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Mehra S, Singh S, Nagathihalli N. Emerging Role of CREB in Epithelial to Mesenchymal Plasticity of Pancreatic Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:925687. [PMID: 35800049 PMCID: PMC9253527 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.925687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive solid malignancy with a high rate of metastasis and therapeutic resistance as its major hallmarks. Although a defining mutational event in pancreatic cancer initiation is the presence of oncogenic KRAS, more advanced PDAC lesions accumulate additional genomic alterations, including loss of tumor suppressor gene TP53. Co-occurrence of mutant KRAS and TP53 in PDAC promotes hyperactivation of cancer cell signaling pathways driving epithelial to mesenchymal plasticity (EMP). The cellular process of EMP influences the biological behavior of cancer cells by increasing their migratory and invasive properties, thus promoting metastasis. Our previous work has demonstrated that oncogenic KRAS-mediated activation of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein 1 (CREB) is one of the critical drivers of PDAC aggressiveness. The therapeutic approach of targeting this key transcription factor attenuates tumor burden in genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of this disease. Herein, we discuss the significant role of CREB in perpetuating disease aggressiveness and therapeutic resistance through the EMP process. Furthermore, this review updates the therapeutic implications of targeting CREB, highlighting the challenges and emerging approaches in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Mehra
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Samara Singh
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Nagaraj Nagathihalli
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Nagaraj Nagathihalli,
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Gimotty PA, Till JE, Udgata S, Takenaka N, Yee SS, LaRiviere MJ, O'Hara MH, Reiss KA, O'Dwyer P, Katona BW, Herman D, Carpenter EL, Zaret KS. THSB2 as a prognostic biomarker for patients diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Oncotarget 2021; 12:2266-2272. [PMID: 34733417 PMCID: PMC8555682 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28099] [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: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients newly diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma generally have poor survival, with heterogeneous rates of progression. Biomarkers that could predict progression and/or survival would help inform patients and providers as they make care decisions. In a previous retrospective study, we discovered that circulating thrombospondin-2 (THBS2) could, in combination with CA19-9, better distinguish patients with PDAC versus healthy controls. Here we evaluated whether THBS2 levels, previously not known to be prognostic, were associated with outcome in 68 patients at time of diagnosis of metastatic PDAC. Specifically, we interrogated the association of THBS2 level, alone or in combination with CA19-9, with progression by 90 days and/or survival to 180 days. The results indicate that elevated THBS2 levels alone, at the time of a metastatic PDAC diagnosis, can identify patients with a shorter time to death and thus help patients and providers when planning treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis A Gimotty
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jacob E Till
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Shirsa Udgata
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Naomi Takenaka
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie S Yee
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael J LaRiviere
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mark H O'Hara
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kim A Reiss
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Peter O'Dwyer
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bryson W Katona
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daniel Herman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Erica L Carpenter
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kenneth S Zaret
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Kisling SG, Natarajan G, Pothuraju R, Shah A, Batra SK, Kaur S. Implications of prognosis-associated genes in pancreatic tumor metastasis: lessons from global studies in bioinformatics. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2021; 40:721-738. [PMID: 34591244 PMCID: PMC8556170 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-09991-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of 10%. The occurrence of metastasis, among other hallmarks, is the main contributor to its poor prognosis. Consequently, the elucidation of metastatic genes involved in the aggressive nature of the disease and its poor prognosis will result in the development of new treatment modalities for improved management of PC. There is a deep interest in understanding underlying disease pathology, identifying key prognostic genes, and genes associated with metastasis. Computational approaches, which have become increasingly relevant over the last decade, are commonly used to explore such interests. This review aims to address global studies that have employed global approaches to identify prognostic and metastatic genes, while highlighting their methods and limitations. A panel of 48 prognostic genes were identified across these studies, but only five, including ANLN, ARNTL2, PLAU, TOP2A, and VCAN, were validated in multiple studies and associated with metastasis. Their association with metastasis has been further explored here, and the implications of these genes in the metastatic cascade have been interpreted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia G Kisling
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Gopalakrishnan Natarajan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Ramesh Pothuraju
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Ashu Shah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA.
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Sukhwinder Kaur
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA.
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Mbugua SN, Njenga LW, Odhiambo RA, Wandiga SO, Onani MO. Beyond DNA-targeting in Cancer Chemotherapy. Emerging Frontiers - A Review. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 21:28-47. [PMID: 32814532 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200819160213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Modern anti-cancer drugs target DNA specifically for rapid division of malignant cells. One downside of this approach is that they also target other rapidly dividing healthy cells, such as those involved in hair growth leading to serious toxic side effects and hair loss. Therefore, it would be better to develop novel agents that address cellular signaling mechanisms unique to cancerous cells, and new research is now focussing on such approaches. Although the classical chemotherapy area involving DNA as the set target continues to produce important findings, nevertheless, a distinctly discernible emerging trend is the divergence from the cisplatin operation model that uses the metal as the primary active center of the drug. Many successful anti-cancer drugs present are associated with elevated toxicity levels. Cancers also develop immunity against most therapies and the area of cancer research can, therefore, be seen as an area with a high unaddressed need. Hence, ongoing work into cancer pathogenesis is important to create accurate preclinical tests that can contribute to the development of innovative drugs to manage and treat cancer. Some of the emergent frontiers utilizing different approaches include nanoparticles delivery, use of quantum dots, metal complexes, tumor ablation, magnetic hypothermia and hyperthermia by use of Superparamagnetic Iron oxide Nanostructures, pathomics and radiomics, laser surgery and exosomes. This review summarizes these new approaches in good detail, giving critical views with necessary comparisons. It also delves into what they carry for the future, including their advantages and disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon N Mbugua
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lydia W Njenga
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ruth A Odhiambo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Shem O Wandiga
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Martin O Onani
- Organometallics and Nanomaterials, Department of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
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TGF Beta Induces Vitamin D Receptor and Modulates Mitochondrial Activity of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13122932. [PMID: 34208208 PMCID: PMC8230851 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The inflammatory cytokine TGFβ is both a tumor suppressor during cancer initiation and a promoter of metastasis along cancer progression. Inflammation and cancer are strictly linked, and cancer onset often correlates with the insufficiency of vitamin D, known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the interplay between TGFβ and vitamin D in two models of human pancreatic cancer, and we analyzed the metabolic effects of a prolonged TGFβ treatment mimicking the inflammatory environment of pancreatic cancer in vivo. We confirmed the induction of the vitamin D receptor previously described in epithelial cells, but the inhibitory effects of vitamin D on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were lost when the hormone was given after a long treatment with TGFβ. Moreover, we detected an ROS-mediated toxicity of the acute treatment with TGFβ, whereas a chronic exposure to low doses had a protumorigenic effect. In fact, it boosted the mitochondrial respiration and cancer cell migration without ROS production and cytotoxicity. Our observations shed some light on the multifaceted role of TGFβ in tumor progression, revealing that a sustained exposure to TGFβ at low doses results in an irreversibly increased EMT associated with a metabolic modulation which favors the formation of metastasis.
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Li Z, Li H, Chen J, Luo H, Zeng J, Yao Y, Duan M. SPAG5 promotes osteosarcoma metastasis via activation of FOXM1/MMP2 axis. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2020; 126:105797. [PMID: 32668328 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2020.105797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignancy of bone with a tendency to metastasize early. An understanding of the pathways that regulate OS metastasis is required for the design of novel treatment approaches. Sperm-associated antigen 5 (SPAG5) is upregulated and functions as a potential tumor promoter in diverse human cancers, but has yet to be investigated in the OS. In the present study, results showed that SPAG5 expression is upregulated in OS tissues, and SPAG5 overexpression is obviously associated with the malignant phenotype and poor survival in patients with OS. Multivariate analyses also revealed that SPAG5 overexpression is an independent prognostic factor for poor outcome of patients with OS. The functional assay indicated that SPAG5 silencing significantly inhibits the invasion and migration of OS cells in vitro. Additionally, knockdown of SPAG5 in OS cells suppresses lung metastasis in vivo. Further, we also found that SPAG5 silencing inhibits the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of OS cells. Moreover, our results indicated that SPAG5 promotes OS metastasis by increasing matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) expression, and demonstrated that MMP2 is crucial for the pro-metastasis role of SPAG5 in OS cells. Mechanistically, we identified that SPAG5 regulates MMP2 expression by modulating FOXM1 (Forkhead box M1) degradation to enhance the protein stability of FOXM1. Collectively, these findings describe the effects of SPAG5-FOXM1-MMP2 axis in the regulation of OS cell migration and metastasis formation. We provide a novel evidence that SPAG5 may serve as a prognostic indicator and potential therapeutic target for patients with osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyun Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Jiangwei Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Hao Luo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Jin Zeng
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Yao Yao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Mansheng Duan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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