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Yang M, Mu Y, Yu X, Gao D, Zhang W, Li Y, Liu J, Sun C, Zhuang J. Survival strategies: How tumor hypoxia microenvironment orchestrates angiogenesis. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116783. [PMID: 38796970 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116783] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
During tumor development, the tumor itself must continuously generate new blood vessels to meet their growth needs while also allowing for tumor invasion and metastasis. One of the most common features of tumors is hypoxia, which drives the process of tumor angiogenesis by regulating the tumor microenvironment, thus adversely affecting the prognosis of patients. In addition, to overcome unsuitable environments for growth, such as hypoxia, nutrient deficiency, hyperacidity, and immunosuppression, the tumor microenvironment (TME) coordinates angiogenesis in several ways to restore the supply of oxygen and nutrients and to remove metabolic wastes. A growing body of research suggests that tumor angiogenesis and hypoxia interact through a complex interplay of crosstalk, which is inextricably linked to the TME. Here, we review the TME's positive contribution to angiogenesis from an angiogenesis-centric perspective while considering the objective impact of hypoxic phenotypes and the status and limitations of current angiogenic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengrui Yang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Yufeng Mu
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Xiaoyun Yu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Dandan Gao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Wenfeng Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Ye Li
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Jingyang Liu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, 999078, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Changgang Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang 261053, China; Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang 261000, China.
| | - Jing Zhuang
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang 261000, China.
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Khorani K, Burkart S, Weusthof C, Han R, Liang S, Stögbauer F, Hess J. Context-Dependent Regulation of Peripheral Nerve Abundance by the PI3K Pathway in the Tumor Microenvironment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cells 2024; 13:1033. [PMID: 38920662 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121033] [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: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted neurons and their associated Schwann cells (SCs) as key regulators of cancer development. However, the mode of their interaction with tumor cells or other components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains elusive. We established an SC-related 43-gene set as a surrogate for peripheral nerves in the TME. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were classified into low, intermediate and high SC score groups based on the expression of this gene set. Perineural invasion (PNI) and TGF-β signaling were hallmarks of SChigh tumors, whereas SClow tumors were enriched for HPV16-positive OPSCC and higher PI3K-MTOR activity. The latter activity was partially explained by a higher frequency of PTEN mutation and PIK3CA copy number gain. The inverse association between PI3K-MTOR activity and peripheral nerve abundance was context-dependent and influenced by the TP53 mutation status. An in silico drug screening approach highlighted the potential vulnerabilities of HNSCC with variable SC scores and predicted a higher sensitivity of SClow tumors to DNA topoisomerase inhibitors. In conclusion, we have established a tool for assessing peripheral nerve abundance in the TME and provided new clinical and biological insights into their regulation. This knowledge may pave the way for new therapeutic strategies and impart proof of concept in appropriate preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karam Khorani
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Burkart
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christopher Weusthof
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rui Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Siyuan Liang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabian Stögbauer
- Tissue Bank of the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Germany and Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Hess
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Mardelle U, Bretaud N, Daher C, Feuillet V. From pain to tumor immunity: influence of peripheral sensory neurons in cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1335387. [PMID: 38433844 PMCID: PMC10905387 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1335387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The nervous and immune systems are the primary sensory interfaces of the body, allowing it to recognize, process, and respond to various stimuli from both the external and internal environment. These systems work in concert through various mechanisms of neuro-immune crosstalk to detect threats, provide defense against pathogens, and maintain or restore homeostasis, but can also contribute to the development of diseases. Among peripheral sensory neurons (PSNs), nociceptive PSNs are of particular interest. They possess a remarkable capability to detect noxious stimuli in the periphery and transmit this information to the brain, resulting in the perception of pain and the activation of adaptive responses. Pain is an early symptom of cancer, often leading to its diagnosis, but it is also a major source of distress for patients as the disease progresses. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the mechanisms within tumors that are likely to induce cancer pain, exploring a range of factors from etiological elements to cellular and molecular mediators. In addition to transmitting sensory information to the central nervous system, PSNs are also capable, when activated, to produce and release neuropeptides (e.g., CGRP and SP) from their peripheral terminals. These neuropeptides have been shown to modulate immunity in cases of inflammation, infection, and cancer. PSNs, often found within solid tumors, are likely to play a significant role in the tumor microenvironment, potentially influencing both tumor growth and anti-tumor immune responses. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge about the degree of sensory innervation in tumors. We also seek to understand whether and how PSNs may influence the tumor growth and associated anti-tumor immunity in different mouse models of cancer. Finally, we discuss the extent to which the tumor is able to influence the development and functions of the PSNs that innervate it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Mardelle
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), CIML, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Ninon Bretaud
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), CIML, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Clara Daher
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), CIML, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Vincent Feuillet
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), CIML, Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Marseille, France
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Ding J, Liu Y, Liu Z, Tan J, Xu W, Huang G, He Z. Glutathione-Responsive Organosilica Hybrid Nanosystems for Targeted Dual-Starvation Therapy in Luminal Breast Cancer. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:745-759. [PMID: 38148514 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00894] [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: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Starvation therapy is an innovative approach in cancer treatment aimed at depriving cancer cells of necessary resources by impeding tumor angiogenesis or blocking the energy supply. In addition to the commonly observed anaerobic glycolysis energy supply mode, adipocyte-rich tumor tissue triggers the fatty acid energy supply pathway, which fuels the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells. To completely disrupt these dual-energy-supply pathways, we developed an exceptional nanoreactor. This nanoreactor consisted of yolk-shell mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (YSMONs) loaded with a fatty acid transport inhibitor (Dox), conjugated with a luminal breast-cancer-specific targeting aptamer, and integrated with a glucose oxidation catalyst (GOx). Upon reaching cancer cells with the assistance of the aptamer, the nanoreactor underwent a structural collapse of the shell triggered by the high concentration of glutathione within cancer cells. This collapse led to the release of GOx and Dox, achieving targeted delivery and exhibiting significant efficacy in starving therapy. Additionally, the byproducts of glucose metabolism, gluconic acid and H2O2, enhanced the acidity and reactive oxygen species levels of the intracellular microenvironment, inducing oxidative damage to cancer cells. Simultaneously, released Dox acted as a potent broad-spectrum anticancer drug, inhibiting the activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A and exerting marked effects. Combining these effects ensures high anticancer efficiency, and the "dual-starvation" nanoreactor has the potential to establish a novel synergistic therapy paradigm with considerable clinical significance. Furthermore, this approach minimizes damage to normal organs, making it highly valuable in the field of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ding
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Key Laboratory for Epigenetics of Dongguan City, China-America Cancer Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Yuke Liu
- Institute of Modern Biology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhifang Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Key Laboratory for Epigenetics of Dongguan City, China-America Cancer Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Jing Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Key Laboratory for Epigenetics of Dongguan City, China-America Cancer Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Weiqiang Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Key Laboratory for Epigenetics of Dongguan City, China-America Cancer Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Guoliang Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Key Laboratory for Epigenetics of Dongguan City, China-America Cancer Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Zhiwei He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Key Laboratory for Epigenetics of Dongguan City, China-America Cancer Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
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Liang S, Hess J. Tumor Neurobiology in the Pathogenesis and Therapy of Head and Neck Cancer. Cells 2024; 13:256. [PMID: 38334648 PMCID: PMC10854684 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030256] [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: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The neurobiology of tumors has attracted considerable interest from clinicians and scientists and has become a multidisciplinary area of research. Neural components not only interact with tumor cells but also influence other elements within the TME, such as immune cells and vascular components, forming a polygonal relationship to synergistically facilitate tumor growth and progression. This review comprehensively summarizes the current state of the knowledge on nerve-tumor crosstalk in head and neck cancer and discusses the potential underlying mechanisms. Several mechanisms facilitating nerve-tumor crosstalk are covered, such as perineural invasion, axonogenesis, neurogenesis, neural reprogramming, and transdifferentiation, and the reciprocal interactions between the nervous and immune systems in the TME are also discussed in this review. Further understanding of the nerve-tumor crosstalk in the TME of head and neck cancer may provide new nerve-targeted treatment options and help improve clinical outcomes for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Liang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Tumors, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Jochen Hess
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Tumors, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Research Group Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Weusthof C, Burkart S, Semmelmayer K, Stögbauer F, Feng B, Khorani K, Bode S, Plinkert P, Plath K, Hess J. Establishment of a Machine Learning Model for the Risk Assessment of Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108938. [PMID: 37240283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Perineural invasion is a prevalent pathological finding in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and a risk factor for unfavorable survival. An adequate diagnosis of perineural invasion by pathologic examination is limited due to the availability of tumor samples from surgical resection, which can arise in cases of definitive nonsurgical treatment. To address this medical need, we established a random forest prediction model for the risk assessment of perineural invasion, including occult perineural invasion, and characterized distinct cellular and molecular features based on our new and extended classification. RNA sequencing data of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas were used as a training cohort to identify differentially expressed genes that are associated with perineural invasion. A random forest classification model was established based on these differentially expressed genes and was validated by inspection of H&E-stained whole image slides. Differences in epigenetic regulation and the mutational landscape were detected by an integrative analysis of multiomics data and single-cell RNA-sequencing data were analyzed. We identified a 44-gene expression signature related to perineural invasion and enriched for genes mainly expressed in cancer cells according to single-cell RNA-sequencing data. A machine learning model was trained based on the expression pattern of the 44-gene set with the unique feature to predict occult perineural invasion. This extended classification model enabled a more accurate analysis of alterations in the mutational landscape and epigenetic regulation by DNA methylation as well as quantitative and qualitative differences in the cellular composition in the tumor microenvironment between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with or without perineural invasion. In conclusion, the newly established model could not only complement histopathologic examination as an additional diagnostic tool but also guide the identification of new drug targets for therapeutic intervention in future clinical trials with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients at a higher risk for treatment failure due to perineural invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Weusthof
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Burkart
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karl Semmelmayer
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabian Stögbauer
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Bohai Feng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karam Khorani
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Bode
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Plinkert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karim Plath
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Hess
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section Experimental and Translational Head and Neck Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Research Group Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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