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Huang J, Huang J, Zhang G. Insights into the Role of Sialylation in Cancer Metastasis, Immunity, and Therapeutic Opportunity. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235840. [PMID: 36497322 PMCID: PMC9737300 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sialylation is an enzymatic process that covalently attaches sialic acids to glycoproteins and glycolipids and terminates them by creating sialic acid-containing glycans (sialoglycans). Sialoglycans, usually located in the outmost layers of cells, play crucial biological roles, notably in tumor transformation, growth, metastasis, and immune evasion. Thus, a deeper comprehension of sialylation in cancer will help to facilitate the development of innovative cancer therapies. Cancer sialylation-related articles have consistently increased over the last four years. The primary subjects of these studies are sialylation, cancer, immunotherapy, and metastasis. Tumor cells activate endothelial cells and metastasize to distant organs in part by the interactions of abnormally sialylated integrins with selectins. Furthermore, cancer sialylation masks tumor antigenic epitopes and induces an immunosuppressive environment, allowing cancer cells to escape immune monitoring. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes develop different recognition epitopes for glycosylated and nonglycosylated peptides. Therefore, targeting tumor-derived sialoglycans is a promising approach to cancer treatments for limiting the dissemination of tumor cells, revealing immunogenic tumor antigens, and boosting anti-cancer immunity. Exploring the exact tumor sialoglycans may facilitate the identification of new glycan targets, paving the way for the development of customized cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianmei Huang
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Jianming Huang
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sichuan Cancer Institute, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guonan Zhang
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
- Correspondence:
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Chen WZ, Jiang JX, Yu XY, Xia WJ, Yu PX, Wang K, Zhao ZY, Chen ZG. Endothelial cells in colorectal cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2019; 11:946-956. [PMID: 31798776 PMCID: PMC6883186 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v11.i11.946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The dependence of tumor growth on neovascularization has become an important aspect of cancer biology. Tumor angiogenesis is one of the key mechanisms of tumorigenesis, growth and metastasis. The key events involved in this process are endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and vascular formation. Recent studies have revealed the importance of tumor-associated endothelial cells (TECs) in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), including epithelial proliferation, stem cell maintenance, angiogenesis, and immune remodeling. Decades of research have identified that the molecular basis of tumor angiogenesis includes vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptor family, which are the main targets of antiangiogenesis therapy. VEGFs and their receptors play key roles in the pathology of angiogenesis, and their overexpression indicates poor prognosis in CRC. This article reviews the characteristics of the tumor vasculature and the role of TECs in different stages of CRC and immune remodeling. We also discuss the biological effects of VEGFs and their receptor family as angiogenesis regulators and emphasize the clinical implications of TECs in clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu-Zhen Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Xin Jiang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiu-Yan Yu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Jie Xia
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Peng-Xin Yu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Zhao
- Department of Administrative Office, the First People’s Hospital of Jiande, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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Abstract
Even though liver metastasis accounts for the vast majority of cancer deaths in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), fundamental questions about the molecular and cellular mechanisms of liver metastasis still remain unanswered. Determination of gene expression profiles by microarray technology has improved our knowledge of CRC molecular pathways. However, defined gene signatures are highly variable among studies. Expression profiles and molecular markers have been specifically linked to liver metastases mechanistic paths in CRC. However, to date, none of the identified signatures or molecular markers has been successfully validated as a diagnostic or prognostic tool applicable to routine clinical practice. To obtain a genetic signature for liver metastasis in CRC, measures to improve reproducibility, to increase consistency, and to validate results need to be implemented. Alternatives to expression profiling with microarray technology are continuing to be used. In the recent past, many genes codifying for proteins that are directly or indirectly involved in adhesion, invasion, angiogenesis, survival and cell growth have been linked to mechanisms of liver metastases in CRC.
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