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Salman DM, Mohammad TAM. siRNA-based therapy for gastric adenocarcinoma: what's next step? Pathol Res Pract 2024; 258:155328. [PMID: 38744002 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Gastric cancer continues to have a high death rate despite advancements in their diagnosis and treatment. Novel treatment techniques are thus desperately needed. This is where double-stranded RNA molecules known as small interfering RNA (siRNA), which may selectively target the mRNA of disease-causing genes, may find use in medicine. For siRNAs to function properly in the human body, they must be shielded from deterioration. Furthermore, in order to maintain organ function, they must only target the tumor and spare normal tissue. siRNAs have been designed using clever delivery mechanisms including polymers and lipids to achieve these objectives. Although siRNA protection is not hard to acquire, it is still challenging to target cancer cells with them. Here, we first discuss the basic characteristics of gastric cancer before describing the properties of siRNA and typical delivery methods created specifically for gastric tumors. Lastly, we provide a succinct overview of research using siRNAs to treat gastric tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dyar Mudhafar Salman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq; Faculty of Pharmacy, Tishk International University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Talar Ahmad Merza Mohammad
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq; Pharmacy department, School of Medicine, University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH), Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
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2
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Li L, Song Q, Zhou J, Ji Q. Controllers of histone methylation-modifying enzymes in gastrointestinal cancers. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116488. [PMID: 38520871 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116488] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers have been considered primarily genetic malignancies, caused by a series of progressive genetic alterations. Accumulating evidence shows that histone methylation, an epigenetic modification program, plays an essential role in the different pathological stages of GI cancer progression, such as precancerous lesions, tumorigenesis, and tumor metastasis. Histone methylation-modifying enzymes, including histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and demethylases (HDMs), are the main executor of post-transcriptional modification. The abnormal expression of histone methylation-modifying enzymes characterizes GI cancers with complex pathogenesis and progression. Interactions between upstream controllers and histone methylation-modifying enzymes have recently been revealed, and have provided numerous opportunities to elucidate the pathogenesis of GI cancers in depth and clearly. Here we focus on the association between histone methylation-modifying enzymes and their controllers, aiming to provide a new perspective on the molecular research and clinical management of GI cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- Department of Medical Oncology & Cancer Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qing Song
- Department of Medical Oncology, Suzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215007, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology & Cancer Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Liver Disease Department of Integrative Medicine, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315000, China.
| | - Qing Ji
- Department of Medical Oncology & Cancer Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
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3
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Zou G, Huang Y, Zhang S, Ko KP, Kim B, Zhang J, Venkatesan V, Pizzi MP, Fan Y, Jun S, Niu N, Wang H, Song S, Ajani JA, Park JI. E-cadherin loss drives diffuse-type gastric tumorigenesis via EZH2-mediated reprogramming. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20230561. [PMID: 38411616 PMCID: PMC10899090 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20230561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Diffuse-type gastric adenocarcinoma (DGAC) is a deadly cancer often diagnosed late and resistant to treatment. While hereditary DGAC is linked to CDH1 mutations, the role of CDH1/E-cadherin inactivation in sporadic DGAC tumorigenesis remains elusive. We discovered CDH1 inactivation in a subset of DGAC patient tumors. Analyzing single-cell transcriptomes in malignant ascites, we identified two DGAC subtypes: DGAC1 (CDH1 loss) and DGAC2 (lacking immune response). DGAC1 displayed distinct molecular signatures, activated DGAC-related pathways, and an abundance of exhausted T cells in ascites. Genetically engineered murine gastric organoids showed that Cdh1 knock-out (KO), KrasG12D, Trp53 KO (EKP) accelerates tumorigenesis with immune evasion compared with KrasG12D, Trp53 KO (KP). We also identified EZH2 as a key mediator promoting CDH1 loss-associated DGAC tumorigenesis. These findings highlight DGAC's molecular diversity and potential for personalized treatment in CDH1-inactivated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gengyi Zou
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yuanjian Huang
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shengzhe Zhang
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kyung-Pil Ko
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bongjun Kim
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vishwa Venkatesan
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Melissa P. Pizzi
- Department of GI Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yibo Fan
- Department of GI Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sohee Jun
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Na Niu
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Huamin Wang
- Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shumei Song
- Department of GI Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jaffer A. Ajani
- Department of GI Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jae-Il Park
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Program in Genetics and Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Kaur P, Shankar E, Gupta S. EZH2-mediated development of therapeutic resistance in cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 586:216706. [PMID: 38331087 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216706] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) regulates gene expression and plays a definite role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence. Overexpression of EZH2 has been found in various human malignancies, including prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers, and is associated with increased metastasis and poor prognosis. EZH2 catalyzes trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) as a canonical role in a PRC2-dependent manner. This mechanism silences various tumor suppressor genes through EZH2-mediated histone lysine methyltransferase activity. As a non-canonical role, EZH2 partners with other signaling molecules to undergo post-translational modification to orchestrate its function as a co-activator playing a critical role in cancer progression. Dysregulation of EZH2 has also been associated with therapeutic resistance in cancer cells. Given the role of EZH2 in promoting carcinogenesis and therapy resistance, both canonical and non-canonical EZH2 inhibitors have been used to combat multiple cancer types. Moreover, combining EZH2 inhibitors with other therapeutic modalities have shown to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and overcome potential resistance mechanisms in these cancerous cells. Therefore, targeting EZH2 through canonical and non-canonical modes appears to be a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance efficacy and overcome resistance in multiple cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parminder Kaur
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA.
| | - Eswar Shankar
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Sanjay Gupta
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Division of General Medical Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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Ghoreshi ZAS, Rezaei Zadeh Rukerd M, Askarpour H, Kheirkhah Vakilabad AA, Nakhaie M, Abbaszadeh Afshar MJ, Behboudi E, Charostad J, Arefinia N. The Role of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Infected Gastric Cancer in Increasing microRNA124 (miR-124) Promoter Methylation and Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) Gene Expression. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e36534. [PMID: 38517989 PMCID: PMC10956982 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor microRNAs, miR-21, miR-124, and miR-494, participate in the controlling several cellular processes. To assess target miRNAs promoter methylation levels, we investigated 304 pairs of gastric cancer (GC) tissues and non-tumor tissues. We used a commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Helicobacter pylori kit to detect EBV and H. pylori DNA in GC tissues. After finding hypermethylation in the promoter of the miR-124 gene, we evaluated its expression level using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Bioinformatics analysis confirmed miR-124 as a target of enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). Additionally, qPCR confirmed the association between EZH2 and miR-124. EBV and H. pylori DNA were detected in 9.5% and 15.1% of GC patients, respectively. Our findings also revealed significant differences in the miR-124 methylation levels among EBV-infected GC patients, H. pylori infected GC patients, GC patients without EBV and H. pylori infection, and non-tumor tissue. Bioinformatics and qPCR assays suggested an inverse relationship between the expression levels of EZH2 and miR-124 in EBV-infected GC patients. Our data revealed hypermethylation of the miR-124 promoter and significant reduction in its expression in EBV-infected GC tissues. It is possible that miR-124 may target EZH2 by binding to the 3'-UTR of the EZH2 gene, thus potentially contributing to the development of EBV-infected GC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hedyeh Askarpour
- School of Medicine, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
| | | | - Mohsen Nakhaie
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Emad Behboudi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
| | - Javad Charostad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
| | - Nasir Arefinia
- Bio Environmental Health Hazard Research Center, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
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Mohebbi H, Esbati R, Hamid RA, Akhavanfar R, Radi UK, Siri G, Yazdani O. EZH2-interacting lncRNAs contribute to gastric tumorigenesis; a review on the mechanisms of action. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:334. [PMID: 38393645 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09237-7] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide, demanding new targets to improve its diagnosis and treatment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are dysregulated through gastric tumorigenesis and play a significant role in GC progression and development. Recent studies have revealed that lncRNAs can interact with histone-modifying polycomb protein, enhance Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), and mediate its site-specific functioning. EZH2, which functions as an oncogene in GC, is the catalytic subunit of the PRC2 complex that induces H3K27 trimethylation and epigenetically represses gene expression. EZH2-interacting lncRNAs can recruit EZH2 to the promoter regions of various tumor suppressor genes and cause their transcriptional deactivation via histone methylation. The interactions between EZH2 and this lncRNA modulate different processes, such as cell cycle, cell proliferation and growth, migration, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance, in vitro and in vivo GC models. Therefore, EZH2-interacting lncRNAs are exciting targets for developing novel targeted therapies for GC. Subsequently, this review aims to focus on the roles of these interactions in GC progression to understand the therapeutic value of EZH2-interacting lncRNAs further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Mohebbi
- Kermanshah University of medical sciences, International branch, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Romina Esbati
- Department of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Roozbeh Akhavanfar
- School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Usama Kadem Radi
- College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
| | - Goli Siri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amir Alam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Omid Yazdani
- Department of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
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Papadaki S, Piperi C. Impact of Histone Lysine Methyltransferase SUV4-20H2 on Cancer Onset and Progression with Therapeutic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2498. [PMID: 38473745 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone lysine methyltransferase SUV4-20H2, a member of the suppressor of variegation 4-20 homolog (SUV4-20) family, has a critical impact on the regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression. This methyltransferase establishes the trimethylation of histone H4 lysine 20 (H4K20me3), a repressive histone mark that affects several cellular processes. Deregulated SUV4-20H2 activity has been associated with altered chromatin dynamics, leading to the misregulation of key genes involved in cell cycle control, apoptosis and DNA repair. Emerging research evidence indicates that SUV4-20H2 acts as a potential epigenetic modifier, contributing to the development and progression of several malignancies, including breast, colon and lung cancer, as well as renal, hepatocellular and pancreatic cancer. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie SUV4-20H2-mediated effects on chromatin structure and gene expression may provide valuable insights into novel therapeutic strategies for targeting epigenetic alterations in cancer. Herein, we discuss structural and functional aspects of SUV4-20H2 in cancer onset, progression and prognosis, along with current targeting options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stela Papadaki
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Piperi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
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De Marco K, Sanese P, Simone C, Grossi V. Histone and DNA Methylation as Epigenetic Regulators of DNA Damage Repair in Gastric Cancer and Emerging Therapeutic Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4976. [PMID: 37894343 PMCID: PMC10605360 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15204976] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC), one of the most common malignancies worldwide, is a heterogeneous disease developing from the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes. One of the most critical epigenetic alterations in GC is DNA and histone methylation, which affects multiple processes in the cell nucleus, including gene expression and DNA damage repair (DDR). Indeed, the aberrant expression of histone methyltransferases and demethylases influences chromatin accessibility to the DNA repair machinery; moreover, overexpression of DNA methyltransferases results in promoter hypermethylation, which can suppress the transcription of genes involved in DNA repair. Several DDR mechanisms have been recognized so far, with homologous recombination (HR) being the main pathway involved in the repair of double-strand breaks. An increasing number of defective HR genes are emerging in GC, resulting in the identification of important determinants of therapeutic response to DDR inhibitors. This review describes how both histone and DNA methylation affect DDR in the context of GC and discusses how alterations in DDR can help identify new molecular targets to devise more effective therapeutic strategies for GC, with a particular focus on HR-deficient tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia De Marco
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (K.D.M.); (P.S.)
| | - Paola Sanese
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (K.D.M.); (P.S.)
| | - Cristiano Simone
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (K.D.M.); (P.S.)
- Medical Genetics, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Jonic Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Valentina Grossi
- Medical Genetics, National Institute of Gastroenterology—IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (K.D.M.); (P.S.)
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