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Xiang Y, Wu J, Qin H. Advances in hepatocellular carcinoma drug resistance models. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1437226. [PMID: 39144662 PMCID: PMC11322137 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1437226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. Surgery has been the major treatment method for HCC owing to HCC's poor sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, its effectiveness is limited by postoperative tumour recurrence and metastasis. Systemic therapy is applied to eliminate postoperative residual tumour cells and improve the survival of patients with advanced HCC. Recently, the emergence of various novel targeted and immunotherapeutic drugs has significantly improved the prognosis of advanced HCC. However, targeted and immunological therapies may not always produce complete and long-lasting anti-tumour responses because of tumour heterogeneity and drug resistance. Traditional and patient-derived cell lines or animal models are used to investigate the drug resistance mechanisms of HCC and identify drugs that could reverse the resistance. This study comprehensively reviewed the established methods and applications of in-vivo and in-vitro HCC drug resistance models to further understand the resistance mechanisms in HCC treatment and provide a model basis for possible individualised therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yien Xiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hanjiao Qin
- Department of Radiotherapy, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Suoangbaji T, Zhang VX, Ng IOL, Ho DWH. Single-Cell Analysis of Primary Liver Cancer in Mouse Models. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030477. [PMID: 36766817 PMCID: PMC9914042 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC), consisting mainly of hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The curative therapy for PLC is surgical resection and liver transplantation, but most PLCs are inoperable at diagnosis. Even after surgery, there is a high rate of tumor recurrence. There is an unmet clinical need to discover more effective treatment options for advanced PLCs. Pre-clinical mouse models in PLC research have played a critical role in identifying key oncogenic drivers and signaling pathways in hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) have provided an unprecedented degree of resolution in such characterization. In this review, we will summarize the recent studies that utilized pre-clinical mouse models with the combination of scRNA-seq to provide an understanding of different aspects of PLC. We will focus particularly on the potentially actionable targets regarding the cellular and molecular components. We anticipate that the findings in mouse models could complement those in patients. With more defined etiological background, mouse models may provide valuable insights.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- Correspondence: (I.O.-L.N.); (D.W.-H.H.); Fax: +852-28872-5197 (I.O.-L.N.); +852-2819-5375 (D.W.-H.H.)
| | - Daniel Wai-Hung Ho
- Correspondence: (I.O.-L.N.); (D.W.-H.H.); Fax: +852-28872-5197 (I.O.-L.N.); +852-2819-5375 (D.W.-H.H.)
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Tian X, Yan T, Liu F, Liu Q, Zhao J, Xiong H, Jiang S. Link of sorafenib resistance with the tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma: Mechanistic insights. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:991052. [PMID: 36071839 PMCID: PMC9441942 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.991052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor with antiangiogenic, antiproliferative, and proapoptotic properties, is the first-line treatment for patients with late-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the therapeutic effect remains limited due to sorafenib resistance. Only about 30% of HCC patients respond well to the treatment, and the resistance almost inevitably happens within 6 months. Thus, it is critical to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and identify effective approaches to improve the therapeutic outcome. According to recent studies, tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune escape play critical roles in tumor occurrence, metastasis and anti-cancer drug resistance. The relevant mechanisms were focusing on hypoxia, tumor-associated immune-suppressive cells, and immunosuppressive molecules. In this review, we focus on sorafenib resistance and its relationship with liver cancer immune microenvironment, highlighting the importance of breaking sorafenib resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinchen Tian
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tinghao Yan
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fen Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qingbin Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Huabao Xiong
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Basic Medical School, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Huabao Xiong, ; Shulong Jiang,
| | - Shulong Jiang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Huabao Xiong, ; Shulong Jiang,
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Du F, Sun H, Sun F, Yang S, Tan H, Li X, Chai Y, Jiang Q, Han D. Knockdown of TANK-Binding Kinase 1 Enhances the Sensitivity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Molecular-Targeted Drugs. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:924523. [PMID: 35747750 PMCID: PMC9209752 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.924523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein kinase, TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), not only regulates various biological processes but also functions as an important regulator of human oncogenesis. However, the detailed function and molecular mechanisms of TBK1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially the resistance of HCC cells to molecular-targeted drugs, are almost unknown. In the present work, the role of TBK1 in regulating the sensitivity of HCC cells to molecular-targeted drugs was measured by multiple assays. The high expression of TBK1 was identified in HCC clinical specimens compared with paired non-tumor tissues. The high level of TBK1 in advanced HCC was associated with a poor prognosis in patients with advanced HCC who received the molecular-targeted drug, sorafenib, compared to patients with advanced HCC patients and a low level of TBK1. Overexpression of TBK1 in HCC cells induced their resistance to molecular-targeted drugs, whereas knockdown of TBK1 enhanced the cells’ sensitivity to molecular-targeted dugs. Regarding the mechanism, although overexpression of TBK1 enhanced expression levels of drug-resistance and pro-survival-/anti-apoptosis-related factors, knockdown of TBK1 repressed the expression of these factors in HCC cells. Therefore, TBK1 is a promising therapeutic target for HCC treatment and knockdown of TBK1 enhanced sensitivity of HCC cells to molecular-targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengxia Du
- Department of Pharmacy, Medical Support Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Huiwei Sun
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Sun
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Shiwei Yang
- Organ Transplant Center and Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haidong Tan
- Organ Transplant Center and Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yantao Chai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Qiyu Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Dongdong Han, ; Qiyu Jiang,
| | - Dongdong Han
- Organ Transplant Center and Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Dongdong Han, ; Qiyu Jiang,
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Zhang QY, Ho DWH, Tsui YM, Ng IOL. Single-Cell Transcriptomics of Liver Cancer: Hype or Insights? Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:513-525. [PMID: 35577269 PMCID: PMC9294331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by its high degrees of both inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity. Its complex tumor microenvironment is also crucial in promoting tumor progression. Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing provide an important highway to characterize the underlying pathogenesis and heterogeneity of HCC in an unprecedented degree of resolution. This review discusses the up-to-date discoveries from the latest studies of HCC with respect to the strength of single-cell RNA sequencing. We discuss its use in the dissection of the landscape of the intricate HCC ecosystem and highlight the major features at cellular levels, including the malignant cells, different immune cell types, and the various cell-cell interactions, which are crucial for developing effective immunotherapies. Finally, its translational applications will be discussed. Altogether, these explorations may give us some hints at the tumor growth and progression and drug resistance and recurrence, particularly in this era of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Yang Zhang
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Daniel Wai-Hung Ho
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yu-Man Tsui
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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