Noncoding RNAs in tumor metastasis: molecular and clinical perspectives

Oncogenic role of SKA2 and its ceRNA network in hepatocellular carcinoma based on a comprehensive analysis

Background

Genetic alterations have important roles in cancer development and progression. SKA2 (spindle and kinetochore associated complex subunit 2) is a mitotic component that plays a critical role in maintaining the silence of the metaphase plate and spindle checkpoint. However, the exact role of SKA2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. The current study aimed to comprehensively identify the function of SKA2 in HCC.

Methods

We utilized various databases and bioinformatics tools, such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), survminer package, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), cBioPortal website, clusterProfiler package, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), miRWalk, TargetScanHuman8.0, miRDB, DIANA and Cytoscape to identify the role of SKA2 in HCC.

Results

Our results showed that patients with HCC exhibited a high SKA2 expression. Further, the SKA2 high expression group had a worse overall survival (OS). And SKA2 was associated with tumor stage and the immune system. In addition, 188 co-expression genes of SKA2 participated in some processes including cell cycle, DNA replication and so on. The tumor had a lower hsa-miR-19b-1-5p and hsa-miR-378a-5p expression, and these two microRNAs (miRNAs) were also correlated with OS. SNHG14, SNHG15, and SPCA6P-AS were significantly negatively correlated with hsa-378a-5p, and these three long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) showed a positive correlation with SKA2 (P<0.05). SKA2 is a member of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). Moreover, it is related to SPACA6P-AS/hsa-miR-378a-5p/SKA2, SNHG14/hsa-miR-378a-5p/SKA2, and SNHG15/hsa-miR-378a-5p/SKA2, which play significant roles in tumor progression.

Conclusions

SKA2 is associated with OS, tumor stage, and immune infiltrating cells in HCC. Thus, we propose that SKA2 functions as a ceRNA and influences tumorigenesis. These findings lay the foundation for future research in the field of HCC.

Epigenetic modification of ferroptosis by non-coding RNAs in cancer drug resistance

The development of drug resistance remains a major challenge in cancer treatment. Ferroptosis, a unique type of regulated cell death, plays a pivotal role in inhibiting tumour growth, presenting new opportunities in treating chemotherapeutic resistance. Accumulating studies indicate that epigenetic modifications by non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) can determine cancer cell vulnerability to ferroptosis. In this review, we first summarize the role of chemotherapeutic resistance in cancer growth/development. Then, we summarize the core molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, its upstream epigenetic regulation, and its downstream effects on chemotherapeutic resistance. Finally, we review recent advances in understanding how ncRNAs regulate ferroptosis and from such modulate chemotherapeutic resistance. This review aims to enhance general understanding of the ncRNA-mediated epigenetic regulatory mechanisms which modulate ferroptosis, highlighting the ncRNA-ferroptosis axis as a key druggable target in overcoming chemotherapeutic resistance.

Non-coding RNA in exosomes: Regulating bone metastasis of lung cancer and its clinical application prospect

Lung cancer is a highly prevalent malignancy with poor prognosis and rapid progression. It most frequently metastasizes to the bone, where it can pose a severe threat to the patient's survival. Once metastasized, the disease is often incurable and can result in severe complications such as hypercalcemia, bone pain, fractures, spinal cord compression, and subsequent paralysis. Exosomes are bilayer vesicle nanoparticles secreted by most of the extracellular vesicles, which can be found in almost all organisms and play an essential role in intercellular communication. Through their ability to regulate related bone cells, exosomes carry bioactive molecules, including proteins, lipids, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), that can be extremely important in bone remodeling. Studies have been conducted on the role play by proteins, lncRNA, and microRNA-all ncRNAs-carried by exosomes in the bone metastases of lung cancer. In this review, the latest progress of the regulatory mechanism of ncRNAs carried by exosomes in lung cancer bone metastasis has been reviewed. The clinical use of exosomes as a promising biomarker, drug transporter, and therapeutic target was highlighted to offer a novel diagnostic and treatment approach for patients with lung cancer bone metastases.

Pharmacologically inducing anoikis offers novel therapeutic opportunities in hepatocellular carcinoma

Tumor metastasis occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), leading to tumor progression and therapeutic failure. Anoikis is a matrix detachment-induced apoptosis, also known as detachment-induced cell death, and mechanistically prevents tumor cells from escaping their native extracellular matrix to metastasize to new organs. Deciphering the regulators and mechanisms of anoikis in cancer metastasis is urgently needed to treat HCC. Several natural and synthetic products induce anoikis in HCC cells and in vivo models. Here, we first briefly summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of anoikis regulation and relevant regulators involved in HCC metastasis. Then we discuss the therapeutic potential of pharmacological induction of anoikis as a potential treatment against HCC. Finally, we discuss the key limitations of this therapeutic paradigm and propose possible strategies to overcome them. Cumulatively this review suggests that the pharmacological induction of anoikis can be used a promising therapeutic modality against HCC.

Beyond traditional translation: ncRNA derived peptides as modulators of tumor behaviors

Within the intricate tapestry of molecular research, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) were historically overshadowed by a pervasive presumption of their inability to encode proteins or peptides. However, groundbreaking revelations have challenged this notion, unveiling select ncRNAs that surprisingly encode peptides specifically those nearing a succinct 100 amino acids. At the forefront of this epiphany stand lncRNAs and circRNAs, distinctively characterized by their embedded small open reading frames (sORFs). Increasing evidence has revealed different functions and mechanisms of peptides/proteins encoded by ncRNAs in cancer, including promotion or inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, cellular metabolism (glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism), and promotion or concerted metastasis of cancer cells. The discoveries not only accentuate the depth of ncRNA functionality but also open novel avenues for oncological research and therapeutic innovations. The main difficulties in the study of these ncRNA-derived peptides hinge crucially on precise peptide detection and sORFs identification. Here, we illuminate cutting-edge methodologies, essential instrumentation, and dedicated databases tailored for unearthing sORFs and peptides. In addition, we also conclude the potential of clinical applications in cancer therapy.

Non‑coding RNA: A promising diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (Review)

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a common form of malignant tumor in the digestive system that is classified into two types: Esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma. ESCC is known for its early onset of symptoms, which can be difficult to identify, as well as its rapid progression and tendency to develop drug resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These factors contribute to the high incidence of disease and low cure rate. Therefore, a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target need to be identified for ESCC. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a class of molecules that are transcribed from DNA but do not encode proteins. Initially, ncRNAs were considered to be non-functional segments generated during transcription. However, with advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies in recent years, ncRNAs have been associated with poor prognosis, drug resistance and progression of ESCC. The present study provides a comprehensive overview of the biogenesis, characteristics and functions of ncRNAs, particularly focusing on microRNA, long ncRNAs and circular RNAs. Furthermore, the ncRNAs that could potentially be used as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ESCC are summarized to highlight their application value and prospects in ESCC.

Decoding contextual crosstalk: revealing distinct interactions between non-coding RNAs and unfolded protein response in breast cancer

Breast cancer is significantly influenced by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, impacting both its initiation and progression. When cells experience an accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins, they activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) to restore cellular balance. In breast cancer, the UPR is frequently triggered due to challenging conditions within tumors. The UPR has a dual impact on breast cancer. On one hand, it can contribute to tumor growth by enhancing cell survival and resistance to programmed cell death in unfavorable environments. On the other hand, prolonged and severe ER stress can trigger cell death mechanisms, limiting tumor progression. Furthermore, ER stress has been linked to the regulation of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in breast cancer cells. These ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), play essential roles in cancer development by influencing gene expression and cellular processes. An improved understanding of how ER stress and ncRNAs interact in breast cancer can potentially lead to new treatment approaches. Modifying specific ncRNAs involved in the ER stress response might interfere with cancer cell survival and induce cell death. Additionally, focusing on UPR-associated proteins that interact with ncRNAs could offer novel therapeutic possibilities. Therefore, this review provides a concise overview of the interconnection between ER stress and ncRNAs in breast cancer, elucidating the nuanced effects of the UPR on cell fate and emphasizing the regulatory roles of ncRNAs in breast cancer progression.

Advances in the role of microRNAs associated with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in lung cancer

Cancer has long been a topic of great interest in society and a major factor affecting human health. Breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers are the top four tumor types with the greatest incidence rates in 2020, according to the most recent data on global cancer incidence. Among these, lung cancer had the highest fatality rate. Extensive research has shown that microRNAs, through different signaling pathways, play crucial roles in cancer development. It is considered that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway plays a significant role in the development of lung cancer. MicroRNAs can act as a tumor suppressor or an oncogene by altering the expression of important proteins in this pathway, such as PTEN and AKT. In order to improve the clinical translational benefit of microRNAs in lung cancer research, we have generalized and summarized the way of action of microRNAs linked with the PI3/AKT signaling pathway in this review through literature search and data analysis.

Non-coding RNAs: a promising target for early metastasis intervention

ABSTRACT

Metastases account for the overwhelming majority of cancer-associated deaths. The dissemination of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant organs involves a complex process known as the invasion-metastasis cascade. The underlying biological mechanisms of metastasis, however, remain largely elusive. Recently, the discovery and characterization of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have revealed the diversity of their regulatory roles, especially as key contributors throughout the metastatic cascade. Here, we review recent progress in how three major types of ncRNAs (microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs) are involved in the multistep procedure of metastasis. We further examine interactions among the three ncRNAs as well as current progress in their regulatory mechanisms. We also propose the prevention of metastasis in the early stages of cancer progression and discuss current translational studies using ncRNAs as targets for metastasis diagnosis and treatments. These studies provide insights into developing more effective strategies to target metastatic relapse.

Current advancements and future perspectives of long noncoding RNAs in lipid metabolism and signaling

BACKGROUND

The investigation of lncRNAs has provided a novel perspective for elucidating mechanisms underlying diverse physiological and pathological processes. Compelling evidence has revealed an intrinsic link between lncRNAs and lipid metabolism, demonstrating that lncRNAs-induced disruption of lipid metabolism and signaling contribute to the development of multiple cancers and some other diseases, including obesity, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease.

AIMOF REVIEW

The current review summarizes the recent advances in basic research about lipid metabolism and lipid signaling-related lncRNAs. Meanwhile, the potential and challenges of targeting lncRNA for the therapy of cancers and other lipid metabolism-related diseases are also discussed.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPT OF REVIEW

Compared with the substantial number of lncRNA loci, we still know little about the role of lncRNAs in metabolism. A more comprehensive understanding of the function and mechanism of lncRNAs may provide a new standpoint for the study of lipid metabolism and signaling. Developing lncRNA-based therapeutic approaches is an effective strategy for lipid metabolism-related diseases.

Role of autophagy and its regulation by noncoding RNAs in ovarian cancer

Autophagy is a self-digestion process by which misfolded proteins and damaged organelles in eukaryotic cells are degraded to maintain cellular homeostasis. This process is involved in the tumorigenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance of various tumors such as ovarian cancer (OC). Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), mainly including microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs, have been extensively investigated in cancer research for their roles in the regulation of autophagy. Recent studies have shown that in OC cells, ncRNAs can modulate the formation of autophagosomes, which affect tumor progression and chemoresistance. An understanding of the role of autophagy in OC progression, treatment, and prognosis is important, and the identification of the regulatory roles of ncRNAs in autophagy leads to intervention strategies for OC therapy. This review summarizes the role of autophagy in OC and discusses the role of ncRNA-mediated autophagy in OC, as an understanding of these roles may contribute to the development of potential therapeutic strategies for this disease.

Anesthetic propofol inhibits ferroptosis and aggravates distant cancer metastasis via Nrf2 upregulation

The impact of anesthetic management on the prognosis of patients with cancer undergoing surgery is controversial. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play critical roles during cancer metastasis and can be released in large quantities during surgery. The ferroptosis of CTCs is related to metastasis. Whether anesthetics affect distant metastasis by increasing the survival of CTCs is unknown. To test this hypothesis, mice were inoculated with cancer cells via tail vein injection before treatment with propofol or sevoflurane for 2 h. After 2 weeks, more metastases were observed in the propofol group compared with the sevoflurane and vehicle groups. Then, we used the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 to explore the effect of ferroptosis on metastasis. Similar to propofol, pretreatment with ferrostatin-1 significantly increased CTC survival in mouse lungs at 24 h and the tumor burden at 10 weeks post-inoculation. Moreover, propofol protected cancer cells from RSL3-induced ferroptosis in vitro, as evidenced by decreases in intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxide, and ferroptosis markers. Further studies showed that propofol treatment upregulated the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream target genes, including HO-1, NQO1, and SLC7A11. Finally, the targeted knockdown of Nrf2 abolished the anti-ferroptosis effect of propofol. Collectively, we demonstrated the risk of a specific type of anesthetic, propofol, in promoting cancer cell metastasis through Nrf2-mediated ferroptosis inhibition. These findings may guide the choice of anesthetic for surgical removal of tumors.

Advances in the Molecular Landscape of Lung Cancer Brain Metastasis

Lung cancer is one of the most frequent tumors that metastasize to the brain. Brain metastasis (BM) is common in advanced cases, being the major cause of patient morbidity and mortality. BMs are thought to arise via the seeding of circulating tumor cells into the brain microvasculature. In brain tissue, the interaction with immune cells promotes a microenvironment favorable to the growth of cancer cells. Despite multimodal treatments and advances in systemic therapies, lung cancer patients still have poor prognoses. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify the molecular drivers of BM and clinically applicable biomarkers in order to improve disease outcomes and patient survival. The goal of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the mechanisms of the metastatic spread of lung cancer to the brain and how the metastatic spread is influenced by the brain microenvironment, and to elucidate the molecular determinants of brain metastasis regarding the role of genomic and transcriptomic changes, including coding and non-coding RNAs. We also present an overview of the current therapeutics and novel treatment strategies for patients diagnosed with BM from NSCLC.

Newly identified lncRNA-45 promotes breast cancer metastasis through activating the mTOR signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Metastasis, a complex multi-stage process, is the primary cause of breast cancer-related death. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor metastasis have not been fully elucidated thus far. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) dictate the behaviours of tumor cells via multiple signaling pathways, resulting in tumor cell migration and invasion, as well as all stages of cancer progression. LncRNAs function as regulators in shaping cellular activities directly through influencing key genes involved in biological processes of the tumor, and representing promising novel targets in cancer diagnosis and therapy. We therefore sought to define the correlations between lncRNA expression and breast cancer metastasis, especially to investigate the functional pathway underlying lncRNA-mediated tumor invasion and metastasis process.

RESULTS

In this study, we compared the lncRNA transcriptome profiles between primary breast cancer 4T1 cells and high metastatic 4T1-LG12 cells. We found that many differently expressed lncRNAs greatly correlated to the metastatic propensity of 4T1-LG12 cells, particularly lncRNA-45, a new lncRNA without functional annotations, which was found to be the most upregulated lncRNA transcribed by an internal region within the regulatory associated with protein of mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR) complex 1 (Rptor) gene. LncRNA-45 was uncovered to be involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process of breast cancer cells, as evidenced by the observation that lncRNA-45 knockdown significantly suppressed the invasive capability of parental 4T1-LG12 cells. Molecular mechanistic investigation showed that reduced activity of mTORC1-associated pathway led to a decrease of total ribosomal protein S6 kinase, polypeptide 1 (S6K1) content and enhancement of autophagy, consequently compromising the metastatic propensity in lncRNA-45 knockdown cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our experiments uncovered that the newly identified lncRNA-45 played a regulatory role in breast cancer cell metastasis.

Role of ferroptosis and its non-coding RNA regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of programmed cell death that involves the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides and plays a vital role in the tumorigenesis, development, and drug resistance of various tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As a hotspot in molecular biology, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) participate in the initiation and progression of HCC, either act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Recent studies have shown that ncRNAs can regulate ferroptosis in HCC cells, which would affect the tumor progression and drug resistance. Therefore, clarifying the underlying role of ferroptosis and the regulatory role of ncRNA on ferroptosis in HCC could develop new treatment interventions for this disease. This review briefly summarizes the role of ferroptosis and ferroptosis-related ncRNAs in HCC tumorigenesis, progression, treatment, drug resistance and prognosis, for the development of potential therapeutic strategies and prognostic markers in HCC patients.

Non-Coding RNAs of Extracellular Vesicles: Key Players in Organ-Specific Metastasis and Clinical Implications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogeneous membrane-encapsulated vesicles released by most cells. They act as multifunctional regulators of intercellular communication by delivering bioactive molecules, including non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Metastasis is a major cause of cancer-related death. Most cancer cells disseminate and colonize a specific target organ via EVs, a process known as "organ-specific metastasis". Mounting evidence has shown that EVs are enriched with ncRNAs, and various EV-ncRNAs derived from tumor cells influence organ-specific metastasis via different mechanisms. Due to the tissue-specific expression of EV-ncRNAs, they could be used as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the treatment of tumor metastasis in various types of cancer. In this review, we have discussed the underlying mechanisms of EV-delivered ncRNAs in the most common organ-specific metastases of liver, bone, lung, brain, and lymph nodes. Moreover, we summarize the potential clinical applications of EV-ncRNAs in organ-specific metastasis to fill the gap between benches and bedsides.

Regulation of autophagy by non-coding RNAs in gastric cancer

Autophagy is a conserved cellular self-digesting process that degrades obsoleting proteins and cellular components and plays a crucial role in the tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance of various tumors such as gastric cancer (GC). As a hotspot in molecular biology, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in the regulation of multiple biological processes, such as autophagy. Increasing evidence indicate that various ncRNAs exert double roles in the initiation and progression of GC, either serve as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Recent studies have shown that some ncRNAs could modulate autophagy activity in GC cells, which would affect the malignant transformation and drug resistance. Whether the function of ncRNAs in GC is dependent on autophagy is undefined. Therefore, identifying the underlying moleculr targets of ncRNAs in autophagy pathways and the role of ncRNA-regulated autophagy in GC could develop new treatment interventions for this disease. This review summarizes the autophagy process and its role in GC, and the regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs, as well as focuses on the dual role of ncRNAs-mediated autophagy in GC, for the development of potential therapeutic strategies in GC patients.

Hypoxia-induced lncRNA STEAP3-AS1 activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling to promote colorectal cancer progression by preventing m6A-mediated degradation of STEAP3 mRNA

Background

Hypoxia, a typical hallmark of solid tumors, exhibits an essential role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), in which the dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is frequently observed. However, the underlying mechanisms are not clearly defined.

Methods

The TCGA database was analyzed to identify differential lncRNA expression involved in hypoxia-induced CRC progression. qRT-PCR was conducted to validate the upregulation of lncRNA STEAP3-AS1 in CRC cell lines and tumor-bearing mouse and zebrafish models under hypoxia. ChIP-qRT-PCR was used to detect the transcriptional activation of STEAP3-AS1 mediated by HIF-1α. RNA-seq, fluorescent in situ hybridization, RNA pulldown, RNA immunoprecipitation, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence and immunoblot experiments were used to ascertain the involved mechanisms. Functional assays were performed in both in vitro and in vivo models to investigate the regulatory role of STEAP3-AS1/STEAP3/Wnt/β-catenin axis in CRC proliferation and metastasis.

Results

Here, we identified a hypoxia-induced antisense lncRNA STEAP3-AS1 that was highly expressed in clinical CRC tissues and positively correlated with poor prognosis of CRC patients. Upregulation of lncRNA STEAP3-AS1, which was induced by HIF-1α-mediated transcriptional activation, facilitated the proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, STEAP3-AS1 interacted competitively with the YTH domain-containing family protein 2 (YTHDF2), a N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) reader, leading to the disassociation of YTHDF2 with STEAP3 mRNA. This effect protected STEAP3 mRNA from m⁶A-mediated degradation, enabling the high expression of STEAP3 protein and subsequent production of cellular ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Increased Fe²⁺ levels elevated Ser 9 phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) and inhibited its kinase activity, thus releasing β-catenin for nuclear translocation and subsequent activation of Wnt signaling to support CRC progression.

Conclusions

Taken together, our study highlights the mechanisms of lncRNA STEAP3-AS1 in facilitating CRC progression involving the STEAP3-AS1/STEAP3/Wnt/β-catenin axis, which may provide novel diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets to benefit CRC treatment.

Graphical abstract

Hypoxia-induced HIF-1α transcriptionally upregulates the expression of lncRNA STEAP3-AS1, which interacts competitively with YTHDF2, thus upregulating mRNA stability of STEAP3 and consequent STEAP3 protein expression. The enhanced STEAP3 expression results in production of cellular ferrous iron (Fe²⁺), which induces the Ser 9 phosphorylation and inactivation of GSK3β, releasing β-catenin for nuclear translocation and contributing to subsequent activation of Wnt signaling to promote CRC progression.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12943-022-01638-1.

Pan-sarcoma characterization of lncRNAs in the crosstalk of EMT and tumour immunity identifies distinct clinical outcomes and potential implications for immunotherapy

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible process that may interact with tumour immunity through multiple approaches. There is increasing evidence demonstrating the interconnections among EMT-related processes, the tumour microenvironment, and immune activity, as well as its potential influence on the immunotherapy response. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as critical modulators of gene expression. They play fundamental roles in tumour immunity and act as promising biomarkers of immunotherapy response. However, the potential roles of lncRNA in the crosstalk of EMT and tumour immunity are still unclear in sarcoma. We obtained multi-omics profiling of 1440 pan-sarcoma patients from 19 datasets. Through an unsupervised consensus clustering approach, we categorised EMT molecular subtypes. We subsequently identified 26 EMT molecular subtype and tumour immune-related lncRNAs (EILncRNA) across pan-sarcoma types and developed an EILncRNA signature-based weighted scoring model (EILncSig). The EILncSig exhibited favourable performance in predicting the prognosis of sarcoma, and a high-EILncSig was associated with exclusive tumour microenvironment (TME) characteristics with desert-like infiltration of immune cells. Multiple altered pathways, somatically-mutated genes and recurrent CNV regions associated with EILncSig were identified. Notably, the EILncSig was associated with the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) therapy. Using a computational drug-genomic approach, we identified compounds, such as Irinotecan that may have the potential to convert the EILncSig phenotype. By integrative analysis on multi-omics profiling, our findings provide a comprehensive resource for understanding the functional role of lncRNA-mediated immune regulation in sarcomas, which may advance the understanding of tumour immune response and the development of lncRNA-based immunotherapeutic strategies for sarcoma.

Intramolecular ligation method (iLIME) for pre-miRNA quantification and sequencing

Hairpin-containing pre-miRNAs, produced from pri-miRNAs, are precursors of miRNAs (microRNAs) that play essential roles in gene expression and various human diseases. Current qPCR-based methods used to quantify pre-miRNAs are not effective to discriminate between pre-miRNAs and their parental pri-miRNAs. Here, we developed the intramolecular ligation method (iLIME) to quantify and sequence pre-miRNAs specifically. This method utilizes T4 RNA ligase 1 to convert pre-miRNAs into circularized RNAs, allowing us to design PCR primers to quantify pre-miRNAs, but not their parental pri-miRNAs. In addition, the iLIME also enables us to sequence the ends of pre-miRNAs using next-generation sequencing. Therefore, this method offers a simple and effective way to quantify and sequence pre-miRNAs, so it will be highly beneficial for investigating pre-miRNAs when addressing research questions and medical applications.

Manganese-Based Prussian Blue Nanocatalysts Suppress Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Growth and Metastasis via Photothermal and Chemodynamic Therapy

Based on the safety of prussian blue (PB) in biomedical application, we prepared manganese-based prussian blue (MnPB) nanocatalysts to achieve enhanced photothermal therapy and chemodynamic therapy. And we conducted a series of experiments to explore the therapeutic effects of MnPB nanoparticles (NPs) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vivo and in vitro. For in vitro experiments, the MnPB NPs suppressed growth of A549 cells by reactive oxygen species upregulation and near-infrared irradiation. Moreover, the MnPB NPs could inhibit lung cancer metastasis through downregulating the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expression in A549 cells. And for in vivo experiments, the MnPB NPs inhibited the growth of xenografted tumor effectively and were biologically safe. Meanwhile, Mn²⁺ as a T1-weighted agent could realize magnetic resonance imaging-guided diagnosis and treatment. To sum up, the results in this study clearly demonstrated that the MnPB NPs had remarkable effects for inhibiting the growth and metastasis of NSCLC and might serve as a promising multifunctional nanoplatform for NSCLC treatment.

Construction and validation of an autophagy-related long non-coding RNA signature to predict the prognosis of kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma

To identify the autophagy-related long non-coding RNAs (ARlncRNAs) associated with the prognosis of kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP), thereby establishing a clinical prognostic model. The gene expression matrix and clinical survival information of patients with KIRP were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and were divided into the training and testing groups. ARlncRNAs associated with the KIRP prognosis were analyzed by univariate, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO(, and multivariate Cox regression to construct a signature. We combined clinical factors associated with the prognosis with ARlncRNAs to establish a prognostic model of patients with KIRP. A nomogram was established to predict 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival of patients with KIRP. Besides, we built the lncRNA-messenger RNA co-expression network and used Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis to detect the biological functions of ARlncRNAs. LEF1-AS1, CU634019.6, C2orf48, AC027228.2, and AC107464.3 were identified. A prognosis-related ARlncRNAs signature was constructed in the training group and validated in the testing group. Patients with KIRP with a low risk score had significantly longer survival time than those with a high risk score. The risk score significantly affected the prognosis of patients, thereby being used for modeling. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values of 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival were 0.80, 0.78, and 0.84 in the training group, respectively. The signature had high concordance index and good accuracy in predicting the prognosis, which were confirmed by the nomogram. The prognosis-related ARlncRNAs signature we identified had a more accurate prediction for the prognosis of patients with KIRP.

Long Noncoding RNA MALAT1 and Colorectal Cancer: A Propensity Score Analysis of Two Prospective Cohorts

Background

Previous researches have shown that the aberrant expression of Metastasis associated in lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in tumour tissues may serve as a biomarker for colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis. However, these previous studies have small sample sizes and lacked validation from independent external populations. We therefore aimed to clarify the prognostic value of MALAT1 expression status in CRC patients using a large cohort and validate the findings with another large external cohort.

Methods

The prognostic association between MALAT1 expression status and CRC outcomes was evaluated initially in a prospective cohort in China (n=164) and then validated in an external TCGA population (n=596). In the initial cohort, MALAT1 expression levels were quantified by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Propensity score (PS) adjustment method was used to control potential confounding biases. The prognostic significance was reported as PS-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

There was no statistically significant association between MALAT1 expression status and CRC patient overall survival (OS) or disease free survival (DFS) in both initial cohort and external validation cohort populations. When combining these populations together, the results did not change materially. The summarized HR_PS-adjusted were 1.010 (95% CI, 0.752-1.355, P=0.950) and 1.170 (95% CI, 0.910-1.502, P=0.220) for OS and DFS, respectively.

Conclusions

MALAT1 expression status is not associated with prognostic outcomes of CRC patients. However, additional larger population studies are needed to further validate these findings.

A Low Dose Combination of Withaferin A and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Possesses Anti-Metastatic Potential In Vitro: Molecular Targets and Mechanisms

Simple Summary

Cancer therapy suffers from its high cost and high rate of adverse effects and relapse of the disease. Hence, the new (preferably natural), economic and safer therapeutic as well preventive measures have been on demand and have been subject of priority research. We have, earlier, demonstrated anticancer activity in the extracts of Ashwagandha leaves and propolis. A combination of Wi-A (an active anticancer ingredient in Ashwagandha extract) and CAPE (an active anticancer ingredient in propolis) was earlier shown to offer higher and cancer cell-selective cytotoxicity. In the present study, we report an anti-metastasis activity in the low dose combination of Wi-A and CAPE along with its mechanism of action and propose its use in cancer metastasis treatment.

Abstract

Withaferin A (Wi-A) and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) are the bioactive ingredients of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and propolis, respectively. Both of these natural compounds have been shown to possess anticancer activity. In the present study, we recruited a low dose of each of these compounds and developed a combination that exhibited remarkably potent anti-migratory and anti-angiogenic activities. Extensive molecular analyses including a cDNA array and expression analyses of the specific gene targets demonstrated that such activities are mediated through their effect on cell adhesion/tight junction proteins (Claudins, E-cadherin), inhibition of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways and the consequent downregulation of EMT-signaling proteins (Vimentin, MMPs, VEGF and VEGFR) that play a critical role in cancer metastasis. The data supported that this novel combination of Wi-A and CAPE (Wi-ACAPE, containing 0.5 µM of Wi-A and 10 µM of CAPE) may be recruited for the treatment of metastatic and aggressive cancers and, hence, warrant further evaluation by recruiting a variety of experimental and clinical metastatic models.