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Carreca AP, Tinnirello R, Miceli V, Galvano A, Gristina V, Incorvaia L, Pampalone M, Taverna S, Iannolo G. Extracellular Vesicles in Lung Cancer: Implementation in Diagnosis and Therapeutic Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1967. [PMID: 38893088 PMCID: PMC11171234 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16111967] [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: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer represents the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with around 1.8 million deaths in 2020. For this reason, there is an enormous interest in finding early diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic approaches, one of which is extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are nanoscale membranous particles that can carry proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), mediating various biological processes, especially in cell-cell communication. As such, they represent an interesting biomarker for diagnostic analysis that can be performed easily by liquid biopsy. Moreover, their growing dataset shows promising results as drug delivery cargo. The aim of our work is to summarize the recent advances in and possible implications of EVs for early diagnosis and innovative therapies for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosaria Tinnirello
- Department of Research, IRCCS ISMETT (Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), Via E. Tricomi 5, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (R.T.); (V.M.)
| | - Vitale Miceli
- Department of Research, IRCCS ISMETT (Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), Via E. Tricomi 5, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (R.T.); (V.M.)
| | - Antonio Galvano
- Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (A.G.); (V.G.); (L.I.)
| | - Valerio Gristina
- Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (A.G.); (V.G.); (L.I.)
| | - Lorena Incorvaia
- Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (A.G.); (V.G.); (L.I.)
| | | | - Simona Taverna
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Gioacchin Iannolo
- Department of Research, IRCCS ISMETT (Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione), Via E. Tricomi 5, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (R.T.); (V.M.)
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Wu M, Yuan H, Zou W, Xu S, Liu S, Gao Q, Guo Q, Han Y, An X. Circular RNAs: characteristics, functions, mechanisms, and potential applications in thyroid cancer. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:808-824. [PMID: 37864677 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03324-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is one of the most common endocrine malignancies, and its incidence has increased globally. Despite extensive research, the underlying molecular mechanisms of TC remain partially understood, warranting continued exploration of molecular markers for diagnostic and prognostic applications. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently garnered significant attention owing to their distinct roles in cancers. This review article introduced the classification and biological functions of circRNAs and summarized their potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers in TC. Further, the interplay of circRNAs with PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK/ERK, Notch, JAK/STAT, and AMPK pathways is elaborated upon. The article culminates with an examination of circRNA's role in drug resistance of TC and highlights the challenges in circRNA research in TC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Wu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Haibin Yuan
- Department of Health Management, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Zou
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujian Xu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingqun Guo
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Han
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xingguo An
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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Pedraz-Valdunciel C, Ito M, Giannoukakos S, Giménez-Capitán A, Molina-Vila MÁ, Rosell R. Brief Report: circRUNX1 as Potential Biomarker for Cancer Recurrence in EGFR Mutation-Positive Surgically Resected NSCLC. JTO Clin Res Rep 2023; 4:100604. [PMID: 38162176 PMCID: PMC10757026 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtocrr.2023.100604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction As recently evidenced by the ADAURA trial, most patients with stages IB to IIIA of resected EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma benefit from osimertinib as adjuvant therapy. Nevertheless, predictive markers of response and recurrence are still an unmet need for more than 10% of these patients. Some circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to play a role in tumor growth and proliferation. In this project, we studied circRNA expression levels in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lung tumor samples to explore their biomarker potential and develop a machine learning (ML)-based signature that could predict the benefit of adjuvant EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Methods Patients with surgically resected EGFR mutant-positive, stages I to IIIB NSCLC were recruited from February 2007 to December 2015. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples were retrospectively collected from those patients with a follow-up period of more than or equal to 36 months (N = 76). Clinicopathologic features were annotated. Total RNA was purified and quantified prior nCounter processing with our circRNA custom panel. Data analysis and ML were performed taking into consideration circRNA expression levels and recurrence-free survival (RFS). RFS was defined from the day of surgery to the day when recurrence was detected radiologically or the death owing to any cause. Results Of the 76 patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC included in the study, 34 relapsed within 3 years after resection. The median age of the relapsing cohort was 71.5 (range: 49-89) years. Most patients were nonsmokers (n = 21; 61.8%) and of female sex (n = 21; 61.8%). Most cases (n = 17; 50%) presented an exon 21 mutation, whereas 15 and four patients had an exon 19 and exon 18 mutation, respectively. Differential expression analysis revealed that circRUNX1, along with circFUT8 and circAASDH, was up-regulated in relapsing patients (p < 0.05 and >2 fold-change). A ML-based circRNA signature predictive of recurrence in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC, comprising circRUNX1, was developed. Our final model including selected 6-circRNA signature with random forest algorithm was able to classify relapsing patients with an accuracy of 83% and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.91.RFS was significantly shorter not only for the subgroup of patients with high versus low circRUNX1 expression but also for the group classified as recurrent by the ML circRNA signature when compared with those classified as nonrecurrent. Conclusions Our findings suggest that circRUNX1 and the presented ML-developed signature could be novel tools to predict the benefit of adjuvant EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors with regard to RFS in patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC. The training and validation phases of our ML signature will be conducted including bigger independent cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masaoki Ito
- Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Rafael Rosell
- Pangaea Oncology, Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Health Sciences Institute and Hospital (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
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Vergés C, Giménez-Capitán A, Ribas V, Salgado-Borges J, March de Ribot F, Mayo-de-Las-Casas C, Armiger-Borras N, Pedraz C, Molina-Vila MÁ. Gene expression signatures in conjunctival fornix aspirates of patients with dry eye disease associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction. A proof-of-concept study. Ocul Surf 2023; 30:42-50. [PMID: 37524297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the most common conditions in ophthalmic practice and the most frequent cause of evaporative dry eye disease (DED). However, the immune mechanisms leading to this pathology are not fully understood and the diagnostic tests available are limited. Here, we used the nCounter technology to analyze immune gene expression in DED-MGD that can be used for developing diagnostic signatures for DED. METHODS Conjunctival cell samples were obtained by aspiration from patients with DED-MGD (n = 27) and asymptomatic controls (n = 22). RNA was purified, converted to cDNA, preamplified and analyzed using the Gene Expression Human Immune V2 panel (NanoString), which includes 579 target and 15 housekeeping genes. A machine learning (ML) algorithm was applied to design a signature associated with DED-MGD. RESULTS Forty-five immune genes were found upregulated in DED-MGD vs. controls, involved in eight signaling pathways, IFN I/II, MHC class I/II, immunometabolism, B cell receptor, T Cell receptor, and T helper-17 (Th-17) differentiation. Additionally, statistically significant correlations were found between 31 genes and clinical characteristics of the disease such as lid margin or tear osmolarity (Pearson's r < 0.05). ML analysis using a recursive feature elimination (RFE) algorithm selected a 4-gene mRNA signature that discriminated DED-MGD from control samples with an area under the ROC curve (AUC ROC) of 0.86 and an accuracy of 77.5%. CONCLUSIONS Multiplexed mRNA analysis of conjunctival cells can be used to analyze immune gene expression patterns in patients with DED-MGD and to generate diagnostic signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Vergés
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Area Oftalmológica Avanzada, Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Ana Giménez-Capitán
- Pangaea Oncology, Laboratory of Oncology, Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Verónica Ribas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Area Oftalmológica Avanzada, Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Salgado-Borges
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Area Oftalmológica Avanzada, Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc March de Ribot
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Area Oftalmológica Avanzada, Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Noelia Armiger-Borras
- Pangaea Oncology, Laboratory of Oncology, Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Pedraz
- Pangaea Oncology, Laboratory of Oncology, Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
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Gylstorff S, Wilke V, Kraft D, Bertrand J, Pech M, Haag F, Relja B. Selective Internal Radiotherapy Alters the Profiles of Systemic Extracellular Vesicles in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12512. [PMID: 37569887 PMCID: PMC10419408 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512512] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing globally. Radioembolization (RE)/selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT) is a promising treatment for inoperable HCC. RE triggers an immune response, involving extracellular vesicles (EVs) which are crucial for cell communication and tumor development. This study explores EV immune profiles and origins in patients with inoperable HCC before and after SIRT/RE. Blood samples from 50 HCC-patients treated with SIRT/RE were collected before and after therapy to determine cytokines and isolate EVs using size exclusion chromatography. The dynamic range and EV quality required for detecting variations in surface markers were assessed. Thirty-seven EV surface markers were analyzed using flow cytometry and correlated with clinical parameters. Several immunological markers (CD4, CD2, CD40, CD45, CD49e, CD69, CD209-EVs) were present in the circulation of HCC patients. These markers positively correlated with therapy response and survival. Conversely, B cell CD20, endothelial cell CD146, platelet CD49e, and CD41b EV markers negatively correlated with 60-day survival. Elevated levels of IL-6 and IL-8 before therapy correlated negatively with patient survival, coinciding with a positive correlation with CD20-positive EVs. Plasma EVs from HCC patients exhibit immunological, cancer, and coagulation markers, including potential biomarkers (CD4, CD20, CD49e, CD146). These may enhance our understanding of cancer biology and facilitate SIRT therapy monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Severin Gylstorff
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Translational and Experimental Trauma Research, Department of Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Vanessa Wilke
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Kraft
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Bertrand
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Maciej Pech
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Florian Haag
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Borna Relja
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke-University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Translational and Experimental Trauma Research, Department of Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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Xu Y, Dong X, Qin C, Wang F, Cao W, Li J, Yu Y, Zhao L, Tan F, Chen W, Li N, He J. Metabolic biomarkers in lung cancer screening and early diagnosis (Review). Oncol Lett 2023; 25:265. [PMID: 37216157 PMCID: PMC10193366 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13851] [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: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Late diagnosis is one of the major contributing factors to the high mortality rate of lung cancer, which is now the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. At present, low-dose CT (LDCT) screening in the high-risk population, in which lung cancer incidence is higher than that of the low-risk population is the predominant diagnostic strategy. Although this has efficiently reduced lung cancer mortality in large randomized trials, LDCT screening has high false-positive rates, resulting in excessive subsequent follow-up procedures and radiation exposure. Complementation of LDCT examination with biofluid-based biomarkers has been documented to increase efficacy, and this type of preliminary screening can potentially reduce potential radioactive damage to low-risk populations and the burden of hospital resources. Several molecular signatures based on components of the biofluid metabolome that can possibly discriminate patients with lung cancer from healthy individuals have been proposed over the past two decades. In the present review, advancements in currently available technologies in metabolomics were reviewed, with particular focus on their possible application in lung cancer screening and early detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Xu
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Xuesi Dong
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Chao Qin
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Fei Wang
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Wei Cao
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Jiang Li
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Yiwen Yu
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Liang Zhao
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Fengwei Tan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Wanqing Chen
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Ni Li
- Office of Cancer Screening, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
| | - Jie He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, P.R. China
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Wang D, Li R, Jiang J, Qian H, Xu W. Exosomal circRNAs: Novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for gastrointestinal tumors. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 157:114053. [PMID: 36462315 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114053] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the high prevalence of gastrointestinal tumors, early diagnosis and treatment of these tumors is limited by the lack of effective and specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Exosomes carry active molecules to mediate cell-to-cell communication, especially in the tumor microenvironment, and are promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stably enriched in exosomes and show a unique circular structure, high stability, conservation, and tissue specificity. Exosomal circRNAs play important roles in regulating cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, metabolism, and the immune microenvironment of gastrointestinal tumors and exhibit great potential as tumor biomarkers and anti-tumor targets or tools. This review briefly introduces the characteristics and functions of circRNAs and exosomes, and systematically describes the biological roles and mechanisms of exosomal circRNAs in gastrointestinal tumors. This article also summarizes the detection methodology of exosomal circRNAs and discusses their clinical significance as biomarkers and targets for gastrointestinal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongli Wang
- Zhenjiang Key Laboratory of High Technology Research on Exosomes Foundation and Transformation Application, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, China
| | - Jiajia Jiang
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215600, China
| | - Hui Qian
- Zhenjiang Key Laboratory of High Technology Research on Exosomes Foundation and Transformation Application, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Wenrong Xu
- Zhenjiang Key Laboratory of High Technology Research on Exosomes Foundation and Transformation Application, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
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