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Gil-Martín E, Ramos E, López-Muñoz F, Egea J, Romero A. Potential of melatonin to reverse epigenetic aberrations in oral cancer: new findings. EXCLI JOURNAL 2023; 22:1280-1310. [PMID: 38234969 PMCID: PMC10792176 DOI: 10.17179/excli2023-6624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
It is now an accepted principle that epigenetic alterations cause cellular dyshomeostasis and functional changes, both of which are essential for the initiation and completion of the tumor cycle. Oral carcinogenesis is no exception in this regard, as most of the tumors in the different subsites of the oral cavity arise from the cross-reaction between (epi)genetic inheritance and the huge challenge of environmental stressors. Currently, the biochemical machinery is put at the service of the tumor program, halting the cell cycle, triggering uncontrolled proliferation, driving angiogenesis and resistance to apoptosis, until the archetypes of the tumor phenotype are reached. Melatonin has the ability to dynamically affect the epigenetic code. It has become accepted that melatonin can reverse (epi)genetic aberrations present in oral and other cancers, suggesting the possibility of enhancing the oncostatic capacity of standard multimodal treatments by incorporating this indolamine as an adjuvant. First steps in this direction confirm the potential of melatonin as a countermeasure to mitigate the detrimental side effects of conventional first-line radiochemotherapy. This single effect could produce synergies of extraordinary clinical importance, allowing doses to be increased and treatments not to be interrupted, ultimately improving patients' quality of life and prognosis. Motivated by the urgency of improving the medical management of oral cancer, many authors advocate moving from in vitro and preclinical research, where the bulk of melatonin cancer research is concentrated, to systematic randomized clinical trials on large cohorts. Recognizing the challenge to improve the clinical management of cancer, our motivation is to encourage comprehensive and robust research to reveal the clinical potential of melatonin in oral cancer control. To improve the outcome and quality of life of patients with oral cancer, here we provide the latest evidence of the oncolytic activity that melatonin can achieve by manipulating epigenetic patterns in oronasopharyngeal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Gil-Martín
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Eva Ramos
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco López-Muñoz
- Faculty of Health, Camilo José Cela University of Madrid (UCJC), 28692 Madrid, Spain
- Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre Research Institute, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Egea
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Santa Cristina, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Romero
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Xia L, Zhang T, Yao J, Lu K, Hu Z, Gu X, Chen Y, Qin S, Leng W. Fibromodulin overexpression drives oral squamous cell carcinoma via activating downstream EGFR signaling. iScience 2023; 26:108201. [PMID: 37965134 PMCID: PMC10641260 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has shown that fibromodulin (FMOD) plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, the biological function of FMOD in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains largely unclear to date. In this study, we confirmed that FMOD was overexpressed and showed a significant association with malignant progression and lymph node metastasis in OSCC. Depletion of FMOD inhibited OSCC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing, western blotting, and rescue assays verified that FMOD exerted oncogenic roles in OSCC via activation of EGFR signaling. In addition, FMOD was proved to be a putative target gene of miR-338-3p. Taken together, FMOD overexpression due to the reduced level of miR-338-3p promotes OSCC by activating EGFR signaling. Our findings provide direct evidence that targeting FMOD could be a promising therapeutic strategy for OSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyun Xia
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
- Institute of Oral Diseases, School of Dentistry, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
| | - Tianshu Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
- Institute of Oral Diseases, School of Dentistry, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
| | - Juncheng Yao
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
- Institute of Oral Diseases, School of Dentistry, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
| | - Kaitian Lu
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
- Institute of Oral Diseases, School of Dentistry, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
| | - Ziqiu Hu
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
- Institute of Oral Diseases, School of Dentistry, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
| | - Xinsheng Gu
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Yongji Chen
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Shanshan Qin
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Weidong Leng
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
- Institute of Oral Diseases, School of Dentistry, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, P.R. China
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Hu Y, Han Y, He M, Zhang Y, Zou X. S100 proteins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (Review). Oncol Lett 2023; 26:362. [PMID: 37545618 PMCID: PMC10398633 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common tumor affecting the head and neck is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The characteristics of HNSCC include a rapid onset, a lack of early diagnosis, drug resistance, relapse and systemic adverse effects, leading to inadequate prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Notably, previous research suggests that there is an association between S100 proteins and HNSCC. S100A8, S100A9 and S100A14 interfere with tumor cell proliferation by blocking the cell cycle. The present review discusses this association. S100A4 enhances cancer stem cell properties, and interacts with actin and tropomyosin to promote tumor cell migration. S100A1, S100A8, S100A9, S100A10, S100A14 and S100P are involved in the initiation and progression of HNSCC via Hippo, nuclear factor κB, phosphatidylinositol kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin and other signaling pathways. In addition, certain long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs are involved in regulating the expression of S100 proteins in HNSCC. Reducing the expression of certain members of the S100 protein family may enhance the chemosensitivity of HNSCC. Collectively, it is suggested that S100 proteins may function as markers and targets for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihong Hu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, P.R. China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
| | - Yucheng Han
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, P.R. China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
| | - Minhui He
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, P.R. China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
| | - Yanqun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Xianqiong Zou
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, P.R. China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
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Diversity of the Origin of Cancer Stem Cells in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Clinical Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153588. [PMID: 35892847 PMCID: PMC9332248 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) histopathologically accounts for ≥90% of oral cancer. In this review article, we focus on the diversity of the origin of OSCC and also discuss cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are a subset of cancer cells that occupy a very small portion of the cancer mass and have characteristics of stem cells. When gene abnormalities accumulate in somatic stem cells, those cells transform into CSCs. CSCs as the origin of cancer then autonomously grow and develop into cancer. The histopathological phenotype of cancer cells is determined by the original characteristics of the somatic stem cells and/or surrounding environment. OSCC may be divided into the following three categories with different malignancy based on the origin of CSCs: cancer from oral epithelial stem cell-derived CSCs, cancer from stem cells in salivary gland-derived CSCs, and cancer from bone marrow-derived stem cell-derived CSCs. Abstract Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) histopathologically accounts for ≥90% of oral cancer. Many clinicopathological risk factors for OSCC have also been proposed, and postoperative therapy is recommended in guidelines based on cancer stage and other risk factors. However, even if the standard treatment is provided according to the guidelines, a few cases rapidly recur or show cervical and distant metastasis. In this review article, we focus on the diversity of the origin of OSCC. We also discuss cancer stem cells (CSCs) as a key player to explain the malignancy of OSCC. CSCs are a subset of cancer cells that occupy a very small portion of the cancer mass and have characteristics of stem cells. When gene abnormalities accumulate in somatic stem cells, those cells transform into CSCs. CSCs as the origin of cancer then autonomously grow and develop into cancer. The histopathological phenotype of cancer cells is determined by the original characteristics of the somatic stem cells and/or surrounding environment. OSCC may be divided into the following three categories with different malignancy based on the origin of CSCs: cancer from oral epithelial stem cell-derived CSCs, cancer from stem cells in salivary gland-derived CSCs, and cancer from bone marrow-derived stem cell-derived CSCs.
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