1
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Zhang X, Zhong Y, Yang Q. FOXM1 Upregulates O-GlcNAcylation Level Via The Hexosamine Biosynthesis Pathway to Promote Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cell Biochem Biophys 2024:10.1007/s12013-024-01393-8. [PMID: 39031247 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-024-01393-8] [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] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents significant challenges in treatment and prognosis because of its aggressive nature and high metastatic potential. This study aims to investigate the role of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) and its association with HCC progression and prognosis. We identified SPP1 and FOXM1 as hub genes within the HBP pathway, showing their correlation with poor prognosis and late-stage progression. In addition, the analysis uncovered the complex participation of the HBP pathway in nutrients and oxygen reactions, PI3K-AKT signaling, AMPK activation, and angiogenesis regulation. The disruption of these pathways is pivotal in influencing the growth and progression of HCC. Targeting the HBP presents a promising therapeutic approach to modulate the tumor microenvironment, thereby enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy. In addition, FOXM1 was identified as the HBP pathway regulator, influencing cellular O-GlcNAcylation level and VEGF secretion, thereby promoting angiogenesis in HCC. Inhibition of O-GlcNAcylation significantly hindered angiogenesis, which is suggested as a potential avenue for therapeutic intervention. Our research demonstrates the practicality of using the HBP-related gene as a prognostic marker in liver cancer patients and suggests targeting FOXM1 as a novel avenue for personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorong Zhang
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yifan Zhong
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin Province, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Department of Pathogenobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin Province, China.
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2
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Normanno N, Caridi V, Fassan M, Avallone A, Ciardiello F, Pinto C. Resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in colorectal cancer with deficient mismatch repair/microsatellite instability: misdiagnosis, pseudoprogression and/or tumor heterogeneity? EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2024; 5:495-507. [PMID: 38966168 PMCID: PMC11220308 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2024.00231] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) with deficiency of the deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) pathway/microsatellite instability (MSI) is characterized by a high mutation load and infiltration of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. In agreement with these findings, clinical trials have demonstrated a significant activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in dMMR/MSI metastatic CRC (mCRC) patients and, more recently, in CRC patients with early disease undergoing neoadjuvant therapy. However, despite high response rates and durable clinical benefits, a fraction of mCRC patients, up to 30%, showed progressive disease when treated with single agent anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) antibody. This article discusses the three main causes that have been associated with early progression of dMMR/MSI mCRC patients while on treatment with ICIs, i.e., misdiagnosis, pseudoprogression and tumor heterogeneity. While pseudoprogression probably does not play a relevant role, data from clinical studies demonstrate that some dMMR/MSI CRC cases with rapid progression on ICIs may be misdiagnosed, underlining the importance of correct diagnostics. More importantly, evidence suggests that dMMR/MSI mCRC is a heterogeneous group of tumors with different sensitivity to ICIs. Therefore, we propose novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome of dMMR/MSI CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Normanno
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Vincenza Caridi
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, 35100 Padua, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, 35100 Padua, Italy
| | - Antonio Avallone
- Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Fortunato Ciardiello
- Department of Precision Medicine, The University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmine Pinto
- Medical Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Centre IRCCS-AUSL Reggio Emilia, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy
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3
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Facchin S, Bertin L, Bonazzi E, Lorenzon G, De Barba C, Barberio B, Zingone F, Maniero D, Scarpa M, Ruffolo C, Angriman I, Savarino EV. Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Human Health: From Metabolic Pathways to Current Therapeutic Implications. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:559. [PMID: 38792581 PMCID: PMC11122327 DOI: 10.3390/life14050559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is home to trillions of diverse microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiota, which play a pivotal role in breaking down undigested foods, such as dietary fibers. Through the fermentation of these food components, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate are produced, offering numerous health benefits to the host. The production and absorption of these SCFAs occur through various mechanisms within the human intestine, contingent upon the types of dietary fibers reaching the gut and the specific microorganisms engaged in fermentation. Medical literature extensively documents the supplementation of SCFAs, particularly butyrate, in the treatment of gastrointestinal, metabolic, cardiovascular, and gut-brain-related disorders. This review seeks to provide an overview of the dynamics involved in the production and absorption of acetate, propionate, and butyrate within the human gut. Additionally, it will focus on the pivotal roles these SCFAs play in promoting gastrointestinal and metabolic health, as well as their current therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Facchin
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Luisa Bertin
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Erica Bonazzi
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Greta Lorenzon
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Caterina De Barba
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Brigida Barberio
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Fabiana Zingone
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Daria Maniero
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Marco Scarpa
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35138 Padua, Italy (C.R.); (I.A.)
| | - Cesare Ruffolo
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35138 Padua, Italy (C.R.); (I.A.)
| | - Imerio Angriman
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35138 Padua, Italy (C.R.); (I.A.)
| | - Edoardo Vincenzo Savarino
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy (L.B.); (B.B.)
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4
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Subtil B, van der Hoorn IAE, Cuenca-Escalona J, Becker AMD, Alvarez-Begue M, Iyer KK, Janssen J, van Oorschot T, Poel D, Gorris MAJ, van den Dries K, Cambi A, Tauriello DVF, de Vries IJM. cDC2 plasticity and acquisition of a DC3-like phenotype mediated by IL-6 and PGE2 in a patient-derived colorectal cancer organoids model. Eur J Immunol 2024:e2350891. [PMID: 38509863 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350891] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly resistant to therapy and prone to recur. The tumor-induced local and systemic immunosuppression allows cancer cells to evade immunosurveillance, facilitating their proliferation and dissemination. Dendritic cells (DCs) are required for the detection, processing, and presentation of tumor antigens, and subsequently for the activation of antigen-specific T cells to orchestrate an effective antitumor response. Notably, successful tumors have evolved mechanisms to disrupt and impair DC functions, underlining the key role of tumor-induced DC dysfunction in promoting tumor growth, metastasis initiation, and treatment resistance. Conventional DC type 2 (cDC2) are highly prevalent in tumors and have been shown to present high phenotypic and functional plasticity in response to tumor-released environmental cues. This plasticity reverberates on both the development of antitumor responses and on the efficacy of immunotherapies in cancer patients. Uncovering the processes, mechanisms, and mediators by which CRC shapes and disrupts cDC2 functions is crucial to restoring their full antitumor potential. In this study, we use our recently developed 3D DC-tumor co-culture system to investigate how patient-derived primary and metastatic CRC organoids modulate cDC2 phenotype and function. We first demonstrate that our collagen-based system displays extensive interaction between cDC2 and tumor organoids. Interestingly, we show that tumor-corrupted cDC2 shift toward a CD14+ population with defective expression of maturation markers, an intermediate phenotype positioned between cDC2 and monocytes, and impaired T-cell activating abilities. This phenotype aligns with the newly defined DC3 (CD14+ CD1c+ CD163+) subset. Remarkably, a comparable population was found to be present in tumor lesions and enriched in the peripheral blood of metastatic CRC patients. Moreover, using EP2 and EP4 receptor antagonists and an anti-IL-6 neutralizing antibody, we determined that the observed phenotype shift is partially mediated by PGE2 and IL-6. Importantly, our system holds promise as a platform for testing therapies aimed at preventing or mitigating tumor-induced DC dysfunction. Overall, our study offers novel and relevant insights into cDC2 (dys)function in CRC that hold relevance for the design of therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Subtil
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Iris A E van der Hoorn
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jorge Cuenca-Escalona
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Anouk M D Becker
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mar Alvarez-Begue
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Kirti K Iyer
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jorien Janssen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Tom van Oorschot
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis Poel
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mark A J Gorris
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Koen van den Dries
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Alessandra Cambi
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Daniele V F Tauriello
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - I Jolanda M de Vries
- Department of Medical BioSciences (MBS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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5
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Li Z, Liu Y, Guo P, Wei Y. Construction and validation of a novel angiogenesis pattern to predict prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy in colorectal cancer. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:12413-12450. [PMID: 37938164 PMCID: PMC10683615 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205189] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that the tumor microenvironment (TME) affects the tumor active response to immunotherapy. Tumor angiogenesis is closely related to the TME. Nonetheless, the effects of angiogenesis on the TME of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unknown. METHODS We comprehensively assessed the angiogenesis patterns in CRC based on 36 angiogenesis-related genes (ARGs). Subsequently, we evaluated the prognostic values and therapeutic sensitivities of angiogenesis patterns using multiple methods. We then performed the machine learning algorithm and functional experiments to identify the prognostic key ARGs. Ultimately, the regulation of gut microbiota on the expression of ARGs was further investigated by using whole genome sequencing. RESULTS Two angiogenesis clusters were identified and angiogenesis cluster B was characterized by increased stromal and immunity activation with unfavorable odds of survival. Further, an ARG_score including 9 ARGs to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) was established and its predominant predictive ability was confirmed. The low ARG_score patients were characterized by a high mutation burden, high microsatellite instability, and immune activation with better prognosis. Moreover, patients with high KLK10 expression were associated with a hot tumor immune microenvironment, poorer immune checkpoint blocking treatment, and shorter survival. The in vitro experiments also indicated that Fusobacterium nucleatum (F.n) infection significantly induced KLK10 expression in CRC. CONCLUSIONS The quantification of angiogenesis patterns could contribute to predict TME characteristics, prognosis, and individualized immunotherapy strategies. Furthermore, our findings suggest that F.n may influence CRC progression through ARGs, which could serve as a clinical biomarker and therapeutic target for F.n-infected CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Li
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Peking University People’s Hospital, Xicheng, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic and Gastrointestinal Surgery Division, Ningbo Second Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
| | - Peng Guo
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Peking University People’s Hospital, Xicheng, Beijing 100044, China
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Peking University People’s Hospital, Xicheng, Beijing 100044, China
- Laboratory of Surgery Oncology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Xicheng, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Yunwei Wei
- Department of Pancreatic and Gastrointestinal Surgery Division, Ningbo Second Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Intestinal Microecology and Human Major Diseases, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
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6
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Hirose Y, Taniguchi K. Intratumoral metabolic heterogeneity of colorectal cancer. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C1073-C1084. [PMID: 37661922 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00139.2021] [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: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Although the metabolic phenotype within tumors is known to differ significantly from that of the surrounding normal tissue, the importance of this heterogeneity is just becoming widely recognized. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is often classified as the Warburg phenotype, a metabolic type in which the glycolytic system is predominant over oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in mitochondria for energy production. However, this dichotomy (glycolysis vs. OXPHOS) may be too simplistic and not accurately represent the metabolic characteristics of CRC. Therefore, in this review, we decompose metabolic phenomena into factors based on their source/origin and reclassify them into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. In the CRC context, extrinsic factors include those based on the environment, such as hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, and the tumor microenvironment, whereas intrinsic factors include those based on subpopulations, such as pathological subtypes and cancer stem cells. These factors form multiple layers inside and outside the tumor, affecting them additively, dominantly, or mutually exclusively. Consequently, the metabolic phenotype is a heterogeneous and fluid phenomenon reflecting the spatial distribution and temporal continuity of these factors. This allowed us to redefine the characteristics of specific metabolism-related factors in CRC and summarize and update our accumulated knowledge of their heterogeneity. Furthermore, we positioned tumor budding in CRC as an intrinsic factor and a novel form of metabolic heterogeneity, and predicted its metabolic dynamics, noting its similarity to circulating tumor cells and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Finally, the possibilities and limitations of using human tumor tissue as research material to investigate and assess metabolic heterogeneity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinobu Hirose
- Department of Pathology, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Kohei Taniguchi
- Division of Translational Research, Center for Medical Research & Development, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki, Japan
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7
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Li S, Zheng H, Ge Q, Xia S, Zhang K, Wang C, Wang F. Effectiveness and Safety of Apatinib Plus Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 Blockades for Patients with Treatment-refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Exploratory Study. J Cancer Prev 2023; 28:106-114. [PMID: 37830117 PMCID: PMC10564635 DOI: 10.15430/jcp.2023.28.3.106] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of apatinib plus programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockades for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) who were refractory to the standard regimens. In this retrospective study, patients with metastatic CRC who received apatinib plus PD-1 blockades in clinical practice were included. The initial dosage of apatinib was 250 mg or 500 mg, and PD-1 blockades were comprised of camrelizumab, sintilimab and pembrolizumab. Efficacy and safety data were collected through the hospital's electronic medical record system. From October 2018 to March 2022, a total of 43 patients with metastatic CRC were evaluated for efficacy and safety. The results showed an objective response rate of 25.6% (95% CI, 13.5%-41.2%) and a disease control rate of 72.1% (95% CI, 56.3%-84.7%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) of the cohort was 5.8 months (95% CI, 3.81-7.79), and the median overall survival (OS) was 10.3 months (95% CI, 5.75-14.85). The most common adverse reactions were fatigue (76.7%), hypertension (72.1%), diarrhea (62.8%), and hand-foot syndrome (51.2%). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and location of CRC (left or right-side) were independent factors to predict PFS of patients with metastatic CRC treated with the combination regimen. Consequently, the combination of apatinib and PD-1 blockades demonstrated potential efficacy and acceptable safety for patients with treatment-refractory metastatic CRC. This conclusion should be confirmed in prospective clinical trials subsequently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenglong Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qinghong Ge
- Department of Internal Medicine, Harbin Orthopedics Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Shuli Xia
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chunjing Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Fujing Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Hjazi A, Nasir F, Noor R, Alsalamy A, Zabibah RS, Romero-Parra RM, Ullah MI, Mustafa YF, Qasim MT, Akram SV. The pathological role of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression; special focus on molecular mechanisms and possible therapeutics. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154616. [PMID: 37379710 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is comprised of transformed cells and non-malignant cells including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), endothelial vasculature cells, and tumor-infiltrating cells. These nonmalignant cells, as well as soluble factors (e.g., cytokines), and the extracellular matrix (ECM), form the tumor microenvironment (TME). In general, the cancer cells and their surrounding TME can crosstalk by direct cell-to-cell contact and via soluble factors, such as cytokines (e.g., chemokines). TME not only promotes cancer progression through growth-promoting cytokines but also provides resistance to chemotherapy. Understanding the mechanisms of tumor growth and progression and the roles of chemokines in CRC will likely suggest new therapeutic targets. In this line, a plethora of reports has evidenced the critical role of chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)/C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12 or SDF-1) axis in CRC pathogenesis. In the current review, we take a glimpse into the role of the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis in CRC growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, drug resistance, and immune escape. Also, a summary of recent reports concerning targeting CXCR4/CXCL12 axis for CRC management and therapy has been delivered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Hjazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Rabia Noor
- Amna Inayat Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ali Alsalamy
- College of Medical Technique, Imam Ja'afar Al-Sadiq University, Al-Muthanna 66002, Iraq
| | - Rahman S Zabibah
- Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | | | - Muhammad Ikram Ullah
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 75471, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasser Fakri Mustafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul 41001, Iraq
| | - Maytham T Qasim
- Department of Anesthesia, College of Health and Medical Technololgy, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
| | - Shaik Vaseem Akram
- Uttaranchal Institute of Technology, Division of Research & Innovation, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, India
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9
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Mowat C, Dhatt J, Bhatti I, Hamie A, Baker K. Short chain fatty acids prime colorectal cancer cells to activate antitumor immunity. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1190810. [PMID: 37304266 PMCID: PMC10248408 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1190810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death worldwide and its growth can either be promoted or inhibited by the metabolic activities of intestinal microbiota. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are microbial metabolites with potent immunoregulatory properties yet there is a poor understanding of how they directly regulate immune modulating pathways within the CRC cells. Methods We used engineered CRC cell lines, primary organoid cultures, orthotopic in vivo models, and patient CRC samples to investigate how SCFA treatment of CRC cells regulates their ability to activate CD8+ T cells. Results CRC cells treated with SCFAs induced much greater activation of CD8+ T cells than untreated CRC cells. CRCs exhibiting microsatellite instability (MSI) due to inactivation of DNA mismatch repair were much more sensitive to SCFAs and induced much greater CD8+ T cell activation than chromosomally instable (CIN) CRCs with intact DNA repair, indicating a subtype-dependent response to SCFAs. This was due to SCFA-induced DNA damage that triggered upregulation of chemokine, MHCI, and antigen processing or presenting genes. This response was further potentiated by a positive feedback loop between the stimulated CRC cells and activated CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment. The initiating mechanism in the CRCs was inhibition of histone deacetylation by the SCFAs that triggered genetic instability and led to an overall upregulation of genes associated with SCFA signaling and chromatin regulation. Similar gene expression patterns were found in human MSI CRC samples and in orthotopically grown MSI CRCs independent of the amount of SCFA producing bacteria in the intestine. Discussion MSI CRCs are widely known to be more immunogenic than CIN CRCs and have a much better prognosis. Our findings indicate that a greater sensitivity to microbially produced SCFAs contributes to the successful activation of CD8+ T cells by MSI CRCs, thereby identifying a mechanism that could be therapeutically targeted to improve antitumor immunity in CIN CRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Mowat
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jasmine Dhatt
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Ilsa Bhatti
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Angela Hamie
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Kristi Baker
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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10
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Charles J, Vrionis A, Mansur A, Mathias T, Shaikh J, Ciner A, Jiang Y, Nezami N. Potential Immunotherapy Targets for Liver-Directed Therapies, and the Current Scope of Immunotherapeutics for Liver-Related Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092624. [PMID: 37174089 PMCID: PMC10177356 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092624] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, is increasing in incidence and mortality across the globe. An improved understanding of the complex tumor microenvironment has opened many therapeutic doors and led to the development of novel pharmaceuticals targeting cellular signaling pathways or immune checkpoints. These interventions have significantly improved tumor control rates and patient outcomes, both in clinical trials and in real-world practice. Interventional radiologists play an important role in the multidisciplinary team given their expertise in minimally invasive locoregional therapy, as the bulk of these tumors are usually in the liver. The aim of this review is to highlight the immunological therapeutic targets for primary liver cancers, the available immune-based approaches, and the contributions that interventional radiology can provide in the care of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Charles
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 560 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
| | - Andrea Vrionis
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 560 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
| | - Arian Mansur
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Trevor Mathias
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jamil Shaikh
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 560 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
- Department of Radiology, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida Health, Tampa General Cir, Tampa, FL 33606, USA
| | - Aaron Ciner
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yixing Jiang
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Nariman Nezami
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Experimental Therapeutics Program, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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11
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Subtil B, Iyer KK, Poel D, Bakkerus L, Gorris MAJ, Escalona JC, van den Dries K, Cambi A, Verheul HMW, de Vries IJM, Tauriello DVF. Dendritic cell phenotype and function in a 3D co-culture model of patient-derived metastatic colorectal cancer organoids. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1105244. [PMID: 36761758 PMCID: PMC9905679 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1105244] [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: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers, with metastasis accounting for most deaths. As such, there is an unmet need for improved therapies for metastatic CRC (mCRC). Currently, the research focus is shifting towards the reciprocal interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME), which prevent tumor clearance by the immune system. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the initiation and amplification of anti-tumor immune responses and in driving the clinical success of immunotherapies. Dissecting the interactions between DCs and CRC cells may open doors to identifying key mediators in tumor progression, and possible therapeutic targets. This requires representative, robust and versatile models and tools. Currently, there is a shortage of such in vitro systems to model the CRC TME and its tumor-immune cell interactions. Here we develop and establish a dynamic organotypic 3D co-culture system to recapitulate and untangle the interactions between DCs and patient-derived mCRC tumor organoids. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating human DCs in co-culture with tumor organoids in a 3D, organotypic setting. This system reveals how mCRC organoids modulate and shape monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) behavior, phenotype, and function, within a collagen matrix, using techniques such as brightfield and fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Our 3D co-culture model shows high viability and extensive interaction between DCs and tumor organoids, and its structure resembles patient tissue sections. Furthermore, it is possible to retrieve DCs from the co-cultures and characterize their phenotypic and functional profile. In our study, the expression of activation markers in both mature and immature DCs and their ability to activate T cells were impacted by co-culture with tumor organoids. In the future, this direct co-culture platform can be adapted and exploited to study the CRC-DC interplay in more detail, enabling novel and broader insights into CRC-driven DC (dys)function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Subtil
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Kirti K. Iyer
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Dennis Poel
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Lotte Bakkerus
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Mark A. J. Gorris
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Oncode Institute, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jorge Cuenca Escalona
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Koen van den Dries
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Alessandra Cambi
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Henk M. W. Verheul
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - I. Jolanda M. de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,*Correspondence: I. Jolanda M. de Vries,
| | - Daniele V. F. Tauriello
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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12
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Moss DY, McCann C, Kerr EM. Rerouting the drug response: Overcoming metabolic adaptation in KRAS-mutant cancers. Sci Signal 2022; 15:eabj3490. [PMID: 36256706 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abj3490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in guanosine triphosphatase KRAS are common in lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. The constitutive activity of mutant KRAS and its downstream signaling pathways induces metabolic rewiring in tumor cells that can promote resistance to existing therapeutics. In this review, we discuss the metabolic pathways that are altered in response to treatment and those that can, in turn, alter treatment efficacy, as well as the role of metabolism in the tumor microenvironment (TME) in dictating the therapeutic response in KRAS-driven cancers. We highlight metabolic targets that may provide clinical opportunities to overcome therapeutic resistance and improve survival in patients with these aggressive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Y Moss
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Christopher McCann
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Emma M Kerr
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 7AE Northern Ireland, UK
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13
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Liu C, Liu D, Wang F, Xie J, Liu Y, Wang H, Rong J, Xie J, Wang J, Zeng R, Zhou F, Peng J, Xie Y. Identification of a glycolysis- and lactate-related gene signature for predicting prognosis, immune microenvironment, and drug candidates in colon adenocarcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:971992. [PMID: 36081904 PMCID: PMC9445192 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.971992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), a malignant gastrointestinal tumor, has the characteristics of high mortality and poor prognosis. Even in the presence of oxygen, the Warburg effect, a major metabolic hallmark of almost all cancer cells, is characterized by increased glycolysis and lactate fermentation, which supports biosynthesis and provides energy to sustain tumor cell growth and proliferation. However, a thorough investigation into glycolysis- and lactate-related genes and their association with COAD prognosis, immune cell infiltration, and drug candidates is currently lacking. Methods: COAD patient data and glycolysis- and lactate-related genes were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) databases, respectively. After univariate Cox regression analysis, a nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm was used to identify glycolysis- and lactate-related molecular subtypes. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression identified twelve glycolysis- and lactate-related genes (ADTRP, ALDOB, APOBEC1, ASCL2, CEACAM7, CLCA1, CTXN1, FLNA, NAT2, OLFM4, PTPRU, and SNCG) related to prognosis. The median risk score was employed to separate patients into high- and low-risk groups. The prognostic efficacy of the glycolysis- and lactate-related gene signature was assessed using Kaplan–Meier (KM) survival and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. The nomogram, calibration curves, decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curve (CIC) were employed to improve the clinical applicability of the prognostic signature. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the high- and low-risk groups. Using CIBERSORT, ESTIMATE, and single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) algorithms, the quantities and types of tumor-infiltrating immune cells were assessed. The tumor mutational burden (TMB) and cytolytic (CYT) activity scores were calculated between the high- and low-risk groups. Potential small-molecule agents were identified using the Connectivity Map (cMap) database and validated by molecular docking. To verify key core gene expression levels, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR) assays were conducted. Results: We identified four distinct molecular subtypes of COAD. Cluster 2 had the best prognosis, and clusters 1 and 3 had poor prognoses. High-risk COAD patients exhibited considerably poorer overall survival (OS) than low-risk COAD patients. The nomogram precisely predicted patient OS, with acceptable discrimination and excellent calibration. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of DEGs revealed enrichment mainly in the “glycosaminoglycan binding,” “extracellular matrix,” “pancreatic secretion,” and “focal adhesion” pathways. Patients in the low-risk group exhibited a larger infiltration of memory CD4+ T cells and dendritic cells and a better prognosis than those in the high-risk group. The chemotherapeutic agent sensitivity of patients categorized by risk score varied significantly. We predicted six potential small-molecule agents binding to the core target of the glycolysis- and lactate-related gene signature. ALDOB and APOBEC1 mRNA expression was increased in COAD tissues, whereas CLCA1 and OLFM4 mRNA expression was increased in normal tissues. Conclusion: In summary, we identified molecular subtypes of COAD and developed a glycolysis- and lactate-related gene signature with significant prognostic value, which benefits COAD patients by informing more precise and effective treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
| | - Dingwei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
| | - Fangfei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
| | - Jianfang Rong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
| | - Jinliang Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
| | - Jinyun Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
| | - Rong Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
| | - Jianxiang Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
| | - Yong Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Gastroenterology Institute of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Yong Xie,
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14
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Cancer Stem Cells in Tumor Microenvironment of Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach, Colon, and Rectum. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163948. [PMID: 36010940 PMCID: PMC9405851 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Gastrointestinal cancers have a high mortality rate worldwide, and the progression of the disease is related to cancer stem cells. Until now, its relationship with the microenvironment has been poorly understood. We describe the molecules and different pathways activated during this interaction and the new targeting therapies for cancer cells and microenvironment modulation. This approach could impact the way gastrointestinal cancers are managed. Abstract Gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas are one of the world’s deadliest cancers. Cancer stem cells and the tissue microenvironment are highly regulated by cell and molecular mechanisms. Cancer stem cells are essential for maintenance and progression and are associated with resistance to conventional treatments. This article reviews the current knowledge of the role of the microenvironment during the primary establishment of gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas in the stomach, colon, and rectum and its relationship with cancer stem cells. We also describe novel developments in cancer therapeutics, such as targeted therapy, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments for improving gastrointestinal cancer prognosis.
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15
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Cao Y, Ahmed AMQ, Du HH, Sun W, Lu X, Xu Z, Tao J, Cao QR. Combretastatin A4-loaded Poly (Lactic-co-glycolic Acid)/Soybean Lecithin Nanoparticles with Enhanced Drug Dissolution Rate and Antiproliferation Activity. Curr Drug Deliv 2022; 19:918-927. [PMID: 35139789 DOI: 10.2174/1567201819666220209093443] [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: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to prepare combretastatin A4 (CA4)-loaded nanoparticles (CA4 NPs) using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and soybean lecithin (Lipoid S100) as carriers, and further evaluate the physicochemical properties and cytotoxicities of CA4 NPs against cancer cells. METHODS CA4 NPs were prepared using a solvent evaporation technique. The effects of formulations on CA4 NPs were investigated in terms of particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficacy, and drug loading. The physicochemical properties of CA4 NPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectra. The drug release from CA4NPs was performed using a dialysis method. In addition, the cytotoxicity of CA4NPs against human alveolar basal epithelial (A549) cells was also evaluated. RESULTS CA4 NPs prepared with a low organic/water phase ratio (1:20) and high drug/PLGA mass ratio (1:2.5) exhibited a uniform hydrodynamic particle size of 142 nm, the zeta potential of -1.66 mV, and encapsulation efficacy and drug loading of 92.1% and 28.3%, respectively. CA4 NPs showed a significantly higher release rate than pure CA4 in pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered solution with 0.5% Tween 80. It was found that the drug molecules could change from the crystal state to an amorphous form when loaded into the PLGA/Lipoid S100 matrix, and some molecular interactions could also occur between the drug and PLGA. Importantly, CA4 NPs showed a remarkably higher antiproliferation activity against A549 cancer cells compared to pure CA4. CONCLUSION These results suggested the promising potential of PLGA/Lipoid S100 nanoparticles as the drug delivery system of CA4 for effective cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Health Vocational College, Beijing 100053, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Huan-Huan Du
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojuan Lu
- PharmaMax Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., China Medical City, Taizhou 225300, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao Xu
- PharmaMax Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., China Medical City, Taizhou 225300, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Tao
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Ri Cao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China
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16
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Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry Is Up-Regulated in Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocytes from Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143312. [PMID: 35884372 PMCID: PMC9315763 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) has long been known to regulate the differentiation and effector functions of T cells as well as to be instrumental to the ability of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to target cancer cells. Currently, no information is available regarding the expression and function of SOCE in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) that have been expanded in vitro for adoptive cell therapy (ACT). This study provides the first evidence that SOCE is up-regulated in ex vivo-expanded TILs from metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. The up-regulation of SOCE mainly depends on diacylglycerol kinase (DGK), which prevents the protein kinase C-dependent inhibition of Ca2+ entry in normal T cells. Of note, the pharmacological blockade of SOCE with the selective inhibitor, BTP-2, during target cell killing significantly increases cytotoxic activity at low TIL density, i.e., when TILs-mediated cancer cell death is rarer. This study, albeit preliminary, could lay the foundation to propose an alternative strategy to effect ACT. It has been shown that ex vivo-expanded TILs did not improve the disease-free survival rate in mCRC patients. Our results strongly suggest that pre-treating autologous TILs with a SOCE or DGK inhibitor before being infused into the patient could improve their cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. Abstract (1) Background: Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) drives the cytotoxic activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) against cancer cells. However, SOCE can be enhanced in cancer cells due to an increase in the expression and/or function of its underlying molecular components, i.e., STIM1 and Orai1. Herein, we evaluated the SOCE expression and function in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. (2) Methods: Functional studies were conducted in TILs expanded ex vivo from CRC liver metastases. Peripheral blood T cells from healthy donors (hPBTs) and mCRC patients (cPBTs) were used as controls. (3) Results: SOCE amplitude is enhanced in TILs compared to hPBTs and cPBTs, but the STIM1 protein is only up-regulated in TILs. Pharmacological manipulation showed that the increase in SOCE mainly depends on tonic modulation by diacylglycerol kinase, which prevents the protein kinase C-dependent inhibition of SOCE activity. The larger SOCE caused a stronger Ca2+ response to T-cell receptor stimulation by autologous mCRC cells. Reducing Ca2+ influx with BTP-2 during target cell killing significantly increases cytotoxic activity at low target:effector ratios. (4) Conclusions: SOCE is enhanced in ex vivo-expanded TILs deriving from mCRC patients but decreasing Ca2+ influx with BTP-2 increases cytotoxic activity at a low TIL density.
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17
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Comprehensive Analyses of Stromal-Immune Score-Related Competing Endogenous RNA Networks In Colon Adenocarcinoma. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:4235305. [PMID: 35607443 PMCID: PMC9124109 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4235305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although recent clinical investigations emphasize the roles of myriad diversities of RNAs in stromal and immune components in the tumor microenvironment, especially in colon adenocarcinoma, however, analyses of “competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA)” network in association with stromal and immune scores have yet to be determined. This study was conducted to explore the regulatory mechanisms of a stromal-immune score-based ceRNA network in colon adenocarcinoma. Stromal and immune scores of colon adenocarcinoma tumor samples were calculated by using the ESTIMATE algorithm. Differential expression analysis between samples with high/low stromal and immune scores was performed, followed by functional annotation for the overlapping DEmRNAs. The ceRNA network was constructed by differential expression analysis, prediction of RNA-RNA interaction, and correlation with clinicopathological parameters of the patients, which were further verified by external datasets and experiments. Colon adenocarcinoma patients having higher immune scores exhibited prolonged overall survival. RNA dataset analyses from TCGA revealed aberrant expressions of a total of 2052 mRNAs, 108 lncRNAs, and 70 miRNAs between high and low stromal/immune groups. Functional annotation mapped the differentially overexpressed mRNAs for immune-associated GO terms. To construct the ceRNA network, a total of 48 lncRNAs, 40 miRNAs, and 199 mRNAs were sorted out. A dysregulated ceRNA network consisting of 6 lncRNAs, 11 miRNAs, and 39 mRNAs was constructed by comparing RNA expressions between cancer as well as adjacent normal tissues. The ceRNA regulatory axis “MIAT/miR-532-3p/STC1” was regarded as a potential hit by the comprehensive analysis. The RT-qPCR assay showed upregulation of MIAT and STC1 while downregulation of hsa-miR-532-3p expression in cancer. Thus, our study highlights the potential role of a stromal-immune score-based ceRNA network in the colon adenocarcinoma microenvironment. The ceRNA axis MIAT/miR-532-3p/STC1 could serve as a promising therapeutic target for colon adenocarcinoma.
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Adhikari S, Bhattacharya A, Adhikary S, Singh V, Gadad S, Roy S, Das C. The paradigm of drug resistance in cancer: an epigenetic perspective. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:BSR20211812. [PMID: 35438143 PMCID: PMC9069444 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20211812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate and acquired resistance towards the conventional therapeutic regimen imposes a significant challenge for the successful management of cancer for decades. In patients with advanced carcinomas, acquisition of drug resistance often leads to tumor recurrence and poor prognosis after the first therapeutic cycle. In this context, cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered as the prime drivers of therapy resistance in cancer due to their 'non-targetable' nature. Drug resistance in cancer is immensely influenced by different properties of CSCs such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a profound expression of drug efflux pump genes, detoxification genes, quiescence, and evasion of apoptosis, has been highlighted in this review article. The crucial epigenetic alterations that are intricately associated with regulating different mechanisms of drug resistance, have been discussed thoroughly. Additionally, special attention is drawn towards the epigenetic mechanisms behind the interaction between the cancer cells and their microenvironment which assists in tumor progression and therapy resistance. Finally, we have provided a cumulative overview of the alternative treatment strategies and epigenome-modifying therapies that show the potential of sensitizing the resistant cells towards the conventional treatment strategies. Thus, this review summarizes the epigenetic and molecular background behind therapy resistance, the prime hindrance of present day anti-cancer therapies, and provides an account of the novel complementary epi-drug-based therapeutic strategies to combat drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swagata Adhikari
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Apoorva Bhattacharya
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, India
| | - Santanu Adhikary
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, India
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Vipin Singh
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Shrikanth S. Gadad
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Center of Emphasis in Cancer, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX, U.S.A
- Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, U.S.A
| | - Siddhartha Roy
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Chandrima Das
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute, Mumbai 400094, India
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19
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Li A, Ye B, Lin F, Wang Y, Miao X, Jiang Y. A Novel Immunogenomic Signature to Predict Prognosis and Reveal Immune Infiltration Characteristics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. PRECISION CLINICAL MEDICINE 2022; 5:pbac010. [PMID: 35694712 PMCID: PMC9172649 DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbac010] [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: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The immune response in the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in cancer progression and recurrence. We aimed to develop an immune-related gene (IRG) signature to improve prognostic predictive power and reveal the immune infiltration characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) PDAC was used to construct a prognostic model as a training cohort. The International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were set as validation datasets. Prognostic genes were screened by using univariate Cox regression. Then, a novel optimal prognostic model was developed by using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression. Cell type identification by estimating the relative subsets of RNA transcripts (CIBERSORT) and estimation of stromal and immune cells in malignant tumors using expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithms were used to characterize tumor immune infiltrating patterns. The tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) algorithm was used to predict immunotherapy responsiveness. Results A prognostic signature based on five IRGs (MET, ERAP2, IL20RB, EREG, and SHC2) was constructed in TCGA-PDAC and comprehensively validated in ICGC and GEO cohorts. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that this signature had an independent prognostic value. The area under the curve (AUC) values of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve at 1, 3, and 5 years of survival were 0.724, 0.702, and 0.776, respectively. We further demonstrated that our signature has better prognostic performance than recently published ones and is superior to traditional clinical factors such as grade and tumor node metastasis classification (TNM) stage in predicting survival. Moreover, we found higher abundance of CD8+ T cells and lower M2-like macrophages in the low-risk group of TCGA-PDAC, and predicted a higher proportion of immunotherapeutic responders in the low-risk group. Conclusions We constructed an optimal prognostic model which had independent prognostic value and was comprehensively validated in external PDAC databases. Additionally, this five-genes signature could predict immune infiltration characteristics. Moreover, the signature helped stratify PDAC patients who might be more responsive to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ang Li
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bicheng Ye
- Medical College of Yangzhou Polytechnic College, Yangzhou, China
| | - Fangnan Lin
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yilin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaye Miao
- School of Clinical Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yanfang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, Genetic Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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20
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Li L, Du X, Fan G. Identifying Potential Biomarkers of Prognostic Value in Colorectal Cancer via Tumor Microenvironment Data Mining. Front Genet 2022; 12:787208. [PMID: 35251116 PMCID: PMC8890124 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.787208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer that has increased rapidly worldwide in the past decades with a relatively high mortality rate. An increasing body of evidence has highlighted the importance of infiltrating immune and stromal cells in CRC. In this study, based on gene expression data of CRC patients in TCGA database we evaluated immune and stromal scores in tumor microenvironment using ESTIMATE method. Results showed there was potential correlation between these scores and the prognosis, and that patients with higher immune score and lower stromal score had longer survival time. We found that immune score was correlated with clinical characteristics including tumor location, tumor stage, and survival time. Specifically, the right-sided colon cancer had markedly elevated immune score, compared to left-sided colon cancer and rectal cancer. These results might be useful for understanding tumor microenvironment in colorectal cancer. Through the differential analysis we got a list of genes significantly associated with immune and stromal scores. Gene Set Enrichment and protein-protein interaction network analysis were used to further illustrate these differentially expressed genes. Finally, 15 hub genes were identified, and three (CXCL9, CXCL10 and SELL) of them were validated with favorable outcomes in CRC patients. Our result suggested that these tumor microenvironment related genes might be potential biomarkers for the prognosis of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiao Du
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Guangyi Fan, ; Xiao Du,
| | - Guangyi Fan
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Guangyi Fan, ; Xiao Du,
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21
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Yue Y, Zhang Q, Sun Z. CX3CR1 Acts as a Protective Biomarker in the Tumor Microenvironment of Colorectal Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 12:758040. [PMID: 35140706 PMCID: PMC8818863 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.758040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many cancers. We aimed to screen the TME-related hub genes of colorectal adenoma (CRAD) and identify possible prognostic biomarkers. The gene expression profiles and clinical data of 464 CRAD patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were downloaded. The Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumours using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm was performed to calculate the ImmuneScore, StromalScore, and EstimateScore. Thereafter, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis were performed to explore the roles of DEGs. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were accomplished to identify independent prognostic factors of CRAD. CX3CR1 was selected as a hub gene, and the expression was confirmed in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and cell lines. The correlations between CX3CR1 and tumor-infiltrating immune cells were estimated by Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource database (TIMER) and CIBERSORT analysis. Besides, we investigated the effects of coculture with THP-1-derived macrophages with HCT8 cells with low CX3CR1 expression on immune marker expression, cell viability, and migration. There were significant differences in the ImmuneScore and EstimateScore among different stages. Patients with low scores presented significantly lower lifetimes than those in the high-score group. Moreover, we recognized 1,578 intersection genes in ImmuneScore and StromalScore, and these genes were mainly enriched in numerous immune-related biological processes. CX3CR1 was found to be associated with immune cell infiltration levels, immune marker expression, and macrophage polarization. Simultaneous silencing of CX3CR1 and coculture with THP-1 cells further regulated macrophage polarization and promoted the cell proliferation and migration of CRC cells. CX3CR1 was decreased in CRAD tissues and cell lines and was related to T and N stages, tumor differentiation, and prognosis. Our results suggest that CX3CR1 contributes to the recruitment and regulation of immune-infiltrating cells and macrophage polarization in CRC and TAM-induced CRC progression. CX3CR1 may act as a prognostic biomarker in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyi Yue
- Department of Gastroenterology Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhengrong Sun
- BioBank, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhengrong Sun,
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22
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El Dein Mohameda AS, El-Rebey HS, AboElnasr LSA, Abdou AG. The role and relationship between programmed death ligand 1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 immunohistochemical expression in colorectal carcinoma patients: an impact on outcome. Ecancermedicalscience 2022; 15:1323. [PMID: 35047074 PMCID: PMC8723745 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2021.1323] [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: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women. Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) are immune checkpoints that induce tumour immune escape. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of PD-L1 and CTLA-4 in CRC and their relationship with clinicopathological parameters and survival data. Result This study included 103 CRC, 22 adenoma and 21 non-neoplastic specimens. High PD-L1 epithelial expression was in favour of CRC and high-grade dysplastic adenoma compared to normal specimens. High PD-L1 epithelial expression was associated with larger sized tumours, perforation, advanced T stage, infiltrative tumour border configuration (TBC), high tumour budding (TB) score, low tumour-stroma ratio (TSR) and absence of peritumoural lymphocytes. High PD-L1+ tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) showed an association with absence of perforation, early T stage, pushing TBC, lower TB score, high TSR and presence of peritumoural lymphocytes. High epithelial CTLA-4 expression was in favour of adenocarcinoma, high-grade dysplastic adenoma and low-grade dysplastic adenoma compared to normal specimens. High CTLA-4 epithelial score showed an association with positive lymph nodes (LNs), presence of an infiltrative TBC and absence of peritumoural lymphocytes. Low CTLA-4+ TILs showed a significant association with advanced tumour stage and increased number of positive LNs. Prolonged survival was associated with low epithelial PD-L1 and CTLA-4, high PD-L1+ TILs and high CTLA-4+ TILs. By multivariate Cox regression analysis, PD-L1+ TILs immunoreactivity score (p = 0.020) and CTLA-4+ TILs H. score (p = 0.036) were independent prognostic factors affecting overall survival among the other prognostic factors. Conclusion PD-L1 and CTLA-4 expression by tumour cells could cooperate with each other in enhancing progression of CRC leading to poor patient outcome, while their expression by TILs could stand against tumour progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hala Said El-Rebey
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebein Elkom, 32511, Egypt.,https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0869-6332
| | - Lamia Sabry Abdelsamed AboElnasr
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebein Elkom, 32511, Egypt.,https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0869-6332
| | - Asmaa Gaber Abdou
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebein Elkom, 32511, Egypt.,https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0869-6332
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23
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Ma C, Zhang X, Zhao X, Zhang N, Zhou S, Zhang Y, Li P. Predicting the Survival and Immune Landscape of Colorectal Cancer Patients Using an Immune-Related lncRNA Pair Model. Front Genet 2021; 12:690530. [PMID: 34552614 PMCID: PMC8451271 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.690530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that immune-related long non-coding ribonucleic acids (irlncRNAs) can be used as prognostic indicators of overall survival (OS) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Our aim in this research, therefore, was to construct a risk model using irlncRNA pairs with no requirement for a specific expression level, in hope of reliably predicting the prognosis and immune landscape of CRC patients. Methods Clinical and transcriptome profiling data of CRC patients downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were analyzed to identify differentially expressed (DE) irlncRNAs. The irlncRNA pairs significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients were screened out by univariable Cox regression analysis and a prognostic model was constructed by Lasso and multivariate Cox regression analyses. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was then plotted, with the area under the curve calculated to confirm the reliability of the model. Based on the optimal cutoff value, CRC patients in the high- or low-risk groups were distinguished, laying the ground for evaluating the risk model from the following perspectives: survival, clinicopathological traits, tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs), antitumor drug efficacy, kinase inhibitor efficacy, and molecules related to immune checkpoints. Results A prognostic model consisting of 15 irlncRNA pairs was constructed, which was found to have a high correlation with patient prognosis in a cohort from the TCGA (p < 0.001, HR = 1.089, 95% CI [1.067-1.112]). According to both univariate and multivariate Cox analyses, this model could be used as an independent prognostic indicator in the TCGA cohort (p < 0.001). Effective differentiation between high- and low-risk patients was also accomplished, on the basis of aggressive clinicopathological characteristics, sensitivity to antitumor drugs, and kinase inhibitors, the tumor immune infiltration status, and the expression levels of specific molecules related to immune checkpoints. Conclusion The prognostic model established with irlncRNA pairs is a promising indicator for prognosis prediction in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Ma
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics Beijing Proteome Research Center National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Xudong Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Sixin Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yonghui Zhang
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Peiyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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24
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Stefani C, Miricescu D, Stanescu-Spinu II, Nica RI, Greabu M, Totan AR, Jinga M. Growth Factors, PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK Signaling Pathways in Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis: Where Are We Now? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910260. [PMID: 34638601 PMCID: PMC8508474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a predominant malignancy worldwide, being the fourth most common cause of mortality and morbidity. The CRC incidence in adolescents, young adults, and adult populations is increasing every year. In the pathogenesis of CRC, various factors are involved including diet, sedentary life, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, gut microbiota, diabetes, and genetic mutations. The CRC tumor microenvironment (TME) involves the complex cooperation between tumoral cells with stroma, immune, and endothelial cells. Cytokines and several growth factors (GFs) will sustain CRC cell proliferation, survival, motility, and invasion. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Insulin-like growth factor -1 receptor (IGF-1R), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor -A (VEGF-A) are overexpressed in various human cancers including CRC. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and all the three major subfamilies of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways may be activated by GFs and will further play key roles in CRC development. The main aim of this review is to present the CRC incidence, risk factors, pathogenesis, and the impact of GFs during its development. Moreover, the article describes the relationship between EGF, IGF, VEGF, GFs inhibitors, PI3K/AKT/mTOR-MAPK signaling pathways, and CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin Stefani
- Department of Family Medicine and Clinical Base, ‘‘Dr. Carol Davila’ Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 051075 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Daniela Miricescu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (I.-I.S.-S.); (A.R.T.)
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Iulia-Ioana Stanescu-Spinu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (I.-I.S.-S.); (A.R.T.)
| | - Remus Iulian Nica
- Surgery 2, ‘Dr. Carol Davila’ Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 051075 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Maria Greabu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (I.-I.S.-S.); (A.R.T.)
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Alexandra Ripszky Totan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (I.-I.S.-S.); (A.R.T.)
| | - Mariana Jinga
- Department of Gastroenterology, ‘Dr. Carol Davila’ Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 051075 Bucharest, Romania;
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Idris M, Alves MM, Hofstra RMW, Mahe MM, Melotte V. Intestinal multicellular organoids to study colorectal cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188586. [PMID: 34216725 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Modeling colorectal cancer (CRC) using organoids has burgeoned in the last decade, providing enhanced in vitro models to study the development and possible treatment options for this type of cancer. In this review, we describe both normal and CRC intestinal organoid models and their utility in the cancer research field. Besides highlighting studies that develop epithelial CRC organoid models, i.e. organoids without tumor microenvironment (TME) cellular components, we emphasize on the need for TME in CRC modeling, to help reduce translational disparities in this area. Also, we discuss the utilization of CRC organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells, as well as their potential to be used in cancer research. Finally, limitations and challenges in the current CRC organoids field, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musa Idris
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maria M Alves
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert M W Hofstra
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maxime M Mahe
- Department of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH, USA; TENS - Inserm UMR 1235, INSERM, University of Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Veerle Melotte
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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26
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Jiao Y, Li J, Qian C, Fei S. Deep learning-based tumor microenvironment analysis in colon adenocarcinoma histopathological whole-slide images. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2021; 204:106047. [PMID: 33789213 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2021.106047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Colon cancer is a fatal disease, and a comprehensive understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) could lead to better risk stratification, prognosis prediction, and therapy management. In this paper, we focused on the automatic evaluation of TME in giga-pixel digital histopathology whole-slide images. METHODS A convolutional neural network is used to recognize nine different content presented in colon cancer whole-slide images. Several implementation details, including the foreground filtering and stain normalization are discussed. Based on the whole-slide segmentation, several TME descriptors are quantified and correlated with the clinical outcome by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression. Specifically, the stroma, tumor, necrosis, and lymphocyte components are discussed. RESULTS We validated the method on colon adenocarcinoma cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas project. The result shows that the stroma is an independent predictor of progression-free interval (PFI) after corrected by age and pathological stage, with a hazard ratio of 1.665 (95%CI: 1.110~2.495, p = 0.014). High-level necrosis component and lymphocytes component tend to be correlated with poor PFI, with a hazard ratio of 1.552 (95%CI: 0.943~2.554, p = 0.084) and 1.512 (95%CI: 0.979~2.336, p = 0.062), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The result reveals the complex role of the tumor microenvironment in colon adenocarcinoma, and the quantified descriptors are potential predictors of disease progression. The method could be considered for risk stratification and targeted therapy and extend to other types of cancer, leading to a better understanding of the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiping Jiao
- Shool of Automation, Southeast University, 2nd Sipailou Road, Nanjing, China.
| | - Junhong Li
- Luoyang Central Hospital affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Luoyang, China
| | - Chenqi Qian
- Jiangsu Chunyu Education Group CO., 88th Zhongshan North Road, Nanjing, China
| | - Shumin Fei
- Shool of Automation, Southeast University, 2nd Sipailou Road, Nanjing, China.
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Oliveres H, Pesántez D, Maurel J. Lessons to Learn for Adequate Targeted Therapy Development in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5019. [PMID: 34065119 PMCID: PMC8126031 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22095019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that regulates cell growth and proliferation. Upregulation of the IGF1R pathway constitutes a common paradigm shared with other receptor tyrosine kinases such as EGFR, HER2, and MET in different cancer types, including colon cancer. The main IGF1R signaling pathways are PI3K-AKT and MAPK-MEK. However, different processes, such as post-translational modification (SUMOylation), epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and microenvironment complexity, can also contribute to intrinsic and acquired resistance. Here, we discuss new strategies for adequate drug development in metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Oliveres
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Pesántez
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Maurel
- Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Oncology Group, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
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28
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Ortíz R, Quiñonero F, García-Pinel B, Fuel M, Mesas C, Cabeza L, Melguizo C, Prados J. Nanomedicine to Overcome Multidrug Resistance Mechanisms in Colon and Pancreatic Cancer: Recent Progress. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2058. [PMID: 33923200 PMCID: PMC8123136 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of drug resistance is one of the main causes of cancer treatment failure. This phenomenon occurs very frequently in different types of cancer, including colon and pancreatic cancers. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In recent years, nanomedicine has improved the delivery and efficacy of drugs, and has decreased their side effects. In addition, it has allowed to design drugs capable of avoiding certain resistance mechanisms of tumors. In this article, we review the main resistance mechanisms in colon and pancreatic cancers, along with the most relevant strategies offered by nanodrugs to overcome this obstacle. These strategies include the inhibition of efflux pumps, the use of specific targets, the development of nanomedicines affecting the environment of cancer-specific tissues, the modulation of DNA repair mechanisms or RNA (miRNA), and specific approaches to damage cancer stem cells, among others. This review aims to illustrate how advanced nanoformulations, including polymeric conjugates, micelles, dendrimers, liposomes, metallic and carbon-based nanoparticles, are allowing to overcome one of the main limitations in the treatment of colon and pancreatic cancers. The future development of nanomedicine opens new horizons for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Ortíz
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Quiñonero
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Beatriz García-Pinel
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Marco Fuel
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Mesas
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Laura Cabeza
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Consolación Melguizo
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Prados
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
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29
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Poturnajova M, Furielova T, Balintova S, Schmidtova S, Kucerova L, Matuskova M. Molecular features and gene expression signature of metastatic colorectal cancer (Review). Oncol Rep 2021; 45:10. [PMID: 33649827 PMCID: PMC7876998 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.7961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Uncontrollable metastatic outgrowth process is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, even in the case of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for approximately 10% of all annually diagnosed cancers and 50% of CRC patients will develop metastases in the course of disease. Most patients with metastatic CRC have incurable disease. Even if patients undergo resection of liver metastases, the 5‑year survival rate ranges from 25 to 58%. Next‑generation sequencing of tumour specimens from large colorectal cancer patient cohorts has led to major advances in elucidating the genomic landscape of these tumours and paired metastases. The expression profiles of primary CRC and their metastatic lesions at both the gene and pathway levels were compared and led to the selection of early driver genes responsible for carcinogenesis and metastasis‑specific genes that increased the metastatic process. The genetic, transcriptional and epigenetic alteration encoded by these genes and their combination influence many pivotal signalling pathways, enabling the dissemination and outgrowth in distant organs. Therapeutic regimens affecting several different active pathways may have important implications for therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Poturnajova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of Slovak Academy of Sciences, University Science Park for Biomedicine, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tatiana Furielova
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Sona Balintova
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Silvia Schmidtova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of Slovak Academy of Sciences, University Science Park for Biomedicine, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, 81499 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Kucerova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of Slovak Academy of Sciences, University Science Park for Biomedicine, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Miroslava Matuskova
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of Slovak Academy of Sciences, University Science Park for Biomedicine, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Gmeiner WH. Recent Advances in Our Knowledge of mCRC Tumor Biology and Genetics: A Focus on Targeted Therapy Development. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:2121-2130. [PMID: 33790575 PMCID: PMC8007558 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s242224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains a highly lethal malignancy although considerable progress has resulted from characterizing molecular alterations such as RAS mutation status and extent of microsatellite instability (MSI) to guide optimal use of available therapies. The availability of gene expression profiling, next generation sequencing technologies, proteomics analysis and other technologies provides high resolution information on individual tumors, including metastatic lesions to better define intra-tumor and inter-tumor heterogeneity. Recent literature applying this information to further customize personalized therapies is reviewed. Current biomarker-based stratification used to select optimal therapy that is personalized to the mutation profile of individual tumors is described. Recent literature using whole exome sequencing of metastatic lesions and primary CRC tumors and other advanced technologies to more fully elucidate the tumor biology specific to mCRC sub-types and to develop more precise therapies that improve outcomes is also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H Gmeiner
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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31
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Emerging Trends for Radio-Immunotherapy in Rectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061374. [PMID: 33803620 PMCID: PMC8003099 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rectal cancer is a heterogeneous disease at the genetic and molecular levels, both aspects having major repercussions on the tumor immune contexture. Whilst microsatellite status and tumor mutational load have been associated with response to immunotherapy, presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is one of the most powerful prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Yet, the majority of rectal cancers are characterized by microsatellite stability, low tumor mutational burden and poor T cell infiltration. Consequently, these tumors do not respond to immunotherapy and treatment largely relies on radiotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy followed by radical surgery. Importantly, pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest that radiotherapy can induce a complete reprograming of the tumor microenvironment, potentially sensitizing it for immune checkpoint inhibition. Nonetheless, growing evidence suggest that this synergistic effect strongly depends on radiotherapy dosing, fractionation and timing. Despite ongoing work, information about the radiotherapy regimen required to yield optimal clinical outcome when combined to checkpoint blockade remains largely unavailable. In this review, we describe the molecular and immune heterogeneity of rectal cancer and outline its prognostic value. In addition, we discuss the effect of radiotherapy on the tumor microenvironment, focusing on the mechanisms and benefits of its combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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32
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Tumor Microenvironment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: The Arbitrator in Patients' Outcome. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051130. [PMID: 33800796 PMCID: PMC7961499 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer accounts for approximately 10% of all annually diagnosed cancers worldwide being liver metastasis, the most common cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer. The interplay between tumor and stromal cells in the primary tumor microenvironment and at distant metastases are rising in importance as potential mechanisms of the tumor progression. In this review we discuss the new biomarkers derived from tumor microenvironment and liquid biopsy as emerging prognostic and treatments response markers for metastatic colorectal cancer. We also review the developing new clinical strategies based on tumor microenvironmental cells to tackle metastatic disease in metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in western countries. Its mortality rate varies greatly, depending on the stage of the disease. The main cause of CRC mortality is metastasis, which most commonly affects the liver. The role of tumor microenvironment in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis development has been widely studied. In this review we summarize the role of the tumor microenvironment in the liver pre-metastatic niche formation, paying attention to the distant cellular crosstalk mediated by exosomes. Moreover, and based on the prognostic and predictive capacity of alterations in the stromal compartment of tumors, we describe the role of tumor microenvironment cells and related liquid biopsy biomarkers in the delivery of precise medication for metastatic CRC. Finally, we evaluate the different clinical strategies to prevent and treat liver metastatic disease, based on the targeting of the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, targeting angiogenesis pathways and regulating immune response are two important research pipelines that are being widely developed and promise great benefits.
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33
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Drug Resistance and Novel Therapies in Cancers in 2019. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040924. [PMID: 33672119 PMCID: PMC7926476 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Viralippurath Ashraf J, Sasidharan Nair V, Saleh R, Elkord E. Role of circular RNAs in colorectal tumor microenvironment. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111351. [PMID: 33550046 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of endogenous noncoding RNA, which were previously considered as a byproduct of RNA splicing error. Numerous studies have demonstrated the altered expression of circRNAs in organ tissues during pathological conditions and their involvements in disease pathogenesis and progression, including cancers. In colorectal cancer (CRC), multiple circRNAs have been identified and characterized as "oncogenic", given their involvements in the downregulation of tumor suppressor genes and induction of tumor initiation, progression, invasion, and metastasis. Additionally, other circRNAs have been identified in CRC and characterized as "tumor suppressive" based on their ability of inhibiting the expression of oncogenic genes and suppressing tumor growth and proliferation. circRNAs could serve as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and therapeutic targets or vectors to be utilized in cancer therapies. This review briefly describes the dynamic changes of the tumor microenvironment inducing immunosuppression and tumorigenesis, and outlines the biogenesis and characteristics of circRNAs and recent findings indicating their roles and functions in the CRC tumor microenvironment. It also discusses strategies and technologies, which could be employed in the future to overcome current cancer therapy challenges associated with circRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Varun Sasidharan Nair
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
| | - Reem Saleh
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
| | - Eyad Elkord
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar; Biomedical Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, UK.
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35
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AlMusawi S, Ahmed M, Nateri AS. Understanding cell-cell communication and signaling in the colorectal cancer microenvironment. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e308. [PMID: 33635003 PMCID: PMC7868082 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Carcinomas are complex heterocellular systems containing epithelial cancer cells, stromal fibroblasts, and multiple immune cell-types. Cell-cell communication between these tumor microenvironments (TME) and cells drives cancer progression and influences response to existing therapies. In order to provide better treatments for patients, we must understand how various cell-types collaborate within the TME to drive cancer and consider the multiple signals present between and within different cancer types. To investigate how tissues function, we need a model to measure both how signals are transferred between cells and how that information is processed within cells. The interplay of collaboration between different cell-types requires cell-cell communication. This article aims to review the current in vitro and in vivo mono-cellular and multi-cellular cultures models of colorectal cancer (CRC), and to explore how they can be used for single-cell multi-omics approaches for isolating multiple types of molecules from a single-cell required for cell-cell communication to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells. Integrating the existing single-cell signaling measurements and models, and through understanding the cell identity and how different cell types communicate, will help predict drug sensitivities in tumor cells and between- and within-patients responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaikha AlMusawi
- Cancer Genetics & Stem Cell Group, BioDiscovery Institute, Division of Cancer & Stem Cells, School of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Mehreen Ahmed
- Cancer Genetics & Stem Cell Group, BioDiscovery Institute, Division of Cancer & Stem Cells, School of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Translational Cancer ResearchLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Abdolrahman S. Nateri
- Cancer Genetics & Stem Cell Group, BioDiscovery Institute, Division of Cancer & Stem Cells, School of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
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36
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Maisonneuve C, Tsang DKL, Foerster EG, Robert LM, Mukherjee T, Prescott D, Tattoli I, Lemire P, Winer DA, Winer S, Streutker CJ, Geddes K, Cadwell K, Ferrero RL, Martin A, Girardin SE, Philpott DJ. Nod1 promotes colorectal carcinogenesis by regulating the immunosuppressive functions of tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108677. [PMID: 33503439 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pioneering studies from the early 1980s suggested that bacterial peptidoglycan-derived muramyl peptides (MPs) could exert either stimulatory or immunosuppressive functions depending, in part, on chronicity of exposure. However, this Janus-faced property of MPs remains largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate the immunosuppressive potential of Nod1, the bacterial sensor of diaminopimelic acid (DAP)-containing MPs. Using a model of self-limiting peritonitis, we show that systemic Nod1 activation promotes an autophagy-dependent reprogramming of macrophages toward an alternative phenotype. Moreover, Nod1 stimulation induces the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and maintains their immunosuppressive potential via arginase-1 activity. Supporting the role of MDSCs and tumor-associated macrophages in cancer, we demonstrate that myeloid-intrinsic Nod1 expression sustains intra-tumoral arginase-1 levels to foster an immunosuppressive and tumor-permissive microenvironment during colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Our findings support the notion that bacterial products, via Nod1 detection, modulate the immunosuppressive activity of myeloid cells and fuel tumor progression in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Maisonneuve
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Derek K L Tsang
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | | | | | - Tapas Mukherjee
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Dave Prescott
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Ivan Tattoli
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Paul Lemire
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Daniel A Winer
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Pathology, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Shawn Winer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Saint Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Catherine J Streutker
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Saint Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Kaoru Geddes
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Ken Cadwell
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York Grossman University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Richard L Ferrero
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 VIC, Australia; Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, 3168 VIC, Australia; Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 VIC, Australia
| | - Alberto Martin
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Stephen E Girardin
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Dana J Philpott
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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37
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Abdellateif MS, Salem SE, Badr DM, Shaarawy S, Hussein MM, Zekri ARN, Fouad MA. The Prognostic Significance of 5-Fluorouracil Induced Inflammation and Immuno-Modulation in Colorectal Cancer Patients. J Inflamm Res 2020; 13:1245-1259. [PMID: 33408498 PMCID: PMC7781028 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s283069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim The change in the levels of peripheral inflammatory markers together with EGFR in relation to 5- fluorouracil (5-FU) therapy was evaluated for their prognostic significance in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Patients and Methods Expression levels of COX2, IL6, IL1β, EGFR, IL10, and TNFα were determined with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) in the peripheral blood of 90 CRC patients. The inflammatory response was correlated with patients’ clinical features, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Results After 6 months of 5-FU therapy, increased inflammatory response was found to be associated with smoking, T3 or T4 tumors, performance status (PS) III, positive lymph nodes, distant metastasis, and gastrointestinal (GIT) toxicity. The combination of COX2 with interleukins in a predictive equation for DFS was significant in patients with over-expression of EGFR. DFS and OS rates were reduced in patients with increased COX2, IL6, IL10, and TNFα expression with 5-FU therapy. Significant hazard of disease progression was associated with smoking (HR=1.27, P=0.004), 5-FU induction of COX2, and IL6 expression (HR=1.35, P=0.001 and HR=1.27, P=0.004, respectively). Moreover, smoking, 5-FU induction of IL6, TNFα, and IL10 expression are found to be independent prognostic factors for OS (P=0.003, 0.003, 0.002, and 0.002, respectively). Conclusion The peripheral effects of 5-FU therapy have shown a significant impact on the treatment outcome of CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona S Abdellateif
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Salem E Salem
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Doaa M Badr
- Pharmacology and Experimental Oncology Unit, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sabry Shaarawy
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa M Hussein
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abdel-Rahman N Zekri
- Virology and Immunology Unit, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mariam A Fouad
- Pharmacology and Experimental Oncology Unit, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Fichtner M, Bozkurt E, Salvucci M, McCann C, McAllister KA, Halang L, Düssmann H, Kinsella S, Crawford N, Sessler T, Longley DB, Prehn JHM. Molecular subtype-specific responses of colon cancer cells to the SMAC mimetic Birinapant. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:1020. [PMID: 33257690 PMCID: PMC7705699 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03232-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is a molecularly heterogeneous disease. Responses to genotoxic chemotherapy in the adjuvant or palliative setting vary greatly between patients, and colorectal cancer cells often resist chemotherapy by evading apoptosis. Antagonists of an inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) can restore defective apoptosis signaling by degrading cIAP1 and cIAP2 proteins and by inhibition of XIAP. Due to the multiple molecular mechanisms-of-action of these targets, responses to IAP antagonist may differ between molecularly distinct colon cancer cells. In this study, responses to the IAP antagonist Birinapant and oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were investigated in 14 colon cancer cell lines, representing the consensus molecular subtypes (CMS). Treatment with Birinapant alone did not result in a substantial increase in apoptotic cells in this cell line panel. Annexin-V/PI assays quantified by flow cytometry and high-content screening showed that Birinapant increased responses of CMS1 and partially CMS3 cell lines to oxaliplatin/5-FU, whereas CMS2 cells were not effectively sensitized. FRET-based imaging of caspase-8 and -3 activation validated these differences at the single-cell level, with CMS1 cells displaying sustained activation of caspase-8-like activity during Birinapant and oxaliplatin/5-FU co-treatment, ultimately activating the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. In CMS2 cell lines, Birinapant exhibited synergistic effects in combination with TNFα, suggesting that Birinapant can restore extrinsic apoptosis signaling in the context of inflammatory signals in this subtype. To explore this further, we co-cultured CMS2 and CMS1 colon cancer cells with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We observed increased cell death during Birinapant single treatment in these co-cultures, which was abrogated by anti-TNFα-neutralizing antibodies. Collectively, our study demonstrates that IAP inhibition is a promising modulator of response to oxaliplatin/5-FU in colorectal cancers of the CMS1 subtype, and may show promise as in the CMS2 subtype, suggesting that molecular subtyping may aid as a patient stratification tool for IAP antagonists in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Fichtner
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emir Bozkurt
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Izmir University of Economics, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Manuela Salvucci
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Christopher McCann
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | - Luise Halang
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Heiko Düssmann
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sinéad Kinsella
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nyree Crawford
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Tamas Sessler
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Daniel B Longley
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Jochen H M Prehn
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
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Lactate in the Tumor Microenvironment: An Essential Molecule in Cancer Progression and Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113244. [PMID: 33153193 PMCID: PMC7693872 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The role of lactate in cancer described by Otto Warburg in 1927 states that cancer cells uptake high amount of glucose with a marked increase in lactate production, this is known as the “Warburg effect”. Since then lactate turn out to be a major signaling molecule in cancer progression. Its release from tumor cells is accompanied by acidification ranging from 6.3 to 6.9 in the tumor microenvironment (TME) which favors processes such as tumor promotion, angiogenesis, metastasis, tumor resistance and more importantly, immunosuppression which has been associated with a poor outcome. The goal of this review is to examine and discuss in deep detail the recent studies that address the role of lactate in all these cancerous processes. Lastly, we explore the efforts to target the lactate production and its transport as a promising approach for cancer therapeutics. Abstract Cancer is a complex disease that includes the reprogramming of metabolic pathways by malignant proliferating cells, including those affecting the tumor microenvironment (TME). The “TME concept” was introduced in recognition of the roles played by factors other than tumor cells in cancer progression. In response to the hypoxic or semi-hypoxic characteristic of the TME, cancer cells generate a large amount of lactate via the metabolism of glucose and glutamine. Export of this newly generated lactate by the tumor cells together with H+ prevents intracellular acidification but acidifies the TME. In recent years, the importance of lactate and acidosis in carcinogenesis has gained increasing attention, including the role of lactate as a tumor-promoting metabolite. Here we review the existing literature on lactate metabolism in tumor cells and the ability of extracellular lactate to direct the metabolic reprogramming of those cells. Studies demonstrating the roles of lactate in biological processes that drive or sustain carcinogenesis (tumor promotion, angiogenesis, metastasis and tumor resistance) and lactate’s role as an immunosuppressor that contributes to tumor evasion are also considered. Finally, we consider recent therapeutic efforts using available drugs directed at and interfering with lactate production and transport in cancer treatment.
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40
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Krzystek-Korpacka M, Szczęśniak-Sięga B, Szczuka I, Fortuna P, Zawadzki M, Kubiak A, Mierzchała-Pasierb M, Fleszar MG, Lewandowski Ł, Serek P, Jamrozik N, Neubauer K, Wiśniewski J, Kempiński R, Witkiewicz W, Bednarz-Misa I. L-Arginine/Nitric Oxide Pathway Is Altered in Colorectal Cancer and Can Be Modulated by Novel Derivatives from Oxicam Class of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2594. [PMID: 32932854 PMCID: PMC7564351 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway metabolites are altered in colorectal cancer (CRC). We evaluated underlying changes in pathway enzymes in 55 paired tumor/tumor-adjacent samples and 20 normal mucosa using quantitative-PCR and assessed the impact of classic and novel oxicam analogues on enzyme expression and intracellular metabolite concentration (LC-MS/MS) in Caco-2, HCT116, and HT-29 cells. Compared to normal mucosa, ARG1, PRMT1, and PRMT5 were overexpressed in both tumor and tumor-adjacent tissue and DDAH2 solely in tumor-adjacent tissue. Tumor-adjacent tissue had higher expression of ARG1, DDAH1, and DDAH2 and lower NOS2 than patients-matched tumors. The ARG1 expression in tumors increased along with tumor grade and reflected lymph node involvement. Novel oxicam analogues with arylpiperazine moiety at the thiazine ring were more effective in downregulating DDAHs and PRMTs and upregulating ARG2 than piroxicam and meloxicam. An analogue distinguished by propylene linker between thiazine's and piperazine's nitrogen atoms and containing two fluorine substituents was the strongest inhibitor of DDAHs and PRMTs expression, while an analogue containing propylene linker but no fluorine substituents was the strongest inhibitor of ARG2 expression. Metabolic reprogramming in CRC includes overexpression of DDAHs and PRMTs in addition to ARG1 and NOS2 and is not restricted to tumor tissue but can be modulated by novel oxicam analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Krzystek-Korpacka
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.S.); (P.F.); (A.K.); (M.M.-P.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.); (P.S.); (N.J.); (J.W.); (I.B.-M.)
| | - Berenika Szczęśniak-Sięga
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Izabela Szczuka
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.S.); (P.F.); (A.K.); (M.M.-P.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.); (P.S.); (N.J.); (J.W.); (I.B.-M.)
| | - Paulina Fortuna
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.S.); (P.F.); (A.K.); (M.M.-P.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.); (P.S.); (N.J.); (J.W.); (I.B.-M.)
| | - Marek Zawadzki
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Regional Specialist Hospital, 51-124 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (W.W.)
- Department of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-618 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kubiak
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.S.); (P.F.); (A.K.); (M.M.-P.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.); (P.S.); (N.J.); (J.W.); (I.B.-M.)
| | - Magdalena Mierzchała-Pasierb
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.S.); (P.F.); (A.K.); (M.M.-P.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.); (P.S.); (N.J.); (J.W.); (I.B.-M.)
| | - Mariusz G. Fleszar
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.S.); (P.F.); (A.K.); (M.M.-P.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.); (P.S.); (N.J.); (J.W.); (I.B.-M.)
| | - Łukasz Lewandowski
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.S.); (P.F.); (A.K.); (M.M.-P.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.); (P.S.); (N.J.); (J.W.); (I.B.-M.)
| | - Paweł Serek
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.S.); (P.F.); (A.K.); (M.M.-P.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.); (P.S.); (N.J.); (J.W.); (I.B.-M.)
| | - Natalia Jamrozik
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.S.); (P.F.); (A.K.); (M.M.-P.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.); (P.S.); (N.J.); (J.W.); (I.B.-M.)
| | - Katarzyna Neubauer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.N.); (R.K.)
| | - Jerzy Wiśniewski
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.S.); (P.F.); (A.K.); (M.M.-P.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.); (P.S.); (N.J.); (J.W.); (I.B.-M.)
| | - Radosław Kempiński
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.N.); (R.K.)
| | - Wojciech Witkiewicz
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Regional Specialist Hospital, 51-124 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (W.W.)
- Research and Development Centre at Regional Specialist Hospital, 51-124 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Bednarz-Misa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.S.); (P.F.); (A.K.); (M.M.-P.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.); (P.S.); (N.J.); (J.W.); (I.B.-M.)
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Cellular Mechanisms Accounting for the Refractoriness of Colorectal Carcinoma to Pharmacological Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092605. [PMID: 32933095 PMCID: PMC7563523 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes a high number (more than 800,000) of deaths worldwide each year. Better methods for early diagnosis and the development of strategies to enhance the efficacy of the therapeutic approaches used to complement or substitute surgical removal of the tumor are urgently needed. Currently available pharmacological armamentarium provides very moderate benefits to patients due to the high resistance of tumor cells to respond to anticancer drugs. The present review summarizes and classifies into seven groups the cellular and molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance (MOC) accounting for the failure of CRC response to the pharmacological treatment. Abstract The unsatisfactory response of colorectal cancer (CRC) to pharmacological treatment contributes to the substantial global health burden caused by this disease. Over the last few decades, CRC has become the cause of more than 800,000 deaths per year. The reason is a combination of two factors: (i) the late cancer detection, which is being partially solved by the implementation of mass screening of adults over age 50, permitting earlier diagnosis and treatment; (ii) the inadequate response of advanced unresectable tumors (i.e., stages III and IV) to pharmacological therapy. The latter is due to the existence of complex mechanisms of chemoresistance (MOCs) that interact and synergize with each other, rendering CRC cells strongly refractory to the available pharmacological regimens based on conventional chemotherapy, such as pyrimidine analogs (5-fluorouracil, capecitabine, trifluridine, and tipiracil), oxaliplatin, and irinotecan, as well as drugs targeted toward tyrosine kinase receptors (regorafenib, aflibercept, bevacizumab, cetuximab, panitumumab, and ramucirumab), and, more recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, ipilimumab, and pembrolizumab). In the present review, we have inventoried the genes involved in the lack of CRC response to pharmacological treatment, classifying them into seven groups (from MOC-1 to MOC-7) according to functional criteria to identify cancer cell weaknesses. This classification will be useful to pave the way for developing sensitizing tools consisting of (i) new agents to be co-administered with the active drug; (ii) pharmacological approaches, such as drug encapsulation (e.g., into labeled liposomes or exosomes); (iii) gene therapy interventions aimed at restoring the impaired function of some proteins (e.g., uptake transporters and tumor suppressors) or abolishing that of others (such as export pumps and oncogenes).
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Wu Q, Liu W, Wang J, Zhu L, Wang Z, Peng Y. Exosomal noncoding RNAs in colorectal cancer. Cancer Lett 2020; 493:228-235. [PMID: 32898600 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a commonly diagnosed malignancy with unsatisfactory survival outcomes. Recent studies indicate that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) can be selectively packaged into exosomes, the extracellular vesicles composed of a lipid bilayer, and delivered from donor to recipient cells, thus regulating the behavior of the recipient cells. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that exosomal ncRNAs in blood exhibit distinct expression patterns among CRC patients with or without metastasis, and healthy controls. Moreover, exosomal ncRNAs can participate in the regulation of tumor microenvironment, the establishment of pre-metastatic niches, and the induction of drug resistance via cell-to-cell communication. Intriguingly, exosomal ncRNAs have the potential to serve as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and therapeutic response monitoring of patients with CRC. In this review, we summarize the emerging functions of exosomal ncRNAs during CRC development and also discuss their potential clinical application in patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingbin Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wenrong Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ziqiang Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Yong Peng
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Bednarz-Misa I, Fortuna P, Fleszar MG, Lewandowski Ł, Diakowska D, Rosińczuk J, Krzystek-Korpacka M. Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Is Accompanied by Local and Systemic Changes in L-arginine/NO Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6282. [PMID: 32872669 PMCID: PMC7503331 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The L-arginine/NO pathway holds promise as a source of potential therapy target and biomarker; yet, its status and utility in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is unclear. We aimed at quantifying pathway metabolites in sera from patients with ESCC (n = 61) and benign conditions (n = 62) using LC-QTOF-MS and enzyme expression in esophageal tumors and matched noncancerous samples (n = 40) using real-time PCR with reference to ESCC pathology and circulating immune/inflammatory mediators, quantified using Luminex xMAP technology. ESCC was associated with elevated systemic arginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine. Citrulline decreased and arginine bioavailability increased along with increasing ESCC advancement. Compared to adjacent tissue, tumors overexpressed ODC1, NOS2, PRMT1, and PRMT5 but had downregulated ARG1, ARG2, and DDAH1. Except for markedly higher NOS2 and lower ODC1 in tumors from M1 patients, the pathology-associated changes in enzyme expression were subtle and present also in noncancerous tissue. Both the local enzyme expression level and systemic metabolite concentration were related to circulating inflammatory and immune mediators, particularly those associated with eosinophils and those promoting viability and self-renewal of cancer stem cells. Metabolic reprogramming in ESCC manifests itself by the altered L-arginine/NO pathway. Upregulation of PRMTs in addition to NOS2 and ODC1 and the pathway link with stemness-promoting cytokines warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Bednarz-Misa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.B.-M.); (P.F.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.)
| | - Paulina Fortuna
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.B.-M.); (P.F.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.)
| | - Mariusz G. Fleszar
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.B.-M.); (P.F.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.)
| | - Łukasz Lewandowski
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.B.-M.); (P.F.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.)
| | - Dorota Diakowska
- Department of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland;
- Department of Nervous System Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-618 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Joanna Rosińczuk
- Department of Nervous System Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-618 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Krzystek-Korpacka
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (I.B.-M.); (P.F.); (M.G.F.); (Ł.L.)
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Gonzalez-Villarreal CA, Quiroz-Reyes AG, Islas JF, Garza-Treviño EN. Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells in the Progression to Liver Metastasis. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1511. [PMID: 32974184 PMCID: PMC7468493 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality. Tumorigenesis is a dynamic process wherein cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their microenvironment promote initiation, progression, and metastasis. Metastatic colonization is an inefficient process that is very complex and is poorly understood; however, in most cases, metastatic disease is not curable, and resistance mechanisms tend to develop against conventional treatments. An understanding of the underlying mechanisms and factors that contribute to the development of metastasis in CRC can aid in the search for specific therapeutic targets for improving standard treatments. In this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding tumor biology and the use of stroma cells as prognostic factors and inflammatory inducers associated with the use of tumor microenvironments as a promoter of cancer metastasis. Moreover, we look into the importance of CSC, pericytes, and circulating tumor cells as mechanisms that lead to liver metastasis, and we also focus on the cellular and molecular pathways that modulate and regulate epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Finally, we discuss a novel therapeutic target that can potentially eliminate CSCs as a CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adriana G Quiroz-Reyes
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquimica y Medicina Molecular, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
| | - Jose F Islas
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquimica y Medicina Molecular, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
| | - Elsa N Garza-Treviño
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquimica y Medicina Molecular, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
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Pereira-Silva M, Jarak I, Alvarez-Lorenzo C, Concheiro A, Santos AC, Veiga F, Figueiras A. Micelleplexes as nucleic acid delivery systems for cancer-targeted therapies. J Control Release 2020; 323:442-462. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Wang X, Gao Y, Zhang X, Wang X, Wang B, Meng X, Yoshikai Y, Wang Y, Sun X. CD30L/CD30 signaling regulates the formation of the tumor immune microenvironment and inhibits intestinal tumor development of colitis-associated colon cancer in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 84:106531. [PMID: 32353687 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease is one of the major causes of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC). Therefore, it is necessary to explore new therapies to prevent colon cancer (CRC) in view of the relationship between chronic inflammation and tumor development. Previous studies on the correlation between CD30L/CD30 and cancer were mostly limited to lymphoid or homogenous tumors, while there have been only a few reports on the role of CD30L/CD30 signal transduction in the pathogenesis of CAC. In this study, we established an AOM/DSS-induced CAC model with CD30LKO mice to explore the effect of CD30L/CD30 signal transduction on the formation of the intestinal tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) during the development of intestinal tumors. Our results revealed that CD30L deficiency promoted the accumulation of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), increased the expression of PD-L1 on MDSCs and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), and enhanced the secretion of various inflammatory and immunosuppressive factors in the intestinal mucosa of CAC mice. Furthermore, CD30L gene deletion could selectively promote the upregulation of PD-1 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and inhibit their activation, differentiation and secretion of effector cytokines, which led to an attenuation of antitumor immune responses mediated by TEM (CD44+CD62L-) cells. Thus, our data suggest that CD30L/CD30 signaling might be a potential candidate target for immunological therapy in CAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wang
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Yaxian Gao
- Department of Immunology, Chengde Medical College, Chengde, Hebei 067000, PR China; Department of Immunology, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Xiaonan Wang
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Biao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Xin Meng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Yasunobu Yoshikai
- Division of Host Defense, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China.
| | - Xun Sun
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China.
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Zhao X, Qi X, Lian W, Tong X, Wang H, Su L, Wei P, Zhuang Z, Gong J, Bai L. Trichomicin Suppresses Colorectal Cancer via Comprehensive Regulation of IL-6 and TNFα in Tumor Cells, TAMs, and CAFs. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:386. [PMID: 32317968 PMCID: PMC7146085 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomicin, a small-molecule compound isolated from fungi, has been identified with bioactivity of antitumor. In this study, a colon cancer subcutaneous mice model was used to evaluate the antitumor effects of Trichomicin in vivo. Treatment with Trichomicin significantly inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft mouse colon cancer model. The underlying molecular mechanism has also been investigated through the quantification of relevant proteins. The expression levels of IL-6 and TNFα were reduced in tumor tissues of mice treated with Trichomicin, which was consistent with results of in vitro experiments in which Trichomicin suppressed the expression of IL-6 and TNFα in tumor and stromal cells. In addition, Trichomicin inhibited TNFα-induced activation of NF-κB and basal Stat3 signaling in vitro, which resulted in reduced expression of the immune checkpoint protein PD-L1 in tumor and stromal cells. Conclusively, Trichomicin, a promising new drug candidate with antitumor activity, exerted antitumor effects against colon cancer through inhibition of the IL-6 and TNFα signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Qi
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Department of Surgery and Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Wenrui Lian
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery & Clinical Medicine Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xin Tong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery & Clinical Medicine Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery & Clinical Medicine Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Liya Su
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery & Clinical Medicine Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Ping Wei
- Department of Medical Immunology, Basic Medical College, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, China
| | - Zhuochen Zhuang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhua Gong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Bai
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Wang Z, Zang A, Wei Y, An L, Hong D, Shi Y, Zhang J, Su S, Fang G. Hyaluronic Acid Capped, Irinotecan and Gene Co-Loaded Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanocarrier-Based Combination Therapy Platform for Colorectal Cancer. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2020; 14:1095-1105. [PMID: 32210538 PMCID: PMC7076892 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s230306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background The current approach for treating colorectal cancer favors the use of drug and gene combination therapy, and targeted nano-systems are gaining considerable attention for minimizing toxicity and improving the efficacy of anticancer treatment. The aim of this study was to develop ligand-modified, irinotecan and gene co-loaded lipid-polymer hybrid nanocarriers for targeted colorectal cancer combination therapy. Methods Hyaluronic acid modified, irinotecan and gene co-loaded LPNs (HA-I/D-LPNs) were prepared using a solvent-evaporation method. Their average size, zeta potential, drug and gene loading capacity were characterized. The in vitro and in vivo gene transfection and anti-tumor ability of this nano-system were evaluated on colorectal cancer cells and mice bearing colorectal cancer model. Results HA-I/D-LPNs had a size of 182.3 ± 5.1, over 80% drug encapsulation efficiency and over 90% of gene loading capacity. The peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and half-life (T1/2) achieved from HA-I/D-LPNs were 41.31 ± 1.58 μg/mL and 12.56 ± 0.67 h. HA-I/D-LPNs achieved the highest tumor growth inhibition efficacy and the most prominent transfection efficiency in vivo. Conclusion HA-I/D-LPNs exhibited the most remarkable tumor inhibition efficacy and best gene transfection efficiency in the tumor, which could prove the effects of the drug and gene combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyu Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, People's Republic of China
| | - Aimin Zang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaning Wei
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin An
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Hong
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Shi
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingnan Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenyong Su
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, People's Republic of China
| | - Guotao Fang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Cancer Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, People's Republic of China
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Cheng M, Zhang ZW, Ji XH, Xu Y, Bian E, Zhao B. Super-enhancers: A new frontier for glioma treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1873:188353. [PMID: 32112817 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Glioma is the most common primary malignant tumor in the human brain. Although there are a variety of treatments, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, glioma is still an incurable disease. Super-enhancers (SEs) are implicated in the control of tumor cell identity, and they promote oncogenic transcription, which supports tumor cells. Inhibition of the SE complex, which is required for the assembly and maintenance of SEs, may repress oncogenic transcription and impede tumor growth. In this review, we discuss the unique characteristics of SEs compared to typical enhancers, and we summarize the recent advances in the understanding of their properties and biological role in gene regulation. Additionally, we highlight that SE-driven lncRNAs, miRNAs and genes are involved in the malignant phenotype of glioma. Most importantly, the application of SE inhibitors in different cancer subtypes has introduced new directions in glioma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Zheng Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Xing Hu Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Yadi Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Erbao Bian
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Bing Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China.
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