Long non-coding RNA LIFR-AS1 regulates the proliferation, migration and invasion of human thyroid cancer cells

The Pleiotropic role, functions and targeted therapies of LIF/LIFR axis in cancer: Old spectacles with new insights

The dysregulation of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and its cognate receptor (LIFR) has been associated with multiple cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. LIF plays a significant tumor-promoting role in cancer, while LIFR functions as a tumor promoter and suppressor. Epithelial and stromal cells secrete LIF via autocrine and paracrine signaling mechanism(s) that bind with LIFR and subsequently with co-receptor glycoprotein 130 (gp130) to activate JAK/STAT1/3, PI3K/AKT, mTORC1/p70s6K, Hippo/YAP, and MAPK signaling pathways. Clinically, activating the LIF/LIFR axis is associated with poor survival and anti-cancer therapy resistance. This review article provides an overview of the structure and ligands of LIFR, LIF/LIFR signaling in developmental biology, stem cells, cancer stem cells, genetics and epigenetics of LIFR, LIFR regulation by long non-coding RNAs and miRNAs, and LIF/LIFR signaling in cancers. Finally, neutralizing antibodies and small molecule inhibitors preferentially blocking LIF interaction with LIFR and antagonists against LIFR under pre-clinical and early-phase pre-clinical trials were discussed.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor: An Important Cytokine in Pathologies and Cancer

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) is a member of the IL-6 cytokine family and is expressed in almost every tissue type within the body. Although LIF was named for its ability to induce differentiation of myeloid leukemia cells, studies of LIF in additional diseases and solid tumor types have shown that it has the potential to contribute to many other pathologies. Exploring the roles of LIF in normal physiology and non-cancer pathologies can give important insights into how it may be dysregulated within cancers, and the possible effects of this dysregulation. Within various cancer types, LIF expression has been linked to hallmarks of cancer, such as proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance, as well as overall patient survival. The mechanisms behind these effects of LIF are not well understood and can differ between different tissue types. In fact, research has shown that while LIF may promote malignancy progression in some solid tumors, it can have anti-neoplastic effects in others. This review will summarize current knowledge of how LIF expression impacts cellular function and dysfunction to help reveal new adjuvant treatment options for cancer patients, while also revealing potential adverse effects of treatments targeting LIF signaling.

Long Noncoding RNA LIFR-AS1: A New Player in Human Cancers

Emerging evidence has indicated that aberrantly expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a vital role in various biological processes associated with tumorigenesis. Leukemia inhibitory factor receptor antisense RNA1 (LIFR-AS1) is a recently identified lncRNA transcribed in an antisense manner from the LIFR gene located on human chromosome 5p13.1. LIFR-AS1 regulates tumor proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and drug resistance through different mechanisms. Its expression level is related to the clinicopathological characteristics of tumors and plays a key role in tumor occurrence and development. In this review, we summarize the role of LIFR-AS1 in the development and progression of different cancers and highlight the potential for LIFR-AS1 to serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target for a variety of human cancers.

Deep analysis of neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitries using online databases and integrated bioinformatics shows their pan-cancer roles as prognostic predictors

AIM

Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous childhood cancer derived from the neural crest. The dual cell identities of neuroblastoma include Mesenchymal (MES) and Adrenergic (ADRN). These identities are conferred by a small set of tightly-regulated transcription factors (TFs) binding super enhancers, collectively forming core regulatory circuitries (CRCs). The purpose of this study was to gain a deep understanding of the role of MES and ADRN TFs in neuroblastoma and other cancers as potential indicators of disease prognosis, progression, and relapse.

METHODS

To that end, we first investigated the expression and mutational profile of MES and ADRN TFs in neuroblastoma. Moreover, we established their correlation with neuroblastoma risk groups and overall survival while establishing their extended networks with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Furthermore, we analysed the pan-cancer expression and mutational profile of these TFs and their correlation with patient survival and finally their network connectivity, using a panel of bioinformatic tools including GEPIA2, human pathology atlas, TIMER2, Omicsnet, and Cytoscape.

RESULTS

We show the association of multiple MES and ADRN TFs with neuroblastoma risk groups and overall survival and find significantly higher expression of various MES and ADRN TFs compared to normal tissues and their association with overall survival and disease-free survival in multiple cancers. Moreover, we report the strong correlation of the expression of these TFs with the infiltration of stromal and immune cells in the tumour microenvironment and with stemness and metastasis-related genes. Furthermore, we reveal extended pan-cancer networks comprising these TFs that influence the tumour microenvironment and metastasis and may be useful indicators of cancer prognosis and patient survival.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis shows the significance of MES and ADRN TFs as indicators of patient prognosis and the putative utility of these TFs as potential novel biomarkers.