1
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Li C, Li R, Wang Y, Jiang H. Inhibition of the TCF12/VSIG4 axis by palbociclib diminishes the proliferation and migration of glioma cells and decreases the M2 polarization of glioma-associated microglia. Drug Dev Res 2024; 85:e22230. [PMID: 38967729 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22230] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
The CDK4/CDK6 inhibitor palbociclib has shown the encouraging promise in the treatment of glioma. Here, we elucidated how palbociclib exerts suppressive functions in the M2 polarization of glioma-related microglia and the progression of glioma. Xenograft experiments were used to evaluate the function in vivo. The mRNA levels of transcription factor 12 (TCF12) and VSIG4 were detected by RT-qPCR, and their protein levels were assessed by immunoblotting. Cell migration was tested by wound-healing assay. Cell cycle distribution and M1/M2 microglia phenotype analysis were performed by flow cytometry. The levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6,and TGF-β were measured by ELISA. The TCF12/VSIG4 association was verified by luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. In U251 and LN229 glioma cells, TCF12 and VSIG4 were overexpressed, and palbociclib reduced their expression levels. TCF12 upregulation enhanced the proliferation and migration of glioma cells and the M2 polarization of glioma-associated microglia in vitro as well as the tumorigenicity of U251 glioma cells in vivo, which could be reversed by palbociclib. Mechanistically, TCF12 could enhance VSIG4 transcription and expression by binding to the VSIG4 promoter. TCF12 deficiency led to repression in glioma cell proliferation and migration as well as microglia M2 polarization, which could be abolished by increased VSIG4 expression. Our study reveals the novel TCF12/VSIG4 axis responsible for the efficacy of palbociclib in combating glioma, offering a rationale for the application of palbociclib in glioma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuankun Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ruichun Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Haitao Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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2
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Han R, Rao X, Zhou H, Lu L. Synergistic Immunoregulation: harnessing CircRNAs and PiRNAs to Amplify PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibition Therapy. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:4803-4834. [PMID: 38828205 PMCID: PMC11144010 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s461289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The utilization of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors marks a significant advancement in cancer therapy. However, the efficacy of monotherapy is still disappointing in a substantial subset of patients, necessitating the exploration of combinational strategies. Emerging from the promising results of the KEYNOTE-942 trial, RNA-based therapies, particularly circRNAs and piRNAs, have distinguished themselves as innovative sensitizers to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). These non-coding RNAs, notable for their stability and specificity, were once underrecognized but are now known for their crucial roles in regulating PD-L1 expression and bolstering anti-cancer immunity. Our manuscript offers a comprehensive analysis of selected circRNAs and piRNAs, elucidating their immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms, thus underscoring their potential as ICIs enhancers. In conjunction with the recent Nobel Prize-awarded advancements in mRNA vaccine technology, our review highlights the transformative implications of these findings for cancer treatment. We also discuss the prospects of circRNAs and piRNAs in future therapeutic applications and research. This study pioneers the synergistic application of circRNAs and piRNAs as novel sensitizers to augment PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition therapy, demonstrating their unique roles in regulating PD-L1 expression and modulating immune responses. Our findings offer a groundbreaking approach for enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, opening new avenues for treatment strategies. This abstract aims to encapsulate the essence of our research and the burgeoning role of these non-coding RNAs in enhancing PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition therapy, encouraging further investigation into this promising field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Han
- Department of Chinese Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiwu Rao
- Department of Oncology, The First Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huiling Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lingeng Lu
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- School of Medicine, Center for Biomedical Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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3
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Gu M, Liu Y, Xin P, Guo W, Zhao Z, Yang X, Ma R, Jiao T, Zheng W. Fundamental insights and molecular interactions in pancreatic cancer: Pathways to therapeutic approaches. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216738. [PMID: 38401887 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216738] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract can be affected by a number of diseases that pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant manifestation of them. The prognosis of PC patients is unfavorable and because of their diagnosis at advanced stage, the treatment of this tumor is problematic. Owing to low survival rate, there is much interest towards understanding the molecular profile of PC in an attempt in developing more effective therapeutics. The conventional therapeutics for PC include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as emerging immunotherapy. However, PC is still incurable and more effort should be performed. The molecular landscape of PC is an underlying factor involved in increase in progression of tumor cells. In the presence review, the newest advances in understanding the molecular and biological events in PC are discussed. The dysregulation of molecular pathways including AMPK, MAPK, STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin and non-coding RNA transcripts has been suggested as a factor in development of tumorigenesis in PC. Moreover, cell death mechanisms such as apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis and necroptosis demonstrate abnormal levels. The EMT and glycolysis in PC cells enhance to ensure their metastasis and proliferation. Furthermore, such abnormal changes have been used to develop corresponding pharmacological and nanotechnological therapeutics for PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Gu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Peng Xin
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Zimo Zhao
- Department of Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Xu Yang
- Department of Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Ruiyang Ma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China.
| | - Taiwei Jiao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China.
| | - Wenhui Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China.
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4
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Xu A, Zhu L, Yao C, Zhou W, Guan Z. The therapeutic potential of circular RNA in triple-negative breast cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:13. [PMID: 38835343 PMCID: PMC11149105 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is among the most aggressive subtypes of the disease that does not express estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of non-coding RNA with a circular shape formed by non-standard splicing or reverse splicing. Numerous circRNAs exhibit abnormal expression in various malignancies, showing their critical role in the emergence and growth of tumors. Recent studies have shown evidence supporting the idea that certain circRNAs regulate the proliferation and metastasis of TNBC. In addition, circRNAs alter metabolism and the immune microenvironment to promote or inhibit the development of TNBC. Notably, circRNAs may affect the efficacy of clinical drug therapy, serve as therapeutic targets, and be used as molecular biomarkers in the future. Herein, we will first summarize the biogenesis and function of circRNAs. Then, we will explain current research on circRNAs related to TNBC and their potential to serve as therapeutic targets or biomarkers for future drug development, providing a new direction and idea for TNBC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiqi Xu
- Department of Breast Oncology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Lewei Zhu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, Guangdong, China
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Chengcai Yao
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Foshan 528200, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Foshan 528200, Guangdong, China
| | - Ziyun Guan
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Foshan 528200, Guangdong, China
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5
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Guo S, Wang Z. Unveiling the immunosuppressive landscape of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: implications for innovative immunotherapy strategies. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1349308. [PMID: 38590651 PMCID: PMC10999533 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1349308] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer, particularly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), stands as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, marked by challenging treatment and dismal prognoses. As immunotherapy emerges as a promising avenue for mitigating PDAC's malignant progression, a comprehensive understanding of the tumor's immunosuppressive characteristics becomes imperative. This paper systematically delves into the intricate immunosuppressive network within PDAC, spotlighting the significant crosstalk between immunosuppressive cells and factors in the hypoxic acidic pancreatic tumor microenvironment. By elucidating these mechanisms, we aim to provide insights into potential immunotherapy strategies and treatment targets, laying the groundwork for future studies on PDAC immunosuppression. Recognizing the profound impact of immunosuppression on PDAC invasion and metastasis, this discussion aims to catalyze the development of more effective and targeted immunotherapies for PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyu Guo
- First Clinical Medical College, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
- Department of Hepatic-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhenxia Wang
- Department of Hepatic-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
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6
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Zabeti Touchaei A, Vahidi S. MicroRNAs as regulators of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy: targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 pathways. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:102. [PMID: 38462628 PMCID: PMC10926683 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03293-6] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by harnessing the power of the immune system to eliminate tumors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) block negative regulatory signals that prevent T cells from attacking cancer cells. Two key ICIs target the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, which includes programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and its receptor programmed death 1 (PD-1). Another ICI targets cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). While ICIs have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in various malignancies, only a subset of patients respond favorably. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, play a crucial role in modulating immune checkpoints, including PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4. This review summarizes the latest advancements in immunotherapy, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 immune checkpoints and the regulatory role of miRNAs in modulating these pathways. Consequently, understanding the complex interplay between miRNAs and immune checkpoints is essential for developing more effective and personalized immunotherapy strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sogand Vahidi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
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Elemam NM, Mekky RY, Rashid G, Braoudaki M, Youness RA. Pharmacogenomic and epigenomic approaches to untangle the enigma of IL-10 blockade in oncology. Expert Rev Mol Med 2024; 26:e1. [PMID: 38186186 PMCID: PMC10941350 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2023.26] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The host immune system status remains an unresolved mystery among several malignancies. An immune-compromised state or smart immune-surveillance tactics orchestrated by cancer cells are the primary cause of cancer invasion and metastasis. Taking a closer look at the tumour-immune microenvironment, a complex network and crosstalk between infiltrating immune cells and cancer cells mediated by cytokines, chemokines, exosomal mediators and shed ligands are present. Cytokines such as interleukins can influence all components of the tumour microenvironment (TME), consequently promoting or suppressing tumour invasion based on their secreting source. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an interlocked cytokine that has been associated with several types of malignancies and proved to have paradoxical effects. IL-10 has multiple functions on cellular and non-cellular components within the TME. In this review, the authors shed the light on the regulatory role of IL-10 in the TME of several malignant contexts. Moreover, detailed epigenomic and pharmacogenomic approaches for the regulation of IL-10 were presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha M. Elemam
- Research Instiute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Radwa Y. Mekky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA University), Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | - Gowhar Rashid
- Amity Medical School, Amity University, Gurugram (Manesar) 122413, Haryana, India
| | - Maria Braoudaki
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Rana A. Youness
- Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biotechnology, German International University, Cairo 11835, Egypt
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8
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Meng L, Wu H, Wu J, Ding P, He J, Sang M, Liu L. Mechanisms of immune checkpoint inhibitors: insights into the regulation of circular RNAS involved in cancer hallmarks. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:3. [PMID: 38177102 PMCID: PMC10766988 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06389-5] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Current treatment strategies for cancer, especially advanced cancer, are limited and unsatisfactory. One of the most substantial advances in cancer therapy, in the last decades, was the discovery of a new layer of immunotherapy approach, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which can specifically activate immune cells by targeting immune checkpoints. Immune checkpoints are a type of immunosuppressive molecules expressed on immune cells, which can regulate the degree of immune activation and avoid autoimmune responses. ICIs, such as anti-PD-1/PD-L1 drugs, has shown inspiring efficacy and broad applicability across various cancers. Unfortunately, not all cancer patients benefit remarkably from ICIs, and the overall response rates to ICIs remain relatively low for most cancer types. Moreover, the primary and acquired resistance to ICIs pose serious challenges to the clinical application of cancer immunotherapy. Thus, a deeper understanding of the molecular biological properties and regulatory mechanisms of immune checkpoints is urgently needed to improve clinical options for current therapies. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have attracted increasing attention, not only due to their involvement in various aspects of cancer hallmarks, but also for their impact on immune checkpoints in shaping the tumor immune microenvironment. In this review, we systematically summarize the current status of immune checkpoints in cancer and the existing regulatory roles of circRNAs on immune checkpoints. Meanwhile, we also aim to settle the issue in an evidence-oriented manner that circRNAs involved in cancer hallmarks regulate the effects and resistance of ICIs by targeting immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjiao Meng
- Department of Tumor Immunotherapy, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050035, China
- Research Center and Tumor Research Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, China
| | - Haotian Wu
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Comprehensive Treatment of Gastric Cancer, Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
| | - Jiaxiang Wu
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Comprehensive Treatment of Gastric Cancer, Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
| | - Ping'an Ding
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Comprehensive Treatment of Gastric Cancer, Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
| | - Jinchen He
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Comprehensive Treatment of Gastric Cancer, Shijiazhuang, 050011, China
| | - Meixiang Sang
- Research Center and Tumor Research Institute, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, China.
- Science and Education Department, Shanghai Electric Power Hospital, Shanghai, 20050, China.
| | - Lihua Liu
- Department of Tumor Immunotherapy, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050035, China.
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9
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Xiong Y, Kong X, Mei H, Wang J, Zhou S. Bioinformatics-based analysis of the relationship between disulfidptosis and prognosis and treatment response in pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22218. [PMID: 38097783 PMCID: PMC10721597 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49752-4] [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: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor formation is closely associated with disulfidptosis, a new form of cell death induced by disulfide stress-induced. The exact mechanism of action of disulfidptosis in pancreatic cancer (PCa) is not clear. This study analyzed the impact of disulfidptosis-related genes (DRGs) on the prognosis of PCa and identified clusters of DRGs, and based on this, a risk score (RS) signature was developed to assess the impact of RS on the prognosis, immune and chemotherapeutic response of PCa patients. Based on transcriptomic data and clinical information from PCa tissue and normal pancreatic tissue samples obtained from the TCGA and GTEx databases, differentially expressed and differentially surviving DRGs in PCa were identified from among 15 DRGs. Two DRGs clusters were identified by consensus clustering by merging the PCa samples in the GSE183795 dataset. Analysis of DRGs clusters about the PCa tumor microenvironment and differential analysis to obtain differential genes between the two DRG clusters. Patients were then randomized into the training and testing sets, and a prognostic prediction signature associated with disulfidptosis was constructed in the training set. Then all samples were divided into high-disulfidptosis-risk (HDR) and low-disulfidptosis-risk (LDR) subgroups based on the RS calculated from the signature. The predictive efficacy of the signature was assessed by survival analysis, nomograms, correlation analysis of clinicopathological characteristics, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. To assess differences between different risk subgroups in immune cell infiltration, expression of immune checkpoint molecules, somatic gene mutations, and effectiveness of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. The GSE57495 dataset was used as external validation, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of DRGs. A total of 12 DRGs with differential expression and prognosis in PCa were identified, based on which a risk-prognosis signature containing five differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was developed. The signature was a good predictor and an independent risk factor. The nomogram and calibration curve shows the signature's excellent clinical applicability. Functional enrichment analysis showed that RS was associated with tumor and immune-related pathways. RS was strongly associated with the tumor microenvironment, and analysis of response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy suggests that the signature can be used to assess the sensitivity of treatments. External validation further demonstrated the model's efficacy in predicting the prognosis of PCa patients, with RT-qPCR and immunohistochemical maps visualizing the expression of each gene in PCa cell lines and the tissue. Our study is the first to apply the subtyping model of disulfidptosis to PCa and construct a signature based on the disulfidptosis subtype, which can provide an accurate assessment of prognosis, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy response in PCa patients, providing new targets and directions for the prognosis and treatment of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanpeng Xiong
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xiaoyu Kong
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Haoran Mei
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shifa Zhou
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China.
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10
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Xiong D, Zhang L, Sun ZJ. Targeting the epigenome to reinvigorate T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Mil Med Res 2023; 10:59. [PMID: 38044445 PMCID: PMC10694991 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-023-00496-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy using immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the field of cancer treatment; however, ICI efficacy is constrained by progressive dysfunction of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which is termed T cell exhaustion. This process is driven by diverse extrinsic factors across heterogeneous tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Simultaneously, tumorigenesis entails robust reshaping of the epigenetic landscape, potentially instigating T cell exhaustion. In this review, we summarize the epigenetic mechanisms governing tumor microenvironmental cues leading to T cell exhaustion, and discuss therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators for immunotherapies. Finally, we outline conceptual and technical advances in developing potential treatment paradigms involving immunostimulatory agents and epigenetic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
| | - Zhi-Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School and and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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11
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Jian S, Kong D, Tian J. Expression of miR-425-5p in Pancreatic Carcinoma and Its Correlation with Tumor Immune Microenvironment. J INVEST SURG 2023; 36:2216756. [PMID: 37455016 DOI: 10.1080/08941939.2023.2216756] [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: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic carcinoma (PC) is a global health threat with a high death rate. miRNAs are implicated in tumor initiation and progression. This study explored the expression of miR-425-5p in PC patients and its correlation with tumor immune microenvironment (TIME).Method: miR-425-5p expression in cancer tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues of PC patients was examined by RT-qPCR. The levels of immune cells and cytokines were measured by flow cytometry and ELISA. The correlation of miR-425-5p with TNM stage and TIME was assessed by Spearman method. The death of PC patients was recorded through 36-month follow-ups. The prognosis of patients was assessed by Kaplan-Meier curves.Results: miR-425-5p expression was upregulated in PC tissues and elevated with increasing TNM stage. miR-425-5p expression was positively correlated with TNM stage. The PC tissues had decreased levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and natural killer (NK) cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, IL-2, and INF-γ, but increased levels of Tregs, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β. miR-425-5p level in cancer tissues was positively correlated with Tregs/IL-10/TGF-β, but negatively related to CD3+/CD4+/CD8+/NK cells and IL-2/INF-γ. Moreover, high miR-425-5p expression predicted a poor prognosis in PC patients.Conclusion: miR-425-5p is upregulated in PC patients and is prominently associated with the TIME, and high miR-425-5p predicts a poor prognosis in PC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Jian
- Department of Oncology, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Dehua Kong
- Department of Oncology, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jieli Tian
- Department of Oncology, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan Province, China
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12
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Zang J, Xiao L, Shi X, Liu S, Wang Y, Sun B, Ju S, Cui M, Jing R. Hsa_circ_0001479 accelerates tumorigenesis of gastric cancer and mediates immune escape. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110887. [PMID: 37683398 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110887] [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: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a common fatal malignant tumor of the digestive tract, particularly in Asia. Circular RNA (circRNA) has been proved to regulate malignancy progression and immunotherapeutic efficacy in multiple tumors, including GC. Notably, the function of circRNAs in GC has not been completely revealed. Therefore, exploration of more GC related circRNAs may provide potential strategies for GC treatment. In the study, it was observed that hsa_circ_0001479 exhibited a high level of expression in GC and was subsequently found to be associated with the depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage. Functionally, the overexpression of hsa_circ_0001479 was found to enhance the proliferation and migration of GC cells, as evidenced by various experiments such as CCK-8, EdU, colony forming and transwell. Dual-luciferase reporter assay verified that hsa_circ_0001479 upregulated DEK expression by sponge targeting miR-133a-5p. Further investigations indicated DEK affected the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to promote accumulation of downstream c-Myc. As a transcription factor, c-Myc combined with the promoter of hsa_circ_0001479 parent gene to stimulate hsa_circ_0001479 generation. Besides, hsa_circ_0001479 inhibited theinfiltration with CD8+T cells in GC and associated with immune checkpoints. In summary, hsa_circ_0001479 accelerated the development and metastasis of GC and mediates immune escape of CD8+T cells. Targeting it may provide a novel immunotherapy to better locally treat GC and reduce the incidence of metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Zang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin Xiao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Shi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sinan Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Nantong, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Baolan Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shaoqing Ju
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ming Cui
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Rongrong Jing
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.
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Ashrafizadeh M, Zhang W, Zou R, Sethi G, Klionsky DJ, Zhang X. A bioinformatics analysis, pre-clinical and clinical conception of autophagy in pancreatic cancer: Complexity and simplicity in crosstalk. Pharmacol Res 2023; 194:106822. [PMID: 37336429 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a serious gastrointestinal tract disease for which the 5-year survival rate is less than 10%, even in developed countries such as the USA. The genomic profile alterations and dysregulated biological mechanisms commonly occur in PC. Macroautophagy/autophagy is a cell death process that is maintained at a basal level in physiological conditions, whereas its level often changes during tumorigenesis. The function of autophagy in human cancers is dual and can be oncogenic and onco-suppressor. Autophagy is a potent controller of tumorigenesis in PC. The supportive autophagy in PC escalates the growth rate of PC cells and its suppression can mediate cell death. Autophagy also determines the metastasis of PC cells, and it can control the EMT in affecting migration. Moreover, starvation and hypoxia can stimulate glycolysis, and glycolysis induction can be mediated by autophagy in enhancing tumorigenesis in PC. Furthermore, protective autophagy stimulates drug resistance and gemcitabine resistance in PC cells, and its inhibition can enhance radiosensitivity. Autophagy can degrade MHC-I to mediate immune evasion and also regulates polarization of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Modulation of autophagy activity is provided by silibinin, ursolic acid, chrysin and huaier in the treatment of PC. Non-coding RNAs are also controllers of autophagy in PC and its inhibition can improve therapy response in patients. Moreover, mitophagy shows dysregulation in PC, which can enhance the proliferation of PC cells. Therefore, a bioinformatics analysis demonstrates the dysregulation of autophagy-related proteins and genes in PC as biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China; Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Rongjun Zou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China; The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, Guangdong, China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology and NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Daniel J Klionsky
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
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14
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Gautam SK, Batra SK, Jain M. Molecular and metabolic regulation of immunosuppression in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:118. [PMID: 37488598 PMCID: PMC10367391 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01813-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppression is a hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), contributing to early metastasis and poor patient survival. Compared to the localized tumors, current standard-of-care therapies have failed to improve the survival of patients with metastatic PDAC, that necessecitates exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. While immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and therapeutic vaccines have emerged as promising treatment modalities in certain cancers, limited responses have been achieved in PDAC. Therefore, specific mechanisms regulating the poor response to immunotherapy must be explored. The immunosuppressive microenvironment driven by oncogenic mutations, tumor secretome, non-coding RNAs, and tumor microbiome persists throughout PDAC progression, allowing neoplastic cells to grow locally and metastasize distantly. The metastatic cells escaping the host immune surveillance are unique in molecular, immunological, and metabolic characteristics. Following chemokine and exosomal guidance, these cells metastasize to the organ-specific pre-metastatic niches (PMNs) constituted by local resident cells, stromal fibroblasts, and suppressive immune cells, such as the metastasis-associated macrophages, neutrophils, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The metastatic immune microenvironment differs from primary tumors in stromal and immune cell composition, functionality, and metabolism. Thus far, multiple molecular and metabolic pathways, distinct from primary tumors, have been identified that dampen immune effector functions, confounding the immunotherapy response in metastatic PDAC. This review describes major immunoregulatory pathways that contribute to the metastatic progression and limit immunotherapy outcomes in PDAC. Overall, we highlight the therapeutic vulnerabilities attributable to immunosuppressive factors and discuss whether targeting these molecular and immunological "hot spots" could improve the outcomes of PDAC immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailendra K Gautam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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15
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Zhao R, Han Z, Zhou H, Xue Y, Chen X, Cao X. Diagnostic and prognostic role of circRNAs in pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1174577. [PMID: 37361594 PMCID: PMC10285410 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1174577] [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: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are types of endogenous noncoding RNAs produced by selective splicing that are expressed highly specifically in various organisms and tissues and have numerous clinical implications in the regulation of cancer development and progression. Since circRNA is resistant to digestion by ribonucleases and has a long half-life, there is increasing evidence that circRNA can be used as an ideal candidate biomarker for the early diagnosis and prognosis of tumors. In this study, we aimed to reveal the diagnostic and prognostic value of circRNA in human pancreatic cancer (PC). Methods A systematic search for publications from inception to 22 July 2022 was conducted on Embase, PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), and the Cochrane Library databases. Available studies that correlated circRNA expression in tissue or serum with the clinicopathological, diagnostic, and prognostic values of PC patients were enrolled. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate clinical pathological characteristics. Area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were adopted to assess diagnostic value. Hazard ratios (HRs) were utilized to assess disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results This meta-analysis enrolled 32 eligible studies, including six on diagnosis and 21 on prognosis, which accounted for 2,396 cases from 245 references. For clinical parameters, high expression of carcinogenic circRNA was significantly associated with degree of differentiation (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.47-2.34), TNM stage (OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.35-0.62), lymph node metastasis (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.32-0.48), and distant metastasis (OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.13-0.51). As for clinical diagnostic utility, circRNA could discriminate patients with pancreatic cancer from controls, with an AUC of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.82-0.88), a relatively high sensitivity of 84%, and a specificity of 80% in tissue. In terms of prognostic significance, carcinogenic circRNA was correlated with poor OS (HR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.76-2.26) and DFS (HR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.47-2.62). Conclusion In summary, this study demonstrated that circRNA may act as a significant diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihua Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhuo Han
- Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Haiting Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaru Xue
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiaobing Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinguang Cao
- Department of Digestive Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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16
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Qadir J, Wen SY, Yuan H, Yang BB. CircRNAs regulate the crosstalk between inflammation and tumorigenesis: The bilateral association and molecular mechanisms. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1514-1532. [PMID: 36518080 PMCID: PMC10278049 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation, a hallmark of cancer, has been associated with tumor progression, transition into malignant phenotype and efficacy of the chemotherapeutic agents in cancer. Chronic inflammation provides a favorable environment for tumorigenesis by inducing immunosuppression, whereas acute inflammation prompts tumor suppression by generating anti-tumor immune responses. Inflammatory factors derived from interstitial cells or tumor cells can stimulate cell proliferation and survival by modulating oncogenes and/or tumor suppressors. Recently, a new class of RNAs, i.e., circular RNAs (circRNAs), has been implicated in inflammatory diseases. Although there are reports on circRNAs imparting functions in inflammatory insults, whether these circularized transcripts hold the potential to regulate inflammation-induced cancer or tumor-related inflammation, and modulate the interactions between tumor microenvironment (TME) and the inflammatory stromal/immune cells, awaits further elucidation. Contextually, the current review describes the molecular association between inflammation and cancer, and spotlights the regulatory mechanisms by which circRNAs can moderate TME in response to inflammatory signals/triggers. We also present comprehensive information about the immune cell(s)-specific expression and functions of the circRNAs in TME, modulation of inflammatory signaling pathways to drive tumorigenesis, and their plausible roles in inflammasomes and tumor development. Moreover, the therapeutic potential of these circRNAs in harnessing inflammatory responses in cancer is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javeria Qadir
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shuo-Yang Wen
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hui Yuan
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Burton B Yang
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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17
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Sun G, Yang Z, Fang K, Xiong Y, Tu S, Yi S, Xiao W. Distribution characteristics and clinical significance of infiltrating T cells in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer. Oncol Lett 2023; 25:261. [PMID: 37205920 PMCID: PMC10189847 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13847] [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: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are important components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the distribution characteristics of TILs and their significance in pancreatic cancer (PC) remain largely unexplored. The levels of TILs, including the total number of T cells, cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), regulatory T-cells (Tregs), programmed cell death protein 1+ T cells and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1)+ T cells, in the TME of patients with PC were detected using multiple fluorescence immunohistochemistry. The associations between the number of TILs and the clinicopathological characteristics were investigated using χ2 tests. In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were used to assess the prognostic value of these TIL types. Compared with paracancerous tissues, in PC tissues, the proportions of total T cells, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ CTLs were markedly decreased, while those of Tregs and PD-L1+ T cells were significantly increased. The levels of CD4+ T cell and CD8+ CTL infiltrates were inversely associated with tumor differentiation. Higher infiltrates of Tregs and PD-L1+ T cells were closely associated with advanced N and TNM stages. It is important to note that the infiltrates of total T cells, CD4+ T cells, Tregs and PD-L1+ T cells in the TME were independent risk factors for the prognosis of PC. PC was characterized by an immunosuppressive TME with a decrease in the number of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ CTLs, and an increase in the number of Tregs and PD-L1+ T cells. Overall, the number of total T cells, CD4+ T cells, Tregs and PD-L1+ T cells in the TME was a potential predictive marker for the prognosis of PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Zhengjiang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang College, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332001, P.R. China
| | - Kang Fang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yuanpeng Xiong
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Shuju Tu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Siqing Yi
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Weidong Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
- Correspondence to: Dr Weidong Xiao, Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizhengjie, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China, E-mail:
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18
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Regulation of the tumor immune microenvironment by cancer-derived circular RNAs. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:132. [PMID: 36797245 PMCID: PMC9935907 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05647-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNA (circRNAs) is a covalently closed circular non-coding RNA formed by reverse back-splicing from precursor messenger RNA. It is found widely in eukaryotic cells and can be released to the surrounding environment and captured by other cell types. This, circRNAs serve as connections between different cell types for the mediation of multiple signaling pathways. CircRNAs reshape the tumor microenvironment (TME), a key factor involved in all stages of cancer development, by regulating epithelial-stromal transformation, tumor vascularization, immune cell function, and inflammatory responses. Immune cells are the most abundant cellular TME components, and they have profound toxicity to cancer cells. This review summarizes circRNA regulation of immune cells, including T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages; highlights the impact of circRNAs on tumor progression, treatment, and prognosis; and indicates new targets for tumor immunotherapy.
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