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Du X, Qi Z, Jiao Y, Wu W, Huang Q, Sun X, Hu S. HK2 promotes migration and invasion of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma via enhancing cancer stem-like cells' resistance to anoikis. Cell Signal 2024; 118:111126. [PMID: 38453126 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) and anoikis resistance play crucial roles in the metastasis of cancers. However, it remains unclear whether CSLCs are related to anoikis resistance in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Here we identified a group of stemness-related anoikis genes (SRAGs) via bioinformatic analysis of public data. Accordingly, a novel anoikis-related classification was established and it divided ICC into C1 and C2 type. Different type ICC displayed distinct prognosis, molecular as well immune characteristics. Furthermore, we found one key SRAGs via several machine learning algorithms. HK2 was up-regulated in tumor-repopulating cells (TRCs) of ICC, a kind of CSLCs with a potent resistance to anoikis. Its up-regulation may be caused by the activation of MTORC1 signaling in ICC-TRCs. And inhibition of HK2 significantly increased anoikis and decreased migration as well invasion in ICC-TRCs. Our studies provide an insight into the molecular mechanism underlying the resistance of ICC-TRCs to anoikis and enhance the evidences for targeting HK2 in ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Du
- Endoscopy Center, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuoran Qi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yunjia Jiao
- Clinical Laboratory, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, No. 170, Xinsong Road, Shanghai 201199, China
| | - Wenzhi Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Qingke Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Xuecheng Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Sunkuan Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China..
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2
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Lee HK, Na YJ, Seong SM, Ahn D, Choi KC. Cordycepin Enhanced Therapeutic Potential of Gemcitabine against Cholangiocarcinoma via Downregulating Cancer Stem-Like Properties. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2024; 32:369-378. [PMID: 38589021 PMCID: PMC11063483 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2023.198] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Cordycepin, a valuable bioactive component isolated from Cordyceps militaris, has been reported to possess anti-cancer potential and the property to enhance the effects of chemotherapeutic agents in various types of cancers. However, the ability of cordycepin to chemosensitize cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells to gemcitabine has not yet been evaluated. The current study was performed to evaluate the above, and the mechanisms associated with it. The study analyzed the effects of cordycepin in combination with gemcitabine on the cancer stem-like properties of the CCA SNU478 cell line, including its anti-apoptotic, migratory, and antioxidant effects. In addition, the combination of cordycepin and gemcitabine was evaluated in the CCA xenograft model. The cordycepin treatment significantly decreased SNU478 cell viability and, in combination with gemcitabine, additively reduced cell viability. The cordycepin and gemcitabine co-treatment significantly increased the Annexin V+ population and downregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression, suggesting that the decreased cell viability in the cordycepin+gemcitabine group may result from an increase in apoptotic death. In addition, the cordycepin and gemcitabine co-treatment significantly reduced the migratory ability of SNU478 cells in the wound healing and trans-well migration assays. It was observed that the cordycepin and gemcitabine cotreatment reduced the CD44highCD133high population in SNU478 cells and the expression level of sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox-2), indicating the downregulation of the cancer stem-like population. Cordycepin also enhanced oxidative damage mediated by gemcitabine in MitoSOX staining associated with the upregulated Kelch like ECH Associated Protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression ratio. In the SNU478 xenograft model, co-administration of cordycepin and gemcitabine additively delayed tumor growth. These results indicate that cordycepin potentiates the chemotherapeutic property of gemcitabine against CCA, which results from the downregulation of its cancer-stem-like properties. Hence, the combination therapy of cordycepin and gemcitabine may be a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Kyu Lee
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Jung Na
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Min Seong
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohee Ahn
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Chul Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
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Gao Y, Yu M, Liu Z, Liu Y, Kong Z, Zhu C, Qin X, Li Y, Tang L. m 6A demethylase ALKBH5 maintains stemness of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by sustaining BUB1B expression and cell proliferation. Transl Oncol 2024; 41:101858. [PMID: 38242006 PMCID: PMC10825528 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101858] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
ALKBH5 plays critical roles in various cellular processes via post-transcriptional regulation of oncogenes or tumor suppressors in an N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-dependent manner. However, its function in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains unclear. In the present study, bioinformatic analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data were performed, and the association of ALKBH5 in predicting overall survival in patients with ICC was investigated. Then, the clinical data of patients from The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Changzhou, China) was used to reveal the overall survival of patients with ICC with different ALKBH5 expression levels by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Subsequently, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to explore and verify the downstream genes regulated by ALKBH5. The results from TCGA data demonstrated that ALKBH5 expression is elevated in ICC and that patients with high ALKBH5 expression exhibited poor survival compared with patients with low expression. In addition, in vitro assays demonstrated that ALKBH5 promoted cell viability and maintained the stemness of ICC cells, leading to ICC progression. The present study also demonstrated that BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase B (BUB1B) is the downstream gene regulated by ALKBH5 and targeting BUB1B suppressed cell growth. The in vitro and vivo experiments revealed that ALKBH5 might function through BUB1B to maintain the stemness of ICC and that altering BUB1B may suppress ICC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- The Institute of Hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China; Department of Hepato-biliary-pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Miao Yu
- Department of Bioinformatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Zengyuan Liu
- The Third People's Provincial Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Hepato-biliary-pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Zhijun Kong
- Department of Hepato-biliary-pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Chunfu Zhu
- Department of Hepato-biliary-pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Xihu Qin
- Department of Hepato-biliary-pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Bioinformatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Liming Tang
- Gastrointestinal Surgery and Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China.
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Na YJ, Lee HK, Choi KC. Amurensin G Sensitized Cholangiocarcinoma to the Anti-Cancer Effect of Gemcitabine via the Downregulation of Cancer Stem-like Properties. Nutrients 2023; 16:73. [PMID: 38201903 PMCID: PMC10780614 DOI: 10.3390/nu16010073] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant biliary tract tumor with a high mortality rate and refractoriness to chemotherapy. Gemcitabine is an anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agent used for CCA, but the efficacy of gemcitabine in CCA treatment is limited, due to the acquisition of chemoresistance. The present study evaluated the chemosensitizing effects of Amurensin G (AMG), a natural sirtuin-1 inhibitor derived from Vitis amurensis, in the SNU-478 CCA cells. Treatment with AMG decreased the SNU-478 cell viability and the colony formation ability. Annexin V/ Propidium iodide staining showed that the AMG increased apoptotic death. In addition, AMG downregulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression, while upregulating pro-apoptotic cleaved caspase-3 expression. Treatment with AMG decreased the migratory ability of the cells in a wound healing assay and transwell migration assay. It was observed that AMG decreased the gemcitabine-induced increase in CD44highCD24highCD133high cell populations, and the expression of the Sox-2 protein was decreased by AMG treatment. Co-treatment of AMG with gemcitabine significantly enhanced the production of reactive oxygen species, as observed through mitochondrial superoxide staining, which might be associated with the downregulation of the Sirt1/Nrf2 pathway by AMG. These results indicate that AMG enhances the chemotherapeutic ability of gemcitabine by downregulating cancer stem-like properties in CCA cells. Hence, a combination therapy of AMG with gemcitabine may be an attractive therapeutic strategy for cholangiocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kyung-Chul Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea; (Y.-J.N.); (H.K.L.)
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5
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Yang L, Zhu Z, Zheng Y, Yang J, Liu Y, Shen T, Li M, He H, Huang H, Dai W. RAB6A functions as a critical modulator of the stem-like subsets in cholangiocarcinoma. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:1460-1473. [PMID: 37278569 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
RAB6A is a member of RAB GTPase family and plays an important role in the targeted transport of neurotrophic receptors and inflammatory cytokines. RAB6A-mediated secretory pathway is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Defects in RAB6A-mediated secretory pathway may lead to the development of many diseases, including cancer. However, its role in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has not yet been revealed. We explored the regulatory role of RAB6A in the stem-like subsets of CCA. We showed that RAB6A knockdown (KD) impedes cancer stem cells (CSCs) properties and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vitro and that suppression of RAB6A inhibits tumor growth in vivo. We screened target cargos of RAB6A in CCA cells and identified a extracellular matrix component as the target cargo. RAB6A binds directly to OPN, and RAB6A KD suppressed OPN secretion and inhibited the interaction between OPN and αV integrin receptor. Moreover, RAB6A KD inhibited the AKT signaling pathway, which is a downstream effector of the integrin receptor signaling. In addition, shRNA targeting OPN blocked endogenous expression of OPN and consequently weakened CSCs properties in RAB6A-formed spheres. Similarly, inhibitor of AKT signaling, MK2206 also impedes oncogenic function of RAB6A in the stem-like subsets of CCA cells. In conclusion, our findings showed that RAB6A sustains CSCs phenotype maintenance by modulating the secretion of OPN and consequentially activating the downstream AKT signaling pathway. Targeting the RAB6A/OPN axis may be an effective strategy for CCA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangfang Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Zhiwen Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yang Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jiaqi Yang
- Institution of Plastic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yuxin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Tingyun Shen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Mingyi Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Huijuan He
- Clinical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Haili Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
- Institution of Plastic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
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MUG CCArly: A Novel Autologous 3D Cholangiocarcinoma Model Presents an Increased Angiogenic Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061757. [PMID: 36980644 PMCID: PMC10046314 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are characterized by their desmoplastic and hypervascularized tumor microenvironment (TME), which is mainly composed of tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs play a pivotal role in general and CCA tumor progression, angiogenesis, metastasis, and the development of treatment resistance. To our knowledge, no continuous human in vivo-like co-culture model is available for research. Therefore, we aimed to establish a new model system (called MUG CCArly) that mimics the desmoplastic microenvironment typically seen in CCA. Proteomic data comparing the new CCA tumor cell line with our co-culture tumor model (CCTM) indicated a higher gene expression correlation of the CCTM with physiological CCA characteristics. A pro-angiogenic TME that is typically observed in CCA could also be better simulated in the CCTM group. Further analysis of secreted proteins revealed CAFs to be the main source of these angiogenic factors. Our CCTM MUG CCArly represents a new, reproducible, and easy-to-handle 3D CCA model for preclinical studies focusing on CCA-stromal crosstalk, tumor angiogenesis, and invasion, as well as the immunosuppressive microenvironment and the involvement of CAFs in the way that drug resistance develops.
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7
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Vita F, Olaizola I, Amato F, Rae C, Marco S, Banales JM, Braconi C. Heterogeneity of Cholangiocarcinoma Immune Biology. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060846. [PMID: 36980187 PMCID: PMC10047186 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) are aggressive tumors arising along the biliary tract epithelium, whose incidence and mortality are increasing. CCAs are highly desmoplastic cancers characterized by a dense tumor microenvironment (TME), in which each single component plays a fundamental role in shaping CCA initiation, progression and resistance to therapies. The crosstalk between cancer cells and TME can affect the recruitment, infiltration and differentiation of immune cells. According to the stage of the disease and to intra- and inter-patient heterogeneity, TME may contribute to either protumoral or antitumoral activities. Therefore, a better understanding of the effect of each immune cell subtype may open the path to new personalized immune therapeutic strategies for the management of CCA. In this review, we describe the role of immune cells in CCA initiation and progression, and their crosstalk with both cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and the cancer-stem-cell-like (CSC) niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Vita
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (F.V.); (F.A.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10043 Turin, Italy
| | - Irene Olaizola
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute–Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20014 San Sebastian, Spain; (I.O.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Francesco Amato
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (F.V.); (F.A.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Colin Rae
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (F.V.); (F.A.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Sergi Marco
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (F.V.); (F.A.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Jesus M. Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute–Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20014 San Sebastian, Spain; (I.O.); (J.M.B.)
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, “Instituto de Salud Carlos III”), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Chiara Braconi
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (F.V.); (F.A.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
- Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK
- Correspondence:
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Skouteris N, Papageorgiou G, Fioretzaki R, Charalampakis N, Schizas D, Kykalos S, Tolia M. Immune checkpoint inhibitors and combinations with other agents in cholangiocarcinoma. Immunotherapy 2023; 15:487-502. [PMID: 36876442 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2022-0225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma consists of a heterogeneous group of malignancies with generally poor prognoses. Immunotherapy has emerged in the treatment landscape of many tumors, offering survival benefits, but data regarding the use of immunotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma remain vague. In this review, the authors analyze differences in the tumor microenvironment and various immune escape mechanisms and discuss available immunotherapy combinations with other agents among completed and ongoing clinical trials, such as chemotherapy, targeted agents, antiangiogenic drugs, local ablative therapies, cancer vaccines, adoptive cell therapy and PARP and TGF-β inhibitors. Ongoing research to identify appropriate biomarkers is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Skouteris
- Department of Medical Oncology, Metaxa Cancer Hospital of Piraeus, Piraeus, 185 37, Greece
| | - Georgios Papageorgiou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Metaxa Cancer Hospital of Piraeus, Piraeus, 185 37, Greece
| | - Rodanthi Fioretzaki
- Department of Medical Oncology, Metaxa Cancer Hospital of Piraeus, Piraeus, 185 37, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Charalampakis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Metaxa Cancer Hospital of Piraeus, Piraeus, 185 37, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Schizas
- First Department of Surgery, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | - Stylianos Kykalos
- Second Propedeutic Department of Surgery, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | - Maria Tolia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Crete, Voutes, Heraklion, Crete, 71110, Greece
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9
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Liver Organoids as an In Vitro Model to Study Primary Liver Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054529. [PMID: 36901961 PMCID: PMC10003131 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancers (PLC), including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), are among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Bi-dimensional in vitro models are unable to recapitulate the key features of PLC; consequently, recent advancements in three-dimensional in vitro systems, such as organoids, opened up new avenues for the development of innovative models for studying tumour's pathological mechanisms. Liver organoids show self-assembly and self-renewal capabilities, retaining essential aspects of their respective in vivo tissue and allowing modelling diseases and personalized treatment development. In this review, we will discuss the current advances in the field of liver organoids focusing on existing development protocols and possible applications in regenerative medicine and drug discovery.
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Zhu Z, Zheng Y, He H, Yang L, Yang J, Li M, Dai W, Huang H. FBXO31 sensitizes cancer stem cells-like cells to cisplatin by promoting ferroptosis and facilitating proteasomal degradation of GPX4 in cholangiocarcinoma. Liver Int 2022; 42:2871-2888. [PMID: 36269678 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant tumour originating from the biliary epithelium that easily infiltrates, metastasizes and recurs. The deficiency of FBXO31 facilitates the initiation and progression of several types of cancer. However, the involvement of FBXO31 in CCA progression has remained unclear. METHODS qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of FBXO31 in CCA. The biological functions of FBXO31 were confirmed in vivo and in vitro. Sphere formation and flow cytometry were used to identify the stem cell properties of CCA. RESULTS FBXO31 is downregulated in CCA and that deficiency of FBXO31 is associated with the TNM stage of CCA. Functional studies showed FBXO31 inhibits cell growth, migration, invasion, cancer stem cell (CSC) properties and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and impedes tumour growth in vivo. In addition, overexpression of FBXO31 increases the cisplatin (CDDP) sensitivity of CCA cells. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that FBXO31 is involved in redox biology and metal ion metabolism in CCA cells during CDDP treatment. Further studies revealed that FBXO31 enhances ferroptosis induced by CDDP in CCA and CSC-like cells. FBXO31 enhances ubiquitination of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), which leads to proteasomal degradation of GPX4. Moreover, overexpression of GPX4 compromises the promoting effects of FBXO31 on CDDP-induced ferroptosis in CCA and CSC-like cells. CONCLUSIONS Our studies indicate that FBXO31 functions as a tumour suppressor in CCA and sensitizes CSC-like cells to CDDP by promoting ferroptosis and facilitating the proteasomal degradation of GPX4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yang Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Huijuan He
- Clinical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Liangfang Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jiaqi Yang
- Institution of Plastic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Mingyi Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Haili Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Institution of Plastic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
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11
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Shen H, Bai X, Liu J, Liu P, Zhang T. Screening potential biomarkers of cholangiocarcinoma based on gene chip meta-analysis and small-sample experimental research. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1001400. [PMID: 36300097 PMCID: PMC9590411 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1001400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare malignant tumor associated with poor prognosis. This study aimed to identify CCA biomarkers by investigating differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CCA patients and healthy subjects obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Bioinformatics tools, including the Illumina BaseSpace Correlation Engine (BSCE) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), were used. The initial DEGs from GSE26566, GSE31370, and GSE77984 were analyzed using GEO2R and Venn, and protein–protein interaction networks were constructed using STRING. The BSCE was applied to assess curated CCA studies to select additional DEGs and them DEGs across the 10 biosets, which was supported by findings in the literature. The final 18 DEGs with clinical significance for CCA were further verified using GEPIA. These included CEACAM6, EPCAM, LAMC2, MMP11, KRT7, KRT17, KRT19, SFN, and SOX9, which were upregulated, and ADH1A, ALDOB, AOX1, CTH, FGA, FGB, FGG, GSTA1, and OTC, which were downregulated in CCA patients. Among these 18 genes, 56 groups of genes (two in each group) were significantly related, and none were independently and differentially expressed. The hub genes FGA, OTC, CTH, and MMP11, which were most correlated with the 18 DEGs, were screened using STRING. The significantly low expression of FGA, OTC, and CTH and significantly high expression of MMP11 were verified by immunohistochemical analysis. Overall, four CCA biomarkers were identified that might regulate the occurrence and development of this disease and affect the patient survival rate, and they have the potential to become diagnostic and therapeutic targets for patients with CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengyan Shen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Xinyu Bai
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- *Correspondence: Tao Zhang, ; Ping Liu,
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- *Correspondence: Tao Zhang, ; Ping Liu,
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12
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Cancer stem cell markers interplay with chemoresistance in triple negative breast cancer: A therapeutic perspective. Bull Cancer 2022; 109:960-971. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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13
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Zhang Y, Xu H, Cui G, Liang B, Chen X, Ko S, Affo S, Song X, Liao Y, Feng J, Wang P, Wang H, Xu M, Wang J, Pes GM, Ribback S, Zeng Y, Singhi A, Schwabe RF, Monga SP, Evert M, Tang L, Calvisi DF, Chen X. β-Catenin Sustains and Is Required for YES-associated Protein Oncogenic Activity in Cholangiocarcinoma. Gastroenterology 2022; 163:481-494. [PMID: 35489428 PMCID: PMC9329198 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS YES-associated protein (YAP) aberrant activation is implicated in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD)-mediated transcriptional regulation is the primary signaling event downstream of YAP. The role of Wnt/β-Catenin signaling in cholangiocarcinogenesis remains undetermined. Here, we investigated the possible molecular interplay between YAP and β-Catenin cascades in iCCA. METHODS Activated AKT (Myr-Akt) was coexpressed with YAP (YapS127A) or Tead2VP16 via hydrodynamic tail vein injection into mouse livers. Tumor growth was monitored, and liver tissues were collected and analyzed using histopathologic and molecular analysis. YAP, β-Catenin, and TEAD interaction in iCCAs was investigated through coimmunoprecipitation. Conditional Ctnnb1 knockout mice were used to determine β-Catenin function in murine iCCA models. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the genes regulated by YAP and/or β-Catenin. Immunostaining of total and nonphosphorylated/activated β-Catenin staining was performed in mouse and human iCCAs. RESULTS We discovered that TEAD factors are required for YAP-dependent iCCA development. However, transcriptional activation of TEADs did not fully recapitulate YAP's activities in promoting cholangiocarcinogenesis. Notably, β-Catenin physically interacted with YAP in human and mouse iCCA. Ctnnb1 ablation strongly suppressed human iCCA cell growth and Yap-dependent cholangiocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that YAP/ transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) regulate a set of genes significantly overlapping with those controlled by β-Catenin. Importantly, activated/nonphosphorylated β-Catenin was detected in more than 80% of human iCCAs. CONCLUSION YAP induces cholangiocarcinogenesis via TEAD-dependent transcriptional activation and interaction with β-Catenin. β-Catenin binds to YAP in iCCA and is required for YAP full transcriptional activity, revealing the functional crosstalk between YAP and β-Catenin pathways in cholangiocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Liver Transplantation, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guofei Cui
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Binyong Liang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangzheng Chen
- Liver Transplantation Division, Department of Liver Surgery, and Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Sungjin Ko
- Department of Pathology and Medicine, and Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Silvia Affo
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xinhua Song
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Liao
- The Central Laboratory, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital/First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianguo Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition & Health, Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Beijing, China
| | - Haichuan Wang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California; Liver Transplantation Division, Department of Liver Surgery, and Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Meng Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jingxiao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Giovanni M Pes
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Silvia Ribback
- Institute of Pathology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Yong Zeng
- Liver Transplantation Division, Department of Liver Surgery, and Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Aatur Singhi
- Department of Pathology and Medicine, and Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Satdarshan P Monga
- Department of Pathology and Medicine, and Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Liling Tang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, California; Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.
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14
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Yapasert R, Banjerdpongchai R. Gambogic Acid and Piperine Synergistically Induce Apoptosis in Human Cholangiocarcinoma Cell via Caspase and Mitochondria-Mediated Pathway. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:6288742. [PMID: 35600948 PMCID: PMC9119777 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6288742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Most cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients undergo chemotherapy as a therapeutic approach due to the disease's frequently late diagnosis. However, because CCA is resistant to currently available treatments, the prognosis for this cancer is still quite poor. Combination therapy has emerged as a novel and promising strategy in cancer treatment, as monotherapy frequently results in tumor recurrence and drug resistance. Gambogic acid has been shown to have a synergism with other compounds in combating certain cancer cells. Moreover, piperine has been shown to improve the efficacy of numerous chemotherapy drugs and other anticancer natural substances. However, no research has been done on the combination of these two compounds in the treatment of bile duct cancer. In this study, the cytotoxic activity was determined by using the MTT assay, and then, the combined effect was assessed by using the combination index (CI). We found that the combination of gambogic acid and piperine inhibited cell viability more effectively than either treatment alone, and it also demonstrated a synergistically cytotoxic effect against CCA cells. Interestingly, the findings allowed the use of lower concentrations of gambogic acid in cancer treatment when combined with piperine, which could reduce its adverse effect on normal cholangiocytes. Furthermore, the combination of the two compounds increased CCA cell death by inducing apoptosis via both the extrinsic and intrinsic or mitochondria-mediated pathways, as determined by caspase-3, -8, and -9 activity and the reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm). It is possible that the use of these two natural compounds together could be a promising strategy for the treatment of bile duct cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rittibet Yapasert
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Ratana Banjerdpongchai
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Center for Research and Development of Natural Products for Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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15
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Puthdee N, Sriswasdi S, Pisitkun T, Ratanasirintrawoot S, Israsena N, Tangkijvanich P. The LIN28B/TGF-β/TGFBI feedback loop promotes cell migration and tumour initiation potential in cholangiocarcinoma. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:445-455. [PMID: 34548635 PMCID: PMC9113936 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00387-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a lethal malignancy of the biliary epithelium, is the second most common primary liver cancer. The poor prognosis of CCA is due to the high rate of tumour invasion and distant metastasis. We found that the RNA-binding protein LIN28B, a known regulator of microRNA biogenesis, stem cell maintenance, and oncogenesis, is expressed in a subpopulation of CCA patients. To further investigate the potential role of LIN28B in CCA pathogenesis, we studied the effect of LIN28B overexpression in the cholangiocyte cell line MMNK-1 and cholangiocarcinoma cell lines HuCCT-1 and KKU-214. Here, we show that enhanced LIN28B expression promoted cancer stem cell-like properties in CCA, including enhanced cell migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), increased cell proliferation and spheroid formation. Proteomic analysis revealed TGF-β-induced protein (TGFBI) as a novel LIN28B target gene, and further analysis showed upregulation of other components of the TGF-β signalling pathway, including TGF-β receptor type I (TGFBRI) expression and cytokine TGFB-I, II and III secretion. Importantly, the small molecule TGF-β inhibitor SB431542 negated the effects of LIN28B on both cell migration and clonogenic potential. Overexpression of TGFBI alone promoted cholangiocarcinoma cell migration and EMT changes, but not spheroid formation, suggesting that TGFBI partially contributes to LIN28B-mediated aggressive cell behaviour. These observations are consistent with a model in which TGF-β and LIN28B work together to form a positive feedback loop during cholangiocarcinoma metastasis and provide a therapeutic intervention opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nattapong Puthdee
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sira Sriswasdi
- Department of Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Trairak Pisitkun
- Department of Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Nipan Israsena
- Center of Excellence for Stem Cell and Cell Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Pisit Tangkijvanich
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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16
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Antitumor activity of T cells secreting αCD133-αCD3 bispecific T-cell engager against cholangiocarcinoma. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265773. [PMID: 35312724 PMCID: PMC8936442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a lethal cancer of bile duct epithelial cells with a high mortality rate and limited therapeutic options. An effective treatment is, therefore, urgently needed to improve treatment outcomes for these patients. To develop a new therapeutic option, we engineered T cells secreting αCD133-αCD3 bispecific T-cell engager and evaluated their antitumor effects against CD133-expressing CCA cells. The cDNA encoding αCD133-αCD3 bispecific T-cell engager (αCD133-αCD3-ENG) was cloned into pCDH lentiviral construct and its expression was tested in Lenti-X 293T cells. T cells from healthy donors were then transduced with engineered lentiviruses to create T cells secreting αCD133-αCD3 engager to evaluate their antitumor activities. The average transduction efficiency into T cells was approximately 60.03±21.65%. In the co-culture system containing T cells secreting αCD133-αCD3 engager (as effector cells) and mWasabi-luciferase-expressing CCA cells (KKU-100 and KKU-213A; as target cells), the effector T cells exhibited significantly higher cytolytic activities against the target CCA cells (49.0±9.76% and 64.10±13.18%, respectively) than those observed against the untransduced T cells (10.97±10.65%; p = 0.0103 and 9.80±11.05%; p = 0.0054) at an effector-to-target ratio of 5:1. In addition, the secreted αCD133-αCD3 engager significantly redirected both transduced T cells and bystander T cells to kill the target CCA cells (up to 73.20±1.68%; p<0.05). Moreover, the transduced and bystander T cells could kill the target CCA spheroids at a rate approximately 5-fold higher than that of the no treatment control condition (p = 0.0011). Our findings demonstrate proof-of-principle that T cells secreting αCD133-αCD3 engager can be an alternative approach to treating CD133-positive CCA, and they pave the way for future in vivo study and clinical trials.
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17
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Mayr C, Kiesslich T, Modest DP, Stintzing S, Ocker M, Neureiter D. Chemoresistance and resistance to targeted therapies in biliary tract cancer: What have we learned? Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2022; 31:221-233. [PMID: 35098846 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2034785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Biliary tract cancer (BTC), including intra- and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, is a rare and highly difficult to manage human malignancy. Besides late diagnosis and associated unresectability, frequently observed unresponsiveness towards and recurrence following chemotherapy or targeted therapy essentially contribute to the dismal prognosis of BTC patients. AREAS COVERED The review provides an update on individual mechanisms involved resistance of BTC towards conventional chemotherapy as well as targeted therapies. We review the distinct mechanisms of pharmacoresistance (MPRs) which have been defined in BTC cells on a molecular basis and examine the specific consequences for the various approaches of chemo-, targeted or immunomodulatory therapies. EXPERT OPINION Based on currently available experimental and clinical data, the present knowledge about these MPRs in BTCs are summarized. While some possible tactics for overcoming these mechanisms of resistance have been investigated, a BTC-specific and efficient approach based on comprehensive in vitro and in vivo experimental systems is not yet available. Additionally, a reliable monitoring of therapy-relevant cellular changes needs to be established which allows for choosing the optimal drug (combination) before and/or during pharmacological therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Mayr
- Center for Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics - Salzburg and Nuremberg, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austrial.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Paracelsus Medical University/University Hospital Salzburg (SALK), 5020 Salzburg, Austrial
| | - Tobias Kiesslich
- Center for Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics - Salzburg and Nuremberg, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austrial.,Department of Internal Medicine I, Paracelsus Medical University/University Hospital Salzburg (SALK), 5020 Salzburg, Austrial
| | - Dominik Paul Modest
- Medical Department, Division of Hematology,Oncology,and Tumor Immunology (Campus Charité Mitte), Charité University Medicine Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Stintzing
- Medical Department, Division of Hematology,Oncology,and Tumor Immunology (Campus Charité Mitte), Charité University Medicine Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Ocker
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany.,Translational Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 55216 Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- Institute of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University/University Hospital Salzburg (SALK), 5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Cancer Cluster Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
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18
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Systemic Treatment for Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer: State of the Art and a Glimpse to the Future. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:551-564. [PMID: 35200550 PMCID: PMC8871084 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29020050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent years have seen some breakthroughs in the therapeutic landscape of advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC). Firstly, a better understanding of the molecular background of BTC has led to important improvements in the management of these hepatobiliary malignancies, with the advent of targeted agents representing an unprecedented paradigm shift, as witnessed by the FDA approval of pemigatinib and infigratinib for FGFR2-rearranged and ivosidenib in IDH1-mutant cholangiocarcinoma. In addition, several novel treatments are under assessment, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination chemotherapies. In the current review, we provide an overview of systemic treatment for metastatic BTC, summarizing recent clinical data on chemotherapy as well as the main results of targeted therapies and immunotherapy.
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19
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Kim GD. Ursolic Acid Decreases the Proliferation of MCF-7 Cell-Derived Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells by Modulating the ERK and PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathways. Prev Nutr Food Sci 2021; 26:434-444. [PMID: 35047440 PMCID: PMC8747966 DOI: 10.3746/pnf.2021.26.4.434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are strong drivers of metastasis and cancer relapse, which makes them important therapeutic targets. Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid, has anticancer effects in various types of cancer; however, little is known about its effect on the growth of MCF-7 cell-derived breast cancer stem (BCS)-like cells in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. In this study, the anticancer activity of UA in MCF-7 cell-derived BCS-like cells and its mechanism of action were evaluated. Furthermore, its inhibitory effects on the proliferation of MCF-7 cell-derived BCS-like cells were compared with that on MCF-7 cells. In MCF-7 cells, UA increased p53 and p21 expression but decreased cyclin D, cyclin E, CDK4, and CDK2 expression to induce cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Moreover, UA significantly suppressed migration, invasion, and colony formation in MCF-7 cells, and suppressed mammosphere formation in a concentration- dependent manner. In MCF-7 cell-derived BCS-like cells, UA significantly decreased migration, suppressed p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-ERK expression, and enhanced p-FoxO1/FoxO3a expression. Accordingly, in MCF-7 cell-derived BCS-like cells, UA suppressed proliferation in part by downregulating ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. These findings provide the first evidence for the selective effects of UA in BCSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gi Dae Kim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyungnam University, Gyeongnam 51767, Korea
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20
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Feng J, Zhu R, Yin Y, Wang S, Zhou L, Lv F, Zhao D. Re-Recognizing the Cellular Origin of the Primary Epithelial Tumors of the Liver. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2021; 8:1537-1563. [PMID: 34917552 PMCID: PMC8668194 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s334935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary epithelial tumors of the liver (PETL) are composed of a series of heterogeneous tumors. Although the classification of PETLs has been updated several times by the World Health Organization, the cellular origins of some tumors in this family remain to be precisely depicted. In addition, certain tumors in different categories have similar histology, molecular phenotypes and biological characteristics, suggesting that they may have the same cellular origin. In this work, a narrative review method was adopted to review the relevant papers. By comparing the expression profiles of biomarkers of liver epithelium at different lineages and stages of differentiation, the cells-of-origin of some major members of the PETL family were reassessed. We propose that 1) hepatic adenomas, hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and pure fetal hepatoblastomas (HBs) share the same spectrum in their cellular origin including the hepatocytic-committed progenitors (HCP) and their differentiated descendants. 2) Bile duct adenomas, peribiliary cysts and intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinomas (ICCs) can share the same spectrum in their cellular origin including the cholangiocytic-committed progenitors (CCP) and their differentiated descendants. 3) The cells-of-origin of embryonal HBs include liver stem cells (LSCs), hepatoblasts, and transitional cells between them. Embryonal HB with small cell element, small cell undifferentiated HB and small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the liver can have the same or similar cells-of-origin from LSC. Embryonal HB lacking the small cell component of the LSC phenotype and presenting both hepatocytic and bile duct/ductule components may originate from actual hepatoblasts/hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) as the combined HCC-ICC does. 4) Teratoid hepatoblastoma and mixed epithelial/mesenchymal HBs can be derived from the LSCs or even less committed extrahepatic pluripotent stem cell. 5) Many members of the PETLs family, including those derived from LSCs, hepatoblasts/HPCs, early HCPs and CCPs, have neuroendocrine potentiality. Except for those primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor (PHNET) exhibit hepatocytic and/or cholangiocytic phenotypes, other PHNETs subtype may be derived from the descendants of LSC that differentiate towards the upper digestive tract, pancreas or other lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiliang Feng
- Clinical-Pathology Center, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Jiliang Feng Clinical-Pathology Center, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8, Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai Street, FengTai District, Beijing, 100069, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-10-83997342Fax +86-10-83997343 Email
| | - Ruidong Zhu
- General Surgical Center, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Yin
- Department of Pathology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Clinical-Pathology Center, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College/Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fudong Lv
- Clinical-Pathology Center, Beijing You-An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dawei Zhao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People’s Republic of China
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21
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Rimini M, Puzzoni M, Pedica F, Silvestris N, Fornaro L, Aprile G, Loi E, Brunetti O, Vivaldi C, Simionato F, Zavattari P, Scartozzi M, Burgio V, Ratti F, Aldrighetti L, Cascinu S, Casadei-Gardini A. Cholangiocarcinoma: new perspectives for new horizons. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 15:1367-1383. [PMID: 34669536 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2021.1991313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Biliary tract cancer represents a heterogeneous group of malignancies characterized by dismal prognosis and scarce therapeutic options. AREA COVERED In the last years, a growing interest in BTC pathology has emerged, thus highlighting a significant heterogeneity of the pathways underlying the carcinogenesis process, from both a molecular and genomic point of view. A better understanding of these differences is mandatory to deepen the behavior of this complex disease, as well as to identify new targetable target mutations, with the aim to improve the survival outcomes. The authors decided to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent highlights on BTCs, with a special focus on the genetic, epigenetic and molecular alterations, which may have an interesting clinical application in the next future. EXPERT OPINION In the last years, the efforts resulted from international collaborations have led to the identification of new promising targets for precision medicine approaches in the BTC setting. Further investigations and prospective trials are needed, but the hope is that these new knowledge in cooperation with the new technologies and procedures, including bio-molecular and genomic analysis as well radiomic studies, will enrich the therapeutic armamentarium thus improving the survival outcomes in a such lethal and complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Rimini
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Division of Oncology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marco Puzzoni
- Medical Oncology, University and University Hospital of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Federica Pedica
- Department of Pathology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Department of oncology, Instituto Di Ricovero E Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo Ii" of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Fornaro
- Department of medical oncology, U.O. Oncologia Medica 2 Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Aprile
- Department of Oncology, San Bortolo General Hospital, Azienda ULSS8 Berica, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Eleonora Loi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Biology and Genetics, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Oronzo Brunetti
- Department of oncology, Instituto Di Ricovero E Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo Ii" of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Caterina Vivaldi
- Department of medical oncology, U.O. Oncologia Medica 2 Universitaria, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Simionato
- Department of Oncology, San Bortolo General Hospital, Azienda ULSS8 Berica, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Patrizia Zavattari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Biology and Genetics, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mario Scartozzi
- Medical Oncology, University and University Hospital of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Valentina Burgio
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Ratti
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Division, IRCCS San Raffaele and Vita-Salute University, Italy
| | - Luca Aldrighetti
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Division, IRCCS San Raffaele and Vita-Salute University, Italy
| | - Stefano Cascinu
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
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22
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Chae WO, Kim GD. Dioscin Decreases Breast Cancer Stem-like Cell Proliferation via Cell Cycle Arrest by Modulating p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase and AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathways. J Cancer Prev 2021; 26:183-194. [PMID: 34703821 PMCID: PMC8511578 DOI: 10.15430/jcp.2021.26.3.183] [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: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dioscin (DS), a steroidal saponin, has been shown to have anti-cancer activity by exerting antioxidant effects and inducing apoptosis. However, the anti-cancer activity of DS in breast cancer-derived stem cells is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of DS on migration, invasion, and colony formation in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines and the mechanism by which it inhibits proliferation of breast cancer stem-like cells after inducing differentiation into breast cancer stem cells. DS treatment significantly reduced cellular migration, invasion, and colony formation in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. During the differentiation process that induced manifestation of breast cancer stem-like cells, DS significantly inhibited mammosphere formation in a dose-dependent manner and increased the expression of p53 and p21 in breast cancer stem-like cells, reducing the expression of cdc2 and cyclin B1 in MDA-MB-231 cells and cyclin D, cyclin E, CDK4, and CDK2 in MCF-7 cells. Interestingly, DS treatment induced G2/M and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. DS also increased the phosphorylation of p38 and decreased the expression levels of p-AKT and p-mTOR. These results suggest that DS regulates the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways to reduce the proliferation of breast cancer stem-like cells through cell cycle arrest. Therefore, these findings suggest that DS may serve as a potential treatment candidate targeting breast cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Ock Chae
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyungnam University, Changwon, Korea
| | - Gi Dae Kim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyungnam University, Changwon, Korea
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23
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Ye H, Chen T, Zeng Z, He B, Yang Q, Pan Q, Chen Y, Wang W. The m6A writers regulated by the IL-6/STAT3 inflammatory pathway facilitate cancer cell stemness in cholangiocarcinoma. Cancer Biol Med 2021; 19:j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0661. [PMID: 34347395 PMCID: PMC8958887 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Investigation of the regulatory mechanisms of cell stemness in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is essential for developing effective therapies to improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the function and regulatory mechanism of m6A modifications in CCA cell stemness. METHODS Interleukin 6 (IL-6) treatment was used to induce an inflammatory response, and loss-of-function studies were conducted using mammosphere culture assays. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, polysome profiling, and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation analyses were used to identify signaling pathways. The in vitro findings were verified in a mice model. RESULTS We first identified that m6A writers were highly expressed in CCAs and further showed that STAT3 directly bound to the gene loci of m6A writers, showing that IL-6/STAT3 signaling regulated expressions of m6A writers. Downregulating m6A writers prevented cell proliferation and migration in vitro and suppressed CCA tumorigenesis in vivo. Notably, the knockdown of m6A writers inhibited CCA cell stemness that was triggered by IL-6 treatment. Mechanistically, IGF2BP2 was bound to CTNNB1 transcripts, significantly enhancing their stability and translation, and conferring stem-like properties. Finally, we confirmed that the combination of m6A writers, IGF2BP2, and CTNNB1 distinguished CCA tissues from normal tissues. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this study showed that the IL-6-triggered inflammatory response facilitated the expressions of m6A writers and cell stemness in an m6A-IGF2BP2-dependent manner. Furthermore, the study showed that m6A modification was a targetable mediator of the response to inflammation factor exposure, was a potential diagnostic biomarker for CCA, and was critical to the progression of CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Ye
- Department of Hepatobiliary, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Tianqi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zhancheng Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Bo He
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Qianqian Yang
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Qi Pan
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yueqin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Wentao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
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24
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Luo Y, Yin S, Lu J, Zhou S, Shao Y, Bao X, Wang T, Qiu Y, Yu H. Tumor microenvironment: a prospective target of natural alkaloids for cancer treatment. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:386. [PMID: 34284780 PMCID: PMC8290600 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02085-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant tumor has become one of the major diseases that seriously endangers human health. Numerous studies have demonstrated that tumor microenvironment (TME) is closely associated with patient prognosis. Tumor growth and progression are strongly dependent on its surrounding tumor microenvironment, because the optimal conditions originated from stromal elements are required for cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance. The tumor microenvironment is an environment rich in immune/inflammatory cells and accompanied by a continuous, gradient of hypoxia and pH. Overcoming immunosuppressive environment and boosting anti-tumor immunity may be the key to the prevention and treatment of cancer. Most traditional Chinese medicine have been proved to have good anti-tumor activity, and they have the advantages of better therapeutic effect and few side effects in the treatment of malignant tumors. An increasing number of studies are giving evidence that alkaloids extracted from traditional Chinese medicine possess a significant anticancer efficiency via regulating a variety of tumor-related genes, pathways and other mechanisms. This paper reviews the anti-tumor effect of alkaloids targeting tumor microenvironment, and further reveals its anti-tumor mechanism through the effects of alkaloids on different components in tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanming Luo
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Shuangshuang Yin
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Jia Lu
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Shiyue Zhou
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Yingying Shao
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Xiaomei Bao
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Yuling Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
| | - Haiyang Yu
- Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.
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25
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Charalampakis N, Papageorgiou G, Tsakatikas S, Fioretzaki R, Kole C, Kykalos S, Tolia M, Schizas D. Immunotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma: a 2021 update. Immunotherapy 2021; 13:1113-1134. [PMID: 34190581 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2021-0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare malignancy with generally dismal prognosis. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the management of cancer patients during the last decade, offering durable responses with an acceptable safety profile, but there are still no significant advances regarding CCA. Novel immunotherapeutic methods, such as cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, adoptive cell therapy and combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitors with other agents are currently under investigation and may improve prognosis. Efforts to find robust biomarkers for response are also ongoing. In this review, we discuss the rationale for the use of immunotherapy in CCA and available clinical data. Ongoing trials will also be presented, as well as key findings from each study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Charalampakis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Metaxa Cancer Hospital of Piraeus, Piraeus, 185 37, Greece
| | - Georgios Papageorgiou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Metaxa Cancer Hospital of Piraeus, Piraeus, 185 37, Greece
| | - Sergios Tsakatikas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Metaxa Cancer Hospital of Piraeus, Piraeus, 185 37, Greece
| | - Rodanthi Fioretzaki
- Department of Medical Oncology, Metaxa Cancer Hospital of Piraeus, Piraeus, 185 37, Greece
| | - Christo Kole
- First Department of Surgery, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | - Stylianos Kykalos
- Second Propedeutic Department of Surgery, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | - Maria Tolia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Crete, Voutes, 71110, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Schizas
- First Department of Surgery, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, 115 27, Greece
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26
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Zhang PJ, Liu MD, Fan FY, Liu KX. A Study on Mesoporous Silica Loaded With Novel Photosensitizers HCE6 and Oxaliplatin for the Treatment of Cholangiocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:665182. [PMID: 34268112 PMCID: PMC8276239 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.665182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant tumor with a high incidence. The therapeutic effect of conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy is not obvious. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an ideal modality to fight cancer, and the nature of photosensitizer limits its application in clinical therapy. The aim of this study was to explore a novel mode of drug delivery for the intervention of bile duct cancer. Methods Oxaliplatin and photosensitizer HCE6 were loaded with mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to synthesize Oxaliplatin/HCE6-MSNs (OH-MSNs); the structure of OH-MSNs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), the drug release rate was detected by high performance liquid chromatography; the cellular activity, apoptosis level, and the expression levels of intracellular apoptosis and autophagy-related factors of OH-MSNs on cholangiocarcinoma cells were observed by CCK-8, flow cytometry, colony formation assay, and Western blot; the effects of OH-MSNs on cholangioma growth were observed by mouse tumor formation, immunohistochemistry, and tissue Tunel staining. Results The release of OH-MSNs to Oxaliplatin was enhanced under acidic conditions; compared with Oxaliplatin or O-MSNs, OH-MSNs showed more potent killing effects against cholangiocarcinoma cells (P<0.05), and exerted notably inhibitory effects on the activity of cholangiocarcinoma cells (P<0.05), promoted their apoptosis (P<0.05), and greatly facilitated the expression of pro-apoptotic factors and autophagic factors in cholangiocarcinoma cells (P<0.05), and markedly inhibited the expression of anti-apoptotic factors and autophagic inhibitory factors (P<0.05); moreover, OH-MSNs could significantly suppress the growth of mouse cholangiocarcinoma (P<0.05) and induce apoptosis of tumor cells compared with Oxaliplatin or O-MSNs (P<0.05). Conclusion MSNs loading greatly increases the killing effect of Oxaliplatin on cholangiocarcinoma cells and upgrades the autophagic level of cholangiocarcinoma cells, while OH-MSNs synthesized by further loading HCE6 have a more apparent killing effect on cholangiocarcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Jian Zhang
- Department of General Surgery Endoscopy, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Dong Liu
- Department of Pain, Cangzhou People's Hospital, Cangzhou, China
| | - Fang-Yong Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Huanghua People's Hospital, Huanghua, China
| | - Ke-Xia Liu
- Department of General Surgery Endoscopy, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China
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27
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Mohan A, Raj Rajan R, Mohan G, Kollenchery Puthenveettil P, Maliekal TT. Markers and Reporters to Reveal the Hierarchy in Heterogeneous Cancer Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:668851. [PMID: 34150761 PMCID: PMC8209516 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.668851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A subpopulation within cancer, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), regulates tumor initiation, chemoresistance, and metastasis. At a closer look, CSCs show functional heterogeneity and hierarchical organization. The present review is an attempt to assign marker profiles to define the functional heterogeneity and hierarchical organization of CSCs, based on a series of single-cell analyses. The evidences show that analogous to stem cell hierarchy, self-renewing Quiescent CSCs give rise to the Progenitor CSCs with limited proliferative capacity, and later to a Progenitor-like CSCs, which differentiates to Proliferating non-CSCs. Functionally, the CSCs can be tumor-initiating cells (TICs), drug-resistant CSCs, or metastasis initiating cells (MICs). Although there are certain marker profiles used to identify CSCs of different cancers, molecules like CD44, CD133, ALDH1A1, ABCG2, and pluripotency markers [Octamer binding transcriptional factor 4 (OCT4), SOX2, and NANOG] are used to mark CSCs of a wide range of cancers, ranging from hematological malignancies to solid tumors. Our analysis of the recent reports showed that a combination of these markers can demarcate the heterogeneous CSCs in solid tumors. Reporter constructs are widely used for easy identification and quantification of marker molecules. In this review, we discuss the suitability of reporters for the widely used CSC markers that can define the heterogeneous CSCs. Since the CSC-specific functions of CD44 and CD133 are regulated at the post-translational level, we do not recommend the reporters for these molecules for the detection of CSCs. A promoter-based reporter for ABCG2 may also be not relevant in CSCs, as the expression of the molecule in cancer is mainly regulated by promoter demethylation. In this context, a dual reporter consisting of one of the pluripotency markers and ALDH1A1 will be useful in marking the heterogeneous CSCs. This system can be easily adapted to high-throughput platforms to screen drugs for eliminating CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrutha Mohan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Reshma Raj Rajan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Gayathri Mohan
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
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28
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Prognostic Role of Immune Checkpoint Regulators in Cholangiocarcinoma: A Pilot Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10102191. [PMID: 34069452 PMCID: PMC8159105 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10102191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a hepatobiliary malignancy associated with steadily increasing incidence and poor prognosis. Ongoing clinical trials are assessing the effectiveness and safety of a few immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in CCA patients. However, these ICI treatments as monotherapies may be effective for a proportion of patients with CCA. The prevalence and distribution of other immune checkpoints (ICs) in CCA remain unclear. In this pilot study, we screened databases of CCA patients for the expression of 19 ICs and assessed the prognostic significance of these ICs in CCA patients. Notably, expression of immune modulator IDO1 and PD-L1 were linked with poor overall survival, while FASLG and NT5E were related to both worse overall survival and progression-free survival. We also identified immune modulators IDO1, FASLG, CD80, HAVCR2, NT5E, CTLA-4, LGALS9, VTCN1 and TNFRSF14 that synergized with PD-L1 and correlated with worse patient outcomes. In vitro studies revealed that the expression of ICs was closely linked with aggressive CCA subpopulations, such as cancer stem cells and cells undergoing TGF-β and TNF-α-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These findings suggest that the aforementioned IC molecules may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers and drug targets in CCA patients, leading to lasting and durable treatment outcomes.
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29
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Zhou M, Wang C, Lu S, Xu Y, Li Z, Jiang H, Ma Y. Tumor-associated macrophages in cholangiocarcinoma: complex interplay and potential therapeutic target. EBioMedicine 2021; 67:103375. [PMID: 33993051 PMCID: PMC8134032 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive and multifactorial malignancy of the biliary tract. The carcinogenesis of CCA is associated with genomic and epigenetic abnormalities, as well as environmental effects. However, early clinical diagnosis and reliable treatment strategies of CCA remain unsatisfactory. Multiple compartments of the tumor microenvironment significantly affect the progression of CCA. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a type of plastic immune cells that are recruited and activated in the CCA microenvironment, especially at the tumor invasive front and perivascular sites. TAMs create a favorable environment that benefits CCA growth by closely interacting with CCA cells and other stromal cells via releasing multiple protumor factors. In addition, TAMs exert immunosuppressive and antichemotherapeutic effects, thus intensifying the malignancy. Targeting TAMs may provide an improved understanding of, and novel therapeutic approaches for, CCA. This review focuses on revealing the interplay between TAMs and CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghua Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Department of Hepatic Minimal Invasive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Chaoqun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Department of Hepatic Minimal Invasive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Shounan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Department of Hepatic Minimal Invasive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yanan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Department of Hepatic Minimal Invasive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Zihao Li
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Department of Hepatic Minimal Invasive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Hongchi Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Department of Hepatic Minimal Invasive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China.
| | - Yong Ma
- Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Ministry of Education, Department of Hepatic Minimal Invasive Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China.
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30
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Jia M, Jia X, Zhang D, Liu W, Yi S, Li Z, Cong B, Ma C, Li S, Zhang J. CD2 + T-helper 17-like cells differentiated from a CD133 + subpopulation of non-small cell lung carcinoma cells promote the growth of lung carcinoma. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:687. [PMID: 33987385 PMCID: PMC8106049 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Cancer stem cells (CSCs) give rise to a diverse variety of differentiated cells, which comprise the bulk of the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the exact multi-directional differentiation potential of CSCs has not been fully clarified. This study was designed to explore whether CSCs differentiate into cellular components of the TME to promote the growth of lung carcinoma. Methods The present of CD133+, CD2+, and CD133+CD2+ cells in both clinical lung adenocarcinoma tissue and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines were monitored using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Array, flow cytometry (FCM), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistofluorescence (IF). Stem-like properties of CD133+ cells and CD2+ cells were detected by sphere formation assay, IF, and western blot. Colony formation and xenograft tumors experiments were performed to assess the malignant behaviors of CD2+ cells. The differentiation of CD133+ cells to CD2+ Th17-like cells was observed by FCM. The interleukin (IL)-2/phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 5 (pSTAT5)/retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) signaling pathway was evaluated by western blot and FCM. Results We found that CD133+ cells within both clinical lung adenocarcinoma tissue and NSCLC cell lines included a subset of CD2-expressing cells, which were correlated with the grade of malignancy (r=0.7835, P<0.01) and exhibited stem-like properties. Then, we determined the tumorigenic effects of CD2 on the growth of transplanted Lewis lung carcinoma cells (LLC1) in C57/BL6 mice. The results indicated that CD2+ cells were effective in promoting tumor growth in vivo (P<0.01). Furthermore, we obtained direct evidence of an ability of CD133+ cells to transform to T-helper 17-like cells via an intermediate CD133+CD2+ progenitor cell that is able to secrete IL-17A and IL-23. Furthermore, we found that IL-2 can inhibit the production of T-helper 17-like cells (P<0.001) by modulating the activation of STAT5 signaling pathways to downregulate the expression of RORγt (P<0.001). Conclusions Our data demonstrates that Th17-like cells generated from CSCs support cancer progression. These findings enrich the definition of multidirectional differentiation potential of CSCs and improve the understanding of the role of CSCs in cancer progression, which aids the improvement and creation of therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Jia
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xianxian Jia
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wenxuan Liu
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shanyong Yi
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhenhua Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bin Cong
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China.,College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chunling Ma
- Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China.,College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shujin Li
- Research Unit of Digestive Tract Microecosystem Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China.,College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Forensic Medical Molecular Identification, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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31
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Cadamuro M, Lasagni A, Lamarca A, Fouassier L, Guido M, Sarcognato S, Gringeri E, Cillo U, Strazzabosco M, Marin JJ, Banales JM, Fabris L. Targeted therapies for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: preclinical and clinical development and prospects for the clinic. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2021; 30:377-388. [PMID: 33622120 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2021.1880564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Until recently, cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) was a largely overlooked disease, and among CCAs, extrahepatic CCA (eCCA) was even more neglected. Despite the growing impact of molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapy, prognosis of eCCA is dismal. Therefore, unraveling the complex molecular landscape of eCCA has become an urgent need. Deep phenotyping studies have revealed that eCCA is a heterogeneous tumor, harboring specific alterations categorizable into four classes, 'Mesenchymal', 'Proliferation', 'Immune', 'Metabolic'. Molecular alterations convey the activation of several pro-oncogenic pathways, where either actionable drivers or outcome predictors can be identified.Areas covered: We offer insights on perturbed pathways, molecular profiling, and actionable targets in eCCA and present a perspective on the potential stepping-stones to future progress. A systematic literature search in PubMed/ClinicalTrials.gov websites was performed by authors from different disciplines according to their specific topic knowledge to identify the newest and most relevant advances in precision medicine of eCCA.Expert opinion: eCCA is a distinct entity with unique features in terms of molecular classes, oncogenic drivers, and tumor microenvironment. Since more prevalent mutations are currently undruggable, and immunotherapy can be offered only to a minority of patients, international collaborations are instrumental to improve the understanding of the molecular underpins of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Cadamuro
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua. Italy.,International Center for Digestive Health (ICDH), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Lasagni
- Division of General Medicine, Padua University-Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Angela Lamarca
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Fouassier
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), Paris, France
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Pathology, Azienda ULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy.,Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Samantha Sarcognato
- Department of Pathology, Azienda ULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy.,Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Enrico Gringeri
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Padua University-Hospital, Padua, Italy.,Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Padua University-Hospital, Padua, Italy.,Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DISCOG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- International Center for Digestive Health (ICDH), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,Digestive Disease Section, Liver Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, US
| | - Jose Jg Marin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM), IBSAL, CIBERehd, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jesus M Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital -, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), CIBERehd, Ikerbasque, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Luca Fabris
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua. Italy.,International Center for Digestive Health (ICDH), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,Division of General Medicine, Padua University-Hospital, Padua, Italy.,Digestive Disease Section, Liver Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, US
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Dong B, Li S, Zhu S, Yi M, Luo S, Wu K. MiRNA-mediated EMT and CSCs in cancer chemoresistance. Exp Hematol Oncol 2021; 10:12. [PMID: 33579377 PMCID: PMC7881653 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-021-00206-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small group of cancer cells, which contribute to tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Cancer cells undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) acquire the chemoresistant ability, which is regarded as an important feature of CSCs. Thus, there emerges an opinion that the generation of CSCs is considered to be driven by EMT. In this complex process, microRNAs (miRNAs) are found to play a key role. In order to overcome the drug resistance, inhibiting EMT as well as CSCs phenotype seem feasible. Thereinto, regulating the EMT- or CSCs-associated miRNAs is a crucial approach. Herein, we conduct this review to elaborate on the complicated interplay between EMT and CSCs in cancer chemoresistance, which is modulated by miRNAs. In addition, we elucidate the therapeutic strategy to overcome drug resistance through targeting EMT and CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Dong
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008 China
| | - Shiyu Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Shuangli Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Suxia Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008 China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008 China
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PD-L1, TMB, MSI, and Other Predictors of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Biliary Tract Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030558. [PMID: 33535621 PMCID: PMC7867133 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biliary tract cancer (BTC) represents the second most frequently diagnosed primary liver cancer worldwide following hepatocellular carcinoma, and the overall survival of patients with unresectable disease remains poor. In recent years, the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the therapeutic landscape of several malignancies with these agents, which have also been explored in advanced BTC, as monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer agents. However, clinical trials evaluating ICIs in BTC have shown conflicting results, and the clinical benefit provided by immunotherapy seems limited to a small subgroup of BTC patients. Thus, the identification of reliable predictors of the response to immunotherapy represents a significant challenge in this setting. This review provides an overview of the available evidence on the biomarkers predictive of the response to ICIs in patients with advanced BTC, especially focusing on programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and other emerging biomarkers.
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Borlak F, Reutzel-Selke A, Schirmeier A, Gogolok J, von Hoerschelmann E, Sauer IM, Pratschke J, Bahra M, Schmuck RB. Notch Signaling Pathway in Pancreatobiliary Tumors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57020105. [PMID: 33498866 PMCID: PMC7911049 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57020105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The Notch signaling pathway plays an important role both in the development of the ductal systems of the pancreas and the bile ducts as well as in cancer development and progression. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of central proteins of the Notch signaling pathway in pancreatobiliary tumors and its influence on patient survival. Materials and Methods: We compared the receptors (Notch1, Notch4), activating splicing factors (ADAM17), and target genes (HES1) of the Notch pathway and progenitor cell markers with relevance for the Notch signaling pathway (CD44, MSI1) between pancreatic adenocarcinomas (PDAC, n = 14), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC, n = 24), and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCC, n = 22) cholangiocarcinomas via immunohistochemistry and ImageJ software-assisted analysis. An Immunohistochemistry (IHC)-score was determined by the percentage and intensity of stained (positive) cells (scale 0–7) and normal and malignant tissue was compared. In the IHC results, patients’ (gender, age) and tumor (TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors, Union Internationale contre le Cancer (UICC) stages, grading, and lymphangitic carcinomatosa) characteristics were correlated to patient survival. Results: For eCC, the expression of CD44 (p = 0.043, IHC-score 3.94 vs. 3.54) and for iCC, the expression of CD44 (p = 0.026, IHC-score 4.04 vs. 3.48) and Notch1 (p < 0.001, IHC-score 2.87 vs. 1.78) was significantly higher in the tumor compared to non-malignant tissue. For PDAC, the expression of ADAM17 (p = 0.008, IHC-score 3.43 vs. 1.73), CD44 (p = 0.012, IHC-score 3.64 vs. 2.27), Notch1 (p = 0.012, IHC-score 2.21 vs. 0.64), and Notch4 (p = 0.008, IHC-score 2.86 vs. 0.91) was significantly higher in the tumor tissue. However, none of the analyzed Notch-signaling related components showed an association to patient survival. Conclusion: A significant overexpression of almost all studied components of the Notch signaling pathway can be found in the tumor tissue, however, without a significant influence on patient survival. Therefore, further studies are warranted to draw conclusions on Notch pathway’s relevance for patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rosa B. Schmuck
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30450652184; Fax: +49-304507652184
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Lu M, Qin X, Zhou Y, Li G, Liu Z, Geng X, Yue H. Long non-coding RNA LINC00665 promotes gemcitabine resistance of Cholangiocarcinoma cells via regulating EMT and stemness properties through miR-424-5p/BCL9L axis. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:72. [PMID: 33436545 PMCID: PMC7803957 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03346-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Gemcitabine is the first-line chemotherapy drug for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), but acquired resistance has been frequently observed in CCA patients. To search for potential long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) involved in gemcitabine resistance, two gemcitabine resistant CCA cell lines were established and dysregulated lncRNAs were identified by lncRNA microarray. Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 665 (LINC00665) were found to rank the top 10 upregulated lncRNAs in our study, and high LINC00665 expression was closely associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance of CCA patients. Silencing LINC00665 in gemcitabine resistant CCA cells impaired gemcitabine tolerance, while enforced LINC00665 expression increased gemcitabine resistance of sensitive CCA cells. The gemcitabine resistant CCA cells showed increased EMT and stemness properties, and silencing LINC00665 suppressed sphere formation, migration, invasion and expression of EMT and stemness markers. In addition, Wnt/β-Catenin signaling was activated in gemcitabine resistant CCA cells, but LINC00665 knockdown suppressed Wnt/β-Catenin activation. B-cell CLL/lymphoma 9-like (BCL9L), the nucleus transcriptional regulators of Wnt/β-Catenin signaling, plays a key role in the nucleus translocation of β-Catenin and promotes β-Catenin-dependent transcription. In our study, we found that LINC00665 regulated BCL9L expression by acting as a molecular sponge for miR-424-5p. Moreover, silencing BCL9L or miR-424-5p overexpression suppressed gemcitabine resistance, EMT, stemness and Wnt/β-Catenin activation in resistant CCA cells. In conclusion, our results disclosed the important role of LINC00665 in gemcitabine resistance of CCA cells, and provided a new biomarker or therapeutic target for CCA treament.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, School of Clinical Medicine of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Xinglei Qin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, School of Clinical Medicine of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.
| | - Yajun Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, School of Clinical Medicine of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, School of Clinical Medicine of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Zhaoyang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, School of Clinical Medicine of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Xiwen Geng
- Center for Clinical Single Cell Biomedicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, School of Clinical Medicine of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Haodi Yue
- Center for Clinical Single Cell Biomedicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, School of Clinical Medicine of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
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Anti-tumour effect of the fourth-generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting CD133 against cholangiocarcinoma cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 89:107069. [PMID: 33242709 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Current treatment of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) - a lethal bile duct cancer - is ineffective because the disease is usually diagnosed at late and advanced stage. Thus, a novel therapeutic modality is urgently required. Fourth-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR4) T cells was created to target CD133, a well-known cancer stem cell marker, that is highly expressed and associates with cancer progression. The anti-CD133-CAR4 T cells showed high efficacy against CD133-expressing CCA cells. Tumour cell lysis occurred in a dose- and CD133 antigen-dependent manner, and significantly higher, up to 57.59% ± 9.62 at effector to target ratio of 5:1 in a CCA cell line - KKU-213A cells, compared to mock control (p = 0.008). Similarly, significant IFN-γ (p = 0.011) and TNF-α (p = 0.002) upregulation was observed upon tumour treatment. The effectiveness of our anti-CD133-CAR4 T cells will be beneficial not only for CD133-expressing CCA, but also for other CD133-expressing tumours. This study may guide future in vivo study and clinical trials.
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Jiang X, Xing L, Chen Y, Qin R, Song S, Lu Y, Xie S, Wang L, Pu H, Gui X, Li T, Xu J, Li J, Jia S, Lu D. CircMEG3 inhibits telomerase activity by reducing Cbf5 in human liver cancer stem cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 23:310-323. [PMID: 33425489 PMCID: PMC7779543 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Circular RNA (CircRNA) is a newly identified special class of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) that plays an important regulatory role in the progression of certain diseases. Herein, our results indicate that CircMEG3 is downregulated expression and negatively correlated with the expression of telomerase-related gene Cbf5 in human liver cancer. Moreover, CircMEG3 inhibits the growth of human liver cancer stem cells in vivo and in vitro. CircMEG3 inhibits the expression of m6A methyltransferase METTL3 dependent on HULC. Moreover, CircMEG3 inhibits the expression of Cbf5, a component of telomere synthetase H/ACA ribonucleoprotein (RNP; catalyst RNA pseudouracil modification) through METTL3 dependent on HULC. Thereby, CircMEG3 inhibits telomerase activity and shortens telomere lifespan dependent on HULC and Cbf5 in human liver cancer stem cell. Strikingly, increased Cbf5 abrogates the ability of CircMEG3 to inhibit malignant differentiation of human liver cancer stem cells. In summary, these observations provide important basic information for finding effective liver cancer therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Jiang
- Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Libo Xing
- Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yingjie Chen
- Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Rushi Qin
- Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shuting Song
- Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanan Lu
- Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Sijie Xie
- Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Liyan Wang
- Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hu Pu
- Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xin Gui
- Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Tianming Li
- Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jie Xu
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jiao Li
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Song Jia
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Dongdong Lu
- Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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Lee HY, Hong IS. Targeting Liver Cancer Stem Cells: An Alternative Therapeutic Approach for Liver Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102746. [PMID: 32987767 PMCID: PMC7598600 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The first report of cancer stem cell (CSC) from Bruce et al. has demonstrated the relatively rare population of stem-like cells in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The discovery of leukemic CSCs prompted further identification of CSCs in multiple types of solid tumor. Recently, extensive research has attempted to identity CSCs in multiple types of solid tumors in the brain, colon, head and neck, liver, and lung. Based on these studies, we hypothesize that the initiation and progression of most malignant tumors rely largely on the CSC population. Recent studies indicated that stem cell-related markers or signaling pathways, such as aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), CD133, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and Notch signaling, contribute to the initiation and progression of various liver cancer types. Importantly, CSCs are markedly resistant to conventional therapeutic approaches and current targeted therapeutics. Therefore, it is believed that selectively targeting specific markers and/or signaling pathways of hepatic CSCs is an effective therapeutic strategy for treating chemotherapy-resistant liver cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the hepatic CSC hypothesis and discuss the specific surface markers and critical signaling pathways involved in the development and maintenance of hepatic CSC subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwa-Yong Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Jungwon University, 85 Goesan-eup, Munmu-ro, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do 367700, Korea;
| | - In-Sun Hong
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 406840, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-32-899-6315; Fax: +82-32-899-6350
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Massa A, Varamo C, Vita F, Tavolari S, Peraldo-Neia C, Brandi G, Rizzo A, Cavalloni G, Aglietta M. Evolution of the Experimental Models of Cholangiocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082308. [PMID: 32824407 PMCID: PMC7463907 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare, aggressive disease with poor overall survival. In advanced cases, surgery is often not possible or fails; in addition, there is a lack of effective and specific therapies. Multidisciplinary approaches and advanced technologies have improved the knowledge of CCA molecular pathogenesis, highlighting its extreme heterogeneity and high frequency of genetic and molecular aberrations. Effective preclinical models, therefore, should be based on a comparable level of complexity. In the past years, there has been a consistent increase in the number of available CCA models. The exploitation of even more complex CCA models is rising. Examples are the use of CRISPR/Cas9 or stabilized organoids for in vitro studies, as well as patient-derived xenografts or transgenic mouse models for in vivo applications. Here, we examine the available preclinical CCA models exploited to investigate: (i) carcinogenesis processes from initiation to progression; and (ii) tools for personalized therapy and innovative therapeutic approaches, including chemotherapy and immune/targeted therapies. For each model, we describe the potential applications, highlighting both its advantages and limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Massa
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Torino, Italy; (A.M.); (G.C.)
| | - Chiara Varamo
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.V.); (F.V.)
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, B3000 KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francesca Vita
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Simona Tavolari
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | | | - Giovanni Brandi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Alessandro Rizzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Giuliana Cavalloni
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Torino, Italy; (A.M.); (G.C.)
| | - Massimo Aglietta
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Torino, Italy; (A.M.); (G.C.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10126 Torino, Italy; (C.V.); (F.V.)
- Correspondence:
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Antitumor Efficacy of the Herbal Recipe Benja Amarit against Highly Invasive Cholangiocarcinoma by Inducing Apoptosis both In Vitro and In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165669. [PMID: 32784671 PMCID: PMC7460969 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Thailand is the country with highest incidence and prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in the world. Due to the frequently late diagnosis that is associated with this disease, most CCA patients are prescribed chemotherapy as a form of treatment. However, CCA is able to resist the presently available chemotherapy, so to the prognosis of this disease is still very poor. In this study, we investigated the anticancer potential of a Thai herbal recipe, Benja Amarit (BJA) against CCA and the relevant mechanisms of action that are involved. We found that BJA inhibited CCA cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, especially in highly invasive KKU-213 cells. The extract induced mitochondrial- and caspase-dependent apoptosis in CCA cells by regulating the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. BJA also triggered autophagy in CCA cells. Nonetheless, the inhibition of autophagy enhanced BJA-induced CCA cell death via apoptosis. An in vivo xenograft model revealed the growth-inhibiting and death-inducing effects of BJA against CCA by targeting apoptosis. However, general toxicity to blood cells, kidneys and the liver, as well as changes in body weight, did not appear. Our findings suggest that the herbal recipe BJA might be used as a potentially new and effective treatment for cholangiocarcinoma patients.
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Mao S, He J, Zhao Y, Liu T, Xie F, Yang H, Mao Y, Pang Y, Sun W. Bioprinting of patient-derived in vitro intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tumor model: establishment, evaluation and anti-cancer drug testing. Biofabrication 2020; 12:045014. [PMID: 32599574 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/aba0c3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Towards the development of in vivo-mimicking tumor model for extensive study of tumorigenesis and establishment of personalized therapy, patient-derived primary tumor cells were employed in this work for three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells isolated from patient were bioprinted using a composite hydrogel system of gelatin-alginate-MatrigelTM into pre-designed grid architecture. ICC cells were observed to process a colony forming ability with high survival rate and active proliferation. Expression levels of tumor markers, cancer stem cell markers, matrix metalloproteinase protein, index of tumor fibrosis, index of liver function, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition regulatory proteins confirmed the development of the invasive and metastatic phenotype of the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells in the 3D printed tumor microenvironment. Similar results were obtained in anti-cancer drug resistance of the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells in the 3D bioprinted construct that demonstrated stem-like properties, which suggested the promising potential of current 3D printed tumor model in the development of personalized therapy, especially for discovery of more conducive targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Mao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Biomanufacturing Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People's Republic of China. Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People's Republic of China. 'Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems' 111 - Innovation International Talents Base, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Caudatin Isolated from Cynanchum auriculatum Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem Cell Formation via a GR/YAP Signaling. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060925. [PMID: 32570844 PMCID: PMC7355644 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the complex tumor microenvironment, cancer stem cells (CSCs), a rare population of cells, are responsible for malignant tumor initiation, metastasis, drug resistance and recurrence. Controlling breast CSCs (BCSCs) using natural compounds is a novel potential therapeutic strategy for clinical cancer treatment. In this study, a mammosphere assay-guided isolation protocol including silica gel, a C18 column, gel filtration, and high-pressure liquid chromatography was used to isolate an inhibitory compound from Cynanchum auriculatum extracts. The isolated inhibitory compound was identified as caudatin. Caudatin inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, mammosphere formation and tumor growth. Caudatin decreased the CD44+/CD24− and aldehyde dehydrogenase+ cell proportions and the levels of c-Myc, Oct4, Sox2, and CD44. Caudatin induced ubiquitin (Ub)-dependent glucocorticoid receptor (GR) degradation and blocked subsequent Yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear accumulation and target gene transcription signals in BCSCs. These results show that the GR/YAP signaling pathway regulates BCSC formation and that caudatin may be a potential chemopreventive agent that targets breast cancer cells and CSCs.
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Wang W, Sun Y, Li X, Shi X, Li Z, Lu X. Dihydroartemisinin Prevents Distant Metastasis of Laryngeal Carcinoma by Inactivating STAT3 in Cancer Stem Cells. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e922348. [PMID: 32176678 PMCID: PMC7101200 DOI: 10.12659/msm.922348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulating evidence indicates that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a minor subpopulation of cancer cells that may be the primary source of cancer invasion, migration, and widespread metastasis. Material/Methods We investigated the effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on distant metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma and the relevant mechanism. In vitro, we used the Hep-2 human laryngeal squamous carcinoma cell line (Hep-2 cells) to assemble CSCs, using CD133 as the cell surface marker. Our data demonstrate that the CD133+ subpopulation of Hep-2 cells has greater invasion and migration capabilities than CD133− cells. We also evaluated the effects of DHA, a newly defined STAT3 inhibitor, on the invasion and migration of CD133+ Hep-2 cells under hypoxia and IL-6 stimulation, both of which can activate STAT3 phosphorylation. Results CSCs exhibited a significant decrease in the ability of migration and invasion upon the application of DHA, along with simultaneous alterations in related proteins, both in cultured cells and in xenograft tumors. The associated signaling proteins included phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and E-cadherin, which are closely involved in cancer invasion and metastasis. In vivo, we found that DHA can reduce lung metastasis formation caused by CSCs and prolong survival in mice, and can inhibit STAT3 activation, downregulate MMP-9, and upregulate E-cadherin in lung metastatic tumors. Conclusions Taken together, our findings indicate that CSCs possess stronger invasive and metastatic capabilities than non-CSCs, and DHA inhibits invasion and prevents metastasis induced by CSCs by inhibiting STAT3 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyi Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China (mainland)
| | - Yajing Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China (mainland)
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China (mainland)
| | - Xinli Shi
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China (mainland)
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China (mainland)
| | - Xiuying Lu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China (mainland)
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44
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Huang X, Wu W, Yang W, Qing X, Shao Z. Surface engineering of nanoparticles with ligands for targeted delivery to osteosarcoma. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2020; 190:110891. [PMID: 32114271 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2020.110891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is one of the most common malignant bone tumors which affect adolescents. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by operation has become recommended for osteosarcoma treatment. Whereas, the effects of conventional chemotherapy are unsatisfactory because of multidrug resistance, fast clearance rate, nontargeted delivery, side effects and so on. Accordingly, Nanoparticle-mediated targeted drug delivery system (NTDDS) is recommended to be a novel treatment strategy for osteosarcoma. NTDDS can overcome the above obstacles by enhanced permeability and retention effect and active targeting. The active targeting of the delivery system is mainly based on ligands. In this study, we investigate and summarize the most common ligands used in the latest NTDDS for osteosarcoma. It might provide new insights into nanomedicine for osteosarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Wenbo Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xiangcheng Qing
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Zengwu Shao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
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Zhen X, Choi HS, Kim JH, Kim SL, Liu R, Yun BS, Lee DS. Machilin D, a Lignin Derived from Saururus chinensis, Suppresses Breast Cancer Stem Cells and Inhibits NF-κB Signaling. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10020245. [PMID: 32033472 PMCID: PMC7072518 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are responsible for breast cancer initiation, metastasis, and relapse. Targeting breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) using phytochemicals is a good strategy for the treatment of cancer. A silica gel, a reversed-phase C18 column (ODS), a Sephadex LH-20 gel, thin layer chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for compound isolation from Saururus chinensis extracts. The isolated compound was identified as machilin D by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Machilin D inhibited the growth and mammosphere formation of breast cancer cells and inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. Machilin D reduced the proportions of CD44+/CD24- and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1)-positive cells. Furthermore, this compound reduced the nuclear localization of the NF-κB protein and decreased the IL-6 and IL-8 secretion in mammospheres. These results suggest that machilin D blocks IL-6 and IL-8 signaling and induces CSC death and thus may be a potential agent targeting BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhen
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (X.Z.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-L.K.); (R.L.)
| | - Hack Sun Choi
- Subtropical/Tropical Organism Gene Bank, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea;
| | - Ji-Hyang Kim
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (X.Z.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-L.K.); (R.L.)
| | - Su-Lim Kim
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (X.Z.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-L.K.); (R.L.)
| | - Ren Liu
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (X.Z.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-L.K.); (R.L.)
| | - Bong-Sik Yun
- Division of Biotechnology, College of Environmental and Bioresource Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Gobong-ro 79, Iksan 54596, Korea;
| | - Dong-Sun Lee
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (X.Z.); (J.-H.K.); (S.-L.K.); (R.L.)
- Subtropical/Tropical Organism Gene Bank, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea;
- Practical Translational Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea
- Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Sciences, Jeju National University, SARI, Jeju 63243, Korea
- Correspondence:
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46
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Liu Y. Targeting the non-canonical AKT-FOXO3a axis: A potential therapeutic strategy for oral squamous cell carcinoma. EBioMedicine 2019; 49:6-8. [PMID: 31648985 PMCID: PMC6945281 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Institute for Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, No. 38, Deng Zhou Road, Qingdao, 266021, China.
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