC cells. CONCLUSION LINC00943 may be an independent prognostic factor of HCC, which provides new thinking for the prognosis and treatment of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoan Qi
- Department of General Surgery, Wuhan Xinzhou District People's Hospital, No.61-89, Xinzhou Street, Zhucheng Street, Xinzhou District, Wuhan 430400, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Wuhan Xinzhou District People's Hospital, No.61-89, Xinzhou Street, Zhucheng Street, Xinzhou District, Wuhan 430400, China.
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Ge WJ, Huang H, Wang T, Zeng WH, Guo M, Ren CR, Fan TY, Liu F, Zeng X. Long non-coding RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154604. [PMID: 37302276 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) refer to a class of RNAs greater than 200 nucleotides in length, most of which are considered unable to encode proteins, thus deemed to be junk genes formerly. But with emerging studies about lncRNAs coming out in recent years, it is much more clearly depicted that they can regulate gene expression at different levels, with various mechanisms, thus participating in diverse biological or pathological processes, including complicated tumor-associated pathways. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, which has been found to tightly associate with aberrant expression of a variety of lncRNAs regulating tumor proliferation, invasion, drug resistance, and so on, making it a potential novel tumor marker and therapeutic target. In this review, we highlight a few lncRNAs that are closely related to the occurrence and progression of HCC and try to cover their multifarious roles from different layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jun Ge
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Huan Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Wei-Hong Zeng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Min Guo
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Chen-Ran Ren
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Ting-Yu Fan
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
| | - Xi Zeng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular & Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
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Hong Y, Zhang Y, Zhao H, Chen H, Yu QQ, Cui H. The roles of lncRNA functions and regulatory mechanisms in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1051306. [PMID: 36467404 PMCID: PMC9716033 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1051306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent and deadly type of liver cancer. While the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood, it is documented that lncRNAs may play key roles. Many HCC-associated lncRNAs have been linked to HBV and HCV infection, mediating gene expression, cell growth, development, and death. Studying the regulatory mechanisms and biological functions of HCC-related lncRNAs will assist our understanding of HCC pathogenesis as well as its diagnosis and management. Here, we address the potential of dysregulated lncRNAs in HCC as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers, and we evaluate the oncogenic or tumor-suppressive properties of these lncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuling Hong
- School of Clinical Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Yunxing Zhang
- Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical College, Jining, China
| | - Haibo Zhao
- Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical College, Jining, China
| | - Hailing Chen
- School of Clinical Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qing-Qing Yu
- Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical College, Jining, China
| | - Hongxia Cui
- Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical College, Jining, China
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Jiang P, Xue W, Xi C, Zhuang L, Yuan Z, Liu Z, Sun T, Xu X, Tan Y, Ding W. A new acidic microenvironment related lncRNA signature predicts the prognosis of liver cancer patients. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1016721. [PMID: 36387100 PMCID: PMC9660327 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1016721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The acidic microenvironment (AME), like hypoxia, inflammation, or immunoreaction, is a hallmark of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This work aimed to develop a prediction signature dependent on AME-associated lncRNAs in order to predict the prognosis of LC individuals. METHODS We downloaded RNA-seq information and the corresponding clinical and predictive data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and conducted univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify AME-associated lncRNAs for the construction of a prediction signature The Kaplan-Meier technique was utilized to determine the overall survival (OS) rate of the high (H)-risk and low (L)-risk groups. Using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) the functional variations between the H- and L-risk groups were investigated. The association between the prediction signature and immunological state was investigated using single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA). Additionally, the association between the predicted signature and the therapeutic response of LC individuals was evaluated. Lastly, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to verify the risk model. RESULTS We generated a signature comprised of seven AME-associated lncRNAs (LINC01116, AC002511.2, LINC00426, ARHGAP31-AS1, LINC01060, TMCC1-AS1, AC012065.1). The H-risk group had a worse prognosis than the L- risk group. The AME-associated lncRNA signature might determine the prognosis of individuals with LC independently. The AME-related lncRNA signature shows a greater predictive effectiveness than clinic-pathological factors, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.806%. When participants were categorized based on several clinico-pathological characteristics, the OS of high-risk individuals was shorter compared to low-risk patients. GSEA demonstrated that the metabolism of different acids and the PPAR signaling pathway are closely associated with low-risk individuals. The prognostic signature was substantially associated with the immunological status of LC individuals, as determined by ssGSEA. High risk individuals were more sensitive to some immunotherapies (including anti-TNFSF4 anti-SIRPA, anti-CD276 and anti-TNFSF15) and some conventional chemotherapy drugs (including lapatinib and paclitaxel). Finally, the expression levels of the seven lncRNAs comprising the signature were tested by qRT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS A basis for the mechanism of AME-associated lncRNAs in LC is provided by the prediction signature, which also offers clinical therapeutic recommendations for LC individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Wenbo Xue
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Cheng Xi
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Lin Zhuang
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Zhiping Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
| | - Zhilin Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Xuezhong Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yulin Tan
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Wei Ding
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Wujin Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Changzhou, China
- Changzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Cancer Medicine, Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University, Changzhou, China
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Shang C, Ke M, Liu L, Wang C, Liu Y, Zheng X. Exosomes From Cancer-Associated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transmit TMBIM6 to Promote the Malignant Behavior of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Activating PI3K/AKT Pathway. Front Oncol 2022; 12:868726. [PMID: 35720012 PMCID: PMC9201337 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.868726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Cancer-associated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) regulate the progression of cancers through exosome-delivered components, while few studies are conducted on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of exosomes from HCC-associated MSCs (HCC-MSCs) on HCC cellular functions and the potential regulatory mechanism. Methods HCC cells (Huh7 and PLC) were cultured normally or co-cultured with HCC-MSCs, HCC-MSCs plus GW4869, or HCC-MSC-derived exosomes; then mRNA sequencing and RT-qPCR validation were conducted. Subsequently, candidate genes were sorted out and modified in HCC cells. Next, TMBIM6-modified HCC-MSCs were used to treat HCC cells. Results Both HCC-MSCs and their derived exosomes promoted proliferation, invasion, sphere formation ability but suppressed apoptosis in HCC cells (all p < 0.05); however, the effect of HCC-MSCs on these cellular functions was repressed by exosome inhibitor (GW4869). Subsequently, TMBIM6, EEF2, and PRDX1 were sorted out by mRNA sequencing and RT-qPCR validation as candidate genes implicated in the regulation of HCC cellular functions by HCC-MSC-derived exosomes. Among them, TMBIM6 had a potent effect (all p < 0.05), while EEF2 and PRDX1 had less effect on regulating HCC cell viability and invasion. Next, direct silencing TMBIM6 repressed viability, sphere formation, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and PI3K/AKT pathway but promoted apoptosis in HCC cells; however, overexpressing TMBIM6 showed the opposite effect. Furthermore, incubating with exosomes from TMBIM6-modified HCC-MSCs presented a similar effect as direct TMBIM6 modification in HCC cells. Conclusion HCC-MSC-derived exosomes transmit TMBIM6 to promote malignant behavior via PI3K/AKT pathway in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuzhi Shang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Mi Ke
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yufang Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Shangzhou Regional Hospital, Shangluo, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
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