Cancer Lipid Metabolism Confers Antiangiogenic Drug Resistance

Exploring the Causal Relationships between Lipid Biomarkers and Anti-VEGF Treatment Response in Patients with Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration

Purpose

To identify the connections between lipid biomarkers and the anti-VEGF therapy response in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Design

A bidirectional and multivariable Mendelian randomization study.

Participants

The summary statistics for anti-VEGF nAMD treatment response included a total of 128 responders, 51 nonresponders, and 6 908 005 genetic variants available for analysis. The sample size of lipid biomarkers is 441 016 and 12 321 875 genetic variants available for analysis.

Methods

Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method was conducted to exhaustively appraise the causalities among 13 lipid biomarkers and the risk of different anti-VEGF treatment responses (including visual acuity [VA] and central retinal thickness [CRT]) for nAMD subtypes.

Main Outcome Measures

Thirteen lipid biomarkers, VA, and CRT.

Results

A positive causal relationship was identified between triglycerides (TGs), apolipoproteins (Apos) E2, ApoE3, total cholesterol (TC), and VA response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with nAMD, as confirmed by MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode models. The MR-Egger model yielded statistically significant results for TC, ApoA-I, ApoB, and ApoA-V in relation to the CRT response to anti-VEGF treatment in patients with nAMD. In the reverse MR, the MR-Egger model identified significant causal relationships between ApoA-I, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), ApoE3, and ApoF and the VA response. However, this was not the case in the weighted median and weighted mode models. In the MR-Egger model, ApoB, LDL-c, ApoE3, and ApoM were identified as significantly influencing the CRT response. In the multisample MR analysis, TC, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-c, and TG were found to be causally related to VA response, and TC was also identified as being causally related to the CRT response to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with nAMD.

Conclusions

This MR study suggests unidirectional causality between TG and ApoE3 and the response to anti-VEGF treatment in patients with nAMD.

Financial Disclosures

The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Curcuminoids WM03 inhibits ovarian cancer cisplatin-resistant cells proliferation and reverses cisplatin resistance by targeting DYRK2

PURPOSE

Cisplatin is a common chemotherapy agent used to treat ovarian cancer and cisplatin resistance is the most common consequence after its treatment. Curcumin has been shown to effectively inhibit the proliferation and invasion of ovarian cancer cells but its bioavailability restricts its application. The objective of this study was to develop the novel curcumin derivatives with high efficacy and synergic effects with cisplatin to inhibit cisplatin resistant ovarian cancers.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Colony formation assay and growth curve assay Were used to detect cell proliferation. Transwell and cell scratch assay Were used to detect cell invasion and migration. Western blot (WB), Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Immunofluorescence (IF) Were used to detect the expression levels of related molecules. qPCR was used to detect mRNA levels of related molecules. Kinase profile sequencing was used to analyze kinase activity. RNA seq was used to analyze significant signaling pathways. The ability of Surface plasmon resonance (SPR), Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CESTA), molecular docking to analyze the binding of drugs and molecules; Co-Immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and confocal are used to analyze intermolecular interactions. Ubiquitination is used to detect ubiquitin levels of related molecules; Animal experiments are used to simulate clinical validation RESULTS: Four curcumin derivatives Were synthesized and evaluated to treat ovarian cancers. Curcumin derivative WM03 was the most effective to inhibit A2780DR and HO8910PMDR cell proliferation with about 8-12 times more potent than curcumin. WM03 inhibited A2780DR and HO8910PMDR cell proliferation, migration, and invasion with a synergic effect of cisplatin for cisplatin resistant ovarian cells. RNA-seq results showed that the PI3K-Akt pathway differentially changed. Kinotome analysis showed that WM03 specifically targeted 4 kinases of 50 curcumin-effective kinases and dual-specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation regulated kinase 2 (DYRK2) was the most significant kinase, The IC50 of WM03 on DYRK2 activity is 4.58 μM, and the strong binding ability of WM03 to DYRK2 was confirmed in cell-free systems such as SPR, ITC and CESTA. Docking analysis showed that WM03 bound to the ATP pocket of DYRK2 similarly to curcumin. Further analysis showed that WM03 significantly inhibited ovarian cell proliferation and invasion via DYRK2-Akt/ATP7A/CTR1 axis. Tumor inoculation in nude mice demonstrated that WM03 at 5 mg/kg every 2 days for 16 days was effective to reduce tumor size.

CONCLUSION

WM03 specifically targets DYRK2 and is more potent than curcumin to inhibit cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cells, being a promising new drug candidate for ovarian cancers.

The potential application of stroma modulation in targeting tumor cells: focus on pancreatic cancer and breast cancer models

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in cancer development and spreading being considered as "the dark side of the tumor". Within this term tumor cells, immune components, supporting cells, extracellular matrix and a myriad of bioactive molecules that synergistically promote tumor development and therapeutic resistance, are included. Recent findings revealed the profound impacts of TME on cancer development, serving as physical support, critical mediator and biodynamic matrix in cancer evolution, immune modulation, and treatment outcomes. TME targeting strategies built on vasculature, immune checkpoints, and immuno-cell therapies, have paved the way for revolutionary clinical interventions. On this basis, the relevance of pre-clinical and clinical investigations has rapidly become fundamental for implementing novel therapeutical strategies breaking cell-cell and cell -mediators' interactions between TME components and tumor cells. This review summarizes the key players in the breast and pancreatic TME, elucidating the intricate interactions among cancer cells and their essential role for cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. Different tumors such breast and pancreatic cancer have both different and similar stroma features, that might affect therapeutic strategies. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively evaluate recent findings for refining breast and pancreatic cancer therapies and improve patient prognoses by exploiting the TME's complexity in the next future.

The Role of HADHB in Mitochondrial Fatty Acid Metabolism During Initiation of Metastasis in ccRCC

The initiation and progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are closely linked to significant metabolic alterations. Specifically, lipid metabolism alterations and their association with the high invasiveness in ccRCC require further investigation. After conducting RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), we discovered that Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Trifunctional Multienzyme Complex Subunit Beta (HADHB) was significantly downregulated in the highly invasive ccRCC cell line. It was found that the expression of HADHB in ccRCC tumor tissues was lower than that in paracancer tissues, which is associated with poor patient prognosis. Subsequently, we confirmed that highly invasive ccRCC exhibited an increased lipid accumulation due to the suppression of mitochondrial fatty acid transport and enhanced conversion of fatty acids to triglycerides within cancer cells. Specifically, the downregulation of HADHB inhibited mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) in cancer cells, leading to partial impairment of mitochondrial function and decreased ATP production. However, this trade-off involving the reduction of a high-yield ATP production conferred an advantage by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation within cancer cells, thereby protecting them from oxidative stress and enhancing their invasive potential. Furthermore, the downregulation of HADHB promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis in cancer cells, accelerating the progression of ccRCC and endowing ccRCC cells with metastatic capabilities.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CXIX. Fundamental insights and clinical relevance regarding the carnitine palmitoyltransferase family of enzymes

The carnitine palmitoyltransferases (CPTs) play a key role in controlling the oxidation of long-chain fatty acids and are potential therapeutic targets for diseases with a strong metabolic component, such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Four distinct proteins are CPT1A, CPT1B, CPT1C, and CPT2, differing in tissue expression and catalytic activity. CPT1s are finely regulated by malonyl-CoA, a metabolite whose intracellular levels reflect the cell's nutritional state. Although CPT1C does not exhibit significant catalytic activity, it is capable of modulating the functioning of other neuronal proteins. Structurally, all CPTs share a Y-shaped catalytic tunnel that allows the entry of 2 substrates and accommodation of the acyl group in a hydrophobic pocket. Several molecules targeting these enzymes have been described, some showing potential in normalizing blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, and others that, through a central mechanism, are anorexigenic and enhance energy expenditure. However, given the critical roles that CPTs play in certain tissues, such as the heart, liver, and brain, it is essential to fully understand the differences between the various isoforms. We analyze in detail the structure of these proteins, their cellular and physiological functions, and their potential as therapeutic targets in diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer. We also describe drugs identified to date as having inhibitory or activating capabilities for these proteins. This knowledge will support the design of new drugs specific to each isoform, and the development of nanomedicines that can selectively target particular tissues or cells. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) proteins, as gatekeepers of fatty acid oxidation, have great potential as pharmacological targets to treat metabolic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cancer. In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the 3-dimensional structure of CPTs and their pathophysiological functions. A deeper understanding of the differences between the various CPT family members will enable the design of selective drugs and therapeutic approaches with fewer side effects.

Non-invasive and rapid diagnosis of low-grade bladder cancer via SERSomes of urine

Early screening and diagnosis of low-grade bladder cancer (LGBC) can help to guide timely clinical treatments before deterioration, reducing relapse rates and improving patient survival and quality of life. However, current clinical technologies are mainly invasive, painful, and lack sensitivity and time efficacy, which cannot always meet clinical needs. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a label-free detection technique with high sensitivity and can provide molecular-specific information. In this work, we adopt SERSomes, an advanced SERS characterization approach using a SERS spectral set, to comprehensively and accurately profile urine metabolites of LGBC patients and healthy controls. With the help of machine learning, we achieved high accuracy of LGBC diagnosis (89.47%) and LGBC stratification (90%). The entire diagnostic process is very rapid, convenient, non-invasive, and low-cost, holding potential for future use in mass population health screenings. Moreover, we explore the metabolite contribution based on the varying SERSome patterns in LGBC patients, aiming at indicating potential urine biomarkers of LGBC.

The Role of Perirenal Adipose Tissue in Carcinogenesis-From Molecular Mechanism to Therapeutic Perspectives

Perirenal adipose tissue (PRAT) exhibits particular morphological features, with its activity being mainly related to thermogenesis. However, an expanded PRAT area seems to play a significant role in cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease pathogenesis. Numerous studies have demonstrated that PRAT may support cancer progression and invasion, mainly in obese patients. The mechanism underlying these processes is of dysregulation of PRAT's secretion of adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as leptin, adiponectin, chemerin, apelin, omentin-1, vistatin, nesfatin-1, and other pro-inflammatory cytokines, modulated by tumor cells. Cancer cells may also induce a metabolic reprogramming of perirenal adipocytes, leading to increased lipids and lactate transfer to the tumor microenvironment, contributing to cancer growth in a hypoxic milieu. In addition, the PRAT browning process has been specifically detected in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), being characterized by upregulated expression of brown/beige adipocytes markers (UCP1, PPAR-ɣ, c/EBPα, and PGC1α) and downregulated white fat cells markers, such as LEPTIN, SHOX2, HOXC8, and HOXC9. Considering its multifaceted role in cancer, modulation of PRAT's role in tumor progression may open new directions for oncologic therapy improvement. Considering the increasing evidence of the relationship between PRAT and tumor cells, our review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the perirenal adipocytes' impact on tumor progression and metastasis.

Rational design of peptides to overcome drug resistance by metabolic regulation

Chemotherapy is widely used clinically, however, its efficacy is often compromised by the development of drug resistance, which arises from prolonged administration of drugs or other stimuli. One of the driven causes of drug resistance in tumors or bacterial infections is metabolic reprogramming, which alters mitochondrial metabolism, disrupts metabolic pathways and causes ion imbalance. Bioactive peptide materials, due to their biocompatibility, diverse bioactivities, customizable sequences, and ease of modification, have shown promise in overcoming drug resistance. This review provides an in-depth analysis of metabolic reprogramming and associated microenvironmental changes that contribute to drug resistance in common tumors and bacterial infections, suggesting potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, we explore peptide-based materials for regulating metabolism and their potential synergic effect with other therapies, highlighting the mechanisms by which these peptides reverse drug resistance. Finally, we discuss future perspectives and the clinical challenges in peptide-based treatments, aiming to offer insights for overcoming drug-resistant diseases.

YY2-CYP51A1 signaling suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by restraining de novo cholesterol biosynthesis

Lipid accumulation is a frequently observed characteristic of cancer. Lipid accumulation is closely related to tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance; however, the mechanism underlying lipid metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells is not fully understood. Yin yang 2 (YY2) is a C2H2‑zinc finger transcription factor that exerts tumor-suppressive effects. However, its involvement in tumor cell lipid metabolic reprogramming remains unclear. In the present study, we identified YY2 as a novel regulator of cholesterol metabolism. We showed that YY2 suppressed cholesterol accumulation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells by downregulating the transcriptional activity of cytochrome P450 family 51 subfamily A member 1 (CYP51A1), a key enzyme in de novo cholesterol biosynthesis. Subsequently, through in vitro and in vivo experiments, we demonstrated that this downregulation is crucial for the YY2 tumor suppressive effect. Together, our findings unraveled a previously unprecedented regulation of HCC cells cholesterol metabolism, and eventually, their tumorigenic potential, through YY2 negative regulation on CYP51A1 expression. This study revealed a novel regulatory mechanism of lipid metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells and provided insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the YY2 the suppressive effect. Furthermore, our findings suggest a potential antitumor therapeutic strategy targeting cholesterol metabolic reprogramming using YY2.

Anti-Tumor Strategies Targeting Nutritional Deprivation: Challenges and Opportunities

Higher and richer nutrient requirements are typical features that distinguish tumor cells from AU: cells, ensuring adequate substrates and energy sources for tumor cell proliferation and migration. Therefore, nutrient deprivation strategies based on targeted technologies can induce impaired cell viability in tumor cells, which are more sensitive than normal cells. In this review, nutrients that are required by tumor cells and related metabolic pathways are introduced, and anti-tumor strategies developed to target nutrient deprivation are described. In addition to tumor cells, the nutritional and metabolic characteristics of other cells in the tumor microenvironment (including macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, T cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts) and related new anti-tumor strategies are also summarized. In conclusion, recent advances in anti-tumor strategies targeting nutrient blockade are reviewed, and the challenges and prospects of these anti-tumor strategies are discussed, which are of theoretical significance for optimizing the clinical application of tumor nutrition deprivation strategies.

Cell calcification reverses the chemoresistance of cancer cells via the conversion of glycolipid metabolism

Drug resistance is an inherent challenge during cancer chemotherapy. Cancer cells favor fatty acid metabolism through metabolic reprogramming to achieve therapeutic resistance. However, an effective approach to overcoming the switch from glycolysis-dependent to fatty acid beta-oxidation-dependent anabolic and energy metabolism remains elusive. Here, we developed a macromolecular drug (folate-polySia, FpSA) to induce the extracellular microcalcification of cervical cancer cells with cisplatin resistance. Microcalcification attenuated the uptake of fatty acids and the beta-oxidation of fatty acids by mitochondrial dysfunction but boosted the glycolysis pathway. Consequently, cotreatment with Pt and FpSA inhibited cisplatin-resistant tumor growth and improved tumor-bearing mice's survival rates, indicating that FpSA switched fatty acid metabolism to glycolysis to sensitize cisplatin-resistant cells further. Taken together, cancer cell calcification induced by FpSA provides a reprogramming metabolic strategy for the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant tumors.

Post-translational modifications in drug resistance

Resistance to antitumor drugs, antimicrobial drugs, and antiviral drugs severely limits treatment effectiveness and cure rate of diseases. Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) represented by glycosylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, palmitoylation, and lactylation are closely related to drug resistance. PTMs are typically achieved by adding sugar chains (glycosylation), small proteins (ubiquitination), lipids (palmitoylation), or functional groups (lactylation) to amino acid residues. These covalent additions are usually the results of signaling cascades and could be reversible, with the triggering mechanisms depending on the type of modifications. PTMs are involved in antitumor drug resistance, not only as inducers of drug resistance but also as targets for reversing drug resistance. Bacteria exhibit multiple PTMs-mediated antimicrobial drug resistance. PTMs allow viral proteins and host cell proteins to form complex interaction networks, inducing complex antiviral drug resistance. This review summarizes the important roles of PTMs in drug resistance, providing new ideas for exploring drug resistance mechanisms, developing new drug targets, and guiding treatment plans.

Cholesterol: The driving force behind the remodeling of tumor microenvironment in colorectal cancer

Essential membrane components and metabolites with a wide range of biological roles are both produced by cholesterol metabolism. Cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic stimuli alter cholesterol metabolism in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which in turn encourages colorectal carcinogenesis. Metabolites produced from cholesterol play intricate roles in promoting the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) and stifling immunological responses. By altering the extracellular matrix of the main tumor, redesigning its immunological environment, and altering its mechanical stiffness, cholesterol can encourage the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of the primary tumor, opening up a pathway for tumor metastasis. Its functions in TME remodeling and tumor prevention have been recently identified. In this review we address the function of cholesterol in TME remodeling and therapeutic techniques designed to block cholesterol metabolism, and discuss how combining these strategies with already available anti-CRC medicines can have combined effects and open up new therapeutic avenues.

Metabolic reprogramming and therapeutic resistance in primary and metastatic breast cancer

Metabolic alterations, a hallmark of cancer, enable tumor cells to adapt to their environment by modulating glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism, which fuels rapid growth and contributes to treatment resistance. In primary breast cancer, metabolic shifts such as the Warburg effect and enhanced lipid synthesis are closely linked to chemotherapy failure. Similarly, metastatic lesions often display distinct metabolic profiles that not only sustain tumor growth but also confer resistance to targeted therapies and immunotherapies. The review emphasizes two major aspects: the mechanisms driving metabolic resistance in both primary and metastatic breast cancer, and how the unique metabolic environments in metastatic sites further complicate treatment. By targeting distinct metabolic vulnerabilities at both the primary and metastatic stages, new strategies could improve the efficacy of existing therapies and provide better outcomes for breast cancer patients.

Current hotspots and trends in cancer metabolic reprogramming: a scientometric analysis

Background

Metabolic reprogramming (MR) in cancer (CA) has been a focus of intense research in the recent two decades. This phenomenon has attracted great interest because it offers potential targets for cancer therapy. To capture the intellectual landscape of this field, we conducted a bibliometric analysis to assess the scientific output, major contributors, and trends in the MR/CA research.

Methods

We performed a systematic search using the Web of Science to retrieve articles published on MR of cancer from 2006 until 2023. The bibliometric tools such as Biblioshiny, VOSviewer, and Microsoft Excel were used to identify the most prolific authors, institutions, citation patterns, and keywords. We also used co-citation analysis to map the conceptual structure of the field and identify influential publications. Furthermore, we examined the literature by analyzing publication years, citations, and research impact factors.

Results

A total of 4,465 publications about MR/CA were retrieved. Publications on MR/CA increased rapidly from 2006 to 2023. Frontiers in Oncology published the most papers, while Cell Metabolism had the most citations. Highly cited papers were mainly published in Cancer Cell, Nature, Cell, Science and Cell Metabolism. China and the United States led the way in publications and contributed the most to MR/CA research. The University of Texas System, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Fudan University were the most productive institutions. The profitable authors were Deberardinis Ralph J and Chiarugi Paola. The current topics included MR in tumorigenesis and progression of CA, MR of tumor cells and tumor microenvironment, the effect of MR on the CA treatment, the underlying mechanisms of MR (such as gene regulation, epigenetics, extracellular vesicles, and gut microbiota), and the modulation of MR. Some topics such as tumor microenvironment, lipid MR, circular RNA, long noncoding RNA, exosome, prognostic model, and immunotherapy may be the focus of MR/CA research in the next few years.

Conclusion

This study evaluated the global scientific output in the field of MR/CA research, analyzing its quantitative characteristics. It identified some significant and distinguished papers and compiled information regarding the current status and evolving trends of MR/CA research.

Mechanism of CXCL8 regulation of methionine metabolism to promote angiogenesis in gliomas

BACKGROUND

Gliomas are the most common malignant brain tumors characterized by angiogenesis and invasive growth. A detailed understanding of its molecular characteristics could provide potential therapeutic targets. In the present study, we sought to explore the key gene CXCL8 in methionine metabolism in gliomas and its potential role in angiogenesis.

METHODS

U251 glioma cells were divided into control and methionine-restriction tolerant (constructed with 1/4 of the standard level of methionine in the culture medium) groups for transcriptome and metabolome analysis. To confirm the functions and mechanism of CXCL8 in glioma, heat map, volcano map, Go enrichment, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), protein-protein interaction network analysis, RT-PCR, western blotting assays, chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) test, chicken embryo yolk sac membrane (YSM) test and transplantation tumor nude mice model were performed. The TCGA database, CGGA database and clinical tissue samples were used to analyze CXCL8's significance on prognosis for patients with glioma.

RESULTS

CXCL8 expression was significantly up-regulated in methionine-restricted tolerance cells, it also activated vascular system development and triggered angiogenesis. CXCL8 expression is negatively correlated with survival prognosis in gliomas.

CONCLUSIONS

Glioma cells promote angiogenesis in methionine-restricted environments through the activation of CXCL8, compensating for nutrient deprivation, and possibly contributing to the failure of antiangiogenic therapy.

The Role of the CPT Family in Cancer: Searching for New Therapeutic Strategies

Along with abnormalities in glucose metabolism, disturbances in the balance of lipid catabolism and synthesis have emerged as a new area of cancer metabolism that needs to be studied in depth. Disturbances in lipid metabolic homeostasis, represented by fatty acid oxidation (FAO) imbalance, leading to activation of pro-cancer signals and abnormalities in the expression and activity of related metabolically critical rate-limiting enzymes, have become an important part of metabolic remodeling in cancer. The FAO process is a metabolic pathway that facilitates the breakdown of fatty acids into CO2 and H2O and releases large amounts of energy in the body under aerobic conditions. More and more studies have shown that FAO provides an important energy supply for the development of cancer cells. At the same time, the CPT family, including carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2), are key rate-limiting enzymes for FAO that exert a pivotal influence on the genesis and progression of neoplastic growth. Therefore, we look at molecular structural properties of the CPT family, the roles they play in tumorigenesis and development, the target drugs, and the possible regulatory roles of CPTs in energy metabolism reprogramming to help understand the current state of CPT family research and to search for new therapeutic strategies.

Lung cancer and obesity: A contentious relationship (Review)

The global obesity epidemic, attributed to sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, genetics and environmental factors, has led to over 1.9 billion adults being classified as overweight and 650 million living with obesity. Despite advancements in early detection and treatment, lung cancer prognosis remains poor due to late diagnoses and limited therapies. The obesity paradox challenges conventional thinking by suggesting that individuals with obesity and certain diseases, including cancer, may have an improved prognosis compared with their counterparts of a normal weight. This observation has prompted investigations to understand protective mechanisms, including potentially favorable adipokine secretion and metabolic reserves that contribute to tolerating cancer treatments. However, understanding the association between obesity and lung cancer is complex. While smoking is the primary risk factor of lung cancer, obesity may independently impact lung cancer risk, particularly in non‑smokers. Adipose tissue dysfunction, including low‑grade chronic inflammation, and hormonal changes contribute to lung cancer development and progression. Obesity‑related factors may also influence treatment responses and survival outcomes in patients with lung cancer. The impact of obesity on treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery is still under investigation. Challenges in managing patients with obesity and cancer include increased surgical complexity, higher rates of postoperative complications and limited treatment options due to comorbidities. Targeted interventions aimed at reducing obesity prevalence and promoting healthy lifestyles are crucial for lung cancer prevention. The impact of obesity on lung cancer is multifaceted and requires further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop personalized interventions for prevention and treatment.

ROCK2 increases drug resistance in acute myeloid leukemia via metabolic reprogramming and MAPK/PI3K/AKT signaling

Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 2 (ROCK2) is classified as a member of the serine/threonine protein kinase family and has been identified as a key driver of the development of various forms of cancer. The cause of ROCK2's impact on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is still unknown. We found that ROCK2 expression was higher in AML patients, leading to lower complete response rates and worse overall survival. Additionally, ROCK2 expression was elevated in the doxorubicin-resistant leukemia cell line HL-60/ADM when compared to their individual parent cells. Moreover, the suppression or inhibition of ROCK2 leads to enhanced drug sensitivity in both AML cell lines and primary AML specimens, along with a notable decrease in downstream signaling pathways. Furthermore, the suppression of ROCK2 caused disruption of cellular energy production pathways by directly affecting the functionality of proteins within the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Finally, we discovered that TRIM26, a specific E3 ligase, is capable of ubiquitylating ROCK2, and the upregulation of TRIM26 within HL-60/ADM cells resulted in heightened sensitivity to the drug and reduced resistance. Thus, our study presents a new strategy for overcoming drug resistance in AML through targeting ROCK2/AKT/MAPK signaling pathway.

Novel FABP4+C1q+ macrophages enhance antitumor immunity and associated with response to neoadjuvant pembrolizumab and chemotherapy in NSCLC via AMPK/JAK/STAT axis

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) immunotherapy facilitates new approaches to achieve precision cancer treatment. A growing number of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have benefited from treatment with neoadjuvant ICIs combined with chemotherapy. However, the mechanisms and associations between the therapeutic efficacy of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab and chemotherapy (NAPC) and macrophage subsets are still unclear. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and identified a novel FABP4+C1q+ macrophage subtype, which exhibited stronger proinflammatory cytokine production and phagocytic ability. This subtype was found to be more abundant in tumor tissues and lymph nodes of major pathological response (MPR) patients compared to non-MPR patients, and was associated with a good efficacy of NAPC. Multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemical (mIHC) staining was subsequently used to verify our findings. Further mechanistic studies indicated that FABP4 and C1q regulate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines synergistically. In addition, FABP4 and C1q promote fatty acid synthesis, enhance anti-apoptosis ability and phagocytic ability of macrophage via the interaction of AMPK/JAK/STAT axis. This study provides novel insights into the underlying mechanisms and predictive biomarkers of NAPC. Our findings contribute to improving the prognosis of patients with NSCLC by potentially guiding more precise patient selection and treatment strategies. NOVELTY & IMPACT STATEMENTS: We identified a group of macrophages (FABP4+C1q+ macrophages) related to the therapeutic efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. FABP4+C1q+ macrophages highly expressed proinflammatory cytokines-related genes and had a strong cytokine production and phagocytic ability. We believe that our study provides a novel insight into the synergistic mechanism of neoadjuvant ICI combined with chemotherapy and may lead to improved clinical outcomes in patients with NSCLC in the future.

Emerging Trends in Gastrointestinal Cancer Targeted Therapies: Harnessing Tumor Microenvironment, Immune Factors, and Metabolomics Insights

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are the leading cause of new cancer cases and cancer-related deaths worldwide. The treatment strategies for patients with GI tumors have focused on oncogenic molecular profiles associated with tumor cells. Recent evidence has demonstrated that the tumor cell functions are modulated by its microenvironment, compromising fibroblasts, extracellular matrices, microbiome, immune cells, and the enteric nervous system. Along with the tumor microenvironment components, alterations in key metabolic pathways have emerged as a hallmark of tumor cells. From these perspectives, this review will highlight the functions of different cellular components of the GI tumor microenvironment and their implications for treatment. Furthermore, we discuss the major metabolic reprogramming in GI tumor cells and how understanding metabolic rewiring could lead to new therapeutic strategies. Finally, we briefly summarize the targeted agents currently being studied in GI cancers. Understanding the complex interplay between tumor cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic factors during tumor progression is critical for developing new therapeutic strategies.

Molecular Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Leishmania spp

The protozoan parasite Leishmania causes leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, that disproportionately affects underdeveloped countries. This disease has major health, economic, and social implications, particularly because of the limited treatment options, high cost, the severe side effects associated with available therapeutics, and the high rate of treatment failure caused by the parasites' growing resistance to current medications. In this review, we describe first the common strategies used by pathogens to develop drug resistance and then focus on the arsenal of available drugs to treat leishmaniasis, their modes of action, and the molecular mechanisms contributing to drug resistance in Leishmania spp., including the role of genomic, transcriptional, and translational control. We focus more specifically on our recent discovery of translational reprogramming as a major driver of drug resistance leading to coordinated changes in the translation of transcripts and orchestrating changes in metabolome and lipidome to support drug resistance. A thorough understanding of these mechanisms is essential to identify the key elements needed to combat resistance and improve leishmaniasis treatment methods.

The role of ESM1 in the lipids metabolic reprogramming and angiogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma cells

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the respiratory diseases with high mortality and incidence. As an important angiogenic factor, (Endothelial cell-specific molecule 1) ESM1 plays an important role in the occurrence and development of LUAD. However, the role and molecular mechanism of ESM1 on LUAD metabolic reprogramming and angiogenesis remain unclear.

Methods

We used multiple databases to analyze the prognostic significance and potential function of ESM1 in patients with LUAD. The expression of ESM1 in LUAD cells was down-regulated/overexpressed by RNA interference, and the effects of ESM1 on the proliferation, migration, lipid metabolism and angiogenesis of LUAD cells in vitro and in vivo were analyzed using MTT, EdU, wound healing, oil red O, tubule formation, xenograft tumor model and chicken embryo allantoic model.

Results

ESM1 is closely associated with poor prognosis in LUAD patients. ESM1 promotes LUAD proliferation, migration, fatty acid synthesis and angiogenesis. It also accelerates the proliferation, migration, lipid synthesis and tubule formation of endothelial cells in the tumor microenvironment in the form of secreted protein. Mechanically, ESM1 can promote the activation of AKT signaling pathway and up-regulate the expression of SCD1 and FASN.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that ESM1 promotes the proliferation, migration, lipid reprogramming, and angiogenesis of LUAD cells by activating the AKT signaling pathway, suggesting that ESM1 may be a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker in LUAD patients.

Targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer: Potential for advancement

Gastrointestinal cancers (GICs) are highly prevalent cancers that threaten human health worldwide. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has been reported to play a pivotal role in the carcinogenesis of GICs. Numerous interventions targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in GICs are currently being tested in clinical trials with promising results. Unfortunately, there are no clinically approved drugs that effectively target this pathway. This comprehensive review aims to evaluate the impact of clinical therapies targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in GICs. By integrating data from bioinformatics databases and recent literature from the past five years, we examine the heterogeneous expression and regulatory mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin pathway genes and proteins in GICs. Specifically, we focus on expression patterns, mutation frequencies, and clinical prognoses to understand their implications for treatment strategies. Additionally, we discuss recent clinical trial efforts targeting this pathway. Understanding the inhibitors currently under clinical investigation may help optimize foundational research and clinical strategies. We hope that elucidating the current status of precision therapeutic stratification for patients targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway will guide future innovations in precision medicine for GICs.

Cellular senescence and metabolic reprogramming: Unraveling the intricate crosstalk in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment

The intrinsic oncogenic mechanisms and properties of the tumor microenvironment (TME) have been extensively investigated. Primary features of the TME include metabolic reprogramming, hypoxia, chronic inflammation, and tumor immunosuppression. Previous studies suggest that senescence-associated secretory phenotypes that mediate intercellular information exchange play a role in the dynamic evolution of the TME. Specifically, hypoxic adaptation, metabolic dysregulation, and phenotypic shifts in immune cells regulated by cellular senescence synergistically contribute to the development of an immunosuppressive microenvironment and chronic inflammation, thereby promoting the progression of tumor events. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the processes by which cellular senescence regulates the dynamic evolution of the tumor-adapted TME, with focus on the complex mechanisms underlying the relationship between senescence and changes in the biological functions of tumor cells. The available findings suggest that components of the TME collectively contribute to the progression of tumor events. The potential applications and challenges of targeted cellular senescence-based and combination therapies in clinical settings are further discussed within the context of advancing cellular senescence-related research.

Higher genetically predicted triglyceride level increases the bladder cancer risk independent of LDL and HDL levels

The causal relationship between lipid levels and bladder cancer is still inconclusive currently. We aimed to reveal the causal relationship between triglycerides, HDL, and LDL and the risk of bladder cancer by univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of exposure (triglycerides: 441,016 samples; HDL: 403,943 samples; LDL: 440,546 samples) were obtained from UK Biobank. The Genetic variation related to bladder cancer included 1554 cases and 359,640 controls. Univariable and multivariable MR methods were conducted with subsequent analysis, and smoking was regarded as a confounder. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted-median method, Cochran's Q test, and MR-PRESSO were considered the main MR analysis and sensitivity analysis methods. Univariable MR analysis results suggested the triglycerides level (P = 0.011, OR = 1.001, 95% CI = 1.000-1.002) was causally associated with increased risk of bladder cancer. Multivariable MR results indicated that higher triglyceride levels could still increase the risk of bladder cancer after adjusting the effects of HDL, LDL, and smoking (P = 0.042, OR = 1.001, 95% CI = 1.000-1.002). Our findings supported that triglyceride level is causally associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer independent of LDL and HDL at the genetic level. Timely attention to changes in blood lipid levels might reduce the risk of bladder cancer.

Proteomics and Bioinformatics Identify Drug-Resistant-Related Genes with Prognostic Potential in Cholangiocarcinoma

Drug resistance is a major challenge in the treatment of advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Understanding the mechanisms of drug resistance can aid in identifying novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve treatment efficacy. This study established 5-fluorouracil- (5-FU) and gemcitabine-resistant CCA cell lines, KKU-213FR and KKU-213GR, and utilized comparative proteomics to identify differentially expressed proteins in drug-resistant cells compared to parental cells. Additionally, bioinformatics analyses were conducted to explore the biological and clinical significance of key proteins. The drug-resistant phenotypes of KKU-213FR and KKU-213GR cell lines were confirmed. In addition, these cells demonstrated increased migration and invasion abilities. Proteomics analysis identified 81 differentially expressed proteins in drug-resistant cells, primarily related to binding functions, biological regulation, and metabolic processes. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed a highly interconnected network involving MET, LAMB1, ITGA3, NOTCH2, CDH2, and NDRG1. siRNA-mediated knockdown of these genes in drug-resistant cell lines attenuated cell migration and cell invasion abilities and increased sensitivity to 5-FU and gemcitabine. The mRNA expression of these genes is upregulated in CCA patient samples and is associated with poor prognosis in gastrointestinal cancers. Furthermore, the functions of these proteins are closely related to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. These findings elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms underlying drug resistance and tumor progression in CCA, providing insights into potential therapeutic targets.

The SARIFA biomarker in the context of basic research of lipid-driven cancers

SARIFA was very recently introduced as a histomorphological biomarker with strong prognostic power for colorectal, gastric, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. It is characterized by the direct contact between tumor cells and adipocytes due to a lack of stromal reaction. This can be easily evaluated on routinely available H&E-slides with high interobserver agreement. SARIFA also reflects a specific tumor biology driven by metabolic reprogramming. Tumor cells in SARIFA-positive tumors benefit from direct interaction with adipocytes as an external source of lipids. Numerous studies have shown that lipid metabolism is crucial in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. We found that the interaction between tumor cells and adipocytes was not triggered by obesity, as previously assumed. Instead, we believe that this is due to an immunological mechanism. Knowledge about lipid metabolism in cancer from basic experiments can be transferred to develop strategies targeting this reprogramed metabolism.

Raman-AFM-fluorescence-guided impact of linoleic and eicosapentaenoic acids on subcellular structure and chemical composition of normal and cancer human colon cells

The regular overconsumption of high-energy food (rich in lipids and sugars) results in elevated nutrient absorption in intestine and consequently excessive accumulation of lipids in many organs e.g.: liver, adipose tissue, muscles. In the long term this can lead to obesity and obesity-associated diseases e.g. type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the presented paper based on RI data we have proved that Raman maps can be used successfully for subcellular structures visualization and analysis of fatty acids impact on morphology and chemical composition of human colon single cells - normal and cancer. Based on Raman data we have investigated the changes related to endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, lipid droplets and nucleus. Analysis of ratios calculated based on Raman bands typical for proteins (1256, 1656 cm-1), lipids (1304, 1444 cm-1) and nucleic acids (750 cm-1) has confirmed for endoplasmic reticulum the increased activity of this organelle in lipoproteins synthesis upon FAs supplementation; for LDs the changes of desaturation of accumulated lipids with the highest unsaturation level for CaCo-2 cells upon EPA supplementation; for mitochondria the stronger effect of FAs supplementation was observed for CaCo-2 cells confirming the increased activity of this organelle responsible for energy production necessary for tumor development; the weakest impact of FAs supplementation was observed for nucleus for both types of cells and both types of acids. Fluorescence imaging was used for the investigations of changes in LDs/ER morphology. Our measurements have shown the increased area of LDs/ER for CaCo-2 cancer cells, and the strongest effect was noticed for CaCo-2 cells upon EPA supplementation. The increased participation of lipid structures for all types of cells upon FAs supplementation has been confirmed also by AFM studies. The lowest YM values have been observed for CaCo-2 cells including samples treated with FAs.

Milestones in tumor vascularization and its therapeutic targeting

Research into the mechanisms and manifestations of solid tumor vascularization was launched more than 50 years ago with the proposition and experimental demonstrations that angiogenesis is instrumental for tumor growth and was, therefore, a promising therapeutic target. The biological knowledge and therapeutic insights forthcoming have been remarkable, punctuated by new concepts, many of which were not foreseen in the early decades. This article presents a perspective on tumor vascularization and its therapeutic targeting but does not portray a historical timeline. Rather, we highlight eight conceptual milestones, integrating initial discoveries and recent progress and posing open questions for the future.

TM7SF2-induced lipid reprogramming promotes cell proliferation and migration via CPT1A/Wnt/β-Catenin axis in cervical cancer cells

Cervical cancer poses a serious threat to women's health globally. Our previous studies found that upregulation of TM7SF2, which works as an enzyme involved in the process of cholesterol biosynthesis expression, was highly correlated with cervical cancer. However, the mechanistic basis of TM7SF2 promoting cervical cancer progression via lipid metabolism remains poorly understood. Therefore, quantification of fatty acids and lipid droplets were performed in vitro and in vivo. The protein-protein interaction was verified by Co-IP technique. The mechanism and underlying signaling pathway of TM7SF2 via CPT1A associated lipid metabolism in cervical cancer development were explored using Western blotting, IHC, colony formation, transwell assay, and wound healing assay. This study reported that overexpression of TM7SF2 increased fatty acids content and lipid droplets both in vivo and in vitro experiments. While knockout of TM7SF2 obviously attenuated this process. Moreover, TM7SF2 directly bonded with CPT1A, a key enzyme in fatty acid oxidation, and regulated CPT1A protein expression in cervical cancer cells. Notably, the proliferation and metastasis of cervical cancer cells were elevated when their CPT1A expression was upregulated. Then, rescue assay identified that CPT1A overexpressed could enhance the cell viability and migration in TM7SF2-knockout cells. Furthermore, depletion of TM7SF2 significantly inhibited WNT and β-catenin proteins expression, which was enhanced by CPT1A-overexpressed. The proliferation and migration of cervical cancer cells were reversed in CPT1A-overexpressed cells with the treatment of MSAB, an inhibitor of Wnt/β-Catenin pathway. This study put forward an idea that TM7SF2-induced lipid reprogramming promotes proliferation and migration via CPT1A/Wnt/β-Catenin axis in cervical cancer, underlying the progression of cervical cancer.

Molecular Genealogy of Metabolic-associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

This review examines the latest epidemiological and molecular pathogenic findings of metabolic-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its increasing prevalence is a significant concern and reflects the growing burden of obesity and metabolic diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. Metabolic-associated HCC has unique molecular abnormality and distinctive gene expression patterns implicating aberrations in bile acid, fatty acid metabolism, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory pathways. Furthermore, a notable frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes such as patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3, transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2, glucokinase regulator, and membrane-bound O-acyltransferase domain-containing 7 has been observed. The tumor immune microenvironment of metabolic-associated HCC is characterized by unique phenotypes of macrophages, neutrophils, and T lymphocytes. Additionally, the pathogenesis of metabolic-associated HCC is influenced by abnormal lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and dysbiosis. In conclusion, deciphering the intricate interactions among metabolic processes, genetic predispositions, inflammatory responses, immune regulation, and microbial ecology is imperative for the development of novel therapeutic and preventative measures against metabolic-associated HCC.

Raman Imaging-A Valuable Tool for Tracking Fatty Acid Metabolism-Normal and Cancer Human Colon Single-Cell Study

Altered metabolism of lipids is a key factor in many diseases including cancer. Therefore, investigations into the impact of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids (FAs) on human body homeostasis are crucial for understanding the development of lifestyle diseases. In this paper, we focus on the impact of palmitic (PA), linoleic (LA), and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids on human colon normal (CCD-18 Co) and cancer (Caco-2) single cells using Raman imaging and spectroscopy. The label-free nature of Raman imaging allowed us to evaluate FAs dynamics without modifying endogenous cellular metabolism. Thanks to the ability of Raman imaging to visualize single-cell substructures, we have analyzed the changes in chemical composition of endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria, lipid droplets (LDs), and nucleus upon FA supplementation. Analysis of Raman band intensity ratios typical for lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids (I1656/I1444, I1444/I1256, I1444/I750, I1304/I1256) proved that, using Raman mapping, we can observe the metabolic pathways of FAs in ER, which is responsible for the uptake of exogenous FAs, de novo synthesis, elongation, and desaturation of FAs, in mitochondria responsible for energy production via FA oxidation, in LDs specialized in cellular fat storage, and in the nucleus, where FAs are transported via fatty-acid-binding proteins, biomarkers of human colon cancerogenesis. Analysis for membranes showed that the uptake of FAs effectively changed the chemical composition of this organelle, and the strongest effect was noticed for LA. The spectroscopy studies have been completed using XTT tests, which showed that the addition of LA or EPA for Caco-2 cells decreases their viability with a stronger effect observed for LA and the opposite effect observed for PA. For normal cells, CCD-18 Co supplementation using LA or EPA stimulated cells for growing, while PA had the opposite impact.

Gli1-mediated tumor cell-derived bFGF promotes tumor angiogenesis and pericyte coverage in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Tumor angiogenesis inhibitors have been applied for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. However, the drug resistance hinders their further development. Intercellular crosstalk between lung cancer cells and vascular cells was crucial for anti-angiogenenic resistance (AAD). However, the understanding of this crosstalk is still rudimentary. Our previous study showed that Glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) is a driver of NSCLC metastasis, but its role in lung cancer cell-vascular cell crosstalk remains unclear.

METHODS

Conditioned medium (CM) from Gli1-overexpressing or Gli1-knockdown NSCLC cells was used to educate endothelia cells and pericytes, and the effects of these media on angiogenesis and the maturation of new blood vessels were evaluated via wound healing assays, Transwell migration and invasion assays, tube formation assays and 3D coculture assays. The xenograft model was conducted to establish the effect of Gli1 on tumor angiogenesis and growth. Angiogenic antibody microarray analysis, ELISA, luciferase reporte, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), bFGF protein stability and ubiquitination assay were performed to explore how Gli1 regulate bFGF expression.

RESULTS

Gli1 overexpression in NSCLC cells enhanced the endothelial cell and pericyte motility required for angiogenesis required for angiogenesis. However, Gli1 knockout in NSCLC cells had opposite effect on this process. bFGF was critical for the enhancement effect on tumor angiogenesis. bFGF treatment reversed the Gli1 knockdown-mediated inhibition of angiogenesis. Mechanistically, Gli1 increased the bFGF protein level by promoting bFGF transcriptional activity and protein stability. Importantly, suppressing Gli1 with GANT-61 obviously inhibited angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION

The Gli1-bFGF axis is crucial for the crosstalk between lung cancer cells and vascular cells. Targeting Gli1 is a potential therapeutic approach for NSCLC angiogenesis.

Development of fatty acid metabolism score based on gene signature for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in colon cancer

PURPOSE

Metabolic reprogramming is a novel hallmark and therapeutic target of cancer. Our study aimed to establish fatty acid metabolism-associated scores based on gene signature and investigated its effects on immunotherapy in colon cancer.

METHODS

Gene expression and clinical information were collected from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify a gene signature by non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering and Cox regression analysis. Subsequently, we constructed the fatty acid metabolism score (FA-score) model by principal component analysis (PCA) and explored its relativity of prognosis and the response to immunotherapy in colon cancer. Finally, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was introduced and in vitro study was performed for verification.

RESULTS

The FA-score-high group had a higher level of fatty acid metabolism and was associated with worse patient overall survival. Significantly, FA-score correlated closely with the biomarkers of immunotherapy, and the FA-score-high group had a poorer therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade. In vitro experiments demonstrated that ACSL5 may be a critical metabolic regulatory target.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provided a comprehensive analysis of the heterogeneity of fatty acid metabolism in colon cancer. We highlighted the potential clinical utility of fatty acid metabolism-related genes to be biomarkers of colon cancer prognosis and targets to improve the effect of immunotherapy.

Importance of temperature on immuno-metabolic regulation and cancer progression

Cancer immunotherapies emerge as promising strategies for restricting tumour growth. The tumour microenvironment (TME) has a major impact on the anti-tumour immune response and on the efficacy of the immunotherapies. Recent studies have linked changes in the ambient temperature with particular immuno-metabolic reprogramming and anti-cancer immune response in laboratory animals. Here, we describe the energetic balance of the organism during change in temperature, and link this to the immune alterations that could be of relevance for cancer, as well as for other human diseases. We highlight the contribution of the gut microbiota in modifying this interaction. We describe the overall metabolic response and underlying mechanisms of tumourigenesis in mouse models at varying ambient temperatures and shed light on their potential importance in developing therapeutics against cancer.

Single-cell transcriptomic analysis deciphers heterogenous cancer stem-like cells in colorectal cancer and their organ-specific metastasis

OBJECTIVE

Metastasis is the major cause of cancer death. However, what types of heterogenous cancer cells in primary tumour and how they metastasise to the target organs remain largely undiscovered.

DESIGN

We performed single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomic analysis in primary colorectal cancer (CRC) and metastases in the liver (lCRC) or ovary (oCRC). We also conducted immunofluorescence staining and functional experiments to examine the mechanism.

RESULTS

Integrative analyses of epithelial cells reveal a stem-like cell cluster with high protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O (PTPRO) and achaete scute-like 2 (ASCL2) expression as the metastatic culprit. This cell cluster comprising distinct subpopulations shows distinct liver or ovary metastatic preference. Population 1 (P1) cells with high delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) and MAF bZIP transcription factor A (MAFA) expression are enriched in primary CRC and oCRC, thus may be associated with ovarian metastasis. P3 cells having a similar expression pattern as cholangiocytes are found mainly in primary CRC and lCRC, presuming to be likely the culprits that specifically metastasise to the liver. Stem-like cells interacted with cancer-associated fibroblasts and endothelial cells via the DLL4-NOTCH signalling pathway to metastasise from primary CRC to the ovary. In the oCRC microenvironment, myofibroblasts provide cancer cells with glutamine and perform a metabolic reprogramming, which may be essential for cancer cells to localise and develop in the ovary.

CONCLUSION

We uncover a mechanism for organ-specific CRC metastasis.

A tumor endothelial cell-specific microRNA replacement therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Current approved anti-angiogenic drugs (AAD) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) inhibit tumor angiogenesis, but affect the hepatic vasculature resulting in adverse effects. Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) differ from normal endothelial cells. In this study, we aimed to detect TEC-specific miRNAs and develop an anti-angiogenic treatment specific for TECs. We established HCC orthotopic mouse models. TEC-specific miRNAs were detected using a microRNA array. Finally, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of the TEC-specific miRNA agonist cocktail. In total, 260 TEC-specific genes were detected. Among the top ten downregulated TEC-specific miRNAs, miR-139-3p and 214-3p were important for the TEC phenotype. The TEC-specific microRNA agonist cocktail showed significant anti-tumor effects by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis without affecting hepatic vasculatures in HCC orthotopic mouse models. Moreover, it significantly downregulated tip-cell sprouting-related genes. We identified two downregulated TEC-specific miRNAs; microRNA replacement therapy, which targets the downregulated TEC-specific miRNAs, is an effective and promising treatment for HCC.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts contributed to hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence and metastasis via CD36-mediated fatty-acid metabolic reprogramming

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the main components in the tumor microenvironment. Tumors activate fibroblasts from quiescent state into activated state by secreting cytokines, and activated CAFs may in turn promote tumor progression and metastasis. Therefore, studies targeting CAFs could enrich the therapeutic options for tumor treatment. In this study, we demonstrate that the content of lipid droplets and the expression of autophagosomes were higher in CAFs than in peri-tumor fibroblasts (PTFs), which was inhibited by 5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furoic acid(TOFA). The expression of CD36 in CAFs was higher than that in PTFs at both mRNA and protein levels. Inhibition of CD36 activity using either the CD36 inhibitor SSO or siRNA had a significant negative impact on the proliferation and migration abilities of CAFs, which was associated with reduced levels of relevant activated genes (α-SMA, FAP, Vimentin) and cytokines (IL-6, TGF-β and VEGF-α). SSO also inhibited HCC growth and tumorigenesis in nude mice orthotopically implanted with CAFs and HCC cells. Our data further show that CD36+CAFs affected the expression of PD-1 in CTLs leading to CTL exhaustion, and that patients with high CD36 expression in CAFs were correlated with shorter overall survival (OS). Together, our data demonstrate that CAFs were active in lipid metabolism with increased lipid content and lipophagy activity. CD36 may play a key role in the regulation of the biological behaviors of CAFs, which may influence the proliferation and migration of tumor cells by reprograming the lipid metabolism in tumor cells. Thus, CD36 could be an effective therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.

Identification of a lipid homeostasis-related gene signature for predicting prognosis, immunity, and chemotherapeutic effect in patients with gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common and deadliest cancers worldwide. Lipid homeostasis is essential for tumour development because lipid metabolism is one of the most important metabolic reprogramming pathways within tumours. Elucidating the mechanism of lipid homeostasis in GC might significantly improve treatment strategies and patient prognosis. GSE62254 was applied to construct a lipid homeostasis-related gene signature score (HGSscore) by multiple bioinformatic algorithms including weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and LASSO-Cox regression. A nomogram based on HGSscore and relevant clinical characteristics was constructed to predict the survival of patients with GC. TIMER and xCell were used to evaluate immune and stromal cell infiltration in the tumour microenvironment. Correlations between lipid homeostasis-related genes and chemotherapeutic efficacy were analysed in GSCAlite. RT‒qPCR and cell viability assays were applied to verify the findings in this study. HGSscore was constructed based on eighteen lipid homeostasis-related genes that were selected by WGCNA and LASSO-Cox regression. HGSscore was strongly associated with advanced TNM stage and showed satisfactory value in predicting GC prognosis in three independent cohorts. Furthermore, we found that HGSscore was associated with the tumour mutation burden (TMB) and immune/stromal cell infiltration, which are related to GC prognosis, indicating that lipid homeostasis impacts the formation of the tumour microenvironment (TME). With respect to the GSCAlite platform, PLOD2 and TGFB2 were shown to be positively related to chemotherapeutic resistance, while SLC10A7 was a favourable factor for chemotherapy efficacy. Cell viability assays showed that disrupted lipid homeostasis could attenuate GC cell viability. Moreover, RT‒qPCR revealed that lipid homeostasis could influence expression of specific genes. We identified a lipid homeostasis-related gene signature that correlated with survival, clinical characteristics, the TME, and chemotherapeutic efficacy in GC patients. This research provides a new perspective for improving prognosis and guiding individualized chemotherapy for patients with GC.

NOTCH3 promotes docetaxel resistance of prostate cancer cells through regulating TUBB3 and MAPK signaling pathway

Docetaxel is the preferred chemotherapeutic agent in patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, patients eventually develop docetaxel resistance and in the absence of effective treatment options. Consequently, it is essential to investigate the mechanisms generating docetaxel resistance and develop novel alternative therapeutic targets. RNA sequencing was undertaken on docetaxel-sensitive and docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer (PCa) cells. Subsequently, chemoresistance, cancer stemness, and lipid metabolism were investigated. To obtain insight into the precise activities and action mechanisms of NOTCH3 in docetaxel-resistant PCa, immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, ChIP, luciferase reporter assay, cell metabolism, and animal experiments were performed. Through RNA sequencing analysis, we found that NOTCH3 expression was markedly higher in docetaxel-resistant cells relative to parental cells, and that this trend was continued in docetaxel-resistant PCa tissues. Experiments in vitro and in vivo revealed that NOTCH3 enhanced stemness, lipid metabolism, and docetaxel resistance in PCa. Mechanistically, NOTCH3 is bound to TUBB3 and activates the MAPK signaling pathway. Moreover, NOTCH3 was directly regulated by MEF2A in docetaxel-resistant cells. Notably, targeting NOTCH3 and the MEF2A/TUBB3 signaling axis was related to docetaxel chemoresistance in PCa. Overall, these results demonstrated that NOTCH3 fostered stemness, lipid metabolism, and docetaxel resistance in PCa via the TUBB3 and MAPK signaling pathways. Therefore, NOTCH3 may be employed as a prognostic biomarker in PCa patients. NOTCH3 could be a therapeutic target for PCa patients, particularly those who have developed docetaxel resistance.

Sulfotransferase SULT2B1 facilitates colon cancer metastasis by promoting SCD1-mediated lipid metabolism

Metastasis is responsible for at least 90% of colon cancer (CC)-related deaths. Lipid metabolism is a critical factor in cancer metastasis, yet the underlying mechanism requires further investigation. Herein, through the utilisation of single-cell sequencing and proteomics, we identified sulfotransferase SULT2B1 as a novel metastatic tumour marker of CC, which was associated with poor prognosis. CC orthotopic model and in vitro assays showed that SULT2B1 promoted lipid metabolism and metastasis. Moreover, SULT2B1 directly interacted with SCD1 to facilitate lipid metabolism and promoted metastasis of CC cells. And the combined application of SCD1 inhibitor CAY with SULT2B1- konockout (KO) demonstrated a more robust inhibitory effect on lipid metabolism and metastasis of CC cells in comparison to sole application of SULT2B1-KO. Notably, we revealed that lovastatin can block the SULT2B1-induced promotion of lipid metabolism and distant metastasis in vivo. Further evidence showed that SMC1A transcriptionally upregulated the expression of SULT2B1. Our findings unveiled the critical role of SULT2B1 in CC metastasis and provided a new perspective for the treatment of CC patients with distant metastasis.

BAP18 acting as a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α co-regulator contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma progression

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy worldwide with a poor prognosis. The therapeutic outcomes of HCC patients are urgently needed to be improved, and predictive biomarkers for the optimal treatment selection remains to be further defined. In the present study, our results showed that BPTF-associated protein of 18 KDa (BAP18) was highly expressed in HCC tissues. In cultured HCC cells, BAP18 regulated a subset of down-stream genes involved in different functions, particularly including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, BAP18 co-activated PPARα-mediated transactivation and facilitated the recruitment of nucleosome acetyltransferase of H4 (NuA4)/tat interacting protein 60 (TIP60) complex, thereby increasing histone H4 acetylation on stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) loci. In addition, BAP18 promoted HCC cell proliferation, increased intracellular lipid levels and enhanced cell survival under the metabolic stress conditions, such as glucose limitation or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) treatment. Importantly, higher BAP18 expression was positively correlated with the postoperative recurrence and the poor disease-free survival in clinical patients receiving sorafenib treatment. Altogether, we discovered that BAP18 plays an oncogenic role in the survival and proliferation of HCC cells, and BAP18 may serve as a predictive biomarker for adjunct TKIs treatment in patients with HCC, and further facilitate the precise treatment.

Low serum apolipoprotein A1 level predicts poor prognosis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the real world: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) is a member of the apolipoprotein family with diverse functions. It is associated with the pathogenesis and prognosis of several types of tumors. However, the role of serum apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) in the prognosis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate its influence on clinical outcomes in patients with DLBCL.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 1583 consecutive DLBCL patients admitted to the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital between January 2011 and December 2021. 949 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled for statistical analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal cut-off value for serum ApoA1 levels for prognostic prediction among patients with DLBCL. The correlations between serum ApoA1 levels and clinical and laboratory parameters were analyzed. Prognostic significance was analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL demonstrated low serum ApoA1 levels (< 0.925 g/L), had more B symptoms, higher levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (>upper limit of normal), poorer performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 2-4), higher percentage of advanced stage and non-germinal center B-cell (non-GCB) subtype, more cases of > 1 extranodal site, higher International Prognostic Index (IPI) score (3-5), and higher incidence of relapse or refractory diseases compared with those with high serum ApoA1 levels (≥ 0.925 g/L). Low serum ApoA1 levels were an independent adverse prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) but not progression-free survival (PFS).

CONCLUSIONS

Low serum ApoA1 levels were associated with poor treatment response and inferior survival in newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL.

Stress-Induced Immunosuppression Inhibits Regional Immune Responses in Chicken Adipose Tissue Partially through Suppressing T Cells by Up-Regulating Steroid Metabolism

Lipid metabolism plays an important role in maintaining lipid homeostasis and regulating immune functions. However, the regulations and mechanisms of lipid metabolism on the regional immune function of avian adipose tissue (AT) have not been reported. In this study, qRT-PCR was used to investigate the changes and relationships of different lipid metabolism pathways in chicken AT during stress-induced immunosuppression (SIIS) inhibiting immune response to Newcastle disease virus vaccine, then the miRNA regulation patterns of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) gene and its potential applications were further identified. The results showed that AT actively responded to SIIS, and ATGL, CPT1A and HMGCR were all the key genes involved in the processes of SIIS inhibiting the immune responses. SIIS significantly inhibited the natural and specific immune phases of the primary immune response and the initiation phase of the secondary immune response in AT by suppressing T cells by up-regulating steroid anabolism. Moreover, steroid metabolism could play dual roles in regulating the regional immune functions of AT. The miR-29a/c-3p-HMGCR network was a potential regulation mechanism of steroid metabolism in AT, and serum circulating miR-29a/c-3p had the potential as molecular markers. The study can provide valuable references for an in-depth investigation of the regional immune functions regulated by lipid metabolism in AT.

Next-Cell Hypothesis: Mechanism of Obesity-Associated Carcinogenesis

Higher body fat content is related to a higher risk of mortality, and obesity-related cancer represents approximately 40% of all cancer patients diagnosed each year. Furthermore, epigenetic mechanisms are involved in cellular metabolic memory and can determine one's predisposition to being overweight. Low-grade chronic inflammation, a well-established characteristic of obesity, is a central component of tumor development and progression. Cancer-associated adipocytes (CAA), which enhance inflammation- and metastasis-related gene sets within the cancer microenvironment, have pro-tumoral effects. Adipose tissue is a major source of the exosomal micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs), which modulate pathways involved in the development of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities. Owing to their composition of cargo, exosomes can activate receptors at the target cell or transfer molecules to the target cells and thereby change the phenotype of these cells. Exosomes that are released into the extracellular environment are internalized with their cargo by neighboring cells. The tumor-secreted exosomes promote organ-specific metastasis of tumor cells that normally lack the capacity to metastasize to a specific organ. Therefore, the communication between neighboring cells via exosomes is defined as the "next-cell hypothesis." The reciprocal interaction between the adipocyte and tumor cell is realized through the adipocyte-derived exosomal miRNAs and tumor cell-derived oncogenic miRNAs. The cargo molecules of adipocyte-derived exosomes are important messengers for intercellular communication involved in metabolic responses and have very specific signatures that direct the metabolic activity of target cells. RNA-induced silencing regulates gene expression through various mechanisms. Destabilization of DICER enzyme, which catalyzes the conversion of primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) to precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA), is an important checkpoint in cancer development and progression. Interestingly, adipose tissue in obesity and tumors share similar pathogenic features, and the local hypoxia progress in both. While hypoxia in obesity leads to the adipocyte dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities, in obesity-related cancer cases, it is associated with worsened prognosis, increased metastatic potential, and resistance to chemotherapy. Notch-interleukin-1 (IL-1)-Leptin crosstalk outcome is referred to as "NILCO effect." In this chapter, obesity-related cancer development is discussed in the context of "next-cell hypothesis," miRNA biogenesis, and "NILCO effect."

Metabolic heterogeneity in cancer

Cancer cells rewire their metabolism to survive during cancer progression. In this context, tumour metabolic heterogeneity arises and develops in response to diverse environmental factors. This metabolic heterogeneity contributes to cancer aggressiveness and impacts therapeutic opportunities. In recent years, technical advances allowed direct characterisation of metabolic heterogeneity in tumours. In addition to the metabolic heterogeneity observed in primary tumours, metabolic heterogeneity temporally evolves along with tumour progression. In this Review, we summarize the mechanisms of environment-induced metabolic heterogeneity. In addition, we discuss how cancer metabolism and the key metabolites and enzymes temporally and functionally evolve during the metastatic cascade and treatment.

Transcription Factor MAZ Potentiates the Upregulated NEIL3-mediated Aerobic Glycolysis, thereby Promoting Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by high vascularity and notable abnormality of blood vessels, where angiogenesis is a key process in tumorigenesis and metastasis. The main functions of Nei Like DNA Glycosylase 3 (NEIL3) include DNA alcoholization repair, immune response regulation, nervous system development and function, and DNA damage signal transduction. However, the underlying mechanism of high expression NEIL3 in the development and progression of HCC and whether the absence or silencing of NEIL3 inhibits the development of cancer remain unclear. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which increased NEIL3 expression promotes cancer development is needed.

METHODS

Expression of NEIL3 and its upstream transcription factor MAZ in HCC tumor tissues was analyzed in bioinformatics efforts, while validation was done by qRT-PCR and western blot in HCC cell lines. The migration and tube formation capacity of HUVEC cells were analyzed by Transwell and tube formation assays. Glycolytic capacity was analyzed by extracellular acidification rate, glucose uptake, and lactate production levels. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were utilized to investigate specific interactions between MAZ and NEIL3.

RESULTS

NEIL3 and MAZ were substantially upregulated in HCC tissues and cells. NEIL3 was involved in modulating the glycolysis pathway, suppression of which reversed the stimulative impact of NEIL3 overexpression on migration and angiogenesis in HUVEC cells. MAZ bound to the promoter of NEIL3 to facilitate NEIL3 transcription. Silencing MAZ reduced NEIL3 expression and suppressed the glycolysis pathway, HUVEC cell migration, and angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION

MAZ potentiated the upregulated NEIL3-mediated glycolysis pathway and HCC angiogenesis. This study provided a rationale for the MAZ/NEIL3/glycolysis pathway as a possible option for anti-angiogenesis therapy in HCC.