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Janin M, Davalos V, Esteller M. Cancer metastasis under the magnifying glass of epigenetics and epitranscriptomics. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1071-1112. [PMID: 37369946 PMCID: PMC10713773 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10120-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Most of the cancer-associated mortality and morbidity can be attributed to metastasis. The role of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic alterations in cancer origin and progression has been extensively demonstrated during the last years. Both regulations share similar mechanisms driven by DNA or RNA modifiers, namely writers, readers, and erasers; enzymes responsible of respectively introducing, recognizing, or removing the epigenetic or epitranscriptomic modifications. Epigenetic regulation is achieved by DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, chromatin accessibility, and enhancer reprogramming. In parallel, regulation at RNA level, named epitranscriptomic, is driven by a wide diversity of chemical modifications in mostly all RNA molecules. These two-layer regulatory mechanisms are finely controlled in normal tissue, and dysregulations are associated with every hallmark of human cancer. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding epigenetic and epitranscriptomic alterations governing tumor metastasis, and compare pathways regulated at DNA or RNA levels to shed light on a possible epi-crosstalk in cancer metastasis. A deeper understanding on these mechanisms could have important clinical implications for the prevention of advanced malignancies and the management of the disseminated diseases. Additionally, as these epi-alterations can potentially be reversed by small molecules or inhibitors against epi-modifiers, novel therapeutic alternatives could be envisioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Janin
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), IJC Building, Germans Trias I Pujol, Ctra de Can Ruti, Cami de Les Escoles S/N, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Veronica Davalos
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), IJC Building, Germans Trias I Pujol, Ctra de Can Ruti, Cami de Les Escoles S/N, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), IJC Building, Germans Trias I Pujol, Ctra de Can Ruti, Cami de Les Escoles S/N, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
- Institucio Catalana de Recerca I Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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Huang C, Arbiser JL. Targeting the Vulnerabilities of Oncogene Activation. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3359. [PMID: 37444469 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment strategies for cancer have progressed greatly in recent decades [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Huang
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Jack L Arbiser
- Metroderm/United Dermatology Partners, 875 Johnson Ferry Rd., Atlanta, GA 30342, USA
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Chen C, Du P, Zhang Z, Bao D. 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase inhibition arrests growth and induces apoptosis in gastric cancer via AMPK activation and oxidative stress. Open Life Sci 2023; 18:20220514. [PMID: 36852400 PMCID: PMC9961966 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Poor outcomes in advanced gastric cancer necessitate alternative therapeutic strategies. 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGDH), an enzyme that catalyzes the decarboxylation step in the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, has been identified as a promising therapeutic target in many cancers. In this study, we systematically investigated the expression and function of 6-PGDH in gastric cancer. We found that 6-PGDH expression and activity were aberrantly elevated in gastric cancer tissues compared to their adjacent normal tissues. 6-PGDH knockdown using two independent shRNAs resulted in minimal 6-PGDH levels and activity, decreased growth, and enhanced gastric cancer cell sensitivity to 5-flurorouracil. However, 6-PGDH knockdown did not affect the cancer cells. Mechanistic studies showed that 6-PGDH inhibition disrupted lipid biosynthesis and redox homeostasis in gastric cancer, inhibited growth, and induced apoptosis. Notably, the in vitro findings were validated using an in vivo gastric cancer xenograft mouse model. This study established that 6-PGDH is broadly elevated in gastric cancer patients and that 6-PGDH inhibition can sensitize gastric cancer cells in response to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Sciences, Xiangyang441021, China,Institute of Oncology, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang441021, China
| | - Pan Du
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Sciences, Xiangyang441021, China,Institute of Oncology, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang441021, China
| | - Zhenguo Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Sciences, Xiangyang441021, China
| | - Di Bao
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Sciences, Xiangyang441021, China,Institute of Oncology, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang441021, China
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Zhu Y, Li X. Advances of Wnt Signalling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030447. [PMID: 36766788 PMCID: PMC9913588 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents one of the most common cancers worldwide, with a high mortality rate despite the decreasing incidence and new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. CRC arises from both epidemiologic and molecular backgrounds. In addition to hereditary factor and genetic mutations, the strongly varying incidence of CRC is closely linked to chronic inflammatory disorders of the intestine and terrible dietary habits. The Wnt signalling pathway is a complex regulatory network that is implicated in many CRC physiological processes, including cancer occurrence, development, prognosis, invasion, and metastasis. It is currently believed to include classical Wnt/β-catenin, Wnt/PCP, and Wnt/Ca2+. In this review, we summarise the recent mechanisms and potential regulators of the three branches of the Wnt signalling pathway in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyao Zhu
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai 264200, China
| | - Xia Li
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai 264200, China
- Shandong Kelun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Binzhou 256600, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-0531-8838-2612
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Miyako S, Matsuda T, Koma YI, Koide T, Sawada R, Hasegawa H, Yamashita K, Harada H, Urakawa N, Goto H, Kanaji S, Oshikiri T, Kakeji Y. Significance of Wnt/β-Catenin Signal Activation for Resistance to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11010174. [PMID: 36672681 PMCID: PMC9855965 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Although a therapeutic response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) is important to improve oncological outcomes after surgery in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, there is no reliable predictor for this. The Wnt/β-catenin signal is known to be crucial for the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the association of Wnt/β-catenin signal activation with a pathological response to NACRT. The immunohistochemical expression of nuclear and membranous β-catenin was analyzed in biopsy samples obtained from 60 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received curative surgery following NACRT. The association of Wnt/β-catenin signal activation with their clinical outcomes was investigated. Notably, the body mass index of these patients was significantly higher in the low nuclear β-catenin expression group. Moreover, patients in the high nuclear β-catenin expression group tended to have more advanced disease and a higher rate of positive vascular invasion than those in the low expression group. Furthermore, the rate of good histological responses was significantly higher in the low nuclear β-catenin expression group (72% vs. 37.1%, p < 0.01). Overall, relapse-free survival tended to be better in patients with low nuclear/high membranous β-catenin expression (n = 9) than in other individuals (n = 51) (p = 0.093 and p = 0.214, respectively). Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway represented by nuclear β-catenin accumulation was significantly associated with a poor response to NACRT in patients with rectal cancer. Analysis of nuclear β-catenin accumulation before starting treatment might help predict the therapeutic response to NACRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoji Miyako
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Takeru Matsuda
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
- Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-chou, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-78-382-5925; Fax: +81-78-382-5939
| | - Yu-ichiro Koma
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Takahiro Koide
- Department of Surgery, Sanda City Hospital, Sanda 669-1321, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Sawada
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hasegawa
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Kimihiro Yamashita
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Harada
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Naoki Urakawa
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hironobu Goto
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Shingo Kanaji
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Taro Oshikiri
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kakeji
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
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Sogutlu F, Pekerbas M, Biray Avci C. Epigenetic signatures in gastric cancer: current knowledge and future perspectives. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2022; 22:1063-1075. [PMID: 36522183 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2022.2159381] [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: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common malignancy in the world and accounts for 7.7% of all cancer-related deaths. Early diagnosis of GC is critical in terms of prognosis, and aberrations at the molecular level, especially epigenetic alterations, manifest much earlier than histological findings. In recent years, there has been a great deal of research on the epigenomic profile of GC, and epigenetic alterations seem to play a more important role than genetic factors. With the introduction of epigenetic drugs into clinical use in the last decade, the importance of the epigenetic background of GC has increased considerably. AREAS COVERED In this review, we summarize the role of methylation changes, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs in the pathogenesis of GC and how these signatures can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in clinical management. EXPERT OPINION Epigenetic alterations take place before most genetic aberrations observed in GC and may have an initiating role in the pathogenesis of GC. They can be used as biomarkers in risk calculation, early diagnosis, and evaluation of prognosis of GC, as well as treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Sogutlu
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Pekerbas
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Cigir Biray Avci
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
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YTHDC1 Promotes Stemness Maintenance and Malignant Progression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Stem Cells Int 2022; 2022:7494354. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/7494354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. YTH domain containing 1 (YTHDC1), an N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification reading protein, plays a key role in regulating RNA translation and degradation. However, the role of YTHDC1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cancer stem cells remains largely unknown. This study is aimed at investigating the role of YTHDC1 in HNSCC and exploring its role in regulating cancer stem cells. Methods. RNA sequencing was used to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between SCC9 spheres and SCC9 cells and to uncover molecular pathways and target molecules associated with CSCs. We detected YTHDC1 expression in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database data and clinical samples. Subsequently, YTHDC1 gene suppression assays were performed in HNSCC cell lines to investigate the effect of YTHDC1 on tumor cell stemness maintenance, proliferation, and migration capacity. To further confirm the role of YTHDC1 in regulating cancer stem cells in HNSCC, we analyzed online HNSCC single-cell transcriptomic data to investigate YTHDC1 expression patterns at the single-cell level and the correlation of these levels with the expression of stem cell markers. Results. YTHDC1 expression levels were significantly upregulated in SCC9 spheres, and YTHDC1 was aberrantly expressed in HNSCC tumor tissues. The increased YTHDC1 expression was closely correlated with the clinical characteristics of HNSCC patients. YTHDC1 regulates the malignant phenotype of HNSCC in both in vivo and in vitro studies. Further single-cell transcriptomic data analysis revealed that YTHDC1 positively correlated with malignant epithelial cell stemness capacity at the single-cell level, and that YTHDC1 was involved in regulating stemness maintenance in HNSCC. Conclusions. These findings suggest that YTHDC1 may serve as a biomarker for stem maintenance and malignant progression in HNSCC, providing new insights into the treatment of cancer.
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Zheng L, Duan SL, Wen XL, Dai YC. Molecular regulation after mucosal injury and regeneration in ulcerative colitis. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:996057. [PMID: 36310594 PMCID: PMC9606627 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.996057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease with a complex etiology. Intestinal mucosal injury is an important pathological change in individuals with UC. Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5+) intestinal stem cells (ISCs) exhibit self-renewal and high differentiation potential and play important roles in the repair of intestinal mucosal injury. Moreover, LGR5+ ISCs are intricately regulated by both the Wnt/β-catenin and Notch signaling pathways, which jointly maintain the function of LGR5+ ISCs. Combination therapy targeting multiple signaling pathways and transplantation of LGR5+ ISCs may lead to the development of new clinical therapies for UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lie Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shaanxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Sheng-Lei Duan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shaanxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xin-Li Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shaanxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yan-Cheng Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yan-Cheng Dai,
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