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Wilczyński B, Dąbrowska A, Kulbacka J, Baczyńska D. Chemoresistance and the tumor microenvironment: the critical role of cell-cell communication. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:486. [PMID: 39390572 PMCID: PMC11468187 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01857-7] [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: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/27/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Resistance of cancer cells to anticancer drugs remains a major challenge in modern medicine. Understanding the mechanisms behind the development of chemoresistance is key to developing appropriate therapies to counteract it. Nowadays, with advances in technology, we are paying more and more attention to the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and intercellular interactions in this process. We also know that important elements of the TME are not only the tumor cells themselves but also other cell types, such as mesenchymal stem cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, stromal cells, and macrophages. TME elements can communicate with each other indirectly (via cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles [EVs]) and directly (via gap junctions, ligand-receptor pairs, cell adhesion, and tunnel nanotubes). This communication appears to be critical for the development of chemoresistance. EVs seem to be particularly interesting structures in this regard. Within these structures, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids can be transported, acting as signaling molecules that interact with numerous biochemical pathways, thereby contributing to chemoresistance. Moreover, drug efflux pumps, which are responsible for removing drugs from cancer cells, can also be transported via EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Wilczyński
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Pasteura 1, Wroclaw, 50-367, Poland
| | - Alicja Dąbrowska
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Pasteura 1, Wroclaw, 50-367, Poland
| | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, Wroclaw, 50-556, Poland.
- Department of Immunology and Bioelectrochemistry, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Santariškių g. 5, Vilnius, LT-08406, Lithuania.
| | - Dagmara Baczyńska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, Wroclaw, 50-556, Poland
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2
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Lange S, Inal JM, Kraev I, Dart DA, Uysal-Onganer P. Low Magnetic Field Exposure Alters Prostate Cancer Cell Properties. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:734. [PMID: 39336161 PMCID: PMC11428832 DOI: 10.3390/biology13090734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2024] [Revised: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the second most common neoplasia and fifth-leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide. Electromagnetic and magnetic fields have been classified as possible human carcinogens, but current understanding of molecular and cellular pathways involved is very limited. Effects due to extremely low magnetic/hypomagnetic fields (LMF) are furthermore poorly understood. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial mediators of cellular communication with multifaceted roles in cancer progression, including via transport and uptake of various protein and microRNA (miRNA) EV-cargoes. miRNAs regulate gene expression and are implicated in cancer-related processes such as proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance. This study investigated the effects of LMF exposure (20 nT) by magnetic shielding on the prostate cancer cell line PC3 compared to the prostate epithelial cell line PNT2 under short-term (4 h) conditions. We examined EV profiles following a 4 h LMF exposure alongside associated functional enrichment KEGG and GO pathways for the EV proteomes. The 4 h LMF exposure significantly reduced cellular EV release and modified PC3 EV cargoes to a more inflammatory and metastatic profile, with 16 Disease Pathways and 95 Human Phenotypes associated specifically with the LMF-treated PC3 EV proteomes. These included cancerous, metabolic, blood, skin, cardiac and skeletal Disease Pathways, as well as pain and developmental disorders. In the normal PNT2 cells, less EV protein cargo was observed following LMF exposure compared with cells not exposed to LMF, and fewer associated functional enrichment pathways were identified. This pointed to some differences in various cellular functions, ageing, defence responses, oxidative stress, and disease phenotypes, including respiratory, digestive, immune, and developmental pathways. Furthermore, we analysed alterations in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and miRNAs linked to metastasis, as this is crucial in cancer aggressiveness. The 4 h LMF exposure caused a significant increase in MMP2 and MMP9, as well as in onco-miRs miR-155, miR-210, miR-21, but a significant reduction in tumour-suppressor miRs (miR-200c and miR-126) in the metastatic PC3 cells, compared with normal PNT2 cells. In addition, 4 h LMF exposure significantly induced cellular invasion of PC3 cells. Overall, our findings suggest that changes in magnetic field exposures modulate EV-mediated and miR-regulatory processes in PCa metastasis, providing a basis for exploring novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrun Lange
- Pathobiology and Extracellular Vesicles Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK
| | - Jameel M Inal
- Cell Communication in Disease Pathology, School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB, UK
- Biosciences Research Group, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9EU, UK
| | - Igor Kraev
- Electron Microscopy Suite, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Dafydd Alwyn Dart
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, Paul O'Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer Mechanisms and Biomarkers Research Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK
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3
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Tang JY, Kouznetsova VL, Kesari S, Tsigelny IF. Development of a Diagnostic Model for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Using Machine Learning and Blood-Based miRNAs. Oncology 2024:1-10. [PMID: 39231457 DOI: 10.1159/000540329] [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: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has the lowest survival rate among all major cancers due to a lack of symptoms in early stages, early detection tools, and optimal therapies for late-stage patients. Thus, effective and non-invasive diagnostic tests are greatly needed. Recently, circulating miRNAs have been reported to be altered in PDAC. They are promising biomarkers because of stability in the blood, ease of non-invasive detection, and convenient screening methods. This study aimed to use blood-based miRNA biomarkers and various analysis methods in the development of a machine-learning (ML) model for PDAC. METHODS Blood-based miRNAs associated with PDAC were collected from open sources. miRNA sequences, targeted genes, and involved pathways were used to construct a set of descriptors for an ML model. RESULTS Bioinformatics analysis revealed that most genes in pancreatic cancer and insulin signaling pathways were targeted by the PDAC-related miRNAs. The best-performing ML model with the Random Forest classifier was able to achieve an accuracy of 88.4%. Model evaluations of an independent PDAC-associated miRNAs test set had 100% accuracy while non-cancer miRNAs had 52.4% accuracy, indicating specificity to PDAC. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest an ML model developed using blood-based miRNA biomarkers' target gene, pathway, and sequence features could be potentially implicated in PDAC diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Y Tang
- San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- CureScience Institute, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Valentina L Kouznetsova
- San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- CureScience Institute, San Diego, California, USA
- BiAna, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Santosh Kesari
- Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Igor F Tsigelny
- San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- CureScience Institute, San Diego, California, USA
- BiAna, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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4
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Tiwari PK, Shanmugam P, Karn V, Gupta S, Mishra R, Rustagi S, Chouhan M, Verma D, Jha NK, Kumar S. Extracellular Vesicular miRNA in Pancreatic Cancer: From Lab to Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2179. [PMID: 38927885 PMCID: PMC11201547 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122179] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a prevalent lethal gastrointestinal cancer that generally does not show any symptoms until it reaches advanced stages, resulting in a high mortality rate. People at high risk, such as those with a family history or chronic pancreatitis, do not have a universally accepted screening protocol. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy demonstrate limited effectiveness in the management of pancreatic cancer, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Recent studies indicated that the complex interaction among pancreatic cancer cells within the dynamic microenvironment, comprising the extracellular matrix, cancer-associated cells, and diverse immune cells, intricately regulates the biological characteristics of the disease. Additionally, mounting evidence suggests that EVs play a crucial role as mediators in intercellular communication by the transportation of different biomolecules, such as miRNA, proteins, DNA, mRNA, and lipids, between heterogeneous cell subpopulations. This communication mediated by EVs significantly impacts multiple aspects of pancreatic cancer pathogenesis, including proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. In this review, we delve into the pivotal role of EV-associated miRNAs in the progression, metastasis, and development of drug resistance in pancreatic cancer as well as their therapeutic potential as biomarkers and drug-delivery mechanisms for the management of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Kumar Tiwari
- Biological and Bio-Computational Lab, Department of Life Science, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Poojhaa Shanmugam
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Mumbai 410206, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vamika Karn
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Mumbai 410206, Maharashtra, India
| | - Saurabh Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura 281406, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Richa Mishra
- Department of Computer Engineering, Parul University, Ta. Waghodia, Vadodara 391760, Gujarat, India
| | - Sarvesh Rustagi
- School of Applied and Life science, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Mandeep Chouhan
- Biological and Bio-Computational Lab, Department of Life Science, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Devvret Verma
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 602105, Tamil Nadu, India
- School of Bioengineering & Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Sharda School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Biological and Bio-Computational Lab, Department of Life Science, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Djordjevic V, Knezevic D, Trotovsek B, Tomazic A, Petric M, Hadzialjevic B, Grubor N, Djokic M. Navigating Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm Management through Fukuoka Consensus vs. European Evidence-Based Guidelines on Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms-A Study on Two European Centers. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2156. [PMID: 38893274 PMCID: PMC11171892 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112156] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
This study addresses the critical need for the accurate diagnosis and management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), which are pancreatic cystic neoplasm types holding a substantial potential for malignancy. It evaluates the diagnostic effectiveness of the Fukuoka consensus guidelines and the European evidence-based guidelines in detecting high-grade dysplasia/invasive carcinoma in IPMNs, utilizing a retrospective analysis of 113 patients from two European medical centers. The methods include a comparative analysis of clinical, radiological, and endoscopic ultrasonography data, alongside an assessment of guideline-driven diagnostic performance. The results demonstrate that both guidelines offer similar accuracy in identifying severe disease stages in IPMNs, with certain clinical markers-such as jaundice, solid mass presence, and an increase in CA 19-9 levels-being pivotal in predicting the need for surgical intervention. This study concludes that while both guidelines provide valuable frameworks for IPMN management, there is an inherent need for further research to refine these protocols and improve patient-specific treatment strategies. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on optimizing diagnostic and treatment paradigms for pancreatic cystic neoplasms, aiming to enhance clinical outcomes and patient care in this challenging medical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Djordjevic
- First Surgical Clinic, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (D.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Djordje Knezevic
- First Surgical Clinic, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (D.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Blaz Trotovsek
- University Medical Center Ljubljana, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (B.T.); (A.T.); (M.P.); (B.H.); (M.D.)
| | - Ales Tomazic
- University Medical Center Ljubljana, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (B.T.); (A.T.); (M.P.); (B.H.); (M.D.)
| | - Miha Petric
- University Medical Center Ljubljana, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (B.T.); (A.T.); (M.P.); (B.H.); (M.D.)
| | - Benjamin Hadzialjevic
- University Medical Center Ljubljana, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (B.T.); (A.T.); (M.P.); (B.H.); (M.D.)
| | - Nikica Grubor
- First Surgical Clinic, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (D.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Mihajlo Djokic
- University Medical Center Ljubljana, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (B.T.); (A.T.); (M.P.); (B.H.); (M.D.)
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6
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Alavanda C, Dirimtekin E, Mortoglou M, Arslan Ates E, Guney AI, Uysal-Onganer P. BRCA Mutations and MicroRNA Expression Patterns in the Peripheral Blood of Breast Cancer Patients. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:17217-17228. [PMID: 38645356 PMCID: PMC11025100 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c10086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) persists as the predominant malignancy globally, standing as the foremost cause of cancer-related mortality among women. Despite notable advancements in prevention and treatment, encompassing the incorporation of targeted immunotherapies, a continued imperative exists for the development of innovative methodologies. These methodologies would facilitate the identification of women at heightened risk, enhance the optimization of therapeutic approaches, and enable the vigilant monitoring of emergent treatment resistance. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs), found either freely circulating in the bloodstream or encapsulated within extracellular vesicles, have exhibited substantial promise for diverse clinical applications. These applications range from diagnostic and prognostic assessments to predictive purposes. This study aimed to explore the potential associations between BRCA mutations and specific miRNAs (miR-21, miR-155, miR-126, and miR-200c) expression that are known to be dysregulated in BC patient samples. Our findings indicate a robust correlation between miRNA expression status and disease subtypes. We found a correlation between the expression status of miRNAs and distinct disease subtypes. Intriguingly, however, no significant associations were discerned between disease status, subtypes, or miRNA expression levels and the presence of BRCA mutations. To advance the validation of miRNAs as clinically relevant biomarkers, additional investigations within larger and meticulously selected patient cohorts are deemed imperative. These microRNA entities hold the potential to emerge as groundbreaking and readily accessible tools, poised for seamless integration into the landscape of clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceren Alavanda
- Department
of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Marmara University, 34854 Istanbul, Turkey
- Department
of Medical Genetics, Van Research and Training
Hospital, 10300 Van, Turkey
| | - Esra Dirimtekin
- Department
of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Marmara University, 34854 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Maria Mortoglou
- Cancer
Mechanisms and Biomarkers Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, W1W 6UW London, U.K.
| | - Esra Arslan Ates
- Department
of Medical Genetics, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa,
Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, 34098 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Ilter Guney
- Department
of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Marmara University, 34854 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer
Mechanisms and Biomarkers Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, W1W 6UW London, U.K.
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7
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Deng K, Zou F, Xu J, Xu D, Luo Z. Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote stemness maintenance and gemcitabine resistance via HIF-1α/miR-21 axis under hypoxic conditions in pancreatic cancer. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:524-537. [PMID: 38197482 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Gemcitabine (GEM) resistance affects chemotherapy efficacy of pancreatic cancer (PC). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) possess the ability of regulating chemoresistance. This study probed the mechanism of hypoxia-treated CAFs regulating cell stemness and GEM resistance in PC. Miapaca-2/SW1990 were co-cultured with PC-derived CAFs under normoxic/hypoxic conditions. Cell viability/self-renewal ability was determined by MTT/sphere formation assays, respectively. Protein levels of CD44, CD133, Oct4, and Sox2 were determined by western blot. GEM tumoricidal assay was performed. PC cell GEM resistance was evaluated by MTT assay. CAFs were cultured at normoxia/hypoxia. HIF-1α and miR-21 expression levels were assessed by RT-qPCR and western blot, with their binding sites and binding relationship predicted and verified. CAF-extracellular vesicles (EVs) were incubated with Miapaca-2 cells. The RAS/AKT/ERK pathway activation was detected by western blot. PC xenograft models were established and treated with hypoxic CAF-EVs and GEM. CAFs and PC cell co-culture increased cell stemness maintenance, GEM resistance, cell viability, stem cell sphere number, and protein levels of CD44, CD133, Oct4, and Sox2, and weakened GEM tumoricidal ability to PC cells, with the effects further enhanced by hypoxia. Hypoxia induced HIF-1α and miR-21 overexpression in CAFs. Hypoxia promoted CAFs to secrete high-level miR-21 EVs via the HIF-1α/miR-21 axis, and activated the miR-21/RAS/AKT/ERK pathway. CAF-EVs promoted GEM resistance in PC via the miR-21/RAS/ATK/ERK pathway in vivo. Hypoxia promoted CAFs to secrete high-level miR-21 EVs through the HIF-1α/miR-21 axis, and activated the miR-21/RAS/AKT/ERK pathway via EVs to trigger stemness maintenance and GEM resistance in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keping Deng
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Changsha (The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University), Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Fang Zou
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Changsha (The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University), Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Changsha (The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University), Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Dayong Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Changsha (The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University), Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhen Luo
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Changsha (The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University), Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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8
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Wu Y, Zhang F, Xu P, Li P. Brucine Inhibits Proliferation of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma through PI3K/AKT Pathway-induced Mitochondrial Apoptosis. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2024; 24:749-759. [PMID: 38310464 DOI: 10.2174/0115680096274284231116104554] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this research was to settle the role of brucine in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and the mechanisms involved. METHODS The findings of this study suggest that brucine exerts inhibitory effects on cell growth, clonogenicity, and invasive potential of Panc02 and Mia Paca-2 cells. These effects may be linked to an increase in apoptotic-prone cell population. RESULTS Gene sequencing data suggests that these effects are mediated through the induction of apoptosis. Experimental evidence further supports the notion that brucine reduces mitochondrial membrane potential and upregulates Bax expression while downregulating Bcl-2 expression. These effects are believed to be a result of brucine-mediated suppression of PI3K/Akt activity, which serves as a regulatory factor of mTOR, Bax, and Bcl-2. Suppression of PI3K activity enhances the tumor-suppressing effects of brucine. CONCLUSION Overall, these findings suggest that brucine has therapeutic potential as a remedy option for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Wu
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 230022, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 230022, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fenglin Zhang
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 230022, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 230022, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Panling Xu
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 230022, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 230022, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ping Li
- Oncology Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 230022, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 230022, Hefei, Anhui, China
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9
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Samain R, Maiques O, Monger J, Lam H, Candido J, George S, Ferrari N, KohIhammer L, Lunetto S, Varela A, Orgaz JL, Vilardell F, Olsina JJ, Matias-Guiu X, Sarker D, Biddle A, Balkwill FR, Eyles J, Wilkinson RW, Kocher HM, Calvo F, Wells CM, Sanz-Moreno V. CD73 controls Myosin II-driven invasion, metastasis, and immunosuppression in amoeboid pancreatic cancer cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi0244. [PMID: 37851808 PMCID: PMC10584351 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi0244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a very poor prognosis because of its high propensity to metastasize and its immunosuppressive microenvironment. Using a panel of pancreatic cancer cell lines, three-dimensional (3D) invasion systems, microarray gene signatures, microfluidic devices, mouse models, and intravital imaging, we demonstrate that ROCK-Myosin II activity in PDAC cells supports a transcriptional program conferring amoeboid invasive and immunosuppressive traits and in vivo metastatic abilities. Moreover, we find that immune checkpoint CD73 is highly expressed in amoeboid PDAC cells and drives their invasive, metastatic, and immunomodulatory traits. Mechanistically, CD73 activates RhoA-ROCK-Myosin II downstream of PI3K. Tissue microarrays of human PDAC biopsies combined with bioinformatic analysis reveal that rounded-amoeboid invasive cells with high CD73-ROCK-Myosin II activity and their immunosuppressive microenvironment confer poor prognosis to patients. We propose targeting amoeboid PDAC cells as a therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remi Samain
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Oscar Maiques
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Joanne Monger
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Hoyin Lam
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
- GSK, R&D Portfolio, Strategy and Business Insights, GSK House, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9GS, UK
| | - Juliana Candido
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Samantha George
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Nicola Ferrari
- Tumour Microenvironment Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Early Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Leonie KohIhammer
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Sophia Lunetto
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Adrian Varela
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jose L. Orgaz
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sols-Morreale CSIC-UAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Felip Vilardell
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Jorge Juan Olsina
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Xavier Matias-Guiu
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- IRBLLEIDA, IDIBELL, University Hospita of Bellvitge, CIBERONC, Lleida, Spain
| | - Debashis Sarker
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Adrian Biddle
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
| | - Frances R. Balkwill
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jim Eyles
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | | | - Hemant M. Kocher
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Barts and the London HPB Centre, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Fernando Calvo
- Tumour Microenvironment Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnologia de Cantabria, c/ Albert Einstein 22, E39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Claire M. Wells
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kings College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Victoria Sanz-Moreno
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
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10
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Dirimtekin E, Mortoglou M, Alavanda C, Benomar Yemlahi A, Arslan Ates E, Guney I, Uysal-Onganer P. miR-34a-FOXP1 Loop in Ovarian Cancer. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:27743-27750. [PMID: 37546627 PMCID: PMC10399168 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c03867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the main cause of gynecological cancer mortality in most developed countries. microRNA (miR) expression dysregulation has been highlighted in human cancers, and miR-34a is found to be downregulated and associated with inhibition of tumor growth and invasion in several malignancies, including OC. The winged helix transcription factor forkhead box P1 (FOXP1) is reported as either an oncogene or tumor suppressor in various cancers. This study aimed to elucidate potential clinical and biological associations of miR-34a and transcription factor FOXP1 in OC. We investigated nine OC patients' blood samples and two OC cell lines (SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3) using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to determine both miR-34a and FOXP1 expressions. We have found that miR-34a and FOXP1 are reversely correlated in both in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of miR-34a transiently led to upregulation of FOXP1 mRNA expression and increased cellular invasion in vitro. Our data indicate that miR-34a could be a potential biomarker for improving the diagnostic efficiency of OC, and miR-34a overexpression may reduce OC pathogenesis by targeting FOXP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Dirimtekin
- Department
of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Marmara University, 34854 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Maria Mortoglou
- Cancer
Mechanisms and Biomarkers Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, W1W 6UW London, U.K.
| | - Ceren Alavanda
- Department
of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Marmara University, 34854 Istanbul, Turkey
- Department
of Medical Genetics, Van Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, 65170 Van, Turkey
| | - Asmaa Benomar Yemlahi
- Cancer
Mechanisms and Biomarkers Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, W1W 6UW London, U.K.
| | - Esra Arslan Ates
- Department
of Medical Genetics, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa,
Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, 34098 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ilter Guney
- Department
of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Marmara University, 34854 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer
Mechanisms and Biomarkers Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, W1W 6UW London, U.K.
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11
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Mortoglou M, Miralles F, Mould RR, Sengupta D, Uysal-Onganer P. Inhibiting CDK4/6 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via microRNA-21. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151318. [PMID: 37105116 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151318] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies, with a 5-year survival rate of 5-10 %. The high mortality rate is due to the asymptomatic progression of clinical features in metastatic stages of the disease, which renders standard therapeutic options futile. PDAC is characterised by alterations in several genes that drive carcinogenesis and limit therapeutic response. The two most common genetic aberrations in PDAC are the mutational activation of KRAS and loss of the tumour suppressor CDK inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A), which culminate the activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6), that promote G1 cell cycle progression. Therapeutic strategies focusing on the CDK4/6 inhibitors such as palbociclib (PD-0332991) may potentially improve outcomes in this malignancy. MicroRNAs (miRs/miRNAs) are small endogenous non-coding RNA molecules associated with cellular proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and cell cycle. Primarily, miR-21 promotes cell proliferation and a higher proportion of PDAC cells in the S phase, while knockdown of miR-21 has been linked to cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and inhibition of cell proliferation. In this study, using a CRISPR/Cas9 loss-of-function screen, we individually silenced the expression of miR-21 in two PDAC cell lines and in combination with PD-0332991 treatment, we examined the synergetic mechanisms of CDK4/6 inhibitors and miR-21 knockouts (KOs) on cell survival and death. This combination reduced cell proliferation, cell viability, increased apoptosis and G1 arrest in vitro. We further analysed the mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis of PDAC cells; then assessed the protein content of these cells and revealed numerous Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways associated with PD-0332991 treatment and miR-21 knocking out. Our results demonstrate that combined targeting of CDK4/6 and silencing of miR-21 represents a novel therapeutic strategy in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mortoglou
- Cancer Mechanisms and Biomarkers Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, W1W 6UW London, UK
| | - Francesc Miralles
- Centre of Biomedical Education/Molecular and Clinical Sciences, Cell Biology Research Centre, St. George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Rhys Richard Mould
- Research Centre for Optimal Health, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, W1W 6UW London, UK
| | - Dipankar Sengupta
- Health Data Sciences Research Group, Research Centre for Optimal Health, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, W1W 6UW London, UK
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer Mechanisms and Biomarkers Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, W1W 6UW London, UK.
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12
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Bubin R, Uljanovs R, Strumfa I. Cancer Stem Cells in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087030. [PMID: 37108193 PMCID: PMC10138709 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The first discovery of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in leukaemia triggered active research on stemness in neoplastic tissues. CSCs represent a subpopulation of malignant cells, defined by unique properties: a dedifferentiated state, self-renewal, pluripotency, an inherent resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy, the presence of certain epigenetic alterations, as well as a higher tumorigenicity in comparison with the general population of cancer cells. A combination of these features highlights CSCs as a high-priority target during cancer treatment. The presence of CSCs has been confirmed in multiple malignancies, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, an entity that is well known for its dismal prognosis. As the aggressive course of pancreatic carcinoma is partly attributable to treatment resistance, CSCs could contribute to adverse outcomes. The aim of this review is to summarize the current information regarding the markers and molecular features of CSCs in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and the therapeutic options to remove them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Bubin
- Faculty of Medicine, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Romans Uljanovs
- Department of Pathology, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ilze Strumfa
- Department of Pathology, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
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13
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Osteogenic and Adipogenic Differentiation Potential of Oral Cancer Stem Cells May Offer New Treatment Modalities. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054704. [PMID: 36902135 PMCID: PMC10002556 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054704] [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: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Treatment failure of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is generally due to the development of therapeutic resistance caused by the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small cell subpopulation with marked self-renewal and differentiation capacity. Micro RNAs, notably miRNA-21, appear to play an important role in OSCC carcinogenesis. Our objectives were to explore the multipotency of oral CSCs by estimating their differentiation capacity and assessing the effects of differentiation on stemness, apoptosis, and several miRNAs' expression. (2) A commercially available OSCC cell line (SCC25) and five primary OSCC cultures generated from tumor tissues obtained from five OSCC patients were used in the experiments. Cells harboring CD44, a CSC marker, were magnetically separated from the heterogeneous tumor cell populations. The CD44+ cells were then subjected to osteogenic and adipogenic induction, and the specific staining was used for differentiation confirmation. The kinetics of the differentiation process was evaluated by qPCR analysis of osteogenic (Bone Morphogenetic Protein-BMP4, Runt-related Transcription Factor 2-RUNX2, Alkaline Phosphatase-ALP) and adipogenic (Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha-FAP, LIPIN, Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor Gamma-PPARG) markers on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. Embryonic markers (Octamer-binding Transcription Factor 4-OCT4, Sex Determining Region Y Box 2-SOX2, and NANOG) and micro RNAs (miRNA-21, miRNA-133, and miRNA-491) were also correspondingly evaluated by qPCR. An Annexin V assay was used to assess the potential cytotoxic effects of the differentiation process. (3) Following differentiation, the levels of markers for the osteo/adipo lineages showed a gradual increase from day 0 to day 21 in the CD44+ cultures, while stemness markers and cell viability decreased. The oncogenic miRNA-21 also followed the same pattern of gradual decrease along the differentiation process, while tumor suppressor miRNA-133 and miRNA-491 levels increased. (4) Following induction, the CSCs acquired the characteristics of the differentiated cells. This was accompanied by loss of stemness properties, a decrease of the oncogenic and concomitant, and an increase of tumor suppressor micro RNAs.
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14
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Nagaraju GP, Farran B, Luong T, El-Rayes BF. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate pancreatic cancer stem cell formation, stemness and chemoresistance: A brief overview. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:67-80. [PMID: 36535506 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers worldwide due to the resistances to conventional therapies and early metastasis. Recent research has shown that cancer stem cell populations modulate invasiveness, recurrence, and drug resistance in various cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer stem cells (PaCSCs) are characterized by their high plasticity and self-renewal capacities that endow them with unique metabolic, metastatic, and chemoresistant properties. Understanding the exact molecular and signaling mechanisms that underlay malignant processes in PaCSCs is instrumental for developing novel therapeutic modalities that overcome the limitations of current therapeutic regimens. In this paper, we provide an updated review of the latest research in the field and summarize the current knowledge of PaCSCs characteristics, cellular metabolism, stemness, and drug resistance. We explore how the crosstalk between the TME and PaCSCs influences stemness. We also highlight some of the key signalling pathways involved in PaCSCs stemness and drug evasion. The aim of this review is to explore how PaCSCs develop, maintain their properties, and drive tumor relapse in PC. The last section explores some of the latest therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting PaCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35201, USA.
| | - Batoul Farran
- Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Tha Luong
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35201, USA
| | - Bassel F El-Rayes
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35201, USA.
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15
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Ali A, Jamieson NB, Khan IN, Chang D, Giovannetti E, Funel N, Frampton AE, Morton J, Sansom O, Evans TRJ, Duthie F, McKay CJ, Samra J, Gill AJ, Biankin A, Oien KA. Prognostic implications of microRNA-21 overexpression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: an international multicenter study of 686 patients. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:5668-5683. [PMID: 36628279 PMCID: PMC9827095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite progress in genomic characterization, no single prognostic marker that can be evaluated using an easy-to-perform and relatively inexpensive method is available for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). MicroRNAs, which are stable, tumor- and tissue-specific molecules, are potentially ideal biomarkers, and we established an inter-laboratory validated method to investigate miR-21 as a prognostic biomarker in PDAC. The study samples of PDAC patients were recruited from a test cohort of Glasgow (n = 189) and three validation cohorts of Pisa (n = 69), Sydney (n = 249), and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) (n = 249). Tissue microarrays were used for miR-21 staining by chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). The patients were subdivided into no/low and high miR-21 staining groups using a specific histoscore. Furthermore, miR-21 staining was evaluated against clinicopathological variables and follow-up data by Fisher/log-rank test and Cox proportional models. The prognostic variables found to be significant in univariate analysis (P value < 0.10) were included in multivariate analysis in a backward-stepwise fashion. MiR-21 expression was cytoplasmic, with more consistent staining in the malignant ductal epithelium than in the stroma. The expression of miR-21 was significantly associated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis, whereas no association was observed with other clinicopathological variables. High miR-21 staining (histoscore ≥ 45 [median score]) was an independent predictor of survival in the Glasgow test cohort (HR 2.37, 95% CI: 1.42-3.96, P < 0.0001) and three validation cohorts (Pisa, HR 2.03, 95% CI: 1.21-3.39, P = 0.007; Sydney, HR 2.58, 95% CI (1.21-3.39), P < 0.0001; and ICGC, HR 3.34, 95% CI: 2.07-5.84, P = 0.002) when adjusted for clinical variables in a multivariate model. In comparison to the patients with low miR-21, the patients with high miR-21 expression had significant increase in OS as they benefit from gemcitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy (Glasgow 16.5 months [with chemotherapy] vs 10.5 months [without chemotherapy]); Sydney 25.0 vs 10.6; ICGC 25.2 vs 11.9. These results indicated that miR-21 is a predictor of survival, prompting prospective trials. Evaluation of miR-21 offers new opportunities for the stratification of patients with PDAC and might facilitate the implementation of clinical management and therapeutic interventions for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asif Ali
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of GlasgowUK
- Institute of Pathology and Diagnostic Medicine, Khyber Medical UniversityPeshawar, Pakistan
- Gulf Medical UniversityAjman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nigel Balfour Jamieson
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of GlasgowUK
| | - Ishaq N Khan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Joe H. Reynolds Medical Bld, Texas A&M University, College StationUnited States
- Cancer Cell Culture & Precision Oncomedicine Lab, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical UniversityPeshawar, Pakistan
| | - David Chang
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of GlasgowUK
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical CenterAmsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start-Up Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Nicola Funel
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start-Up Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of PisaPisa, Italy
| | - Adam E Frampton
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital CampusDu Cane Road, London, UK
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery, Royal Surrey County HospitalEgerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XX, UK
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of SurreyGuildford, Surrey, UK
| | - Jennifer Morton
- Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, University of GlasgowUK
| | - Owen Sansom
- Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, University of GlasgowUK
| | | | - Fraser Duthie
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine Building, Queen Elizabeth University HospitalGreater Glasgow & Clyde NHS
| | - Colin J McKay
- West of Scotland Pancreatic Unit and Glasgow Royal InfirmaryAlexandra Parade, Glasgow
| | - Jas Samra
- Department of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Royal North Shore HospitalPacific Highway St Leonards, Australia
| | - Anthony J Gill
- Sydney Medical School, University of SydneySydney, Australia
- Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, and Health Pathology Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore HospitalSt Leonards, NSW, Australia
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, The Garvan Institute of Medical ResearchDarlinghurst, Sydney, Australia
- The Australian Pancreatic Genome InitiativeDarlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Andrew Biankin
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of GlasgowUK
| | - Karin A Oien
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of GlasgowUK
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine Building, Queen Elizabeth University HospitalGreater Glasgow & Clyde NHS
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16
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Yu YC, Ahmed A, Lai HC, Cheng WC, Yang JC, Chang WC, Chen LM, Shan YS, Ma WL. Review of the endocrine organ-like tumor hypothesis of cancer cachexia in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1057930. [PMID: 36465353 PMCID: PMC9713001 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1057930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal types of solid tumors, associated with a high prevalence of cachexia (~80%). PDAC-derived cachexia (PDAC-CC) is a systemic disease involving the complex interplay between the tumor and multiple organs. The endocrine organ-like tumor (EOLT) hypothesis may explain the systemic crosstalk underlying the deleterious homeostatic shifts that occur in PDAC-CC. Several studies have reported a markedly heterogeneous collection of cachectic mediators, signaling mechanisms, and metabolic pathways, including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, hormonal disturbance, pro-inflammatory cytokine storm, digestive and tumor-derived factors, and PDAC progression. The complexities of PDAC-CC necessitate a careful review of recent literature summarizing cachectic mediators, corresponding metabolic functions, and the collateral impacts on wasting organs. The EOLT hypothesis suggests that metabolites, genetic instability, and epigenetic changes (microRNAs) are involved in cachexia development. Both tumors and host tissues can secrete multiple cachectic factors (beyond only inflammatory mediators). Some regulatory molecules, metabolites, and microRNAs are tissue-specific, resulting in insufficient energy production to support tumor/cachexia development. Due to these complexities, changes in a single factor can trigger bi-directional feedback circuits that exacerbate PDAC and result in the development of irreversible cachexia. We provide an integrated review based on 267 papers and 20 clinical trials from PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov database proposed under the EOLT hypothesis that may provide a fundamental understanding of cachexia development and response to current treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Chun Yu
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Tumor Biology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Azaj Ahmed
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Chou Lai
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chung Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Tumor Biology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Juan-Chern Yang
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chun Chang
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Tumor Biology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Lu-Min Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Shen Shan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chen Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Lung Ma
- Department of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gastroenterology, and Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Tumor Biology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
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17
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Rhim J, Baek W, Seo Y, Kim JH. From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutics: Understanding MicroRNA-21 in Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182791. [PMID: 36139366 PMCID: PMC9497241 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play an important role in regulating gene expression at a posttranscriptional level. As one of the first discovered oncogenic miRNAs, microRNA-21 (miR-21) has been highlighted for its critical role in cancers, such as glioblastoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and many others. MiR-21 targets many vital components in a wide range of cancers and acts on various cellular processes ranging from cancer stemness to cell death. Expression of miR-21 is elevated within cancer tissues and circulating miR-21 is readily detectable in biofluids, making it valuable as a cancer biomarker with significant potential for use in diagnosis and prognosis. Advances in RNA-based therapeutics have revealed additional avenues by which miR-21 can be utilized as a promising target in cancer. The purpose of this review is to outline the roles of miR-21 as a key modulator in various cancers and its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiho Rhim
- Cancer Molecular Biology Branch, Division of Cancer Biology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Korea
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Korea
| | - Woosun Baek
- Cancer Molecular Biology Branch, Division of Cancer Biology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Korea
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Korea
| | - Yoona Seo
- Cancer Molecular Biology Branch, Division of Cancer Biology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Korea
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Korea
| | - Jong Heon Kim
- Cancer Molecular Biology Branch, Division of Cancer Biology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 10408, Korea
- Department of Cancer Biomedical Science, National Cancer Center, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang 10408, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-920-2204
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18
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Sundararajan V, Burk UC, Bajdak-Rusinek K. Revisiting the miR-200 Family: A Clan of Five Siblings with Essential Roles in Development and Disease. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060781. [PMID: 35740906 PMCID: PMC9221129 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Over two decades of studies on small noncoding RNA molecules illustrate the significance of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in controlling multiple physiological and pathological functions through post-transcriptional and spatiotemporal gene expression. Among the plethora of miRs that are essential during animal embryonic development, in this review, we elaborate the indispensable role of the miR-200 family (comprising miR-200a, -200b, 200c, -141, and -429) in governing the cellular functions associated with epithelial homeostasis, such as epithelial differentiation and neurogenesis. Additionally, in pathological contexts, miR-200 family members are primarily involved in tumor-suppressive roles, including the reversal of the cancer-associated epithelial–mesenchymal transition dedifferentiation process, and are dysregulated during organ fibrosis. Moreover, recent eminent studies have elucidated the crucial roles of miR-200s in the pathophysiology of multiple neurodegenerative diseases and tissue fibrosis. Lastly, we summarize the key studies that have recognized the potential use of miR-200 members as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers, elaborating the application of these small biomolecules in aiding early cancer detection and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Sundararajan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Center for Translational Medicine, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
| | - Ulrike C. Burk
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany;
| | - Karolina Bajdak-Rusinek
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-32-208-8382
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19
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Sammallahti H, Sarhadi VK, Kokkola A, Ghanbari R, Rezasoltani S, Asadzadeh Aghdaei H, Puolakkainen P, Knuutila S. Oncogenomic Changes in Pancreatic Cancer and Their Detection in Stool. Biomolecules 2022; 12:652. [PMID: 35625579 PMCID: PMC9171580 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive malignancy with a dismal prognosis. To improve patient survival, the development of screening methods for early diagnosis is pivotal. Oncogenomic alterations present in tumor tissue are a suitable target for non-invasive screening efforts, as they can be detected in tumor-derived cells, cell-free nucleic acids, and extracellular vesicles, which are present in several body fluids. Since stool is an easily accessible source, which enables convenient and cost-effective sampling, it could be utilized for the screening of these traces. Herein, we explore the various oncogenomic changes that have been detected in PC tissue, such as chromosomal aberrations, mutations in driver genes, epigenetic alterations, and differentially expressed non-coding RNA. In addition, we briefly look into the role of altered gut microbiota in PC and their possible associations with oncogenomic changes. We also review the findings of genomic alterations in stool of PC patients, and the potentials and challenges of their future use for the development of stool screening tools, including the possible combination of genomic and microbiota markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidelinde Sammallahti
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
- Department of Surgery, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (A.K.); (P.P.)
| | - Virinder Kaur Sarhadi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Arto Kokkola
- Department of Surgery, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (A.K.); (P.P.)
| | - Reza Ghanbari
- Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 1411713135, Iran;
| | - Sama Rezasoltani
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 1985717411, Iran;
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran P.O. Box 1985717411, Iran;
| | - Pauli Puolakkainen
- Department of Surgery, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland; (A.K.); (P.P.)
| | - Sakari Knuutila
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
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