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Imodoye SO, Adedokun KA, Bello IO. From complexity to clarity: unravelling tumor heterogeneity through the lens of tumor microenvironment for innovative cancer therapy. Histochem Cell Biol 2024; 161:299-323. [PMID: 38189822 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-023-02258-6] [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] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Despite the tremendous clinical successes recorded in the landscape of cancer therapy, tumor heterogeneity remains a formidable challenge to successful cancer treatment. In recent years, the emergence of high-throughput technologies has advanced our understanding of the variables influencing tumor heterogeneity beyond intrinsic tumor characteristics. Emerging knowledge shows that drivers of tumor heterogeneity are not only intrinsic to cancer cells but can also emanate from their microenvironment, which significantly favors tumor progression and impairs therapeutic response. Although much has been explored to understand the fundamentals of the influence of innate tumor factors on cancer diversity, the roles of the tumor microenvironment (TME) are often undervalued. It is therefore imperative that a clear understanding of the interactions between the TME and other tumor intrinsic factors underlying the plastic molecular behaviors of cancers be identified to develop patient-specific treatment strategies. This review highlights the roles of the TME as an emerging factor in tumor heterogeneity. More particularly, we discuss the role of the TME in the context of tumor heterogeneity and explore the cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that could be used to resolve this recurring clinical conundrum. We conclude by speculating on exciting research questions that can advance our understanding of tumor heterogeneity with the goal of developing customized therapeutic solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sikiru O Imodoye
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Kamoru A Adedokun
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA
| | - Ibrahim O Bello
- Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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Jiang B, Wu S, Zeng L, Tang Y, Luo L, Ouyang L, Feng W, Tan Y, Li Y. Impact of NDUFAF6 on breast cancer prognosis: linking mitochondrial regulation to immune response and PD-L1 expression. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:99. [PMID: 38459583 PMCID: PMC10921816 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03244-1] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is a major global health concern, and there is a continuous search for novel biomarkers to predict its prognosis. The mitochondrial protein NDUFAF6, previously studied in liver cancer, is now being investigated for its role in breast cancer. This study aims to explore the expression and functional significance of NDUFAF6 in breast cancer using various databases and experimental models. METHODS We analyzed breast cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases, supplemented with immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining to assess NDUFAF6 expression. A breast cancer cell xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate tumor growth, apoptosis, and NDUFAF6 expression. Survival probabilities were estimated through Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox regression analysis. A Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and differentially expressed genes related to NDUFAF6 were analyzed using GO, KEGG, and GSEA. The relationship between NDUFAF6 expression, immune checkpoints, and immune infiltration was also evaluated. RESULTS NDUFAF6 was found to be overexpressed in breast cancer patients and in the xenograft mouse model. Its expression correlated with worse clinical features and prognosis. NDUFAF6 expression was an independent predictor of breast cancer outcomes in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Functionally, NDUFAF6 is implicated in several immune-related pathways. Crucially, NDUFAF6 expression correlated with various immune infiltrating cells and checkpoints, particularly promoting PD-L1 expression by inhibiting the NRF2 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION The study establishes NDUFAF6 as a potential prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. Its mechanism of action, involving the inhibition of NRF2 to upregulate PD-L1, highlights its significance in the disease's progression and potential as a target for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohong Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Sixuan Wu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Lijun Zeng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanbin Tang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lunqi Luo
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lianjie Ouyang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Feng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yeru Tan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuehua Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Sigdel I, Ofori-Kwafo A, Heizelman RJ, Nestor-Kalinoski A, Prabhakarpandian B, Tiwari AK, Tang Y. Biomimetic on-chip assay reveals the anti-metastatic potential of a novel thienopyrimidine compound in triple-negative breast cancer cell lines. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1227119. [PMID: 37840664 PMCID: PMC10569307 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1227119] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: This study presents a microfluidic tumor microenvironment (TME) model for evaluating the anti-metastatic efficacy of a novel thienopyrimidines analog with anti-cancer properties utilizing an existing commercial platform. The microfluidic device consists of a tissue compartment flanked by vascular channels, allowing for the co-culture of multiple cell types and providing a wide range of culturing conditions in one device. Methods: Human metastatic, drug-resistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells (SUM159PTX) and primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were used to model the TME. A dynamic perfusion scheme was employed to facilitate EC physiological function and lumen formation. Results: The measured permeability of the EC barrier was comparable to observed microvessels permeability in vivo. The TNBC cells formed a 3D tumor, and co-culture with HUVEC negatively impacted EC barrier integrity. The microfluidic TME was then used to model the intravenous route of drug delivery. Paclitaxel (PTX) and a novel non-apoptotic agent TPH104c were introduced via the vascular channels and successfully reached the TNBC tumor, resulting in both time and concentration-dependent tumor growth inhibition. PTX treatment significantly reduced EC barrier integrity, highlighting the adverse effects of PTX on vascular ECs. TPH104c preserved EC barrier integrity and prevented TNBC intravasation. Discussion: In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of microfluidics for studying complex biological processes in a controlled environment and evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents in more physiologically relevant conditions. This model can be a valuable tool for screening potential anticancer drugs and developing personalized cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Sigdel
- Biofluidics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Awurama Ofori-Kwafo
- Biofluidics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Robert J. Heizelman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Andrea Nestor-Kalinoski
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | | | - Amit K. Tiwari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Yuan Tang
- Biofluidics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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Liu M, Pan X, Gan Y, Gao M, Li X, Liu Z, Ma X, Geng M, Meng X, Ma N, Li J. Titanium Carbide MXene Quantum Dots-Modified Hydroxyapatite Hollow Microspheres as pH/Near-Infrared Dual-Response Drug Carriers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:13325-13334. [PMID: 37612781 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Titanium carbide MXene quantum dots (MQDs) possess intrinsic regulatory properties and selective toxicity to cancer cells. Here, MDQs were selected for the modification of hydroxyapatite (HA) microspheres, and MXene quantum dots-modified hydroxyapatite (MQDs-HA) hollow microspheres with controllable shapes and sizes were prepared as bone drug carriers. The results show that the prepared MQDs-HA hollow microspheres had a large BET surface area (231.2 m2/g), good fluorescence, and low toxicity. In addition, MQDs-HA showed a mild storage-release behavior and good responsiveness of pH and near-infrared (NIR). Thus, the MQDs-HA hollow microspheres have broad application prospects in the field of drug delivery and photothermal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Liu
- College of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Xiaosen Pan
- College of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Yuanjing Gan
- College of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Meng Gao
- College of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Xinran Li
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300222, China
| | - Xiaojun Ma
- College of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Mengru Geng
- College of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Xiangqi Meng
- Qingdao Innovation and Development Center, Harbin Engineering University, Qingdao 266400, China
| | - Ning Ma
- Qingdao Innovation and Development Center, Harbin Engineering University, Qingdao 266400, China
| | - Jie Li
- College of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
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Al-Khaldi S, Almohanna F, Barnawi R, Fallatah M, Islam SS, Ghebeh H, Al-Alwan M. Fascin is essential for mammary gland lactogenesis. Dev Biol 2022; 492:25-36. [PMID: 36152869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.09.003] [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: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Fascin expression has commonly been observed in certain subtypes of breast cancer, where its expression is associated with poor clinical outcome. However, its role in normal mammary gland development has not been elucidated. Here, we used a fascin knockout mouse model to assess its role in normal mammary gland morphogenesis and lactation. Fascin knockout was not embryonically lethal, and its effect on the litter size or condition at birth was minimal. However, litter survival until the weaning stage significantly depended on fascin expression solely in the nursing dams. Accordingly, pups that nursed from fascin-/- dams had smaller milk spots in their abdomen, suggesting a lactation defect in the nursing dams. Mammary gland whole-mounts of pregnant and lactating fascin-/- mice showed significantly reduced side branching and alveologenesis. Despite a typical composition of basal, luminal, and stromal subsets of mammary cells and normal ductal architecture of myoepithelial and luminal layers, the percentage of alveolar progenitors (ALDH+) in fascin-/- epithelial fraction was significantly reduced. Further in-depth analyses of fascin-/- mammary glands showed a significant reduction in the expression of Elf5, the master regulator of alveologenesis, and a decrease in the activity of its downstream target p-STAT5. In agreement, there was a significant reduction in the expression of the milk proteins, whey acidic protein (WAP), and β-casein in fascin-/- mammary glands. Collectively, our data demonstrate, for the first time, the physiological role of fascin in normal mammary gland lactogenesis, an addition that could reveal its contribution to breast cancer initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samiyah Al-Khaldi
- National Center for Biotechnology, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Sciences and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | | | | | - Mohannad Fallatah
- National Center for Biotechnology, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Sciences and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Syed S Islam
- Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Collage of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Hazem Ghebeh
- Stem Cell and Tissue Re-Engineering Program, Saudi Arabia; Collage of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Monther Al-Alwan
- Stem Cell and Tissue Re-Engineering Program, Saudi Arabia; Collage of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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El Baba R, Pasquereau S, Haidar Ahmad S, Diab-Assaf M, Herbein G. Oncogenic and Stemness Signatures of the High-Risk HCMV Strains in Breast Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174271. [PMID: 36077806 PMCID: PMC9455011 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Lately, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been progressively implicated in carcinogenesis alongside its oncomodulatory impact. CMV-Transformed Human mammary epithelial cells (CTH) phenotype might be defined by giant cell cycling, whereby the generation of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) could expedite the acquisition of malignant phenotypes. Herein, the main study objectives were to assess the transformation potential in vitro and evaluate the obtained cellular phenotype, the genetic and molecular features, and the activation of cellular stemness programs of HCMV strains, B544 and B693, which were previously isolated from triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) biopsies. The strains’ sensitivity to paclitaxel and ganciclovir combination therapy was evaluated. A unique molecular landscape was unveiled in the tumor microenvironment of TNBC harboring high-risk HCMV. Overall, the explicit oncogenic and stemness signatures highlight HCMV potential in breast cancer progression thus paving the way for targeted therapies and clinical interventions which prolong the overall survival of breast cancer patients. Abstract Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) oncomodulation, molecular mechanisms, and ability to support polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) generation might underscore its contribution to oncogenesis, especially breast cancers. The heterogeneity of strains can be linked to distinct properties influencing the virus-transforming potential, cancer types induced, and patient’s clinical outcomes. Methods: We evaluated the transforming potential in vitro and assessed the acquired cellular phenotype, genetic and molecular features, and stimulation of stemness of HCMV strains, B544 and B693, isolated from EZH2HighMycHigh triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) biopsies. Therapeutic response assessment after paclitaxel (PTX) and ganciclovir (GCV) treatment was conducted in addition to the molecular characterization of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Findings: HCMV-B544 and B693 transformed human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs). We detected multinucleated and lipid droplet-filled PGCCs harboring HCMV. Colony formation was detected and Myc was overexpressed in CMV-Transformed-HMECs (CTH cells). CTH-B544 and B693 stimulated stemness and established an epithelial/mesenchymal hybrid state. HCMV-IE1 was detected in CTH long-term cultures indicating a sustained viral replication. Biopsy B693 unveiled a tumor signature predicting a poor prognosis. CTH-B544 cells were shown to be more sensitive to PTX/GCV therapy. Conclusion: The oncogenic and stemness signatures of HCMV strains accentuate the oncogenic potential of HCMV in breast cancer progression thereby leading the way for targeted therapies and innovative clinical interventions that will improve the overall survival of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranim El Baba
- Pathogens & Inflammation/EPILAB Laboratory, EA 4266, Université de Franche-Comté, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté (UBFC), 25030 Besançon, France
| | - Sébastien Pasquereau
- Pathogens & Inflammation/EPILAB Laboratory, EA 4266, Université de Franche-Comté, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté (UBFC), 25030 Besançon, France
| | - Sandy Haidar Ahmad
- Pathogens & Inflammation/EPILAB Laboratory, EA 4266, Université de Franche-Comté, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté (UBFC), 25030 Besançon, France
| | - Mona Diab-Assaf
- Molecular Cancer and Pharmaceutical Biology Laboratory, Lebanese University, Beirut 1500, Lebanon
| | - Georges Herbein
- Pathogens & Inflammation/EPILAB Laboratory, EA 4266, Université de Franche-Comté, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté (UBFC), 25030 Besançon, France
- Department of Virology, CHU Besançon, 25030 Besançon, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-381-665-616; Fax: +33-381-665-695
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7
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Pereira IC, Mascarenhas IF, Capetini VC, Ferreira PMP, Rogero MM, Torres-Leal FL. Cellular reprogramming, chemoresistance, and dietary interventions in breast cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 179:103796. [PMID: 36049616 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103796] [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: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) diagnosis has been associated with significant risk factors, including family history, late menopause, obesity, poor eating habits, and alcoholism. Despite the advances in the last decades regarding cancer treatment, some obstacles still hinder the effectiveness of therapy. For example, chemotherapy resistance is common in locally advanced or metastatic cancer, reducing treatment options and contributing to mortality. In this review, we provide an overview of BC metabolic changes, including the impact of restrictive diets associated with chemoresistance, the therapeutic potential of the diet on tumor progression, pathways related to metabolic health in oncology, and perspectives on the future in the area of oncological nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irislene Costa Pereira
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil; Metabolic Diseases, Exercise and Nutrition Research Group (DOMEN), Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Isabele Frazão Mascarenhas
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Michel Pinheiro Ferreira
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Macedo Rogero
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francisco Leonardo Torres-Leal
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil; Metabolic Diseases, Exercise and Nutrition Research Group (DOMEN), Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
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8
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Tufail M, Cui J, Wu C. Breast cancer: molecular mechanisms of underlying resistance and therapeutic approaches. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:2920-2949. [PMID: 35968356 PMCID: PMC9360230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) affects over 250,000 women in the US each year. Drug-resistant cancer cells are responsible for most breast cancer fatalities. Scientists are developing novel chemotherapeutic drugs and targeted therapy combinations to overcome cancer cell resistance. Combining drugs can reduce the chances of a tumor developing resistance to treatment. Clinical research has shown that combination chemotherapy enhances or improves survival, depending on the patient's response to treatment. Combination therapy is a highly successful supplemental cancer treatment. This review sheds light on intrinsic resistance to BC drugs and the importance of combination therapy for BC treatment. In addition to recurrence and metastasis of BC, the article discussed biomarkers for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tufail
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanxi UniversityTaiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China
| | - Jia Cui
- Department of Microbiology, Changzhi Medical CollegeChangzhi 046000, Shanxi, China
| | - Changxin Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanxi UniversityTaiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China
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9
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Rajput PK, Sharma JR, Yadav UCS. Cellular and molecular insights into the roles of visfatin in breast cancer cells plasticity programs. Life Sci 2022; 304:120706. [PMID: 35691376 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Obesity has reached a pandemic proportion and is responsible for the augmentation of multimorbidity including certain cancers. With the rise in obesity amongst the female population globally, a concomitant increase in breast cancer (BC) incidence and related mortality has been observed. In the present review, we have elucidated the cellular and molecular insight into the visfatin-mediated cellular plasticity programs such as Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), and stemness-associated changes in BC cells. EMT and EndoMT are responsible for inducing metastasis in cancer cells and conferring chemotherapy resistance, immune escape, and infinite growth potential. Visfatin, an obesity-associated adipokine implicated in metabolic syndrome, has emerged as a central player in BC pathogenesis. Several studies have indicated the presence of visfatin in the tumor microenvironment (TME) where it augments EMT and EndoMT of BC cells. Further, Visfatin also modulates the TME by acting on the tumor stroma cells such as adipocytes, infiltrated immune cells, and adipose-associated stem cells that secrete factors such as cytokines, and extracellular vesicles responsible for augmenting cellular plasticity program. Visfatin induced altered metabolism of the cancer cells and molecular determinants such as non-coding RNAs involved in EMT and EndoMT have been discussed. We have also highlighted specific therapeutic targets that can be exploited for the development of effective BC treatment. Taken together, these advanced understandings of cellular and molecular insight into the visfatin-mediated cellular plasticity programs may stimulate the development of better approaches for the prevention and therapy of BC, especially in obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Kumar Rajput
- School of Life Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382030, India
| | - Jiten R Sharma
- School of Life Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382030, India
| | - Umesh C S Yadav
- Special Center for Molecular medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
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10
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Djamgoz MBA. Ion Transporting Proteins and Cancer: Progress and Perspectives. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 183:251-277. [PMID: 35018530 DOI: 10.1007/112_2021_66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Ion transporting proteins (ITPs) comprise a wide range of ion channels, exchangers, pumps and ionotropic receptors many of which are expressed in tumours and contribute dynamically to the different components and stages of the complex cancer process, from initiation to metastasis. In this promising major field of biomedical research, several candidate ITPs have emerged as clinically viable. Here, we consider a series of general issues concerning the oncological potential of ITPs focusing on voltage-gated sodium channels as a 'case study'. First, we outline some key properties of 'cancer' as a whole. These include epigenetics, stemness, metastasis, heterogeneity, neuronal characteristics and bioelectricity. Cancer specificity of ITP expression is evaluated in relation to tissue restriction, splice variance, functional specificity and macro-molecular complexing. As regards clinical potential, diagnostics is covered with emphasis on enabling early detection. For therapeutics, we deal with molecular approaches, drug repurposing and combinations. Importantly, we emphasise the need for carefully designed clinical trials. We highlight also the area of 'social responsibility' and the need to involve the public (cancer patients and healthy individuals) in the work of cancer research professionals as well as clinicians. In advising patients how best to manage cancer, and live with it, we offer the following four principles: Awareness and prevention, early detection, specialist, integrated care, and psychological support. Finally, we highlight four key prerequisites for commercialisation of ITP-based technologies against cancer. We conclude that ITPs offer significant potential as regards both understanding the intricacies of the complex process of cancer and for developing much needed novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa B A Djamgoz
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK. .,Biotechnology Research Centre, Cyprus International University, Nicosia, Mersin, Turkey.
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11
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Actively Targeted Nanomedicines in Breast Cancer: From Pre-Clinal Investigation to Clinic. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051198. [PMID: 35267507 PMCID: PMC8909490 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite all the efforts and advances made in the treatment of breast cancer, this pathology continues to be one of the main causes of cancer death in women, particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and, although to a lesser degree, HER-2 receptor-positive tumors. Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments available. However, it shows numerous limitations due to its lack of selectivity. In this sense, the selective delivery of antineoplastics to cancer cells can reduce their adverse effects and increase their efficacy. The use of active targeted nanomedicine is a good strategy to achieve this selective chemotherapy. In fact, in recent decades, several active targeted nanoformulations have been approved or reached clinical investigation with excellent results. Among all nanomedicines, antibody-drug conjugates are the most promising. Abstract Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed tumors and the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. The use of nanosystems specifically targeted to tumor cells (active targeting) can be an excellent therapeutic tool to improve and optimize current chemotherapy for this type of neoplasm, since they make it possible to reduce the toxicity and, in some cases, increase the efficacy of antineoplastic drugs. Currently, there are 14 nanomedicines that have reached the clinic for the treatment of breast cancer, 4 of which are already approved (Kadcyla®, Enhertu®, Trodelvy®, and Abraxane®). Most of these nanomedicines are antibody–drug conjugates. In the case of HER-2-positive breast cancer, these conjugates (Kadcyla®, Enhertu®, Trastuzumab-duocarmycin, RC48, and HT19-MMAF) target HER-2 receptors, and incorporate maytansinoid, deruxtecan, duocarmicyn, or auristatins as antineoplastics. In TNBC these conjugates (Trodelvy®, Glembatumumab-Vedotin, Ladiratuzumab-vedotin, Cofetuzumab-pelidotin, and PF-06647263) are directed against various targets, in particular Trop-2 glycoprotein, NMB glycoprotein, Zinc transporter LIV-1, and Ephrin receptor-4, to achieve this selective accumulation, and include campthotecins, calicheamins, or auristatins as drugs. Apart from the antibody–drug conjugates, there are other active targeted nanosystems that have reached the clinic for the treatment of these tumors such as Abraxane® and Nab-rapamicyn (albumin nanoparticles entrapping placlitaxel and rapamycin respectively) and various liposomes (MM-302, C225-ILS-Dox, and MM-310) loaded with doxorubicin or docetaxel and coated with ligands targeted to Ephrin A2, EPGF, or HER-2 receptors. In this work, all these active targeted nanomedicines are discussed, analyzing their advantages and disadvantages over conventional chemotherapy as well as the challenges involved in their lab to clinical translation. In addition, examples of formulations developed and evaluated at the preclinical level are also discussed.
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Modi A, Purohit P, Roy D, Vishnoi JR, Pareek P, Elhence P, Singh P, Sharma S, Sharma P, Misra S. FOXM1 mediates GDF-15 dependent stemness and intrinsic drug resistance in breast cancer. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:2877-2888. [PMID: 35066766 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-07102-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stemness, a key component of breast cancer (BC) heterogeneity, is responsible for chemoresistance. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) induces drug resistance and stemness in BC cells. In this study, the expressions and interactions of GDF-15, FOXM1, and stemness (OCT4 and SOX2), and drug resistance (ABCC5) markers were evaluated in BC. METHODS AND RESULTS 40 diagnosed BC patients and 40 healthy controls were included in this study. Serum GDF-15 was significantly raised (p < 0.001) in BC patients. Expressions of GDF-15, OCT4, SOX2, and FOXM1 in BC tissue and cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) were determined by RT-PCR, while phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) was analyzed by Western blot. Not only were the fold change expressions higher in cancer tissue as compared to surrounding control tissue, but a higher expression was observed for all the genes along with p-AKT in MDA-MB-231 cells compared to MCF-7. Tissue GDF-15 was significantly associated with ABCC5 (p < 0.001), OCT4 (p = 0.002), SOX2 (p < 0.001), and FOXM1 (p < 0.001). To further analyze the signaling pathway involved in stemness and drug resistance in BC, GDF-15 knockdown was performed, which reduced the expression of p-AKT, FOXM1, OCT4 and SOX2, and ABCC5, whereas recombinant GDF-15 treatment reversed the same. In silico analyses in UALCAN revealed a similar picture for these genes to that of BC tissue expression. CONCLUSIONS GDF-15 promotes stemness and intrinsic drug resistance in BC, possibly mediated by the p-AKT/FOXM1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupama Modi
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Purvi Purohit
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
| | - Dipayan Roy
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Jeewan Ram Vishnoi
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Puneet Pareek
- Department of Radiotherapy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Poonam Elhence
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Priyanka Singh
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Shailja Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Praveen Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Sanjeev Misra
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
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13
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Pilch J, Kowalik P, Kowalczyk A, Bujak P, Kasprzak A, Paluszkiewicz E, Augustin E, Nowicka AM. Foliate-Targeting Quantum Dots- β-Cyclodextrin Nanocarrier for Efficient Delivery of Unsymmetrical Bisacridines to Lung and Prostate Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031261. [PMID: 35163186 PMCID: PMC8835877 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted drug delivery by nanocarriers molecules can increase the efficiency of cancer treatment. One of the targeting ligands is folic acid (FA), which has a high affinity for the folic acid receptors, which are overexpressed in many cancers. Herein, we describe the preparation of the nanoconjugates containing quantum dots (QDs) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with foliate-targeting properties for the delivery of anticancer compound C-2028. C-2028 was bound to the nanoconjugate via an inclusion complex with β-CD. The effect of using FA in QDs-β-CD(C-2028)-FA nanoconjugates on cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and the mechanism of internalization in cancer (H460, Du-145, and LNCaP) and normal (MRC-5 and PNT1A) cells was investigated. The QDs-β-CD(C-2028)-FA were characterized using DLS (dynamic light scattering), ZP (zeta potential), quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), and UV-vis spectroscopy. The conjugation of C-2028 with non-toxic QDs or QDs-β-CD-FA did not change the cytotoxicity of this compound. Confocal microscopy studies proved that the use of FA in nanoconjugates significantly increased the amount of delivered compound, especially to cancer cells. QDgreen-β-CD(C-2028)-FA enters the cells through multiple endocytosis pathways in different levels, depending on the cell line. To conclude, the use of FA is a good self-navigating molecule in the QDs platform for drug delivery to cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Pilch
- Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza Street 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland; (E.P.); (E.A.)
- Correspondence: (J.P.); (A.M.N.); Tel.: +48-58-347-12-97 (J.P.); +48-22-552-63-61 (A.M.N.)
| | - Patrycja Kowalik
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura Street 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (P.K.); (A.K.)
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego Street 3, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland; (P.B.); (A.K.)
| | - Agata Kowalczyk
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura Street 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (P.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Piotr Bujak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego Street 3, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland; (P.B.); (A.K.)
| | - Artur Kasprzak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego Street 3, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland; (P.B.); (A.K.)
| | - Ewa Paluszkiewicz
- Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza Street 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland; (E.P.); (E.A.)
| | - Ewa Augustin
- Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza Street 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland; (E.P.); (E.A.)
| | - Anna M. Nowicka
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura Street 1, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (P.K.); (A.K.)
- Correspondence: (J.P.); (A.M.N.); Tel.: +48-58-347-12-97 (J.P.); +48-22-552-63-61 (A.M.N.)
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14
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Chang X, Liu Z, Cao S, Bian J, Zheng D, Wang N, Guan Q, Wu Y, Zhang W, Li Z, Zuo D. Novel microtubule inhibitor SQ overcomes multidrug resistance in MCF-7/ADR cells by inhibiting BCRP function and mediating apoptosis. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 436:115883. [PMID: 35031325 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.115883] [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: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The occurrence of multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the impediments in the clinical treatment of breast cancer, and MDR breast cancer has abnormally high breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) expression. However, there are currently no clinical drugs that inhibit this target. Our previous study found that 2-Methoxy-5((3,4,5-trimethosyphenyl)seleninyl) phenol (SQ0814061/SQ), a small molecule drug with low toxicity to normal tissues, could target microtubules, inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer, and reduce its migration and invasion abilities. However, the effect and the underlying mechanism of SQ on MDR breast cancers are still unknown. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of SQ on adriamycin-resistant MCF-7 (MCF-7/ADR) cells and explored the underlying mechanism. The MTT assay showed that SQ had potent cytotoxicity to MCF-7/ADR cells. In particular, the results of western blot and flow cytometry proved that SQ could effectively inhibit the expression of BCRP in MCF-7/ADR cells to decrease its drug delivery activity. In addition, SQ could block the cell cycle at G2/M phase in parental and MCF-7/ADR cells, thereby mediating cell apoptosis, which was related with the inhibition of PI3K-Akt-MDM2 pathway. Taken together, our findings indicate that SQ overcomes multidrug resistance in MCF-7/ADR cells by inhibiting BCRP function and mediating apoptosis through PI3K-Akt-MDM2 pathway inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Zi Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Simeng Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Jiang Bian
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Dayong Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China; School of Pharmacy, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai Road, Caofeidian District, Tangshan 063210, China
| | - Nuo Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Qi Guan
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yingliang Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Weige Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Zengqiang Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Daiying Zuo
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang 110016, China.
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15
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He L, Wick N, Germans SK, Peng Y. The Role of Breast Cancer Stem Cells in Chemoresistance and Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246209. [PMID: 34944829 PMCID: PMC8699562 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains an aggressive disease due to the lack of targeted therapies and low rate of response to chemotherapy that is currently the main treatment modality for TNBC. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a small subpopulation of breast tumors and recognized as drivers of tumorigenesis. TNBC tumors are characterized as being enriched for BCSCs. Studies have demonstrated the role of BCSCs as the source of metastatic disease and chemoresistance in TNBC. Multiple targets against BCSCs are now under investigation, with the considerations of either selectively targeting BCSCs or co-targeting BCSCs and non-BCSCs (majority of tumor cells). This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the role of BCSCs in TNBC and the identification of cancer stem cell biomarkers, paving the way for the development of new targeted therapies. The review also highlights the resultant discovery of cancer stem cell targets in TNBC and the ongoing clinical trials treating chemoresistant breast cancer. We aim to provide insights into better understanding the mutational landscape of BCSCs and exploring potential molecular signaling pathways targeting BCSCs to overcome chemoresistance and prevent metastasis in TNBC, ultimately to improve the overall survival of patients with this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin He
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (L.H.); (N.W.); (S.K.G.)
| | - Neda Wick
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (L.H.); (N.W.); (S.K.G.)
| | - Sharon Koorse Germans
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (L.H.); (N.W.); (S.K.G.)
| | - Yan Peng
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (L.H.); (N.W.); (S.K.G.)
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- Correspondence:
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16
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Single-Cell Proteomic Profiling Identifies Nanoparticle Enhanced Therapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112842. [PMID: 34831064 PMCID: PMC8616083 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112842] [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: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Chemotherapy-promoted stemness and enhanced stem cell plasticity in breast cancer is a cause for great concern. The discovery of drugs targeting BCSCs was suggested to be an important advancement in the establishment of therapy that improves the efficacy of chemotherapy. In this work, by using single-cell mass cytometry, we observed that stemness in spheroid-forming cells derived from MDA-MB-231 cells was significantly increased after doxorubicin administration and up-regulated integrin αvβ3 expression was also observed. An RGD-included nanoparticle (CS-V) was designed, and it was found that it could promote doxorubicin’s efficacy against MDA-MB-231 spheroid cells. The above observations suggested that the combination of RGD-included nanoparticles (CS-V) with the chemo-drug doxorubicin could be developed as a potential therapy for breast cancer.
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17
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Prajapati KS, Shuaib M, Kushwaha PP, Singh AK, Kumar S. Identification of cancer stemness related miRNA(s) using integrated bioinformatics analysis and in vitro validation. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:446. [PMID: 34631347 PMCID: PMC8460704 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02994-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The stemness property of cells allows them to sustain their lineage, differentiation, proliferation, and regeneration. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs known to regulate the stemness property of cells by regulating the expression of stem cell signaling pathway proteins at mRNA level. Dysregulated miRNA expression and associated stem cell signaling pathways in normal stem cells give rise to cancer stem cells. Thus, the present study was aimed to identify the miRNAs involved in the regulation of major stem cell signaling pathways. The proteins (n = 36) involved in the signaling pathways viz., Notch, Wnt, JAK-STAT, and Hedgehog which is associated with the stemness property was taken into the consideration. The miRNAs, having binding sites for the targeted protein-encoding gene were predicted using an online tool (TargetScan) and the common miRNA among the test pathways were identified using Venn diagram analysis. A total of 22 common miRNAs (including 8 non-studied miRNAs) were identified which were subjected to target predictions, KEGG pathway, and gene ontology (GO) analysis to study their potential involvement in the stemness process. Further, we studied the clinical relevance of the non-studied miRNAs by performing the survival analysis and their expression levels in clinical breast cancer patients using the TCGA database. The identified miRNAs showed overall poor survival in breast cancer patients. The miR-6844 showed significantly high expression in various clinical subgroups of invasive breast cancer patients compared with the normal samples. The expression levels of identified miRNA(s) were validated in breast normal, luminal A, triple-negative, and stem cells in vitro models using qRT-PCR analysis. Further treatment with the phytochemical showed excellent down regulation of the lead miRNA. Overall the study first time reports the association of four miRNAs (miR-6791, miR-4419a, miR-4251 and miR-6844) with breast cancer stemness. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02994-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Sunita Prajapati
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Development Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401 India
| | - Mohd Shuaib
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Development Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401 India
| | - Prem Prakash Kushwaha
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Development Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401 India
| | - Atul Kumar Singh
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Development Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401 India
| | - Shsahank Kumar
- Molecular Signaling & Drug Development Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401 India
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18
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Chae WO, Kim GD. Dioscin Decreases Breast Cancer Stem-like Cell Proliferation via Cell Cycle Arrest by Modulating p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase and AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathways. J Cancer Prev 2021; 26:183-194. [PMID: 34703821 PMCID: PMC8511578 DOI: 10.15430/jcp.2021.26.3.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dioscin (DS), a steroidal saponin, has been shown to have anti-cancer activity by exerting antioxidant effects and inducing apoptosis. However, the anti-cancer activity of DS in breast cancer-derived stem cells is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of DS on migration, invasion, and colony formation in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines and the mechanism by which it inhibits proliferation of breast cancer stem-like cells after inducing differentiation into breast cancer stem cells. DS treatment significantly reduced cellular migration, invasion, and colony formation in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. During the differentiation process that induced manifestation of breast cancer stem-like cells, DS significantly inhibited mammosphere formation in a dose-dependent manner and increased the expression of p53 and p21 in breast cancer stem-like cells, reducing the expression of cdc2 and cyclin B1 in MDA-MB-231 cells and cyclin D, cyclin E, CDK4, and CDK2 in MCF-7 cells. Interestingly, DS treatment induced G2/M and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. DS also increased the phosphorylation of p38 and decreased the expression levels of p-AKT and p-mTOR. These results suggest that DS regulates the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways to reduce the proliferation of breast cancer stem-like cells through cell cycle arrest. Therefore, these findings suggest that DS may serve as a potential treatment candidate targeting breast cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Ock Chae
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyungnam University, Changwon, Korea
| | - Gi Dae Kim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyungnam University, Changwon, Korea
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19
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Fan Q, Li L, Wang TL, Emerson RE, Xu Y. A Novel ZIP4-HDAC4-VEGFA Axis in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153821. [PMID: 34359722 PMCID: PMC8345154 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite tremendous research efforts, epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains one of the most difficult cancers to detect early and treat successfully for >5-year survival. We have recently shown that ZIP4, a zinc transporter, is a novel cancer stem cell (CSC) marker and a therapeutic target for EOC. The current work focuses on developing new strategies to target ZIP4 and inhibit its CSC activities in EOC. We found that cells expressing high levels of ZIP4 were supersensitive to a group of inhibitors called HDACis. One of the major targets of these inhibitors is a protein called HDAC4. We revealed the new molecular bases for the ZIP4-HDAC4 axis and tested the efficacies of targeting this axis in the lab and in mouse models. Our study provides a new mechanistic-based targeting strategy for EOC. Abstract We have recently identified ZIP4 as a novel cancer stem cell (CSC) marker in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). While it converts drug-resistance to cisplatin (CDDP), we unexpectedly found that ZIP4 induced sensitization of HGSOC cells to histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis). Mechanistically, ZIP4 selectively upregulated HDAC IIa HDACs, with little or no effect on HDACs in other classes. HDAC4 knockdown (KD) and LMK-235 inhibited spheroid formation in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo, with hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1α) and endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) as functional downstream mediators of HDAC4. Moreover, we found that ZIP4, HDAC4, and HIF1α were involved in regulating secreted VEGFA in HGSOC cells. Furthermore, we tested our hypothesis that co-targeting CSC via the ZIP4-HDAC4 axis and non-CSC using CDDP is necessary and highly effective by comparing the effects of ZIP4-knockout/KD, HDAC4-KD, and HDACis, in the presence or absence of CDDP on tumorigenesis in mouse models. Our results showed that the co-targeting strategy was highly effective. Finally, data from human HGSOC tissues showed that ZIP4 and HDAC4 were upregulated in a subset of recurrent tumors, justifying the clinical relevance of the study. In summary, our study provides a new mechanistic-based targeting strategy for HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qipeng Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 950 W. Walnut St. R2-E380, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Lihong Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 600 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
| | - Tian-Li Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Oncology, and Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA;
| | - Robert E. Emerson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University Health Pathology Laboratory, 350 W. 11th Street, Room 4010, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 950 W. Walnut St. R2-E380, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(317)-274-3972
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20
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Wei B, Cao J, Tian JH, Yu CY, Huang Q, Yu JJ, Ma R, Wang J, Xu F, Wang LB. Mortalin maintains breast cancer stem cells stemness via activation of Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:2696-2716. [PMID: 34249423 PMCID: PMC8263651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous research indicated that mortalin overexpressed in breast cancer and contributed to carcinogenesis. Mortalin was also demonstrated to promote Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and was considered as a factor for maintaining the stemness of the cancer stem cells. However, the underlying mechanisms about mortalin maintaining the stemness of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) remain unclear. Here, we identified that increased expression of mortalin in breast cancer was associated with poorer overall survival rate. Mortalin was elevated in breast cancer cell lines and BCSC-enriched populations. Additionally, knockdown of mortalin significantly inhibited the cell proliferation, migration and EMT, as well as sphere forming capacity and stemness genes expression. Further study revealed that mortalin promoted EMT and maintained BCSCs stemness via activating the Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, these findings unveiled the mechanism of mortalin in maintaining and regulating the stemness of BCSCs, and may offer novel therapeutic strategies for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wei
- The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
- Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
| | - Jia Cao
- The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
- Beijing National Biochip Research Center Sub-Center in Ningxia, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
| | - Jin-Hai Tian
- The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
- Beijing National Biochip Research Center Sub-Center in Ningxia, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
| | - Chuan-Yang Yu
- The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
- Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
| | - Qi Huang
- The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
- Beijing National Biochip Research Center Sub-Center in Ningxia, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
| | - Jing-Jing Yu
- The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
- Beijing National Biochip Research Center Sub-Center in Ningxia, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
| | - Rong Ma
- The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
- Beijing National Biochip Research Center Sub-Center in Ningxia, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
| | - Jia Wang
- The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
- Beijing National Biochip Research Center Sub-Center in Ningxia, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
| | - Fang Xu
- Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
| | - Li-Bin Wang
- The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
- Beijing National Biochip Research Center Sub-Center in Ningxia, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical UniversityYinchuan 750004, China
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21
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Sigdel I, Gupta N, Faizee F, Khare VM, Tiwari AK, Tang Y. Biomimetic Microfluidic Platforms for the Assessment of Breast Cancer Metastasis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:633671. [PMID: 33777909 PMCID: PMC7992012 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.633671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Of around half a million women dying of breast cancer each year, more than 90% die due to metastasis. Models necessary to understand the metastatic process, particularly breast cancer cell extravasation and colonization, are currently limited and urgently needed to develop therapeutic interventions necessary to prevent breast cancer metastasis. Microfluidic approaches aim to reconstitute functional units of organs that cannot be modeled easily in traditional cell culture or animal studies by reproducing vascular networks and parenchyma on a chip in a three-dimensional, physiologically relevant in vitro system. In recent years, microfluidics models utilizing innovative biomaterials and micro-engineering technologies have shown great potential in our effort of mechanistic understanding of the breast cancer metastasis cascade by providing 3D constructs that can mimic in vivo cellular microenvironment and the ability to visualize and monitor cellular interactions in real-time. In this review, we will provide readers with a detailed discussion on the application of the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art microfluidics-based breast cancer models, with a special focus on their application in the engineering approaches to recapitulate the metastasis process, including invasion, intravasation, extravasation, breast cancer metastasis organotropism, and metastasis niche formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Sigdel
- Biofluidics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Niraj Gupta
- Biofluidics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Fairuz Faizee
- Biofluidics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Vishwa M Khare
- Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Amit K Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Yuan Tang
- Biofluidics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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22
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Balaji S, Terrero D, Tiwari AK, Ashby CR, Raman D. Alternative approaches to overcome chemoresistance to apoptosis in cancer. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2021; 126:91-122. [PMID: 34090621 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2021.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a form of regulated cell death (RCD) that is essential for organogenesis and homeostatic maintenance of normal cell populations. Apoptotic stimuli activate the intrinsic and/or extrinsic pathways to induce cell death due to perturbations in the intracellular and extracellular microenvironments, respectively. In patients with cancer, the induction of apoptosis by anticancer drugs and radiation can produce cancer cell death. However, tumor cells can adapt and become refractory to apoptosis-inducing therapies, resulting in the development of clinical resistance to apoptosis. Drug resistance facilitates the development of aggressive primary tumors that eventually metastasize, leading to therapy failure and mortality. To overcome the resistance to apoptosis to neoadjuvant chemotherapy or targeted therapy, alternative targets of RCD can be induced in apoptosis-resistant cancer cells. Alternatively, cell death can be independent of apoptosis and this strategy could be utilized to develop novel anti-cancer therapies. This chapter discusses approaches that could be employed to overcome clinical resistance to apoptosis in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapnaa Balaji
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - David Terrero
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Amit K Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Charles R Ashby
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, St. John's University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Dayanidhi Raman
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, United States.
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23
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Zheng Q, Zhang M, Zhou F, Zhang L, Meng X. The Breast Cancer Stem Cells Traits and Drug Resistance. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:599965. [PMID: 33584277 PMCID: PMC7876385 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.599965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is a major challenge in breast cancer (BC) treatment at present. Accumulating studies indicate that breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are responsible for the BC drugs resistance, causing relapse and metastasis in BC patients. Thus, BCSCs elimination could reverse drug resistance and improve drug efficacy to benefit BC patients. Consequently, mastering the knowledge on the proliferation, resistance mechanisms, and separation of BCSCs in BC therapy is extremely helpful for BCSCs-targeted therapeutic strategies. Herein, we summarize the principal BCSCs surface markers and signaling pathways, and list the BCSCs-related drug resistance mechanisms in chemotherapy (CT), endocrine therapy (ET), and targeted therapy (TT), and display therapeutic strategies for targeting BCSCs to reverse drug resistance in BC. Even more importantly, more attention should be paid to studies on BCSC-targeted strategies to overcome the drug resistant dilemma of clinical therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghui Zheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengdi Zhang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Long Zhang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuli Meng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
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24
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Jahan S, Karim ME, Chowdhury EH. Nanoparticles Targeting Receptors on Breast Cancer for Efficient Delivery of Chemotherapeutics. Biomedicines 2021; 9:114. [PMID: 33530291 PMCID: PMC7910939 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The journey of chemotherapeutic drugs from the site of administration to the site of action is confronted by several factors including low bioavailability, uneven distribution in major organs, limited accessibility of drug molecules to the distant tumor tissues, and lower therapeutic indexes. These unavoidable features of classical chemotherapeutics necessitate an additional high, repetitive dose of drugs to obtain maximum therapeutic responses with the result of unintended adverse side effects. An erratic tumor microenvironment, notable drawbacks of conventional chemotherapy, and multidrug-resistant mechanisms of breast cancer cells warrant precisely designed therapeutics for the treatment of cancers. In recent decades, nanoparticles have been deployed for the delivery of standard anticancer drugs to maximize the therapeutic potency while minimizing the adverse effects to increase the quality and span of life. Several organic and inorganic nanoplatforms that have been designed exploiting the distinctive features of the tumor microenvironment and tumor cells offer favorable physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetic profiles of a parent drug, with delivery of higher amounts of the drug to the pathological site and its controlled release, thereby improving the balance between its efficacy and toxicity. Advances to this front have included design and construction of targeted nanoparticles by conjugating homing devices like peptide, ligand, and Fab on the surface of nanomaterials to navigate nanoparticledrug complexes towards the target tumor cell with minimal destruction of healthy cells. Furthermore, actively targeting nanoparticles can facilitate the delivery and cellular uptake of nanoparticle-loaded drug constructs via binding with specific receptors expressed aberrantly on the surface of a tumor cell. Herein, we present an overview of the principle of targeted delivery approaches, exploiting drug-nanoparticle conjugates with multiple targeting moieties to target specific receptors of breast cancer cells and highlighting therapeutic evaluation in preclinical studies. We conclude that an understanding of the translational gap and challenges would show the possible future directions to foster the development of novel targeted nanotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (S.J.); (M.E.K.)
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25
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Gao X, Dong QZ. Advance in metabolism and target therapy in breast cancer stem cells. World J Stem Cells 2020; 12:1295-1306. [PMID: 33312399 PMCID: PMC7705469 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v12.i11.1295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, like many other cancers, is believed to be driven by a population of cells that display stem cell properties. Recent studies suggest that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are essential for tumor progression, and tumor relapse is thought to be caused by the presence of these cells. CSC-targeted therapies have also been proposed to overcome therapeutic resistance in breast cancer after the traditional therapies. Additionally, the metabolic properties of cancer cells differ markedly from those of normal cells. The efficacy of metabolic targeted therapy has been shown to enhance anti-cancer treatment or overcome therapeutic resistance of breast cancer cells. Metabolic targeting of breast CSCs (BCSCs) may be a very effective strategy for anti-cancer treatment of breast cancer cells. Thus, in this review, we focus on discussing the studies involving metabolism and targeted therapy in BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Gao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Yiwu Maternity and Children Hospital, Yiwu 322000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qiong-Zhu Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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26
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Raman D, Tiwari AK. Role of eIF4A1 in triple-negative breast cancer stem-like cell-mediated drug resistance. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2020; 5:e1299. [PMID: 33053607 PMCID: PMC9780423 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In cap-dependent translation, the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A1) is an mRNA helicase is involved in unwinding of the secondary structure, such as the stem-loops, at the 5'-leader regions of the key oncogenic mRNAs. This facilitates ribosomal scanning and translation of the oncogenic mRNAs. eIF4A1 has a regulatory role in translating many oncoproteins that have vital roles in several steps of metastases. Sridharan et. al. have discovered and provide a novel insight into how eIF4A1 can play a regulatory role in drug resistance by influencing the levels of pluripotent Yamanaka transcription factors and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stem-like cells. These findings may help us understand the molecular underpinnings of chemoresistance, especially in established metastases in TNBC. Importantly, eIF4A1 may form a novel clinical target in metastatic TNBC and the drug eFT226 from Effector Therapeutics targeting eIF4A1 is already in phase1-2 clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayanidhi Raman
- Department of Cancer BiologyUniversity of Toledo Health Science CampusToledoOhio
| | - Amit K. Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental TherapeuticsUniversity of Toledo Health Science CampusToledoOhio
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27
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Li X, Ma F, Wu L, Zhang X, Tian J, Li J, Cao J, Ma Y, Zhang L, Wang L. Identification of Hsa_circ_0104824 as a Potential Biomarkers for Breast Cancer. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2020; 19:1533033820960745. [PMID: 33043809 PMCID: PMC7556178 DOI: 10.1177/1533033820960745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To study the specific expression of circular RNA (circRNA) in breast cancer and adjacent normal tissues to identify differentially expressed circRNA in breast cancer patients. To study the correlation between circRNA and clinical data of breast cancer, and to evaluate its potential as a breast cancer biomarker. Methods: The differential expression of circRNAs between the breast cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues was screened by Human CircRNA Microarray. Candidate circRNAs verified by qRT-PCR. CircRNA was analyzed by Agilent GeneSpring 13.0 software. SPSS23.0, GraphPad Prism, and Sigmaplot software were used for statistical analysis. Perform T test, one-way ANOVA, curve regression analysis and ROC curve analysis for evaluating the diagnostic value of circular RNA. Results: Among the 2021 differentially expressed circRNAs, 546 were up-regulated and 1475 were down-regulated in breast cancer tissues. The validation study demonstrated that six circRNAs were downregulated. Among them, hsa_circ_0104824 proved high correlation between breast cancer tissues and plasma samples in its expression and diagnostic value. Conclusion: Hsa_circ_0104824 may serve as a promising predictive biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Li
- 105002The Clinical Medical School of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,105002The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Fang Ma
- 105002The Clinical Medical School of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,105002The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Ligang Wu
- 105002The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- 105002The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jinhai Tian
- 105002The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jinping Li
- 105002The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jia Cao
- 105002The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yunfei Ma
- 105002The Clinical Medical School of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,105002The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- 105002The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Libin Wang
- 105002The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
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28
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Patterns of cell death induced by metformin in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Pathol Res Pract 2020; 216:153199. [PMID: 32932214 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2020.153199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The ability to evade apoptosis is an important mechanism of drug resistance and tumor progression in breast cancer. The induction of different pathways of cell death could be an important strategy to limit tumor progression. Metformin, a drug used to treat type two diabetes, has demonstrated promising results in breast cancer experiments. However, little is known about the patterns of cell death induced by this drug. We analyzed the involvement of apoptosis, necroptosis and ferroptosis in the toxicity of metformin in MCF-7 cells, evaluating proliferation, viability and oxidative stress. It was used different inhibitors of cell death: Z-VAD, a pan-caspase inhibitor that blocks apoptosis; Necrostatin-1, which inhibits RIPK1 activity and blocks necroptosis; and the iron chelator, deferoxamine, that chelates iron and prevents ferroptosis. The participation of oxidative stress was analyzed through the evaluation of total thiols, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Our results showed that metformin increased cell death, reduced proliferation, thiol and GSH and increased MDA in cells. After the association between metformin and Z-VAD or Necrostatin-1, the drug toxicity was abolished. Ferroptosis did not significantly enrolled in metformin action against MCF-7 cells. The preservation of cellular antioxidants was found in all situations that cell death was blocked. Together, these results reveals that metformin induces necroptosis and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells and oxidative stress generation play a role in these two pathways of cell death. This information could help future studies to improve strategies to breast cancer treatment.
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29
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Samuel SM, Varghese E, Koklesová L, Líšková A, Kubatka P, Büsselberg D. Counteracting Chemoresistance with Metformin in Breast Cancers: Targeting Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2482. [PMID: 32883003 PMCID: PMC7565921 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the leaps and bounds in achieving success in the management and treatment of breast cancers through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, breast cancer remains the most frequently occurring cancer in women and the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Systemic therapeutic approaches, such as chemotherapy, although beneficial in treating and curing breast cancer subjects with localized breast tumors, tend to fail in metastatic cases of the disease due to (a) an acquired resistance to the chemotherapeutic drug and (b) the development of intrinsic resistance to therapy. The existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) plays a crucial role in both acquired and intrinsic chemoresistance. CSCs are less abundant than terminally differentiated cancer cells and confer chemoresistance through a unique altered metabolism and capability to evade the immune response system. Furthermore, CSCs possess active DNA repair systems, transporters that support multidrug resistance (MDR), advanced detoxification processes, and the ability to self-renew and differentiate into tumor progenitor cells, thereby supporting cancer invasion, metastasis, and recurrence/relapse. Hence, current research is focusing on targeting CSCs to overcome resistance and improve the efficacy of the treatment and management of breast cancer. Studies revealed that metformin (1, 1-dimethylbiguanide), a widely used anti-hyperglycemic agent, sensitizes tumor response to various chemotherapeutic drugs. Metformin selectively targets CSCs and improves the hypoxic microenvironment, suppresses the tumor metastasis and inflammation, as well as regulates the metabolic programming, induces apoptosis, and reverses epithelial-mesenchymal transition and MDR. Here, we discuss cancer (breast cancer) and chemoresistance, the molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance in breast cancers, and metformin as a chemo-sensitizing/re-sensitizing agent, with a particular focus on breast CSCs as a critical contributing factor to acquired and intrinsic chemoresistance. The review outlines the prospects and directions for a better understanding and re-purposing of metformin as an anti-cancer/chemo-sensitizing drug in the treatment of breast cancer. It intends to provide a rationale for the use of metformin as a combinatory therapy in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson Mathews Samuel
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha 24144, Qatar;
| | - Elizabeth Varghese
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha 24144, Qatar;
| | - Lenka Koklesová
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia; (L.K.); (A.L.)
| | - Alena Líšková
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia; (L.K.); (A.L.)
| | - Peter Kubatka
- Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia;
| | - Dietrich Büsselberg
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha 24144, Qatar;
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30
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Rivetti S, Chen C, Chen C, Bellusci S. Fgf10/Fgfr2b Signaling in Mammary Gland Development, Homeostasis, and Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:415. [PMID: 32676501 PMCID: PMC7333592 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 10 (Fgf10) is a secreted ligand acting via the Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2b (Fgfr2b). Fgf10/Fgfr2b signaling plays important roles both in the epithelium and in the mesenchyme during mammary gland development. Evidence in mice show that Fgf10 is critical for the induction of four out of five of the mammary placodes and for the formation of the white adipose tissue. Fgfr2b ligands also play important function in the maintenance of the terminal end buds, specialized structures at the tip of the ramified ducts during the postnatal phase of mammary gland development. Finally, in humans, FGF10 has been described to be expressed in 10% of the breast adenocarcinoma and activation of FGFR2b signaling correlates with a worse prognostic. Therefore, Fgf10 plays pleiotropic roles in both mammary gland development, homeostasis and cancer and elucidating its mechanism of action and cellular targets will be crucial to either enhance mammary gland development or to find innovative targets to treat aggressive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Rivetti
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Institute of Lung Health, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Chaolei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chengshui Chen
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Saverio Bellusci
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Institute of Lung Health, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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31
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Caudatin Isolated from Cynanchum auriculatum Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem Cell Formation via a GR/YAP Signaling. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060925. [PMID: 32570844 PMCID: PMC7355644 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the complex tumor microenvironment, cancer stem cells (CSCs), a rare population of cells, are responsible for malignant tumor initiation, metastasis, drug resistance and recurrence. Controlling breast CSCs (BCSCs) using natural compounds is a novel potential therapeutic strategy for clinical cancer treatment. In this study, a mammosphere assay-guided isolation protocol including silica gel, a C18 column, gel filtration, and high-pressure liquid chromatography was used to isolate an inhibitory compound from Cynanchum auriculatum extracts. The isolated inhibitory compound was identified as caudatin. Caudatin inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, mammosphere formation and tumor growth. Caudatin decreased the CD44+/CD24− and aldehyde dehydrogenase+ cell proportions and the levels of c-Myc, Oct4, Sox2, and CD44. Caudatin induced ubiquitin (Ub)-dependent glucocorticoid receptor (GR) degradation and blocked subsequent Yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear accumulation and target gene transcription signals in BCSCs. These results show that the GR/YAP signaling pathway regulates BCSC formation and that caudatin may be a potential chemopreventive agent that targets breast cancer cells and CSCs.
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32
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Muley H, Fadó R, Rodríguez-Rodríguez R, Casals N. Drug uptake-based chemoresistance in breast cancer treatment. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:113959. [PMID: 32272110 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of tumor and the second leading cause of death due to cancer among women. Although screening methods, diagnosis and therapeutic options have improved in the last decade, chemoresistance remains an important challenge. There is evidence relating breast cancer resistance with signaling pathways involving hormone and growth receptors, survival, apoptosis and the activation of efflux pumps. However, the resistance mechanisms linked to drug uptake are poorly understood, despite it often being observed that the drug content is lower in resistant cancer cells and that the entry of the drug into these cells is a limiting process for the subsequent therapeutic effect.In this review, we provide an overview of drug uptake-based resistance mechanisms developed by cancer cells in the four main types of chemotherapy used in breast cancer: anthracyclines, taxanes, oxazaphosphorines and platinum-based drugs. The contribution of tumor microenvironment to reduced drug-uptake and multidrug resistance is also analyzed. As a developing field, nanomedicine-based approaches provide promising opportunities to improve drug specific targeting, cell interaction and uptake into cancer cells. The endocytic-mediated pathways attributed to the different types of nanoformulations as well as the contribution of nanotherapeutics to overcoming chemoresistance affecting drug uptake in breast cancer will be described. New approaches focusing on drug uptake mechanisms could improve breast cancer chemotherapy, obtaining better dose-response outcomes and reducing toxic side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Muley
- Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, E-08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
| | - Rut Fadó
- Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, E-08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
| | - Rosalía Rodríguez-Rodríguez
- Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, E-08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
| | - Núria Casals
- Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, E-08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, E-28029 Madrid, Spain.
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33
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Zhen X, Choi HS, Kim JH, Kim SL, Liu R, Yun BS, Lee DS. Machilin D, a Lignin Derived from Saururus chinensis, Suppresses Breast Cancer Stem Cells and Inhibits NF-κB Signaling. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10020245. [PMID: 32033472 PMCID: PMC7072518 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are responsible for breast cancer initiation, metastasis, and relapse. Targeting breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) using phytochemicals is a good strategy for the treatment of cancer. A silica gel, a reversed-phase C18 column (ODS), a Sephadex LH-20 gel, thin layer chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for compound isolation from Saururus chinensis extracts. The isolated compound was identified as machilin D by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Machilin D inhibited the growth and mammosphere formation of breast cancer cells and inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. Machilin D reduced the proportions of CD44+/CD24- and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1)-positive cells. Furthermore, this compound reduced the nuclear localization of the NF-κB protein and decreased the IL-6 and IL-8 secretion in mammospheres. These results suggest that machilin D blocks IL-6 and IL-8 signaling and induces CSC death and thus may be a potential agent targeting BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhen
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (X.Z.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-L.K.); (R.L.)
| | - Hack Sun Choi
- Subtropical/Tropical Organism Gene Bank, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea;
| | - Ji-Hyang Kim
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (X.Z.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-L.K.); (R.L.)
| | - Su-Lim Kim
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (X.Z.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-L.K.); (R.L.)
| | - Ren Liu
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (X.Z.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-L.K.); (R.L.)
| | - Bong-Sik Yun
- Division of Biotechnology, College of Environmental and Bioresource Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Gobong-ro 79, Iksan 54596, Korea;
| | - Dong-Sun Lee
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (X.Z.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-L.K.); (R.L.)
- Subtropical/Tropical Organism Gene Bank, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea;
- Practical Translational Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea
- Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Sciences, Jeju National University, SARI, Jeju 63243, Korea
- Correspondence:
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34
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Das PK, Rakib MA, Khanam JA, Pillai S, Islam F. Novel Therapeutics Against Breast Cancer Stem Cells by Targeting Surface Markers and Signaling Pathways. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 14:669-682. [DOI: 10.2174/1574888x14666190628104721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Breast cancer remains to be one of the deadliest forms of cancers, owing to
the drug resistance and tumor relapse caused by breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) despite notable advancements
in radio-chemotherapies.
Objective:
To find out novel therapeutics against breast cancer stem cells by aiming surface markers
and signaling pathways.
Methods:
A systematic literature search was conducted through various electronic databases including,
Pubmed, Scopus, Google scholar using the keywords "BCSCs, surface markers, signaling pathways
and therapeutic options against breast cancer stem cell. Articles selected for the purpose of this review
were reviewed and extensively analyzed.
Results:
Novel therapeutic strategies include targeting BCSCs surface markers and aberrantly activated
signaling pathways or targeting their components, which play critical roles in self-renewal and defense,
have been shown to be significantly effective against breast cancer. In this review, we represent a
number of ways against BCSCs surface markers and hyper-activated signaling pathways to target this
highly malicious entity of breast cancer more effectively in order to make a feasible and useful strategy
for successful breast cancer treatment. In addition, we discuss some characteristics of BCSCs in disease
progression and therapy resistance.
Conclusion:
BCSCs involved in cancer pathogenesis, therapy resistance and cancer recurrence. Thus,
it is suggested that a multi-dimensional therapeutic approach by targeting surface markers and aberrantly
activated signaling pathways of BCSCs alone or in combination with each other could really be
worthwhile in the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Plabon K. Das
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md. A. Rakib
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh
| | - Jahan A. Khanam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh
| | - Suja Pillai
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Farhadul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh
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35
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Sridharan S, Robeson M, Bastihalli-Tukaramrao D, Howard CM, Subramaniyan B, Tilley AMC, Tiwari AK, Raman D. Targeting of the Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4A Against Breast Cancer Stemness. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1311. [PMID: 31867270 PMCID: PMC6909344 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are intrinsically chemoresistant and capable of self-renewal. Following chemotherapy, patients can develop minimal residual disease due to BCSCs which can repopulate into a relapsed tumor. Therefore, it is imperative to co-target BCSCs along with the bulk tumor cells to achieve therapeutic success and prevent recurrence. So, it is vital to identify actionable molecular targets against both BCSCs and bulk tumor cells. Previous findings from our lab and others have demonstrated that inhibition of the emerging drug target eIF4A with Rocaglamide A (RocA) was efficacious against triple-negative breast cancer cells (TNBC). RocA specifically targets the pool of eIF4A bound to the oncogenic mRNAs that requires its helicase activity for their translation. This property enables specific targeting of tumor cells. The efficacy of RocA against BCSCs is unknown. In this study, we postulated that eIF4A could be a vulnerable node in BCSCs. In order to test this, we generated a paclitaxel-resistant TNBC cell line which demonstrated an elevated level of eIF4A along with increased levels of cancer stemness markers (ALDH activity and CD44), pluripotency transcription factors (SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG) and drug transporters (ABCB1, ABCG2, and ABCC1). Furthermore, genetic ablation of eIF4A resulted in reduced expression of ALDH1A1, pluripotency transcription factors and drug transporters. This pointed out that eIF4A is likely associated with selected set of proteins that are critical to BCSCs, and hence targeting eIF4A may eliminate BCSCs. Therefore, we isolated BCSCs from two TNBC cell lines: MDA-Bone-Un and SUM-159PT. Following RocA treatment, the self-renewal ability of the BCSCs was significantly reduced as determined by the efficiency of the formation of primary and secondary mammospheres. This was accompanied by a reduction in the levels of NANOG, OCT4, and drug transporters. Exposure to RocA also induced cell death of the BCSCs as evaluated by DRAQ7 and cell viability assays. RocA treatment induced apoptosis with increased levels of cleaved caspase-3. Overall, we identified that RocA is effective in targeting BCSCs, and eIF4A is an actionable molecular target in both BCSCs and bulk tumor cells. Therefore, anti-eIF4A inhibitors could potentially be combined synergistically with existing chemo-, radio- and/or immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangita Sridharan
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Megan Robeson
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Diwakar Bastihalli-Tukaramrao
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Cory M. Howard
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Boopathi Subramaniyan
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Augustus M. C. Tilley
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Amit K. Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Dayanidhi Raman
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Dayanidhi Raman
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