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Wang J, Tan Z, Huang Y, Li C, Zhan P, Wang H, Li H. Integrating single-cell RNA-seq to identify fibroblast-based molecular subtypes for predicting prognosis and therapeutic response in bladder cancer. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:11385-11408. [PMID: 39033778 PMCID: PMC11315389 DOI: 10.18632/aging.206021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bladder cancer (BLCA) is a highly aggressive and heterogeneous disease, posing challenges for diagnosis and treatment. Cancer immunotherapy has recently emerged as a promising option for patients with advanced and drug-resistant cancers. Fibroblasts, a significant component of the tumor microenvironment, play a crucial role in tumor progression, but their precise function in BLCA remains uncertain. METHODS Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data for BLCA were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The R package "Seurat" was used for processing scRNA-seq data, with uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) for downscaling and cluster identification. The FindAllMarkers function identified marker genes for each cluster. Differentially expressed genes influencing overall survival (OS) of BLCA patients were identified using the limma package. Differences in clinicopathological characteristics, immune microenvironment, immune checkpoints, and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity between high- and low-risk groups were investigated. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry validated the expression of prognostic genes. RESULTS Fibroblast marker genes identified three molecular subtypes in the testing set. A prognostic signature comprising ten genes stratified BLCA patients into high- and low-score groups. This signature was validated in one internal and two external validation sets. High-score patients exhibited increased immune cell infiltration, elevated chemokine expression, and enhanced immune checkpoint expression but had poorer OS and a reduced response to immunotherapy. Six sensitive anti-tumor drugs were identified for the high-score group. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry showed that CERCAM, TM4SF1, FN1, ANXA1, and LOX were highly expressed, while EMP1, HEYL, FBN1, and SLC2A3 were downregulated in BLCA. CONCLUSION A novel fibroblast marker gene-based signature was established, providing robust predictions of survival and immunotherapeutic response in BLCA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhiyong Tan
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yinglong Huang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Charles Li
- Core Facility for Protein Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Zhongke Jianlan Medical Research Institute, Beijing, China
- Zhejiang Institute of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peiqin Zhan
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Haifeng Wang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Haihao Li
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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Gui M, Huang S, Li S, Chen Y, Cheng F, Liu Y, Wang JA, Wang Y, Guo R, Lu Y, Cao P, Zhou G. Integrative single-cell transcriptomic analyses reveal the cellular ontological and functional heterogeneities of primary and metastatic liver tumors. J Transl Med 2024; 22:206. [PMID: 38414027 PMCID: PMC10898050 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04947-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global cellular landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME) combining primary and metastatic liver tumors has not been comprehensively characterized. METHODS Based on the scRNA-seq and spatial transcriptomic data of non-tumor liver tissues (NTs), primary liver tumors (PTs) and metastatic liver tumors (MTs), we performed the tissue preference, trajectory reconstruction, transcription factor activity inference, cell-cell interaction and cellular deconvolution analyses to construct a comprehensive cellular landscape of liver tumors. RESULTS Our analyses depicted the heterogeneous cellular ecosystems in NTs, PTs and MTs. The activated memory B cells and effector T cells were shown to gradually shift to inhibitory B cells, regulatory or exhausted T cells in liver tumors, especially in MTs. Among them, we characterized a unique group of TCF7+ CD8+ memory T cells specifically enriched in MTs that could differentiate into exhausted T cells likely driven by the p38 MAPK signaling. With regard to myeloid cells, the liver-resident macrophages and inflammatory monocyte/macrophages were markedly replaced by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), with TREM2+ and UBE2C+ TAMs enriched in PTs, while SPP1+ and WDR45B+ TAMs in MTs. We further showed that the newly identified WDR45B+ TAMs exhibit an M2-like polarization and are associated with adverse prognosis in patients with liver metastases. Additionally, we addressed that endothelial cells display higher immune tolerance and angiogenesis capacity, and provided evidence for the source of the mesenchymal transformation of fibroblasts in tumors. Finally, the malignant hepatocytes and fibroblasts were prioritized as the pivotal cell populations in shaping the microenvironments of PTs and MTs, respectively. Notably, validation analyses by using spatial or bulk transcriptomic data in clinical cohorts concordantly emphasized the clinical significance of these findings. CONCLUSIONS This study defines the ontological and functional heterogeneities in cellular ecosystems of primary and metastatic liver tumors, providing a foundation for future investigation of the underlying cellular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghui Gui
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences at Beijing, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, People's Republic of China
| | - Shilin Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Shizhou Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuying Chen
- Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Furong Cheng
- Institute of Life Science and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulin Liu
- Mudanjiang Medical College, Mudanjiang, 157011, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji-Ao Wang
- Institute of Life Science and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuting Wang
- College of Chemistry & Environmental Science, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Guo
- Institute of Life Science and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiming Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences at Beijing, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengbo Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences at Beijing, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gangqiao Zhou
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences at Beijing, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27 Taiping Road, Beijing, 100850, People's Republic of China.
- Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People's Republic of China.
- Institute of Life Science and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, People's Republic of China.
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Korbecki J, Bosiacki M, Barczak K, Łagocka R, Brodowska A, Chlubek D, Baranowska-Bosiacka I. Involvement in Tumorigenesis and Clinical Significance of CXCL1 in Reproductive Cancers: Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Ovarian Cancer and Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087262. [PMID: 37108425 PMCID: PMC10139049 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) is a member of the CXC chemokine subfamily and a ligand for CXCR2. Its main function in the immune system is the chemoattraction of neutrophils. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews summarizing the significance of CXCL1 in cancer processes. To fill this gap, this work describes the clinical significance and participation of CXCL1 in cancer processes in the most important reproductive cancers: breast cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer. The focus is on both clinical aspects and the significance of CXCL1 in molecular cancer processes. We describe the association of CXCL1 with clinical features of tumors, including prognosis, ER, PR and HER2 status, and TNM stage. We present the molecular contribution of CXCL1 to chemoresistance and radioresistance in selected tumors and its influence on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells. Additionally, we present the impact of CXCL1 on the microenvironment of reproductive cancers, including its effect on angiogenesis, recruitment, and function of cancer-associated cells (macrophages, neutrophils, MDSC, and Treg). The article concludes by summarizing the significance of introducing drugs targeting CXCL1. This paper also discusses the significance of ACKR1/DARC in reproductive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Korbecki
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, Zyty 28 Str., 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Mateusz Bosiacki
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Functional Diagnostics and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Żołnierska 54 Str., 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Barczak
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Ryta Łagocka
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Brodowska
- Department of Gynecology, Endocrinology and Gynecological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Dariusz Chlubek
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
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Yeh CF, Lee WY, Yu TH, Hsu YB, Lan MC, Lan MY. Antipsychotic drug trifluoperazine as a potential therapeutic agent against nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Head Neck 2023; 45:316-328. [PMID: 36349408 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trifluoperazine (TFP) is a typical antipsychotic primarily used to treat schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether TFP can be used as a therapeutic agent against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and identify its underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS We used NPC-TW01, TW03, TW04, and BM to assess the anticancer effects of TFP by using cytotoxicity, wound healing, colony formation, and cell invasion assays. An in vivo animal study was conducted. RNA sequencing combined with Ingenuity Pathways Analysis was performed to identify the mechanism by which TFP influences NPC cells. RESULTS Our data revealed that TFP decreased NPC cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. The invasion and migration of NPC tumor cells were inhibited by TFP. An in vivo study also demonstrated the anticancer effects of TFP. RNA sequencing revealed several anticancer molecular mechanisms following TFP administration. CONCLUSIONS The antipsychotic drug TFP could be a potential therapeutic regimen for NPC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Fu Yeh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ya Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Han Yu
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Bin Hsu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chin Lan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Ying Lan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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5
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CXCL1: Gene, Promoter, Regulation of Expression, mRNA Stability, Regulation of Activity in the Intercellular Space. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020792. [PMID: 35054978 PMCID: PMC8776070 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
CXCL1 is one of the most important chemokines, part of a group of chemotactic cytokines involved in the development of many inflammatory diseases. It activates CXCR2 and, at high levels, CXCR1. The expression of CXCL1 is elevated in inflammatory reactions and also has important functions in physiology, including the induction of angiogenesis and recruitment of neutrophils. Due to a lack of reviews that precisely describe the regulation of CXCL1 expression and function, in this paper, we present the mechanisms of CXCL1 expression regulation with a special focus on cancer. We concentrate on the regulation of CXCL1 expression through the regulation of CXCL1 transcription and mRNA stability, including the involvement of NF-κB, p53, the effect of miRNAs and cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-17, TGF-β and TNF-α. We also describe the mechanisms regulating CXCL1 activity in the extracellular space, including proteolytic processing, CXCL1 dimerization and the influence of the ACKR1/DARC receptor on CXCL1 localization. Finally, we explain the role of CXCL1 in cancer and possible therapeutic approaches directed against this chemokine.
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Silva G, Sales-Dias J, Casal D, Alves S, Domenici G, Barreto C, Matos C, Lemos AR, Matias AT, Kucheryava K, Ferreira A, Moita MR, Braga S, Brito C, Cabral MG, Casalou C, Barral DC, Sousa PMF, Videira PA, Bandeiras TM, Barbas A. Development of Dl1.72, a Novel Anti-DLL1 Antibody with Anti-Tumor Efficacy against Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164074. [PMID: 34439228 PMCID: PMC8392387 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Over 70% of breast cancers (BCs) are estrogen receptor-positive (ER+). The development of endocrine therapy has considerably improved patient outcomes. However, there is a clinical need for novel effective therapies against ER+ BCs, since many of these do not respond to standard therapy, and more than one-third of responders acquire resistance, experience relapse and metastasize. The Notch ligand Delta-like 1 (DLL1) is a key player in ER+ BC development and aggressiveness. Contrary to complete Notch pharmacological inhibitors, antibody-targeting of individual Notch components is expected to have superior therapeutic efficacy and be better tolerated. In this study, we developed and characterized a novel specific anti-DLL1 antibody with efficacy in inhibiting BC cell proliferation, mammosphere formation and angiogenesis, as well as anti-tumor and anti-metastatic efficacy in an ER+ BC mouse model without side effects. Thus, our data suggest that this anti-DLL1 antibody is a promising candidate for ER+ BC treatment. Abstract The Notch-signaling ligand DLL1 has emerged as an important player and promising therapeutic target in breast cancer (BC). DLL1-induced Notch activation promotes tumor cell proliferation, survival, migration, angiogenesis and BC stem cell maintenance. In BC, DLL1 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis, particularly in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) subtypes. Directed therapy in early and advanced BC has dramatically changed the natural course of ER+ BC; however, relapse is a major clinical issue, and new therapeutic strategies are needed. Here, we report the development and characterization of a novel monoclonal antibody specific to DLL1. Using phage display technology, we selected an anti-DLL1 antibody fragment, which was converted into a full human IgG1 (Dl1.72). The Dl1.72 antibody exhibited DLL1 specificity and affinity in the low nanomolar range and significantly impaired DLL1-Notch signaling and expression of Notch target genes in ER+ BC cells. Functionally, in vitro treatment with Dl1.72 reduced MCF-7 cell proliferation, migration, mammosphere formation and endothelial tube formation. In vivo, Dl1.72 significantly inhibited tumor growth, reducing both tumor cell proliferation and liver metastases in a xenograft mouse model, without apparent toxicity. These findings suggest that anti-DLL1 Dl1.72 could be an attractive agent against ER+ BC, warranting further preclinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Silva
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-214-469-419
| | - Joana Sales-Dias
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Diogo Casal
- Departamento de Anatomia, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.C.); (S.A.)
- iNOVA4Health, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.T.M.); (A.F.); (S.B.); (M.G.C.); (C.C.); (D.C.B.)
| | - Sara Alves
- Departamento de Anatomia, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.C.); (S.A.)
- Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central-Hospital de São José, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Giacomo Domenici
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Clara Barreto
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Carolina Matos
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Ana R. Lemos
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana T. Matias
- iNOVA4Health, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.T.M.); (A.F.); (S.B.); (M.G.C.); (C.C.); (D.C.B.)
| | - Khrystyna Kucheryava
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Andreia Ferreira
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Maria Raquel Moita
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Sofia Braga
- iNOVA4Health, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.T.M.); (A.F.); (S.B.); (M.G.C.); (C.C.); (D.C.B.)
- Unidade de Mama, Instituto CUF de Oncologia, 1998-018 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Brito
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - M. Guadalupe Cabral
- iNOVA4Health, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.T.M.); (A.F.); (S.B.); (M.G.C.); (C.C.); (D.C.B.)
| | - Cristina Casalou
- iNOVA4Health, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.T.M.); (A.F.); (S.B.); (M.G.C.); (C.C.); (D.C.B.)
| | - Duarte C. Barral
- iNOVA4Health, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.T.M.); (A.F.); (S.B.); (M.G.C.); (C.C.); (D.C.B.)
| | - Pedro M. F. Sousa
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Paula A. Videira
- UCIBIO, Departamento Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
| | - Tiago M. Bandeiras
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana Barbas
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal; (J.S.-D.); (G.D.); (C.B.); (C.M.); (A.R.L.); (K.K.); (M.R.M.); (C.B.); (P.M.F.S.); (T.M.B.); (A.B.)
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7
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Panicker S, Venkatabalasubramanian S, Pathak S, Ramalingam S. The impact of fusion genes on cancer stem cells and drug resistance. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:3771-3783. [PMID: 34095988 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04203-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
With ever increasing evidences on the role of fusion genes as the oncogenic protagonists in myriad cancers, it's time to explore if fusion genes can be the next generational drug targets in meeting the current demands of higher drug efficacy. Eliminating cancer stem cells (CSC) has become the current focus; however, we have reached a standstill in drug development owing to the lack of effective strategies to eradicate CSC. We believe that fusion genes could be the novel targets to overcome this limitation. The intriguing feature of fusion genes is that it dominantly impacts every aspect of CSC including self-renewal, differentiation, lineage commitment, tumorigenicity and stemness. Given the clinical success of fusion gene-based drugs in hematological cancers, our attempt to target fusion genes in eradicating CSC can be rewarding. As fusion genes are expressed explicitly in cancer cells, eradicating CSC by targeting fusion genes provides yet an another advantage of negligible patient side effects since normal cells remain unaffected by the drug. We hereby delineate the latest evidences on how fusion genes regulate CSC and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurav Panicker
- Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Surajit Pathak
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Chennai, 603103, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Satish Ramalingam
- Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India.
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