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Li Q, Geng S, Luo H, Wang W, Mo YQ, Luo Q, Wang L, Song GB, Sheng JP, Xu B. Signaling pathways involved in colorectal cancer: pathogenesis and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:266. [PMID: 39370455 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01953-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Its complexity is influenced by various signal transduction networks that govern cellular proliferation, survival, differentiation, and apoptosis. The pathogenesis of CRC is a testament to the dysregulation of these signaling cascades, which culminates in the malignant transformation of colonic epithelium. This review aims to dissect the foundational signaling mechanisms implicated in CRC, to elucidate the generalized principles underpinning neoplastic evolution and progression. We discuss the molecular hallmarks of CRC, including the genomic, epigenomic and microbial features of CRC to highlight the role of signal transduction in the orchestration of the tumorigenic process. Concurrently, we review the advent of targeted and immune therapies in CRC, assessing their impact on the current clinical landscape. The development of these therapies has been informed by a deepening understanding of oncogenic signaling, leading to the identification of key nodes within these networks that can be exploited pharmacologically. Furthermore, we explore the potential of integrating AI to enhance the precision of therapeutic targeting and patient stratification, emphasizing their role in personalized medicine. In summary, our review captures the dynamic interplay between aberrant signaling in CRC pathogenesis and the concerted efforts to counteract these changes through targeted therapeutic strategies, ultimately aiming to pave the way for improved prognosis and personalized treatment modalities in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- The Shapingba Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Oncology for Breast Cancer, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital and School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shan Geng
- Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Dazu Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hao Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Chongqing Municipal Health and Health Committee, Chongqing, China
| | - Ya-Qi Mo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Oncology for Breast Cancer, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital and School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Oncology for Breast Cancer, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital and School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guan-Bin Song
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Jian-Peng Sheng
- College of Artificial Intelligence, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China.
| | - Bo Xu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Oncology for Breast Cancer, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital and School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
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Shi X, Feng D, Li D, Han P, Yang L, Wei W. A pan-cancer analysis of the oncogenic and immunological roles of apolipoprotein F (APOF) in human cancer. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:190. [PMID: 37312170 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01156-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apolipoprotein F (APOF) has been less studied in cancers. Thus, we aimed to perform a pan-cancer analysis of the oncogenic and immunological effects of APOF on human cancer. METHODS A standardized TCGA pan-cancer dataset was downloaded. Differential expression, clinical prognosis, genetic mutations, immune infiltration, epigenetic modifications, tumor stemness and heterogeneity were analyzed. We conducted all analyses through software R (version 3.6.3) and its suitable packages. RESULTS Overall, we found that the common cancers differentially expressed between tumor and normal samples and prognostic-associated were BRCA, PRAD, KIRP, and LIHC in terms of overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The pan-cancer Spearman analysis showed that the mRNA expression of APOF was negatively correlated with four tumor stemness indexes (DMPss, DNAss, ENHss, and EREG-METHss) with statistical significance for PRAD and was positively correlated for LIHC. In terms of BRCA and PRAD patients, we found negative correlation of APOF with TMB, MSI, neo, HRD and LOH. The mutation frequencies of BRCA and LIHC were 0.3%. APOF expression was negatively correlated with immune infiltration and positively correlated with tumor purity for PRAD patients. The mRNA expression of APOF was negatively associated with most TILs for LIHC, B cells, CD4+ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells, but was positively associated with CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS Our pan-cancer study offered a relatively comprehensive understanding of the roles of APOF on BRCA, PRAD, KIRP, and LIHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Shi
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Guoxue Xiang #37, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Dechao Feng
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Guoxue Xiang #37, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Dengxiong Li
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Guoxue Xiang #37, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ping Han
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Guoxue Xiang #37, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Guoxue Xiang #37, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wuran Wei
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Guoxue Xiang #37, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Fan S, Poetsch A. Proteomic Research of Extracellular Vesicles in Clinical Biofluid. Proteomes 2023; 11:proteomes11020018. [PMID: 37218923 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes11020018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), the lipid bilayer membranous structures of particles, are produced and released from almost all cells, including eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The versatility of EVs has been investigated in various pathologies, including development, coagulation, inflammation, immune response modulation, and cell-cell communication. Proteomics technologies have revolutionized EV studies by enabling high-throughput analysis of their biomolecules to deliver comprehensive identification and quantification with rich structural information (PTMs, proteoforms). Extensive research has highlighted variations in EV cargo depending on vesicle size, origin, disease, and other features. This fact has sparked activities to use EVs for diagnosis and treatment to ultimately achieve clinical translation with recent endeavors summarized and critically reviewed in this publication. Notably, successful application and translation require a constant improvement of methods for sample preparation and analysis and their standardization, both of which are areas of active research. This review summarizes the characteristics, isolation, and identification approaches for EVs and the recent advances in EVs for clinical biofluid analysis to gain novel knowledge by employing proteomics. In addition, the current and predicted future challenges and technical barriers are also reviewed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipan Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330021, China
| | - Ansgar Poetsch
- Queen Mary School, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330021, China
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Extracellular Vesicles in Colorectal Cancer: From Tumor Growth and Metastasis to Biomarkers and Nanomedications. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041107. [PMID: 36831450 PMCID: PMC9953945 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading public health concern due to its incidence and high mortality rates, highlighting the requirement of an early diagnosis. Evaluation of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) might constitute a noninvasive and reliable approach for CRC detection and for patient follow-up because EVs display the molecular features of the cells they originate. EVs are released by almost all cell types and are mainly categorized as exosomes originating from exocytosis of intraluminal vesicles from multivesicular bodies, ectosomes resulting from outward budding of the plasma membrane and apoptotic bodies' ensuing cell shrinkage. These vesicles play a critical role in intercellular communications during physiological and pathological processes. They facilitate CRC progression and premetastatic niche formation, and they enable transfer of chemotherapy resistance to sensitive cells through the local or remote delivery of their lipid, nucleic acid and protein content. On another note, their stability in the bloodstream, their permeation in tissues and their sheltering of packaged material make engineered EVs suitable vectors for efficient delivery of tracers and therapeutic agents for tumor imaging or treatment. Here, we focus on the physiopathological role of EVs in CRCs, their value in the diagnosis and prognosis and ongoing investigations into therapeutic approaches.
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Performance of the Use of Genetic Information to Assess the Risk of Colorectal Cancer in the Basque Population. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174193. [PMID: 36077729 PMCID: PMC9454881 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the genetic contribution to colorectal cancer (CRC) has been studied in various populations, studies on the applicability of available genetic information in the Basque population are scarce. In total, 835 CRC cases and 940 controls from the Basque population were genotyped and genome-wide association studies were carried out. Mendelian Randomization analyses were used to discover the effect of modifiable risk factors and microbiota on CRC. In total, 25 polygenic risk score models were evaluated to assess their performance in CRC risk calculation. Moreover, 492 inflammatory bowel disease cases were used to assess whether that genetic information would not confuse both conditions. Five suggestive (p < 5 × 10−6) loci were associated with CRC risk, where genes previously associated with CRC were located (e.g., ABCA12, ATIC or ERBB4). Moreover, the analyses of CRC locations detected additional genes consistent with the biology of CRC. The possible contribution of cholesterol, BMI, Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria to CRC risk was detected by Mendelian Randomization. Finally, although polygenic risk score models showed variable performance, the best model performed correctly regardless of the location and did not misclassify inflammatory bowel disease cases. Our results are consistent with CRC biology and genetic risk models and could be applied to assess CRC risk in the Basque population.
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Zhou P, Gao S, Hu B. Exploration of Potential Biomarkers and Immune Landscape for Hepatoblastoma: Evidence from Machine Learning Algorithm. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:2417134. [PMID: 35958911 PMCID: PMC9357682 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2417134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the immune landscape in hepatoblastoma (HB) based on deconvolution methods and identify a biomarkers panel for diagnosis based on a machine learning algorithm. Firstly, we identified 277 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentiated and functionally identified the modules in DEGs. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis and GO (gene ontology) were used to annotate these DEGs, and the results suggested that the occurrence of HB was related to DNA adducts, bile secretion, and metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450. We selected the top 10 genes for our final diagnostic panel based on the random forest tree method. Interestingly, TNFRSF19 and TOP2A were significantly down-regulated in normal samples, while other genes (TRIB1, MAT1A, SAA2-SAA4, NAT2, HABP2, CYP2CB, APOF, and CFHR3) were significantly down-regulated in HB samples. Finally, we constructed a neural network model based on the above hub genes for diagnosis. After cross-validation, the area under the ROC curve was close to 1 (AUC = 0.972), and the AUC of the validation set was 0.870. In addition, the results of single-sample gene-set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and deconvolution methods revealed a more active immune responses in the HB tissue. In conclusion, we have developed a robust biomarkers panel for HB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhou
- Department of Pediatric, Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Shanshan Gao
- Department of Ultrasound, Zibo Forth People's Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Bin Hu
- Department of Pediatric, Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, China
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Yeung V, Zhang TC, Yuan L, Parekh M, Cortinas JA, Delavogia E, Hutcheon AEK, Guo X, Ciolino JB. Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Corneal Myofibroblasts Promote Corneal Epithelial Cell Migration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063136. [PMID: 35328555 PMCID: PMC8951135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal epithelial wound healing is a multifaceted process that encompasses cell proliferation, migration, and communication from the corneal stroma. Upon corneal injury, bidirectional crosstalk between the epithelium and stroma via extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been reported. However, the mechanisms by which the EVs from human corneal keratocytes (HCKs), fibroblasts (HCFs), and/or myofibroblasts (HCMs) exert their effects on the corneal epithelium remain unclear. In this study, HCK-, HCF-, and HCM-EVs were isolated and characterized, and human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell migration was assessed in a scratch assay following PKH26-labeled HCK-, HCF-, or HCM-EV treatment. HCE cells proliferative and apoptotic activity following EV treatment was assessed. HCF-/HCM-EVs were enriched for CD63, CD81, ITGAV, and THBS1 compared to HCK-EV. All EVs were negative for GM130 and showed minimal differences in biophysical properties. At the proteomic level, we showed HCM-EV with a log >two-fold change in CXCL6, CXCL12, MMP1, and MMP2 expression compared to HCK-/HCF-EVs; these proteins are associated with cellular movement pathways. Upon HCM-EV treatment, HCE cell migration, velocity, and proliferation were significantly increased compared to HCK-/HCF-EVs. This study concludes that the HCM-EV protein cargo influences HCE cell migration and proliferation, and understanding these elements may provide a novel therapeutic avenue for corneal wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Yeung
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (L.Y.); (M.P.); (A.E.K.H.); (X.G.); (J.B.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Ling Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (L.Y.); (M.P.); (A.E.K.H.); (X.G.); (J.B.C.)
| | - Mohit Parekh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (L.Y.); (M.P.); (A.E.K.H.); (X.G.); (J.B.C.)
| | - John A. Cortinas
- Division of Newborn Medicine & Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (J.A.C.); (E.D.)
| | - Eleni Delavogia
- Division of Newborn Medicine & Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (J.A.C.); (E.D.)
| | - Audrey E. K. Hutcheon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (L.Y.); (M.P.); (A.E.K.H.); (X.G.); (J.B.C.)
| | - Xiaoqing Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (L.Y.); (M.P.); (A.E.K.H.); (X.G.); (J.B.C.)
| | - Joseph B. Ciolino
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (L.Y.); (M.P.); (A.E.K.H.); (X.G.); (J.B.C.)
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Chang LC, Chiu HM, Wu MS, Shen TL. The Role of Small Extracellular Vesicles in the Progression of Colorectal Cancer and Its Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1379. [PMID: 35163305 PMCID: PMC8835972 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and a longstanding critical challenge for public health. Screening has been suggested to effectively reduce both the incidence and mortality of CRC. However, the drawback of the current screening modalities, both stool-based tests and colonoscopies, is limited screening adherence, which reduces the effectiveness of CRC screening. Blood tests are more acceptable than stool tests or colonoscopy as a first-line screening approach. Therefore, identifying blood biomarkers for detecting CRC and its precancerous neoplasms is urgently needed to fulfill the unmet clinical need. Currently, many kinds of blood contents, such as circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor nucleic acids, and extracellular vesicles, have been investigated as biomarkers for CRC detection. Among these, small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have been demonstrated to detect CRC effectively in recent reports. sEVs enable intercellular shuttling-for instance, trafficking between recipient cancer cells and stromal cells-which can affect tumor initiation, proliferation, angiogenesis, immune regulation; metastasis, the cancer-specific molecules, such as proteins, microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs, loaded into cancer-derived sEVs may serve as biomarkers for the detection of cancers, including CRC. Indeed, accumulating evidence has shown that nucleic acids and proteins contained in CRC-derived sEVs are effective as blood biomarkers for CRC detection. However, investigations of the performance of sEVs for diagnosing CRC in clinical trials remains limited. Thus, the effectiveness of sEV biomarkers for diagnosing CRC needs further validation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Chun Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan; (L.-C.C.); (H.-M.C.); (M.-S.W.)
- Health Management Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Han-Mo Chiu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan; (L.-C.C.); (H.-M.C.); (M.-S.W.)
- Health Management Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shiang Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan; (L.-C.C.); (H.-M.C.); (M.-S.W.)
| | - Tang-Long Shen
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Center for Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
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