1
|
Zhang Z, Zhang Y. Transcriptional regulation of cancer stem cell: regulatory factors elucidation and cancer treatment strategies. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:99. [PMID: 38561775 PMCID: PMC10986082 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03021-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) were first discovered in the 1990s, revealing the mysteries of cancer origin, migration, recurrence and drug-resistance from a new perspective. The expression of pluripotent genes and complex signal regulatory networks are significant features of CSC, also act as core factors to affect the characteristics of CSC. Transcription is a necessary link to regulate the phenotype and potential of CSC, involving chromatin environment, nucleosome occupancy, histone modification, transcription factor (TF) availability and cis-regulatory elements, which suffer from ambient pressure. Especially, the expression and activity of pluripotent TFs are deeply affected by both internal and external factors, which is the foundation of CSC transcriptional regulation in the current research framework. Growing evidence indicates that regulating epigenetic modifications to alter cancer stemness is effective, and some special promoters and enhancers can serve as targets to influence the properties of CSC. Clarifying the factors that regulate CSC transcription will assist us directly target key stem genes and TFs, or hinder CSC transcription through environmental and other related factors, in order to achieve the goal of inhibiting CSC and tumors. This paper comprehensively reviews the traditional aspects of transcriptional regulation, and explores the progress and insights of the impact on CSC transcription and status through tumor microenvironment (TME), hypoxia, metabolism and new meaningful regulatory factors in conjunction with the latest research. Finally, we present opinions on omnidirectional targeting CSCs transcription to eliminate CSCs and address tumor resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyue Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201900, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanjie Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201900, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hawly J, Murcar MG, Schcolnik-Cabrera A, Issa ME. Glioblastoma stem cell metabolism and immunity. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024:10.1007/s10555-024-10183-w. [PMID: 38530545 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10183-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Despite enormous efforts being invested in the development of novel therapies for brain malignancies, there remains a dire need for effective treatments, particularly for pediatric glioblastomas. Their poor prognosis has been attributed to the fact that conventional therapies target tumoral cells, but not glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are characterized by self-renewal, tumorigenicity, poor differentiation, and resistance to therapy. These characteristics represent the fundamental tools needed to recapitulate the tumor and result in a relapse. The mechanisms by which GSCs alter metabolic cues and escape elimination by immune cells are discussed in this article, along with potential strategies to harness effector immune cells against GSCs. As cellular immunotherapy is making significant advances in a variety of cancers, leveraging this underexplored reservoir may result in significant improvements in the treatment options for brain malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Hawly
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Dekouaneh, Lebanon
| | - Micaela G Murcar
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | | | - Mark E Issa
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang Y, Song H, Li M, Lu P. Histone lactylation bridges metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic rewiring in driving carcinogenesis: Oncometabolite fuels oncogenic transcription. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1614. [PMID: 38456209 PMCID: PMC10921234 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Heightened lactate production in cancer cells has been linked to various cellular mechanisms such as angiogenesis, hypoxia, macrophage polarisation and T-cell dysfunction. The lactate-induced lactylation of histone lysine residues is noteworthy, as it functions as an epigenetic modification that directly augments gene transcription from chromatin. This epigenetic modification originating from lactate effectively fosters a reliance on transcription, thereby expediting tumour progression and development. Herein, this review explores the correlation between histone lactylation and cancer characteristics, revealing histone lactylation as an innovative epigenetic process that enhances the vulnerability of cells to malignancy. Moreover, it is imperative to acknowledge the paramount importance of acknowledging innovative therapeutic methodologies for proficiently managing cancer by precisely targeting lactate signalling. This comprehensive review illuminates a crucial yet inadequately investigated aspect of histone lactylation, providing valuable insights into its clinical ramifications and prospective therapeutic interventions centred on lactylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Clinical MedicineXuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhouJiangsuChina
| | - Hang Song
- Department of OphthalmologyPeking Union Medical College HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Meili Li
- Department of OphthalmologyEye Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute of Xuzhou, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical UniversityXuzhou First People's HospitalXuzhouJiangsuChina
| | - Peirong Lu
- Department of OphthalmologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ma X, Wang Q, Li G, Li H, Xu S, Pang D. Cancer organoids: A platform in basic and translational research. Genes Dis 2024; 11:614-632. [PMID: 37692477 PMCID: PMC10491878 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.02.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
An accumulation of previous work has established organoids as good preclinical models of human tumors, facilitating translation from basic research to clinical practice. They are changing the paradigm of preclinical cancer research because they can recapitulate the heterogeneity and pathophysiology of human cancers and more closely approximate the complex tissue environment and structure found in clinical tumors than in vitro cell lines and animal models. However, the potential applications of cancer organoids remain to be comprehensively summarized. In the review, we firstly describe what is currently known about cancer organoid culture and then discuss in depth the basic mechanisms, including tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis, and describe recent advances in patient-derived tumor organoids (PDOs) for drug screening and immunological studies. Finally, the present challenges faced by organoid technology in clinical practice and its prospects are discussed. This review highlights that organoids may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ma
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Sino-Russian Medical Research Center, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
- Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
- Department of Pharmacology (The State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China), College of Pharmacy of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Guozheng Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Shouping Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
- Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| | - Da Pang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
- Sino-Russian Medical Research Center, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
- Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Moreno-Londoño AP, Robles-Flores M. Functional Roles of CD133: More than Stemness Associated Factor Regulated by the Microenvironment. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:25-51. [PMID: 37922108 PMCID: PMC10799829 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10647-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
CD133 protein has been one of the most used surface markers to select and identify cancer cells with stem-like features. However, its expression is not restricted to tumoral cells; it is also expressed in differentiated cells and stem/progenitor cells in various normal tissues. CD133 participates in several cellular processes, in part orchestrating signal transduction of essential pathways that frequently are dysregulated in cancer, such as PI3K/Akt signaling and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. CD133 expression correlates with enhanced cell self-renewal, migration, invasion, and survival under stress conditions in cancer. Aside from the intrinsic cell mechanisms that regulate CD133 expression in each cellular type, extrinsic factors from the surrounding niche can also impact CD33 levels. The enhanced CD133 expression in cells can confer adaptive advantages by amplifying the activation of a specific signaling pathway in a context-dependent manner. In this review, we do not only describe the CD133 physiological functions known so far, but importantly, we analyze how the microenvironment changes impact the regulation of CD133 functions emphasizing its value as a marker of cell adaptability beyond a cancer-stem cell marker.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Patricia Moreno-Londoño
- Department of Biochemistry, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Martha Robles-Flores
- Department of Biochemistry, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xiu Z, Yang Q, Xie F, Han F, He W, Liao W. Revolutionizing digestive system tumor organoids research: Exploring the potential of tumor organoids. J Tissue Eng 2024; 15:20417314241255470. [PMID: 38808253 PMCID: PMC11131411 DOI: 10.1177/20417314241255470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Digestive system tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite ongoing research, our understanding of their mechanisms and treatment remain inadequate. One promising tool for clinical applications is the use of gastrointestinal tract tumor organoids, which serve as an important in vitro model. Tumor organoids exhibit a genotype similar to the patient's tumor and effectively mimic various biological processes, including tissue renewal, stem cell, and ecological niche functions, and tissue response to drugs, mutations, or injury. As such, they are valuable for drug screening, developing novel drugs, assessing patient outcomes, and supporting immunotherapy. In addition, innovative materials and techniques can be used to optimize tumor organoid culture systems. Several applications of digestive system tumor organoids have been described and have shown promising results in related aspects. In this review, we discuss the current progress, limitations, and prospects of this model for digestive system tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhian Xiu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fusheng Xie
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Feng Han
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Weiwei He
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Weifang Liao
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gao Q, Zhan Y, Sun L, Zhu W. Cancer Stem Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment in Tumor Drug Resistance. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2141-2154. [PMID: 37477773 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10593-3] [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] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Although there has been some progress in the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs, drug resistance remains challenging. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are self-renewing and differentiate into cancer tissues with tumor heterogeneity. CSCs are associated with the progression of breast, colon, and lung cancers. Hence, recent studies have focused on the role of CSCs in resistance to anti-cancer drugs. Increasing evidence suggests that CSCs interact with components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as vascular and immune cells, as well as various cytokines, and are regulated by multiple signaling pathways, thereby promoting drug resistance in various cancers. Therefore, it is important to clarify the mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between CSCs and the TME for the development of targeted anti-cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuzhi Gao
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China
| | - Yixiang Zhan
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215300, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Marques JROF, González-Alva P, Yu-Tong Lin R, Ferreira Fernandes B, Chaurasia A, Dubey N. Advances in tissue engineering of cancer microenvironment-from three-dimensional culture to three-dimensional printing. SLAS Technol 2023; 28:152-164. [PMID: 37019216 DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer treatment development is a complex process, with tumor heterogeneity and inter-patient variations limiting the success of therapeutic intervention. Traditional two-dimensional cell culture has been used to study cancer metabolism, but it fails to capture physiologically relevant cell-cell and cell-environment interactions required to mimic tumor-specific architecture. Over the past three decades, research efforts in the field of 3D cancer model fabrication using tissue engineering have addressed this unmet need. The self-organized and scaffold-based model has shown potential to study the cancer microenvironment and eventually bridge the gap between 2D cell culture and animal models. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as an exciting and novel biofabrication strategy aimed at developing a 3D compartmentalized hierarchical organization with the precise positioning of biomolecules, including living cells. In this review, we discuss the advancements in 3D culture techniques for the fabrication of cancer models, as well as their benefits and limitations. We also highlight future directions associated with technological advances, detailed applicative research, patient compliance, and regulatory challenges to achieve a successful bed-to-bench transition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joana Rita Oliveira Faria Marques
- Oral Biology and Biochemistry Research Group (GIBBO), Unidade de Investigação em Ciências Orais e Biomédicas (UICOB), Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Patricia González-Alva
- Tissue Bioengineering Laboratory, Postgraduate Studies and Research Division, Faculty of Dentistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), 04510, Mexico, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Ruby Yu-Tong Lin
- Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Beatriz Ferreira Fernandes
- Oral Biology and Biochemistry Research Group (GIBBO), Unidade de Investigação em Ciências Orais e Biomédicas (UICOB), Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Akhilanand Chaurasia
- Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Nileshkumar Dubey
- Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore; ORCHIDS: Oral Care Health Innovations and Designs Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Petrikaite V, D'Avanzo N, Celia C, Fresta M. Nanocarriers overcoming biological barriers induced by multidrug resistance of chemotherapeutics in 2D and 3D cancer models. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 68:100956. [PMID: 36958083 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.100956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance (MDR) is currently a big challenge in cancer therapy and limits its success in several patients. Tumors use the MDR mechanisms to colonize the host and reduce the efficacy of chemotherapeutics that are injected as single agents or combinations. MDR mechanisms are responsible for inactivation of drugs and formbiological barriers in cancer like the drug efflux pumps, aberrant extracellular matrix, hypoxic areas, altered cell death mechanisms, etc. Nanocarriers have some potential to overcome these barriers and improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutics. In fact, they are versatile and can deliver natural and synthetic biomolecules, as well as RNAi/DNAi, thus providing a controlled release of drugs and a synergistic effect in tumor tissues. Biocompatible and safe multifunctional biopolymers, with or without specific targeting molecules, modify the surface and interface properties of nanocarriers. These modifications affect the interaction of nanocarriers with cellular models as well as the selection of suitable models for in vitro experiments. MDR cancer cells, and particularly their 2D and 3D models, in combination with anatomical and physiological structures of tumor tissues, can boost the design and preparation of nanomedicines for anticancer therapy. 2D and 3D cancer cell cultures are suitable models to study the interaction, internalization, and efficacy of nanocarriers, the mechanisms of MDR in cancer cells and tissues, and they are used to tailor a personalized medicine and improve the efficacy of anticancer treatment in patients. The description of molecular mechanisms and physio-pathological pathways of these models further allow the design of nanomedicine that can efficiently overcome biological barriers involved in MDR and test the activity of nanocarriers in 2D and 3D models of MDR cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vilma Petrikaite
- Laboratory of Drug Targets Histopathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukilėlių pr. 13, LT-50162 Kaunas, Lithuania; Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio al. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Nicola D'Avanzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti - Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro Campus Universitario-Germaneto, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Christian Celia
- Laboratory of Drug Targets Histopathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukilėlių pr. 13, LT-50162 Kaunas, Lithuania; Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti - Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Massimo Fresta
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale "S. Venuta" s.n.c., 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Stromal nicotinamide N-methyltransferase orchestrates the crosstalk between fibroblasts and tumour cells in oral squamous cell carcinoma: evidence from patient-derived assembled organoids. Oncogene 2023; 42:1166-1180. [PMID: 36823377 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02642-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) has been reported to be linked to methylation reprogramming in cancer cells. However, the role of NNMT in the tumour microenvironment (TME) remains elusive. Here, we found that the expression of NNMT was elevated in the stroma of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Using a fibroblast-attached organoids (FAOs) model, we confirmed that stromal NNMT expression contributed to the generation of assembled tumour organoids. In a tumour regeneration assay with co-implanted OSCC cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the tumour-initiating activity was reduced when NNMT was silenced in CAFs. In contrast, overexpression of NNMT in paracancerous fibroblasts (PFs) accelerated tumour growth in co-inoculation experiments. Notably, fibroblast-specific NNMT can regulate type I collagen deposition in both FAOs and xenografts. Further investigations confirmed that the stromal NNMT-aggravated oncogenic activities were attenuated by treatment with inhibitors of either collagen synthesis (e.g. losartan, tranilast, and halofuginone) in fibroblasts, or the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signal (i.e. defactinib) in cancer cells. Mechanistically, overexpression of NNMT reduced the enrichment of H3K27me3 at the promoter of the gene encoding lysyl oxidase (LOX), a key enzyme that regulates the cross-linking of collagen I. Overall, we propose that the NNMT-LOX-FAK cascade contributes to the crosstalk between cancer cells and fibroblasts during OSCC development, and that NNMT-centric extracellular matrix remodelling is a novel therapeutic target for patients with OSCC.
Collapse
|
11
|
Mirza S, Bhadresha K, Mughal MJ, McCabe M, Shahbazi R, Ruff P, Penny C. Liquid biopsy approaches and immunotherapy in colorectal cancer for precision medicine: Are we there yet? Front Oncol 2023; 12:1023565. [PMID: 36686736 PMCID: PMC9853908 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1023565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with nearly half of patients detected in the advanced stages. This is due to the fact that symptoms associated with CRC often do not appear until the cancer has reached an advanced stage. This suggests that CRC is a cancer with a slow progression, making it curable and preventive if detected in its early stage. Therefore, there is an urgent clinical need to improve CRC early detection and personalize therapy for patients with this cancer. Recently, liquid biopsy as a non-invasive or nominally invasive approach has attracted considerable interest for its real-time disease monitoring capability through repeated sample analysis. Several studies in CRC have revealed the potential for liquid biopsy application in a real clinical setting using circulating RNA/miRNA, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), exosomes, etc. However, Liquid biopsy still remains a challenge since there are currently no promising results with high specificity and specificity that might be employed as optimal circulatory biomarkers. Therefore, in this review, we conferred the plausible role of less explored liquid biopsy components like mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), organoid model of CTCs, and circulating cancer-associated fibroblasts (cCAFs); which may allow researchers to develop improved strategies to unravel unfulfilled clinical requirements in CRC patients. Moreover, we have also discussed immunotherapy approaches to improve the prognosis of MSI (Microsatellite Instability) CRC patients using neoantigens and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) as a liquid biopsy approach in detail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheefa Mirza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa,Department of Internal Medicine, Common Epithelial Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kinjal Bhadresha
- Hematology/Oncology Division, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Muhammed Jameel Mughal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Science, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Michelle McCabe
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Reza Shahbazi
- Hematology/Oncology Division, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Paul Ruff
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa,Department of Internal Medicine, Common Epithelial Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Clement Penny
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa,Department of Internal Medicine, Common Epithelial Cancer Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa,*Correspondence: Clement Penny,
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gupta G, Merhej G, Saravanan S, Chen H. Cancer resistance to immunotherapy: What is the role of cancer stem cells? CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2022; 5:981-994. [PMID: 36627890 PMCID: PMC9771758 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2022.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is an emerging form of cancer therapy that is associated with promising outcomes. However, most cancer patients either do not respond to immunotherapy or develop resistance to treatment. The resistance to immunotherapy is poorly understood compared to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Since immunotherapy targets cells within the tumor microenvironment, understanding the behavior and interactions of different cells within that environment is essential to adequately understand both therapy options and therapy resistance. This review focuses on reviewing and analyzing the special features of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which we believe may contribute to cancer resistance to immunotherapy. The mechanisms are classified into three main categories: mechanisms related to surface markers which are differentially expressed on CSCs and help CSCs escape from immune surveillance and immune cells killing; mechanisms related to CSC-released cytokines which can recruit immune cells and tame hostile immune responses; and mechanisms related to CSC metabolites which modulate the activities of infiltrated immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. This review also discusses progress made in targeting CSCs with immunotherapy and the prospect of developing novel cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hexin Chen
- Correspondence to: Dr. Hexin Chen, Department of Biological Science, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, PSC621, Columbia, SC 29205, USA. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Shegay PV, Zabolotneva AA, Shatova OP, Shestopalov AV, Kaprin AD. Evolutionary View on Lactate-Dependent Mechanisms of Maintaining Cancer Cell Stemness and Reprimitivization. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194552. [PMID: 36230479 PMCID: PMC9559641 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of lactic acid (lactate) in cell metabolism has been significantly revised in recent decades. Initially, lactic acid was attributed to the role of a toxic end-product of metabolism, with its accumulation in the cell and extracellular space leading to acidosis, muscle pain, and other adverse effects. However, it has now become obvious that lactate is not only a universal fuel molecule and the main substrate for gluconeogenesis but also one of the most ancient metabolites, with a signaling function that has a wide range of regulatory activity. The Warburg effect, described 100 years ago (the intensification of glycolysis associated with high lactate production), which is characteristic of many malignant tumors, confirms the key role of lactate not only in physiological conditions but also in pathologies. The study of lactate’s role in the malignant transformation becomes more relevant in the light of the “atavistic theory of carcinogenesis,” which suggests that tumor cells return to a more primitive hereditary phenotype during microevolution. In this review, we attempt to summarize the accumulated knowledge about the functions of lactate in cell metabolism and its role in the process of carcinogenesis and to consider the possible evolutionary significance of the Warburg effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petr V. Shegay
- Federal State Budget Institution National Medical Research Radiology Center of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, 2nd Botkinsky pas., 3, 125284 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia A. Zabolotneva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, st. Ostrovityanova, 1, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence:
| | - Olga P. Shatova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, st. Ostrovityanova, 1, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, RUDN University, st. Miklukho-Maklaya, 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksandr V. Shestopalov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, st. Ostrovityanova, 1, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, st. Samora Mashela, 1, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrei D. Kaprin
- Federal State Budget Institution National Medical Research Radiology Center of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, 2nd Botkinsky pas., 3, 125284 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, RUDN University, st. Miklukho-Maklaya, 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zou Z, Chai Y, Li Q, Lin X, He Q, Xiong Q. Establishment of lactate-metabolism-related signature to predict prognosis and immunotherapy response in patients with colon adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:958221. [PMID: 36185199 PMCID: PMC9515658 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.958221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The outcome of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) patients remains dismal, and lactate metabolism has been characterized to promote tumor development and immune evasion. Based on the above background, it is worthwhile to explore novel prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers for COAD patients from the aspect of lactate metabolism. Above all, 228 available lactate-metabolism-related genes (LMRGs) were acquired, and the landscape of copy number variation and the expression difference of mRNA levels between colon normal and tumor samples were investigated among these LMRGs. Importantly, eight overall survival (OS)-involved LMRGs were then distinguished by means of univariate Cox regression analysis in both GSE40967 and TCGA-COAD data sets. Subsequently, prognostic risk scores were established, integrating seven OS-related LMRGs by LASSO Cox regression analysis in the GSE40967 set, and then verified in the TCGA-COAD cohort. From the comprehensive analyses, COAD patients with high risk had comparatively more inferior survival probability in all populations of the study, and they tended to have more severe clinicopathological features with the risk score increasing. Moreover, by integrating age, AJCC T and pathological stage, and risk score, we constructed a prognostic nomogram that demonstrated great prediction effectiveness for OS of COAD patients. Furthermore, the potential effect of various risk score on tumor immune was assessed from enrichment of immune-related pathways, tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and expression levels of immune checkpoints separately. We could draw a conclusion that COAD patients with higher lactate-metabolism-related risk scores may acquire an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which subsequently led to immune escapes and poor prognoses. Conclusively, all findings in the present study illustrate a great prognostic value of the lactate-metabolism-related risk signature, providing more in-depth insights into the indispensable function of lactate metabolism in prognosis and tumor immunity of COAD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhengrong Zou
- Department of Emergency Trauma Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yongjie Chai
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Zhucheng People’s Hospital, Zhucheng, China
| | - Qi Li
- Basic Medicine Department of Chuxiong Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chuxiong, China
| | - Xuan Lin
- Department of Emergency Trauma Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Qingfang He
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Qiusheng Xiong
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qiusheng Xiong,
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu S, Zhao H, Hu Y, Yan C, Mi Y, Li X, Tao D, Qin J. Lactate promotes metastasis of normoxic colorectal cancer stem cells through PGC-1α-mediated oxidative phosphorylation. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:651. [PMID: 35896535 PMCID: PMC9329320 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05111-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Uneven oxygen supply in solid tumors leads to hypoxic and normoxic regions. Hypoxic cells exhibit increased secretion of lactate, which creates an acidic tumor microenvironment (TME). This acidic TME is positively associated with tumor metastasis. Despite the increased metastatic capacity of hypoxic cells, they are located relatively further away from the blood vessels and have limited access to the circulatory system. Studies have shown that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are enriched for tumor metastasis-initiating cells and generally undergo aerobic respiration, which could be enhanced by lactate. We therefore hypothesized that TME-derived lactate may promote the metastasis of normoxic CSCs. In the present study, the abundance of hypoxic and normoxic CSCs was analyzed in primary CRC tumors. It was found that the proportion of normoxic CSCs was positively associated with tumor stage. Using two human CRC cell lines, LoVo and SW480, and a patient-derived xenograft (XhCRC), it was found that treatment with lactate promoted normoxic CSC metastasis. Metabolism analysis indicated that, upon treatment with lactate, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) activity in normoxic CSCs was enhanced, whereas hypoxic CSCs were rarely altered. At the molecular level, the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), a master regulator of lactate oxidation, was found to be elevated in normoxic CSCs. Furthermore, PGC-1α knockdown markedly reduced the metastatic potential of normoxic CSCs. Notably, both the PGC-1α-mediated OXPHOS activity and metastatic potential were impaired when hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was activated in normoxic CSCs. Together, these findings provide a therapeutic strategy against tumor metastasis through the targeting of PGC-1α and, thus, the suppression of lactate-feeding OXPHOS in normoxic CSCs may improve the therapeutic benefit of patients with cancer, particularly CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Liu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yibing Hu
- grid.440601.70000 0004 1798 0578Department of Breast Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chang Yan
- grid.440601.70000 0004 1798 0578Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yulong Mi
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaolan Li
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Deding Tao
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jichao Qin
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Molecular Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
CRISPR screening in cancer stem cells. Essays Biochem 2022; 66:305-318. [PMID: 35713228 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of tumor cells with self-renewal ability. Increasing evidence points to the critical roles of CSCs in tumorigenesis, metastasis, therapy resistance, and cancer relapse. As such, the elimination of CSCs improves cancer treatment outcomes. However, challenges remain due to limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing self-renewal and survival of CSCs. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 screening has been increasingly used to identify genetic determinants in cancers. In this primer, we discuss the progress made and emerging opportunities of coupling advanced CRISPR screening systems with CSC models to reveal the understudied vulnerabilities of CSCs.
Collapse
|
17
|
Wang Z, Yu Y, Wu P, Ye Q, Guo Y, Zhang X, Xi L, Li Q, Jin Y, Zhou D, Luo Y, Peng S, Li J. Lactate promotes the growth of patient-derived organoids from hepatopancreatobiliary cancers via ENO1/HIF1α pathway and does not affect their drug sensitivities. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:214. [PMID: 35443744 PMCID: PMC9021221 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01014-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The long culture duration of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) have severely limited their clinical applications. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of lactate supplementation on the growth, genetic profiles and drug sensitivities of PDOs from hepatopancreatobiliary tumors. LM3, Huh7, Panc02, and RBE cell lines were cultured as organoids in the presence or absence of lactate, and total protein was extracted to measure the expression of α-enolase (ENO1), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α), AKT, and PI3 kinase (PI3K). Thirteen hepatopancreatobiliary tumor specimens were collected during surgical resection and cultured as PDOs with or without l-lactate. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemical staining were performed on the original tissues and PDOs to compare their pathological structures, and their genetic profiles were analyzed by whole-exome sequencing (WES). The sensitivity of the PDOs to gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, paclitaxel, ivosidenib, infigratinib, and lenvatinib were evaluated in terms of cell viability. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and co-cultured with PDOs to test the sensitivity of PDOs to tislelizumab. The addition of 20 mM lactate significantly promoted the growth of LM3 and Huh 7 organoids by 217% and 36%, respectively, compared to the control group, and the inhibition of lactate transporter decreased their growth. The HIF1α/ENO1/AKT/PI3K pathway was also activated by lactate. The inhibition of enolase also partly decreased the growth of organoids treated with lactate. Furthermore, 20 mM lactate increased the viability of 9 PDOs from 135% to 317% without affecting their pathological features. The genetic similarity, in terms of single nucleotide variations, insertions, and deletions, between original tissues and lactate-treated PDOs ranged from 83.2% to 94.1%, and that between the untreated and lactate-treated PDOs was at least 93.2%. Furthermore, the addition of lactate did not significantly change the dose–response curves of the PDOs to chemotherapeutic drugs, targeted drugs, and immune checkpoint inhibitor, especially for the drugs to which the cells were sensitive. Thus, lactate can be added to the culture medium of PDOs to promote their growth without altering their genetic profiles and drug sensitivities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Wang
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310009, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yuanquan Yu
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310009, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Peiyao Wu
- Gastroenterology Endoscopy Center, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210029, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Qinghuang Ye
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310009, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yinghao Guo
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310009, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhang
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310009, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Longfu Xi
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310009, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310009, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yun Jin
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310009, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Donger Zhou
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310009, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yan Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention of China National MOE), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuyou Peng
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310009, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jiangtao Li
- Department of Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310009, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Luo L, Ma Y, Zheng Y, Su J, Huang G. Application Progress of Organoids in Colorectal Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:815067. [PMID: 35273961 PMCID: PMC8902504 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.815067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, colorectal cancer is still the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality, and the incidence is rising. It is a long time since the researchers used cancer cell lines and animals as the study subject. However, these models possess various limitations to reflect the cancer progression in the human body. Organoids have more clinical significance than cell lines, and they also bridge the gap between animal models and humans. Patient-derived organoids are three-dimensional cultures that simulate the tumor characteristics in vivo and recapitulate tumor cell heterogeneity. Therefore, the emergence of colorectal cancer organoids provides an unprecedented opportunity for colorectal cancer research. It retains the molecular and cellular composition of the original tumor and has a high degree of homology and complexity with patient tissues. Patient-derived colorectal cancer organoids, as personalized tumor organoids, can more accurately simulate colorectal cancer patients’ occurrence, development, metastasis, and predict drug response in colorectal cancer patients. Colorectal cancer organoids show great potential for application, especially preclinical drug screening and prediction of patient response to selected treatment options. Here, we reviewed the application of colorectal cancer organoids in disease model construction, basic biological research, organoid biobank construction, drug screening and personalized medicine, drug development, drug toxicity and safety, and regenerative medicine. In addition, we also displayed the current limitations and challenges of organoids and discussed the future development direction of organoids in combination with other technologies. Finally, we summarized and analyzed the current clinical trial research of organoids, especially the clinical trials of colorectal cancer organoids. We hoped to lay a solid foundation for organoids used in colorectal cancer research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lianxiang Luo
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yucui Ma
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yilin Zheng
- Clinical Research Center, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, China
| | - Jiating Su
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Guoxin Huang
- Clinical Research Center, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wang J, Feng X, Li Z, Chen Y, Huang W. Patient-derived organoids as a model for tumor research. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 189:259-326. [PMID: 35595351 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer represents a leading cause of death, despite the rapid progress of cancer research, leading to urgent need for accurate preclinical model to further study of tumor mechanism and accelerate translational applications. Cancer cell lines cannot fully recapitulate tumors of different patients due to the lack of tumor complexity and specification, while the high technical difficulty, long time, and substantial cost of patient-derived xenograft model makes it unable to be used extensively for all types of tumors and large-scale drug screening. Patient-derived organoids can be established rapidly with a high success rate from many tumors, and precisely replicate the key histopathological, genetic, and phenotypic features, as well as therapeutic response of patient tumor. Therefore, they are extensively used in cancer basic research, biobanking, disease modeling and precision medicine. The combinations of cancer organoids with other advanced technologies, such as 3D bio-printing, organ-on-a-chip, and CRISPR-Cas9, contributes to the more complete replication of complex tumor microenvironment and tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss the various methods of the establishment and the application of patient-derived organoids in diverse tumors as well as the limitations and future prospects of these models. Further advances of tumor organoids are expected to bridge the huge gap between bench and bedside and provide the unprecedented opportunities to advance cancer research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xiaoying Feng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Zhichao Li
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen, China; International Cancer Center of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yongsong Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Weiren Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China; Department of Urology, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen, China; International Cancer Center of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Liang J, Wang S, Zhang G, He B, Bie Q, Zhang B. A New Antitumor Direction: Tumor-Specific Endothelial Cells. Front Oncol 2021; 11:756334. [PMID: 34988011 PMCID: PMC8721012 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.756334] [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: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting tumor blood vessels is an important strategy for tumor therapies. At present, antiangiogenic drugs are known to have significant clinical effects, but severe drug resistance and side effects also occur. Therefore, new specific targets for tumor and new treatment methods must be developed. Tumor-specific endothelial cells (TECs) are the main targets of antiangiogenic therapy. This review summarizes the differences between TECs and normal endothelial cells, assesses the heterogeneity of TECs, compares tumorigenesis and development between TECs and normal endothelial cells, and explains the interaction between TECs and the tumor microenvironment. A full and in-depth understanding of TECs may provide new insights for specific antitumor angiogenesis therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Shouqi Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Guowei Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Baoyu He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qingli Bie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Qu J, Kalyani FS, Liu L, Cheng T, Chen L. Tumor organoids: synergistic applications, current challenges, and future prospects in cancer therapy. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2021; 41:1331-1353. [PMID: 34713636 PMCID: PMC8696219 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Patient-derived cancer cells (PDCs) and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) are often used as tumor models, but have many shortcomings. PDCs not only lack diversity in terms of cell type, spatial organization, and microenvironment but also have adverse effects in stem cell cultures, whereas PDX are expensive with a low transplantation success rate and require a long culture time. In recent years, advances in three-dimensional (3D) organoid culture technology have led to the development of novel physiological systems that model the tissues of origin more precisely than traditional culture methods. Patient-derived cancer organoids bridge the conventional gaps in PDC and PDX models and closely reflect the pathophysiological features of natural tumorigenesis and metastasis, and have led to new patient-specific drug screening techniques, development of individualized treatment regimens, and discovery of prognostic biomarkers and mechanisms of resistance. Synergistic combinations of cancer organoids with other technologies, for example, organ-on-a-chip, 3D bio-printing, and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated homology-independent organoid transgenesis, and with treatments, such as immunotherapy, have been useful in overcoming their limitations and led to the development of more suitable model systems that recapitulate the complex stroma of cancer, inter-organ and intra-organ communications, and potentially multiorgan metastasis. In this review, we discuss various methods for the creation of organ-specific cancer organoids and summarize organ-specific advances and applications, synergistic technologies, and treatments as well as current limitations and future prospects for cancer organoids. Further advances will bring this novel 3D organoid culture technique closer to clinical practice in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Qu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China.,Lung Cancer and Gastroenterology Department, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, P. R. China
| | - Farhin Shaheed Kalyani
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Li Liu
- Lung Cancer and Gastroenterology Department, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, P. R. China
| | - Tianli Cheng
- Thoracic Medicine Department 1, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, P. R. China
| | - Lijun Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wang Z, Guo Y, Jin Y, Zhang X, Geng H, Xie G, Ye D, Yu Y, Liu D, Zhou D, Li B, Luo Y, Peng S, Li J. Establishment and drug screening of patient-derived extrahepatic biliary tract carcinoma organoids. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:519. [PMID: 34600546 PMCID: PMC8487492 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02219-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient-derived organoids (PDO) have been proposed as a novel in vitro method of drug screening for different types of cancer. However, to date, extrahepatic biliary tract carcinoma (eBTC) PDOs have not yet been fully established. METHODS We collected six samples of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) and one sample of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA) from seven patients to attempt to establish eBTC PDOs for drug screening. We successfully established five GBC and one eCCA PDOs. Histological staining was used to compare structural features between the original tissues and cancer PDOs. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to analyze the genetic profiles of original tissues and cancer PDOs. Drug screening, including gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, paclitaxel, infigratinib, and ivosidenib, was measured and verified by clinical effects in certain cases. RESULTS Different PDOs exhibited diverse growth rates during in vitro culture. Hematoxylin and eosin staining demonstrated that the structures of most cancer PDOs retained the original structures of adenocarcinoma. Immunohistological and periodic acid-schiff staining revealed that marker expression in cancer PDOs was similar to that of the original specimens. Genetic profiles from the four original specimens, as well as paired cancer PDOs, were analyzed using whole exome sequencing. Three of the four PDOs exhibited a high degree of similarity when compared to the original specimens, except for GBC2 PDO, which only had a concordance of 74% in the proportion of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding sequence. In general, gemcitabine was found to be the most efficient drug for eBTC treatment, as it showed moderate or significant inhibitory impact on cancer growth. Results from drug screening were confirmed to a certain extent by three clinical cases. CONCLUSIONS Our study successfully established a series of eBTC PDOs, which contributed to the field of eBTC PDOs. Additional enhancements should be explored to improve the growth rate of PDOs and to preserve their immune microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Wang
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yinghao Guo
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yun Jin
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhang
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao Geng
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guangyuan Xie
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dan Ye
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanquan Yu
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Daren Liu
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Donger Zhou
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Baizhou Li
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention of China National MOE), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuyou Peng
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiangtao Li
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Niu D, Luo T, Wang H, Xia Y, Xie Z. Lactic acid in tumor invasion. Clin Chim Acta 2021; 522:61-69. [PMID: 34400170 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2021.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Invasion involves tumor cells altering their cell-matrix interactions and acquiring motility for metastatic spread. Invasive tumor cells exhibit dysregulated metabolism and enhanced aerobic glycolysis, leading to nutrient depletion, hypoxia, and lactic acid production. Lactic acid is a byproduct of glycolysis capable of promoting oncogenic progression, but its role in tumor invasion is unclear. A growing number of studies have demonstrated that lactic acid regulates the degradation of collagen Ⅳ, collagen Ⅶ, and glycoprotein; the synthesis of collagen Ⅰ; and multiple signaling pathways, including TGF-β/Smad, Wnt/β-catenin, IL-6/STAT3, and HGF/MET, which are associated with basement membrane (BM) remodeling and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), two hallmarks of the tumor invasive process. In the present review, we summarize BM remodeling and EMT in tumor invasion, discuss the emerging roles and molecular mechanisms of lactic acid in these processes, and provide insights for further research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dun Niu
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Ting Luo
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Hanbin Wang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yiniu Xia
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Zhizhong Xie
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Minami N, Tanaka K, Sasayama T, Kohmura E, Saya H, Sampetrean O. Lactate Reprograms Energy and Lipid Metabolism in Glucose-Deprived Oxidative Glioma Stem Cells. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11050325. [PMID: 34070154 PMCID: PMC8158503 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11050325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fast-growing tumors satisfy their bioenergetic needs by supplementing glucose with alternative carbon sources. Cancer stem cells are the most versatile and robust cells within malignant tumors. They avoid potentially lethal metabolic and other types of stress through flexible reprogramming of relevant pathways, but it has remained unclear whether alternative carbon sources are important for the maintenance of their tumor-propagating ability. Here we assessed the ability of glycolytic and oxidative murine glioma stem cells (GSCs) to grow in an ultralow glucose medium. Sphere formation assays revealed that exogenous lactate and acetate reversed the growth impairment of oxidative GSCs in such medium. Extracellular flux analysis showed that lactate supported oxygen consumption in these cells, whereas metabolomics analysis revealed that it increased the intracellular levels of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, ATP, and GTP as well as increased adenylate and guanylate charge. Lactate also reversed the depletion of choline apparent in the glucose-deprived cells as well as reprogrammed phospholipid and fatty acid biosynthesis. This metabolic reprogramming was associated with a more aggressive phenotype of intracranial tumors formed by lactate-treated GSCs. Our results thus suggest that lactate is an important alternative energetic and biosynthetic substrate for oxidative GSCs, and that it sustains their growth under conditions of glucose deprivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noriaki Minami
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (N.M.); (H.S.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (K.T.); (T.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Kazuhiro Tanaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (K.T.); (T.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Takashi Sasayama
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (K.T.); (T.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Eiji Kohmura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-1, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (K.T.); (T.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Hideyuki Saya
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (N.M.); (H.S.)
| | - Oltea Sampetrean
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (N.M.); (H.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-5363-3983
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ma YS, Yang XL, Xin R, Wu TM, Shi Y, Dan Zhang D, Wang HM, Wang PY, Liu JB, Fu D. The power and the promise of organoid models for cancer precision medicine with next-generation functional diagnostics and pharmaceutical exploitation. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101126. [PMID: 34020369 PMCID: PMC8144479 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
As organ-specific three-dimensional cell clusters derived from cancer tissue or cancer-specific stem cells, cancer-derived organoids are organized in the same manner of the cell sorting and spatial lineage restriction in vivo, making them ideal for simulating the characteristics of cancer and the heterogeneity of cancer cells in vivo. Besides the applications as a new in vitro model to study the physiological characteristics of normal tissues and organs, organoids are also used for in vivo cancer cell characterization, anti-cancer drug screening, and precision medicine. However, organoid cultures are not without limitations, i.e., the lack of nerves, blood vessels, and immune cells. As a result, organoids could not fully replicate the characteristics of organs but partially simulate the disease process. This review attempts to provide insights into the organoid models for cancer precision medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Shui Ma
- National Engineering Laboratory for Deep Process of Rice and Byproducts, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China; Cancer Institute, Nantong Tumor Hospital, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226631, China; International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, National Center for Liver Cancer, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xiao-Li Yang
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Rui Xin
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Ting-Miao Wu
- Department of Radiology, The Forth Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Yi Shi
- National Engineering Laboratory for Deep Process of Rice and Byproducts, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Dan Dan Zhang
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Hui-Min Wang
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Pei-Yao Wang
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Ji-Bin Liu
- Cancer Institute, Nantong Tumor Hospital, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226631, China
| | - Da Fu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Deep Process of Rice and Byproducts, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China; Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China; Department of Radiology, The Forth Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230012, China.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Interplay between Metabolism Reprogramming and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081973. [PMID: 33923958 PMCID: PMC8072988 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor cells display important plasticity potential. Notably, tumor cells have the ability to change toward immature cells called cancer stem cells under the influence of the tumor environment. Importantly, cancer stem cells are a small subset of relatively quiescent cells that, unlike rapidly dividing differentiated tumor cells, escape standard chemotherapies, causing relapse or recurrence of cancer. Interestingly, these cells adopt a specific metabolism. Most often, they mainly rely on glucose uptake and metabolism to sustain their energy needs. This metabolic reprogramming is set off by environmental factors such as pro-inflammatory signals or catecholamine hormones (epinephrine, norepinephrine). A better understanding of this process could provide opportunities to kill cancer stem cells. Indeed, it would become possible to develop drugs that act specifically on metabolic pathways used by these cells. These new drugs could be used to strengthen the effects of current chemotherapies and overcome cancers with poor prognoses. Abstract Tumor cells display important plasticity potential, which contributes to intratumoral heterogeneity. Notably, tumor cells have the ability to retrodifferentiate toward immature states under the influence of their microenvironment. Importantly, this phenotypical conversion is paralleled by a metabolic rewiring, and according to the metabostemness theory, metabolic reprogramming represents the first step of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and acquisition of stemness features. Most cancer stem cells (CSC) adopt a glycolytic phenotype even though cells retain functional mitochondria. Such adaptation is suggested to reduce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), protecting CSC from detrimental effects of ROS. CSC may also rely on glutaminolysis or fatty acid metabolism to sustain their energy needs. Besides pro-inflammatory cytokines that are well-known to initiate the retrodifferentiation process, the release of catecholamines in the microenvironment of the tumor can modulate both EMT and metabolic changes in cancer cells through the activation of EMT transcription factors (ZEB1, Snail, or Slug (SNAI2)). Importantly, the acquisition of stem cell properties favors the resistance to standard care chemotherapies. Hence, a better understanding of this process could pave the way for the development of therapies targeting CSC metabolism, providing new strategies to eradicate the whole tumor mass in cancers with unmet needs.
Collapse
|
27
|
Adaptation of metabolism to multicellular aggregation, hypoxia and obese stromal cell incorporation as potential measure of survival of ovarian metastases. Exp Cell Res 2020; 399:112397. [PMID: 33338477 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian metastases exfoliate from the primary tumor and it is thought that aggregation supports their survival in the peritoneal cavity during dissemination but the underlying mechanisms are not clearly identified. We have previously shown that ovarian cancer cells acquire an increasingly glycolytic and metabolic flexible phenotype during progression. In the present study, we investigated how hypoxia, aggregation, and the incorporation of the obese stromal vascular fraction (SVF) affect cellular metabolism and the response to common anti-cancer and anti-diabetic drugs. Our results show a reduction of glucose uptake, lactate secretion, cellular respiration and ATP synthesis in response to hypoxia and aggregation, suggesting that the observed reduced proliferation of cells aggregated into spheroids is the result of a down-regulation of respiration. Recruitment of SVF to spheroids increased the spheroids invasive capacity but reduced respiration only in the most aggressive cells. Further, aggregation and hypoxia reduced the response to the metabolic drugs AICAR and metformin, and the chemotherapeutic agents cisplatin and paclitaxel. Our results suggest that the adaptation of cellular metabolism may contribute to enhanced survival under non-permissive conditions, and that these metabolic alterations may provide targets for future interventions that aim to enhance the survival of women with metastatic ovarian cancer.
Collapse
|
28
|
Ehmsen S, Ditzel HJ. Signaling pathways essential for triple-negative breast cancer stem-like cells. Stem Cells 2020; 39:133-143. [PMID: 33211379 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs), a significant effort has been made to identify and characterize these cells. It is a generally believe that CSCs play an important role in cancer initiation, therapy resistance, and progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive breast cancer subtype with poor prognosis. Thus, therapies targeting these cells would be a valuable addition to standard treatments that primarily target more differentiated, rapidly dividing TNBC cells. Although several cell surface and intracellular proteins have been described as biomarkers for CSCs, none of these are specific to this population of cells. Recent research is moving toward cellular signaling pathways as targets and biomarkers for CSCs. The WNT pathway, the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, and the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway have recently been identified to play a key role in proliferation, survival, and differentiation of CSCs, including those of breast cancer. In this review, we assess recent findings related to these three pathways in breast CSC, with particular focus on TNBC CSCs, and discuss how targeting these pathways, in combination with current standard of care, might prove effective and improve the prognosis of TNBC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sidse Ehmsen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Research Unit of Oncology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik J Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Research Unit of Oncology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|