1
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Yang J, Shay C, Saba NF, Teng Y. Cancer metabolism and carcinogenesis. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:10. [PMID: 38287402 PMCID: PMC10826200 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00482-x] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is an emerging hallmark of cancer cells, enabling them to meet increased nutrient and energy demands while withstanding the challenging microenvironment. Cancer cells can switch their metabolic pathways, allowing them to adapt to different microenvironments and therapeutic interventions. This refers to metabolic heterogeneity, in which different cell populations use different metabolic pathways to sustain their survival and proliferation and impact their response to conventional cancer therapies. Thus, targeting cancer metabolic heterogeneity represents an innovative therapeutic avenue with the potential to overcome treatment resistance and improve therapeutic outcomes. This review discusses the metabolic patterns of different cancer cell populations and developmental stages, summarizes the molecular mechanisms involved in the intricate interactions within cancer metabolism, and highlights the clinical potential of targeting metabolic vulnerabilities as a promising therapeutic regimen. We aim to unravel the complex of metabolic characteristics and develop personalized treatment approaches to address distinct metabolic traits, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang Yang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Chloe Shay
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Yong Teng
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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2
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Saman S, Srivastava N, Yasir M, Chauhan I. A Comprehensive Review on Current Treatments and Challenges Involved in the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2024; 24:142-166. [PMID: 37642226 DOI: 10.2174/1568009623666230811093139] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the second most common gynaecological malignancy. It typically affects females over the age of 50, and since 75% of cases are only discovered at stage III or IV, this is a sign of a poor diagnosis. Despite intraperitoneal chemotherapy's chemosensitivity, most patients relapse and face death. Early detection is difficult, but treatment is also difficult due to the route of administration, resistance to therapy with recurrence, and the need for precise cancer targeting to minimize cytotoxicity and adverse effects. On the other hand, undergoing debulking surgery becomes challenging, and therapy with many chemotherapeutic medications has manifested resistance, a condition known as multidrug resistance (MDR). Although there are other therapeutic options for ovarian cancer, this article solely focuses on co-delivery techniques, which work via diverse pathways to overcome cancer cell resistance. Different pathways contribute to MDR development in ovarian cancer; however, usually, pump and non-pump mechanisms are involved. Striking cancerous cells from several angles is important to defeat MDR. Nanocarriers are known to bypass the drug efflux pump found on cellular membranes to hit the pump mechanism. Nanocarriers aid in the treatment of ovarian cancer by enhancing the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to the tumour sites through passive or active targeting, thereby reducing unfavorable side effects on the healthy tissues. Additionally, the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) mechanism boosts the bioavailability of the tumour site. To address the shortcomings of conventional delivery, the current review attempts to explain the current conventional treatment with special reference to passively and actively targeted drug delivery systems (DDSs) towards specific receptors developed to treat ovarian cancer. In conclusion, tailored nanocarriers would optimize medication delivery into the intracellular compartment before optimizing intra-tumour distribution. Other novel treatment possibilities for ovarian cancer include tumour vaccines, gene therapy, targeting epigenetic alteration, and biologically targeted compounds. These characteristics might enhance the therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saika Saman
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Lucknow, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector 125, Noida, 201313, India
| | - Nimisha Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Lucknow, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector 125, Noida, 201313, India
| | - Mohd Yasir
- Department of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutics), College of Health Sciences, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia
| | - Iti Chauhan
- Department of Pharmacy, I.T.S College of Pharmacy, Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, India
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3
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Tadić V, Zhang W, Brozovic A. The high-grade serous ovarian cancer metastasis and chemoresistance in 3D models. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189052. [PMID: 38097143 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most frequent and aggressive type of epithelial ovarian cancer, with high recurrence rate and chemoresistance being the main issues in its clinical management. HGSOC is specifically challenging due to the metastatic dissemination via spheroids in the ascitic fluid. The HGSOC spheroids represent the invasive and chemoresistant cellular fraction, which is impossible to investigate in conventional two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cell cultures lacking critical cell-to-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Three-dimensional (3D) HGSOC cultures, where cells aggregate and exhibit relevant interactions, offer a promising in vitro model of peritoneal metastasis and multicellular drug resistance. This review summarizes recent studies of HGSOC in 3D culture conditions and highlights the role of multicellular HGSOC spheroids and ascitic environment in HGSOC metastasis and chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanja Tadić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Str. 54, Zagreb HR-10000, Croatia
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Linggong Road 2, Dalian CN-116024, China
| | - Anamaria Brozovic
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Str. 54, Zagreb HR-10000, Croatia.
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4
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Gendrau‐Sanclemente N, Figueras A, Gracova K, Lahiguera Á, Alsina‐Sanchís E, Marín‐Jiménez JA, Vidal A, Matias‐Guiu X, Fernandez‐Gonzalez S, Barahona M, Martí L, Ponce J, Viñals F. Ovarian cancer relies on the PDGFRβ-fibronectin axis for tumorsphere formation and metastatic spread. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:136-155. [PMID: 38010623 PMCID: PMC10766197 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13556] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the deadliest gynecological malignancy. The most common form of metastatic spread of HGSOC is transcoelomic dissemination. In this process, detached cells from the primary tumor aggregate as tumorspheres and promote the accumulation of peritoneal ascites. This represents an early event in HGSOC development and is indicative of poor prognosis. In this study, based on tumorspheres isolated from ascitic liquid samples from HGSOC patients, ovarian cancer spheroid 3D cultures, and in vivo models, we describe a key signal for tumorsphere formation in HGSOC. We report that platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) is essential for fibronectin-mediated cell clustering of ovarian cancer cells into tumorspheres. This effect is mediated by the kinase NUAK family SNF1-like kinase 1 (NUAK1) and blocked by PDGFRβ pharmacological or genetic inhibition. In the absence of PDGFRβ, ovarian cancer cells can be provided with fibronectin by cancer-associated fibroblasts to generate chimeric spheroids. This work provides new insights that uncover potential targets to prevent peritoneal dissemination, the main cause of advanced disease in HGSOC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Gendrau‐Sanclemente
- Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Hospital Duran i ReynalsBarcelonaSpain
- Oncobell ProgramInstitut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Agnès Figueras
- Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Hospital Duran i ReynalsBarcelonaSpain
- Oncobell ProgramInstitut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Kristina Gracova
- Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Hospital Duran i ReynalsBarcelonaSpain
- Oncobell ProgramInstitut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Álvaro Lahiguera
- Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Hospital Duran i ReynalsBarcelonaSpain
- Oncobell ProgramInstitut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Elisenda Alsina‐Sanchís
- Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Hospital Duran i ReynalsBarcelonaSpain
- Oncobell ProgramInstitut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Juan A. Marín‐Jiménez
- Cancer Immunotherapy (CIT) Group‐ProCUREBellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) – OncoBellBarcelonaSpain
- Department of Medical OncologyCatalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)BarcelonaSpain
| | - August Vidal
- Oncobell ProgramInstitut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
- Department of PathologyUniversity Hospital of Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
- CIBERONCInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
| | - Xavier Matias‐Guiu
- Oncobell ProgramInstitut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
- Department of PathologyUniversity Hospital of Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
- CIBERONCInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
| | | | - Marc Barahona
- Department of GynaecologyUniversity Hospital of Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Lola Martí
- Department of GynaecologyUniversity Hospital of Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Jordi Ponce
- Department of GynaecologyUniversity Hospital of Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Francesc Viñals
- Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Hospital Duran i ReynalsBarcelonaSpain
- Oncobell ProgramInstitut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)BarcelonaSpain
- Departament de Ciències FisiològiquesUniversitat de BarcelonaSpain
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5
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Lichtenberg JY, Tran S, Hwang PY. Mechanical factors driving cancer progression. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 160:61-81. [PMID: 37704291 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.06.002] [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: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
A fundamental step of tumor metastasis is tumor cell migration away from the primary tumor site. One mode of migration that is essential but still understudied is collective invasion, the process by which clusters of cells move in a coordinated fashion. In recent years, there has been growing interest to understand factors regulating collective invasion, with increasing number of studies investigating the biomechanical regulation of collective invasion. In this review we discuss the dynamic relationship between tumor microenvironment cues and cell response by first covering mechanical factors in the microenvironment and second, discussing the mechanosensing pathways utilized by cells in collective clusters to dynamically respond to mechanical matrix cues. Finally, we discuss model systems that have been developed which have increased our understanding of the mechanical factors contributing to tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessanne Y Lichtenberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Sydnie Tran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Priscilla Y Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.
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6
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Wilczyński JR, Wilczyński M, Paradowska E. "DEPHENCE" system-a novel regimen of therapy that is urgently needed in the high-grade serous ovarian cancer-a focus on anti-cancer stem cell and anti-tumor microenvironment targeted therapies. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1201497. [PMID: 37448521 PMCID: PMC10338102 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1201497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer, especially high-grade serous type, is the most lethal gynecological malignancy. The lack of screening programs and the scarcity of symptomatology result in the late diagnosis in about 75% of affected women. Despite very demanding and aggressive surgical treatment, multiple-line chemotherapy regimens and both approved and clinically tested targeted therapies, the overall survival of patients is still unsatisfactory and disappointing. Research studies have recently brought some more understanding of the molecular diversity of the ovarian cancer, its unique intraperitoneal biology, the role of cancer stem cells, and the complexity of tumor microenvironment. There is a growing body of evidence that individualization of the treatment adjusted to the molecular and biochemical signature of the tumor as well as to the medical status of the patient should replace or supplement the foregoing therapy. In this review, we have proposed the principles of the novel regimen of the therapy that we called the "DEPHENCE" system, and we have extensively discussed the results of the studies focused on the ovarian cancer stem cells, other components of cancer metastatic niche, and, finally, clinical trials targeting these two environments. Through this, we have tried to present the evolving landscape of treatment options and put flesh on the experimental approach to attack the high-grade serous ovarian cancer multidirectionally, corresponding to the "DEPHENCE" system postulates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek R Wilczyński
- Department of Gynecological Surgery and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Miłosz Wilczyński
- Department of Gynecological, Endoscopic and Oncological Surgery, Polish Mother's Health Center-Research Institute, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Surgical and Endoscopic Gynecology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Edyta Paradowska
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodz, Poland
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Li Z, Qi J, Guo T, Li J. Research progress of Astragalus membranaceus in treating peritoneal metastatic cancer. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 305:116086. [PMID: 36587879 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.116086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Peritoneal metastasis is a manifestation of advanced cancer often associated with a poor prognosis and poor response to treatment. Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge is a commonly used medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine with various biological activities. In patients with cancer, Astragalus membranaceus has demonstrated anti-tumor effects, immune regulation, postoperative recurrence and metastasis prevention, and survival prolongation. AIM OF THE STUDY Peritoneal metastasis results from tumor cell and peritoneal microenvironment co-evolution. We aimed to introduce and discuss the specific mechanism of action of Astragalus membranaceus in peritoneal metastasis treatment to provide a new perspective for treatment and further research. MATERIALS AND METHODS We consulted reports on the anti-peritoneal metastases effects of Astragalus membranaceus from PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases, as well as Google Scholar. Meanwhile, we also obtained data from published medical works and doctoral and master's theses. Then, we focused on the research progress of Astragalus membranaceus in peritoneal metastatic cancer treatment. Plant names are provided in accordance with "The Plant List" (www.theplantlist.org). RESULTS To date, more than 200 compounds have been isolated from Astragalus membranaceus. Among them, Astragalus polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids are the main bioactive components, and their effects on cancer have been extensively studied. In this review, we systematically summarize the effects of Astragalus membranaceus on the peritoneal metastasis microenvironment and related mechanisms, including maintaining the integrity of peritoneal mesothelial cells, restoring the peritoneal immune microenvironment, and inhibiting the formation of tumor blood vessels, matrix metalloproteinase, and dense tumor spheroids. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis demonstrates that Astragalus membranaceus could be a potential therapeutic for preventing the occurrence of peritoneal metastasis. However, it might be too early to recommend its use owing to the paucity of reliable in vivo experiment, clinical data, and evidence of clinical efficacy. In addition, previous studies of Astragalus membranaceus report inconsistent and contradictory findings. Therefore, detailed in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies on the mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus in peritoneal metastatic cancer treatment are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Li
- The First School of Clinical Medical, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Jinfeng Qi
- The First School of Clinical Medical, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Tiankang Guo
- Department of General Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Junliang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, China; The First School of Clinical Medical, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730030, China; The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730030, China.
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8
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Brown Y, Hua S, Tanwar PS. Extracellular Matrix in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer: Advances in Understanding of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Biology. Matrix Biol 2023; 118:16-46. [PMID: 36781087 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is notoriously known as the "silent killer" of post-menopausal women as it has an insidious progression and is the deadliest gynaecological cancer. Although a dual origin of HGSOC is now widely accepted, there is growing evidence that most cases of HGSOC originate from the fallopian tube epithelium. In this review, we will address the fallopian tube origin and involvement of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in HGSOC development. There is limited research on the role of ECM at the earliest stages of HGSOC carcinogenesis. Here we aim to synthesise current understanding on the contribution of ECM to each stage of HGSOC development and progression, beginning at serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) precursor lesions and proceeding across key events including dissemination of tumourigenic fallopian tube epithelial cells to the ovary, survival of these cells in peritoneal fluid as multicellular aggregates, and colonisation of the ovary. Likewise, as part of the metastatic series of events, serous ovarian cancer cells survive travel in peritoneal fluid, attach to, migrate across the mesothelium and invade into the sub-mesothelial matrix of secondary sites in the peritoneal cavity. Halting cancer at the pre-metastatic stage and finding ways to stop the dissemination of ovarian cancer cells from the primary site is critical for improving patient survival. The development of drug resistance also contributes to poor survival statistics in HGSOC. In this review, we provide an update on the involvement of the ECM in metastasis and drug resistance in HGSOC. Interplay between different cell-types, growth factor gradients as well as evolving ECM composition and organisation, creates microenvironment conditions that promote metastatic progression and drug resistance of ovarian cancer cells. By understanding ECM involvement in the carcinogenesis and chemoresistance of HGSOC, this may prompt ideas for further research for developing new early diagnostic tests and therapeutic strategies for HGSOC with the end goal of improving patient health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazmin Brown
- Global Centre for Gynaecological Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.; Cancer Detection and Therapy Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia..
| | - Susan Hua
- Therapeutic Targeting Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.; Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Pradeep S Tanwar
- Global Centre for Gynaecological Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.; Cancer Detection and Therapy Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia..
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9
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Escalona RM, Chu S, Kadife E, Kelly JK, Kannourakis G, Findlay JK, Ahmed N. Knock down of TIMP-2 by siRNA and CRISPR/Cas9 mediates diverse cellular reprogramming of metastasis and chemosensitivity in ovarian cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:422. [PMID: 36585738 PMCID: PMC9805260 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02838-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The endogenous tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), through its homeostatic action on certain metalloproteinases, plays a vital role in remodelling extracellular matrix (ECM) to facilitate cancer progression. This study investigated the role of TIMP-2 in an ovarian cancer cell line in which the expression of TIMP-2 was reduced by either siRNA or CRISPR/Cas9. METHODS OVCAR5 cells were transiently and stably transfected with either single or pooled TIMP-2 siRNAs (T2-KD cells) or by CRISPR/Cas9 under the influence of two distinct guide RNAs (gRNA1 and gRNA2 cell lines). The expression of different genes was analysed at the mRNA level by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) and at the protein level by immunofluorescence (IF) and western blot. Proliferation of cells was investigated by 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay or staining with Ki67. Cell migration/invasion was determined by xCELLigence. Cell growth in vitro was determined by 3D spheroid cultures and in vivo by a mouse xenograft model. RESULTS Approximately 70-90% knock down of TIMP-2 expression were confirmed in T2-KD, gRNA1 and gRNA2 OVCAR5 ovarian cancer cells at the protein level. T2-KD, gRNA1 and gRNA2 cells exhibited a significant downregulation of MMP-2 expression, but concurrently a significant upregulation in the expression of membrane bound MMP-14 compared to control and parental cells. Enhanced proliferation and invasion were exhibited in all TIMP-2 knocked down cells but differences in sensitivity to paclitaxel (PTX) treatment were observed, with T2-KD cells and gRNA2 cell line being sensitive, while the gRNA1 cell line was resistant to PTX treatment. In addition, significant differences in the growth of gRNA1 and gRNA2 cell lines were observed in in vitro 3D cultures as well as in an in vivo mouse xenograft model. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the inhibition of TIMP-2 by siRNA and CRISPR/Cas-9 modulate the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-14 and reprogram ovarian cancer cells to facilitate proliferation and invasion. Distinct disparities in in vitro chemosensitivity and growth in 3D culture, and differences in tumour burden and invasion to proximal organs in a mouse model imply that selective suppression of TIMP-2 expression by siRNA or CRISPR/Cas-9 alters important aspects of metastasis and chemosensitivity in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth M. Escalona
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168 Australia ,Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Suites 23, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat Technology Park Central, Ballarat, VIC 3350 Australia
| | - Simon Chu
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168 Australia
| | - Elif Kadife
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Suites 23, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat Technology Park Central, Ballarat, VIC 3350 Australia
| | - Jason K. Kelly
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Suites 23, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat Technology Park Central, Ballarat, VIC 3350 Australia
| | - George Kannourakis
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Suites 23, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat Technology Park Central, Ballarat, VIC 3350 Australia ,grid.1040.50000 0001 1091 4859School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University, Mt Helen, VIC 3350 Australia
| | - Jock K. Findlay
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168 Australia
| | - Nuzhat Ahmed
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168 Australia ,Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Suites 23, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat Technology Park Central, Ballarat, VIC 3350 Australia ,grid.1040.50000 0001 1091 4859School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University, Mt Helen, VIC 3350 Australia
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10
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Mohaghegh S, Tarighatnia A, Omidi Y, Barar J, Aghanejad A, Adibkia K. Multifunctional Magnetic Nanoparticles for MRI-guided Co-delivery of Erlotinib and L-Asparaginase to Ovarian Cancer. J Microencapsul 2022; 39:394-408. [PMID: 35748819 DOI: 10.1080/02652048.2022.2094487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
AIM(S) The use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in biomedical applications has been wildly opted due to their unique properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of aptamer-armed MNPs in ovarian cancer treatment and as T2 weighted MRI contrast agent. METHODS Here, we designed MNPs loaded with erlotinib (ERL/SPION-Val-PEG) and conjugated them with anti-mucin16 (MUC16) aptamer to introduce new image-guided nanoparticles (NPs) for targeted drug delivery as well as non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Also, the combination of our nanosystem (NS) along with L-Asparaginase (L-ASPN) led to synergistic effects in terms of reducing cell viability in ovarian cancer cells, which could suggest a novel combination therapy. RESULTS The mean size of our NS was about 63.4 ± 3.4 nm evaluated by DLS analysis and its morphology was confirmed using TEM. Moreover, the functional groups, as well as magnetic properties of our NS, were examined by FT-IR and VSM tests, respectively. The loading efficacy of erlotinib on MNPs was about 80% and its release reached 70.85% over 7 days in the pH value of 5.4. The MR images and flow cytometry results revealed that the cellular uptake of ERL/SPION-Val-PEG-MUC16 NPs in cells with MUC16 overexpression was considerably higher than unarmed NPs. In addition, T2-weight MR images of ovarian cancer-bearing mice indicated significant signal intensity changes at the tumor site 4 h after intravenous injection compared to the non-target MNPs. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest ERL/SPION-Val-PEG NPs as an image-guided co-drug delivery system for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seraj Mohaghegh
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Tarighatnia
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yadollah Omidi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Florida, USA
| | - Jaleh Barar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ayuob Aghanejad
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Khosro Adibkia
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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11
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Ovarian Cancer: Treatment and Resistance to Pharmacotherapy. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed3020011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in surgical techniques and chemotherapy, ovarian cancer is still a leading cause of death among gynecological cancers. In addition to the late detection of the disease, the main reason for poor prognosis is resistance to pharmacotherapy, mostly platinum compounds. About a third of patients do not respond to primary platinum-based chemotherapy treatment, and over time, eventually, 80% of other patients develop chemoresistance, which makes the recurrence of disease incurable. In this review, we describe a difficult clinical hurdle faced in ovarian cancer therapy as a result of platinum resistance, as well as resistance to newer targeted therapy with PARP inhibitors and bevacizumab. We, furthermore, give attention also to the role of the tumor microenvironment as it is less well understood than the tumor cell-intrinsic mechanism. Because a central goal in ovarian cancer research is the development of novel strategies to overcome chemoresistance, treatment for cancer is moving toward personalized therapy.
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12
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Epigenomic Profiling of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Stem-Cell Differentiation Reveals GPD1 Associated Immune Suppressive Microenvironment and Poor Prognosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095120. [PMID: 35563509 PMCID: PMC9101898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Intraperitoneal metastasis is a challenging clinical scenario in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). As they are distinct from hematogenous metastasizing tumors, epithelial ovarian cancer cells primarily disseminate within the peritoneal cavity to form superficially invasive carcinomas. Unfavorable pharmacokinetics for peritoneal tumors and gut toxicity collectively lead to a narrow therapeutic window and therefore limit the opportunities for a favorable clinical outcome. New insights into tumor metastasis in the peritoneal microenvironment are keenly awaited to develop new therapeutic strategies. Epithelial ovarian cancer stem cell (OCSC) seeding is considered to be a critical component of the peritoneal spread. Using a unique and stepwise process of the OCSC differentiation model may provide insight into the intraperitoneal metastasis. The transcriptome and epigenome of OCSC differentiation were characterized by expression array and MethylCap-Seq. The TCGA, AOCS, and KM-Plotter databases were used to evaluate the association between survival outcomes and the methylation/expression levels of candidate genes in the EOC datasets. The STRING database was used to investigate the protein–protein interaction (PPI) for candidates and their associated genes. The infiltration level of immune cells in EOC patients and the association between clinical outcome and OCSCs differentiation genes were estimated using the TIDE and TIME2.0 algorithms. We established an EOC differentiation model using OCSCs. After an integrated transcriptomics and methylomics analysis of OCSCs differentiation, we revealed that the genes associated with earlier OCSC differentiation were better able to reflect the patient’s outcome. The OCSC differentiation genes were involved in regulating metabolism shift and the suppressive immune microenvironment. High GPD1 expression with high pro-tumorigenic immune cells (M2 macrophage, and cancer associated fibroblast) had worst survival. Moreover, we developed a methylation signature, constituted by GNPDA1, GPD1, GRASP, HOXC11, and MSLN, that may be useful for prognostic prediction in EOC. Our results revealed a novel role of epigenetic plasticity OCSC differentiation and suggested metabolic and immune intervention as a new therapeutic strategy.
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Uno K, Iyoshi S, Yoshihara M, Kitami K, Mogi K, Fujimoto H, Sugiyama M, Koya Y, Yamakita Y, Nawa A, Kanayama T, Tomita H, Enomoto A, Kajiyama H. Metastatic Voyage of Ovarian Cancer Cells in Ascites with the Assistance of Various Cellular Components. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4383. [PMID: 35457198 PMCID: PMC9031612 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy and has a unique metastatic route using ascites, known as the transcoelomic root. However, studies on ascites and contained cellular components have not yet been sufficiently clarified. In this review, we focus on the significance of accumulating ascites, contained EOC cells in the form of spheroids, and interaction with non-malignant host cells. To become resistant against anoikis, EOC cells form spheroids in ascites, where epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition stimulated by transforming growth factor-β can be a key pathway. As spheroids form, EOC cells are also gaining the ability to attach and invade the peritoneum to induce intraperitoneal metastasis, as well as resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that EOC spheroids in ascites are composed of not only cancer cells, but also non-malignant cells existing with higher abundance than EOC cells in ascites, including macrophages, mesothelial cells, and lymphocytes. Moreover, hetero-cellular spheroids are demonstrated to form more aggregated spheroids and have higher adhesion ability for the mesothelial layer. To improve the poor prognosis, we need to elucidate the mechanisms of spheroid formation and interactions with non-malignant cells in ascites that are a unique tumor microenvironment for EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaname Uno
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan; (K.U.); (S.I.); (K.K.); (K.M.); (H.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.K.)
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 223-62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Shohei Iyoshi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan; (K.U.); (S.I.); (K.K.); (K.M.); (H.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.K.)
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Masato Yoshihara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan; (K.U.); (S.I.); (K.K.); (K.M.); (H.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.K.)
| | - Kazuhisa Kitami
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan; (K.U.); (S.I.); (K.K.); (K.M.); (H.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.K.)
| | - Kazumasa Mogi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan; (K.U.); (S.I.); (K.K.); (K.M.); (H.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.K.)
| | - Hiroki Fujimoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan; (K.U.); (S.I.); (K.K.); (K.M.); (H.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.K.)
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Adelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Mai Sugiyama
- Bell Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Collaborative Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.K.); (A.N.)
| | - Yoshihiro Koya
- Bell Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Collaborative Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.K.); (A.N.)
| | - Yoshihiko Yamakita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan; (K.U.); (S.I.); (K.K.); (K.M.); (H.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.K.)
- Bell Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Collaborative Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.K.); (A.N.)
| | - Akihiro Nawa
- Bell Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Collaborative Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan; (M.S.); (Y.K.); (A.N.)
| | - Tomohiro Kanayama
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan; (T.K.); (H.T.)
| | - Hiroyuki Tomita
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1194, Japan; (T.K.); (H.T.)
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan;
| | - Hiroaki Kajiyama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan; (K.U.); (S.I.); (K.K.); (K.M.); (H.F.); (Y.Y.); (H.K.)
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14
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Wang X, Wang F, Li S, Yin G, Pu X. Preparation and in vitro evaluation of thermosensitive liposomes targeting for ovarian cancer. Curr Drug Deliv 2022; 19:940-948. [PMID: 35319368 DOI: 10.2174/1567201819666220321110812] [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: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Liposomes have been widely used in drug delivery systems because the encapsulation of liposomes changes the biological distribution profile and improves the therapeutic indices of various drugs. Thermosensitive liposomes have been proven to be a precise and effective method for cancer therapy in many preclinical studies. However, the lack of specific targeting ability to cancer cells limited their application in safe and efficient chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present study, an ovarian targeting ligand namely WSGFPGVWGASVK (WSG) screened by phage display in vivo was grafted on the thermosensitive phospholipids to prepare the liposomes targeting ovarian cancer cells. WSG was first grafted onto the hydrophilic terminal of DSPE-PEG2000 molecules, and then the WSG modified thermosensitive liposomes (WSG-Lipo) were prepared by thin-film hydration method. Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) was used as a model drug to investigate the drug release behavior of liposomes at different temperatures. The specificity of liposomes to SKOV-3 cells was studied by cell uptake in vitro. RESULTS The WSG-Lipo-DOX could release more DOX at 42°C than at 37°C, showing stronger specificity to SKOV-3 cells and thus selectively inhibiting SKOV-3 cells activity in vitro. CONCLUSION The active targeting liposome showed potential in improving the specificity of thermosensitive liposomes and would be applied in the chemotherapy combined with a thermotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingming Wang
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
| | - Fang Wang
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
| | - Sixie Li
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
| | - Guangfu Yin
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
| | - Ximing Pu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China
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15
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Fan Y, Wang J, Fang Z, Pierce SR, West L, Staley A, Tucker K, Yin Y, Sun W, Kong W, Prabhu V, Allen JE, Zhou C, Bae-Jump VL. Anti-Tumor and Anti-Invasive Effects of ONC201 on Ovarian Cancer Cells and a Transgenic Mouse Model of Serous Ovarian Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:789450. [PMID: 35372029 PMCID: PMC8970020 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.789450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
ONC201 is a promising first-in-class small molecule that has been reported to have anti-neoplastic activity in various types of cancer through activation of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) as well as activation of mitochondrial caseinolytic protease P (ClpP). The present study was to explore the anti-tumor potential effect of ONC201 in ovarian cancer cell lines and in a transgenic mouse model of high grade serous ovarian cancer under obese (high fat diet) and lean (low fat diet) conditions. ONC201 significantly suppressed cell proliferation, induced arrest in G1 phase, and increased cellular stress and apoptosis, accompanied by dual inhibition of the AKT/mTOR/S6 and MAPK pathways in OC cells. ONC201 also resulted in inhibition of adhesion and invasion via epithelial–mesenchymal transition and reduction of VEGF expression. Pre-treatment with the anti-oxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), reversed the ONC201-induced oxidative stress response, and prevented ONC201-reduced VEGF and cell invasion by regulating epithelial–mesenchymal transition protein expression. Knockdown of ClpP in ovarian cancer cells reduced ONC201 mediated the anti-tumor activity and cellular stress. Diet-induced obesity accelerated ovarian tumor growth in the KpB mouse model. ONC201 significantly suppressed tumor growth, and decreased serum VEGF production in obese and lean mice, leading to a decrease in tumoral expression of Ki-67, VEGF and phosphorylation of p42/44 and S6 and an increase in ClpP and DRD5, as assessed by immunohistochemistry. These results suggest that ONC201 may be a promising therapeutic agent to be explored in future clinical trials in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Fan
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jiandong Wang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ziwei Fang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Stuart R. Pierce
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Lindsay West
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Allison Staley
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Katherine Tucker
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Yajie Yin
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Wenchuan Sun
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Weimin Kong
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Chunxiao Zhou
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Victoria L. Bae-Jump, ; Chunxiao Zhou,
| | - Victoria L. Bae-Jump
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Victoria L. Bae-Jump, ; Chunxiao Zhou,
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16
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Peritoneal Metastasis: Current Status and Treatment Options. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010060. [PMID: 35008221 PMCID: PMC8750973 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010060] [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: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Surgical and locoregional treatments of peritoneal metastasis, e.g., from colorectal cancer, has gained increasing acceptance after the publication of excellent patient outcomes from many groups around the world. Apart from systemic chemotherapy and surgical removal of the tumor, locoregional therapies such as HIPEC or PIPAC may improve tumor control. Understanding the molecular characteristics of peritoneal metastasis is crucial to evolve future therapeutic strategies for peritoneal metastasis. This includes the genetic background of PM, which is often different from other sites of metastasis, and promotes peritoneal dissemination and the growth of tumor cells. Growing knowledge and insight into the physiology of the peritoneal tumor microenvironment and the specific role of the immune system in this compartment may provide a critical step to move locoregional therapy to the next level. This review summarizes the current knowledge and highlights the molecular characteristics of peritoneal metastasis. Abstract Peritoneal metastasis (PM) originating from gastrointestinal cancer was considered a terminal disease until recently. The advent of better systemic treatment, a better understanding of prognostic factors, and finally, the advent of novel loco-regional therapies, has opened the door for the multimodal treatment of PM. These strategies, including radical surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) showed surprisingly good results, leading to the prolonged survival of patients with peritoneal metastasis. This has triggered a significant body of research, leading to the molecular characterization of PM, which may further help in the development of novel treatments. This review summarizes current evidence on peritoneal metastasis and explores potential novel mechanisms and therapeutic approaches to treat patients with peritoneal metastasis.
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17
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Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4, a targetable oncoantigen that promotes ovarian cancer growth, invasion, cisplatin resistance and spheroid formation. Transl Oncol 2021; 16:101318. [PMID: 34942534 PMCID: PMC8695353 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a highly heterogeneous disease encompassing several distinct molecular subtypes and clinical entities. Despite the initial success of surgical debulking and adjuvant chemotherapy, recurrence with chemotherapy resistant tumors is common in patients with EOC and leads to poor overall survival. The extensive genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity associated with ovarian cancers has hindered the identification of effective prognostic and predictive biomarkers in EOC patients. In the current studies, we identify a tumor cell surface oncoantigen, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), as an independent risk factor for decreased survival of patients with EOC. Our results show that CSPG4 promotes EOC cell invasion, cisplatin resistance and spheroid formation in vitro and tumor expansion in vivo. Mechanistically, spheroid formation and tumor cell invasion are due to CSPG4-stimulated expression of the mesenchymal transcription factor ZEB1. Furthermore, we have developed a novel monoclonal anti-CSGP4 antibody against the juxtamembrane domain of the core protein that limits CSPG4-stimulated ZEB1 expression, tumor cell invasion and promotes EOC apoptosis within spheroid cultures. We therefore propose that CSPG4 expression drives phenotypic heterogeneity and malignant progression in EOC tumors. These studies further demonstrate that CSPG4 expression levels are a potential diagnostic biomarker in EOC and indicate that targeting cells which express this oncoantigen could limit recurrence and improve outcomes in patients with EOC.
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Abstract
Peritoneal surface malignancies comprise a heterogeneous group of primary tumours, including peritoneal mesothelioma, and peritoneal metastases of other tumours, including ovarian, gastric, colorectal, appendicular or pancreatic cancers. The pathophysiology of peritoneal malignancy is complex and not fully understood. The two main hypotheses are the transformation of mesothelial cells (peritoneal primary tumour) and shedding of cells from a primary tumour with implantation of cells in the peritoneal cavity (peritoneal metastasis). Diagnosis is challenging and often requires modern imaging and interventional techniques, including surgical exploration. In the past decade, new treatments and multimodal strategies helped to improve patient survival and quality of life and the premise that peritoneal malignancies are fatal diseases has been dismissed as management strategies, including complete cytoreductive surgery embedded in perioperative systemic chemotherapy, can provide cure in selected patients. Furthermore, intraperitoneal chemotherapy has become an important part of combination treatments. Improving locoregional treatment delivery to enhance penetration to tumour nodules and reduce systemic uptake is one of the most active research areas. The current main challenges involve not only offering the best treatment option and developing intraperitoneal therapies that are equivalent to current systemic therapies but also defining the optimal treatment sequence according to primary tumour, disease extent and patient preferences. New imaging modalities, less invasive surgery, nanomedicines and targeted therapies are the basis for a new era of intraperitoneal therapy and are beginning to show encouraging outcomes.
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19
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Dhaliwal D, Shepherd TG. Molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling integrin-mediated cell adhesion and tumor progression in ovarian cancer metastasis: a review. Clin Exp Metastasis 2021; 39:291-301. [PMID: 34822024 PMCID: PMC8971148 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-021-10136-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecological malignancy in the developed world. EOC metastasis is unique since malignant cells detach directly from the primary tumor site into the abdominal fluid and form multicellular aggregates, called spheroids, that possess enhanced survival mechanisms while in suspension. As such, altered cell adhesion properties are paramount to EOC metastasis with cell detachment from the primary tumor, dissemination as spheroids, and reattachment to peritoneal surfaces for secondary tumor formation. The ability for EOC cells to establish and maintain cell–cell contacts in spheroids is critical for cell survival in suspension. Integrins are a family of cell adhesion receptors that play a crucial role in cell–cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. These glycoprotein receptors regulate diverse functions in tumor cells and are implicated in multiple steps of cancer progression. Altered integrin expression is detected in numerous carcinomas, where they play a role in cell migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent survival. Like that observed for other carcinomas, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs during metastasis and integrins can function in this process as well. Herein, we provide a review of the evidence for integrin-mediated cell adhesion mechanisms impacting steps of EOC metastasis. Taken together, targeting integrin function may represent a potential therapeutic strategy to inhibit progression of advanced EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolly Dhaliwal
- The Mary & John Knight Translational Ovarian Cancer Research Unit, Lawson Health Research Institute and London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Trevor G Shepherd
- The Mary & John Knight Translational Ovarian Cancer Research Unit, Lawson Health Research Institute and London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada. .,Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada. .,Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada. .,Department of Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada. .,London Regional Cancer Program, 790 Commissioners Rd E, Room A4-836, London, ON, N6A 4L6, Canada.
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20
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Clarke LE, Cook A, Mathavarajah S, Bera A, Salsman J, Habib E, Van Iderstine C, Bydoun M, Lewis SM, Dellaire G. Haploinsufficient tumor suppressor PRP4K is negatively regulated during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. FASEB J 2021; 35:e22001. [PMID: 34674320 PMCID: PMC9298446 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001063r] [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: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The pre‐mRNA processing factor 4 kinase (PRP4K, also known as PRPF4B) is an essential gene. However, reduced PRP4K expression is associated with aggressive breast and ovarian cancer phenotypes including taxane therapy resistance, increased cell migration and invasion in vitro, and cancer metastasis in mice. These results are consistent with PRP4K being a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor. Increased cell migration and invasion is associated with epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), but how reduced PRP4K levels affect normal epithelial cell migration or EMT has not been studied. Depletion of PRP4K by small hairpin RNA (shRNA) in non‐transformed mammary epithelial cell lines (MCF10A, HMLE) reduced or had no effect on 2D migration in the scratch assay but resulted in greater invasive potential in 3D transwell assays. Depletion of PRP4K in mesenchymal triple‐negative breast cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐231) resulted in both enhanced 2D migration and 3D invasion, with 3D invasion correlated with higher fibronectin levels in both MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF10A cells and without changes in E‐cadherin. Induction of EMT in MCF10A cells, by treatment with WNT‐5a and TGF‐β1, or depletion of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3e (eIF3e) by shRNA, resulted in significantly reduced PRP4K expression. Mechanistically, induction of EMT by WNT‐5a/TGF‐β1 reduced PRP4K transcript levels, whereas eIF3e depletion led to reduced PRP4K translation. Finally, reduced PRP4K levels after eIF3e depletion correlated with increased YAP activity and nuclear localization, both of which are reversed by overexpression of exogenous PRP4K. Thus, PRP4K is a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor negatively regulated by EMT, that when depleted in normal mammary cells can increase cell invasion without inducing full EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia E Clarke
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Allyson Cook
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Amit Bera
- Atlantic Cancer Research Institute, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Jayme Salsman
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Elias Habib
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Moamen Bydoun
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Stephen M Lewis
- Atlantic Cancer Research Institute, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.,Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.,Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Graham Dellaire
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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21
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Karimnia N, Wilson AL, Green E, Matthews A, Jobling TW, Plebanski M, Bilandzic M, Stephens AN. Chemoresistance is mediated by ovarian cancer leader cells in vitro. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:276. [PMID: 34470672 PMCID: PMC8408956 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02086-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Leader cells are a subset of cancer cells that coordinate the complex cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions required for ovarian cancer migration, invasion, tumour deposition and are negatively associated with progression-free survival and response to therapy. Emerging evidence suggests leader cells may be enriched in response to chemotherapy, underlying disease recurrence following treatment. Methods CRISPR was used to insert a bicistronic T2A-GFP cassette under the native KRT14 (leader cell) promoter. 2D and 3D drug screens were completed in the presence of chemotherapies used in ovarian cancer management. Leader cell; proliferative (Ki67); and apoptotic status (Cleaved Caspase 3) were defined by live cell imaging and flow cytometry. Quantitative real-time PCR defined “stemness” profiles. Proliferation was assessed on the xCELLigence real time cell analyser. Statistical Analysis was performed using unpaired non-parametric t-tests or one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison post hoc. Results Leader cells represent a transcriptionally plastic subpopulation of ovarian cancer cells that arise independently of cell division or DNA replication, and exhibit a “stemness” profile that does not correlate with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Chemotherapeutics increased apoptosis-resistant leader cells in vitro, who retained motility and expressed known chemo-resistance markers including ALDH1, Twist and CD44v6. Functional impairment of leader cells restored chemosensitivity, with leader cell-deficient lines failing to recover following chemotherapeutic intervention. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that ovarian cancer leader cells are resistant to a diverse array of chemotherapeutic agents, and are likely to play a critical role in the recurrence of chemo-resistant disease as drivers of poor treatment outcomes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02086-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Karimnia
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Amy L Wilson
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Emma Green
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Amelia Matthews
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Thomas W Jobling
- Monash Medical Centre, Department of Gynaecology Oncology, Monash Health, Moorabbin, Australia
| | - Magdalena Plebanski
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Maree Bilandzic
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
| | - Andrew N Stephens
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
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22
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Fan Q, Li L, Wang TL, Emerson RE, Xu Y. A Novel ZIP4-HDAC4-VEGFA Axis in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153821. [PMID: 34359722 PMCID: PMC8345154 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite tremendous research efforts, epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains one of the most difficult cancers to detect early and treat successfully for >5-year survival. We have recently shown that ZIP4, a zinc transporter, is a novel cancer stem cell (CSC) marker and a therapeutic target for EOC. The current work focuses on developing new strategies to target ZIP4 and inhibit its CSC activities in EOC. We found that cells expressing high levels of ZIP4 were supersensitive to a group of inhibitors called HDACis. One of the major targets of these inhibitors is a protein called HDAC4. We revealed the new molecular bases for the ZIP4-HDAC4 axis and tested the efficacies of targeting this axis in the lab and in mouse models. Our study provides a new mechanistic-based targeting strategy for EOC. Abstract We have recently identified ZIP4 as a novel cancer stem cell (CSC) marker in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). While it converts drug-resistance to cisplatin (CDDP), we unexpectedly found that ZIP4 induced sensitization of HGSOC cells to histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis). Mechanistically, ZIP4 selectively upregulated HDAC IIa HDACs, with little or no effect on HDACs in other classes. HDAC4 knockdown (KD) and LMK-235 inhibited spheroid formation in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo, with hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1α) and endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) as functional downstream mediators of HDAC4. Moreover, we found that ZIP4, HDAC4, and HIF1α were involved in regulating secreted VEGFA in HGSOC cells. Furthermore, we tested our hypothesis that co-targeting CSC via the ZIP4-HDAC4 axis and non-CSC using CDDP is necessary and highly effective by comparing the effects of ZIP4-knockout/KD, HDAC4-KD, and HDACis, in the presence or absence of CDDP on tumorigenesis in mouse models. Our results showed that the co-targeting strategy was highly effective. Finally, data from human HGSOC tissues showed that ZIP4 and HDAC4 were upregulated in a subset of recurrent tumors, justifying the clinical relevance of the study. In summary, our study provides a new mechanistic-based targeting strategy for HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qipeng Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 950 W. Walnut St. R2-E380, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Lihong Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 600 North Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
| | - Tian-Li Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Oncology, and Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA;
| | - Robert E. Emerson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University Health Pathology Laboratory, 350 W. 11th Street, Room 4010, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 950 W. Walnut St. R2-E380, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(317)-274-3972
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23
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Lee HR, Kim DW, Jones VO, Choi Y, Ferry VE, Geller MA, Azarin SM. Sonosensitizer-Functionalized Graphene Nanoribbons for Adhesion Blocking and Sonodynamic Ablation of Ovarian Cancer Spheroids. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001368. [PMID: 34050609 PMCID: PMC8550295 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Advanced stage ovarian cancer is challenging to treat due to widespread seeding of tumor spheroids throughout the mesothelial lining of the peritoneal cavity. In this work, a therapeutic strategy using graphene nanoribbons (GNR) functionalized with 4-arm polyethylene glycol (PEG) and chlorin e6 (Ce6), a sonosensitizer, to target metastatic ovarian cancer spheroids is reported. GNR-PEG-Ce6 adsorbs onto the spheroids and disrupts their adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins or LP-9 mesothelial cells. Furthermore, for spheroids that do adhere, GNR-PEG-Ce6 delays spheroid disaggregation and spreading as well as mesothelial clearance, key metastatic processes following adhesion. Owing to the sonodynamic effects of Ce6 and its localized delivery via the biomaterial, GNR-PEG-Ce6 can kill ovarian cancer spheroids adhered to LP-9 cell monolayers when combined with mild ultrasound irradiation. The interaction with GNR-PEG-Ce6 also loosens cell-cell adhesions within the spheroids, rendering them more susceptible to treatment with the chemotherapeutic agents cisplatin and paclitaxel, which typically have difficulty in penetrating ovarian cancer spheroids. Thus, this material can facilitate effective chemotherapeutic and sonodynamic combination therapies. Finally, the adhesion inhibiting and sonodynamic effects of GNR-PEG-Ce6 are also validated with tumor spheroids derived from the ascites fluid of ovarian cancer patients, providing evidence of the translational potential of this biomaterial approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hak Rae Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Dae Woo Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Victoria O Jones
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Yunkyu Choi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Vivian E Ferry
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Melissa A Geller
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Samira M Azarin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
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24
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Rico SD, Schmalfeldt B, Müller V, Wölber L, Witzel I, Paluchowski P, von Leffern I, Heilenkötter U, Jacobsen F, Bernreuther C, Clauditz T, Simon R, Steurer S, Burandt E, Marx AH, Krech T. MUC5AC expression is linked to mucinous/endometroid subtype, absence of nodal metastasis and mismatch repair deficiency in ovarian cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2021; 224:153533. [PMID: 34171599 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2021.153533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) is a secreted gel-forming mucin which is expressed by mucus producing cells of several organs but can also be found in cancer cells of the ovary, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to characterize the expression of MUC5AC and its potential prognostic implications in different ovarian cancer subtypes. MUC5AC expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray containing 603 ovarian cancers. MUC5AC was commonly expressed in mucinous (27/36; 75%) and endometrioid (12/39; 31%) carcinomas, whereas malignant mixed Mullerian tumors (2/27; 7%), high-grade serous (20/373; 5%) and clear cell carcinomas (1/28; 4%) were only rarely MUC5AC positive and also showed lower expression levels. MUC5AC positive endometroid carcinomas and high-grade serous carcinomas lacked lymph node metastases (p = 0.0495 and p = 0.0216) suggesting a more favorable prognosis. Deficient mismatch repair (dMMR), associated with a favorable prognosis in different cancer types, was found in 4/39 (10%) MUC5AC positive cancers but in only 5/375 (1%) of MUC5AC negative cancers (p = 0.0052). In subgroup analyses MUC5AC positive endometroid carcinomas more frequently showed dMMR (4/10; 40%) as opposed to MUC5AC negative endometroid carcinomas (3/23; 13%; p = 0.0932). In summary, the results of our study show that MUC5AC expression is associated with mucinous and endometrioid ovarian carcinomas, lack of nodal metastases and dMMR. MUC5AC expressing ovarian cancers should be evaluated for dMMR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara Schmalfeldt
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Volkmar Müller
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Linn Wölber
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Isabell Witzel
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Peter Paluchowski
- Department of Gynecology, Regio Clinic Pinneberg, Pinneberg, Germany
| | | | - Uwe Heilenkötter
- Department of Gynecology, Regio Clinic Itzehoe, Itzehoe, Germany
| | - Frank Jacobsen
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Bernreuther
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Till Clauditz
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ronald Simon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Stefan Steurer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eike Burandt
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas H Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Pathology, Academic Hospital Fuerth, Fuerth, Germany
| | - Till Krech
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Institute of Pathology, Clinical Center Osnabrueck, Osnabrueck, Germany
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25
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Khalaf K, Hana D, Chou JTT, Singh C, Mackiewicz A, Kaczmarek M. Aspects of the Tumor Microenvironment Involved in Immune Resistance and Drug Resistance. Front Immunol 2021; 12:656364. [PMID: 34122412 PMCID: PMC8190405 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.656364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and ever-changing "rogue organ" composed of its own blood supply, lymphatic and nervous systems, stroma, immune cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). These complex components, utilizing both benign and malignant cells, nurture the harsh, immunosuppressive and nutrient-deficient environment necessary for tumor cell growth, proliferation and phenotypic flexibility and variation. An important aspect of the TME is cellular crosstalk and cell-to-ECM communication. This interaction induces the release of soluble factors responsible for immune evasion and ECM remodeling, which further contribute to therapy resistance. Other aspects are the presence of exosomes contributed by both malignant and benign cells, circulating deregulated microRNAs and TME-specific metabolic patterns which further potentiate the progression and/or resistance to therapy. In addition to biochemical signaling, specific TME characteristics such as the hypoxic environment, metabolic derangements, and abnormal mechanical forces have been implicated in the development of treatment resistance. In this review, we will provide an overview of tumor microenvironmental composition, structure, and features that influence immune suppression and contribute to treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Khalaf
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Doris Hana
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jadzia Tin-Tsen Chou
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Chandpreet Singh
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Andrzej Mackiewicz
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Mariusz Kaczmarek
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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26
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Wesley T, Berzins S, Kannourakis G, Ahmed N. The attributes of plakins in cancer and disease: perspectives on ovarian cancer progression, chemoresistance and recurrence. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:55. [PMID: 34001250 PMCID: PMC8127266 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00726-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The plakin family of cytoskeletal proteins play an important role in cancer progression yet are under-studied in cancer, especially ovarian cancer. These large cytoskeletal proteins have primary roles in the maintenance of cytoskeletal integrity but are also associated with scaffolds of intermediate filaments and hemidesmosomal adhesion complexes mediating signalling pathways that regulate cellular growth, migration, invasion and differentiation as well as stress response. Abnormalities of plakins, and the closely related spectraplakins, result in diseases of the skin, striated muscle and nervous tissue. Their prevalence in epithelial cells suggests that plakins may play a role in epithelial ovarian cancer progression and recurrence. In this review article, we explore the roles of plakins, particularly plectin, periplakin and envoplakin in disease-states and cancers with emphasis on ovarian cancer. We discuss the potential role the plakin family of proteins play in regulating cancer cell growth, survival, migration, invasion and drug resistance. We highlight potential relationships between plakins, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) and discuss how interaction of these processes may affect ovarian cancer progression, chemoresistance and ultimately recurrence. We propose that molecular changes in the expression of plakins leads to the transition of benign ovarian tumours to carcinomas, as well as floating cellular aggregates (commonly known as spheroids) in the ascites microenvironment, which may contribute to the sustenance and progression of the disease. In this review, attempts have been made to understand the crucial changes in plakin expression in relation to progression and recurrence of ovarian cancer. Video Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsin Wesley
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat Technology Central Park, Suites 23-26, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat, VIC, 3353, Australia.,School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Stuart Berzins
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat Technology Central Park, Suites 23-26, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat, VIC, 3353, Australia.,School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - George Kannourakis
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat Technology Central Park, Suites 23-26, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat, VIC, 3353, Australia.,School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Nuzhat Ahmed
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat Technology Central Park, Suites 23-26, 106-110 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat, VIC, 3353, Australia. .,School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, 3010, Australia. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Centre for Reproductive Health, The Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia.
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27
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Takeshita Y, Motohara T, Kadomatsu T, Doi T, Obayashi K, Oike Y, Katabuchi H, Endo M. Angiopoietin-like protein 2 decreases peritoneal metastasis of ovarian cancer cells by suppressing anoikis resistance. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 561:26-32. [PMID: 34000514 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Peritoneal metastasis is a common mode of spread of ovarian cancer. Despite therapeutic advances, some patients have intractable peritoneal metastasis. Therefore, in-depth characterization of the molecular mechanism of peritoneal metastasis is a key imperative. Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) is an inflammatory factor which activates NF-κB signaling and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases including cancers, such as lung and breast cancer. In this study, we examined the role of ANGPTL2 in ovarian cancer peritoneal metastasis. We observed no difference of cell proliferation between ANGPTL2-expressing and control cells. In the mouse intraperitoneal xenograft model, formation of peritoneal metastasis by ANGPTL2-expressing cells was significantly decreased compared to control. In the in vitro analysis, the expressions of integrin α5β1, α6, and β4, but not those of αvβ3, α3, α4, and β1, were significantly decreased in ANGPTL2-expressing cells compared to control cells. ANGPTL2-expressing cells showed significantly inhibited adherence to laminin compared to control. In addition, we observed upregulation of anoikis (a form of programmed cell death occurring under an anchorage-independent condition) and significant decrease in the expression of Bcl-2 in ANGPTL2-expressing cells as compared to control cells. These results suggest that ANGPTL2 expression in ovarian cancer cells represses peritoneal metastasis by suppressing anoikis resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Takeshita
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Takeshi Motohara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Kadomatsu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Tomomitsu Doi
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Kunie Obayashi
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Yuichi Oike
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Katabuchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Motoyoshi Endo
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, 807-8555, Japan.
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28
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Tendulkar S, Dodamani S. Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer: Prospects for New Drugs. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 21:668-678. [PMID: 32900355 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200908104835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on the conventional treatment, signaling pathways and various reasons for drug resistance with an understanding of novel methods that can lead to effective therapies. Ovarian cancer is amongst the most common gynecological and lethal cancers in women affecting different age groups (20-60). The survival rate is limited to 5 years due to diagnosis in subsequent stages with a reoccurrence of tumor and resistance to chemotherapeutic therapy. The recent clinical trials use the combinatorial treatment of carboplatin and paclitaxel on ovarian cancer after the cytoreduction of the tumor. Predominantly, patients are responsive initially to therapy and later develop metastases due to drug resistance. Chemotherapy also leads to drug resistance causing enormous variations at the cellular level. Multifaceted mechanisms like drug resistance are associated with a number of genes and signaling pathways that process the proliferation of cells. Reasons for resistance include epithelial-mesenchyme, DNA repair activation, autophagy, drug efflux, pathway activation, and so on. Determining the routes on the molecular mechanism that target chemoresistance pathways are necessary for controlling the treatment and understanding efficient drug targets can open light on improving therapeutic outcomes. The most common drug used for ovarian cancer is Cisplatin that activates various chemoresistance pathways, ultimately causing drug resistance. There have been substantial improvements in understanding the mechanisms of cisplatin resistance or chemo sensitizing cisplatin for effective treatment. Therefore, using therapies that involve a combination of phytochemical or novel drug delivery system would be a novel treatment for cancer. Phytochemicals are plant-derived compounds that exhibit anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory properties and reduce side effects exerted by chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Tendulkar
- Dr. Prabhakar Kore Basic Science Research Center, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi- 590010, Karnataka, India
| | - Suneel Dodamani
- Dr. Prabhakar Kore Basic Science Research Center, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi- 590010, Karnataka, India
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29
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Li Y, Wang J, Chen W, Chen X, Wang J. Overexpression of STAT4 under hypoxia promotes EMT through miR-200a/STAT4 signal pathway. Life Sci 2021; 273:119263. [PMID: 33636177 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Previous reports have found that STAT4 is involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), thereby regulating the metastasis and invasion of ovarian cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying remain unclear. MAIN METHODS We first established hypoxia-induced in vivo and in vitro models. The expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4), the markers of EMT and microRNA-200a (miR-200a) were assessed by western blot and qRT-PCR analysis, respectively. Through the bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay, the relationship between miR-200a and SATA4 was performed. The gain- and loss-function experiments were performed to examine the role of miR-200a/STAT4 axis. KEY FINDINGS The results showed that the protein level of STAT4 was significantly up-regulated in our hypoxia-exposed models, and contributed to the regulating of EMT. Besides, we found STAT4 was a direct target of miR-200a. Overexpression of miR-200a repressed the expression of STAT4, and inhibited EMT progress, whereas the silencing of miR-200a promoted the STAT4-mediated EMT regulation both in vitro and in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE Our results provided a potential molecular mechanism by which miR-200a involved in hypoxia-induced metastasis and invasion in ovarian cancer, suggesting a possible target for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, 224001, P.R.China.
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, PR China.
| | - Wenyu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, 224001, P.R.China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, 224001, P.R.China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, 224001, P.R.China
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30
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Pitman M, Oehler MK, Pitson SM. Sphingolipids as multifaceted mediators in ovarian cancer. Cell Signal 2021; 81:109949. [PMID: 33571664 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.109949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy. It is commonly diagnosed at advanced stage when it has metastasised to the abdominal cavity and treatment becomes very challenging. While current standard therapy involving debulking surgery and platinum + taxane-based chemotherapy is associated with high response rates initially, the large majority of patients relapse and ultimately succumb to chemotherapy-resistant disease. In order to improve survival novel strategies for early detection and therapeutics against treatment-refractory disease are urgently needed. A promising new target against ovarian cancer is the sphingolipid pathway which is commonly hijacked in cancer to support cell proliferation and survival and has been shown to promote chemoresistance and metastasis in a wide range of malignant neoplasms. In particular, the sphingosine kinase 1-sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 axis has been shown to be altered in ovarian cancer in multiple ways and therefore represents an attractive therapeutic target. Here we review the roles of sphingolipids in ovarian cancer progression, metastasis and chemoresistance, highlighting novel strategies to target this pathway that represent potential avenues to improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- MelissaR Pitman
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, UniSA CRI Building, North Tce, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
| | - Martin K Oehler
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Stuart M Pitson
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, UniSA CRI Building, North Tce, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
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31
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Filby CE, Rombauts L, Montgomery GW, Giudice LC, Gargett CE. Cellular Origins of Endometriosis: Towards Novel Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Semin Reprod Med 2020; 38:201-215. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AbstractEndometriosis remains an enigmatic disease of unknown etiology, with delayed diagnosis and poor therapeutic options. This review will discuss the cellular, physiological, and genomic evidence of Sampson's hypothesis of retrograde menstruation as a cause of pelvic endometriosis and as the basis of phenotypic heterogeneity of the disease. We postulate that collaborative research at the single cell level focused on unlocking the cellular, physiological, and genomic mechanisms of endometriosis will be accompanied by advances in personalized diagnosis and therapies that target unique subtypes of endometriosis disease. These advances will address the clinical conundrums of endometriosis clinical care—including diagnostic delay, suboptimal treatments, disease recurrence, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and quality of life. There is an urgent need to improve outcomes for women with endometriosis. To achieve this, it is imperative that we understand which cells form the lesions, how they arrive at distant sites, and what factors govern their ability to survive and invade at ectopic locations. This review proposes new research avenues to address these basic questions of endometriosis pathobiology that will lay the foundations for new diagnostic tools and treatment pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E. Filby
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Luk Rombauts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Reproductive Medicine at Women's Health, Monash Health, Monash IVF, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Grant W. Montgomery
- UQ Genome Innovation Hub, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Linda C. Giudice
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Caroline E. Gargett
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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32
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Low junctional adhesion molecule-A expression is associated with an epithelial to mesenchymal transition and poorer outcomes in high-grade serous carcinoma of uterine adnexa. Mod Pathol 2020; 33:2361-2377. [PMID: 32514162 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-020-0586-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
High-grade serous carcinoma of uterine adnexa (HGSC) is the most frequent histotype of epithelial ovarian cancer and has a poor 5-year survival rate due to late-stage diagnosis and the poor efficacy of standard treatments. Novel biomarkers of cancer outcome are needed to identify new targetable pathways and improve personalized treatments. Cell-surface screening of 26 HGSC cell lines by high-throughput flow cytometry identified junctional adhesion molecule 1 (JAM-A, also known as F11R) as a potential biomarker. Using a multi-labeled immunofluorescent staining coupled with digital image analysis, protein levels of JAM-A were quantified in tissue microarrays from three HGSC patient cohorts: a discovery cohort (n = 101), the Canadian Ovarian Experimental Unified Resource cohort (COEUR, n = 1158), and the Canadian Cancer Trials Group OV16 cohort (n = 267). Low JAM-A level was associated with poorer outcome in the three cohorts by Kaplan-Meier (p = 0.023, p < 0.001, and p = 0.036, respectively) and was an independent marker of shorter survival in the COEUR cohort (HR = 0.517 (0.381-703), p < 0.001). When analyses were restricted to patients treated by taxane-platinum-based chemotherapy, low JAM-A protein expression was associated with poorer responses in the COEUR (p < 0.001) and OV16 cohorts (p = 0.006) by Kaplan-Meier. Decreased JAM-A gene expression was an indicator of poor outcome in gene expression datasets including The Cancer Genome Atlas (n = 606, p = 0.002) and Kaplan-Meier plotter (n = 1816, p = 0.024). Finally, we observed that tumors with decreased JAM-A expression exhibited an enhanced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) signature. Our results demonstrate that JAM-A expression is a robust prognostic biomarker of HGSC and may be used to discriminate tumors responsive to therapies targeting EMT.
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Huang Z, Kondoh E, Visco ZR, Baba T, Matsumura N, Dolan E, Whitaker RS, Konishi I, Fujii S, Berchuck A, Murphy SK. Targeting Dormant Ovarian Cancer Cells In Vitro and in an In Vivo Mouse Model of Platinum Resistance. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 20:85-95. [PMID: 33037137 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Spheroids exhibit drug resistance and slow proliferation, suggesting involvement in cancer recurrence. The protein kinase C inhibitor UCN-01 (7-hydroxystaurosporine) has shown higher efficacy against slow proliferating and/or quiescent ovarian cancer cells. In this study, tumorigenic potential was assessed using anchorage-independent growth assays and spheroid-forming capacity, which was determined with ovarian cancer cell lines as well as primary ovarian cancers. Of 12 cell lines with increased anchorage-independent growth, 8 formed spheroids under serum-free culture conditions. Spheroids showed reduced proliferation (P < 0.0001) and Ki-67 immunostaining (8% vs. 87%) relative to monolayer cells. Spheroid formation was associated with increased expression of mitochondrial pathway genes (P ≤ 0.001) from Affymetrix HT U133A gene expression data. UCN-01, a kinase inhibitor/mitochondrial uncoupler that has been shown to lead to Puma-induced mitochondrial apoptosis as well as ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin, demonstrated effectiveness against spheroids, whereas spheroids were refractory to cisplatin and paclitaxel. By live in vivo imaging, ovarian cancer xenograft tumors were reduced after primary treatment with carboplatin. Continued treatment with carboplatin was accompanied by an increase in tumor signal, whereas there was little or no increase in tumor signal observed with subsequent treatment with UCN-01 or oltipraz. Taken together, our findings suggest that genes involved in mitochondrial function in spheroids may be an important therapeutic target in preventing disease recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqing Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Eiji Kondoh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Zachary R Visco
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Tsukasa Baba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Iwate Medical University, Morioka Iwate, Japan
| | - Noriomi Matsumura
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kindai University, Higashiosaka, Japan
| | - Emma Dolan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Regina S Whitaker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ikuo Konishi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shingo Fujii
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Kyoto Okamoto Memorial Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Andrew Berchuck
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Susan K Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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Ke FY, Chen WY, Lin MC, Hwang YC, Kuo KT, Wu HC. Novel monoclonal antibody against integrin α3 shows therapeutic potential for ovarian cancer. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:3478-3492. [PMID: 32648337 PMCID: PMC7541015 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer has a high recurrence rate after platinum‐based chemotherapy. To improve the treatment of ovarian cancer and identify ovarian cancer‐specific antibodies, we immunized mice with the human ovarian carcinoma cell line, SKOV‐3, and generated hybridoma clones. Several rounds of screening yielded 30 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with no cross‐reactivity to normal cells. Among these mAbs, OV‐Ab 30‐7 was found to target integrin α3 and upregulate p53 and p21, while stimulating the apoptosis of cancer cells. We further found that binding of integrin α3 by OV‐Ab 30‐7 impaired laminin‐induced focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation. The mAb alone or in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel inhibited tumor progression and prolonged survival of tumor‐bearing mice. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining of ovarian patient specimens revealed higher levels of integrin α3 in cancer cells compared with normal cells. By querying online clinical databases, we found that elevated ITGA3 expression in ovarian cancer is associated with poor prognosis. Taken together, our data suggest that the novel mAb, OV‐Ab 30‐7, may be considered as a potential therapeutic for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Yi Ke
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Pathology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Yu Chen
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chieh Lin
- Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chyi Hwang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Ting Kuo
- Graduate Institute of Pathology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Biomedical Park Branch, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chung Wu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Pathology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Infiltration of T cells promotes the metastasis of ovarian cancer cells via the modulation of metastasis-related genes and PD-L1 expression. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:2275-2289. [PMID: 32504248 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02621-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Due to its high ability to disseminate, ovarian cancer remains one of the largest threats to women's health, worldwide. Evidence showed that the immune cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment are crucial in mediating metastasis. Therefore, it is necessary to understand which types of immune cells are involved in metastasis, and to determine the mechanisms by which they influence the process. By immunohistochemistry, we found that higher concentrations of intratumoral CD8+ T cells were found to be correlated with an advanced grade and stage of ovarian cancer. Additionally, the infiltration of stromal CD8+ T cells was also significantly higher in tissues with advanced stages and metastatic tumors. A positive correlation between the infiltration of FoxP3+ Treg cells and histological grade was also observed, regardless of location. PD-L1 expression in metastatic tumors was also higher than that in paired primary ovarian tumors. Transwell migration and invasion assays revealed the increased migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780CP and ES2) and ascites-derived ovarian cancer cells following co-culturing with CD8+ T cells. Enhanced expression of MMP-9, uPA, VEGF, bFGF, IL-8, IL-10, and PD-L1 by cancer cells following co-culturing with CD8+ T cells were also detected by qPCR, ELISA or flow cytometry. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the infiltrated T cells could promote the development of ovarian cancer, and provide another mechanism of immune evasion mediated by T cells.
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36
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Plasticity in Ovarian Cancer: The Molecular Underpinnings and Phenotypic Heterogeneity. J Indian Inst Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s41745-020-00174-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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37
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Li J, Xu J, Li L, Ianni A, Kumari P, Liu S, Sun P, Braun T, Tan X, Xiang R, Yue S. MGAT3-mediated glycosylation of tetraspanin CD82 at asparagine 157 suppresses ovarian cancer metastasis by inhibiting the integrin signaling pathway. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:6467-6482. [PMID: 32483464 PMCID: PMC7255015 DOI: 10.7150/thno.43865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Tetraspanins constitute a family of transmembrane spanning proteins that function mainly by organizing the plasma membrane into micro-domains. CD82, a member of tetraspanins, is a potent inhibitor of cancer metastasis in numerous malignancies. CD82 is a highly glycosylated protein, however, it is still unknown whether and how this post-translational modification affects CD82 function and cancer metastasis. Methods: The glycosylation of CD82 profiles are checked in the paired human ovarian primary and metastatic cancer tissues. The functional studies on the various glycosylation sites of CD82 are performed in vitro and in vivo. Results: We demonstrate that CD82 glycosylation at Asn157 is necessary for CD82-mediated inhibition of ovarian cancer cells migration and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we discover that CD82 glycosylation is pivotal to disrupt integrin α5β1-mediated cellular adhesion to the abundant extracellular matrix protein fibronectin. Thereby the glycosylated CD82 inhibits the integrin signaling pathway responsible for the induction of the cytoskeleton rearrangements required for cellular migration. Furthermore, we reveal that the glycosyltransferase MGAT3 is responsible for CD82 glycosylation in ovarian cancer cells. Metastatic ovarian cancers express reduced levels of MGAT3 which in turn may result in impaired CD82 glycosylation. Conclusions: Our work implicates a pathway for ovarian cancers metastasis regulation via MGAT3 mediated glycosylation of tetraspanin CD82 at asparagine 157.
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Ovarian Cancer, Cancer Stem Cells and Current Treatment Strategies: A Potential Role of Magmas in the Current Treatment Methods. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030719. [PMID: 32183385 PMCID: PMC7140629 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) constitutes 90% of ovarian cancers (OC) and is the eighth most common cause of cancer-related death in women. The cancer histologically and genetically is very complex having a high degree of tumour heterogeneity. The pathogenic variability in OC causes significant impediments in effectively treating patients, resulting in a dismal prognosis. Disease progression is predominantly influenced by the peritoneal tumour microenvironment rather than properties of the tumor and is the major contributor to prognosis. Standard treatment of OC patients consists of debulking surgery, followed by chemotherapy, which in most cases end in recurrent chemoresistant disease. This review discusses the different origins of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the major sub-type of EOC. Tumour heterogeneity, genetic/epigenetic changes, and cancer stem cells (CSC) in facilitating HGSOC progression and their contribution in the circumvention of therapy treatments are included. Several new treatment strategies are discussed including our preliminary proof of concept study describing the role of mitochondria-associated granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor signaling protein (Magmas) in HGSOC and its unique potential role in chemotherapy-resistant disease.
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39
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Pantshwa JM, Kondiah PPD, Choonara YE, Marimuthu T, Pillay V. Nanodrug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E213. [PMID: 31952210 PMCID: PMC7017423 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances achieved in medicine, chemotherapeutics still has detrimental side effects with ovarian cancer (OC), accounting for numerous deaths among females. The provision of safe, early detection and active treatment of OC remains a challenge, in spite of improvements in new antineoplastic discovery. Nanosystems have shown remarkable progress with impact in diagnosis and chemotherapy of various cancers, due to their ideal size; improved drug encapsulation within its interior core; potential to minimize drug degradation; improve in vivo drug release kinetics; and prolong blood circulation times. However, nanodrug delivery systems have few limitations regarding its accuracy of tumour targeting and the ability to provide sustained drug release. Hence, a cogent and strategic approach has focused on nanosystem functionalization with antibody-based ligands to selectively enhance cellular uptake of antineoplastics. Antibody functionalized nanosystems are (advanced) synthetic candidates, with a broad range of efficiency in specific tumour targeting, whilst leaving normal cells unaffected. This article comprehensively reviews the present status of nanosystems, with particular emphasis on nanomicelles for molecular diagnosis and treatment of OC. In addition, biomarkers of nanosystems provide important prospects as chemotherapeutic strategies to upsurge the survival rate of patients with OC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Viness Pillay
- Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, South Africa; (J.M.P.); (P.P.D.K.); (Y.E.C.); (T.M.)
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40
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Uddin MM, Gaire B, Vancurova I. Interleukin-8 Induces Proliferation of Ovarian Cancer Cells in 3D Spheroids. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2108:117-124. [PMID: 31939175 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0247-8_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most common cause of cancer deaths among gynecological malignancies. OC ascites contain multicellular spheroid aggregates, which exhibit increased pro-survival signaling, invasive behavior, and chemotherapeutic resistance. OC cells are characterized by an increased expression of the pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8, CXCL8), which increases their survival and migration, thus contributing to OC metastasis and angiogenesis. While previous studies have shown that IL-8 increases proliferation of OC cells grown in monolayer cultures, the effect of IL-8 on proliferation of OC cells grown in 3D spheroids has not been investigated. The spheroid 3D culture assays have been particularly useful in translational research since they allow cell-to-cell interactions that resemble tumor growth in vivo, while allowing easy cell manipulations and visualization. Here, we used the 3D spheroid culture assay to investigate the effect of IL-8 on OC cell proliferation. Using this assay, our results show that IL-8 significantly increases proliferation of OC cells grown in 3D spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad M Uddin
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Bijaya Gaire
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Ivana Vancurova
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA.
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41
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Bilandzic M, Rainczuk A, Green E, Fairweather N, Jobling TW, Plebanski M, Stephens AN. Keratin-14 (KRT14) Positive Leader Cells Mediate Mesothelial Clearance and Invasion by Ovarian Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11091228. [PMID: 31443478 PMCID: PMC6769856 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer metastasis is driven by spheroids, which are heterogeneous cancer cell aggregates released from the primary tumour mass that passively disseminate throughout the peritoneal cavity to promote tumour spread, disease recurrence, and acquired chemoresistance. Despite their clinical importance, the molecular events that control spheroid attachment and invasion into underlying healthy tissues remain poorly understood. We examined a novel in vitro invasion model using imaging mass spectrometry to establish a “snapshot” of the spheroid/mesothelial interface. Amongst numerous adhesion-related proteins, we identified a sub-population of highly motile, invasive cells that expressed the basal epithelial marker KRT14 as an absolute determinant of invasive potential. The loss of KRT14 completely abrogated the invasive capacity, but had no impact on cell viability or proliferation, suggesting an invasion-specific role. Our data demonstrate KRT14 cells as an ovarian cancer “leader cell” phenotype underlying tumor invasion, and suggest their importance as a clinically relevant target in directed anti-tumour therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maree Bilandzic
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
| | - Adam Rainczuk
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
- Bruker Biosciences Pty Ltd., Preston 3078, Australia
| | - Emma Green
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
| | - Nicole Fairweather
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton 3168, Australia
- Department of Gynaecology Oncology Monash Health, Monash Medical Centre, Moorabbin 3189, Australia
| | - Thomas W Jobling
- Department of Gynaecology Oncology Monash Health, Monash Medical Centre, Moorabbin 3189, Australia
| | - Magdalena Plebanski
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora 3083, Australia
| | - Andrew N Stephens
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton 3168, Australia.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia.
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