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Chu X, Tian W, Ning J, Xiao G, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Zhai Z, Tanzhu G, Yang J, Zhou R. Cancer stem cells: advances in knowledge and implications for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:170. [PMID: 38965243 PMCID: PMC11224386 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01851-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small subset of cells in tumors that are characterized by self-renewal and continuous proliferation, lead to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and maintain tumor heterogeneity. Cancer continues to be a significant global disease burden. In the past, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were the main cancer treatments. The technology of cancer treatments continues to develop and advance, and the emergence of targeted therapy, and immunotherapy provides more options for patients to a certain extent. However, the limitations of efficacy and treatment resistance are still inevitable. Our review begins with a brief introduction of the historical discoveries, original hypotheses, and pathways that regulate CSCs, such as WNT/β-Catenin, hedgehog, Notch, NF-κB, JAK/STAT, TGF-β, PI3K/AKT, PPAR pathway, and their crosstalk. We focus on the role of CSCs in various therapeutic outcomes and resistance, including how the treatments affect the content of CSCs and the alteration of related molecules, CSCs-mediated therapeutic resistance, and the clinical value of targeting CSCs in patients with refractory, progressed or advanced tumors. In summary, CSCs affect therapeutic efficacy, and the treatment method of targeting CSCs is still difficult to determine. Clarifying regulatory mechanisms and targeting biomarkers of CSCs is currently the mainstream idea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjing Chu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Wentao Tian
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jiaoyang Ning
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yunqi Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Zhuofan Zhai
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Guilong Tanzhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410008, China.
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Thepthanee C, Ei ZZ, Benjakul S, Zou H, Petsri K, Innets B, Chanvorachote P. Shrimp Lipids Inhibit Migration, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, and Cancer Stem Cells via Akt/mTOR/c-Myc Pathway Suppression. Biomedicines 2024; 12:722. [PMID: 38672078 PMCID: PMC11048134 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040722] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Shrimp is a rich source of bioactive molecules that provide health benefits. However, the high cholesterol content in shrimp oil may pose a risk. We utilized the cholesterol elimination method to obtain cholesterol-free shrimp lipids (CLs) and investigated their anticancer potential, focusing on cancer stem cells (CSCs) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Our study focused on CSCs and EMT, as these factors are known to contribute to cancer metastasis. The results showed that treatment with CLs at doses ranging from 0 to 500 µg/mL significantly suppressed the cell migration ability of human lung cancer (H460 and H292) cells, indicating its potential to inhibit cancer metastasis. The CLs at such concentrations did not cause cytotoxicity to normal human keratinocytes. Additionally, CL treatment was found to significantly reduce the levels of Snail, Slug, and Vimentin, which are markers of EMT. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of CLs on CSC-like phenotypes and found that CLs could significantly suppress the formation of a three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheroid in lung cancer cells. Furthermore, CLs induced apoptosis in the CSC-rich population and significantly depleted the levels of CSC markers CD133, CD44, and Sox2. A mechanistic investigation demonstrated that exposing lung cancer cells to CLs downregulated the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR, as well as c-Myc expression. Based on these findings, we believe that CLs may have beneficial effects on health as they potentially suppress EMT and CSCs, as well as the cancer-potentiating pathway of Akt/mTOR/c-Myc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chorpaka Thepthanee
- Department of Food Science, School of Food Industry, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand;
| | - Zin Zin Ei
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (Z.Z.E.); (B.I.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Soottawat Benjakul
- International Center of Excellence in Seafood Science and Innovation, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkhla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand;
| | - Hongbin Zou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Korrakod Petsri
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand;
| | - Bhurichaya Innets
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (Z.Z.E.); (B.I.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Pithi Chanvorachote
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; (Z.Z.E.); (B.I.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Zhang S, Yang R, Ouyang Y, Shen Y, Hu L, Xu C. Cancer stem cells: a target for overcoming therapeutic resistance and relapse. Cancer Biol Med 2023; 20:j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0333. [PMID: 38164743 PMCID: PMC10845928 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0333] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cells in cancers that are thought to initiate tumorous transformation and promote metastasis, recurrence, and resistance to treatment. Growing evidence has revealed the existence of CSCs in various types of cancers and suggested that CSCs differentiate into diverse lineage cells that contribute to tumor progression. We may be able to overcome the limitations of cancer treatment with a comprehensive understanding of the biological features and mechanisms underlying therapeutic resistance in CSCs. This review provides an overview of the properties, biomarkers, and mechanisms of resistance shown by CSCs. Recent findings on metabolic features, especially fatty acid metabolism and ferroptosis in CSCs, are highlighted, along with promising targeting strategies. Targeting CSCs is a potential treatment plan to conquer cancer and prevent resistance and relapse in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Chengdu Wenjiang District People’s Hospital, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yujie Ouyang
- Acupuncture and Massage College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Oncology & Cancer Institute, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Lanlin Hu
- Department of Oncology & Cancer Institute, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Yu-Yue Pathology Scientific Research Center, Chongqing 400039, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
| | - Chuan Xu
- Department of Oncology & Cancer Institute, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Yu-Yue Pathology Scientific Research Center, Chongqing 400039, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
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Petsri K, Yokoya M, Racha S, Thongsom S, Thepthanee C, Innets B, Ei ZZ, Hotta D, Zou H, Chanvorachote P. Novel Synthetic Derivative of Renieramycin T Right-Half Analog Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Cancer Stem Cells via Targeting the Akt Signal in Lung Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065345. [PMID: 36982418 PMCID: PMC10049402 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Akt is a key regulatory protein of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and is responsible for cancer aggressiveness and metastasis. Targeting Akt is beneficial for the development of cancer drugs. renieramycin T (RT) has been reported to have Mcl-1 targeting activity, and the study of the structure-activity relationships (SARs) demonstrated that cyanide and the benzene ring are essential for its effects. In this study, novel derivatives of the RT right-half analog with cyanide and the modified ring were synthesized to further investigate the SARs for improving the anticancer effects of RT analogs and evaluate CSC-suppressing activity through Akt inhibition. Among the five derivatives, a compound with a substituted thiazole structure (DH_25) exerts the most potent anticancer activity in lung cancer cells. It has the ability to induce apoptosis, which is accompanied by an increase in PARP cleavage, a decrease in Bcl-2, and a diminishment of Mcl-1, suggesting that residual Mcl-1 inhibitory effects exist even after modifying the benzene ring to thiazole. Furthermore, DH_25 is found to induce CSC death, as well as a decrease in CSC marker CD133, CSC transcription factor Nanog, and CSC-related oncoprotein c-Myc. Notably, an upstream member of these proteins, Akt and p-Akt, are also downregulated, indicating that Akt can be a potential target of action. Computational molecular docking showing a high-affinity interaction between DH_25 and an Akt at the allosteric binding site supports that DH_25 can bind and inhibit Akt. This study has revealed a novel SAR and CSC inhibitory effect of DH_25 via Akt inhibition, which may encourage further development of RT compounds for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korrakod Petsri
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Masashi Yokoya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1, Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan
| | - Satapat Racha
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Interdisciplinary Program in Pharmacology, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Sunisa Thongsom
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Chorpaka Thepthanee
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Bhurichaya Innets
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Zin Zin Ei
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Daiki Hotta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1, Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan
| | - Hongbin Zou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Pithi Chanvorachote
- Center of Excellence in Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-2-2188-344
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Target Identification of 22-(4-Pyridinecarbonyl) Jorunnamycin A, a Tetrahydroisoquinoline Derivative from the Sponge Xestospongia sp., in Mediating Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cell Apoptosis. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27248948. [PMID: 36558080 PMCID: PMC9782168 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A dysregulation of the cell-death mechanism contributes to poor prognosis in lung cancer. New potent chemotherapeutic agents targeting apoptosis-deregulating molecules have been discovered. In this study, 22-(4-pyridinecarbonyl) jorunnamycin A (22-(4'py)-JA), a synthetic derivative of bistetrahydroisoquinolinequinone from the Thai blue sponge, was semisynthesized by the Steglich esterification method, and its pharmacological mechanism in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was elucidated by a network pharmacology approach. All predicted targets of 22-(4'py)-JA and genes related to NSCLC were retrieved from drug-target and gene databases. A total of 78 core targets were identified, and their associations were analyzed by STRING and Cytoscape. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that molecules in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling were potential targets of 22-(4'py)-JA in the induction of NSCLC apoptosis. In silico molecular docking analysis displayed a possible interaction of ERK1/2 and MEK1 with 22-(4'py)-JA. In vitro anticancer activity showed that 22-(4'py)-JA has strong cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects in H460, H292 and A549 NSCLC cells. Furthermore, immunoblotting confirmed that 22-(4'py)-JA induced apoptotic cell death in an ERK/MEK/Bcl-2-dependent manner. The present study demonstrated that 22-(4'py)-JA exhibited a potent anticancer effect that could be further developed for clinical application and showed that network pharmacology approaches are a powerful tool to illustrate the molecular pathways of new drugs or compounds.
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Cisplatin Induces Senescent Lung Cancer Cell-Mediated Stemness Induction via GRP78/Akt-Dependent Mechanism. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112703. [DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is linked with chemotherapy resistance. Based on previous studies, GRP78 is a signal transducer in senescent cells. However, the association between GRP78 and stem cell phenotype remains unknown. Cisplatin treatment was clarified to induce cellular senescence leading to stemness induction via GRP78/Akt signal transduction. H460 cells were treated with 5 μM of cisplatin for 6 days to develop senescence. The colony formation assay and cell cycle analysis were performed. SA-β-galactosidase staining indicated senescence. Western blot analysis and RT-PCR were operated. Immunoprecipitation (IP) and immunocytochemistry assays (ICC) were also performed. Colony-forming activity was completely inhibited, and 87.07% of the cell population was arrested in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. mRNA of p21 and p53 increased approximately by 15.91- and 19.32-fold, respectively. The protein level of p21 and p53 was elevated by 9.57- and 5.9-fold, respectively. In addition, the c-Myc protein level was decreased by 0.2-fold when compared with the non-treatment control. Even though, the total of GRP78 protein was downregulated after cisplatin treatment, but the MTJ1 and downstream regulator, p-Akt/Akt ratio were upregulated by approximately 3.38 and 1.44-fold, respectively. GRP78 and MTJ1 were found at the cell surface membrane. Results showed that the GRP78/MTJ1 complex and stemness markers, including CD44, CD133, Nanog, Oct4, and Sox2, were concomitantly increased in senescent cells. MTJ1 anchored GRP78, facilitating the signal transduction of stem-like phenotypes. The strategy that could interrupt the binding between these crucial proteins or inhibit the translocation of GRP78 might beuseful for cancer therapy.
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5-O-(N-Boc-l-Alanine)-Renieramycin T Induces Cancer Stem Cell Apoptosis via Targeting Akt Signaling. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20040235. [PMID: 35447911 PMCID: PMC9029977 DOI: 10.3390/md20040235] [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: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive aggressiveness and metastasis by utilizing stem cell-related signals. In this study, 5-O-(N-Boc-l-alanine)-renieramycin T (OBA-RT) was demonstrated to suppress CSC signals and induce apoptosis. OBA-RT exerted cytotoxic effects with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of approximately 7 µM and mediated apoptosis as detected by annexin V/propidium iodide using flow cytometry and nuclear staining assays. Mechanistically, OBA-RT exerted dual roles, activating p53-dependent apoptosis and concomitantly suppressing CSC signals. A p53-dependent pathway was indicated by the induction of p53 and the depletion of anti-apoptotic Myeloid leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) proteins. Cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (Cleaved-PARP) was detected in OBA-RT-treated cells. Interestingly, OBA-RT exerted strong CSC-suppressing activity, reducing the ability to form tumor spheroids. In addition, OBA-RT could induce apoptosis in CSC-rich populations and tumor spheroid collapse. CSC markers, including prominin-1 (CD133), Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4), and Nanog Homeobox (Nanog), were notably decreased after OBA-RT treatment. Upstream CSCs regulating active Akt and c-Myc were significantly decreased; indicating that Akt may be a potential target of action. Computational molecular modeling revealed a high-affinity interaction between OBA-RT and an Akt molecule. This study has revealed a novel CSC inhibitory effect of OBA-RT via Akt inhibition, which may improve cancer therapy.
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Arjmand B, Hamidpour SK, Alavi-Moghadam S, Yavari H, Shahbazbadr A, Tavirani MR, Gilany K, Larijani B. Molecular Docking as a Therapeutic Approach for Targeting Cancer Stem Cell Metabolic Processes. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:768556. [PMID: 35264950 PMCID: PMC8899123 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.768556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are subpopulation of cells which have been demonstrated in a variety of cancer models and involved in cancer initiation, progression, and development. Indeed, CSCs which seem to form a small percentage of tumor cells, display resembling characteristics to natural stem cells such as self-renewal, survival, differentiation, proliferation, and quiescence. Moreover, they have some characteristics that eventually can demonstrate the heterogeneity of cancer cells and tumor progression. On the other hand, another aspect of CSCs that has been recognized as a central concern facing cancer patients is resistance to mainstays of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation. Owing to these details and the stated stemness capabilities, these immature progenitors of cancerous cells can constantly persist after different therapies and cause tumor regrowth or metastasis. Further, in both normal development and malignancy, cellular metabolism and stemness are intricately linked and CSCs dominant metabolic phenotype changes across tumor entities, patients, and tumor subclones. Hence, CSCs can be determined as one of the factors that correlate to the failure of common therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment. In this context, researchers are searching out new alternative or complementary therapies such as targeted methods to fight against cancer. Molecular docking is one of the computational modeling methods that has a new promise in cancer cell targeting through drug designing and discovering programs. In a simple definition, molecular docking methods are used to determine the metabolic interaction between two molecules and find the best orientation of a ligand to its molecular target with minimal free energy in the formation of a stable complex. As a comprehensive approach, this computational drug design method can be thought more cost-effective and time-saving compare to other conventional methods in cancer treatment. In addition, increasing productivity and quality in pharmaceutical research can be another advantage of this molecular modeling method. Therefore, in recent years, it can be concluded that molecular docking can be considered as one of the novel strategies at the forefront of the cancer battle via targeting cancer stem cell metabolic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Arjmand
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Babak Arjmand, ; Bagher Larijani,
| | - Shayesteh Kokabi Hamidpour
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Alavi-Moghadam
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Yavari
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ainaz Shahbazbadr
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Kambiz Gilany
- Integrative Oncology Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bagher Larijani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Babak Arjmand, ; Bagher Larijani,
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Dai L, Wang C, Wang W, Song K, Ye T, Zhu J, Di W. Activation of SphK2 contributes to adipocyte-induced EOC cell proliferation. Open Med (Wars) 2022; 17:229-238. [PMID: 35178477 PMCID: PMC8812714 DOI: 10.1515/med-2022-0422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of deaths due to cancer in women. Adipocytes have been suggested to play a key role in the stimulation of EOC growth. However, the mechanisms underlying the adipocyte-induced EOC proliferation remain undefined. Here, we provide the first evidence that adipocytes induce the activation of sphingosine kinase (SphK) 2 in EOC, which represents a novel pathway that mediates the adipocyte-induced EOC growth. SphK2 inhibition in EOC cells led to a remarkable inhibition of the adipocyte-induced cell proliferation. Moreover, the adipocyte-induced SphK2 activation in EOC cells was extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK) dependent. Furthermore, silencing SphK2 in EOC significantly inhibited the adipocyte-induced expression of phospho-ERK and c-Myc, two crucial players in EOC growth. Collectively, the current study unraveled a previously unrecognized role of SphK2 in the adipocyte-induced growth-promoting action in EOC, suggesting a novel target for EOC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
- Department of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
- Department of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
- Department of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
| | - Keqi Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
- Department of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
| | - Taiyang Ye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
- Department of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
- Department of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
| | - Wen Di
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
- Department of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200127 , China
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