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Budka J, Debowski D, Mai S, Narajczyk M, Hac S, Rolka K, Vrettos EI, Tzakos AG, Inkielewicz-Stepniak I. Design, Synthesis, and Antitumor Evaluation of an Opioid Growth Factor Bioconjugate Targeting Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:283. [PMID: 38399336 PMCID: PMC10892429 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a formidable challenge with high lethality and limited effective drug treatments. Its heightened metastatic potential further complicates the prognosis. Owing to the significant toxicity of current chemotherapeutics, compounds like [Met5]-enkephalin, known as opioid growth factor (OGF), have emerged in oncology clinical trials. OGF, an endogenous peptide interacting with the OGF receptor (OGFr), plays a crucial role in inhibiting cell proliferation across various cancer types. This in vitro study explores the potential anticancer efficacy of a newly synthesized OGF bioconjugate in synergy with the classic chemotherapeutic agent, gemcitabine (OGF-Gem). The study delves into assessing the impact of the OGF-Gem conjugate on cell proliferation inhibition, cell cycle regulation, the induction of cellular senescence, and apoptosis. Furthermore, the antimetastatic potential of the OGF-Gem conjugate was demonstrated through evaluations using blood platelets and AsPC-1 cells with a light aggregometer. In summary, this article demonstrates the cytotoxic impact of the innovative OGF-Gem conjugate on pancreatic cancer cells in both 2D and 3D models. We highlight the potential of both the OGF-Gem conjugate and OGF alone in effectively inhibiting the ex vivo pancreatic tumor cell-induced platelet aggregation (TCIPA) process, a phenomenon not observed with Gem alone. Furthermore, the confirmed hemocompatibility of OGF-Gem with platelets reinforces its promising potential. We anticipate that this conjugation strategy will open avenues for the development of potent anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Budka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dawid Debowski
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Shaoshan Mai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Narajczyk
- Bioimaging Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Stanislaw Hac
- Department of General Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Rolka
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland
| | | | - Andreas G. Tzakos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- University Research Center of Ioannina, Institute of Materials Science and Computing, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Huo Q, Li K, Sun X, Zhuang A, Minami K, Tamari K, Ogawa K, Fishel ML, Li BY, Yokota H. The inhibition of pancreatic cancer progression by K-Ras-overexpressing mesenchymal stem cell-derived secretomes. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15036. [PMID: 37699930 PMCID: PMC10497626 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41835-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with poor survival. To explore an uncharted function of K-Ras proto-oncogene, K-Ras was activated in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the effects of MSC conditioned medium (CM) on PDAC were examined. Overexpression of K-Ras elevated PI3K signaling in MSCs, and K-Ras/PI3K-activated MSC-derived CM reduced the proliferation and migration of tumor cells, as well as the growth of ex vivo freshly isolated human PDAC cultures. CM's anti-tumor capability was additive with Gemcitabine, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of PDAC. The systemic administration of CM in a mouse model suppressed the colonization of PDAC in the lung. MSC CM was enriched with Moesin (MSN), which acted as an extracellular tumor-suppressing protein by interacting with CD44. Tumor-suppressive CM was also generated by PKA-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Collectively, this study demonstrated that MSC CM can be engineered to act as a tumor-suppressive agent by activating K-Ras and PI3K, and the MSN-CD44 regulatory axis is in part responsible for this potential unconventional option in the treatment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingji Huo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Kexin Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Xun Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Adam Zhuang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Kazumasa Minami
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tamari
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ogawa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Bai-Yan Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Hiroki Yokota
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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Kikuyama F, Suzuki S, Jibiki A, Yokoyama Y, Kawazoe H, Kitanaka S, Nakamura T. Ingenol mebutate inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro via STING with an efficacy comparable to that of clinically used anticancer agents. J Nat Med 2023; 77:343-351. [PMID: 36694038 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-023-01682-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is associated with a poor prognosis; thus, there is an urgent need to develop new and effective treatments. Ingenol mebutate (IM), which is isolated from the latex of Euphorbia peplus, was recently shown to be effective against pancreatic cancer cell lines; however, its mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we focused on the less drug-sensitive pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1 and compared IM to commercially available anticancer drugs using cell survival assays. In addition, we aimed to identify novel biomolecules that may be involved in the mechanism of action of IM using RNA sequencing, western blotting, and inhibition assays. The IC50 values after 72 h of exposure to IM and SN-38, drugs to which the Panc-1 cells are most sensitive among the tested anticancer agents, were 43.1 ± 16.8 nM and 165 ± 37 nM, respectively. IM showed a cytostatic effect equal to or greater than that of the clinically used pancreatic cancer therapeutic drugs. RNA sequencing and protein expression analysis revealed that expression of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) increased at low IM concentration, whereas cell viability decreased. Co-exposure of IM and STING inhibitor, H-151, to Panc-1 or MIA PaCa-2 cell lines canceled the growth-inhibitory effects of IM alone. In conclusion, IM may have an efficacy comparable to that of existing pancreatic cancer therapeutic agents on the less drug-sensitive Panc-1 cell line and the immune-related molecule STING plays a role in the mechanism of action of IM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihiro Kikuyama
- Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Sayo Suzuki
- Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan.
- Center for Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Sciences Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan.
| | - Aya Jibiki
- Center for Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Sciences Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Yuta Yokoyama
- Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
- Center for Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Sciences Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kawazoe
- Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
- Center for Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Sciences Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Susumu Kitanaka
- Dios Medical Science Institute, 4-3-21 Mimomi, Narashino, Chiba, 275-0002, Japan
| | - Tomonori Nakamura
- Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
- Center for Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Sciences Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
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Pancreatic stellate cell-induced gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer is associated with LDHA- and MCT4-mediated enhanced glycolysis. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:9. [PMID: 36658582 PMCID: PMC9850604 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02852-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Profound resistance to chemotherapy remains a major challenge in achieving better clinical outcomes for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recent studies indicate that gemcitabine (GEM) resistance is promoted both by pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and through increased glycolysis. However, it remains unknown whether PSCs affect GEM sensitivity via glycolytic regulation. METHODS Human pancreatic cancer cell (PCC) lines (BxPC-3, Capan-2, HPAF-II, Mia PaCa-2, Panc-1, SW-1990) were exposed to three different PSC-conditioned media (PSC-CM; PSC-1, PSC-2, HPaSteC), following either pre-treatment with glycolysis inhibitor NV-5440 or transfection for transient silencing of key glycolytic regulators (LDHA and MCT4). Proliferation, glucose transport, extracellular lactate, and GEM sensitivity were assessed. Protein expression was determined by Western blot and immunostaining. Moreover, secreted proteins in PSC-CMs were profiled by mass spectrometry (MS). RESULTS While exposure to PSC-CMs did not affect glucose transport in PCCs, it increased their lactate release and proliferation, and reduced the sensitivity for GEM. Both NV-5440 treatment and transient silencing of LDHA and MCT4 inhibited these PSC-induced changes in PCCs. MS analysis identified 688 unique proteins with differential expression, of which only 87 were common to the three PSC-CMs. Most PSC-secreted proteins were extracellular matrix-related, including SPARC, fibronectin, and collagens. Moreover, exposure to PSC-CMs increased the phosphorylation of ERK in PCCs, but the treatment of PCCs with the MEK/ERK inhibitor PD98059 resulted in a reduction of PSC-CM-induced glycolysis and improved GEM sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS The study findings suggest that PSC-secreted factors promote both glycolysis and GEM resistance in PCCs, and that glycolysis inhibition by NV-5440 and blocking of ERK phosphorylation by PD98059 protect PCCs from PSC-CM-induced loss of GEM sensitivity. Taken together, PSCs appear to promote GEM resistance in PDAC via glycolysis. Thus, targeting glycolysis may improve the effect of chemotherapy in PDAC.
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Amrutkar M, Verbeke CS, Finstadsveen AV, Dorg L, Labori KJ, Gladhaug IP. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with an altered metabolic profile and increased cancer stemness in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mol Oncol 2022; 17:59-81. [PMID: 36400567 PMCID: PMC9812839 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The modest clinical benefits of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAT) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are associated with a lack of robust data on treatment-induced changes in the tumor. To this end, comparative proteomic profiling of tumor tissue samples from treatment-naïve (TN, n = 20) and NAT-treated (n = 22) PDACs was performed. Differentially expressed proteins were identified and correlation with overall survival (OS) was performed. Tumors were also examined for histopathological changes and expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers. Serum from 33 matched patients was analyzed for metabolic markers. Cytotoxicity, proliferation, and expression of CSC markers were assessed in chemoresistant Panc-1 and Mia PaCa-2 cells. Of the 2265 proteins identified, 227 and 144 proteins showed significantly altered expression and differential phosphorylation, respectively, in NAT compared with TN samples. The majority of these were metabolism-related proteins, and 14 of these correlated moderately with OS. NAT-treated tumors and chemoresistant cancer cells showed increased expression of CSC markers. Serum ALDH1A1 was higher in NAT compared with TN. Differentially phosphorylated proteins were mainly involved in cytoskeleton organization, cell locomotion, motility, and migration, and 17 of these showed a strong positive correlation with OS. This study provides evidence of the effects of NAT on PDAC metabolism at both the tumor and the systemic levels. NAT-treated tumors showed significantly lower expression of metabolic proteins, and patients who underwent NAT showed reduced serum lactate and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Lastly, cancer cells that survived cytotoxic treatment expressed higher CSC markers, both in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Amrutkar
- Department of PathologyOslo University HospitalNorway,Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloNorway
| | - Caroline S. Verbeke
- Department of PathologyOslo University HospitalNorway,Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloNorway
| | | | - Linda Dorg
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloNorway
| | - Knut Jørgen Labori
- Department of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary Surgery, Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloNorway,Department of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary SurgeryOslo University HospitalNorway
| | - Ivar P. Gladhaug
- Department of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary Surgery, Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloNorway,Department of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary SurgeryOslo University HospitalNorway
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Sarcar B, Fang B, Izumi V, O Nunez Lopez Y, Tassielli A, Pratley R, Jeong D, Permuth JB, Koomen JM, Fleming JB, Stewart PA. A comparative Proteomics Analysis Identified Differentially Expressed Proteins in Pancreatic Cancer-Associated Stellate Cell Small Extracellular Vesicles. Mol Cell Proteomics 2022; 21:100438. [PMID: 36332889 PMCID: PMC9792568 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2022.100438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pancreatic stellate cells (HPSCs) are an essential stromal component and mediators of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are membrane-enclosed nanoparticles involved in cell-to-cell communications and are released from stromal cells within PDAC. A detailed comparison of sEVs from normal pancreatic stellate cells (HPaStec) and from PDAC-associated stellate cells (HPSCs) remains a gap in our current knowledge regarding stellate cells and PDAC. We hypothesized there would be differences in sEVs secretion and protein expression that might contribute to PDAC biology. To test this hypothesis, we isolated sEVs using ultracentrifugation followed by characterization by electron microscopy and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis. We report here our initial observations. First, HPSC cells derived from PDAC tumors secrete a higher volume of sEVs when compared to normal pancreatic stellate cells (HPaStec). Although our data revealed that both normal and tumor-derived sEVs demonstrated no significant biological effect on cancer cells, we observed efficient uptake of sEVs by both normal and cancer epithelial cells. Additionally, intact membrane-associated proteins on sEVs were essential for efficient uptake. We then compared sEV proteins isolated from HPSCs and HPaStecs cells using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Most of the 1481 protein groups identified were shared with the exosome database, ExoCarta. Eighty-seven protein groups were differentially expressed (selected by 2-fold difference and adjusted p value ≤0.05) between HPSC and HPaStec sEVs. Of note, HPSC sEVs contained dramatically more CSE1L (chromosome segregation 1-like protein), a described marker of poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer. Based on our results, we have demonstrated unique populations of sEVs originating from stromal cells with PDAC and suggest that these are significant to cancer biology. Further studies should be undertaken to gain a deeper understanding that could drive novel therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhaswati Sarcar
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Bin Fang
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Victoria Izumi
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | | | - Alexandra Tassielli
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Richard Pratley
- Translational Research Institute, Advent Health, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel Jeong
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Jennifer B Permuth
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA; Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - John M Koomen
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Jason B Fleming
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA.
| | - Paul A Stewart
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA.
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Tomentosin induces apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells through increasing reactive oxygen species and decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential. Toxicol In Vitro 2022; 84:105458. [PMID: 35988885 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2022.105458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine possible anticancer effect of tomentosin, a natural sesquiterpene lactone, on pancreatic cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect of tomentosin was determined by XTT analysis. Colony formation and apoptosis analyzes were performed, Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and change in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated in control and tomentosin-treated cells. The effect of tomentosin on expression levels of apoptosis-related genes was determined by qRT-PCR and Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 proteins were analyzed by western blot. And, the effect of tomentosin on migration and invasion of cells were evaluated. The IC50 dose of tomentosin was found to be 31.11 μM in PANC-1 cells and 33.93 μM in MIA PaCa-2 cells for 48 h. And, treatment of tomentosin at IC50 dose suppressed the colony forming capacity of cells. While tomentosin increased apoptosis rate and ROS production, an decrease was observed in MMP. Tomentosin affected expression level of apoptosis-related genes and increased Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 protein levels. After tomentosin treatment, cell migration and invasion were suppressed. As a result, this study reveals that tomentosin has anticancer effects on pancreatic cancer cells, and therefore it predicts that tomentosin can be evaluated as an effective agent against pancreatic cancer.
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The Impact of Biomarkers in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma on Diagnosis, Surveillance and Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14010217. [PMID: 35008381 PMCID: PMC8750069 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Due to the frequently late diagnosis, early metastasis and high therapy resistance curation is rare and prognosis remains poor overall. To provide early diagnostic and therapeutic predictors, various molecules from blood, tissue and other origin e.g., saliva, urine and stool, have been identified as biomarkers. This review summarizes current trends in biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still difficult to treat due to insufficient methods for early diagnosis and prediction of therapy response. Furthermore, surveillance after curatively intended surgery lacks adequate methods for timely detection of recurrence. Therefore, several molecules have been analyzed as predictors of recurrence or early detection of PDAC. Enhanced understanding of molecular tumorigenesis and treatment response triggered the identification of novel biomarkers as predictors for response to conventional chemotherapy or targeted therapy. In conclusion, progress has been made especially in the prediction of therapy response with biomarkers. The use of molecules for early detection and recurrence of PDAC is still at an early stage, but there are promising approaches in noninvasive biomarkers, composite panels and scores that can already ameliorate the current clinical practice. The present review summarizes the current state of research on biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy of pancreatic cancer.
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Forika G, Kiss E, Petovari G, Danko T, Gellert AB, Krenacs T. Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia Supports the Effect of Gemcitabine Both in Sensitive and Resistant Pancreas Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:1610048. [PMID: 34955688 PMCID: PMC8702438 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.1610048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
The poor prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is frequently associated to high treatment resistance. Gemcitabine (GEM) alone or in combination is the most used chemotherapy for unresecable PDACs. Here we studied whether modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT), a non-invasive complementary treatment, can support the effect of GEM on PDAC cells in vitro. The LD20 for the GEM-resistant Panc1 cells proved to be 200× higher than for the drug-sensitive Capan1. The mEHT alone caused significant apoptosis in Capan1 cultures as confirmed by the elevated SubG1 phase cell fraction and increased number of cleaved Caspase-3 positive cells 48 h after treatment, with an additive effect when GEM was used after hyperthermia. These were accompanied by reduced number of G1, S, and G2/M phase cells and elevated expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21waf1 protein. In GEM-resistant Panc1 cells, an initial apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry 24 h after mEHT ± GEM treatment, which however diminished by 48 h at persistent number of cleaved Caspase-3 positive tumor cells. Though GEM monotherapy reduced the number of tumor progenitor colonies in Capan1 cell line, an additive colony inhibitory effect of mEHT was observed after mEHT + GEM treatment. The heat shock induced Hsp27 and Hsp70 proteins, which are known to sensitize PDAC cells to GEM were upregulated in both Capan1 and Panc1 cells 24 h after mEHT treatment. The level of E-Cadherin, a cell adhesion molecule, increased in Capan1 cells after mEHT + GEM treatment. In conclusion, in GEM-sensitive PDAC cells mEHT treatment alone induced cell death and cell cycle inhibition and improved GEM efficiency in combination, which effects were milder and short-term up to 24 h in the GEM-resistant Panc1 cells. Our data further support the inclusion of hyperthermia, in particular of mEHT, into the traditional oncotherapy regimens of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gertrud Forika
- 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eva Kiss
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Oncology Profile, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabor Petovari
- 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Titanilla Danko
- 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Aron Bertram Gellert
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Oncology and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tibor Krenacs
- 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Tibor Krenacs,
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Chi Y, Xin H, Liu Z. Exosomal lncRNA UCA1 Derived From Pancreatic Stellate Cells Promotes Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer via the SOCS3/EZH2 Axis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:671082. [PMID: 34868904 PMCID: PMC8640181 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.671082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Pancreatic cancer is associated with poor prognosis and dismal survival rates. This study aims to investigate roles of lncRNA UCA1-loaded exosomes secreted by pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) in Gemcitabine (Gem) resistance of pancreatic cancer under hypoxia, which involves the methylation of SOCS3 and EZH2 recruitment. Methods The exosomes were isolated from PSCs and hypoxic PSCs (HPSCs), and co-cultured with pancreatic cancer cells transduced with manipulated lncRNA UCA1, EZH2, and SOCS3. The interaction among lncRNA UCA1, EZH2, and SOCS3 was characterized by RIP and ChIP assays. Next, MTT assay, flow cytometry and TUNEL staining and Transwell assay were used to detect cell viability, apoptosis, invasion, and migration. Gem-resistant pancreatic cancer cell line (GemMIA-R3) was established, which was applied in a mouse xenograft model of pancreatic cancer, with MTT assay to determine Gem sensitivity. Results LncRNA UCA1 was highly expressed, while SOCS3 was poorly expressed in pancreatic cancer tissues. Hypoxia induced activation of PSCs and promoted release of exosomes. LncRNA UCA1 delivered by hypoxic PSC-derived exosomes (HPSC-EXO) regulated histone methylation level in SOCS3 gene region through recruitment of EZH2. In vitro and in vivo experimental results confirmed that lncRNA UCA1-loaded HPSC-EXO promoted malignant phenotypes, inhibited apoptosis, and promoted Gem resistance of pancreatic cancer cells as well as tumorigenesis in mice. Conclusion Under hypoxic conditions, exosomes secreted by hypoxia-induced PSCs deliver lncRNA UCA1 into pancreatic cancer cells, where lncRNA UCA1 recruits EZH2 and regulates histone methylation level in SOCS3 gene region, thereby augmenting pancreatic cancer resistance to Gem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Chi
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - He Xin
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhaoyu Liu
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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BDNF Acts as a Prognostic Factor Associated with Tumor-Infiltrating Th2 Cells in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. DISEASE MARKERS 2021; 2021:7842035. [PMID: 34777634 PMCID: PMC8589485 DOI: 10.1155/2021/7842035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is an extremely lethal disease worldwide. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a critical member of the neurotrophin polypeptide superfamily that plays an important role in multiple cancers. However, the association among BDNF expression, tumor immunity, and PAAD prognosis remains unclear. BDNF expression and its influence on patient prognosis were explored based on The Cancer Genome Atlas, Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, Genotype-Tissue Expression, and Kaplan-Meier plotter. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to understand the biological roles of BDNF. The role of BDNF in tumor-infiltrating immune cells was determined using the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource database and the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis and xCell algorithm. The correlation among BDNF and chemokines, chemokine receptors, chemotherapeutic efficacy, and immune checkpoints was analyzed based on RStudio. BDNF expression was remarkably higher in PAAD compared to their paired normal tissues, and high BDNF expression was associated with unfavorable prognosis. Enrichment analysis revealed that BDNF was significantly enriched in major oncogenic pathways in PAAD. BDNF expression was positively correlated with immune infiltration, especially Th2 cells. Moreover, BDNF expression was positively correlated with Th2 cell-related chemokine/chemokine receptors, indicating that BDNF might modulate the migration of Th2 cells in PAAD. We also found that BDNF expression was correlated with high chemotherapeutics sensitivity and highly expressed immune checkpoints, making it a valuable biomarker in predicting the therapeutic benefits for chemotherapy and immunotherapy in cancer patients. In summary, BDNF might affect patient prognosis by interacting with tumor-infiltrating Th2 cells, thus serving as a potential prognostic biomarker in PAAD.
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Smart Modification on Magnetic Nanoparticles Dramatically Enhances Their Therapeutic Properties. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164095. [PMID: 34439250 PMCID: PMC8391586 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this work, a smart gemcitabine delivery system based on magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) is proposed. Gemcitabine (GEM) is a chemotherapeutic agent usually employed as monotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, this drug presents short half-life and high toxicity in non-tumoral tissues. Thus, new efficient drug delivery systems are needed. In this regard, we modified MNP to attach this drug via disulfide bonds (MNP-GEM) to promote the selective release of GEM in pancreatic cancer cells, and the great potential of our proposed nanocarrier for biomedical applications is broadly assessed. Remarkably, this modification has proved to prevent the unspecific binding of proteins, reduced the cytotoxic effect of the drug in non-cancerous cells, improved the internalization in pancreatic cancer cells, and its activity was synergistically enhanced in combination with magnetic hyperthermia. Abstract Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) are employed as nanocarriers and in magnetic hyperthermia (MH) for the treatment of cancers. Herein, a smart drug delivery system composed of MNP functionalized with the cytotoxic drug gemcitabine (MNP-GEM) has been thoroughly evaluated. The linker employed is based on a disulfide bond and allows the controlled release of GEM under a highly reducing environment, which is frequently present in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. The stability, MH, and the interaction with plasma proteins of the nanoparticles are evaluated, highlighting their great potential for biological applications. Their cytotoxicity is assessed in three pancreatic cancer cell lines with different sensitivity to GEM, including the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the effects on the cell cycle, and the mechanisms of cell death involved. Remarkably, the proposed nanocarrier is better internalized than unmodified nanoparticles, and it is particularly effective in PANC-1 cells, resistant to GEM, but not in non-tumoral keratinocytes. Additionally, its combination with MH produces a synergistic cytotoxic effect in all cancer cell lines tested. In conclusion, MNP-GEM presents a promising potential for treating pancreatic cancer, due to multiple parameters, such as reduced binding to plasma proteins, increased internalization, and synergistic activity when combined with MH.
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Morphological Heterogeneity in Pancreatic Cancer Reflects Structural and Functional Divergence. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040895. [PMID: 33672734 PMCID: PMC7924365 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, which is largely due to resistance to treatment. Tumor heterogeneity is a known cause for treatment failure and has been studied at the molecular level. Morphological heterogeneity is common but has not been investigated, despite the fact that pathology examination is an integral part of clinical diagnostics. This study assessed whether morphological heterogeneity reflects structural and functional diversity in key cancer biological processes. Using archival tissues from resected pancreatic cancer, we selected four common and distinct morphological phenotypes and demonstrated that these differed significantly for a panel of 26 structural and functional features of the cancer-cell and stromal compartments. The strong link between these features and morphological phenotypes allowed prediction of the latter based on the results for the panel of features. The findings of this study indicate that morphological heterogeneity reflects biological diversity and that its assessment may potentially provide clinically relevant information. Abstract Inter- and intratumor heterogeneity is an important cause of treatment failure. In human pancreatic cancer (PC), heterogeneity has been investigated almost exclusively at the genomic and transcriptional level. Morphological heterogeneity, though prominent and potentially easily assessable in clinical practice, remains unexplored. This proof-of-concept study aims at demonstrating that morphological heterogeneity reflects structural and functional divergence. From the wide morphological spectrum of conventional PC, four common and distinctive patterns were investigated in 233 foci from 39 surgical specimens. Twenty-six features involved in key biological processes in PC were analyzed (immuno-)histochemically and morphometrically: cancer cell proliferation (Ki67) and migration (collagen fiber alignment, MMP14), cancer stem cells (CD44, CD133, ALDH1), amount, composition and spatial arrangement of extracellular matrix (epithelial proximity, total collagen, collagen I and III, fibronectin, hyaluronan), cancer-associated fibroblasts (density, αSMA), and cancer-stroma interactions (integrins α2, α5, α1; caveolin-1). All features differed significantly between at least two of the patterns. Stromal and cancer-cell-related features co-varied with morphology and allowed prediction of the morphological pattern. In conclusion, morphological heterogeneity in the cancer-cell and stromal compartments of PC correlates with structural and functional diversity. As such, histopathology has the potential to inform on the operationality of key biological processes in individual tumors.
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Stellate Cells Aid Growth-Permissive Metabolic Reprogramming and Promote Gemcitabine Chemoresistance in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040601. [PMID: 33546284 PMCID: PMC7913350 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The great majority, more than 90%, of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) die within less than five years after detection of the disease, despite recent treatment advances. The poor prognosis is related to late diagnosis, aggressive disease progression, and tumor resistance to conventional chemotherapy. PDAC tumor tissue is characterized by dense fibrosis and poor nutrient availability. A large portion of the tumor is made up of stromal fibroblasts, the pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), which are known to contribute to tumor progression in several ways. PSCs have been shown to act as an alternate energy source, induce drug resistance, and inhibit drug availability in tumor cells, however, the underlying exact molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this literature review, we discuss recent available knowledge about the contributions of PSCs to the overall progression of PDAC via changes in tumor metabolism and how this is linked to therapy resistance. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), also known as pancreatic cancer (PC), is characterized by an overall poor prognosis and a five-year survival that is less than 10%. Characteristic features of the tumor are the presence of a prominent desmoplastic stromal response, an altered metabolism, and profound resistance to cancer drugs including gemcitabine, the backbone of PDAC chemotherapy. The pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) constitute the major cellular component of PDAC stroma. PSCs are essential for extracellular matrix assembly and form a supportive niche for tumor growth. Various cytokines and growth factors induce activation of PSCs through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, which in turn promote overall tumor growth and metastasis and induce chemoresistance. To maintain growth and survival in the nutrient-poor, hypoxic environment of PDAC, tumor cells fulfill their high energy demands via several unconventional ways, a process generally referred to as metabolic reprogramming. Accumulating evidence indicates that activated PSCs not only contribute to the therapy-resistant phenotype of PDAC but also act as a nutrient supplier for the tumor cells. However, the precise molecular links between metabolic reprogramming and an acquired therapy resistance in PDAC remain elusive. This review highlights recent findings indicating the importance of PSCs in aiding growth-permissive metabolic reprogramming and gemcitabine chemoresistance in PDAC.
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