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Yi Y, Wu M, Zeng H, Hu W, Zhao C, Xiong M, Lv W, Deng P, Zhang Q, Wu Y. Tumor-Derived Exosomal Non-Coding RNAs: The Emerging Mechanisms and Potential Clinical Applications in Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:738945. [PMID: 34707990 PMCID: PMC8544822 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.738945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignancy and is ranking the leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. At present, BC is still an intricate challenge confronted with high invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and recurrence rate. Exosomes are membrane-enclosed extracellular vesicles with the lipid bilayer and recently have been confirmed as significant mediators of tumor cells to communicate with surrounding cells in the tumor microenvironment. As very important orchestrators, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are aberrantly expressed and participate in regulating gene expression in multiple human cancers, while the most reported ncRNAs within exosomes in BC are microRNAs (miRNAs), long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). Notably, ncRNAs containing exosomes are novel frontiers to shape malignant behaviors in recipient BC cells such as angiogenesis, immunoregulation, proliferation, and migration. It means that tumor-derived ncRNAs-containing exosomes are pluripotent carriers with intriguing and elaborate roles in BC progression via complex mechanisms. The ncRNAs in exosomes are usually excavated based on specific de-regulated expression verified by RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, and PCR experiments. Here, this article will elucidate the recent existing research on the functions and mechanisms of tumor-derived exosomal miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA in BC, especially in BC cell proliferation, metastasis, immunoregulation, and drug resistance. Moreover, these tumor-derived exosomal ncRNAs that existed in blood samples are proved to be excellent diagnostic biomarkers for improving diagnosis and prognosis. The in-depth understanding of tumor-derived exosomal ncRNAs in BC will provide further insights for elucidating the BC oncogenesis and progress and exploring novel therapeutic strategies for combating BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yi
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Zeng
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weijie Hu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chongru Zhao
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingchen Xiong
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenchang Lv
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Pei Deng
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiping Wu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Ortíz R, Quiñonero F, García-Pinel B, Fuel M, Mesas C, Cabeza L, Melguizo C, Prados J. Nanomedicine to Overcome Multidrug Resistance Mechanisms in Colon and Pancreatic Cancer: Recent Progress. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2058. [PMID: 33923200 PMCID: PMC8123136 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of drug resistance is one of the main causes of cancer treatment failure. This phenomenon occurs very frequently in different types of cancer, including colon and pancreatic cancers. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In recent years, nanomedicine has improved the delivery and efficacy of drugs, and has decreased their side effects. In addition, it has allowed to design drugs capable of avoiding certain resistance mechanisms of tumors. In this article, we review the main resistance mechanisms in colon and pancreatic cancers, along with the most relevant strategies offered by nanodrugs to overcome this obstacle. These strategies include the inhibition of efflux pumps, the use of specific targets, the development of nanomedicines affecting the environment of cancer-specific tissues, the modulation of DNA repair mechanisms or RNA (miRNA), and specific approaches to damage cancer stem cells, among others. This review aims to illustrate how advanced nanoformulations, including polymeric conjugates, micelles, dendrimers, liposomes, metallic and carbon-based nanoparticles, are allowing to overcome one of the main limitations in the treatment of colon and pancreatic cancers. The future development of nanomedicine opens new horizons for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Ortíz
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Quiñonero
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Beatriz García-Pinel
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Marco Fuel
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Mesas
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Laura Cabeza
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Consolación Melguizo
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Jose Prados
- Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain; (R.O.); (F.Q.); (B.G.-P.); (M.F.); (C.M.); (L.C.); (J.P.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto Biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18014 Granada, Spain
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Anticancer effects of miR-124 delivered by BM-MSC derived exosomes on cell proliferation, epithelial mesenchymal transition, and chemotherapy sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:19660-19676. [PMID: 33040049 PMCID: PMC7732307 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the roles of miR-124 in pancreatic tumor and potential vehicles. RESULTS The miR-124 expression levels decreased in pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues and cancer cell lines AsPC-1, PANC1, BxPC-3 and SW1990. Furthermore, the elevated expression of miR-124 in AsPC-1 and PANC1 via miR-124 mimic transfection-induced apoptosis, metastasis and epithelial mesenchymal transition was suppressed, and the EZH2 overexpression partly reversed the protective effects of miR-124 against pancreatic tumors. In addition, the expression of miR-124 was detected in exosomes extracted from miR-124-transfected BM-MSCs, and these exosomes delivered miR-124 into pancreatic cancer cells, and presented the anti-tumor effects in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION MiR-124-carried BM-MSC-derived exosomes have potential applications for the treatment of pancreatic tumors. METHODS The expression of miR-124 and EZH2 was determined in both pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines. miR-124 or EZH2 was overexpressed in AsPC-1 and PANC1 cells. Then, the effects on cell viability. apoptosis, invasion, migration and epithelial mesenchymal transition were evaluated. Afterwards, the roles of miR-124 on the expression and function of EZH2 in pancreatic tumors were determined by dual luciferase reporter assay. Subsequently, miR-124 was transfected to bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs), and the BM-MSCs derived exosomes were isolated and co-cultured with AsPC-1 and PANC1 cells, or injected into pancreatic cancer tumor-bearing mice.
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Li G, Qian L, Tang X, Chen Y, Zhao Z, Zhang C. Long non‑coding RNA growth arrest‑specific 5 (GAS5) acts as a tumor suppressor by promoting autophagy in breast cancer. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:2460-2468. [PMID: 32705220 PMCID: PMC7411390 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) is a known tumor suppressor which negatively regulates cell survival and malignancy in several cancer cell types. The present study aimed to establish the correlation between GAS5 and unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase (ULK)1/2, two key regulators of autophagy initiation in breast cancer (BC). To address this, expression levels of these genes were quantitively analyzed in BC clinical samples by performing reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. GAS5 was downregulated in BC clinical samples compared with adjacent samples and was positively correlated with ULK1/2. Detection methods including cell cycle analysis, annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry analysis, Transwell cell invasion assay, transfection and western blotting were used for BC cells. In MCF-7 cells, it was also observed that overexpression of GAS5 upregulated ULK1/2 protein levels without disturbing other autophagy initiation-associated proteins and inhibited cell proliferation, invasion and tumor formation. These effects were reversed by blocking autophagy with 3-methyladenine (3-MA). These results demonstrated that the suppressive effects of overexpressed GAS5 were mediated via autophagy induction, at least in part. Overexpression of GAS5 induced chemoresistance to cisplatin, which was not reversed by 3-MA-mediated inhibition of autophagy, indicating that GAS5 promotes chemosensitivity in an autophagy-independent manner. Collectively, these results indicated that GAS5 contributes to the pathogenesis of BC potentially by promoting autophagy. However, the mechanism by which GAS5 functions as a tumor suppressor in an autophagy-independent manner remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangping Li
- Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine and Oncology, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Lin Qian
- The Teaching Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqin Tang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Ziyi Zhao
- The Teaching Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Cuiwei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
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Lv Y, Huang S. Role of non-coding RNA in pancreatic cancer. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:3963-3973. [PMID: 31579086 PMCID: PMC6757267 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a malignant disease that develops rapidly and carries a poor prognosis. Currently, surgery is the only radical treatment. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are protein-free RNAs produced by genome transcription; they play important roles in regulating gene expression, participating in epigenetic modification, cell proliferation, differentiation and reproduction. ncRNAs also play key roles in the development of cancer; microRNA (miRNA) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) may lead the way to new treatments for pancreatic cancer. miRNAs are short-chain ncRNAs (19–24 nt) that inhibit the degradation of protein translation or their target gene mRNAs to regulate gene expression. lncRNAs contain >200 nt of ncRNA and play important regulatory roles in a number of malignant tumors, in terms of tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and distant metastasis. lncRNAs can be exploited for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer and have substantial prospects for clinical application. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanism of their regulation and function, as well as the significance of other ncRNAs, such as piwi-interacting RNA, in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer, are largely unknown. In this review, the structures of ncRNAs with various classifications, as well as the functions and important roles of ncRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghao Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
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Pinel C, Prainsack B, McKevitt C. Markers as mediators: A review and synthesis of epigenetics literature. BIOSOCIETIES 2019; 13:276-303. [PMID: 31105763 PMCID: PMC6520226 DOI: 10.1057/s41292-017-0068-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics, the study of the processes that control gene expression without a change in DNA sequence, highlights the importance of environmental factors in gene regulation. This paper maps the terrain of epigenetics and identifies four main research subfields: gene expression; molecular epigenetics; clinical epigenetics and epigenetic epidemiology. Within and across these fields, we analyse of what is conceptualised as environment and demonstrate the variable ways authors understand epigenetics environments. Then, following an analysis of the discursive strategies employed by epigenetics researchers, we demonstrate how authors portray the interactions between genes, epigenetics, and environment as relationships linking the outside (where the environment is located) with the inside (where the genes are located). We argue that authors assign specific roles to each actor: the environment as the active player initiating the relationship, the genes as recipients, and epigenetics as mediators between environment and genes. Framed as mediators, epigenetic markers can be understood as enablers of communication between environment and genome, capable of processing and organising signals so as to regulate the interactions between the actors of epigenetic relationships. This finding complicates the observation by social science scholars that the interactions between environment and genes can be understood through the concept of signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Pinel
- School of Population Sciences and Health Services Research, King’s College London, UK
| | - Barbara Prainsack
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Austria
- Department of Global Health & Social Medicine, King’s College London, UK
| | - Christopher McKevitt
- School of Population Sciences and Health Services Research, King’s College London, UK
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Sun Y, Wang P, Yang W, Shan Y, Zhang Q, Wu H. The role of lncRNA MSC-AS1/miR-29b-3p axis-mediated CDK14 modulation in pancreatic cancer proliferation and Gemcitabine-induced apoptosis. Cancer Biol Ther 2019; 20:729-739. [PMID: 30915884 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2018.1529121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related death due to the failure of traditional therapies. In the present study, we attempted to construct a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network which may modulate PDAC cell proliferation and Gemcitabine-induced cell apoptosis starting from CDK14, a new member of the CDK family and an oncogene in many cancers. Based on TCGA data, a significant positive correlation was observed between lncRNA MSC-AS1 and CDK14. Moreover, MSC-AS1 expression was upregulated in PDAC tissues. Higher MSC-AS1 expression was correlated with poorer prognosis in patients with PDAC. MSC-AS1 knockdown in Panc-1 and BxPC-3 cells significantly inhibited the cell proliferation. Moreover, miR-29b-3p, which has been reported to act as a tumor suppressor, was predicted to bind to both MSC-AS1 and CDK14. Contrary to MSC-AS1, higher miR-29b-3p expression was correlated to better prognosis in patients with PDAC. In both PDAC cell lines, miR-29b-3p negatively regulated MSC-AS1 and CDK14. As confirmed using luciferase reporter gene and RIP assays, MSC-AS1 served as a ceRNA for miR-29b-3p to counteract miR-29b-mediated CDK14 repression. MSC-AS1 knockdown inhibited CDK14 protein levels and PDAC proliferation and enhanced gemcitabine-induced cell death and apoptosis while miR-29b-3p inhibition exerted an opposing effect; the effect of MSC-AS1 knockdown was partially attenuated by miR-29b-3p inhibition. Taken together, we demonstrated that MSC-AS1/miR-29b-3p axis modulates the cell proliferation and GEM-induced cell apoptosis in PDAC cell lines through CDK14. We provided a novel experimental basis for PDAC treatment from the perspective of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunpeng Sun
- a Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery , The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- b Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery , The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , China
| | - Wenjun Yang
- a Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery , The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , China
| | - Yunfeng Shan
- a Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery , The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , China
| | - Qiyu Zhang
- a Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery , The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , China
| | - Huanhuan Wu
- c Department of Post-anesthetic ICU , The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , China
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Makler A, Narayanan R. Mining Exosomal Genes for Pancreatic Cancer Targets. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2017; 14:161-172. [PMID: 28446531 PMCID: PMC5420817 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exosomes, cell-derived vesicles encompassing lipids, DNA, proteins coding genes and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are present in diverse body fluids. They offer novel biomarker and drug therapy potential for diverse diseases, including cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using gene ontology, exosomal genes database and GeneCards metadata analysis tools, a database of cancer-associated protein coding genes and ncRNAs (n=2,777) was established. Variant analysis, expression profiling and pathway mapping were used to identify putative pancreatic cancer exosomal gene candidates. RESULTS Five hundred and seventy-five protein-coding genes, 26 RNA genes and one pseudogene directly associated with pancreatic cancer were identified in the study. Nine open reading frames (ORFs) encompassing enzymes, apoptosis and transcriptional regulators, and secreted factors and five cDNAs (enzymes) emerged from the analysis. Among the ncRNA class, 26 microRNAs (miRs), one pseudogene, one long noncoding RNA (LNC) and one antisense gene were identified. Furthermore, 22 exosome-associated protein-coding targets (a cytokine, enzymes, membrane glycoproteins, receptors, and a transporter) emerged as putative leads for pancreatic cancer therapy. Seven of these protein-coding targets are FDA-approved and the drugs-based on these could provide repurposing opportunities for pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION The database of exosomal genes established in this study provides a framework for developing novel biomarkers and drug therapy targets for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Makler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, U.S.A
| | - Ramaswamy Narayanan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, U.S.A.
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Khan MAA, Azim S, Zubair H, Bhardwaj A, Patel GK, Khushman M, Singh S, Singh AP. Molecular Drivers of Pancreatic Cancer Pathogenesis: Looking Inward to Move Forward. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18040779. [PMID: 28383487 PMCID: PMC5412363 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) continues to rank among the most lethal cancers. The consistent increase in incidence and mortality has made it the seventh leading cause of cancer-associated deaths globally and the third in the United States. The biggest challenge in combating PC is our insufficient understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) underlying its complex biology. Studies during the last several years have helped identify several putative factors and events, both genetic and epigenetic, as well as some deregulated signaling pathways, with implications in PC onset and progression. In this review article, we make an effort to summarize our current understanding of molecular and cellular events involved in the pathogenesis of pancreatic malignancy. Specifically, we provide up-to-date information on the genetic and epigenetic changes that occur during the initiation and progression of PC and their functional involvement in the pathogenic processes. We also discuss the impact of the tumor microenvironment on the molecular landscape of PC and its role in aggressive disease progression. It is envisioned that a better understanding of these molecular factors and the mechanisms of their actions can help unravel novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and can also be exploited for future targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Aslam Aslam Khan
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA.
| | - Shafquat Azim
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA.
| | - Haseeb Zubair
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA.
| | - Arun Bhardwaj
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA.
| | - Girijesh Kumar Patel
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA.
| | - Moh'd Khushman
- Departments of Interdisciplinary Clinical Oncology, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA.
| | - Seema Singh
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA.
| | - Ajay Pratap Singh
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36604, USA.
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Iguchi E, Safgren SL, Marks DL, Olson RL, Fernandez-Zapico ME. Pancreatic Cancer, A Mis-interpreter of the Epigenetic Language. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2016; 89:575-590. [PMID: 28018146 PMCID: PMC5168833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer mortality in the U.S. with close to 40,000 deaths per year. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents approximately 90 percent of all pancreatic cancer cases and is the most lethal form of the disease. Current therapies for PDAC are ineffective and most patients cannot be treated by surgical resection. Most research efforts have primarily focused on how genetic alterations cause, alter progression, contribute to diagnosis, and influence PDAC management. Over the past two decades, a model has been advanced of PDAC initiation and progression as a multi-step process driven by the acquisition of mutations leading to loss of tumor suppressors and activation of oncogenes. The recognition of the essential roles of these genetic alterations in the development of PDAC has revolutionized our knowledge of this disease. However, none of these findings have turned into effective treatment for this dismal malignancy. In recent years, studies in the areas of chromatin modifications, and non-coding RNAs have uncovered mechanisms for regulating gene expression which occur independently of genetic alterations. Chromatin-based mechanisms are interwoven with microRNA-driven regulation of protein translation to create an integrated epigenetic language, which is grossly dysregulated in PDAC. Thus in PDAC, key tumor suppressors that are well established to play a role in PDAC may be repressed, and oncogenes can be upregulated secondary to epigenetic alterations. Unlike mutations, epigenetic changes are potentially reversible. Given this feature of epigenetic mechanisms, it is conceivable that targeting epigenetic-based events promoting and maintaining PDAC could serve as foundation for the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriko Iguchi
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - David L. Marks
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Rachel L. Olson
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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