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Sunaga N, Miura Y, Masuda T, Sakurai R. Role of Epiregulin in Lung Tumorigenesis and Therapeutic Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:710. [PMID: 38398101 PMCID: PMC10886815 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling regulates multiple cellular processes and plays an essential role in tumorigenesis. Epiregulin (EREG), a member of the EGF family, binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ErbB4, and it stimulates EGFR-related downstream pathways. Increasing evidence indicates that both the aberrant expression and oncogenic function of EREG play pivotal roles in tumor development in many human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EREG overexpression is induced by activating mutations in the EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF and contributes to the aggressive phenotypes of NSCLC with oncogenic drivers. Recent studies have elucidated the roles of EREG in a tumor microenvironment, including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, immune evasion, and resistance to anticancer therapy. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of EREG as an oncogene and discussed its oncogenic role in lung tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriaki Sunaga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan; (Y.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Yosuke Miura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan; (Y.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Tomomi Masuda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan; (Y.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Reiko Sakurai
- Oncology Center, Gunma University Hospital, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan;
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Barguilla I, Maguer-Satta V, Guyot B, Pastor S, Marcos R, Hernández A. In Vitro Approaches to Determine the Potential Carcinogenic Risk of Environmental Pollutants. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097851. [PMID: 37175558 PMCID: PMC10178670 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
One important environmental/health challenge is to determine, in a feasible way, the potential carcinogenic risk associated with environmental agents/exposures. Since a significant proportion of tumors have an environmental origin, detecting the potential carcinogenic risk of environmental agents is mandatory, as regulated by national and international agencies. The challenge mainly implies finding a way of how to overcome the inefficiencies of long-term trials with rodents when thousands of agents/exposures need to be tested. To such an end, the use of in vitro cell transformation assays (CTAs) was proposed, but the existing prevalidated CTAs do not cover the complexity associated with carcinogenesis processes and present serious limitations. To overcome such limitations, we propose to use a battery of assays covering most of the hallmarks of the carcinogenesis process. For the first time, we grouped such assays as early, intermediate, or advanced biomarkers which allow for the identification of the cells in the initiation, promotion or aggressive stages of tumorigenesis. Our proposal, as a novelty, points out that using a battery containing assays from all three groups can identify if a certain agent/exposure can pose a carcinogenic risk; furthermore, it can gather mechanistic insights into the mode of the action of a specific carcinogen. This structured battery could be very useful for any type of in vitro study, containing human cell lines aiming to detect the potential carcinogenic risks of environmental agents/exposures. In fact, here, we include examples in which these approaches were successfully applied. Finally, we provide a series of advantages that, we believe, contribute to the suitability of our proposed approach for the evaluation of exposure-induced carcinogenic effects and for the development of an alternative strategy for conducting an exposure risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Barguilla
- Group of Mutagenesis, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
| | | | - Boris Guyot
- CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Susana Pastor
- Group of Mutagenesis, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Ricard Marcos
- Group of Mutagenesis, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Alba Hernández
- Group of Mutagenesis, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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Van Hiep N, Sun WL, Feng PH, Lin CW, Chen KY, Luo CS, Dung LN, Van Quyet H, Wu SM, Lee KY. Heparin binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor is a prognostic marker correlated with levels of macrophages infiltrated in lung adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:963896. [PMID: 36439487 PMCID: PMC9686304 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.963896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The interactions between tumor cells and the host immune system play a crucial role in lung cancer progression and resistance to treatment. The alterations of EGFR signaling have the potential to produce an ineffective tumor-associated immune microenvironment by upregulating a series of immune suppressors, including inhibitory immune checkpoints, immunosuppressive cells, and cytokines. Elevated Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) expression, one EGFR ligand correlated with higher histology grading, worse patient prognosis, and lower overall survival rate, acts as a chemotactic factor. However, the role of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in the accumulation of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment remains unclear. Methods The clinical association of HB-EGF expression in lung cancer was examined using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository. HB-EGF expression in different cell types was determined using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset. The correlation between HB-EGF expression and cancer-immune infiltrated cells was investigated by performing TIMER and ClueGo pathways analysis from TCGA database. The chemotaxis of HB-EGF and macrophage infiltration was investigated using migration and immunohistochemical staining. Results The high HB-EGF expression was significantly correlated with poor overall survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) but not lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Moreover, HB-EGF expression was correlated with the infiltration of monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in LUAD but not in LUSC. Analysis of scRNA-seq data revealed high HB-EGF expression in lung cancer cells and myeloid cells. Results from the pathway analysis and cell-based experiment indicated that elevated HB-EGF expression was associated with the presence of macrophage and lung cancer cell migration. HB-EGF was highly expressed in tumors and correlated with M2 macrophage infiltration in LUAD. Conclusions HB-EGF is a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for lung cancer progression, particularly in LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Van Hiep
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Oncology Center, Bai Chay Hospital, Quang Ninh, Ha Long, Vietnam,Department of Thoracic and Neurological Surgery, Bai Chay Hospital, Quang Ninh, Ha Long, Vietnam
| | - Wei-Lun Sun
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,TMU Research Center for Thoracic Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hao Feng
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,TMU Research Center for Thoracic Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Wei Lin
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,TMU Research Center for Thoracic Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yuan Chen
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,TMU Research Center for Thoracic Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Shan Luo
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan,TMU Research Center for Thoracic Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Le Ngoc Dung
- Department of Thoracic and Neurological Surgery, Bai Chay Hospital, Quang Ninh, Ha Long, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Van Quyet
- Department of Thoracic and Neurological Surgery, Bai Chay Hospital, Quang Ninh, Ha Long, Vietnam
| | - Sheng-Ming Wu
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,TMU Research Center for Thoracic Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,*Correspondence: Kang-Yun Lee, ; Sheng-Ming Wu,
| | - Kang-Yun Lee
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,TMU Research Center for Thoracic Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan,*Correspondence: Kang-Yun Lee, ; Sheng-Ming Wu,
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Cheng WL, Feng PH, Lee KY, Chen KY, Sun WL, Van Hiep N, Luo CS, Wu SM. The Role of EREG/EGFR Pathway in Tumor Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312828. [PMID: 34884633 PMCID: PMC8657471 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ERBB1) by erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog (ERBB) ligands contributes to various tumor malignancies, including lung cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC). Epiregulin (EREG) is one of the EGFR ligands and is low expressed in most normal tissues. Elevated EREG in various cancers mainly activates EGFR signaling pathways and promotes cancer progression. Notably, a higher EREG expression level in CRC with wild-type Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is related to better efficacy of therapeutic treatment. By contrast, the resistance of anti-EGFR therapy in CRC was driven by low EREG expression, aberrant genetic mutation and signal pathway alterations. Additionally, EREG overexpression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is anticipated to be a therapeutic target for EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI). However, recent findings indicate that EREG derived from macrophages promotes NSCLC cell resistance to EGFR-TKI treatment. The emerging events of EREG-mediated tumor promotion signals are generated by autocrine and paracrine loops that arise from tumor epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME is a crucial element for the development of various cancer types and drug resistance. The regulation of EREG/EGFR pathways depends on distinct oncogenic driver mutations and cell contexts that allows specific pharmacological targeting alone or combinational treatment for tailored therapy. Novel strategies targeting EREG/EGFR, tumor-associated macrophages, and alternative activation oncoproteins are under development or undergoing clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the clinical outcomes of EREG expression and the interaction of this ligand in the TME. The EREG/EGFR pathway may be a potential target and may be combined with other driver mutation targets to combat specific cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Li Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11696, Taiwan;
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hao Feng
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Kang-Yun Lee
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yuan Chen
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Lun Sun
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Nguyen Van Hiep
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
- International PhD Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Shan Luo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
| | - Sheng-Ming Wu
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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