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Li J, Zhu C, Zhang Z, Zheng X, Wang C, Zhang H. Paeoniflorin increases the anti-tumor efficacy of sorafenib in tumor-bearing mice with liver cancer via suppressing the NF-κb/PD-l1 axis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24461. [PMID: 38312647 PMCID: PMC10835185 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24461] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Sorafenib (Sor) represents a first-line therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, its efficacy is constrained by secondary failure, which limits its clinical use. Recent studies have indicated that the suppression of Programmed cell death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) may potentiate Sor's anti-liver cancer effects; furthermore, PD-L1 expression is known to be regulated by NF-κB. Previous research has demonstrated that paeoniflorin (PF) downregulates the NF-κB axis, nevertheless, current research has not yet determined whether PF can synergistically enhance the efficacy of Sor against HCC by modulating the NF-κB/PD-L1 pathway. Methods The study employed a H22 hepatoma-bearing mouse model, which was treated with PF, Sor, and their combination over a period of 12 days. The impact of PF and Sor on tumor growth, proliferation, apoptosis, T-cell subsets, IL-2 and IFN-γ production, and NF-κB and PD-L1 expression was assessed. Moreover, Splenic lymphocyte from normal mice and tumor cells from model mice were co-cultured in vitro, and the tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity was analyzed. In the final phase of the study, Huh-7 cells were stimulated with PF in combination with an NF-κB activator or inhibitor, and the subsequent production of NF-κB and PD-L1 was investigated. Results PF and Sor exhibit a synergistic anti-tumor effect, compared to the use of Sor alone, the combined use of PF and Sor significantly increased the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in tumor tissue, markedly enhanced the cytotoxic activity of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and reversed the depletion of interleukin-2 and the increase in PD-L1 expression following Sor intervention. This combination also further reduced the level of IFN-γ in peripheral blood and the expression of NF-κB and PD-L1 in tumor tissue. Additionally, in vitro experiments confirmed that PF reduces the expression of PD-L1 in Huh-7 liver cancer cells by inhibiting NF-κB. Conclusions PF plays a synergistic role of Sor inhibiting HCC progression by regulating the NF-κB/PD-L1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfei Li
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine and Cancer (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Chenghui Zhu
- Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, 241000, China
| | - Zengyu Zhang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China
| | - Xiaorong Zheng
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine and Cancer (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Chunlei Wang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine and Cancer (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Hongyan Zhang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine and Cancer (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
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2
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Hao L, Li S, Deng J, Li N, Yu F, Jiang Z, Zhang J, Shi X, Hu X. The current status and future of PD-L1 in liver cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1323581. [PMID: 38155974 PMCID: PMC10754529 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1323581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The application of immunotherapy in tumor, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has played an important role in the treatment of advanced unresectable liver cancer. However, the efficacy of ICIs varies greatly among different patients, which has aroused people's attention to the regulatory mechanism of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in the immune escape of liver cancer. PD-L1 is regulated by multiple levels and signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including gene variation, epigenetic inheritance, transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional regulation, and post-translational modification. More studies have also found that the high expression of PD-L1 may be the main factor affecting the immunotherapy of liver cancer. However, what is the difference of PD-L1 expressed by different types of cells in the microenvironment of HCC, and which type of cells expressed PD-L1 determines the effect of tumor immunotherapy remains unclear. Therefore, clarifying the regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 in liver cancer can provide more basis for liver cancer immunotherapy and combined immune treatment strategy. In addition to its well-known role in immune regulation, PD-L1 also plays a role in regulating cancer cell proliferation and promoting drug resistance of tumor cells, which will be reviewed in this paper. In addition, we also summarized the natural products and drugs that regulated the expression of PD-L1 in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Hao
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shenghao Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shijiazhuang Fifth Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jiali Deng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Na Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fei Yu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhi Jiang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junli Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Center of Experimental Management, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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3
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Han X, Sun Q, Xu M, Zhu G, Gao R, Ni B, Li J. Unraveling the Complexities of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Semin Liver Dis 2023; 43:383-401. [PMID: 37931901 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1776127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as effective therapeutics for multiple cancers. Nevertheless, as immunotherapeutic approaches are being extensively utilized, substantial hurdles have arisen for clinicians. These include countering ICIs resistance and ensuring precise efficacy assessments of these drugs, especially in the context of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This review attempts to offer a holistic overview of the latest insights into the ICIs resistance mechanisms in HCC, the molecular underpinnings, and immune response. The intent is to inspire the development of efficacious combination strategies. This review also examines the unconventional response patterns, namely pseudoprogression (PsP) and hyperprogression (HPD). The prompt and rigorous evaluation of these treatment efficacies has emerged as a crucial imperative. Multiple clinical, radiological, and biomarker tests have been advanced to meticulously assess tumor response. Despite progress, precise mechanisms of action and predictive biomarkers remain elusive. This necessitates further investigation through prospective cohort studies in the impending future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinpu Han
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianhui Sun
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Manman Xu
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghui Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruike Gao
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoyi Ni
- Department of Oncology, First Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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4
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Afra F, Mahboobipour AA, Salehi Farid A, Ala M. Recent progress in the immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: Non-coding RNA-based immunotherapy may improve the outcome. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115104. [PMID: 37393866 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most lethal cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) significantly improved the prognosis of HCC; however, the therapeutic response remains unsatisfactory in a substantial proportion of patients or needs to be further improved in responders. Herein, other methods of immunotherapy, including vaccine-based immunotherapy, adoptive cell therapy, cytokine delivery, kynurenine pathway inhibition, and gene delivery, have been adopted in clinical trials. Although the results were not encouraging enough to expedite their marketing. A major proportion of human genome is transcribed into non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Preclinical studies have extensively investigated the roles of ncRNAs in different aspects of HCC biology. HCC cells reprogram the expression pattern of numerous ncRNAs to decrease the immunogenicity of HCC, exhaust the cytotoxic and anti-cancer function of CD8 + T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and M1 macrophages, and promote the immunosuppressive function of T Reg cells, M2 macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Mechanistically, cancer cells recruit ncRNAs to interact with immune cells, thereby regulating the expression of immune checkpoints, functional receptors of immune cells, cytotoxic enzymes, and inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, prediction models based on the tissue expression or even serum levels of ncRNAs could predict response to immunotherapy in HCC. Moreover, ncRNAs markedly potentiated the efficacy of ICIs in murine models of HCC. This review article first discusses recent advances in the immunotherapy of HCC, then dissects the involvement and potential application of ncRNAs in the immunotherapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Afra
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Ali Mahboobipour
- Tracheal Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Salehi Farid
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Moein Ala
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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5
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Kwon M, Jung J, Park HS, Kim NH, Lee J, Park J, Kim Y, Shin S, Lee BS, Cheong YH, Youn HS, Kim SR, Park SA. Diesel exhaust particle exposure accelerates oxidative DNA damage and cytotoxicity in normal human bronchial epithelial cells through PD-L1. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120705. [PMID: 36410599 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) are a major cause of cancer progression as well as a variety of acute and chronic diseases. It is well-known that programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an immune checkpoint molecule that can induce immune escape in tumor cells. However, the function of PD-L1 in bronchial epithelial cells or how PD-L1 relates to cellular oxidation under DEPs-mediated oxidative stress is not well known. In this study, we investigated how PD-L1 affected DEPs-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells, Beas-2B. DEPs not only induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, but also increased PD-L1 expression in HBE cells. Beas-2B cells overexpressing PD-L1 showed higher levels of ROS production, DNA damage, and apoptosis after DEPs treatment compared to control cells. In particular, the expression of an antioxidant enzyme heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of Nrf2, a major regulator of HO-1, were lower in Beas-2B overexpressing PD-L1 cells than in control cells. DEPs-induced ROS generation, DNA damage and apoptosis in Beas-2B cells overexpressing PD-L1 were significantly restored by overexpressing HO-1. Collectively, our results suggest that DEPs can increase the expression of PD-L1 in HBE cells and that overexpressing PD-L1 might eventually promote DEPs-induced oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minji Kwon
- Department of ICT Environmental Health System, Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwoo Jung
- Department of ICT Environmental Health System, Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Sun Park
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Hui Kim
- Department of ICT Environmental Health System, Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwoo Lee
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Jayeon Park
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Youjin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokwon Shin
- Department of ICT Environmental Health System, Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Soo Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Konyang University Hospital and College of Medicine, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Hwang Cheong
- Drug Discovery Research Laboratories, Dong-A ST Co., Ltd., Yongin, 17073, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Sun Youn
- Department of ICT Environmental Health System, Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Roul Kim
- Department of ICT Environmental Health System, Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Sin-Aye Park
- Department of ICT Environmental Health System, Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Tao S, Liang S, Zeng T, Yin D. Epigenetic modification-related mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma resistance to immune checkpoint inhibition. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1043667. [PMID: 36685594 PMCID: PMC9845774 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1043667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitutes most primary liver cancers and is one of the most lethal and life-threatening malignancies globally. Unfortunately, a substantial proportion of HCC patients are identified at an advanced stage that is unavailable for curative surgery. Thus, palliative therapies represented by multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) sorafenib remained the front-line treatment over the past decades. Recently, the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), especially targeting the PD-1/PD-L1/CTLA-4 axis, has achieved an inspiring clinical breakthrough for treating unresectable solid tumors. However, many HCC patients with poor responses lead to limited benefits in clinical applications, which has quickly drawn researchers' attention to the regulatory mechanisms of immune checkpoints in HCC immune evasion. Evasion of immune surveillance by cancer is attributed to intricate reprogramming modulation in the tumor microenvironment. Currently, more and more studies have found that epigenetic modifications, such as chromatin structure remodeling, DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and non-coding RNA levels, may contribute significantly to remodeling the tumor microenvironment to avoid immune clearance, affecting the efficacy of immunotherapy for HCC. This review summarizes the rapidly emerging progress of epigenetic-related changes during HCC resistance to ICIs and discusses the mechanisms of underlying epigenetic therapies available for surmounting immune resistance. Finally, we summarize the clinical advances in combining epigenetic therapies with immunotherapy, aiming to promote the formation of immune combination therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwei Tao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shuhang Liang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Taofei Zeng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Dalong Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
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7
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Ghafouri-Fard S, Shoorei H, Hussen BM, Poornajaf Y, Taheri M, Sharifi G. Interplay between programmed death-ligand 1 and non-coding RNAs. Front Immunol 2022; 13:982902. [PMID: 36405753 PMCID: PMC9667550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.982902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a transmembrane protein with essential roles in the suppression of adaptive immune responses. As an immune checkpoint molecule, PD-L1 can be exploited by cancer cells to evade the anti-tumor attacks initiated by the immune system. Thus, blockade of the PD1/PD-L1 axis can eliminate the suppressive signals and release the antitumor immune responses. Identification of the underlying mechanisms of modulation of the activity of the PD1/PD-L1 axis would facilitate the design of more efficacious therapeutic options and better assignment of patients for each option. Recent studies have confirmed the interactions between miRNAs/lncRNAs/circ-RNAs and the PD1/PD-L1 axis. In the current review, we give a summary of interactions between these transcripts and PD-L1 in the context of cancer. We also overview the consequences of these interactions in the determination of the response of patients to anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Shoorei
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran,Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq,Center of Research and Strategic Studies, Lebanese French University, Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq
| | - Yadollah Poornajaf
- Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany,*Correspondence: Mohammad Taheri, ; Guive Sharifi,
| | - Guive Sharifi
- Skull Base Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,*Correspondence: Mohammad Taheri, ; Guive Sharifi,
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8
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Anticancer natural products targeting immune checkpoint protein network. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:1008-1032. [PMID: 34838956 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Normal cells express surface proteins that bind to immune checkpoint proteins on immune cells to turn them off, whereby the immune system does not attack normal healthy cells. Cancer cells can also utilize this same protective mechanism by expressing surface proteins that can interact with checkpoint proteins on immune cells to overcome the immune surveillance. Immunotherapy is making the best use of the body's own immune system to reinforce anti-tumor responses. The most generally used immunotherapy is the control of immune checkpoints including the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated molecule 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell deathreceptor 1 (PD-1), or programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1). In spite of the clinical effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors, the overall response rate still remains low. Therefore, there have been considerable efforts in searching for alternative immune checkpoint proteins that may work as new therapeutic targets for treatment of cancer. Recent studies have identified several additional novel immune checkpoint targets, including lymphocyte activation gene-3, T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3, T cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif domain, V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation, B7 homolog 3 protein, B and T cell lymphocyte attenuator, and inducible T cell COStimulator. Natural compounds, especially those present in medicinal or dietary plants, have been investigated for their anti-tumor effects in various in vitro and in vivo models. Some phytochemicals exert anti-tumor activities based on immunoregulatioby blocking interaction between proteins involved in immune checkpoint signal transduction or regulating their expression/activity. Recently, synergistic anti-cancer effects of diverse phytochemicals with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 or anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody drugs have been continuously reported. Considering an increasing attention to noteworthy therapeutic effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the cancer therapy, this review focuses on regulatory effects of selected phytochemicals on immune checkpoint protein network and their combinational effectiveness with immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting tumor cells.
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Tian X, Yan T, Liu F, Liu Q, Zhao J, Xiong H, Jiang S. Link of sorafenib resistance with the tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma: Mechanistic insights. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:991052. [PMID: 36071839 PMCID: PMC9441942 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.991052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor with antiangiogenic, antiproliferative, and proapoptotic properties, is the first-line treatment for patients with late-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the therapeutic effect remains limited due to sorafenib resistance. Only about 30% of HCC patients respond well to the treatment, and the resistance almost inevitably happens within 6 months. Thus, it is critical to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and identify effective approaches to improve the therapeutic outcome. According to recent studies, tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune escape play critical roles in tumor occurrence, metastasis and anti-cancer drug resistance. The relevant mechanisms were focusing on hypoxia, tumor-associated immune-suppressive cells, and immunosuppressive molecules. In this review, we focus on sorafenib resistance and its relationship with liver cancer immune microenvironment, highlighting the importance of breaking sorafenib resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinchen Tian
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tinghao Yan
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fen Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qingbin Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Huabao Xiong
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Basic Medical School, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Huabao Xiong, ; Shulong Jiang,
| | - Shulong Jiang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Huabao Xiong, ; Shulong Jiang,
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10
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Liu Z, Yu X, Xu L, Li Y, Zeng C. Current insight into the regulation of PD-L1 in cancer. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:44. [PMID: 35907881 PMCID: PMC9338491 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00297-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying cancer immune escape are a core topic in cancer immunology research. Cancer cells can escape T cell-mediated cellular cytotoxicity by exploiting the inhibitory programmed cell-death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1, CD274) immune checkpoint. Studying the PD-L1 regulatory pattern of tumor cells will help elucidate the molecular mechanisms of tumor immune evasion and improve cancer treatment. Recent studies have found that tumor cells regulate PD-L1 at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels and influence the anti-tumor immune response by regulating PD-L1. In this review, we focus on the regulation of PD-L1 in cancer cells and summarize the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuandi Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Xibao Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Ling Xu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China.
| | - Chengwu Zeng
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China.
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11
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El-Mahdy HA, Sallam AAM, Ismail A, Elkhawaga SY, Elrebehy MA, Doghish AS. miRNAs inspirations in hepatocellular carcinoma: Detrimental and favorable aspects of key performers. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 233:153886. [PMID: 35405621 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.153886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC initiation, progression, and therapy failure are all influenced by various variables, including microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are short non-coding RNA sequences that modulate target mRNA expression by deteriorating or repressing translation. miRNAs play an imperative role in HCC pathogenesis by triggering the induction of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their proliferation, while also delaying apoptosis, sustaining the cell cycle, and inspiring angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Additionally, miRNAs modulate crucial HCC-related molecular pathways such as the p53 pathway, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, VEGFR2, and PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway. Consequently, the goal of this review was to give an up-to-date overview of oncogenic and tumor suppressor (TS) miRNAs, as well as their potential significance in HCC pathogenesis and treatment responses, highlighting their underpinning molecular pathways in HCC initiation and progression. Similarly, the biological importance and clinical application of miRNAs in HCC are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesham A El-Mahdy
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Al-Aliaa M Sallam
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ismail
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Samy Y Elkhawaga
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A Elrebehy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt.
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Okikawa S, Morine Y, Saito Y, Yamada S, Tokuda K, Teraoku H, Miyazaki K, Yamashita S, Ikemoto T, Imura S, Shimada M. Inhibition of the VEGF signaling pathway attenuates tumor‑associated macrophage activity in liver cancer. Oncol Rep 2022; 47:71. [PMID: 35169858 PMCID: PMC8867251 DOI: 10.3892/or.2022.8282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophage (TAMs) are paramount for tumor progression and immune tolerance in the tumor microenvironment of various types of cancer, including liver cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition on TAM polarization and function during their interactions with macrophages and liver cancer cells. TAMs were induced by culturing M0 macrophages with cancer cell-conditioned medium. TAMs cultured with cancer cell-conditioned medium and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor were defined as modified TAMs, and the expression levels of TAM-associated markers and VEGF receptor 2 were evaluated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The effects of TAMs and modified TAMs on cancer cell proliferation and migration were investigated using conditioned medium. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) mRNA expression in modified TAMs and cancer cells cultured in modified TAM-conditioned medium (TAM-CM) for 48 h was examined using RT-qPCR. In order to investigate signaling pathways in macrophages, western blot analysis was performed. CD163 and CD206 and M2 macrophage marker expression was upregulated in TAMs and modified TAMs. Modified TAM-CM exhibited a decreased ability to promote cancer cell proliferation and migration in comparison with the use of TAM-CM. The VEGF concentration was significantly higher in the TAMs than in M0 macrophages; however, the modified TAMs displayed a significantly lower VEGF secretion than TAMs. PD-L1 expression was decreased in modified TAMs as compared with TAMs. Western blot analysis revealed that the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was significantly suppressed in the modified TAMs compared with TAMs. It was observed that TAMs cultured in a VEGF-depleted environment displayed lower secretion levels of cytokines involved in tumor progression and a decreased immune tolerance-inducing ability. On the whole, the results of the present study suggested that VEGF inhibition in TAMs may be a potential therapeutic target for liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohei Okikawa
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770‑8503, Japan
| | - Yuji Morine
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770‑8503, Japan
| | - Yu Saito
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770‑8503, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Yamada
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770‑8503, Japan
| | - Kazunori Tokuda
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770‑8503, Japan
| | - Hiroki Teraoku
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770‑8503, Japan
| | - Katsuki Miyazaki
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770‑8503, Japan
| | - Shoko Yamashita
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770‑8503, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ikemoto
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770‑8503, Japan
| | - Satoru Imura
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770‑8503, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Shimada
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima 770‑8503, Japan
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13
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c-Met up-regulates the expression of PD-L1 through MAPK/NF-κBp65 pathway. J Mol Med (Berl) 2022; 100:585-598. [PMID: 35122106 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02179-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Sorafenib acquired drug resistance during the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) reduces the efficacy of the drug. The immune escape effect induced by PD-L1 is largely associated with drug resistance of HCC. However, the regulated mechanism of PD-L1 is unclear. This research aimed to clarify the control mechanism of PD-L1. c-Met was found abnormally highly expressed in Huh-7SR with high PD-L1 expression. In addition, c-Met, as the upstream target molecule of PD-L1, promoted the proliferation and migration of HCC in vitro and in vivo. We also found that c-Met activated the MAPK signaling pathway and the downstream NF-κBp65 transcription factor, which interacts with the proximal region of the PD-L1 promoter to promote PD-L1 expression. In conclusion, c-Met regulates the transcription of PD-L1 through the MAPK/NF-κBp65 pathway, thereby promoting the progress of HCC. The role of c-Met and PD-L1 in HCC needs to be further studied, but it is a potential target for the treatment of HCC. KEY MESSAGES: In the study, it was found that c-Met is also abnormally highly expressed in Huh-7SR with high PD-L1 expression and can promote the development of HCC in vitro and in vivo. PD-L1 and c-Met expression levels are positively correlated. In the follow-up mechanism study, we found that c-Met activated the MAPK signaling pathway and subsequently activated the downstream NF-κBp65 transcription factor, which interacts with the proximal region of the PD-L1 promoter to promote PD-L1 expression. Our study found that c-Met regulates the transcription of PD-L1 through the MAPK/NF-κBp65 pathway, thereby promoting the progress of HCC.
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14
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Tan Y, Xu Q, Wu Z, Zhang W, Li B, Zhang B, Xu X, Zhang B, Yan K, Song J, Lv T, Yang J, Jiang L, Shi Y, Yang J, Yan L. Overexpression of PD-L1 is an Independent Predictor for Recurrence in HCC Patients Who Receive Sorafenib Treatment After Surgical Resection. Front Oncol 2022; 11:783335. [PMID: 35117990 PMCID: PMC8804345 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.783335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The predicting values of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1) were unclear in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who receive sorafenib treatment after curative hepatic resection. Methods We retrospectively enrolled HCC patients who received adjuvant sorafenib treatment after curative resection (N = 154), and patients had resection alone (N = 312). Immunohistochemistry was used to assess expression of PD-1 on tumor infiltration immune cells and PD-L1 on HCC cells. Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore association between clinicopathological factors and risk of tumor recurrence. Results No significant difference was detected in RFS (p = 0.542), or OS (p = 0.542) between the resection and sorafenib group and resection alone group. In the 154 patients who received adjuvant sorafenib, expression of PD-1 or PD-L1 was not significantly associated with long-term outcomes. However, in the 122 patients at high risk of postoperative recurrence who had adjuvant sorafenib treatment, characterized by maxim tumor size ≥5 cm, or the presence of macro- or micro-vascular invasion, patients with PD-L1 overexpression (≥3.0) had significantly worse RFS (p = 0.021), and overexpression of PD-L1 (HR: 1.88, 95%CI: 1.18–2.99, p = 0.008) was identified as an independent risk factor associated with unfavorable RFS. Conclusion Overexpression of PD-L1 serves as an independent predictor of recurrence in HCC patients at high risk of relapse who received adjuvant sorafenib treatment after curative resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Tan
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qing Xu
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhenru Wu
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bohan Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xi Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ke Yan
- West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiulin Song
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Lv
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yujun Shi
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Jiayin Yang, ; Yujun Shi,
| | - Jiayin Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Jiayin Yang, ; Yujun Shi,
| | - Lunan Yan
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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15
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Hu X, Zhu H, Shen Y, Zhang X, He X, Xu X. The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in the Sorafenib Resistance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:696705. [PMID: 34367979 PMCID: PMC8340683 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.696705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death. Sorafenib is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be a first-line chemotherapy agent for patients with advanced HCC. A portion of advanced HCC patients can benefit from the treatment with sorafenib, but many patients ultimately develop sorafenib resistance, leading to a poor prognosis. The molecular mechanisms of sorafenib resistance are sophisticated and indefinite. Notably, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which include long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are critically participated in the occurrence and progression of tumors. Moreover, growing evidence has suggested that ncRNAs are crucial regulators in the development of resistance to sorafenib. Herein, we integrally and systematically summarized the molecular mechanisms and vital role of ncRNAs impact sorafenib resistance of HCC, and ultimately explored the potential clinical administrations of ncRNAs as new prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyao Hu
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoqin He
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ximing Xu
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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16
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Khan P, Ebenezer NS, Siddiqui JA, Maurya SK, Lakshmanan I, Salgia R, Batra SK, Nasser MW. MicroRNA-1: Diverse role of a small player in multiple cancers. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 124:114-126. [PMID: 34034986 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The process of cancer initiation and development is a dynamic and complex mechanism involving multiple genetic and non-genetic variations. With the development of high throughput techniques like next-generation sequencing, the field of cancer biology extended beyond the protein-coding genes. It brought the functional role of noncoding RNAs into cancer-associated pathways. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one such class of noncoding RNAs regulating different cancer development aspects, including progression and metastasis. MicroRNA-1 (miR-1) is a highly conserved miRNA with a functional role in developing skeletal muscle precursor cells and cardiomyocytes and acts as a consistent tumor suppressor gene. In humans, two discrete genes, MIR-1-1 located on 20q13.333 and MIR-1-2 located on 18q11.2 loci encode for a single mature miR-1. Downregulation of miR-1 has been demonstrated in multiple cancers, including lung, breast, liver, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, medulloblastoma, and gastric cancer. A vast number of studies have shown that miR-1 affects the hallmarks of cancer like proliferation, invasion and metastasis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, chemosensitization, and immune modulation. The potential therapeutic applications of miR-1 in multiple cancer pathways provide a novel platform for developing anticancer therapies. This review focuses on the different antitumorigenic and therapeutic aspects of miR-1, including how it regulates tumor development and associated immunomodulatory functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvez Khan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Nivetha Sarah Ebenezer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Jawed Akhtar Siddiqui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Shailendra Kumar Maurya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Imayavaramban Lakshmanan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Surinder Kumar Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Mohd Wasim Nasser
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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Mondal P, Kaur B, Natesh J, Meeran SM. The emerging role of miRNA in the perturbation of tumor immune microenvironment in chemoresistance: Therapeutic implications. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 124:99-113. [PMID: 33865701 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chemoresistance is a major hindrance in cancer chemotherapies, a leading cause of tumor recurrence and cancer-related deaths. Cancer cells develop numerous strategies to elude immune attacks and are regulated by immunological factors. Cancer cells can alter the expression of several immune modulators to upregulate the activities of immune checkpoint pathways. Targeting the immune checkpoint inhibitors is a part of the cancer immunotherapy altered during carcinogenesis. These immune modulators have the capability to reprogram the tumor microenvironment, thereby change the efficacy of chemotherapeutics. In general, the sensitivity of drugs is reduced in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, resulting in chemoresistance and tumor relapse. The regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is well established in cancer initiation, progression, and therapy. Intriguingly, miRNA affects cancer immune surveillance and immune response by targeting immune checkpoint inhibitors in the tumor microenvironment. miRNAs alter the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, which modulates both innate and adaptive immune systems. Alteration of tumor immune microenvironment influences drug sensitivity towards cancer cells. Besides, the expression profile of immune-modulatory miRNAs can be used as a potential biomarker to predict the response and clinical outcomes in cancer immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Recent evidences have revealed that cancer-derived immune-modulatory miRNAs might be promising targets to counteract cancer immune escape, thereby increasing drug efficacy. In this review, we have compiled the role of miRNAs in overcoming the chemoresistance by modulating tumor microenvironment and discussed their preclinical and clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Mondal
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Bhavjot Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570020, India
| | - Jagadish Natesh
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Syed Musthapa Meeran
- Department of Biochemistry, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570020, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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