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Lliberos C, Richardson G, Papa A. Oncogenic Pathways and Targeted Therapies in Ovarian Cancer. Biomolecules 2024; 14:585. [PMID: 38785992 PMCID: PMC11118117 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050585] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most aggressive forms of gynaecological malignancies. Survival rates for women diagnosed with OC remain poor as most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. Debulking surgery and platinum-based therapies are the current mainstay for OC treatment. However, and despite achieving initial remission, a significant portion of patients will relapse because of innate and acquired resistance, at which point the disease is considered incurable. In view of this, novel detection strategies and therapeutic approaches are needed to improve outcomes and survival of OC patients. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of the genetic landscape and molecular pathways underpinning OC and its many subtypes. By examining therapeutic strategies explored in preclinical and clinical settings, we highlight the importance of decoding how single and convergent genetic alterations co-exist and drive OC progression and resistance to current treatments. We also propose that core signalling pathways such as the PI3K and MAPK pathways play critical roles in the origin of diverse OC subtypes and can become new targets in combination with known DNA damage repair pathways for the development of tailored and more effective anti-cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Lliberos
- Cancer Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia;
- Neil Beauglehall Department of Medical Oncology Research, Cabrini Health, Malvern, VIC 3144, Australia
| | - Gary Richardson
- Neil Beauglehall Department of Medical Oncology Research, Cabrini Health, Malvern, VIC 3144, Australia
| | - Antonella Papa
- Cancer Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia;
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2
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Unno K, Ohtani H, Sakamoto A, Murakami H, Yagi H, Ito H, Baba S, Iwashita T, Kosugi I, Maekawa Y. Pulmonary Tumor Thrombotic Microangiopathy Caused by Metastatic Ovarian Cancer: An Antemortem Diagnosis with Pulmonary Aspiration Cytopathology. Intern Med 2023; 62:3649-3655. [PMID: 37121751 PMCID: PMC10781541 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.1641-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A 48-year-old woman with advanced ovarian cancer was diagnosed with pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) by antemortem pulmonary wedge aspiration cytopathology. Despite the initiation of anti-cancer treatment, she unfortunately died due to progressive respiratory failure. Histopathology of the autopsied lung revealed multiple tumor embolization with fibrin-rich clot and fibro-cellular intimal proliferation at the pulmonary arteriole. The embolized tumor showed strong immune-positivity for pro-thrombotic and fibrotic factors (tissue factor and vascular endothelial growth factor), suggesting the underlying mechanisms of PTTM development. This case suggests that a quick antemortem diagnosis and the early induction of specific treatments might ensure a better prognosis of PTTM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Unno
- Division of Cardiology, Internal Medicine III, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hayato Ohtani
- Division of Cardiology, Internal Medicine III, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sakamoto
- Division of Cardiology, Internal Medicine III, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hirotake Murakami
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Haruna Yagi
- Department of Regenerative & Infectious Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Satoshi Baba
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Toshihide Iwashita
- Department of Regenerative & Infectious Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Isao Kosugi
- Department of Regenerative & Infectious Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Maekawa
- Division of Cardiology, Internal Medicine III, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan
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3
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Tang Q, Zhang H, Tang R. Identification of two immune subtypes and four hub immune-related genes in ovarian cancer through multiple analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35246. [PMID: 37800814 PMCID: PMC10553066 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune classification of ovarian cancer (OV) becomes more and more influential for its immunotherapy. However, current studies had few immune subtypes of OV. It is urgent to explore the immune subtypes and deeper hub immune-related genes (IRGs) of OV for follow-up treatment. A total number of 379 OV samples were obtained from UCSC online website. Single sample gene set enrichment analysis of 29 immune gene sets was used for identifying immune subtypes of OV and gene set variation analysis were used for exploring the hallmarks and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways of immune types. Two immunity subtypes (Immunity_H and Immunity_L) were identified by single sample gene set enrichment analysis. The OV patients in Immunity_H group had longer overall survival compared with those in Immunity_L group. The Immunity_H had higher stromal score, immune score and estimate score and the tumor purity had the adverse tendency. Besides, the gene set variation analysis enrichment results showed positive relationship between improved immunoreaction and pathways correlated to classical signaling pathway (PI3K/AKT/MTOR, P53, TNFA/NFkB signaling pathways) and immune responses (T/B cell receptor signaling pathways and primary immunodeficiency). Furthermore, 4 hub IRGs (CCR5, IL10RA, ITGAL and PTPRC) were jointly dug by weighted gene co-expression network construction and Cytoscape. Our team also explored the mutations of 4 hub IRGs and PTPRC showed nearly 7% amplification. Besides, 8 immune-checkpoint genes had higher expression in Immuity_H group compared with Immuity_L group, except CD276. The correlation between PD-1/PD-L1 and 4 hub IRGs were explored and gene set enrichment analysis were conducted to explore the underlying mechanisms of PTPRC in OV. Finally, western-blotting showed PTPRC could regulate immune checkpoint PD-L1 expression via JAK-STAT signaling pathway. In a word, 2 immune subtypes and 4 hub IRGs of OV were identified by multiple analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Jingmen Center Hospital, Jingmen, PR China
| | - Haojie Zhang
- Department of Operating Room, The Jingmen Center Hospital, Jingmen, PR China
| | - Rong Tang
- Department of Pathology, The Jingmen Center Hospital, Jingmen, PR China
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Bhardwaj V, Zhang X, Pandey V, Garg M. Neo-vascularization-based therapeutic perspectives in advanced ovarian cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188888. [PMID: 37001618 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
The process of angiogenesis is well described for its potential role in the development of normal ovaries, and physiological functions as well as in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of ovarian cancer (OC). In advanced stages of OC, cancer cells spread outside the ovary to the pelvic, abdomen, lung, or multiple secondary sites. This seriously limits the efficacy of therapeutic options contributing to fatal clinical outcomes. Notably, a variety of angiogenic effectors are produced by the tumor cells to initiate angiogenic processes leading to the development of new blood vessels, which provide essential resources for tumor survival, dissemination, and dormant micro-metastasis of tumor cells. Multiple proangiogenic effectors and their signaling axis have been discovered and functionally characterized for potential clinical utility in OC. In this review, we have provided the current updates on classical and emerging proangiogenic effectors, their signaling axis, and the immune microenvironment contributing to the pathogenesis of OC. Moreover, we have comprehensively reviewed and discussed the significance of the preclinical strategies, drug repurposing, and clinical trials targeting the angiogenic processes that hold promising perspectives for the better management of patients with OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Bhardwaj
- Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Bioengineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Vijay Pandey
- Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Bioengineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
| | - Manoj Garg
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Sector-125, Noida 201301, India.
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Sulaiman R, De P, Aske JC, Lin X, Dale A, Koirala N, Gaster K, Espaillat LR, Starks D, Dey N. Patient-Derived Primary Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Mediate Resistance to Anti-Angiogenic Drug in Ovarian Cancers. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11010112. [PMID: 36672620 PMCID: PMC9855717 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancers rank first in both aggressiveness and dismal prognosis among gynecological neoplasms. The poor outcome is explained by the fact that most patients present with late-stage disease and progress through the first line of treatment. Ovarian neoplasms, especially epithelial ovarian cancers, are diagnosed at advanced/metastatic stages, often with a high angiogenesis index, one of the hallmarks of ovarian cancers with rapid progression and poor outcome as resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy develops. Despite therapy, the metastatic progression of aggressive ovarian cancer is a spectacularly selective function of tumor cells aided and abetted by the immune, mesenchymal and angiogenic components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that enforces several pro-metastatic event(s) via direct and indirect interactions with stromal immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and vascular endothelial cells. Since transdifferentiation of tumor endothelium is one of the major sources of CAFs, we hypothesized that ovarian CAF plays a critical role in resisting anti-angiogenic effects via direct crosstalk with endothelium and hence plays a direct role in the development of resistance to anti-angiogenic drugs. To test the hypothesis, we set up a hybrid ex vivo model for co-culture comprising Patient-Derived ex vivo primary CAFs from ovarian tumor samples and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Patient-Derived CAFs were characterized by the mRNA and protein expression of positive (SMA, S100A4, TE-7, FAP-A, CD90/THY1), negative (EpCAM, CK 8,18, CD31, CD44, CD45), functional (PDGFRA, TGFB1, TGFB2, TGFRA) and immunological markers (PD-L1, PD-L2, PD-1) associated with CAFs by qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, Western blot, and ICC. Data from our HUVEC-on-CAF ex vivo Hybrid Co-Culture (HyCC) study demonstrate the pro-angiogenic effect of Patient-Derived ovarian CAFs by virtue of their ability to resist the effect of anti-angiogenic drugs, thereby aiding the development of resistance to anti-angiogenic drugs. Ascertaining direct experimental proof of the role of CAFs in developing resistance to specific anti-angiogenic drugs will provide an opportunity to investigate new drugs for counteracting CAF resistance and "normalizing/re-educating" TME in aggressive ovarian cancers. Our data provide a unique experimental tool for the personalized testing of anti-angiogenic drugs, positively predicting the development of future resistance to anti-angiogenic drugs well before it is clinically encountered in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raed Sulaiman
- Department of Pathology, Avera Cancer Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Pradip De
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Dakota SSOM, USD, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Jennifer C. Aske
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Xiaoqian Lin
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Adam Dale
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Nischal Koirala
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Kris Gaster
- Assistant VP Outpatient Cancer Clinics, Avera Cancer Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Luis Rojas Espaillat
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Avera Cancer Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - David Starks
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Avera Cancer Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Nandini Dey
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Dakota SSOM, USD, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
- Correspondence:
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Clinical Significance of Tie-2-Expressing Monocytes/Macrophages and Angiopoietins in the Progression of Ovarian Cancer-State-of-the-Art. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233851. [PMID: 36497114 PMCID: PMC9737633 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour growth and metastasis are specific to advanced stages of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Tumour angiogenesis is an essential part of these processes. It is responsible for providing tumours with nutrients, metabolites, and cytokines and facilitates tumour and immune cell relocation. Destabilised vasculature, a distinctive feature of tumours, is also responsible for compromising drug delivery into the bulk. Angiogenesis is a complex process that largely depends on how the tumour microenvironment (TME) is composed and how a specific organ is formed. There are contrary reports on whether Tie-2-expressing monocytes/macrophages (TEMs) reported as the proangiogenic population of monocytes have any impact on tumour development. The aim of this paper is to summarise knowledge about ovarian-cancer-specific angiogenesis and the unique role of Tie-2-expressing monocytes/macrophages in this process. The significance of this cell subpopulation for the pathophysiology of EOC remains to be investigated.
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Ovarian Cancer: Treatment and Resistance to Pharmacotherapy. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed3020011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in surgical techniques and chemotherapy, ovarian cancer is still a leading cause of death among gynecological cancers. In addition to the late detection of the disease, the main reason for poor prognosis is resistance to pharmacotherapy, mostly platinum compounds. About a third of patients do not respond to primary platinum-based chemotherapy treatment, and over time, eventually, 80% of other patients develop chemoresistance, which makes the recurrence of disease incurable. In this review, we describe a difficult clinical hurdle faced in ovarian cancer therapy as a result of platinum resistance, as well as resistance to newer targeted therapy with PARP inhibitors and bevacizumab. We, furthermore, give attention also to the role of the tumor microenvironment as it is less well understood than the tumor cell-intrinsic mechanism. Because a central goal in ovarian cancer research is the development of novel strategies to overcome chemoresistance, treatment for cancer is moving toward personalized therapy.
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Mikuła-Pietrasik J, Rutecki S, Książek K. The functional multipotency of transforming growth factor β signaling at the intersection of senescence and cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:196. [PMID: 35305149 PMCID: PMC11073081 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04236-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family of cytokines comprises a group of proteins, their receptors, and effector molecules that, in a coordinated manner, modulate a plethora of physiological and pathophysiological processes. TGF-β1 is the best known and plausibly most active representative of this group. It acts as an immunosuppressant, contributes to extracellular matrix remodeling, and stimulates tissue fibrosis, differentiation, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In recent years, this cytokine has been established as a vital regulator of organismal aging and cellular senescence. Finally, the role of TGF-β1 in cancer progression is no longer in question. Because this protein is involved in so many, often overlapping phenomena, the question arises whether it can be considered a molecular bridge linking some of these phenomena together and governing their reciprocal interactions. In this study, we reviewed the literature from the perspective of the role of various TGF-β family members as regulators of a complex mutual interplay between senescence and cancer. These aspects are then considered in a broader context of remaining TGF-β-related functions and coexisting processes. The main narrative axis in this work is centered around the interaction between the senescence of normal peritoneal cells and ovarian cancer cells. The discussion also includes examples of TGF-β activity at the interface of other normal and cancer cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Mikuła-Pietrasik
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Długa ½ Str, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-848, Poznań, Poland
| | - Szymon Rutecki
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Długa ½ Str, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-848, Poznań, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Książek
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Długa ½ Str, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-848, Poznań, Poland.
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Construction of a Prognostic Gene Signature Associated with Immune Infiltration in Glioma: A Comprehensive Analysis Based on the CGGA. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2021; 2021:6620159. [PMID: 33790966 PMCID: PMC7984893 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6620159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Tumor microenvironment (TME) is closely related to the progression of glioma and the therapeutic effect of drugs on this cancer. The aim of this study was to develop a signature associated with the tumor immune microenvironment using machine learning. Methods We downloaded the transcriptomic and clinical data of glioma patients from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) databases (mRNAseq_693). The single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) database was used to quantify the relative abundance of immune cells. We divided patients into two different infiltration groups via unsupervised clustering analysis of immune cells and then selected differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups. Survival-related genes were determined using Cox regression analysis. We next randomly divided patients into a training set and a testing set at a ratio of 7 : 3. By integrating the DEGs into least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis in the training set, we were able to construct a 15-gene signature, which was validated in the testing and total sets. We further validated the signature in the mRNAseq_325 dataset of CGGA. Results We identified 74 DEGs associated with tumor immune infiltration, 70 of which were significantly associated with overall survival (OS). An immune-related gene signature was established, consisting of 15 key genes: adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette subfamily C member 3 (ABCC3), collagen type IV alpha 1 chain (COL4A1), podoplanin (PDPN), annexin A1 (ANXA1), COL4A2, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2), serpin family A member 3 (SERPINA3), CXXC-type zinc finger protein 11 (CXXC11), junctophilin 3 (JPH3), secretogranin III (SCG3), secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC)-related modular calcium-binding protein 1 (SMOC1), Cluster of Differentiation 14 (CD14), COL1A1, S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). The OS of patients in the high-risk group was worse than that of patients in the low-risk group. GSEA showed that interleukin-6 (IL-6)/Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) signaling, interferon gamma (IFN-γ) response, angiogenesis, and coagulation were more highly enriched in the high-risk group and that oxidative phosphorylation was more highly enriched in the low-risk group. Conclusion We constructed a stable gene signature associated with immune infiltration to predict the survival rates of glioma patients.
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Anastasiadou E, Messina E, Sanavia T, Mundo L, Farinella F, Lazzi S, Megiorni F, Ceccarelli S, Pontecorvi P, Marampon F, Di Gioia CRT, Perniola G, Panici PB, Leoncini L, Trivedi P, Lenzi A, Marchese C. MiR-200c-3p Contrasts PD-L1 Induction by Combinatorial Therapies and Slows Proliferation of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer through Downregulation of β-Catenin and c-Myc. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030519. [PMID: 33804458 PMCID: PMC7998372 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional/targeted chemotherapies and ionizing radiation (IR) are being used both as monotherapies and in combination for the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Several studies show that these therapies might favor oncogenic signaling and impede anti-tumor responses. MiR-200c is considered a master regulator of EOC-related oncogenes. In this study, we sought to investigate if chemotherapy and IR could influence the expression of miR-200c-3p and its target genes, like the immune checkpoint PD-L1 and other oncogenes in a cohort of EOC patients’ biopsies. Indeed, PD-L1 expression was induced, while miR-200c-3p was significantly reduced in these biopsies post-therapy. The effect of miR-200c-3p target genes was assessed in miR-200c transfected SKOV3 cells untreated and treated with olaparib and IR alone. Under all experimental conditions, miR-200c-3p concomitantly reduced PD-L1, c-Myc and β-catenin expression and sensitized ovarian cancer cells to olaparib and irradiation. In silico analyses further confirmed the anti-correlation between miR-200c-3p with c-Myc and β-catenin in 46 OC cell lines and showed that a higher miR-200c-3p expression associates with a less tumorigenic microenvironment. These findings provide new insights into how miR-200c-3p could be used to hold in check the adverse effects of conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapy and radiation therapy, and offer a novel therapeutic strategy for EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Anastasiadou
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (F.F.); (F.M.); (S.C.); (P.P.); (P.T.); (A.L.); (C.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Elena Messina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (F.F.); (F.M.); (S.C.); (P.P.); (P.T.); (A.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Tiziana Sanavia
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy;
| | - Lucia Mundo
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Section of Pathology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.M.); (S.L.); (L.L.)
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland
| | - Federica Farinella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (F.F.); (F.M.); (S.C.); (P.P.); (P.T.); (A.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Stefano Lazzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Section of Pathology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.M.); (S.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Francesca Megiorni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (F.F.); (F.M.); (S.C.); (P.P.); (P.T.); (A.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Simona Ceccarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (F.F.); (F.M.); (S.C.); (P.P.); (P.T.); (A.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Paola Pontecorvi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (F.F.); (F.M.); (S.C.); (P.P.); (P.T.); (A.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Francesco Marampon
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | | | - Giorgia Perniola
- Department of Gynecological-Obstetric Sciences and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (P.B.P.)
| | - Pierluigi Benedetti Panici
- Department of Gynecological-Obstetric Sciences and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (P.B.P.)
| | - Lorenzo Leoncini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Section of Pathology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.M.); (S.L.); (L.L.)
| | - Pankaj Trivedi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (F.F.); (F.M.); (S.C.); (P.P.); (P.T.); (A.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Andrea Lenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (F.F.); (F.M.); (S.C.); (P.P.); (P.T.); (A.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Cinzia Marchese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (F.F.); (F.M.); (S.C.); (P.P.); (P.T.); (A.L.); (C.M.)
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