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Ghiandai V, Grassi ES, Gazzano G, Fugazzola L, Persani L. Characterization of EpCAM in thyroid cancer biology by three-dimensional spheroids in vitro model. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:196. [PMID: 38835027 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03378-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy. Nowadays, undifferentiated thyroid cancers (UTCs) are still lethal, mostly due to the insurgence of therapy resistance and disease relapse. These events are believed to be caused by a subpopulation of cancer cells with stem-like phenotype and specific tumor-initiating abilities, known as tumor-initiating cells (TICs). A comprehensive understanding of how to isolate and target these cells is necessary. Here we provide insights into the role that the protein Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM), a known TICs marker for other solid tumors, may have in TC biology, thus considering EpCAM a potential marker of thyroid TICs in UTCs. METHODS The characterization of EpCAM was accomplished through Western Blot and Immunofluorescence on patient-derived tissue samples, adherent cell cultures, and 3D sphere cultures of poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) cell lines. The frequency of tumor cells with putative tumor-initiating ability within the 3D cultures was assessed through extreme limiting dilution analysis (ELDA). EpCAM proteolytic cleavages were studied through treatments with different cleavages' inhibitors. To evaluate the involvement of EpCAM in inducing drug resistance, Vemurafenib (PLX-4032) treatments were assessed through MTT assay. RESULTS Variable EpCAM expression pattern was observed in TC tissue samples, with increased cleavage in the more UTC. We demonstrated that EpCAM is subjected to an intense cleavage process in ATC-derived 3D tumor spheres and that the 3D model faithfully mimics what was observed in patient's samples. We also proved that the integrity of the protein appears to be crucial for the generation of 3D spheres, and its expression and cleavage in a 3D system could contribute to drug resistance in thyroid TICs. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide novel information on the role of EpCAM expression and cleavage in the biology of thyroid TICs, and our 3D model reflects the variability of EpCAM cleavage observed in tissue samples. EpCAM evaluation could play a role in clinical decisions regarding patient therapy since its expression and cleavage may have a fundamental role in the switch to a drug-resistant phenotype of UTC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Ghiandai
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Stellaria Grassi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Gazzano
- Pathology Unit, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Fugazzola
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Persani
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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Dittmer J. Nuclear Mechanisms Involved in Endocrine Resistance. Front Oncol 2021; 11:736597. [PMID: 34604071 PMCID: PMC8480308 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.736597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine therapy is a standard treatment offered to patients with ERα (estrogen receptor α)-positive breast cancer. In endocrine therapy, ERα is either directly targeted by anti-estrogens or indirectly by aromatase inhibitors which cause estrogen deficiency. Resistance to these drugs (endocrine resistance) compromises the efficiency of this treatment and requires additional measures. Endocrine resistance is often caused by deregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and/or cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 activities allowing inhibitors of these factors to be used clinically to counteract endocrine resistance. The nuclear mechanisms involved in endocrine resistance are beginning to emerge. Exploring these mechanisms may reveal additional druggable targets, which could help to further improve patients' outcome in an endocrine resistance setting. This review intends to summarize our current knowledge on the nuclear mechanisms linked to endocrine resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Dittmer
- Clinic for Gynecology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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HER3-Receptor-Mediated STAT3 Activation Plays a Central Role in Adaptive Resistance toward Vemurafenib in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123761. [PMID: 33327495 PMCID: PMC7764938 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The major obstacle for the long-term success of targeted therapies in melanoma is the occurrence of resistance. Here, we present a new mechanism of targeted therapy resistance in melanoma where the treatment with the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib causes an increased activation of HER3 via shed ligands. This is followed by an activation of STAT3 via HER3 and results in the expression of the STAT3 target gene SOX2. Pharmacological inhibition of HERs sensitizes melanoma cells toward vemurafenib treatment. Thus, blocking HER family members and especially HER3 in addition to targeted therapy treatment might prevent the occurrence of resistance. Abstract Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer that is often characterized by activating mutations in the Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) kinase pathway, causing hyperproliferation of the cancer cells. Thus, inhibitors targeting this pathway were developed. These inhibitors are initially very effective, but the occurrence of resistance eventually leads to a failure of the therapy and is the major obstacle for clinical success. Therefore, investigating the mechanisms causing resistance and discovering ways to overcome them is essential for the success of therapy. Here, we observed that treatment of melanoma cells with the B-Raf Proto-Oncogene, Serine/Threonine Kinase (BRAF) inhibitor vemurafenib caused an increased cell surface expression and activation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) by shed ligands. HER3 promoted the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) resulting in upregulation of the STAT3 target gene SRY-Box Transcription Factor 2 (SOX2) and survival of the cancer cells. Pharmacological blocking of HER led to a diminished STAT3 activation and increased sensitivity toward vemurafenib. Moreover, HER blocking sensitized vemurafenib-resistant cells to drug treatment. We conclude that the inhibition of the STAT3 upstream regulator HER might help to overcome melanoma therapy resistance toward targeted therapies.
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Xu G, Ou L, Liu Y, Wang X, Liu K, Li J, Li J, Wang S, Huang D, Zheng K, Wang S. Upregulated expression of MMP family genes is associated with poor survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via regulation of proliferation and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition. Oncol Rep 2020; 44:29-42. [PMID: 32627007 PMCID: PMC7251684 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the cleavage of several components of the extracellular matrix and serve important roles in tumor growth, metastasis and invasion. Previous studies have focused on the expression of one or several MMPs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); however, in the present study, the transcriptomics of all 23 MMPs were systematically investigated with a focus on the prognostic value of the combination of MMPs. In this study, 8 overlapping differentially expressed genes of the MMP family were identified based on data obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas. The prognostic value of these MMPs were investigated; the receiver operating characteristic curves, survival curves and nomograms showed that the combination of 6 selected MMPs possessed a good predictive ability, which was more accurate than the prediction model based on Tumor‑Node‑Metastasis stage. Gene set enrichment analysis and gene co‑expression analysis were performed to investigate the potential mechanism of action of MMPs in ESCC. The MMP family was associated with several signaling pathways, such as epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT), Notch, TGF‑β, mTOR and P53. Cell Counting Kit‑8, colony formation, wound healing assays and western blotting were used to determine the effect of BB‑94, a pan‑MMP inhibitor, on proliferation and migration of ESCC cells. BB‑94 treatment decreased ESCC cell growth, migration and EMT. Therefore, MMPs may serve both as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of ESCC, and MMP inhibition may be a promising preventive and therapeutic strategy for patients with ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guifeng Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, P.R. China
| | - Ling Ou
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Clinical Medical College (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, P.R. China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Clinical Medical College (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Clinical Medical College (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, P.R. China
| | - Kaisheng Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Clinical Medical College (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, P.R. China
| | - Jieling Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, P.R. China
| | - Junjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, P.R. China
| | - Shaoqi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Hubei Provincial Corps Hospital, Chinese People Armed Police Forces, Wuhan, Hubei 430061, P.R. China
| | - Dane Huang
- Guangdong Province Engineering Technology Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510095, P.R. China
| | - Kai Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, P.R. China
| | - Shaoxiang Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, P.R. China
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Yu X, Shi J, Wang X, Zhang F. Propofol affects the growth and metastasis of pancreatic cancer via ADAM8. Pharmacol Rep 2019; 72:418-426. [PMID: 32048249 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-019-00015-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anesthesia is a major component of surgery and recently considered an important regulator of cell phenotypes. Here we aimed to investigate propofol, an anesthesia drug, in suppressing pancreatic cancer (PDAC), focusing on A disintegrin and metalloprotease 8, (ADAM8) as a molecular mediator. METHODS Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were used to assess the change of ADAM8 expression in Panc1 PDAC cells treated with 5 or 10 μg/mL propofol, using cells treated with BB-94 inhibitor as controls. ADAM8 activity was measured through quantifying fluorescence release induced by PEPDAB013 decomposition. MTT assay, scratch wound assay and Matrigel invasion assay were used to investigate the proliferation, migration and invasion of the cells. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis were used to quantify integrin β1, ERK1/2, MMP2 and MMP9 expression. RESULTS Propofol and BB-94 reduced ADAM8 expression, cell proliferation and migration of Panc1 cells. Tumor growth was inhibited by propofol and BB-94, concomitant with downregulation of integrin β1, ERK1/2, MMP2 and MMP9. ADAM8 is downregulated by propofol, leading to inhibition of pancreatic cancer proliferation and migration. CONCLUSION Pancreatic tumor growth is also inhibited by propofol and BB-94, which is attributed to suppression of ERK/MMPs signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangdi Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550003, China.
| | - Jinshan Shi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550003, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550003, China
| | - Fangxiang Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550003, China
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Mota JM, Collier KA, Barros Costa RL, Taxter T, Kalyan A, Leite CA, Chae YK, Giles FJ, Carneiro BA. A comprehensive review of heregulins, HER3, and HER4 as potential therapeutic targets in cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:89284-89306. [PMID: 29179520 PMCID: PMC5687690 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Heregulins (HRGs) bind to the receptors HER3 or HER4, induce receptor dimerization, and trigger downstream signaling that leads to tumor progression and resistance to targeted therapies. Increased expression of HRGs has been associated with worse clinical prognosis; therefore, attempts to block HRG-dependent tumor growth have been pursued. This manuscript summarizes the function and signaling of HRGs and review the preclinical evidence of its involvement in carcinogenesis, prognosis, and treatment resistance in several malignancies such as colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. Agents in preclinical development and clinical trials of novel therapeutics targeting HRG-dependent signaling are also discussed, including anti-HER3 and -HER4 antibodies, anti-metalloproteinase agents, and HRG fusion proteins. Although several trials have indicated an acceptable safety profile, translating preclinical findings into clinical practice remains a challenge in this field, possibly due to the complexity of downstream signaling and patterns of HRG, HER3 and HER4 expression in different cancer subtypes. Improving patient selection through biomarkers and understanding the resistance mechanisms may translate into significant clinical benefits in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Mauricio Mota
- Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Division of Oncology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katharine Ann Collier
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ricardo Lima Barros Costa
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Timothy Taxter
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Aparna Kalyan
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Caio A. Leite
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Young Kwang Chae
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Francis J. Giles
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Benedito A. Carneiro
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Synthesis of novel forskolin isoxazole derivatives with potent anti-cancer activity against breast cancer cell lines. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:4314-4318. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2017] [Revised: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Liu P, Sun M, Jiang W, Zhao J, Liang C, Zhang H. Identification of targets of miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 in fulvestrant-resistant breast cancer. Oncol Lett 2016; 12:3882-3888. [PMID: 27895744 PMCID: PMC5104194 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.5180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) regulated by microRNA (miRNA)-221 and miRNA-222 that are associated with the resistance of breast cancer to fulvestrant. The GSE19777 transcription profile was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and includes data from three samples of antisense miRNA-221-transfected fulvestrant-resistant MCF7-FR breast cancer cells, three samples of antisense miRNA-222-transfected fulvestrant-resistant MCF7-FR cells and three samples of control inhibitor (green fluorescent protein)-treated fulvestrant-resistant MCF7-FR cells. The linear models for microarray data package in R/Bioconductor was employed to screen for DEGs in the miRNA-transfected cells, and the pheatmap package in R was used to perform two-way clustering. Pathway enrichment was conducted using the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis tool. Furthermore, a miRNA-messenger (m) RNA regulatory network depicting interactions between miRNA-targeted upregulated DEGs was constructed and visualized using Cytoscape. In total, 492 and 404 DEGs were identified for the antisense miRNA-221-transfected MCF7-FR cells and the antisense miRNA-222-transfected MCF7-FR cells, respectively. Genes of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) were significantly enriched in the antisense miRNA-221-transfected MCF7-FR cells. In addition, components of the Wnt signaling pathway and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) were significantly enriched in the antisense miRNA-222-transfected MCF7-FR cells. In the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network, miRNA-222 was demonstrated to target protocadherin 10 (PCDH10). The results of the present study suggested that the PPP and Wnt signaling pathways, as well as CAMs and PCDH10, may be associated with the resistance of breast cancer to fulvestrant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Liu
- Department of Lymphoma, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, P.R. China; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sino-US Center of Lymphoma and Leukemia, Tianjin 300060, P.R. China
| | - Manna Sun
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Heibei University of Technology, Tianjin 300322, P.R. China
| | - Wenhua Jiang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, P.R. China
| | - Jinkun Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, P.R. China
| | - Chunyong Liang
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Heibei University of Technology, Tianjin 300322, P.R. China
| | - Huilai Zhang
- Department of Lymphoma, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, P.R. China; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sino-US Center of Lymphoma and Leukemia, Tianjin 300060, P.R. China
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