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Saeheng T, Karbwang J, Na-Bangchang K. Interleukin-6 and Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio Indices Identify Patients with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. Biomedicines 2024; 12:844. [PMID: 38672199 PMCID: PMC11047984 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a fatal biliary tract cancer with a dismal prognosis due to ineffective diagnostic tools with limited clinical utility. This study investigated peripheral blood indices and cytokine levels to diagnose iCCA. METHODS Blood samples were collected from healthy subjects (n = 48) and patients with advanced-stage iCCA (n = 47) during a phase I and then phase II trial, respectively. Serum cytokines were measured using a flow cytometer. The peripheral blood indices were estimated based on laboratory data. Multi-linear regression analysis was applied, followed by a probability transformation. The cut-off value and model accuracy were determined using the receiver operating curve (ROC) and the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS The interleukin-6 (IL6) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were potential predictors of iCCA [AUC = 0.91 (0.85-0.97) and 0.81 (0.68-0.93); sensitivity = 0.70 and 0.91; specificity = 0.91 and 0.85, respectively]. Patients with IL6 concentrations higher than 11.635 pg/mL (OR = 23.33, p < 0.001) or LMR lower than 7.2 (OR = 58.08, p < 0.001) are at risk of iCCA development. Patients with IL6 levels higher than 21.83 pg/mL, between 15.95 and 21.83 pg/mL, between 8.8 and 15.94 pg/mL, and lower than 8.8 pg/mL were classified as very high-, high-, intermediate-, and low-risk, respectively. Patients with an LMR between 1 and 3.37, 3.38 and 5.76, 5.77 and 7.18, and higher than 7.18 were classified as very high-, high-, intermediate-, and low-risk, respectively. CONCLUSIONS LMR is recommended for iCCA screening since the estimation is based on a routine laboratory test, which is available in most hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teerachat Saeheng
- Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), 99, moo 18, Phaholyothin Road, Klongneung Sub-District, Klongluang District, Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand;
| | - Juntra Karbwang
- Drug Discovery and Development Center, Office of Advanced Science and Technology, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand;
| | - Kesara Na-Bangchang
- Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), 99, moo 18, Phaholyothin Road, Klongneung Sub-District, Klongluang District, Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand;
- Drug Discovery and Development Center, Office of Advanced Science and Technology, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand;
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Lu Y, Li H, Zhao P, Tian L, Liu Y, Sun X, Cheng Y. Dynamic phenotypic reprogramming and chemoresistance induced by lung fibroblasts in small cell lung cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2884. [PMID: 38311608 PMCID: PMC10838940 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52687-z] [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: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is heterogenous in phenotype and microenvironment. Dynamic phenotypic reprogramming, leading to heterogeneity, is prevalent in SCLC, while the mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) possess comprehensive roles in cancer progression, while their function in phenotypic reprogramming of SCLC remain elusive. Here, we obtained transcriptome data of SCLC tissues from publicly available databases, subsequently estimated abundance of CAFs. We found CAF-abundant SCLC exhibited non-neuroendocrine (Non-NE) characteristics. Supporting this, the positive correlation of expression level of α-SMA, the CAF marker, and expression level of REST, protein typically expressed in Non-NE type SCLC, was identified in SCLC tissue arrays. Moreover, we revealed that fibroblasts inhibited NE markers expression and cell proliferation of SCLC cells in the co-culture system comprising lung fibroblasts and SCLC cells, indicating a phenotypic reprogramming from NE to Non-NE. During this process, fibroblast-derived IL-6 activated the JAK2/STAT3 signaling, upregulated c-MYC expression, and subsequently activated the NOTCH pathway, driving phenotypic reprogramming. Moreover, CAF-enriched SCLC exhibited increased immune cell infiltration, elevated expression of immune activation-related signatures, and checkpoint molecules. Our data also highlighted the chemoresistance induced by fibroblasts in SCLC cells, which was effectively reversed by JAK inhibitor. In conclusion, fibroblasts induced phenotypic reprogramming of SCLC cells from NE to Non-NE, likely contributes to inflamed immune microenvironment and chemoresistance. These findings provide novel insights into the clinical implications of CAFs in SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhua Lu
- Postdoctoral Research Workstation, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Hui Li
- Medical Oncology Translational Research Lab, Jilin Cancer Hospital, No. 1066, Jinhu Road, High-tech District, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, China
| | - Peiyan Zhao
- Medical Oncology Translational Research Lab, Jilin Cancer Hospital, No. 1066, Jinhu Road, High-tech District, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, China
| | - Lin Tian
- Postdoctoral Research Workstation, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Medical Oncology Translational Research Lab, Jilin Cancer Hospital, No. 1066, Jinhu Road, High-tech District, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, China
| | - XiaoDan Sun
- Department of 1st Gynecologic Oncology Surgery, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Ying Cheng
- Medical Oncology Translational Research Lab, Jilin Cancer Hospital, No. 1066, Jinhu Road, High-tech District, Changchun, 130012, Jilin, China.
- Department of Medical Thoracic Oncology, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China.
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3
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Thongchot S, Ferraresi A, Vidoni C, Salwa A, Vallino L, Kittirat Y, Loilome W, Namwat N, Isidoro C. Preclinical evidence for preventive and curative effects of resveratrol on xenograft cholangiocarcinogenesis. Cancer Lett 2024; 582:216589. [PMID: 38097133 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216589] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the malignant tumor of bile duct epithelial cells, is a relatively rare yet highly lethal cancer. In this work, we tested the ability of Resveratrol (RV) to prevent and cure CCA xenograft in nude mice and investigated molecular mechanisms underpinning such anticancer effect. Human CCA cells were xenografted in mice that were or not treated prior to or after to transplantation with RV. Tumor growth was monitored and analyzed for the markers of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. TCGA was interrogated for the molecules possibly targeted by RV. RV could inhibit the growth of human CCA xenograft when administered after implantation and could reduce the growth or even impair the implantation of the tumors when administered prior the transplantation. RV inhibited CCA cell proliferation, induced apoptosis with autophagy, and strongly reduced the presence of CAFs and production of IL-6. Interrogation of CCA dataset in TCGA database revealed that the expression of IL-6 Receptor (IL-6R) inversely correlated with that of MAP-LC3 and BECLIN-1, and that low expression of IL-6R and of MIK67, two pathways downregulated by RV, associated with better survival of CCA patients. Our data demonstrate that RV elicits a strong preventive and curative anticancer effect in CCA by limiting the formation of CAFs and their release of IL-6, and this results in up-regulation of autophagy and apoptosis in the cancer cells. These findings support the clinical use of RV as a primary line of prevention in patients exposed at risk and as an adjuvant therapeutics in CCA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyanee Thongchot
- Department of Systems Biosciences and Computational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Highway, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand; Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Alessandra Ferraresi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Chiara Vidoni
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Amreen Salwa
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Letizia Vallino
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Yingpinyapat Kittirat
- Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Highway, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Department of Medical Sciences, Regional Medical Sciences Center 2 Phitsanulok, Ministry of Public Health, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Watcharin Loilome
- Department of Systems Biosciences and Computational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Highway, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Highway, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
| | - Nisana Namwat
- Department of Systems Biosciences and Computational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Highway, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Highway, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.
| | - Ciro Isidoro
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Via Solaroli 17, 28100, Novara, Italy.
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Gazzillo A, Volponi C, Soldani C, Polidoro MA, Franceschini B, Lleo A, Bonavita E, Donadon M. Cellular Senescence in Liver Cancer: How Dying Cells Become "Zombie" Enemies. Biomedicines 2023; 12:26. [PMID: 38275386 PMCID: PMC10813254 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer represents the fourth leading cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. The heterogeneity of its tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major contributing factor of metastasis, relapse, and drug resistance. Regrettably, late diagnosis makes most liver cancer patients ineligible for surgery, and the frequent failure of non-surgical therapeutic options orientates clinical research to the investigation of new drugs. In this context, cellular senescence has been recently shown to play a pivotal role in the progression of chronic inflammatory liver diseases, ultimately leading to cancer. Moreover, the stem-like state triggered by senescence has been associated with the emergence of drug-resistant, aggressive tumor clones. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have emerged to investigate senescence-associated hepatocarcinogenesis and its derived therapies, leading to promising results. In this review, we intend to provide an overview of the recent evidence that unveils the role of cellular senescence in the most frequent forms of primary and metastatic liver cancer, focusing on the involvement of this mechanism in therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Gazzillo
- Cellular and Molecular Oncoimmunology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (A.G.); (C.V.); (E.B.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Italy;
| | - Camilla Volponi
- Cellular and Molecular Oncoimmunology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (A.G.); (C.V.); (E.B.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Italy;
| | - Cristiana Soldani
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (C.S.); (M.A.P.); (B.F.)
| | - Michela Anna Polidoro
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (C.S.); (M.A.P.); (B.F.)
| | - Barbara Franceschini
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (C.S.); (M.A.P.); (B.F.)
| | - Ana Lleo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Italy;
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (C.S.); (M.A.P.); (B.F.)
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Eduardo Bonavita
- Cellular and Molecular Oncoimmunology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (A.G.); (C.V.); (E.B.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Italy;
| | - Matteo Donadon
- Hepatobiliary Immunopathology Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Rozzano, Italy; (C.S.); (M.A.P.); (B.F.)
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Department of General Surgery, University Maggiore Hospital della Carità, 28100 Novara, Italy
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Zhou M, Na R, Lai S, Guo Y, Shi J, Nie J, Zhang S, Wang Y, Zheng T. The present roles and future perspectives of Interleukin-6 in biliary tract cancer. Cytokine 2023; 169:156271. [PMID: 37331095 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a highly malignant tumor that originates from bile duct epithelium and is categorized into intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA), distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) and gallbladder cancer (GBC) according to the anatomic location. Inflammatory cytokines generated by chronic infection led to an inflammatory microenvironment which influences the carcinogenesis of BTC. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine secreted by kupffer cells, tumor-associated macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and cancer cells, plays a central role in tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, proliferation, and metastasis in BTC. Besides, IL-6 serves as a clinical biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring for BTC. Moreover, preclinical evidence indicates that IL-6 antibodies could sensitize tumor immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) by altering the number of infiltrating immune cells and regulating the expression of immune checkpoints in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recently, IL-6 has been shown to induce programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression through the mTOR pathway in iCCA. However, the evidence is insufficient to conclude that IL-6 antibodies could boost the immune responses and potentially overcome the resistance to ICIs for BTC. Here, we systematically review the central role of IL-6 in BTC and summarize the potential mechanisms underlying the improved efficacy of treatments combining IL-6 antibodies with ICIs in tumors. Given this, a future direction is proposed for BTC to increase ICIs sensitivity by blocking IL-6 pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology of Heilongjiang Province, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ruisi Na
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology of Heilongjiang Province, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shihui Lai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology of Heilongjiang Province, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ying Guo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology of Heilongjiang Province, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology of Heilongjiang Province, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China; Department of Phase 1 Trials Center, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jianhua Nie
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology of Heilongjiang Province, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shuyuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology of Heilongjiang Province, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology of Heilongjiang Province, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Tongsen Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology of Heilongjiang Province, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China; Department of Phase 1 Trials Center, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150 Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
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Arima Y, Matsueda S, Saya H. Significance of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in the Interactions of Cancer Cells with the Tumor Microenvironment of Heterogeneous Tumor Tissue. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092536. [PMID: 37174001 PMCID: PMC10177529 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a key role in cancer development and progression, as well as contributes to the therapeutic resistance and metastasis of cancer cells. The TME is heterogeneous and consists of multiple cell types, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), endothelial cells, and immune cells, as well as various extracellular components. Recent studies have revealed cross talk between cancer cells and CAFs as well as between CAFs and other TME cells, including immune cells. Signaling by transforming growth factor-β, derived from CAFs, has recently been shown to induce remodeling of tumor tissue, including the promotion of angiogenesis and immune cell recruitment. Immunocompetent mouse cancer models that recapitulate interactions of cancer cells with the TME have provided insight into the TME network and support the development of new anticancer therapeutic strategies. Recent studies based on such models have revealed that the antitumor action of molecularly targeted agents is mediated in part by effects on the tumor immune environment. In this review, we focus on cancer cell-TME interactions in heterogeneous tumor tissue, and we provide an overview of the basis for anticancer therapeutic strategies that target the TME, including immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimi Arima
- Cancer Center, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan
| | - Satoko Matsueda
- Cancer Center, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Saya
- Cancer Center, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan
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