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Lučić I, Kurtović M, Mlinarić M, Piteša N, Čipak Gašparović A, Sabol M, Milković L. Deciphering Common Traits of Breast and Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells and Possible Therapeutic Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10683. [PMID: 37445860 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310683] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Lučić
- Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matea Kurtović
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Monika Mlinarić
- Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikolina Piteša
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Čipak Gašparović
- Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Sabol
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lidija Milković
- Laboratory for Oxidative Stress, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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2
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Twomey JD, Zhang B. Exploring the Role of Hypoxia-Inducible Carbonic Anhydrase IX (CAIX) in Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) of Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030934. [PMID: 36979915 PMCID: PMC10046014 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the peripheral blood are believed to be the source of metastasis and can be used as a liquid biopsy to monitor cancer progression and therapeutic response. However, it has been challenging to accurately detect CTCs because of their low frequency and the heterogeneity of the population. In this study, we have developed an in vitro model of CTCs by using non-adherent suspension culture. We used this model to study a group of breast cancer cell lines with distinct molecular subtypes (TNBC, HER2+, and ER+/PR+). We found that, when these breast cancer cell lines lost their attachment to the extracellular matrix, they accumulated a subtype of cancer stem cells (CSC) that expressed the surface markers of stem cells (e.g., CD44+CD24-). These stem-like CTCs also showed high expressions of hypoxia-inducible gene products, particularly the hypoxia-inducible carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX). Inhibition of CAIX activity was found to reduce CAIX expression and stem cell phenotypes in the targeted CTCs. Further studies are needed, using CTC samples from breast cancer patients, to determine the role of CAIX in CTC survival, CSC transition, and metastasis. CAIX may be a useful surface marker for the detection of CSCs in the blood, and a potential target for treating metastatic breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne D Twomey
- Office of Biotechnology Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Baolin Zhang
- Office of Biotechnology Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
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3
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Michishita M, Ochiai K, Nakahira R, Azakami D, Machida Y, Nagashima T, Nakagawa T, Ishiwata T. mTOR pathway as a potential therapeutic target for cancer stem cells in canine mammary carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1100602. [PMID: 36816969 PMCID: PMC9931192 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1100602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammary adenocarcinoma, the most common cancer in female dogs, often exhibits the lymph node and lung metastases and has a higher mortality rate. However, mammary adenocarcinoma has no established treatment, except early surgical excision. Canine mammary carcinoma has many common features with human mammary carcinoma, including clinical characteristics, heterogeneity, and genetic aberrations, making it an excellent spontaneous tumor model for human breast cancer. Diverse cancers comprised heterogeneous cell populations originating from cancer stem cells (CSCs) with self-renewal ability. Therefore, in addition to conventional therapy, therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs are essential for cancer eradication. The present study aimed to extract inhibitors of canine mammary CSCs that suppress their self-renewal ability. Sphere-formation assay, which evaluates self-renewal ability, was performed for the canine mammary cancer cell lines CTBp and CNMp. The spheres formed in this assay were used in inhibitor library screening, which identified various signaling pathways such as proteosome, stress inducer, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The present study focused on the mTOR signaling pathway. Western blotting showed higher levels of phosphorylated mTOR in sphere-forming CTBp and CNMp cells than in adherent cells. Drug sensitivity examination using the mTOR inhibitors everolimus and temsirolimus revealed dose-dependent reductions in viability among both sphere-forming cells and adherent cells. Expression of phosphorylated mTOR in adherent and sphere-forming cells decreased by everolimus and temsirolimus treatment. In mice transplanted with CTBp-derived spheres, everolimus treatment significantly decreased tumor volume compared to control. These results reveal that the mTOR signaling pathway may be a potential to be a therapeutic target in both cancer cells and CSCs. Novel therapeutic strategies for canine mammary carcinoma are expected to benefit to human breast carcinoma as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Michishita
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan,Research Center for Animal Life Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan,*Correspondence: Masaki Michishita,
| | - Kazuhiko Ochiai
- Research Center for Animal Life Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan,Department of Veterinary Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rei Nakahira
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daigo Azakami
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukino Machida
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Nagashima
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Nakagawa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Ishiwata
- Division of Aging and Carcinogenesis, Research Team for Geriatric Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
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Shu Y, Lan J, Hu Z, Liu W, Song R. Epigenetic regulation of RARB overcomes the radio-resistance of colorectal carcinoma cells via cancer stem cells. J Radiat Res 2023; 64:11-23. [PMID: 36214504 PMCID: PMC9855330 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrac060] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are able to survive after cancer therapies, leading to cancer progression and recurrence in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Therapies targeting CSCs are believed to be promising strategies for efficiently eradicating cancers. This study was to investigate that how retinoic acid receptor beta (RARB) affected the biological characteristics of CSCs and radio-resistance in CRC and the epigenetic mechanism. The sensitivity of CSCs isolated from HCT116 cells to radiotherapy was reduced compared with the parental cells. Using database querying, we found that RARB was one of the most significantly downregulated gene in radio-resistant cells in CRC. Also, RARB was poorly expressed in our isolated CSCs, and overexpression of RARB inhibited the properties of CSCs and enhanced radiotherapy sensitivity. Mechanistically, the methylation of RARB was higher in CSCs compared with HCT116 cells, which was significantly reduced after the application of DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-azaC). DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1) was found to be recruited into the RARB promoter. 5-AzaC treatment inhibited DNMT1 activity and improved radiotherapy sensitivity by promoting RARB expression. Our results imply that inhibition of DNMT1 can display a new mechanism for the epigenetic mediation of RARB in radio-resistant CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxian Shu
- Department of Comprehensive Radiotherapy, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Nanchang 330029, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Jun Lan
- Department 1 of General Surgery, Jiangxi Gao’an People’s Hospital, Gao’an 330800, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Zhaobing Hu
- Department of Oncology, Jingdezhen Second People’s Hospital, Jingdezhen 333000, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Weiguo Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Nanchang 330029, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Rongfeng Song
- Corresponding author. Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, No. 519, Beijing East Road, Qingshanhu District, Nanchang 330029, Jiangxi, P.R. China. ; Tel/Fax: 13879172671
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Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) might be responsible for tumor initiation, relapse, metastasis and treatment resistance of GC. The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises tumor cells, immune cells, stromal cells and other extracellular components, which plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and therapy resistance. The properties of CSCs are regulated by cells and extracellular matrix components of the TME in some unique manners. This review will summarize current literature regarding the effects of CSCs and TME on the progression and therapy resistance of GC, while emphasizing the potential for developing successful anti-tumor therapy based on targeting the TME and CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wen-Jian Meng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Kałafut J, Czerwonka A, Anameriç A, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Misiorek JO, Rivero-Müller A, Nees M. Shooting at Moving and Hidden Targets-Tumour Cell Plasticity and the Notch Signalling Pathway in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6219. [PMID: 34944837 PMCID: PMC8699303 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is often aggressive, with poor response to current therapies in approximately 40-50% of the patients. Current therapies are restricted to operation and irradiation, often combined with a small number of standard-of-care chemotherapeutic drugs, preferentially for advanced tumour patients. Only very recently, newer targeted therapies have entered the clinics, including Cetuximab, which targets the EGF receptor (EGFR), and several immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the immune receptor PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1. HNSCC tumour tissues are characterized by a high degree of intra-tumour heterogeneity (ITH), and non-genetic alterations that may affect both non-transformed cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and transformed carcinoma cells. This very high degree of heterogeneity likely contributes to acquired drug resistance, tumour dormancy, relapse, and distant or lymph node metastasis. ITH, in turn, is likely promoted by pronounced tumour cell plasticity, which manifests in highly dynamic and reversible phenomena such as of partial or hybrid forms of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and enhanced tumour stemness. Stemness and tumour cell plasticity are strongly promoted by Notch signalling, which remains poorly understood especially in HNSCC. Here, we aim to elucidate how Notch signal may act both as a tumour suppressor and proto-oncogenic, probably during different stages of tumour cell initiation and progression. Notch signalling also interacts with numerous other signalling pathways, that may also have a decisive impact on tumour cell plasticity, acquired radio/chemoresistance, and metastatic progression of HNSCC. We outline the current stage of research related to Notch signalling, and how this pathway may be intricately interconnected with other, druggable targets and signalling mechanisms in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Arkadiusz Czerwonka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Alinda Anameriç
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Alicja Przybyszewska-Podstawka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Julia O. Misiorek
- Department of Molecular Neurooncology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Adolfo Rivero-Müller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
| | - Matthias Nees
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodzki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (A.P.-P.); (A.R.-M.)
- Western Finland Cancer Centre (FICAN West), Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20101 Turku, Finland
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7
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Rodriguez FD, Coveñas R. Biochemical Mechanisms Associating Alcohol Use Disorders with Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143548. [PMID: 34298760 PMCID: PMC8306032 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Of all yearly deaths attributable to alcohol consumption globally, approximately 12% are due to cancers, representing approximately 0.4 million deceased individuals. Ethanol metabolism disturbs cell biochemistry by targeting the structure and function of essential biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids) and by provoking alterations in cell programming that lead to cancer development and cancer malignancy. A better understanding of the metabolic and cell signaling realm affected by ethanol is paramount to designing effective treatments and preventive actions tailored to specific neoplasias. Abstract The World Health Organization identifies alcohol as a cause of several neoplasias of the oropharynx cavity, esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, larynx, liver, or female breast. We review ethanol’s nonoxidative and oxidative metabolism and one-carbon metabolism that encompasses both redox and transfer reactions that influence crucial cell proliferation machinery. Ethanol favors the uncontrolled production and action of free radicals, which interfere with the maintenance of essential cellular functions. We focus on the generation of protein, DNA, and lipid adducts that interfere with the cellular processes related to growth and differentiation. Ethanol’s effects on stem cells, which are responsible for building and repairing tissues, are reviewed. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) of different origins suffer disturbances related to the expression of cell surface markers, enzymes, and transcription factors after ethanol exposure with the consequent dysregulation of mechanisms related to cancer metastasis or resistance to treatments. Our analysis aims to underline and discuss potential targets that show more sensitivity to ethanol’s action and identify specific metabolic routes and metabolic realms that may be corrected to recover metabolic homeostasis after pharmacological intervention. Specifically, research should pay attention to re-establishing metabolic fluxes by fine-tuning the functioning of specific pathways related to one-carbon metabolism and antioxidant processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco D. Rodriguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Group GIR USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-677-510-030
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Group GIR USAL: BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y León (INCYL), Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Matteoni S, Matarrese P, Ascione B, Buccarelli M, Ricci-Vitiani L, Pallini R, Villani V, Pace A, Paggi MG, Abbruzzese C. Anticancer Properties of the Antipsychotic Drug Chlorpromazine and Its Synergism With Temozolomide in Restraining Human Glioblastoma Proliferation In Vitro. Front Oncol 2021; 11:635472. [PMID: 33718225 PMCID: PMC7952964 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.635472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The extremely poor prognosis of patients affected by glioblastoma (GBM, grade IV glioma) prompts the search for new and more effective therapies. In this regard, drug repurposing or repositioning can represent a safe, swift, and inexpensive way to bring novel pharmacological approaches from bench to bedside. Chlorpromazine, a medication used since six decades for the therapy of psychiatric disorders, shows in vitro several features that make it eligible for repositioning in cancer therapy. Using six GBM cell lines, three of which growing as patient-derived neurospheres and displaying stem-like properties, we found that chlorpromazine was able to inhibit viability in an apoptosis-independent way, induce hyperdiploidy, reduce cloning efficiency as well as neurosphere formation and downregulate the expression of stemness genes in all these cell lines. Notably, chlorpromazine synergized with temozolomide, the first-line therapeutic in GBM patients, in hindering GBM cell viability, and both drugs strongly cooperated in reducing cloning efficiency and inducing cell death in vitro for all the GBM cell lines assayed. These results prompted us to start a Phase II clinical trial on GBM patients (EudraCT # 2019-001988-75; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04224441) by adding chlorpromazine to temozolomide in the adjuvant phase of the standard first-line therapeutic protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Matteoni
- Cellular Networks and Molecular Therapeutic Targets, Proteomics Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Matarrese
- Center for Gender Specific Medicine, Oncology Unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Ascione
- Center for Gender Specific Medicine, Oncology Unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Buccarelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Ricci-Vitiani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Pallini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Institute of Neurosurgery, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Villani
- Neuro-Oncology, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Pace
- Neuro-Oncology, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco G Paggi
- Cellular Networks and Molecular Therapeutic Targets, Proteomics Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Abbruzzese
- Cellular Networks and Molecular Therapeutic Targets, Proteomics Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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Qattan A. Novel miRNA Targets and Therapies in the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Microenvironment: An Emerging Hope for a Challenging Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238905. [PMID: 33255471 PMCID: PMC7727826 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains challenging because of the heterogeneity of the disease and lack of single targetable driving mutations. TNBC does not rely on estrogen, progesterone or epidermal growth factor receptors and is associated with aggressive disease progression and poor prognosis. TNBC is also characterized by resistance to chemotherapeutics, and response to immunotherapies is limited despite promising results in a subset of TNBC patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as significant drivers of tumorigenesis and tumor progression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and present unique opportunities to target various components of the TNBC microenvironment for improved efficacy against this difficult to treat cancer. Effects of miRNAs on multiple targets may improve response rates in the context of this genetically and biologically heterogeneous disease. In this review, we offer a comprehensive view of miRNA regulation in TNBC, treatment challenges presented by TNBC in the context of the tumor microenvironment and stem cell subpopulations, and current and emerging miRNA-based therapeutic strategies targeting various components of the TNBC microenvironment. In addition, we offer insight into novel targets that have potential for treating TNBC through multiple mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment simultaneously and those that may be synergistic with standard chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Qattan
- Breast Cancer Research Unit, Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; or
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), George Washington University, Washington, DC 20073, USA
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10
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Sistigu A, Musella M, Galassi C, Vitale I, De Maria R. Tuning Cancer Fate: Tumor Microenvironment's Role in Cancer Stem Cell Quiescence and Reawakening. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2166. [PMID: 33193295 PMCID: PMC7609361 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell dormancy is a common feature of human tumors and represents a major clinical barrier to the long-term efficacy of anticancer therapies. Dormant cancer cells, either in primary tumors or disseminated in secondary organs, may reawaken and relapse into a more aggressive disease. The mechanisms underpinning dormancy entry and exit strongly resemble those governing cancer cell stemness and include intrinsic and contextual cues. Cellular and molecular components of the tumor microenvironment persistently interact with cancer cells. This dialog is highly dynamic, as it evolves over time and space, strongly cooperates with intrinsic cell nets, and governs cancer cell features (like quiescence and stemness) and fate (survival and outgrowth). Therefore, there is a need for deeper insight into the biology of dormant cancer (stem) cells and the mechanisms regulating the equilibrium quiescence-versus-proliferation are vital in our pursuit of new therapeutic opportunities to prevent cancer from recurring. Here, we review and discuss microenvironmental regulations of cancer dormancy and its parallels with cancer stemness, and offer insights into the therapeutic strategies adopted to prevent a lethal recurrence, by either eradicating resident dormant cancer (stem) cells or maintaining them in a dormant state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Sistigu
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Musella
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Galassi
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilio Vitale
- IIGM - Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, c/o IRCSS Candiolo (TO), Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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11
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Corbet C, Prieur A. Editorial: Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer Stem-Like Cells (CSC) - The Current State of the Art. Front Oncol 2020; 10:243. [PMID: 32181156 PMCID: PMC7059220 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Corbet
- Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Abstract
Breast cancer cells have a high predilection for skeletal homing, where they may either induce osteolytic bone destruction or enter a latency period in which they remain quiescent. Breast cancer cells produce and encounter autocrine and paracrine cytokine signals in the bone microenvironment, which can influence their behavior in multiple ways. For example, these signals can promote the survival and dormancy of bone-disseminated cancer cells or stimulate proliferation. The interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine family, defined by its use of the glycoprotein 130 (gp130) co-receptor, includes interleukin-11 (IL-11), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), oncostatin M (OSM), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), among others. These cytokines are known to have overlapping pleiotropic functions in different cell types and are important for cross-talk between bone-resident cells. IL-6 cytokines have also been implicated in the progression and metastasis of breast, prostate, lung, and cervical cancer, highlighting the importance of these cytokines in the tumor–bone microenvironment. This review will describe the role of these cytokines in skeletal remodeling and cancer progression both within and outside of the bone microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tolu Omokehinde
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rachelle W. Johnson
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-615-875-8965
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Gener P, Rafael D, Seras-Franzoso J, Perez A, Pindado LA, Casas G, Arango D, Fernández Y, Díaz-Riascos ZV, Abasolo I, Schwartz S Jr. Pivotal Role of AKT2 during Dynamic Phenotypic Change of Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1058. [PMID: 31357505 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic resistance seen in aggressive forms of breast cancer remains challenging for current treatments. More than half of the patients suffer from a disease relapse, most of them with distant metastases. Cancer maintenance, resistance to therapy, and metastatic disease seem to be sustained by the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC) within a tumor. The difficulty in targeting this subpopulation derives from their dynamic interconversion process, where CSC can differentiate to non-CSC, which in turn de-differentiate into cells with CSC properties. Using fluorescent CSC models driven by the expression of ALDH1A 1(aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1), we confirmed this dynamic phenotypic change in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and to identify Serine/Threonine Kinase 2 (AKT2) as an important player in the process. To confirm the central role of AKT2, we silenced AKT2 expression via small interfering RNA and using a chemical inhibitor (CCT128930), in both CSC and non-CSC from different cancer cell lines. Our results revealed that AKT2 inhibition effectively prevents non-CSC reversion through mesenchymal to epithelial transition, reducing invasion and colony formation ability of both, non-CSC and CSC. Further, AKT2 inhibition reduced CSC survival in low attachment conditions. Interestingly, in orthotopic tumor mouse models, high expression levels of AKT2 were detected in circulating tumor cells (CTC). These findings suggest AKT2 as a promising target for future anti-cancer therapies at three important levels: (i) Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) reversion and maintenance of CSC subpopulation in primary tumors, (ii) reduction of CTC and the likelihood of metastatic spread, and (iii) prevention of tumor recurrence through inhibition of CSC tumorigenic and metastatic potential.
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Ring A, Nguyen C, Smbatyan G, Tripathy D, Yu M, Press M, Kahn M, Lang JE. CBP/β-Catenin/FOXM1 Is a Novel Therapeutic Target in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10120525. [PMID: 30572639 PMCID: PMC6315782 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10120525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are an aggressive BC subtype, characterized by high rates of drug resistance and a high proportion of cancer stem cells (CSC). CSCs are thought to be responsible for tumor initiation and drug resistance. cAMP-response element-binding (CREB) binding protein (CREBBP or CBP) has been implicated in CSC biology and may provide a novel therapeutic target in TNBC. Methods: RNA Seq pre- and post treatment with the CBP-binding small molecule ICG-001 was used to characterize CBP-driven gene expression in TNBC cells. In vitro and in vivo TNBC models were used to determine the therapeutic effect of CBP inhibition via ICG-001. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were used to investigate the potential of CBP and associated proteins as biomarkers in TNBC. Results: The CBP/ß-catenin/FOXM1 transcriptional complex drives gene expression in TNBC and is associated with increased CSC numbers, drug resistance and poor survival outcome. Targeting of CBP/β-catenin/FOXM1 with ICG-001 eliminated CSCs and sensitized TNBC tumors to chemotherapy. Immunohistochemistry of TMAs demonstrated a significant correlation between FOXM1 expression and TNBC subtype. Conclusion: CBP/β-catenin/FOXM1 transcriptional activity plays an important role in TNBC drug resistance and CSC phenotype. CBP/β-catenin/FOXM1 provides a molecular target for precision therapy in triple negative breast cancer and could form a rationale for potential clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ring
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Rämistrasse 100, 0832 Zürich 1, The Netherlands.
| | - Cu Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
| | - Goar Smbatyan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
| | - Debu Tripathy
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, UT-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Min Yu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Michael Press
- University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Michael Kahn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
| | - Julie E Lang
- University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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Néant I, Haiech J, Kilhoffer MC, Aulestia FJ, Moreau M, Leclerc C. Ca 2+-Dependent Transcriptional Repressors KCNIP and Regulation of Prognosis Genes in Glioblastoma. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:472. [PMID: 30618619 PMCID: PMC6305344 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most aggressive and lethal primary astrocytic tumors in adults, with very poor prognosis. Recurrence in GBM is attributed to glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSLCs). The behavior of the tumor, including proliferation, progression, invasion, and significant resistance to therapies, is a consequence of the self-renewing properties of the GSLCs, and their high resistance to chemotherapies have been attributed to their capacity to enter quiescence. Thus, targeting GSLCs may constitute one of the possible therapeutic challenges to significantly improve anti-cancer treatment regimens for GBM. Ca2+ signaling is an important regulator of tumorigenesis in GBM, and the transition from proliferation to quiescence involves the modification of the kinetics of Ca2+ influx through store-operated channels due to an increased capacity of the mitochondria of quiescent GSLC to capture Ca2+. Therefore, the identification of new therapeutic targets requires the analysis of the calcium-regulated elements at transcriptional levels. In this review, we focus onto the direct regulation of gene expression by KCNIP proteins (KCNIP1–4). These proteins constitute the class E of Ca2+ sensor family with four EF-hand Ca2+-binding motifs and control gene transcription directly by binding, via a Ca2+-dependent mechanism, to specific DNA sites on target genes, called downstream regulatory element (DRE). The presence of putative DRE sites on genes associated with unfavorable outcome for GBM patients suggests that KCNIP proteins may contribute to the alteration of the expression of these prognosis genes. Indeed, in GBM, KCNIP2 expression appears to be significantly linked to the overall survival of patients. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the quiescent GSLCs with respect to Ca2+ signaling and discuss how Ca2+via KCNIP proteins may affect prognosis genes expression in GBM. This original mechanism may constitute the basis of the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Néant
- Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), CNRS, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Jacques Haiech
- Laboratoire d'Excellence Medalis, CNRS, LIT UMR 7200, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Marie-Claude Kilhoffer
- Laboratoire d'Excellence Medalis, CNRS, LIT UMR 7200, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Francisco J Aulestia
- Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, NYU College of Dentistry, New York, NY, United States
| | - Marc Moreau
- Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), CNRS, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Catherine Leclerc
- Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), CNRS, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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16
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Fan Q, Cai Q, Li P, Wang W, Wang J, Gerry E, Wang TL, Shih IM, Nephew KP, Xu Y. The novel ZIP4 regulation and its role in ovarian cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:90090-90107. [PMID: 29163813 PMCID: PMC5685734 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Our RNAseq analyses revealed that ZIP4 is a top gene up-regulated in more aggressive ovarian cancer cells. ZIP4's role in cancer stem cells has not been reported in any type of cancer. In addition, the role and regulation of ZIP4, a zinc transporter, have been studied in the context of extracellular zinc transporting. Factors other than zinc with ZIP4 regulatory effects are essentially unknown. ZIP4 expression and its regulation in epithelial ovarian cancer cells was assessed by immunoblotting, quantitative PCR, or immunohistochemistry staining in human ovarian tissues. Cancer stem cell-related activities were examined to evaluate the role of ZIP4 in human high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. RNAi and CRISPR techniques were used to knockdown or knockout ZIP4 and related genes. Ovarian cancer tissues overexpressed ZIP4 when compared with normal and benign tissues. ZIP4 knockout significantly reduced several cancer stem cell-related activities in EOC cells, including proliferation, anoikis-resistance, colony-formation, spheroid-formation, drug-resistance, and side-population in vitro. ZIP4-expressing side-population highly expressed known CSC markers ALDH1 and OCT4. ZIP4 knockout dramatically reduced tumorigenesis and ZIP4 overexpression increased tumorigenesis in vivo. In addition, the ZIP4-expressing side-population had the tumor initiating activity. Moreover, the oncolipid lysophosphatic acid effectively up-regulated ZIP4 expression via the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and lysophosphatic acid 's promoting effects in cancer stem cell-related activities in HGSOC cells was at least partially mediated by ZIP4 in an extracellular zinc-independent manner. Our critical data imply that ZIP4 is a new and important cancer stem cell regulator in ovarian cancer. Our data also provide an innovative interpretation for the apparent disconnection between low levels of zinc and up-regulation of ZIP4 in ovarian cancer tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qipeng Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Qingchun Cai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Pengfei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China
| | - Wenyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, 230601, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- MASDINO (Beijing) Medical Research Co. Ltd., Beijing, 100123, P.R. China
| | - Emily Gerry
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Tian-Li Wang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Ie-Ming Shih
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Kenneth P. Nephew
- Medical Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Jordan Hall 302, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Lindoso RS, Collino F, Vieyra A. Extracellular vesicles as regulators of tumor fate: crosstalk among cancer stem cells, tumor cells and mesenchymal stem cells. Stem Cell Investig 2017; 4:75. [PMID: 29057247 DOI: 10.21037/sci.2017.08.08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment comprises a heterogeneous population of tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are components of this microenvironment and have been described as key regulators of different aspects of tumor physiology. They act differently on the tumor: CSCs are described as tumor initiators and are associated with tumor growth, drug resistance and metastasis; MSCs can integrate the tumor microenvironment after recruitment and interact with cancer cells to promote tumor modifications. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as an important mechanism of cell communication under the physiological and pathological conditions. In cancer, secretion of EVs seems to be one of the main mechanisms by which stem cells interact with other tumor and non-tumor cells. The transfer of bioactive molecules (lipids, proteins and RNAs) compartmentalized into EVs triggers different responses in the target cells, regulating several processes in the tumor as angiogenesis, tumor invasiveness and immune escape. This review focuses on the role of CSCs and MSCs in modulating the tumor microenvironment through secretion of EVs, addressing different aspects of the multidirectional interactions among stem cells, tumor and tumor-associated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Soares Lindoso
- Carlos Chagas Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging-CENABIO, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology for Regenerative Medicine-REGENERA, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Federica Collino
- Carlos Chagas Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging-CENABIO, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology for Regenerative Medicine-REGENERA, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Adalberto Vieyra
- Carlos Chagas Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging-CENABIO, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology for Regenerative Medicine-REGENERA, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Graduate Program of Translational Biomedicine, Grande Rio University, 25071-202 Duque de Caxias, Brazil
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18
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Wiechec E, Hansson KT, Alexandersson L, Jönsson JI, Roberg K. Hypoxia Mediates Differential Response to Anti-EGFR Therapy in HNSCC Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E943. [PMID: 28468237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18050943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment modalities, drug resistance and cancer recurrence are often reported. Hypoxia signaling through hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) promotes angiogenesis and metastasis by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of hypoxia on response to therapy as well as EMT and expression of stem cell markers in HNSCC cells. Five HNSCC cell lines (UT-SCC-2, UT-SCC-14, LK0412, LK0827, and LK0923) were selected for this study. The treatment sensitivity for radiation, cisplatin, cetuximab, and dasatinib was assessed by crystal violet assay. Gene expression of EMT and cancer stem cell (CSC) markers as well as protein level of EGFR signaling molecules were analyzed by qPCR and western blotting, respectively. Unlike UT-SCC-14 and LK0827, the LK0412 cell line became significantly more sensitive to cetuximab in hypoxic conditions. This cetuximab sensitivity was efficiently reversed after suppression of HIF-1α with siRNA. Additionally, hypoxia-induced EMT and expression of stem cell markers in HNSCC cells was partially revoked by treatment with cetuximab or knockdown of HIF-1α. In summary, our study shows that hypoxia might have a positive influence on the anti-EGFR therapy effectiveness in HNSCC. However, due to heterogeneity of HNSCC lesions, targeting HIF-1α may not be sufficient to mediate such a response. Further studies identifying a trait of hypoxia-specific response to cetuximab in HNSCC are advisable.
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19
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Parasramka MA, Patel T. Long non-coding RNA regulation of liver cancer stem cell self-renewal offers new therapeutic targeting opportunities. Stem Cell Investig 2016; 3:1. [PMID: 27358893 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2306-9759.2016.01.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are critical regulators of gene expression, and can reprogram the transcriptome to modulate cellular processes involved in cellular growth and differentiation, and thereby contribute to tumorigenesis. In addition to effects on tumor cell growth, survival and cell signaling, lncRNA can modulate cancer stem cell (CSC) behavior, including the expression of pluripotency factors. The identification of lncRNA that are mechanistically linked to cancer stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, or aberrant signaling pathways associated with tumor growth or progression, offer new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansi A Parasramka
- Departments of Transplantation and Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Tushar Patel
- Departments of Transplantation and Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
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20
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Cherciu I, Bărbălan A, Pirici D, Mărgăritescu C, Săftoiu A. Stem cells, colorectal cancer and cancer stem cell markers correlations. Curr Health Sci J 2014; 40:153-61. [PMID: 25729599 DOI: 10.12865/CHSJ.40.03.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
: The idea of stem cells as being progenitors of cancer was initially controversial, but later supported by research in the field of leukemia and solid tumors. Afterwards, it was established that genetic abnormalities can affect the stem and progenitor cells, leading to uncontrolled replication and deregulated differentiation. These alterations will cause the changeover to cancerous stem cells (CSC) having two main characteristics: tumor initiation and maintenance. This review will focus on the colorectal cancer stem cell (CR-CSCs) theory which provides a better understanding of different tumor processes: initiation, aggressive growth, recurrence, treatment resistance and metastasis. A search in PubMed/Medline was performed using the following keywords: colorectal cancer stem cells (CR-CSCs), colorectal neoplasms stem cells, colorectal cancer stem cell (CR-CSCs) markers, etc. Electronic searches were supplemented by hand searching reference lists, abstracts and proceedings from meetings. Isolation of CR-CSCs can be achieved by targeting and selecting subpopulation of tumor cells based on expression of one or multiple cell surface markers associated with cancer self-renewal, markers as: CD133, CD166, CD44, CD24, beta1 integrin-CD29, Lgr5, EpCAM (ESA), ALDH-1, Msi-1, DCAMLK1 or EphB receptors. The identification and localization of CR-CSCs through different markers will hopefully lead to a better stratification of prognosis and treatment response, as well as the development of new effective strategies for cancer management.
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Abstract
Recent advance of sequencing technology has revealed genetic alterations in colorectal cancer (CRC). The biological function of recurrently mutated genes has been intensively investigated through mouse genetic models and CRC cell lines. Although these experimental models may not fully reflect biological traits of human intestinal epithelium, they provided insights into the understanding of intestinal stem cell self-renewal, leading to the development of novel human intestinal organoid culture system. Intestinal organoid culture enabled to expand normal or tumor epithelial cells in vitro retaining their stem cell self-renewal and multiple differentiation. Gene manipulation of these cultured cells may provide an attractive tool for investigating genetic events involved in colorectal carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Fujii
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Keio University Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiro Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Keio University Tokyo, Japan
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