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Guo T, Xu J. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: a versatile mediator in tumor progression, metastasis, and targeted therapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024:10.1007/s10555-024-10186-7. [PMID: 38602594 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10186-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been demonstrated to play a significant role in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major component of TME and exhibit heterogeneous properties in their communication with tumor cells. This heterogeneity of CAFs can be attributed to various origins, including quiescent fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), adipocytes, pericytes, endothelial cells, and mesothelial cells. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing has identified diverse phenotypes of CAFs, with myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs) and inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) being the most acknowledged, alongside newly discovered subtypes like antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs). Due to these heterogeneities, CAFs exert multiple functions in tumorigenesis, cancer stemness, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, metabolism, and metastasis. As a result, targeted therapies aimed at the TME, particularly focusing on CAFs, are rapidly developing, fueling the promising future of advanced tumor-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianchen Guo
- Women's Reproductive Health Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junfen Xu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
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2
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Inomata Y, Kuroha M, Shimoyama Y, Naito T, Moroi R, Shiga H, Kakuta Y, Karasawa H, Onuma S, Kinouchi Y, Masamune A. Dickkopf 1 is expressed in normal fibroblasts during early stages of colorectal tumorigenesis. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6992. [PMID: 38334454 PMCID: PMC10854454 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6992] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Colorectal cancer progression from adenoma to cancer is a time-intensive process; however, the interaction between normal fibroblasts (NFs) with early colorectal tumors, such as adenomas, remains unclear. Here, we analyzed the response of the microenvironment during early tumorigenesis using co-cultures of organoids and NFs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Colon normal epithelium, adenoma, cancer organoid, and NFs were established and co-cultured using Transwell inserts. Microarray analysis of NFs was performed to identify factors expressed early in tumor growth. Immunostaining of clinical specimens was performed to localize the identified factor. Functional analysis was performed using HCT116 cells. Serum DKK1 levels were measured in patients with colorectal cancer and adenoma. RESULTS Colorectal organoid-NF co-culture resulted in increased organoid diameter and cell viability in normal epithelial and adenomatous organoids but not in cancer organoids. Microarray analysis of NFs revealed 18 genes with increased expression when co-cultured with adenoma and cancer organoids. Immunohistochemical staining revealed DKK1 expression in the tumor stroma from early tumor growth. DKK1 stimulation reduced HCT116 cell proliferation, while DKK1 silencing by siRNA transfection increased cell proliferation. Serum DKK1 level was significantly higher in patients with advanced cancer and adenoma than in controls. Serum DKK1 level revealed area-under-the-curve values of 0.78 and 0.64 for cancer and adenoma, respectively. CONCLUSION These findings contribute valuable insights into the early stages of colorectal tumorigenesis and suggest DKK1 as a tumor suppressor. Additionally, serum DKK1 levels could serve as a biomarker to identify both cancer and adenoma, offering diagnostic possibilities for early-stage colon tumors. The present study has a few limitations. We considered using DKK1 as a candidate gene for gene transfer to organoids and NFs; however, it was difficult due to technical problems and the slow growth rate of NFs. Therefore, we used cancer cell lines instead. In addition, immunostaining and ELISA were based on the short-term collection at a single institution, and further accumulation of such data is desirable. As described above, most previous reports were related to advanced cancers, but in this study, new findings were obtained by conducting experiments on endoscopically curable early-stage tumors, such as adenomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushi Inomata
- Division of GastroenterologyTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Masatake Kuroha
- Division of GastroenterologyTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Yusuke Shimoyama
- Division of GastroenterologyTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Takeo Naito
- Division of GastroenterologyTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Rintaro Moroi
- Division of GastroenterologyTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Hisashi Shiga
- Division of GastroenterologyTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Yoichi Kakuta
- Division of GastroenterologyTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Hideaki Karasawa
- Department of SurgeryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Shinobu Onuma
- Department of SurgeryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Yoshitaka Kinouchi
- Student Healthcare Center, Institute for Excellence in Higher EducationTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of GastroenterologyTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
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Xia B, Gu X, Xu T, Yan M, Huang L, Jiang C, Li M, Zhai G, Zhang G, Wu J, Zhou Y, Sun C, Liang W. Exosomes-mediated transfer of LINC00691 regulates the formation of CAFs and promotes the progression of gastric cancer. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:928. [PMID: 37784036 PMCID: PMC10544540 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11373-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the malignant tumors with the highest mortality worldwide. Our previous studies have revealed that LINC00691 is up-regulated in serum of GC patients as a novel potential biomarker for GC diagnosis and prognosis. However, the roles of serum exosomal LINC00691 in GC has not been clarified. This study aimed to find the expression pattern of serum exosomal LINC00691 in GC patients and the correlation between the level of serum exosomal LINC00691 and the pathology of gastric cancer patients. METHODS We collected the serum of 94 GC patients before surgery and extracted exosomes to detect the expression level of exosomal LINC00691, with 21 healthy volunteers and 17 patients with benign gastric diseases as controls. Surgical GC tissues and paired healthy tissues were collected to culture primary cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and normal fibroblasts (NFs). We then treated NFs with LINC00691-rich GC cell culture supernatant or exosomes and detected the activation markers and biological functions of the fibroblasts. RESULTS The results of real-time qPCR indicated that the serum exosomal LINC00691 of GC patients was significantly higher than that of healthy subjects and patients with benign gastric diseases, and was associated with the clinicopathology of GC patients. More interestingly, when the NFs were treated with GC exosomes, the level of LINC00691 was significantly increased, the cell proliferation and migration were noticeably enhanced, and the ability to accelerate GC cell proliferation and invasion was promoted, which means that the induced fibroblasts gained the properties of CAFs. In addition, we found that knockdown of LINC00691 and the use of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway inhibitor ruxolitinib effectively deprived exosome-containing GC cell supernatants of the effects on NFs. CONCLUSION Our study suggested that exosomal LINC00691 promoted NFs to gained the properties of CAFs depending on JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway as a potential diagnostic biomarker for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Suzhou, 215153, China
| | - Xiuyu Gu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215008, China
| | - Tingting Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Suzhou, 215153, China
| | - Meina Yan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215008, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215008, China
| | - Chun Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215008, China
| | - Meifen Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215008, China
| | - Guanghua Zhai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215008, China
| | - Guoping Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215008, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215008, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215008, China.
| | - Chunrong Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215008, China.
| | - Wei Liang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gusu School, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215008, China.
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4
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Koncina E, Nurmik M, Pozdeev VI, Gilson C, Tsenkova M, Begaj R, Stang S, Gaigneaux A, Weindorfer C, Rodriguez F, Schmoetten M, Klein E, Karta J, Atanasova VS, Grzyb K, Ullmann P, Halder R, Hengstschläger M, Graas J, Augendre V, Karapetyan YE, Kerger L, Zuegel N, Skupin A, Haan S, Meiser J, Dolznig H, Letellier E. IL1R1 + cancer-associated fibroblasts drive tumor development and immunosuppression in colorectal cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4251. [PMID: 37460545 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39953-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts have a considerable functional and molecular heterogeneity and can play various roles in the tumor microenvironment. Here we identify a pro-tumorigenic IL1R1+, IL-1-high-signaling subtype of fibroblasts, using multiple colorectal cancer (CRC) patient single cell sequencing datasets. This subtype of fibroblasts is linked to T cell and macrophage suppression and leads to increased cancer cell growth in 3D co-culture assays. Furthermore, both a fibroblast-specific IL1R1 knockout and IL-1 receptor antagonist Anakinra administration reduce tumor growth in vivo. This is accompanied by reduced intratumoral Th17 cell infiltration. Accordingly, CRC patients who present with IL1R1-expressing cancer-associated-fibroblasts (CAFs), also display elevated levels of immune exhaustion markers, as well as an increased Th17 score and an overall worse survival. Altogether, this study underlines the therapeutic value of targeting IL1R1-expressing CAFs in the context of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Koncina
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - M Nurmik
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - V I Pozdeev
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - C Gilson
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - M Tsenkova
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - R Begaj
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - S Stang
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - A Gaigneaux
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - C Weindorfer
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - F Rodriguez
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - M Schmoetten
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - E Klein
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - J Karta
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - V S Atanasova
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - K Grzyb
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - P Ullmann
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - R Halder
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - M Hengstschläger
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - J Graas
- Clinical and Epidemiological Investigation Center, Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - V Augendre
- National Center of Pathology, Laboratoire National de Santé, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | | | - L Kerger
- Department of Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - N Zuegel
- Department of Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - A Skupin
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - S Haan
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg
| | - J Meiser
- Cancer Metabolism Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - H Dolznig
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - E Letellier
- Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg.
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5
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Ben Hamouda S, Essafi-Benkhadir K. Interplay between Signaling Pathways and Tumor Microenvironment Components: A Paradoxical Role in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065600. [PMID: 36982677 PMCID: PMC10057671 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has become an important part of colorectal cancer (CRC) research. Indeed, it is now accepted that the invasive character of a primary CRC is determined not only by the genotype of the tumor cells, but also by their interactions with the extracellular environment, which thereby orchestrates the development of the tumor. In fact, the TME cells are a double-edged sword as they play both pro- and anti-tumor roles. The interaction of the tumor-infiltrating cells (TIC) with the cancer cells induces the polarization of the TIC, exhibiting an antagonist phenotype. This polarization is controlled by a plethora of interconnected pro- and anti-oncogenic signaling pathways. The complexity of this interaction and the dual function of these different actors contribute to the failure of CRC control. Thus, a better understanding of such mechanisms is of great interest and provides new opportunities for the development of personalized and efficient therapies for CRC. In this review, we summarize the signaling pathways linked to CRC and their implication in the development or inhibition of the tumor initiation and progression. In the second part, we enlist the major components of the TME and discuss the complexity of their cells functions.
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Blockade of IL-1α and IL-1β signaling by the anti-IL1RAP antibody nadunolimab (CAN04) mediates synergistic anti-tumor efficacy with chemotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:667-678. [PMID: 36036818 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03277-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
IL-1α and IL-1β are both involved in several aspects of tumor biology, including tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and not least in resistance to various therapies. IL-1α can function as an alarmin to signal cellular stress, and acts to induce downstream events, including production of IL-1β, to amplify the signal. Both IL-1α and IL-1β act through the same receptor complex, IL-1R1-IL1RAP, to mediate signal transduction. IL1RAP is expressed on tumor cells and in the tumor microenvironment by for example CAF, macrophages and endothelial cells. The anti-IL1RAP antibody nadunolimab (CAN04) inhibits both IL-1α and IL-1β signaling and induces ADCC of IL1RAP-expressing tumor cells. As both IL-1α and IL-1β mediate chemoresistance, the aim of this study was to explore the potential synergy between nadunolimab and chemotherapy. This was performed using the NSCLC PDX model LU2503 and the syngeneic MC38 model, in addition to in vitro cell line experiments. We show that chemotherapy induces expression and release of IL-1α from tumor cells and production of IL-1β-converting enzyme, ICE, in the tumor stroma. IL-1α is also demonstrated to act on stromal cells to further induce the secretion of IL-1β, an effect disrupted by nadunolimab. Nadunolimab, and its surrogate antibody, synergize with platinum-based as well as non-platinum-based chemotherapy to induce potent anti-tumor effects, while blockade of only IL-1β signaling by anti-IL-1β antibody does not achieve this effect. In conclusion, blockade of IL1RAP with nadunolimab reduces IL-1-induced chemoresistance of tumors.
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7
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Tilsed CM, Fisher SA, Nowak AK, Lake RA, Lesterhuis WJ. Cancer chemotherapy: insights into cellular and tumor microenvironmental mechanisms of action. Front Oncol 2022; 12:960317. [PMID: 35965519 PMCID: PMC9372369 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.960317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy has historically been the mainstay of cancer treatment, but our understanding of what drives a successful therapeutic response remains limited. The diverse response of cancer patients to chemotherapy has been attributed principally to differences in the proliferation rate of the tumor cells, but there is actually very little experimental data supporting this hypothesis. Instead, other mechanisms at the cellular level and the composition of the tumor microenvironment appear to drive chemotherapy sensitivity. In particular, the immune system is a critical determinant of chemotherapy response with the depletion or knock-out of key immune cell populations or immunological mediators completely abrogating the benefits of chemotherapy in pre-clinical models. In this perspective, we review the literature regarding the known mechanisms of action of cytotoxic chemotherapy agents and the determinants of response to chemotherapy from the level of individual cells to the composition of the tumor microenvironment. We then summarize current work toward the development of dynamic biomarkers for response and propose a model for a chemotherapy sensitive tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M. Tilsed
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Scott A. Fisher
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Anna K. Nowak
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Richard A. Lake
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - W. Joost Lesterhuis
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, West Perth, WA, Australia
- *Correspondence: W. Joost Lesterhuis,
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IL-36 signalling enhances a pro-tumorigenic phenotype in colon cancer cells with cancer cell growth restricted by administration of the IL-36R antagonist. Oncogene 2022; 41:2672-2684. [PMID: 35365751 PMCID: PMC9076531 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02281-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The IL-36 cytokines are a recently described subset of the IL-1 family of cytokines, shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of intestinal diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Given the link between IBD and colitis -associated cancer, as well as the involvement of other IL-1 family members in intestinal tumorigenesis, the aim of this work was to investigate whether IL-36 cytokines play a role in the pathogenesis of colon cancer. Whilst research to date has focused on the role of IL-36 family members in augmenting the immune response to induce tumour rejection, very little remains known about IL-36R signalling in tumour cells in this context. In this study we demonstrate that expression of IL-36 family member mRNA and protein are significantly increased in colorectal cancer tissue compared to adjacent non-tumour. In vitro assays showed stimulation of colon cancer cell lines with IL-36R agonists resulted in the activation of the pro-tumorigenic phenotypes of increased cellular migration, invasion and proliferation in both 2D and 3D models. In addition, the IL-36 cytokines induced strong expression of pro-inflammatory chemokines in both human and murine cell lines. Intraperitoneal injection of IL-36Ra significantly reduced tumour burden using the subcutaneous CT26 tumour model in syngeneic Balb/mice, and this was associated with a decrease in Ki-67 expression by tumour cells in the IL-36Ra- treated group relative to untreated, suggesting the inhibition of the pro-proliferative signalling of IL-36 agonists resulted in the decreased tumour size. Moreover, colon cancer cells lacking the IL-36R also showed reduced tumour growth and reduced Ki-67 expression in vivo. Taken together, this data suggests that targeting IL-36R signalling may be a useful targeted therapy for colorectal cancer patients with IL-36R+ tumour cells.
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Bête Noire of Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy: CAF-Mediated Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061519. [PMID: 35326670 PMCID: PMC8946545 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor cells struggle to survive following treatment. The struggle ends in either of two ways. The drug combination used for the treatment blocks the proliferation of tumor cells and initiates apoptosis of cells, which is a win for the patient, or tumor cells resist the effect of the drug combination used for the treatment and continue to evade the effect of anti-tumor drugs, which is a bête noire of therapy. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are the most abundant non-transformed element of the microenvironment in solid tumors. Tumor cells play a direct role in establishing the cancer-associated fibroblasts’ population in its microenvironment. Since cancer-associated fibroblasts are activated by tumor cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts show unconditional servitude to tumor cells in their effort to resist treatment. Thus, cancer-associated fibroblasts, as the critical or indispensable component of resistance to the treatment, are one of the most logical targets within tumors that eventually progress despite therapy. We evaluate the participatory role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the development of drug resistance in solid tumors. In the future, we will establish the specific mode of action of cancer-associated fibroblasts in solid tumors, paving the way for cancer-associated-fibroblast-inclusive personalized therapy. Abstract In tumor cells’ struggle for survival following therapy, they resist treatment. Resistance to therapy is the outcome of well-planned, highly efficient adaptive strategies initiated and utilized by these transformed tumor cells. Cancer cells undergo several reprogramming events towards adapting this opportunistic behavior, leading them to gain specific survival advantages. The strategy involves changes within the transformed tumors cells as well as in their neighboring non-transformed extra-tumoral support system, the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the components of the TME that is used by tumor cells to achieve resistance to therapy. CAFs are diverse in origin and are the most abundant non-transformed element of the microenvironment in solid tumors. Cells of an established tumor initially play a direct role in the establishment of the CAF population for its own microenvironment. Like their origin, CAFs are also diverse in their functions in catering to the pro-tumor microenvironment. Once instituted, CAFs interact in unison with both tumor cells and all other components of the TME towards the progression of the disease and the worst outcome. One of the many functions of CAFs in influencing the outcome of the disease is their participation in the development of resistance to treatment. CAFs resist therapy in solid tumors. A tumor–CAF relationship is initiated by tumor cells to exploit host stroma in favor of tumor progression. CAFs in concert with tumor cells and other components of the TME are abettors of resistance to treatment. Thus, this liaison between CAFs and tumor cells is a bête noire of therapy. Here, we portray a comprehensive picture of the modes and functions of CAFs in conjunction with their role in orchestrating the development of resistance to different chemotherapies and targeted therapies in solid tumors. We investigate the various functions of CAFs in various solid tumors in light of their dialogue with tumor cells and the two components of the TME, the immune component, and the vascular component. Acknowledgment of the irrefutable role of CAFs in the development of treatment resistance will impact our future strategies and ability to design improved therapies inclusive of CAFs. Finally, we discuss the future implications of this understanding from a therapeutic standpoint and in light of currently ongoing and completed CAF-based NIH clinical trials.
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10
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Yeoh Y, Low TY, Abu N, Lee PY. Regulation of signal transduction pathways in colorectal cancer: implications for therapeutic resistance. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12338. [PMID: 34733591 PMCID: PMC8544255 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12338] [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: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to anti-cancer treatments is a critical and widespread health issue that has brought serious impacts on lives, the economy and public policies. Mounting research has suggested that a selected spectrum of patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) tend to respond poorly to both chemotherapeutic and targeted therapeutic regimens. Drug resistance in tumours can occur in an intrinsic or acquired manner, rendering cancer cells insensitive to the treatment of anti-cancer therapies. Multiple factors have been associated with drug resistance. The most well-established factors are the emergence of cancer stem cell-like properties and overexpression of ABC transporters that mediate drug efflux. Besides, there is emerging evidence that signalling pathways that modulate cell survival and drug metabolism play major roles in the maintenance of multidrug resistance in CRC. This article reviews drug resistance in CRC as a result of alterations in the MAPK, PI3K/PKB, Wnt/β-catenin and Notch pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeelon Yeoh
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Teck Yew Low
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nadiah Abu
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Pey Yee Lee
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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