Targeting the KLF5-EphA2 axis can restrain cancer stemness and overcome chemoresistance in basal-like breast cancer

Unraveling the role of long non-coding RNAs in therapeutic resistance in acute myeloid leukemia: New prospects & challenges

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a fatal hematological disease characterized by the unchecked proliferation of immature myeloid blasts in different tissues developed by various mutations in hematopoiesis. Despite intense chemotherapeutic regimens, patients often experience poor outcomes, leading to substandard remission rates. In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have increasingly become important prognostic and therapeutic hotspots, due to their contributions to dysregulating many functional epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms leading to alterations in cell expressions, resulting in increased chemoresistance and reduced apoptosis in leukemic cells. Through this review, I highlight and discuss the latest advances in understanding the major mechanisms through which lncRNAs confer therapy resistance in AML. In addition, I also provide perspective on the current strategies to target lncRNA expressions. A better knowledge of the critical role that lncRNAs play in controlling treatment outcomes in AML will help improve existing medications and devise new ones.

Erythropoietin-induced hepatocyte receptor A2 regulates effect of pyroptosis on gastrointestinal colorectal cancer occurrence and metastasis resistance

Erythropoietin-induced hepatocyte receptor A2 (EphA2) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a key role in the development and progression of a variety of tumors. This article reviews the expression of EphA2 in gastrointestinal (GI) colorectal cancer (CRC) and its regulation of pyroptosis. Pyroptosis is a form of programmed cell death that plays an important role in tumor suppression. Studies have shown that EphA2 regulates pyrodeath through various signaling pathways, affecting the occurrence, development and metastasis of GI CRC. The overexpression of EphA2 is closely related to the aggressiveness and metastasis of GI CRC, and the inhibition of EphA2 can induce pyrodeath and improve the sensitivity of cancer cells to treatment. In addition, EphA2 regulates intercellular communication and the microenvironment through interactions with other cytokines and receptors, further influencing cancer progression. The role of EphA2 in GI CRC and its underlying mechanisms provide us with new perspectives and potential therapeutic targets, which have important implications for future cancer treatment.

Ephrin receptor type-A2 (EphA2) targeting in cancer: a patent review (2018-present)

INTRODUCTION

EphA2 is a tyrosine kinase receptor and is considered a promising target in cancer. Different approaches are used to target EphA2 receptor, and a lot of preclinical data demonstrate the potential exploitation of this receptor in clinical oncology for diagnosis and cancer therapy, including immunotherapy.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we have summarized the recent patents involving the EphA2 targeting in cancer. For this aim, we used the patent database Patentscope covering the time period of 2018-present. Preclinical and clinical data of the inventions were considered when published on peer reviewed journals. Moreover, the clinicalTrial.gov identifiers (NCT numbers) were included when available. For an easier and more immediate reading, we classify the patents in different categories, considering the nature (aptamers, small molecules, antibodies, peptides, antigens and chimeric antigen receptors) of the inventions exploiting EphA2 in clinical oncology.

EXPERT OPINION

Despite the availability of a plethora of chemically diverse agents, there are no approved anticancer drugs targeting EphA2 yet. However, these intellectual properties, some of which supported by strong preclinical evidence, keep the hope that, after more than 30 years from its discovery, we will finally see the first EphA2 targeting agent approved in clinical oncology.

The role of KLF5 in gut microbiota and lung adenocarcinoma: unveiling programmed cell death pathways and prognostic biomarkers

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most important subtype of lung cancer. It is well known that the gut microbiome plays an important role in the pathophysiology of various diseases, including cancer, but little research has been done on the intestinal microbiome associated with LUAD. Utilizing bioinformatics tools and data analysis, we identified novel potential prognostic biomarkers for LUAD. To integrate differentially expressed genes and clinical significance modules, we used a weighted correlation network analysis system. According to the Peryton database and the gutMGene database, the composition and structure of gut microbiota in LUAD patients differed from those in healthy individuals. LUAD was associated with 150 gut microbiota and 767 gut microbiota targets, with Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) being the most closely related. KLF5 was associated with immune status and correlated well with the prognosis of LUAD patients. The identification of KLF5 as a potential prognostic biomarker suggests its utility in improving risk stratification and guiding personalized treatment strategies for LUAD patients. Altogether, KLF5 could be a potential prognostic biomarker in LUAD.

ASCT2 Regulates Fatty Acid Metabolism to Trigger Glutamine Addiction in Basal-like Breast Cancer

As a crucial amino acid, glutamine can provide the nitrogen and carbon sources needed to support cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Interestingly, different types of breast cancer have different dependences on glutamine. This research shows that basal-like breast cancer depends on glutamine, while the other types of breast cancer may be more dependent on glucose. Glutamine transporter ASCT2 is highly expressed in various cancers and significantly promotes the growth of breast cancer. However, the key regulatory mechanism of ASCT2 in promoting basal-like breast cancer progression remains unclear. Our research demonstrates the significant change in fatty acid levels caused by ASCT2, which may be a key factor in glutamine sensitivity. This phenomenon results from the mutual activation between ASCT2-mediated glutamine transport and lipid metabolism via the nuclear receptor PPARα. ASCT2 cooperatively promoted PPARα expression, leading to the upregulation of lipid metabolism. Moreover, we also found that C118P could inhibit lipid metabolism by targeting ASCT2. More importantly, this research identifies a potential avenue of evidence for the prevention and early intervention of basal-like breast cancer by blocking the glutamine-lipid feedback loop.

The intersection of the nervous system and breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) represents a paradigm of heterogeneity, manifesting as a spectrum of molecular subtypes with divergent clinical trajectories. It is fundamentally characterized by the aberrant proliferation of malignant cells within breast tissue, a process modulated by a myriad of factors that govern its progression. Recent endeavors outline the interplay between BC and the nervous system, illuminate the complex symbiosis between neural structures and neoplastic cells, and elucidate nerve dependence as a cornerstone of BC progression. This includes the neural modulations on immune response, neurovascular formation, and multisystem interactions. Such insights have unveiled the critical impact of neural elements on tumor dynamics and patient prognosis. This revelation beckons a deeper exploration into the neuro-oncological interface, potentially unlocking novel therapeutic vistas. This review endeavors to delineate the intricate mechanisms between the nervous system and BC, aiming to accentuate the implications and therapeutic strategies of this intersection for tumor evolution and the formulation of innovative therapeutic approaches.

EphA2 promotes the transcription of KLF4 to facilitate stemness in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Ephrin receptor A2 (EphA2), a member of the Ephrin receptor family, is closely related to the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play essential roles in OSCC development and occurrence. The underlying mechanisms between EphA2 and CSCs, however, are not yet fully understood. Here, we found that EphA2 was overexpressed in OSCC tissues and was associated with poor prognosis. Knockdown of EphA2 dampened the CSC phenotype and the tumour-initiating frequency of OSCC cells. Crucially, the effects of EphA2 on the CSC phenotype relied on KLF4, a key transcription factor for CSCs. Mechanistically, EphA2 activated the ERK signalling pathway, promoting the nuclear translocation of YAP. Subsequently, YAP was bound to TEAD3, leading to the transcription of KLF4. Overall, our findings revealed that EphA2 can enhance the stemness of OSCC cells, and this study identified the EphA2/KLF4 axis as a potential target for treating OSCC.

Targeting Interleukin-13 Receptor α2 and EphA2 in Aggressive Breast Cancer Subtypes with Special References to Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy

Breast cancer (BCA) remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. This review delves into the therapeutic challenges of BCA, emphasizing the roles of interleukin-13 receptor α2 (IL-13Rα2) and erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor A2 (EphA2) in tumor progression and resistance. Highlighting their overexpression in BCA, particularly in aggressive subtypes, such as Her-2-enriched and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), we discuss the potential of these receptors as targets for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies. We examine the structural and functional roles of IL-13Rα2 and EphA2, their pathological significance in BCA, and the promising therapeutic avenues their targeting presents. With an in-depth analysis of current immunotherapeutic strategies, including the limitations of existing treatments and the potential of dual antigen-targeting CAR T-cell therapies, this review aims to summarize potential future novel, more effective therapeutic interventions for BCA. Through a thorough examination of preclinical and clinical studies, it underlines the urgent need for targeted therapies in combating the high mortality rates associated with Her-2-enriched and TNBC subtypes and discusses the potential role of IL-13Rα2 and EphA2 as promising candidates for the development of CAR T-cell therapies.

Eph receptors and ephrins in cancer progression

Evidence implicating Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands (that together make up the 'Eph system') in cancer development and progression has been accumulating since the discovery of the first Eph receptor approximately 35 years ago. Advances in the past decade and a half have considerably increased the understanding of Eph receptor-ephrin signalling mechanisms in cancer and have uncovered intriguing new roles in cancer progression and drug resistance. This Review focuses mainly on these more recent developments. I provide an update on the different mechanisms of Eph receptor-ephrin-mediated cell-cell communication and cell autonomous signalling, as well as on the interplay of the Eph system with other signalling systems. I further discuss recent advances in elucidating how the Eph system controls tumour expansion, invasiveness and metastasis, supports cancer stem cells, and drives therapy resistance. In addition to functioning within cancer cells, the Eph system also mediates the reciprocal communication between cancer cells and cells of the tumour microenvironment. The involvement of the Eph system in tumour angiogenesis is well established, but recent findings also demonstrate roles in immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix. Lastly, I discuss strategies under evaluation for therapeutic targeting of Eph receptors-ephrins in cancer and conclude with an outlook on promising future research directions.

KLF7 promotes colon adenocarcinoma progression through the PDGFB signaling pathway

Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is the most common malignancy of the digestive tract, which is characterized by a dismal prognosis. No effective treatment has been established presently, thus there is an urgent need to understand the mechanisms driving COAD progression in order to develop effective therapeutic approaches and enhance clinical outcomes. In this study, we found that KLF7 is overexpressed in COAD tissues and correlated with clinicopathological features of COAD. Both gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments have unequivocally demonstrated that overexpression of KLF7 promotes the growth and metastasis of COAD in vitro and in vivo, while KLF7 knockdown attenuated these effects. Mechanistically, our findings reveal that KLF7 can specifically bind to the promoter region of PDGFB (TGGGTGGAG), thus promoting the transcription of PDGFB and increasing its secretion. Subsequently, secreted PDGFB facilitates the progression of COAD by activating MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways through PDGFRβ. Additionally, we found that sunitinib can block PDGFB signaling and inhibit COAD progression, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for COAD treatment.

Self-Renewal Inhibition in Breast Cancer Stem Cells: Moonlight Role of PEDF in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among females in developed countries. Although the implementation of screening tests and the development of new therapies have increased the probability of remission, relapse rates remain high. Numerous studies have indicated the connection between cancer-initiating cells and slow cellular cycle cells, identified by their capacity to retain long labeling (LT+). In this study, we perform new assays showing how stem cell self-renewal modulating proteins, such as PEDF, can modify the properties, percentage of biomarker-expressing cells, and carcinogenicity of cancer stem cells. The PEDF signaling pathway could be a useful tool for controlling cancer stem cells' self-renewal and therefore control patient relapse, as PEDF enhances resistance in breast cancer patient cells' in vitro culture. We have designed a peptide consisting of the C-terminal part of this protein, which acts by blocking endogenous PEDF in cell culture assays. We demonstrate that it is possible to interfere with the self-renewal capacity of cancer stem cells, induce anoikis in vivo, and reduce resistance against docetaxel treatment in cancer patient cells in in vitro culture. We have also demonstrated that this modified PEDF protein produces a significant decrease in the percentage of expressed cancer stem cell markers.

Deciphering Common Traits of Breast and Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells and Possible Therapeutic Approaches

Breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) are among the most common and deadly cancers affecting women worldwide. Both are complex diseases with marked heterogeneity. Despite the induction of screening programs that increase the frequency of earlier diagnosis of BC, at a stage when the cancer is more likely to respond to therapy, which does not exist for OC, more than 50% of both cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Initial therapy can put the cancer into remission. However, recurrences occur frequently in both BC and OC, which are highly cancer-subtype dependent. Therapy resistance is mainly attributed to a rare subpopulation of cells, named cancer stem cells (CSC) or tumor-initiating cells, as they are capable of self-renewal, tumor initiation, and regrowth of tumor bulk. In this review, we will discuss the distinctive markers and signaling pathways that characterize CSC, their interactions with the tumor microenvironment, and the strategies they employ to evade immune surveillance. Our focus will be on identifying the common features of breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) and ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSC) and suggesting potential therapeutic approaches.