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Zhang Q, Liu J, Lin H, Lin B, Zhu M, Li M. Glucose metabolism reprogramming promotes immune escape of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:519-536. [PMID: 37455832 PMCID: PMC10344893 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex process that plays an important role in its progression. Abnormal glucose metabolism in HCC cells can meet the nutrients required for the occurrence and development of liver cancer, better adapt to changes in the surrounding microenvironment, and escape the attack of the immune system on the tumor. There is a close relationship between reprogramming of glucose metabolism and immune escape. This article reviews the current status and progress of glucose metabolism reprogramming in promoting immune escape in liver cancer, aiming to provide new strategies for clinical immunotherapy of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyue Zhang
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 571199, Hainan Province, China
| | - Jinchen Liu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 571199, Hainan Province, China
| | - Haifeng Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 570216, Hainan Province, China
| | - Bo Lin
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 571199, Hainan Province, China
| | - Mingyue Zhu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 571199, Hainan Province, China
| | - Mengsen Li
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 571199, Hainan Province, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 570216, Hainan Province, China
- Institution of Tumor, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 570102, Hainan Province, China
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Shin Y, Jung W, Kim MY, Shin D, Kim GH, Kim CH, Park SH, Cho EH, Choi DW, Han CJ, Lee KH, Kim SB, Shin HJ. NPFFR2 Contributes to the Malignancy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development by Activating RhoA/YAP Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235850. [PMID: 36497331 PMCID: PMC9737590 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235850] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a diverse family of cell surface receptors implicated in various physiological functions, making them common targets for approved drugs. Many GPCRs are abnormally activated in cancers and have emerged as therapeutic targets for cancer. Neuropeptide FF receptor 2 (NPFFR2) is a GPCR that helps regulate pain and modulates the opioid system; however, its function remains unknown in cancers. Here, we found that NPFFR2 is significantly up-regulated in liver cancer and its expression is related to poor prognosis. Silencing of NPFFR2 reduced the malignancy of liver cancer cells by decreasing cell survival, invasion, and migration, while its overexpression increased invasion, migration, and anchorage-independent cell growth. Moreover, we found that the malignant function of NPFFR2 depends on RhoA and YAP signaling. Inhibition of Rho kinase activity completely restored the phenotypes induced by NPFFR2, and RhoA/F-Actin/YAP signaling was controlled by NPFFR2. These findings demonstrate that NPFFR2 may be a potential target for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuna Shin
- Team of Radiation Convergence Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
- Radiological and Medico-Oncological Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonhee Jung
- Team of Radiation Convergence Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Yeon Kim
- Team of Radiation Convergence Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongjo Shin
- Radiological and Medico-Oncological Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
- Division of Radiation Biomedical, Research Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 1812, Republic of Korea
| | - Geun Hee Kim
- Team of Radiation Convergence Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
- Radiological and Medico-Oncological Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Chun Ho Kim
- Team of Radiation Convergence Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Hoo Park
- Department of Pathology, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Eung-Ho Cho
- Department of Surgery, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Choi
- Department of Surgery, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul Ju Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Kee Ho Lee
- Team of Radiation Convergence Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Bum Kim
- Department of Surgery, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (S.-B.K.); (H.J.S.)
| | - Hyun Jin Shin
- Team of Radiation Convergence Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul 01812, Republic of Korea
- Radiological and Medico-Oncological Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (S.-B.K.); (H.J.S.)
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Increased Expression of NXPH4 Correlates with Immune Cell Infiltration and Unfavorable Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:5005747. [PMID: 36245978 PMCID: PMC9560829 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5005747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading malignant carcinomas. Despite the advancement in the treatment for HCC, such as precise hepatectomy, radiotherapy, transarterial therapies, chemotherapy, targeted treatments, and immunotherapy, the 5-year overall survival rate of HCC is extremely low. Hence, novel biomarkers are urgently needed for advancing the therapy and prognosis of HCC. Neurexophilin 4 (NXPH4) is a neuropeptide-like glycoprotein. The study is designed to investigate the function of NXPH4 in HCC through a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. NXPH4 expression status and prognostic values were analyzed via multiple datasets, such as TCGA, GEO, and ICGC. The association between NXPH4 and immune cell infiltration was estimated by TIMER, TISIDB, and CIBERSORT. In vitro, we explored the biological function of NXPH4 in JHH7 and SNU182 cells through knocking down the expression of NXPH4 via siRNA. In general, NXPH4 was predominantly upregulated in HCC tumors, and increased NXPH4 expression predicted unfavorable prognosis. The gene enrichment analysis displayed that NXPH4 was related with metabolic pathways. NXPH4 expression was correlated with immune cell infiltration. NXPH4 knockdown significantly suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of JHH7 and SNU182 cells. This study suggested that the upregulation of NXPH4 is associated with adverse prognosis and immune cell infiltration in HCC. NXPH4 could be a novel biomarker of unfavorable prognosis and an underlying target for immunotherapy in HCC.
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Hu X, Zhu H, Feng S, Wang C, Ye Y, Xiong X. Transmembrane and coiled-coil domains 3 is a diagnostic biomarker for predicting immune checkpoint blockade efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Genet 2022; 13:1006357. [PMID: 36246598 PMCID: PMC9556949 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1006357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is a malignancy with a high mortality and morbidity rate worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of LIHC has still not been thoroughly studied. Transmembrane and coiled-coil domains 3 (TMCO3) encodes a monovalent cation, a member of the proton transducer 2 (CPA2) family of transporter proteins. In the present study, TMCO3 expression and its relationship with cancer prognosis, as well as its immunological role in LIHC were studied by bioinformatic analysis. We found the significant overexpression of TMCO3 in LIHC in the TCGA, HCCDB, and GEO databases. In LIHC patients, high TMCO3 expression was related to poorer overall survival (OS) and TMCO3 had good predictive accuracy for prognosis. Moreover, TMCO3 was linked to the infiltrates of certain immune cells in LIHC. The correlation of TMCO3 with immune checkpoints was also revealed. Moreover, patients with LIHC with low TMCO3 expression showed a better response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) than those with LIHC with high TMCO3 expression. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that TMCO3 was probably involved in the microtubule cytoskeleton organization involved in mitosis, small GTPase mediated signal transduction, and TGF-β pathway. In conclusion, TMCO3 may be a potential biomarker for LIHC prognosis and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyao Hu
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Huzhou Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Huzhou Central Hospital), Huzhou, China,Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shi Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chaoqun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yingze Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Yingze Ye, ; Xiaoxing Xiong,
| | - Xiaoxing Xiong
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China,Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Huzhou Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Huzhou Central Hospital), Huzhou, China,Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Yingze Ye, ; Xiaoxing Xiong,
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Prognostic and Immunological Significance of FUNDC1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Study on TCGA Mining. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:8371885. [PMID: 36017155 PMCID: PMC9398860 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8371885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an inflammation-related malignancy influenced by the immune microenvironment, such as immune tolerance and evasion. HFUN14 domain-with protein 1 (FUNDC1) is a necessary mitochondrial outer membrane protein, functioning as a receptor for hypoxia-caused mitophagy, which is related to human immunity. The relationship between HCC and FUNDC1 in terms of prognosis and immunology was demonstrated in the current investigation. Even so, the function of FUNDC1 in liver cancer is yet unknown. Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were utilized for examining if FUNDC1 expression is associated with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. Genetic changes (mutation), DNA methylation, and their relationship with patient prognosis were identified by cBioPortal and MethSurv. Utilizing the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), immune checkpoints, infiltration, and immune cell biomarkers were analyzed. Utilizing the STRING database, the network of protein-protein interactions was created. Using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, the FUNDC1 biological roles were determined (GSEA). Results FUNDC1 elevation was significantly linked with gender (p < 0.001), tumor stage (p = 0.01349), tumor grade (p < 0.001), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (p < 0.001) levels in HCC. It was illustrated by ROC curve analysis that FUNDC1 had a significant diagnostic and prognostic value. The FUNDC1 genetic change rate was 0.6%. Four out of 6 DNA methylation CpG sites were associated with the HCC prognosis. FUNDC1 is associated strongly with immune cell infiltration in HCC. Moreover, FUNDC1 was positively related to immune checkpoints such as mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity (MATH) (p < 0.001), ploidy (p < 0.05), homologous recombination defect (HRD) (p < 0.001), and loss of heterozygosity (LOH). GSEA revealed significant FUNDC1 enrichment in the cell cycle, hedgehog, and MAPK signaling pathways. Conclusion FUNDC1 is a mitophagy regulator that could be a therapeutic, prognostic, and putative diagnostic biomarker for HCC.
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Xiao J, Zhang Y. AURKB as a Promising Prognostic Biomarker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Evol Bioinform Online 2021; 17:11769343211057589. [PMID: 34866894 PMCID: PMC8637395 DOI: 10.1177/11769343211057589] [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: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Aurora kinases form a family of 3 genes encoding serine/threonine kinases and are involved in the regulation of cell division during the mitosis. This study was designed to investigate the prognostic role of Aurora kinases in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we analyzed the expression, overall survival (OS) data, promoter methylation level, and relationship with immunoinhibitors of Aurora kinases in patients with HCC from GEPIA2, UALCAN, OncoLnc, and TISIDB databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Reactome pathway analysis were performed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. We found that the mRNA expression, stages of HCC, and OS of AURKA and AURKB in HCC tissues were significantly different from control tissues, but there were significant inconsistencies in promoter methylation level and relationship with immunoinhibitors for AURKA and AURKB. None of the above items were significantly different for AURKC. Furthermore, a hub module including AURKA, AURKB, and AURKC was identified within the PPI network constructed with the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plug-in in Cytoscape software. Our results show that AURKB could be a potential biomarker for HCC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingchuan Xiao
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Yingai Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Hainan, China.,School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
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Wang R, Lin N, Mao B, Wu Q. The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis based on 40 cohorts incorporating 3697 individuals. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 148:1195-1210. [PMID: 34297207 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03716-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Electronic databases were scanned to identify relevant trials. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and their prognostic factors. Stratified analyses were accomplished on ICIs agent and evaluation criteria. RESULTS Totally, 3697 individuals from 40 cohorts were recruited. For patients treated with ICIs, the pooled median time to progression (TTP) was 8.0 months, median PFS 4.9 months, and median OS 12.0 months; the pooled median PFS and OS of ICIs plus anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents (PFS: 6.3 months, OS: 16.4 months) were longer than those of ICIs alone. Furthermore, Child-Pugh stage (HR = 1.37, P = 0.0123) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) (HR = 1.40, P = 0.0016) were prognostic factors for PFS. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) (HR = 0.71, P = 0.0356), Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (HR = 1.17, P < 0.0001), Child-Pugh stage (HR = 1.58, P < 0.0001), Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage (HR = 1.23, P = 0.0005), ECOG (HR = 1.50, P = 0.0012), portal vein invasion (HR = 1.32, P = 0.0053), extrahepatic metastasis (HR = 0.84, P = 0.0047), best response (HR = 0.58, P < 0.0001), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (HR = 1.23, P = 0.0451) were the prognostic factors for OS. According to both RECIST 1.1 and mRECIST, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) rate of ICIs plus anti-VEGF agents were better than those of ICIs alone. The overall rate of any grade adverse events (AEs) was 0.76 (95% CI 0.61-0.89), grade 3 or higher AEs was 0.28 (95% CI 0.15-0.42), and the rate of AEs leading to treatment discontinuation was 0.09 (95% CI 0.06-0.12). CONCLUSIONS The ICIs was promising in HCC with good efficacy and tolerated toxicity. Compared with ICIs monotherapy, the joint application of ICIs and anti-VEGF agents can contribute a lot more benefits to the survival of patients according to clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rixiong Wang
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Chazhong Road No. 20, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Nan Lin
- Department of General Surgery, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Binbin Mao
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Chazhong Road No. 20, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Qing Wu
- Department of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Chazhong Road No. 20, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China.
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Anwar HM, Moghazy AM, Elhameid Osman AAE, Abdel Rahman AAS. The Therapeutic Effect of Myrrh (Commiphora molmol) and Doxorubicin on Diethylnitrosamine Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Male Albino Rats. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2021; 22:2153-2163. [PMID: 34319038 PMCID: PMC8607089 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2021.22.7.2153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study was conducted to assess the therapeutic effect of Myrrh on Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis (HCC) in male albino rats. METHODS Fifty male albino rats were divided into five groups (10 rats each). Group 1 (control group) received distilled water. Group 2 (positive control) was injected intraperitoneally with DEN (55 mg/kg b.w) twice a week for two weeks, while group 3 (DOX) received doxorubicin i.p (10 mg/ kg b.w) after concomitant with DEN twice a week for four weeks. Groups 4 and 5 received a low dose of Myrrh (250 mg/kg b.w) and a high dose of Myrrh (500 mg/kg b.w) respectively daily for four weeks after the induction with DEN. The sera were used to estimate the liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and Tumor necrosis factor-ἁ (TNF-ἁ). Also, the liver tissues were collected to determine the oxidative stress markers in addition to the histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations. RESULTS The results showed that the induction of DEN causes a significant increase in the level of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), AFP and TNF-ἁ as well as produce oxidative stress indicated by increasing of malondialdehyde (MDA) with the reduction in TAC and glutathione (GSH). Meanwhile, there are noticeable histopathological lesions with loss of hepatic architecture. This was accompanied by a significant increase of immunohistochemical markers; Caspase-3, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor β1(TGF- β1), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) percentage area. The treatment of DEN rats with DOX reduced the alterations in most parameters. A marked amelioration of all parameters in a dose-dependent manner of Myrrh to the values almost near to those of the control group. CONCLUSION Our data revealed that Water extract of Myrrh (C. molmol) has a potential therapeutic effect in attenuation of HCC induced DEN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hend Mohamed Anwar
- Department of Biochemistry, National Organization of Drug Control and Research (NODCAR), Giza, Egypt.
| | - Asmaa M. Moghazy
- Department of Hormonal Evaluation, National Organization of Drug Control and Research (NODCAR), Giza, Egypt.
| | - Amany Abd Elhameid Elhameid Osman
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science and Education, Ain shams university, Asmaa Fahmy Street, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Amina A. S. Abdel Rahman
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science and Education, Ain shams university, Asmaa Fahmy Street, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt.
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Alshehri MA, Alshehri MM, Albalawi NN, Al-Ghamdi MA, Al-Gayyar MMH. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans and their modification as promising anticancer targets in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:173. [PMID: 33552290 PMCID: PMC7798035 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of primary liver cancer. Despite advancements in the treatment strategies of HCC, there is an urgent requirement to identify and develop novel therapeutic drugs that do not lead to resistance. These novel agents should have the potential to influence the primary mechanisms participating in the pathogenesis of HCC. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are major elements of the extracellular matrix that perform structural and signaling functions. HSPGs protect against invasion of tumor cells by preventing cell infiltration and intercellular adhesion. Several enzymes, such as heparanase, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and sulfatase-2, have been reported to affect HSPGs, leading to their degradation and thus enhancing tumor invasion. In addition, some compounds that are produced from the degradation of HSPGs, including glypican-3 and syndecan-1, enhance tumor progression. Thus, the identification of enzymes that affect HSPGs or their degradation products in HCC may lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets. The present review discusses the main enzymes and compounds associated with HSPGs, and their involvement with the pathogenicity of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Alshehri
- PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moath M Alshehri
- PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naif N Albalawi
- PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moshari A Al-Ghamdi
- PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed M H Al-Gayyar
- PharmD Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
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Zhu J, Zhou Y, Wang L, Hao J, Chen R, Liu L, Li J. CXCL5/CXCL8 is a promising potential prognostic and tumor microenvironment-related cluster in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Gastrointest Oncol 2020; 11:1364-1380. [PMID: 33457007 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-20-556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) are increasingly applied to treat patients with advanced HCC. However, the overall survival (OS) of HCC patients is still unsatisfactory, and there is no confirmed immune-related and prognostic gene to identify patients who could clinically benefit from this treatment. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is known to be closely related to immunotherapy and plays a pivotal role in the recurrence and progression of HCC. Our aim is to explore TME-related genes and identify the prognostic value in HCC patients. Methods ESTIMATE, immune, and stromal scores were calculated for HCC patients based on RNA expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Differential expression analysis was performed to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify the key DEGs. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were adopted to validate hub DEGs associated with clinical prognosis, and a single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm was used to dissect the landscape of tumor-infiltrating cells (TIC) in HCC. Finally, the relationship between hub immune-related genes and TIC was explored through difference and correlation analyses. Results ESTIMATE, immune and stromal scores were all found to be associated with the OS of patients (P<0.05). A total of 1,112 DEGs were identified by comparing low and high score groups of immune and stromal scores. Most of DEGs were enriched in immune-related gene sets by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Additionally, the top 34 genes were included in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and univariate Cox analysis focus on a novel prognosis-related gene cluster CXCL5/CXCL8 (P<0.001). Regarding the immune landscape of HCC, univariable Cox regression analysis showed six immune cells to be associated with OS. Finally, 21 immune cells were commonly determined between high and low expression of CXCL5/CXCL8, suggesting there is a close relationship between expression of CXCL5 and CXCL8 . Conclusions Our study has revealed that the immune-related gene cluster of CXCL5 /CXCL8 could be a promising prognostic indicator for HCC and a potential novel biomarker to guide the selection of HCC patients for ICB immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yifan Zhou
- Department of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Chinese PLA, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jun Hao
- Department of Experiment Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jipeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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