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Ruszkowska-Ciastek B, Kwiatkowska K, Marques-da-Silva D, Lagoa R. Cancer Stem Cells from Definition to Detection and Targeted Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3903. [PMID: 38612718 PMCID: PMC11011379 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073903] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancers remain the second leading cause of mortality in the world. Preclinical and clinical studies point an important role of cancer/leukaemia stem cells (CSCs/LSCs) in the colonisation at secondary organ sites upon metastatic spreading, although the precise mechanisms for specific actions are still not fully understood. Reviewing the present knowledge on the crucial role of CSCs/LSCs, their plasticity, and population heterogeneity in treatment failures in cancer patients is timely. Standard chemotherapy, which acts mainly on rapidly dividing cells, is unable to adequately affect CSCs with a low proliferation rate. One of the proposed mechanisms of CSC resistance to anticancer agents is the fact that these cells can easily shift between different phases of the cell cycle in response to typical cell stimuli induced by anticancer drugs. In this work, we reviewed the recent studies on CSC/LSC alterations associated with disease recurrence, and we systematised the functional assays, markers, and novel methods for CSCs screening. This review emphasises CSCs' involvement in cancer progression and metastasis, as well as CSC/LSC targeting by synthetic and natural compounds aiming at their elimination or modulation of stemness properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ruszkowska-Ciastek
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Collegium Medicum, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kwiatkowska
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Jan Biziel University Hospital No. 2, 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Dorinda Marques-da-Silva
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering-Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal; (D.M.-d.-S.); (R.L.)
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Morro do Lena-Alto do Vieiro, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Lagoa
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering-Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal; (D.M.-d.-S.); (R.L.)
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Morro do Lena-Alto do Vieiro, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
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2
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Sokary S, Zakaria Z, Bawadi H, Al-Asmakh M. Testing the Anticancer Effect of Matcha Using Zebrafish as an Animal Model. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15102369. [PMID: 37242252 DOI: 10.3390/nu15102369] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients show the poorest prognosis and survival and the highest metastasis prevalence among all breast cancer subtypes. Matcha has recently been associated with multiple health benefits, and in vitro studies showed the potential effect of matcha in inhibiting cancer development and metastasis. We aimed to determine the safe, non-toxic dose of matcha suitable for zebrafish and to investigate the anticancer effect of matcha on the metastasis and growth of human TBNC cells using a zebrafish xenograft model. Wild-type AB zebrafish were used to conduct multiple general toxicity assessments, including developmental, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular toxicities. The safe, non-toxic concentration of matcha was determined to be 50 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL. Afterward, the zebrafish xenograft model was successfully established for MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells. The tumor size and metastasis of the injected cancer cells were traced through CM-Dil red fluorescent dye. Upon exposure to matcha at the safe doses, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 showed a trend toward reduction in tumor size in a dose-dependent manner, indicated by quantified fluorescence. Matcha also visibly suppressed metastasis of cancer cells in the zebrafish body. Our results point to a potential dose-dependent anticancer effect of matcha on TNBC cells; however, more extended observation periods after xenotransplantation are required to confirm the long-term anticancer effect of matcha on tumor growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Sokary
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Science, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Zain Zakaria
- Medical and Health Sciences Office, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Hiba Bawadi
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Science, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Maha Al-Asmakh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
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3
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Survivin (BIRC5) Peptide Vaccine in the 4T1 Murine Mammary Tumor Model: A Potential Neoadjuvant T Cell Immunotherapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A Preliminary Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030644. [PMID: 36992227 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A triple negative breast cancer model using the murine 4T1 tumor cell line was used to explore the efficacy of an adjuvanted survivin peptide microparticle vaccine using tumor growth as the outcome metric. We first performed tumor cell dose titration studies to determine a tumor cell dose that resulted in sufficient tumor takes but allowed multiple serial measurements of tumor volumes, yet with minimal morbidity/mortality within the study period. Later, in a second cohort of mice, the survivin peptide microparticle vaccine was administered via intraperitoneal injection at the study start with a second dose given 14 days later. An orthotopic injection of 4T1 cells into the mammary tissue was performed on the same day as the administration of the second vaccine dose. The mice were followed for up to 41 days with subcutaneous measurements of tumor volume made every 3–4 days. Vaccination with survivin peptides was associated with a peptide antigen-specific gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot response in the murine splenocyte population but was absent from the control microparticle group. At the end of the study, we found that vaccination with adjuvanted survivin peptide microparticles resulted in statistically significant slower primary tumor growth rates in BALB/c mice challenged with 4T1 cells relative to the control peptideless vaccination group. These studies suggest that T cell immunotherapy specifically targeting survivin might be an applicable neoadjuvant immunotherapy therapy for triple negative breast cancer. More preclinical studies and clinical trials are needed to explore this concept further.
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Martínez-Sifuentes MA, Bassol-Mayagoitia S, Nava-Hernández MP, Ruiz-Flores P, Ramos-Treviño J, Haro-Santa Cruz J, Hernández-Ibarra JA. Survivin in Breast Cancer: A Review. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2022; 26:411-421. [PMID: 36166738 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2021.0286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and ranks second among causes for cancer-related death in women. Gene technology has led to the recognition that breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease composed of different biological subtypes, and genetic profiling enables the response to chemotherapy to be predicted. This fact emphasizes the importance of selecting sensitive diagnostic and prognostic markers in the early disease stage and more efficient targeted treatments for this disease. One such prognostic marker appears to be survivin. Many studies have shown that survivin is strongly expressed in different types of cancers. Its overexpression has been demonstrated in breast cancer, and high activity of the survivin gene has been associated with a poor prognosis and worse survival rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Antonio Martínez-Sifuentes
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Biomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Torreón, Mexico
| | - Susana Bassol-Mayagoitia
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Biomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Torreón, Mexico
| | - Martha P Nava-Hernández
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Biomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Torreón, Mexico
| | - Pablo Ruiz-Flores
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Torreón, Mexico
| | - Juan Ramos-Treviño
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Biomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Torreón, Mexico
| | - Jorge Haro-Santa Cruz
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Torreón, Mexico
| | - José Anselmo Hernández-Ibarra
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Biomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Torreón, Mexico
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Olechnowicz A, Oleksiewicz U, Machnik M. KRAB-ZFPs and cancer stem cells identity. Genes Dis 2022. [PMID: 37492743 PMCID: PMC10363567 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on carcinogenesis continue to provide new information about different disease-related processes. Among others, much research has focused on the involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor initiation and progression. Studying the similarities and differences between CSCs and physiological stem cells (SCs) allows for a better understanding of cancer biology. Recently, it was shown that stem cell identity is partially governed by the Krϋppel-associated box domain zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs), the biggest family of transcription regulators. Several KRAB-ZFP factors exert a known effect in tumor cells, acting as tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) or oncogenes, yet their role in CSCs is still poorly characterized. Here, we review recent studies regarding the influence of KRAB-ZFPs and their cofactor protein TRIM28 on CSCs phenotype, stemness features, migration and invasion potential, metastasis, and expression of parental markers.
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Wang N, Wang Y, Wang H, Luo N, Yang W, Zhao Z. Knockout of Calcyclin Binding Protein Impedes the Growth of Breast Cancer Cells by Regulating Cell Apoptosis and β-Catenin Signaling. DNA Cell Biol 2021; 40:1317-1324. [PMID: 34591648 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2021.0315] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) is becoming the most common malignant disease worldwide, and there is intense interest in identifying diagnostic biomarkers that can be targeted for treatment of BRCA. Recent evidence has shown that calcyclin binding protein (CacyBP) can function as either a tumor promoter or suppressor during carcinogenesis. Data in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database show that CacyBP is overexpressed in human BRCA tissues, and high levels of CacyBP are associated with shorter overall survival. Immunohistochemical staining has shown that CacyBP levels are high in cancer tissue samples and associated with a higher likelihood of disease progression. We, therefore, conducted a knockout assay to determine the role of CacyBP in the development of BRCA. Knockout of CacyBP significantly inhibited MCF7 cell proliferation and colony formation. Apoptosis was higher in CacyBP knockout cells compared with control cells. Microarray analysis showed that the CacyBP knockout caused dysregulation of numerous genes closely related to β-catenin signaling, whereas quantitative reverse-transcription PCR and immunoblotting showed that it to be inactivated. In summary, we conclude that when overexpressed, CacyBP acts as a potential oncogene for BRCA by regulating β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningju Wang
- The Second Department of Medicine Oncology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yan Wang
- The First Department of Medicine Oncology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Huifeng Wang
- The First Department of Medicine Oncology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Na Luo
- The Second Department of Medicine Oncology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Wenjing Yang
- The Second Department of Medicine Oncology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Zhijun Zhao
- Clinical Laboratory Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Ningxia Key Laboratory of Clinical and Pathogenic Microbiology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
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Gwili N, Jones SJ, Amri WA, Carr IM, Harris S, Hogan BV, Hughes WE, Kim B, Langlands FE, Millican-Slater RA, Pramanik A, Thorne JL, Verghese ET, Wells G, Hamza M, Younis L, El Deeb NMF, Hughes TA. Transcriptome profiles of stem-like cells from primary breast cancers allow identification of ITGA7 as a predictive marker of chemotherapy response. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:983-993. [PMID: 34253873 PMCID: PMC8476506 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01484-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are drivers of therapy-resistance, therefore are responsible for poor survival. Molecular signatures of BCSCs from primary cancers remain undefined. Here, we identify the consistent transcriptome of primary BCSCs shared across breast cancer subtypes, and we examine the clinical relevance of ITGA7, one of the genes differentially expressed in BCSCs. METHODS Primary BCSCs were assessed using immunohistochemistry and fluorescently labelled using Aldefluor (n = 17). Transcriptomes of fluorescently sorted BCSCs and matched non-stem cancer cells were determined using RNA-seq (n = 6). ITGA7 expression was examined in breast cancers using immunohistochemistry (n = 305), and its functional role was tested using siRNA in breast cancer cells. RESULTS Proportions of BCSCs varied from 0 to 9.4%. 38 genes were significantly differentially expressed in BCSCs; genes were enriched for functions in vessel morphogenesis, motility, and metabolism. ITGA7 was found to be significantly downregulated in BCSCs, and low expression significantly correlated with reduced survival in patients treated with chemotherapy, and with chemoresistance in breast cancer cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to define the molecular profile of BCSCs from a range of primary breast cancers. ITGA7 acts as a predictive marker for chemotherapy response, in accordance with its downregulation in BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha Gwili
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK ,grid.7155.60000 0001 2260 6941Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Stacey J. Jones
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK ,grid.415967.80000 0000 9965 1030Department of Breast Surgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Waleed Al Amri
- grid.416132.30000 0004 1772 5665Department of Histopathology and Cytopathology, The Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman
| | - Ian M. Carr
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Sarah Harris
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Brian V. Hogan
- grid.415967.80000 0000 9965 1030Department of Breast Surgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - William E. Hughes
- grid.414235.50000 0004 0619 2154Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW Australia ,grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432St. Vincent’s Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Baek Kim
- grid.415967.80000 0000 9965 1030Department of Breast Surgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Fiona E. Langlands
- Department of Breast Surgery, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Bradford, UK
| | | | - Arindam Pramanik
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - James L. Thorne
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Eldo T. Verghese
- grid.443984.6Department of Histopathology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Geoff Wells
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mervat Hamza
- grid.7155.60000 0001 2260 6941Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Layla Younis
- grid.7155.60000 0001 2260 6941Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nevine M. F. El Deeb
- grid.7155.60000 0001 2260 6941Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Thomas A. Hughes
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Melendez-Zajgla J, Maldonado V. The Role of lncRNAs in the Stem Phenotype of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6374. [PMID: 34203589 PMCID: PMC8232220 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest tumors. This neoplasia is characterized by an important cellular and phenotypic heterogeneity. In particular, it has been shown that at least two subtypes can be found: basal-like, which presents stem-like properties, and classical. Cancer stem cells have been isolated and characterized from these tumors, showing their dependance on general and tissue-specific stem transcription factors and signaling pathways. Nevertheless, little is known about their tissue microenvironment and cell non-autonomous regulators, such as long-non-coding RNAs. (lncRNAs). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the positive and negative effects of lncRNAs in the stemness phenotype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (PDAC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Melendez-Zajgla
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Periferico Sur 4809, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14610, Mexico;
| | - Vilma Maldonado
- Epigenomics Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Periferico Sur 4809, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14610, Mexico
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Zampedri C, Martínez-Flores WA, Melendez-Zajgla J. The Use of Zebrafish Xenotransplant Assays to Analyze the Role of lncRNAs in Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:687594. [PMID: 34123857 PMCID: PMC8190406 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.687594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer represents a great challenge since it is the first cause of death by cancer in women worldwide. LncRNAs are a newly described class of non-coding RNAs that participate in cancer progression. Their use as cancer markers and possible therapeutic targets has recently gained strength. Animal xenotransplants allows for in vivo monitoring of disease development, molecular elucidation of pathogenesis and the design of new therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, the cost and complexities of mice husbandry makes medium to high throughput assays difficult. Zebrafishes (Danio rerio) represent a novel model for these assays, given the ease with which xenotransplantation trials can be performed and the economic and experimental advantages it offers. In this review we propose the use of xenotransplants in zebrafish to study the role of breast cancer lncRNAs using low to medium high throughput assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Zampedri
- Functional Genomics Laboratories, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Jorge Melendez-Zajgla
- Functional Genomics Laboratories, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Mexico City, Mexico
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