1
|
Wilson GC, Patel SH, Wang J, Xu K, Turner KM, Becker KA, Carpinteiro A, Szabo I, Ahmad SA, Gulbins E. Acid sphingomyelinase expression is associated with survival in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:891-903. [PMID: 37246980 PMCID: PMC10300164 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02331-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Unfortunately, the prognosis of PDAC is rather poor, and for instance, in the USA, over 47,000 people die because of pancreatic cancer annually. Here, we demonstrate that high expression of acid sphingomyelinase in PDAC strongly correlates with long-term survival of patients, as revealed by the analysis of two independent data sources. The positive effects of acid sphingomyelinase expression on long-term survival of PDAC patients were independent of patient demographics as well as tumor grade, lymph node involvement, perineural invasion, tumor stage, lymphovascular invasion, and adjuvant therapy. We also demonstrate that genetic deficiency or pharmacological inhibition of the acid sphingomyelinase promotes tumor growth in an orthotopic mouse model of PDAC. This is mirrored by a poorer pathologic response, as defined by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) score for pancreatic cancer, to neoadjuvant therapy of patients co-treated with functional inhibitors of the acid sphingomyelinase, in particular tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, in a retrospective analysis. Our data indicate expression of the acid sphingomyelinase in PDAC as a prognostic marker for tumor progression. They further suggest that the use of functional inhibitors of the acid sphingomyelinase, at least of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in patients with PDAC, is contra-indicated. Finally, our data also suggest a potential novel treatment of PDAC patients with recombinant acid sphingomyelinase. KEY MESSAGES: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a common tumor with poor prognosis. Expression of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) determines outcome of PDAC. Genetic deficiency or pharmacologic inhibition of ASM promotes tumor growth in a mouse model. Inhibition of ASM during neoadjuvant treatment for PDAC correlates with worse pathology. ASM expression is a prognostic marker and potential target in PDAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory C Wilson
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way ML 05, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0558, USA.
| | - Sameer H Patel
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way ML 05, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0558, USA
| | - Jiang Wang
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kui Xu
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way ML 05, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0558, USA
| | - Kevin M Turner
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way ML 05, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0558, USA
| | - Katrin Anne Becker
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexander Carpinteiro
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Ildiko Szabo
- Department of Biology and CNR Institute of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Syed A Ahmad
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way ML 05, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0558, USA
| | - Erich Gulbins
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way ML 05, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0558, USA.
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nikolopoulou PA, Koufaki MA, Kostourou V. The Adhesome Network: Key Components Shaping the Tumour Stroma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:525. [PMID: 33573141 PMCID: PMC7866493 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Beyond the conventional perception of solid tumours as mere masses of cancer cells, advanced cancer research focuses on the complex contributions of tumour-associated host cells that are known as "tumour microenvironment" (TME). It has been long appreciated that the tumour stroma, composed mainly of blood vessels, cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells, together with the extracellular matrix (ECM), define the tumour architecture and influence cancer cell properties. Besides soluble cues, that mediate the crosstalk between tumour and stroma cells, cell adhesion to ECM arises as a crucial determinant in cancer progression. In this review, we discuss how adhesome, the intracellular protein network formed at cell adhesions, regulate the TME and control malignancy. The role of adhesome extends beyond the physical attachment of cells to ECM and the regulation of cytoskeletal remodelling and acts as a signalling and mechanosensing hub, orchestrating cellular responses that shape the tumour milieu.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vassiliki Kostourou
- Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, Institute of Bioinnovation, 34 Fleming Str., 16672 Vari-Athens, Greece; (P.A.N.); (M.A.K.)
| |
Collapse
|