1
|
Naing C, Ni H, Aung HH, Htet NH, Nikolova D. Gene therapy for people with hepatocellular carcinoma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 6:CD013731. [PMID: 38837373 PMCID: PMC11152182 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013731.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer, accounting for 70% to 85% of individuals with primary liver cancer. Gene therapy, which uses genes to treat or prevent diseases, holds potential for treatment, especially for tumours. Trials on the effects of gene therapy in people with hepatocellular carcinoma have been published or are ongoing. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the benefits and harms of gene therapy in people with hepatocellular carcinoma, irrespective of sex, administered dose, and type of formulation. SEARCH METHODS We identified randomised clinical trials through electronic searches in The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, Science Citation Index Expanded, and Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science. We searched five online clinical trial registries to identify unpublished or ongoing trials. We checked reference lists of the retrieved studies for further trials. The date of last search was 20 January 2023. SELECTION CRITERIA We aimed to include randomised clinical trials assessing any type of gene therapy in people diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, irrespective of year, language of publication, format, or outcomes reported. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We followed Cochrane methodology and used Review Manager to prepare the review. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality/overall survival (whatever data were provided), serious adverse events during treatment, and health-related quality of life. The secondary outcomes were proportion of people with disease progression, adverse events considered non-serious, and proportion of people without improvement in liver function tests. We assessed risk of bias of the included trials using RoB 2 and the certainty of evidence using GRADE. We presented the results of time-to-event outcomes as hazard ratios (HR), dichotomous outcomes as risk ratios (RR), and continuous outcomes as mean difference (MD) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Our primary analyses were based on intention-to-treat and outcome data at the longest follow-up. MAIN RESULTS We included six randomised clinical trials with 364 participants. The participants had unresectable (i.e. advanced inoperable) hepatocellular carcinoma. We found no trials assessing the effects of gene therapy in people with operable hepatocellular carcinoma. Four trials were conducted in China, one in several countries (from North America, Asia, and Europe), and one in Egypt. The number of participants in the six trials ranged from 10 to 129 (median 47), median age was 55.2 years, and the mean proportion of males was 72.7%. The follow-up duration ranged from six months to five years. As the trials compared different types of gene therapy and had different controls, we could not perform meta-analyses. Five of the six trials administered co-interventions equally to the experimental and control groups. All trials assessed one or more outcomes of interest in this review. The certainty of evidence was very low in five of the six comparisons and low in the double-dose gene therapy comparison. Below, we reported the results of the primary outcomes only. Pexastimogene devacirepvec (Pexa-Vec) plus best supportive care versus best supportive care alone There is uncertainty about whether there may be little to no difference between the effect of Pexa-Vec plus best supportive care compared with best supportive care alone on overall survival (HR 1.19, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.82; 1 trial (censored observation at 20-month follow-up), 129 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and on serious adverse events (RR 1.42, 95% CI 0.60 to 3.33; 1 trial at 20 months after treatment, 129 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The trial reported quality of life narratively as "assessment of quality of life and time to symptomatic progression was confounded by the high patient dropout rate." Adenovirus-thymidine kinase with ganciclovir (ADV-TK/GCV) plus liver transplantation versus liver transplantation alone There is uncertainty about whether ADV-TK/GCV plus liver transplantation may benefit all-cause mortality at the two-year follow-up (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.76; 1 trial, 45 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The trial did not report serious adverse events other than mortality or quality of life. Double-dose ADV-TK/GCV plus liver transplantation versus liver transplantation alone There is uncertainty about whether double-dose ADV-TK/GCV plus liver transplantation versus liver transplantation may benefit all-cause mortality at five-year follow-up (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.73; 1 trial, 86 participants; low-certainty evidence). The trial did not report serious adverse events other than mortality or quality of life. Recombinant human adenovirus-p53 with hydroxycamptothecin (rAd-p53/HCT) versus hydroxycamptothecin alone There is uncertainty about whether there may be little to no difference between the effect of rAd-p53/HCT versus hydroxycamptothecin alone on the overall survival at 12-month follow-up (RR 3.06, 95% CI 0.16 to 60.47; 1 trial, 48 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The trial did not report serious adverse events or quality of life. rAd-p53/5-Fu (5-fluorouracil) plus transarterial chemoembolisation versus transarterial chemoembolisation alone The trial included 46 participants. We had insufficient data to assess overall survival. The trial did not report serious adverse events or quality of life. E1B-deleted (dl1520) adenovirus versus percutaneous ethanol injection The trial included 10 participants. It did not report data on overall survival, serious adverse events, or health-related quality of life. One trial did not provide any information on sponsorship; one trial received a national research grant, one trial by the Pedersen foundation, and three were industry-funded trials. We found five ongoing randomised clinical trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of gene therapy on the studied outcomes because of high risk of bias and imprecision of outcome results. The trials were underpowered and lacked trial data on clinically important outcomes. There was only one trial per comparison, and we could not perform meta-analyses. Therefore, we do not know if gene therapy may reduce, increase, or have little to no effect on all-cause mortality or overall survival, or serious adverse events in adults with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. The impact of gene therapy on adverse events needs to be investigated further. Evidence on the effect of gene therapy on health-related quality of life is lacking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cho Naing
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Han Ni
- Department of Medicine, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Htar Htar Aung
- School of Medicine, IMU University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Dimitrinka Nikolova
- Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group, Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital ─ Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hadi M, Qutaiba B Allela O, Jabari M, Jasoor AM, Naderloo O, Yasamineh S, Gholizadeh O, Kalantari L. Recent advances in various adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) as gene therapy agents in hepatocellular carcinoma. Virol J 2024; 21:17. [PMID: 38216938 PMCID: PMC10785434 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02286-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer, which is scientifically referred to as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a significant concern in the field of global health. It has been demonstrated that conventional chemotherapy, chemo-hormonal therapy, and conformal radiotherapy are ineffective against HCC. New therapeutic approaches are thus urgently required. Identifying single or multiple mutations in genes associated with invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, and growth regulation has resulted in a more comprehensive comprehension of the molecular genetic underpinnings of malignant transformation, tumor advancement, and host interaction. This enhanced comprehension has notably propelled the development of novel therapeutic agents. Therefore, gene therapy (GT) holds great promise for addressing the urgent need for innovative treatments in HCC. However, the complexity of HCC demands precise and effective therapeutic approaches. The adeno-associated virus (AAV) distinctive life cycle and ability to persistently infect dividing and nondividing cells have rendered it an alluring vector. Another appealing characteristic of the wild-type virus is its evident absence of pathogenicity. As a result, AAV, a vector that lacks an envelope and can be modified to transport DNA to specific cells, has garnered considerable interest in the scientific community, particularly in experimental therapeutic strategies that are still in the clinical stage. AAV vectors emerge as promising tools for HCC therapy due to their non-immunogenic nature, efficient cell entry, and prolonged gene expression. While AAV-mediated GT demonstrates promise across diverse diseases, the current absence of ongoing clinical trials targeting HCC underscores untapped potential in this context. Furthermore, gene transfer through hepatic AAV vectors is frequently facilitated by GT research, which has been propelled by several congenital anomalies affecting the liver. Notwithstanding the enthusiasm associated with this notion, recent discoveries that expose the integration of the AAV vector genome at double-strand breaks give rise to apprehensions regarding their enduring safety and effectiveness. This review explores the potential of AAV vectors as versatile tools for targeted GT in HCC. In summation, we encapsulate the multifaceted exploration of AAV vectors in HCC GT, underlining their transformative potential within the landscape of oncology and human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meead Hadi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Science, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mansoureh Jabari
- Medical Campus, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Asna Mahyazadeh Jasoor
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Naderloo
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University of Gorgan Breanch, Gorgan, Iran
| | | | | | - Leila Kalantari
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Suresh D, Srinivas AN, Prashant A, Harikumar KB, Kumar DP. Therapeutic options in hepatocellular carcinoma: a comprehensive review. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:1901-1916. [PMID: 36780119 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01014-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a chronic liver disease that is highly fatal if not detected and treated early. The incidence and death rate of HCC have been increasing in recent decades despite the measures taken for preventive screening and effective diagnostic and treatment strategies. The pathophysiology of HCC is multifactorial and highly complex owing to its molecular and immune heterogeneity, and thus the gap in knowledge still precludes making choices between viable therapeutic options and also the development of effective regimens. The treatment of HCC demands multidisciplinary approaches and primarily depends on tumor stage, hepatic functional reserve, and response to treatment by patients. Although curative treatments are limited but critical in the early stages of cancer, there are numerous palliative treatments available for patients with intermediate and advanced-stage HCC. In recent times, the use of combination therapy has succeeded over the use of monotherapy in the treatment of HCC by achieving effective tumor suppression, increasing survival rate, decreasing toxicity, and also aiding in overcoming drug resistance. This work focuses on reviewing the current and emerging treatment strategies for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diwakar Suresh
- Department of Biochemistry, CEMR, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, SS Nagar, Mysuru, 570015, India
| | - Akshatha N Srinivas
- Department of Biochemistry, CEMR, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, SS Nagar, Mysuru, 570015, India
| | - Akila Prashant
- Department of Biochemistry, CEMR, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, SS Nagar, Mysuru, 570015, India
| | - Kuzhuvelil B Harikumar
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, India
| | - Divya P Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, CEMR, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, SS Nagar, Mysuru, 570015, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yue NN, Xu HM, Xu J, Zhu MZ, Zhang Y, Tian CM, Nie YQ, Yao J, Liang YJ, Li DF, Wang LS. Therapeutic potential of gene therapy for gastrointestinal diseases: Advancements and future perspectives. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 30:193-215. [PMID: 37663132 PMCID: PMC10471515 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancements in understanding the pathogenesis mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal diseases, encompassing inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, have led to the identification of numerous novel therapeutic targets. These discoveries have opened up exciting possibilities for developing gene therapy strategies to treat gastrointestinal diseases. These strategies include gene replacement, gene enhancement, gene overexpression, gene function blocking, and transgenic somatic cell transplantation. In this review, we introduce the important gene therapy targets and targeted delivery systems within the field of gastroenterology. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent progress in gene therapy related to gastrointestinal disorders and shed light on the application of innovative gene-editing technologies in treating these conditions. These developments are fueling a revolution in the management of gastrointestinal diseases. Ultimately, we discuss the current challenges (particularly regarding safety, oral efficacy, and cost) and explore potential future directions for implementing gene therapy in the clinical settings for gastrointestinal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning-ning Yue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (the Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Hao-ming Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Min-zheng Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Medical Administration, Huizhou Institute of Occupational Diseases Control and Prevention, Huizhou, Guangdong 516000, China
| | - Cheng-Mei Tian
- Department of Emergency, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (the Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Yu-qiang Nie
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Jun Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (the Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Yu-jie Liang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - De-feng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (the Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Li-sheng Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (the Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518000, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Afra F, Mahboobipour AA, Salehi Farid A, Ala M. Recent progress in the immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: Non-coding RNA-based immunotherapy may improve the outcome. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115104. [PMID: 37393866 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most lethal cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) significantly improved the prognosis of HCC; however, the therapeutic response remains unsatisfactory in a substantial proportion of patients or needs to be further improved in responders. Herein, other methods of immunotherapy, including vaccine-based immunotherapy, adoptive cell therapy, cytokine delivery, kynurenine pathway inhibition, and gene delivery, have been adopted in clinical trials. Although the results were not encouraging enough to expedite their marketing. A major proportion of human genome is transcribed into non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Preclinical studies have extensively investigated the roles of ncRNAs in different aspects of HCC biology. HCC cells reprogram the expression pattern of numerous ncRNAs to decrease the immunogenicity of HCC, exhaust the cytotoxic and anti-cancer function of CD8 + T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and M1 macrophages, and promote the immunosuppressive function of T Reg cells, M2 macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Mechanistically, cancer cells recruit ncRNAs to interact with immune cells, thereby regulating the expression of immune checkpoints, functional receptors of immune cells, cytotoxic enzymes, and inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, prediction models based on the tissue expression or even serum levels of ncRNAs could predict response to immunotherapy in HCC. Moreover, ncRNAs markedly potentiated the efficacy of ICIs in murine models of HCC. This review article first discusses recent advances in the immunotherapy of HCC, then dissects the involvement and potential application of ncRNAs in the immunotherapy of HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Afra
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Ali Mahboobipour
- Tracheal Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Salehi Farid
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Moein Ala
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nandi S, Mondal A, Ghosh A, Mukherjee S, Das C. Lnc-ing epigenetic mechanisms with autophagy and cancer drug resistance. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 160:133-203. [PMID: 37704287 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.03.002] [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] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) comprise a diverse class of RNA molecules that regulate various physiological processes and have been reported to be involved in several human pathologies ranging from neurodegenerative disease to cancer. Therapeutic resistance is a major hurdle for cancer treatment. Over the past decade, several studies has emerged on the role of lncRNAs in cancer drug resistance and many trials have been conducted employing them. LncRNAs also regulate different cell death pathways thereby maintaining a fine balance of cell survival and death. Autophagy is a complex cell-killing mechanism that has both cytoprotective and cytotoxic roles. Similarly, autophagy can lead to the induction of both chemosensitization and chemoresistance in cancer cells upon therapeutic intervention. Recently the role of lncRNAs in the regulation of autophagy has also surfaced. Thus, lncRNAs can be used in cancer therapeutics to alleviate the challenges of chemoresistance by targeting the autophagosomal axis. In this chapter, we discuss about the role of lncRNAs in autophagy-mediated cancer drug resistance and its implication in targeted cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandhik Nandi
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Atanu Mondal
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Aritra Ghosh
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India; Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Shravanti Mukherjee
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
| | - Chandrima Das
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Farasati Far B, Isfahani AA, Nasiriyan E, Pourmolaei A, Mahmoudvand G, Karimi Rouzbahani A, Namiq Amin M, Naimi-Jamal MR. An Updated Review on Advances in Hydrogel-Based Nanoparticles for Liver Cancer Treatment. LIVERS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/livers3020012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
More than 90% of all liver malignancies are hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), for which chemotherapy and immunotherapy are the ideal therapeutic choices. Hepatocellular carcinoma is descended from other liver diseases, such as viral hepatitis, alcoholism, and metabolic syndrome. Normal cells and tissues may suffer damage from common forms of chemotherapy. In contrast to systemic chemotherapy, localized chemotherapy can reduce side effects by delivering a steady stream of chemotherapeutic drugs directly to the tumor site. This highlights the significance of controlled-release biodegradable hydrogels as drug delivery methods for chemotherapeutics. This review discusses using hydrogels as drug delivery systems for HCC and covers thermosensitive, pH-sensitive, photosensitive, dual-sensitive, and glutathione-responsive hydrogels. Compared to conventional systemic chemotherapy, hydrogel-based drug delivery methods are more effective in treating cancer.
Collapse
|
8
|
Bai X, Smith ZL, Wang Y, Butterworth S, Tirella A. Sustained Drug Release from Smart Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy: A Comprehensive Review. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13101623. [PMID: 36295976 PMCID: PMC9611581 DOI: 10.3390/mi13101623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Although nanomedicine has been highly investigated for cancer treatment over the past decades, only a few nanomedicines are currently approved and in the market; making this field poorly represented in clinical applications. Key research gaps that require optimization to successfully translate the use of nanomedicines have been identified, but not addressed; among these, the lack of control of the release pattern of therapeutics is the most important. To solve these issues with currently used nanomedicines (e.g., burst release, systemic release), different strategies for the design and manufacturing of nanomedicines allowing for better control over the therapeutic release, are currently being investigated. The inclusion of stimuli-responsive properties and prolonged drug release have been identified as effective approaches to include in nanomedicine, and are discussed in this paper. Recently, smart sustained release nanoparticles have been successfully designed to safely and efficiently deliver therapeutics with different kinetic profiles, making them promising for many drug delivery applications and in specific for cancer treatment. In this review, the state-of-the-art of smart sustained release nanoparticles is discussed, focusing on the design strategies and performances of polymeric nanotechnologies. A complete list of nanomedicines currently tested in clinical trials and approved nanomedicines for cancer treatment is presented, critically discussing advantages and limitations with respect to the newly developed nanotechnologies and manufacturing methods. By the presented discussion and the highlight of nanomedicine design criteria and current limitations, this review paper could be of high interest to identify key features for the design of release-controlled nanomedicine for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Bai
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Zara L. Smith
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Yuheng Wang
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Sam Butterworth
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Annalisa Tirella
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
- BIOtech-Center for Biomedical Technologies, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dysregulation of miRISC Regulatory Network Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911300. [PMID: 36232606 PMCID: PMC9569668 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911300] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains the third leading malignancy worldwide, causing high mortality in adults and children. The neuropathology-associated gene AEG-1 functions as a scaffold protein to correctly assemble the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and optimize or increase its activity. The overexpression of oncogenic miRNAs periodically degrades the target tumor suppressor genes. Oncogenic miR-221 plays a seminal role in the carcinogenesis of HCC. Hence, the exact molecular and biological functions of the oncogene clusters miR-221/AEG-1 axis have not yet been examined widely in HCC. Here, we explored the expression of both miR-221 and AEG-1 and their target/associate genes by qRT-PCR and western blot. In addition, the role of the miR-221/AEG-1 axis was studied in the HCC by flow cytometry analysis. The expression level of the AEG-1 did not change in the miR-221 mimic, and miR-221-transfected HCC cells, on the other hand, decreased the miR-221 expression in AEG-1 siRNA-transfected HCC cells. The miR-221/AEG-1 axis silencing induces apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest and inhibits cellular proliferation and angiogenesis by upregulating p57, p53, RB, and PTEN and downregulating LSF, LC3A, Bcl-2, OPN, MMP9, PI3K, and Akt in HCC cells.
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang Y, Hao X, Han G, Lu Y, Chen Z, Zhang L, Wu J, Wang X. E2F1-mediated GINS2 transcriptional activation promotes tumor progression through PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:1707-1726. [PMID: 35530279 PMCID: PMC9077065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has high morbidity and mortality rates. It is therefore imperative to study the underlying mechanism of HCC to identify potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Recently, GINS2 has been identified to be a cancer-promoting gene in different cancer types. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism of GINS2 in HCC remains to be elucidated. To systematically explore the significance of GINS2, we first assessed the relative expression of GINS2 in pan-cancers based on data obtained from the HCCDB, TIMER, and TCGA databases. Then, we explored the clinical significance of GINS2 in HCC through Kaplan-Meier method as well as univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis. Additionally, functional enrichment analysis of GINS2 was done through GO, KEGG, PPI network, and immune cell infiltration analyses. Functional experiments were also conducted to investigate the biological significance of GINS2 in HCC cell lines. Our research revealed that GINS2 is involved in HCC progression and highlighted its potential value as a crucial diagnostic and therapeutic target for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesNanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaopei Hao
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesNanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guoyong Han
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesNanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yiwei Lu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesNanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesNanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Long Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesNanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jindao Wu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesNanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuehao Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesNanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Deng L, Liang P, Cui H. Pseudotyped lentiviral vectors: Ready for translation into targeted cancer gene therapy? Genes Dis 2022. [PMID: 37492721 PMCID: PMC10363566 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy holds great promise for curing cancer by editing the deleterious genes of tumor cells, but the lack of vector systems for efficient delivery of genetic material into specific tumor sites in vivo has limited its full therapeutic potential in cancer gene therapy. Over the past two decades, increasing studies have shown that lentiviral vectors (LVs) modified with different glycoproteins from a donating virus, a process referred to as pseudotyping, have altered tropism and display cell-type specificity in transduction, leading to selective tumor cell killing. This feature of LVs together with their ability to enable high efficient gene delivery in dividing and non-dividing mammalian cells in vivo make them to be attractive tools in future cancer gene therapy. This review is intended to summarize the status quo of some typical pseudotypings of LVs and their applications in basic anti-cancer studies across many malignancies. The opportunities of translating pseudotyped LVs into clinic use in cancer therapy have also been discussed.
Collapse
|
12
|
Meumann N, Schmithals C, Elenschneider L, Hansen T, Balakrishnan A, Hu Q, Hook S, Schmitz J, Bräsen JH, Franke AC, Olarewaju O, Brandenberger C, Talbot SR, Fangmann J, Hacker UT, Odenthal M, Ott M, Piiper A, Büning H. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Is a Natural Target for Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) 2 Vectors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020427. [PMID: 35053588 PMCID: PMC8774135 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Gene therapy is a novel approach to treat diseases by introducing corrective genetic information into target cells. Adeno-associated virus vectors are the most frequently applied gene delivery tools for in vivo gene therapy and are also studied as part of innovative anticancer strategies. Here, we report on the natural preference of AAV2 vectors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to nonmalignant liver cells in mice and human tissue. This preference in transduction is due to the improved intracellular processing of AAV2 vectors in HCC, resulting in significantly more vector genomes serving as templates for transcription in the cell nucleus. Based on this natural tropism for HCC, novel therapeutic strategies can be designed or existing therapeutic approaches can be strengthened as they currently result in only a minor improvement of the poor prognosis for most liver cancer patients. Abstract Although therapeutic options are gradually improving, the overall prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still poor. Gene therapy-based strategies are developed to complement the therapeutic armamentarium, both in early and late-stage disease. For efficient delivery of transgenes with antitumor activity, vectors demonstrating preferred tumor tropism are required. Here, we report on the natural tropism of adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 2 vectors for HCC. When applied intravenously in transgenic HCC mouse models, similar amounts of vectors were detected in the liver and liver tumor tissue. In contrast, transduction efficiency, as indicated by the level of transgene product, was moderate in the liver but was elevated up to 19-fold in mouse tumor tissue. Preferred transduction of HCC compared to hepatocytes was confirmed in precision-cut liver slices from human patient samples. Our mechanistic studies revealed that this preference is due to the improved intracellular processing of AAV2 vectors in HCC, resulting, for example, in nearly 4-fold more AAV vector episomes that serve as templates for gene transcription. Given this background, AAV2 vectors ought to be considered to strengthen current—or develop novel—strategies for treating HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Meumann
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.); (A.-C.F.); (O.O.); (U.T.H.)
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Christian Schmithals
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (C.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Leroy Elenschneider
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine Preclinical Pharmacology and In-Vitro Toxicology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (L.E.); (T.H.)
| | - Tanja Hansen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine Preclinical Pharmacology and In-Vitro Toxicology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (L.E.); (T.H.)
| | - Asha Balakrishnan
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.B.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (M.O.)
- Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Qingluan Hu
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.B.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (M.O.)
- Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hook
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.B.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (M.O.)
- Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jessica Schmitz
- Nephropathology Unit, Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.S.); (J.H.B.)
| | - Jan Hinrich Bräsen
- Nephropathology Unit, Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (J.S.); (J.H.B.)
| | - Ann-Christin Franke
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.); (A.-C.F.); (O.O.); (U.T.H.)
| | - Olaniyi Olarewaju
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.); (A.-C.F.); (O.O.); (U.T.H.)
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Brandenberger
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Research (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Steven R. Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Josef Fangmann
- KRH Klinikum Siloah, Liver Center Hannover (LCH), 30459 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Ulrich T. Hacker
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.); (A.-C.F.); (O.O.); (U.T.H.)
- Department of Oncology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pulmonology, and Infectious Diseases, University Cancer Center Leipzig (UCCL), Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Margarete Odenthal
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Ott
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.B.); (Q.H.); (S.H.); (M.O.)
- Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Albrecht Piiper
- Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; (C.S.); (A.P.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (N.M.); (A.-C.F.); (O.O.); (U.T.H.)
- REBIRTH Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-511-532-5106
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bakrania A, Zheng G, Bhat M. Nanomedicine in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A New Frontier in Targeted Cancer Treatment. Pharmaceutics 2021; 14:41. [PMID: 35056937 PMCID: PMC8779722 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death and is associated with a dismal median survival of 2-9 months. The fundamental limitations and ineffectiveness of current HCC treatments have led to the development of a vast range of nanotechnologies with the goal of improving the safety and efficacy of treatment for HCC. Although remarkable success has been achieved in nanomedicine research, there are unique considerations such as molecular heterogeneity and concomitant liver dysfunction that complicate the translation of nanotheranostics in HCC. This review highlights the progress, challenges, and targeting opportunities in HCC nanomedicine based on the growing literature in recent years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Bakrania
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada;
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2N2, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada;
| | - Gang Zheng
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada;
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Mamatha Bhat
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada;
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2N2, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cao L, Zhu YQ, Wu ZX, Wang GX, Cheng HW. Engineering nanotheranostic strategies for liver cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2021; 13:1213-1228. [PMID: 34721763 PMCID: PMC8529922 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i10.1213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma have continued to increase over the last few years, and the medicine-based outlook of patients is poor. Given great ideas from the development of nanotechnology in medicine, especially the advantages in the treatments of liver cancer. Some engineering nanoparticles with active targeting, ligand modification, and passive targeting capacity achieve efficient drug delivery to tumor cells. In addition, the behavior of drug release is also applied to the drug loading nanosystem based on the tumor microenvironment. Considering clinical use of local treatment of liver cancer, in situ drug delivery of nanogels is also fully studied in orthotopic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and ablation therapy. Furthermore, novel therapies including gene therapy, phototherapy, and immunotherapy are also applied as combined therapy for liver cancer. Engineering nonviral polymers to function as gene delivery vectors with increased efficiency and specificity, and strategies of co-delivery of therapeutic genes and drugs show great therapeutic effect against liver tumors, including drug-resistant tumors. Phototherapy is also applied in surgical procedures, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Combination strategies significantly enhance therapeutic effects and decrease side effects. Overall, the application of nanotechnology could bring a revolutionary change to the current treatment of liver cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cao
- Department of Pathology, Quanzhou Women's and Children's Hospital, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yu-Qin Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Quanzhou Women's and Children's Hospital, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Zhi-Xian Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Disease, The 900th Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army Joint Service Support Force, Fuzhou 350025, Fujian Province, China
| | - Gao-Xiong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Quanzhou Women's and Children's Hospital, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Hong-Wei Cheng
- School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361002, Fujian Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li LY, Yang JF, Rong F, Luo ZP, Hu S, Fang H, Wu Y, Yao R, Kong WH, Feng XW, Chen BJ, Li J, Xu T. ZEB1 serves an oncogenic role in the tumourigenesis of HCC by promoting cell proliferation, migration, and inhibiting apoptosis via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1676-1689. [PMID: 33514855 PMCID: PMC8463676 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00575-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), a functional protein of zinc finger family, was aberrant expressed in many kinds of liver disease including hepatic fibrosis and Hepatitis C virus. Bioinformatics results showed that ZEB1 was abnormally expressed in HCC tissues. However, to date, the potential regulatory role and molecular mechanisms of ZEB1 are still unclear in the occurrence and development of HCC. This study demonstrated that the expression level of ZEB1 was significantly elevated both in liver tissues of HCC patients and cell lines (HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells). Moreover, ZEB1 could promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. On the downstream regulation mechanism, ZEB1 could activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by upregulating the protein expression levels of β-catenin, c-Myc, and cyclin D1. Novel studies showed that miR-708 particularly targeted ZEB1 3'-UTR regions and inhibited the HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, results of nude mice experiments of HCC model indicated that miR-708 could inhibit tumor growth and xenograft metastasis model was established to validate that miR-708 could inhibit HCC cell metastasis through tail-vein injection in vivo. Together, the study suggested that ZEB1 modulated by miR-708 might be a potential therapeutic target for HCC therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Yun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jun-Fa Yang
- Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Fan Rong
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Lujiang County People's Hospital of Anhui Province, Hefei, 231500, China
| | - Zhi-Pan Luo
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Shuang Hu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Hui Fang
- Department of Pharmocology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Ying Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Rui Yao
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Wei-Hao Kong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Feng
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Bang-Jie Chen
- First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bao H, Chen T, Zhu J, Xie H, Chen F. CEUS-Based Radiomics Can Show Changes in Protein Levels in Liver Metastases After Incomplete Thermal Ablation. Front Oncol 2021; 11:694102. [PMID: 34513676 PMCID: PMC8427517 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.694102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the ability of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-based radiomics combined with machine learning to detect early protein changes after incomplete thermal ablation. Methods HCT-26 colorectal adenoma cells were engrafted into the livers of 80 mice, which were randomly divided into 4 groups for palliative laser ablation. Changes in heat shock protein (HSP) and apoptosis-related protein expression in the tumors were assessed. SCID mice subjected to CEUS and ultrasonography were divided into training (n=56) and test (n=24) datasets. Then, 102 features from seven feature groups were extracted. We use the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) feature selection method to fit the machine learning classifiers. The feature selection methods and four classifiers were combined to determine the best prediction model. Results The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of the classifiers in the test dataset ranged from 0.450 to 0.932 (median: 0.721). The best score was obtained from the model in which the omics data of CEUS was analyzed in the arterial phase by random forest (RF) classification. Conclusions A machine learning model, in which radiomics characteristics are extracted by multimodal ultrasonography, can accurately, rapidly and noninvasively identify protein changes after ablation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiwei Bao
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junyan Zhu
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haiyang Xie
- Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fen Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Shokoohian B, Negahdari B, Aboulkheyr Es H, Abedi-Valugerdi M, Baghaei K, Agarwal T, Maiti TK, Hassan M, Najimi M, Vosough M. Advanced therapeutic modalities in hepatocellular carcinoma: Novel insights. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:8602-8614. [PMID: 34423899 PMCID: PMC8435417 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, is usually a latent and asymptomatic malignancy caused by different aetiologies, which is a result of various aberrant molecular heterogeneity and often diagnosed at advanced stages. The incidence and prevalence have significantly increased because of sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, chronic infection with hepatotropic viruses and exposure to aflatoxins. Due to advanced intra‐ or extrahepatic metastasis, recurrence is very common even after radical resection. In this paper, we highlighted novel therapeutic modalities, such as molecular‐targeted therapies, targeted radionuclide therapies and epigenetic modification‐based therapies. These topics are trending headlines and their combination with cell‐based immunotherapies, and gene therapy has provided promising prospects for the future of HCC treatment. Moreover, a comprehensive overview of current and advanced therapeutic approaches is discussed and the advantages and limitations of each strategy are described. Finally, very recent and approved novel combined therapies and their promising results in HCC treatment have been introduced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bahare Shokoohian
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Negahdari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Manuchehr Abedi-Valugerdi
- Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Experimental Cancer Medicine, Clinical Research Center (KFC), Novum, Karolinska University Hospital-Huddinge and Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine (BCM, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kaveh Baghaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tarun Agarwal
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
| | - Tapas Kumar Maiti
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
| | - Moustapha Hassan
- Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Experimental Cancer Medicine, Clinical Research Center (KFC), Novum, Karolinska University Hospital-Huddinge and Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine (BCM, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mustapha Najimi
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hepatology and Cell Therapy, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Experimental Cancer Medicine, Clinical Research Center (KFC), Novum, Karolinska University Hospital-Huddinge and Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine (BCM, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Li H, Li Y, Zhang Y, Tan B, Huang T, Xiong J, Tan X, Ermolaeva MA, Fu L. MAPK10 Expression as a Prognostic Marker of the Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:687371. [PMID: 34408980 PMCID: PMC8366563 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.687371] [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: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a devastating malignancy worldwide due to lack of effective therapy. The immune-rich contexture of HCC tumor microenvironment (TME) makes this tumor an appealing target for immune-based therapies; however, the immunosuppressive TME is still a major challenge for more efficient immunotherapy in HCC. Using bioinformatics analysis based on the TCGA database, here we found that MAPK10 is frequently down-regulated in HCC tumors and significantly correlates with poor survival of HCC patients. HCC patients with low MAPK10 expression have lower expression scores of tumor infiltration lymphocytes (TILs) and stromal cells in the TME and increased scores of tumor cells than those with high MAPK10 expression. Further transcriptomic analyses revealed that the immune activity in the TME of HCC was markedly reduced in the low-MAPK10 group of HCC patients compared to the high-MAPK10 group. Additionally, we identified 495 differentially expressed immune-associated genes (DIGs), with 482 genes down-regulated and 13 genes up-regulated in parallel with the decrease of MAPK10 expression. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses indicated that the biological functions of these DIGs included cell chemotaxis, leukocyte migration and positive regulation of the response to cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, T cell receptor activation and MAPK signaling pathway. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) analyses of the 495 DIGs revealed five potential downstream hub genes of MAPK10, including SYK, CBL, VAV1, LCK, and CD3G. Several hub genes such as SYK, LCK, and VAV1 could respond to the immunological costimulatory signaling mediated by the transmembrane protein ICAM1, which was identified as a down-regulated DIG associated with low-MAPK10 expression. Moreover, ectopic overexpression or knock-down of MAPK10 could up-regulate or down-regulate ICAM1 expression via phosphorylation of c-jun at Ser63 in HCC cell lines, respectively. Collectively, our results demonstrated that MAPK10 down-regulation likely contributes to the immunosuppressive TME of HCC, and this gene might serve as a potential immunotherapeutic target and a prognostic factor for HCC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huahui Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,Group of Homeostasis and Stress Tolerance, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany.,Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universitat Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuting Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,Group of Homeostasis and Stress Tolerance, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany.,Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universitat Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Binbin Tan
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tuxiong Huang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jixian Xiong
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiangyu Tan
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Maria A Ermolaeva
- Group of Homeostasis and Stress Tolerance, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Li Fu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Azevedo A, Farinha D, Geraldes C, Faneca H. Combining gene therapy with other therapeutic strategies and imaging agents for cancer theranostics. Int J Pharm 2021; 606:120905. [PMID: 34293466 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases in the world, to which conventional treatment options, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, have been applied to overcome the disease or used in a palliative manner to enhance the quality of life of the patient. However, there is an urgent need to develop new preventive and treatment strategies to overcome the limitations of the commonly used approaches. The field of cancer nanomedicine, and more recently the field of nanotheranostics, where imaging and therapeutic agents are combined in a single platform, provide new opportunities for the treatment and the diagnosis of cancer. This combination could bring us closer to a more personalized and cared-for therapy, in opposition to the conventional and standardized approaches. Gene therapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer that requires a transport system to efficiently deliver the genetic material into the target cells. Hence, the main purpose of this work was to review recent findings and developments regarding theranostic nanosystems that incorporate both gene therapy and imaging agents for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandro Azevedo
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-393 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Dina Farinha
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos Geraldes
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-393 Coimbra, Portugal; Coimbra Chemistry Center, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga Largo D. Dinis, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Henrique Faneca
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua Dom Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Banerjee I, Fisher PB, Sarkar D. Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1): A key driver of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Adv Cancer Res 2021; 152:329-381. [PMID: 34353442 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2021.05.003] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
An array of human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), overexpress the oncogene Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1). It is now firmly established that AEG-1 is a key driver of carcinogenesis, and enhanced expression of AEG-1 is a marker of poor prognosis in cancer patients. In-depth studies have revealed that AEG-1 positively regulates different hallmarks of HCC progression including growth and proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, migration, metastasis and resistance to therapeutic intervention. By interacting with a plethora of proteins as well as mRNAs, AEG-1 regulates gene expression at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational levels, and modulates numerous pro-tumorigenic and tumor-suppressive signal transduction pathways. Even though extensive research over the last two decades using various in vitro and in vivo models has established the pivotal role of AEG-1 in HCC, effective targeting of AEG-1 as a therapeutic intervention for HCC is yet to be achieved in the clinic. Targeted delivery of AEG-1 small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) has demonstrated desired therapeutic effects in mouse models of HCC. Peptidomimetic inhibitors based on protein-protein interaction studies has also been developed recently. Continuous unraveling of novel mechanisms in the regulation of HCC by AEG-1 will generate valuable knowledge facilitating development of specific AEG-1 inhibitory strategies. The present review describes the current status of AEG-1 in HCC gleaned from patient-focused and bench-top studies as well as transgenic and knockout mouse models. We also address the challenges that need to be overcome and discuss future perspectives on this exciting molecule to transform it from bench to bedside.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indranil Banerjee
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Chizenga EP, Abrahamse H. Biological Therapy with Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Innocuous Integrative Oncology: A Case of Cervical Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:626. [PMID: 33924844 PMCID: PMC8145806 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13050626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Good medicine is based on good science, inquiry driven and open to new paradigms. For a complex disease such as cancer, a complex treatment regime that is well structured and multifactorial is indispensable. In the present day, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies are being used frequently for cancer, alongside modern biological therapies and allopathic medicine, in what is called integrative oncology. In all conscience, the use of natural, less invasive interventions whenever possible is ideal. However, a comprehensive understanding of not only the etiopathology of individual cancers, but also the detailed genetic and epigenetic characteristics, the cancer hallmarks, that clearly show the blueprint of the cancer phenotype is a requisite. Different tumors have a common behavioral pattern, but their specific features at the genetic and epigenetic levels vary to a great extent. Henceforth, with so many failed attempts to therapy, drug formulations and combinations need a focused pre-assessment of the inherent features of individual cancers to destroy the tumors holistically by targeting these features. This review therefore presents innocuous therapeutic regimes by means of CAM and integrative medicine approaches that can specifically target the hallmarks of cancer, using the case of cervical cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Heidi Abrahamse
- Laser Research Centre, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa;
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Miwa T, Kochi T, Watanabe K, Hanai T, Imai K, Suetsugu A, Takai K, Shiraki M, Katsumura N, Shimizu M. Recurrent hepatogastric fistula during lenvatinib therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma managed by over-the-scope clip closure: a case report. J Rural Med 2021; 16:102-110. [PMID: 33833836 PMCID: PMC8016677 DOI: 10.2185/jrm.2020-044] [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: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Lenvatinib is an oral multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor (mTKI) and is recommended for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with Child-Pugh A liver function, who are not amenable to surgical resection, locoregional treatment, or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Hepatogastric fistula is a rare complication with a poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Previous reports on fistula formation during mTKI therapy for HCC were all associated with sorafenib. Here, we report the first case of recurrent hepatogastric fistula during lenvatinib therapy for advanced HCC managed using an over-the-scope clip (OTSC). Patient: We present the case of a 73-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis who was treated for multiple HCC for 7 years. HCC was treated using repetitive transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation, and sorafenib. Owing to disease progression, lenvatinib treatment was started. During lenvatinib treatment, recurrent hepatogastric fistulas developed. An OTSC was useful for fistula closure and prevention of recurrence. Results: The major cause of fistula formation is considered to be the direct invasion of HCC; however, HCC treatment might also be a contributing factor in our case. In addition, OTSC was useful for fistula closure. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of the fatal complications during HCC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takao Miwa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chuno Kosei Hospital, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kochi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chuno Kosei Hospital, Japan
| | | | - Tatsunori Hanai
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.,Division for Regional Cancer Control, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Kenji Imai
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suetsugu
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Koji Takai
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.,Division for Regional Cancer Control, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Makoto Shiraki
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | | | - Masahito Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhou W, Chen Y, Luo R, Li Z, Jiang G, Ou X. Identification of Biomarkers Related to Immune Cell Infiltration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Gene Co-Expression Network. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:601693. [PMID: 34257558 PMCID: PMC8262220 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.601693] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer with poor prognosis. Due to the lack of effective biomarkers and its complex immune microenvironment, the effects of current HCC therapies are not ideal. In this study, we used the GSE57957 microarray data from Gene Expression Omnibus database to construct a co-expression network. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis and CIBERSORT algorithm, which quantifies cellular composition of immune cells, were used to identify modules related to immune cells. Four hub genes (EFTUD2, GAPDH, NOP56, PA2G4) were identified by co-expression network and protein-protein interactions network analysis. We examined these genes in TCGA database, and found that the four hub genes were highly expressed in tumor tissues in multiple HCC groups, and the expression levels were significantly correlated with patient survival time, pathological stage and tumor progression. On the other hand, methylation analysis showed that the up-regulation of EFTUD2, GAPDH, NOP56 might be due to the hypomethylation status of their promoters. Next, we investigated the correlations between the expression levels of four hub genes and tumor immune infiltration using Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). Gene set variation analysis suggested that the four hub genes were associated with numerous pathways that affect tumor progression or immune microenvironment. Overall, our results showed that the four hub genes were closely related to tumor prognosis, and may serve as targets for treatment and diagnosis of HCC. In addition, the associations between these genes and immune infiltration enhanced our understanding of tumor immune environment and provided new directions for the development of drugs and the monitoring of tumor immune status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanbang Zhou
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yiyang Chen
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ruixing Luo
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zifan Li
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guanwei Jiang
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xi Ou
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Luo GF, Chen WH, Zeng X, Zhang XZ. Cell primitive-based biomimetic functional materials for enhanced cancer therapy. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:945-985. [PMID: 33226037 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00152j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cell primitive-based functional materials that combine the advantages of natural substances and nanotechnology have emerged as attractive therapeutic agents for cancer therapy. Cell primitives are characterized by distinctive biological functions, such as long-term circulation, tumor specific targeting, immune modulation etc. Moreover, synthetic nanomaterials featuring unique physical/chemical properties have been widely used as effective drug delivery vehicles or anticancer agents to treat cancer. The combination of these two kinds of materials will catalyze the generation of innovative biomaterials with multiple functions, high biocompatibility and negligible immunogenicity for precise cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize the most recent advances in the development of cell primitive-based functional materials for cancer therapy. Different cell primitives, including bacteria, phages, cells, cell membranes, and other bioactive substances are introduced with their unique bioactive functions, and strategies in combining with synthetic materials, especially nanoparticulate systems, for the construction of function-enhanced biomaterials are also summarized. Furthermore, foreseeable challenges and future perspectives are also included for the future research direction in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Feng Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education & Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P. R. China.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Naing C, Leong CO, Aung HH, Mai CW, Chan EWL, Kew ST. Gene therapy for people with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hippokratia 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cho Naing
- International Medical University; Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine; James Cook University; Townsville Australia
| | | | | | - Chun-Wai Mai
- International Medical University; Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Gupta M, Iyer RV. Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Special Issue Highlights. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082026. [PMID: 32722037 PMCID: PMC7463719 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Medhavi Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA;
| | - Renuka V. Iyer
- Division of Gastrointestinal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Scott Bieler Clinical Sciences Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-716-845-8195
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Guo D, Zhang D, Ren M, Lu G, Zhang X, He S, Li Y. THBS4 promotes HCC progression by regulating ITGB1 via FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. FASEB J 2020; 34:10668-10681. [PMID: 32567740 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000043r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our research aims to identify the role of thrombospondin 4 (THBS4) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). First, bioinformatic analysis was applied for detection the expression of THBS4 in HCC samples, and qRT-PCR and western blot were performed to explore the expression of THBS4 in HCC tissues and adjacent samples. Next, colony formation assay and cell viability assay were used to assess the function of THBS4 on HCC cells growth while transwell assay and scratch test were for metastasis. Meanwhile Xenograft tumor models were further conducted to verify the function of THBS4 in HCC. As for mechanism in deep, we investigated the influence of THBS4 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) development and the interaction between THBS4 and integrin (ITG) family using multiple experiments, including western blot, immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation (IP). As a result, our research discovered that the overexpression of THBS4 in both HCC patients' tissues and cell lines mediates HCC cells proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. In-depth, THBS4 regulated EMT progression and interacted with ITG family to modulate FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. In conclusion, THBS4 as an oncogene interacts with integrinβ1 (ITGB1) to regulate HCC development via FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Mudan Ren
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Guifang Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Shuixiang He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Yarui Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Wu X, Ma W, Mei C, Chen X, Yao Y, Liu Y, Qin X, Yuan Y. Description of CRISPR/Cas9 development and its prospect in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:97. [PMID: 32487115 PMCID: PMC7268395 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01603-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies today. Patients suffer from HCC since its high malignancy and limited treatment means. With the development of genetic research, new therapeutic strategy comes up in the way of gene editing. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) was discovered as an immune sequence in bacteria and archaea. After artificial transformation and follow-up research, it is widely used as a gene editing tool. In this review, the development of CRISPR/Cas9 is summarized in retrospect. Through the evaluation of novel research in HCC, it is concluded that CRISPR/Cas9 would promote cancer research and provide a new tool for genetic treatment in prospect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Weijie Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Chengjie Mei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ye Yao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yingyi Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xian Qin
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yufeng Yuan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Qu Y, Tan HY, Chan YT, Jiang H, Wang N, Wang D. The functional role of long noncoding RNA in resistance to anticancer treatment. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920927850. [PMID: 32536982 PMCID: PMC7268113 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920927850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is one of the fundamental methods of cancer treatment. However, drug resistance remains the main cause of clinical treatment failure. We comprehensively review the newly identified roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in oncobiology that are associated with drug resistance. The expression of lncRNAs is tissue-specific and often dysregulated in human cancers. Accumulating evidence suggests that lncRNAs are involved in chemoresistance of cancer cells. The main lncRNA-driven mechanisms of chemoresistance include regulation of drug efflux, DNA damage repair, cell cycle, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), induction of signaling pathways, and angiogenesis. LncRNA-driven mechanisms of resistance to various antineoplastic agents have been studied extensively. There are unique mechanisms of resistance against different types of drugs, and each mechanism may have more than one contributing factor. We summarize the emerging strategies that can be used to overcome the technical challenges in studying and addressing lncRNA-mediated drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yidi Qu
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hor-Yue Tan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R., P.R. China
| | - Yau-Tuen Chan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R., P.R. China
| | - Hongbo Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R., P.R. China
| | - Di Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Xu B, Zhang Y, Yang H, Liu T, Lu Y, Xu Y, Zhang Q, Li X, Huang Z, Zhang Y, Webster TJ. siVEGF-loaded nanoparticle uptake by tumor-associated vascular endothelial cells for hepatocellular carcinoma. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2020; 15:1297-1314. [PMID: 32458768 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2020-0082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study examined nanoparticle entry into tumor-associated vascular endothelial cells during transport to hepatocellular carcinoma cells and tumors. Materials & methods: siVEGF was loaded into CS-SS-9R/BSA-cRGD nanoparticles (CBc NPs). The intracellular uptake, gene silencing efficiency, antiproliferation and antiangiogenic effect of the NPs were performed on EA.hy926 cells. In vivo antitumor and antiangiogenic effects were investigated in Bel-7402 tumor-bearing nude mice. Results: siVEGF-loaded CBc NPs entered EA.hy926 cells and suppressed their proliferation and capillary formation. The NPs also inhibited tumor proliferation and angiogenesis in tumor-bearing mice, which attributed to the downregulation of VEGF mRNA expression in tumor tissue. Conclusion: The uptake of siVEGF-loaded CBc NPs by tumor-associated vascular endothelial cells made important contributions in controlling the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bohui Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, PR China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, PR China
| | - Han Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, PR China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, PR China
| | - Youjia Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, PR China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, PR China
| | - Qifeng Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, PR China
| | - Xingyu Li
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, PR China
| | - Zhiqi Huang
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- The Pharmacy Department, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 21009, PR China
| | - Thomas J Webster
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Yu S, Wang Y, Hou J, Li W, Wang X, Xiang L, Tan D, Wang W, Jiang L, Claret FX, Jiao M, Guo H. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells in hepatocellular carcinoma: Tregs is correlated with poor overall survival. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231003. [PMID: 32240238 PMCID: PMC7117689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Systematic interrogation of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) is key to the prediction of clinical outcome and development of immunotherapies. However, little is known about the TIICs of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its impact on the prognosis of patients and potential for immunotherapy. We applied CIBERSORT of 1090 tumors to infer the infiltration of 22 subsets of TIICs using gene expression data. Unsupervised clustering analysis by 22 TIICs revealed 4 clusters of tumors, mainly defined by macrophages and T cells, with distinct prognosis and associations with immune checkpoint molecules, including PD-1, CD274, CTLA-4, LAG-3 and IFNG. We found tumors with decreased number of M1 macrophages or increased regulatory T cells were associated with poor prognosis. Based on the multivariate Cox analysis, a nomogram was also established for clinical application. In conclusion, composition of the TIICs in HCC was quite different, which is an important determinant of prognosis with great potential to identify candidates for immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- SiZhe Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
- Department of Respirology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Jia Hou
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - WenYuan Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - LuoChengLing Xiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - DeLi Tan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - WenJuan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - LiLi Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Francois X. Claret
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Min Jiao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
- * E-mail: (MJ); (HG)
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education of China, Xi’an, Shaanxi, PR China
- * E-mail: (MJ); (HG)
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Melim C, Jarak I, Veiga F, Figueiras A. The potential of micelleplexes as a therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma disease. 3 Biotech 2020; 10:147. [PMID: 32181109 PMCID: PMC7052088 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-020-2142-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare aggressive bone, presenting low patient survival rate, high metastasis and relapse occurrence, mostly due to multi-drug resistant cells. To surpass that, the use of nanomedicine for the targeted delivery of genetic material, drugs or both have been extensively researched. In this review, we address the current situation of the disorder and some gene therapy options in the nanomedicine field that have been investigated. Among them, polymeric micelles (PM) are an advantageous therapeutic alternative highly explored for OS, as they allow for the targeted transportation of poorly water-soluble drugs to cancer cells. In addition, micelleplexes are PMs with cationic properties with promising features, such as the possibility for a dual therapy, which have made them an attractive research subject. The aim of this review article is to elucidate the application of a micelleplex formulation encapsulating the underexpressed miRNA145 to achieve an active targeting to OS cells and overcome multi-drug resistance, as a new and viable therapeutic strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Melim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ivana Jarak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco Veiga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Figueiras
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Çolaklar A, Altınbaş NK. Infiltrative non-mass-like hepatocellular carcinoma initially presenting with isolated malignant portal vein thrombosis: A case report and review of the literature. J Ultrason 2020; 20:e55-e60. [PMID: 32320167 PMCID: PMC7266071 DOI: 10.15557/jou.2020.0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) shows a rising incidence and mortality rates worldwide. HCC is divided into several distinct subtypes, both morphologically and histopathologically. Among these subtypes, infiltrative HCC may be the most challenging subtype to diagnose, given its characteristic myriad of tumor nodules blended with normal hepatocytes without a distinct mass-like lesion. Herein, we report an unusual case of an infiltrative HCC initially presenting with isolated malignant portal vein thrombosis and provide a brief review of the literature regarding the infiltrative HCC subtype. Additionally, we demonstrate how sonoelastography could aid in detecting the appropriate biopsy area in the infiltrative HCC subtype. To our knowledge, there have not been previously reported cases describing the use of sonoelastography in the evaluation of the appropriate area for the targeted liver biopsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anıl Çolaklar
- Department of Radiology & Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis - Indiana , United States of America
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Effect of Diphtheria Toxin-Based Gene Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020472. [PMID: 32085552 PMCID: PMC7072394 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global malignancy, responsible for >90% of primary liver cancers. Currently available therapeutic options have poor performances due to the highly heterogeneous nature of the tumor cells; recurrence is highly probable, and some patients develop resistances to the therapies. Accordingly, the development of a novel therapy is essential. We assessed gene therapy for HCC using a diphtheria toxin fragment A (DTA) gene-expressing plasmid, utilizing a non-viral hydrodynamics-based procedure. The antitumor effect of DTA expression in HCC cell lines (and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter selectivity) is assessed in vitro by examining HCC cell growth. Moreover, the effect and safety of the AFP promoter-selective DTA expression was examined in vivo using an HCC mice model established by the hydrodynamic gene delivery of the yes-associated protein (YAP)-expressing plasmid. The protein synthesis in DTA transfected cells is inhibited by the disappearance of tdTomato and GFP expression co-transfected upon the delivery of the DTA plasmid; the HCC cell growth is inhibited by the expression of DTA in HCC cells in an AFP promoter-selective manner. A significant inhibition of HCC occurrence and the suppression of the tumor marker of AFP and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin can be seen in mice groups treated with hydrodynamic gene delivery of DTA, both 0 and 2 months after the YAP gene delivery. These results suggest that DTA gene therapy is effective for HCC.
Collapse
|
35
|
Hajiasgharzadeh K, Somi MH, Mansoori B, Khaze Shahgoli V, Derakhshani A, Mokhtarzadeh A, Shanehbandi D, Baradaran B. Small interfering RNA targeting alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to sorafenib. Life Sci 2020; 244:117332. [PMID: 31962133 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS It has been demonstrated that reduced expression of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) led to reduced chemotherapeutic drugs resistance in various cancer cells. However, whether small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated knockdown of α7nAChR can reduce sorafenib (SOR) resistance in HCC cells remains to be determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effects of α7nAChR-siRNA in combination with SOR treatment was analyzed in human (HepG2) and mouse (Hepa 1-6) HCC cell lines. The MTT, DAPI staining and flow cytometry assays were applied to measure the cell viability, apoptosis and cell cycle progression of the cells. Also, the changes in the mRNA and protein levels of the α7nAChR were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. KEY FINDINGS The results revealed that SOR increased both mRNA and protein levels of α7nAChR in HCC cells. Treatment with α7nAChR-siRNA abolished these effects. Also, SOR treatment in combination with α7nAChR-siRNA significantly sensitizes HCC cells to SOR cytotoxicity. This combination therapy significantly induced HCC cells apoptosis compared to SOR alone. SIGNIFICANCE These experimental results indicate that knockdown of α7nAChR by siRNA increased the SOR antitumor activity of HCC cells and suggests that this additive combination is a promising drug candidate for HCC therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Hossein Somi
- Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Mansoori
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Afshin Derakhshani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Dariush Shanehbandi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kamimura K, Yokoo T, Abe H, Terai S. Gene Therapy for Liver Cancers: Current Status from Basic to Clinics. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121865. [PMID: 31769427 PMCID: PMC6966544 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is a key organ for metabolism, protein synthesis, detoxification, and endocrine function, and among liver diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, malignant tumors, and congenital disease, liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Conventional therapeutic options such as embolization and chemotherapy are not effective against advanced-stage liver cancer; therefore, continuous efforts focus on the development of novel therapeutic options, including molecular targeted agents and gene therapy. In this review, we will summarize the progress toward the development of gene therapies for liver cancer, with an emphasis on recent clinical trials and preclinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Kamimura
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-25-227-2207; Fax: +81-25-227-0776
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
AEG-1/miR-221 Axis Cooperatively Regulates the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting PTEN/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20225526. [PMID: 31698701 PMCID: PMC6888527 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading malignancy worldwide, causing mortality in children and adults. AEG-1 is functioned as a scaffold protein for the proper assembly of RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to optimize or increase its activity. The increased activity of oncogenic miRNAs leads to the degradation of target tumor suppressor genes. miR-221 is an oncogenic miRNA, that plays a seminal role in carcinogenesis regulation of HCC. However, the molecular mechanism and biological functions of the miR-221/AEG-1 axis have not been investigated extensively in HCC. Here, the expression of miR-221/AEG-1 and their target/associate genes was analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The role of the miR-221/AEG-1 axis in HCC was evaluated by proliferation assay, migration assay, invasion assay, and flow cytometry analysis. The expression level of miR-221 decreased in AEG-1 siRNA transfected HCC cells. On the other hand, there were no significant expression changes of AEG-1 in miR-221 mimic and miR-221 inhibitor transfected HCC cells and inhibition of miR-221/AEG-1 axis decreased cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis and induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest by upregulating p57, p53, PTEN, and RB and downregulating LSF, MMP9, OPN, Bcl-2, PI3K, AKT, and LC3A in HCC cells. Furthermore, these findings suggest that the miR-221/AEG-1 axis plays a seminal oncogenic role by modulating PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in HCC. In conclusion, the miR-221/AEG-1 axis may serve as a potential target for therapeutics, diagnostics, and prognostics of HCC.
Collapse
|
38
|
Cao M, Gao Y, Zhan M, Qiu N, Piao Y, Zhou Z, Shen Y. Glycyrrhizin Acid and Glycyrrhetinic Acid Modified Polyethyleneimine for Targeted DNA Delivery to Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5074. [PMID: 31614879 PMCID: PMC6829341 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last 2-3 decades, gene therapy represented a promising option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. However, the design of safe and efficient gene delivery systems is still one of the major challenges that require solutions. In this study, we demonstrate a versatile method for covalent conjugation of glycyrrhizin acid (GL) or glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) to increase the transfection efficiency of Polyethyleneimine (PEI, Mw 1.8K) and improve their targeting abilities of hepatoma carcinoma cells. GA and GL targeting ligands were grafted to PEI via N-acylation, and we systematically investigated their biophysical properties, cytotoxicity, liver targeting and transfection efficiency, and endocytosis pathway trafficking. PEI-GA0.75, PEI-GL10.62 and PEI-GL20.65 conjugates caused significant increases in gene transfection efficiency and superior selectivity for HepG2 cells, with all three conjugates showing specific recognition of HepG2 cells by the free GA competition assay. The endocytosis inhibition and intracellular trafficking results indicated that PEI-GA0.75 and GL10.62 conjugates behaved similarly to SV40 virus, by proceeding via the caveolae- and clathrin-independent mediated endocytosis pathway and bypassing entry into lysosomes, with an energy independent manner, achieving their high transfection efficiencies. In the HepG2 intraperitoneal tumor model, PEI-GA0.75 and PEI-GL10.62 carrying the luciferase reporter gene gained high gene expression, suggesting potential use for in vivo application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhuo Cao
- Center for Bio-nanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
- Scientific Research and Experimental Center, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450058, China.
| | - Yong Gao
- Henan province food and drug Administration, Food and Drug Evaluation and Inspection Center, Zhengzhou 450018, China.
| | - Mengling Zhan
- Scientific Research and Experimental Center, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450058, China.
| | - Nasha Qiu
- Center for Bio-nanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Ying Piao
- Center for Bio-nanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Zhuxian Zhou
- Center for Bio-nanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Youqing Shen
- Center for Bio-nanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| |
Collapse
|