Tumor microenvironment and cellular senescence: Understanding therapeutic resistance and harnessing strategies

Pharmacological modulation of cellular senescence: Implications for breast cancer progression and therapeutic strategies

Senescence, defined by the cessation of cell proliferation, plays a critical and multifaceted role in breast cancer progression and treatment. Senescent cells produce senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASP) comprising inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and small molecules, which actively shape the tumor microenvironment, influencing cancer development, progression, and metastasis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the types and origins of senescent cells in breast cancer, alongside their markers and detection methods. Special focus is placed on pharmacological strategies targeting senescence, including drugs that induce or inhibit senescence, their molecular mechanisms, and their roles in therapeutic outcomes when combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. By exploring these pharmacological interventions and their impact on breast cancer treatment, this review underscores the potential of senescence-targeting therapies to revolutionize breast cancer management.

Psychological stress on cancer progression and immunosenescence

Diagnosis and treatment of cancer constitute a deeply stressful experience that involves unique and common problems and generates uncertainty, fear and emotional distress. Furthermore, there are reciprocal interactions between psychological stress and cancer in the clinical settings. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the links of stress with cancer. A growing body of epidemiological and preclinical studies have suggested that stress affects cancer progression, and metastasis and treatment outcomes. Furthermore, stress elicits premature aging and deterioration of the immune system (known as immunosenescence), causing vulnerability to infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. In this review, we describe recent advances in how stress affects cancer progression through specific stress hormones and receptor systems as well as intracellular molecular processes, and discuss how stress-evoked neuroendocrine molecules regulate local and systemic immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, we review the molecular mechanisms of immunosenescence and evidence of psychological stress-evoked immunosenescence, highlighting the clinical value for available psychological and/or pharmacological interventions for psychological stress in patients with cancer. Based on existing evidence and emerging mechanistic insights, factors linked with psychological stress, immunosenescence and complications in cancer survivors need to be determined in future studies, and screening programs should be added to follow-up.

Bioinformatics combined with network pharmacology and experimental validation to identify key biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma and corresponding compounds in Radix Astragali and Pueraria Mirifica

The occurrence and death rates of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are increasing, and there remains a shortage of effective oral medications with minimal side effects. We aim to identify potential biomarkers and compounds from Radix Astragali (RA) and Pueraria Mirifica (PM) to treat liver cancer and improve prognosis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with HCC were identified by bioinformatics analysis of three datasets, GSE112791, GSE101685, and GSE45114. Using public databases to predict the bioactive components and possible targets of RA and PM. Target crossover from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and public databases were used to identify potential biomarkers for HCC. Subsequently, validation and prognostic value analyses were performed using the Gene Expression Profile Interaction Analysis (GEPIA) platform. The Cytoscape software created a network of "compound targets" to pinpoint compounds linked to the biomarkers. Molecular docking techniques were utilized to validate the connection between these compounds and the identified biomarkers. Ultimately, the HepG2 liver cancer cell line was chosen to assess the inhibitory effect of Hederagenin (HDG) and to confirm the expression of ADH1B through Western blot analysis. In this study, four key biomarkers (NR1I2, ADH1B, NQO1, GHR) were identified. Molecular docking showed that these four core targets could form stable conformations with the corresponding compounds. As the drug concentration decreases, the inhibitory effect on HepG2 diminishes, and the survival rate of HepG2 cells significantly declines following the administration of 100 µmol/L HDG. Compared to the control, the expression of ADH1B protein is significantly increased in HepG2 cells treated with 100 µmol/L HDG. The study identified four key biomarkers (ADH1B, GHR, NQO1, NR1I2) that have prognostic ability for HCC. This study provides biomarkers and potential targeted monomeric medicines for treating HCC.

Berberine Derivative B68 Promotes Tumor Immune Clearance by Dual-Targeting BMI1 for Senescence Induction and CSN5 for PD-L1 Degradation

Promoting tumor cell senescence arrests the cell cycle of tumor cells and activates the immune system to eliminate these senescent cells, thereby suppressing tumor growth. Nevertheless, PD-L1 positive senescent tumor cells resist immune clearance and possess the ability to secret various cytokines and inflammatory factors that stimulate the growth of tumor cells. Consequently, drugs capable of both triggering senescence in tumor cells and concurrently diminishing the expression of PD-L1 to counteract immune evasion are urgently needed. Here, a berberine derivative B68 is developed, which specifically induces tumor cell senescence by targeting BMI1. B68 also involves the degradation of PD-L1 by targeting CSN5, thereby disrupting the immunosuppressive PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and enabling rapid clearance of senescent tumor cells. This approach simultaneously inhibits tumor progression and activates T cell immunity, as evidenced by the robust antitumor response following B68-induced immunization of senescent cancer cells. Moreover, the synergistic effect of B68 with anti-CTLA4 therapy further enhances antitumor immunity, and its ability to induce senescence in cancer cells triggers a strong protective response by dendritic and CD8+ T cells. These findings provide a scientific basis for developing a new tumor treatment strategy based on senescence induction and lay the foundation for further preclinical research.

Chemotherapy-induced cellular senescence promotes stemness of aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma via CCR7/ARHGAP18/IKBα signaling activation

BACKGROUND

Resistance to existing therapies is a major cause of treatment failure in patients with refractory and relapsed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (r/r B-NHL). Therapy-induced senescence (TIS) is one of the most important mechanisms of drug resistance.

METHODS

This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze doxorubicin-induced senescent B-NHL cells. C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) expression in patients with aggressive B-NHL was assessed using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Lentiviral transfection was used to target CCR7 expression in Raji and SU-DHL-2 cells. Protein localization was visualized through immunofluorescence, while western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation were used to analyze protein expression and interactions. Cell proliferation was measured with the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and senescent cells were detected using senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining. The stemness of cells was evaluated through colony and sphere formation assays. Transwell assays assessed cell migration and invasion. Finally, inhibitors GS143 and Y27632 were used to examine the effect of IKBα and ARHGAP/RhoA inhibition on B-NHL-TIS.

RESULTS

Here we identified a distinct group of TIS, composed of memory B-cell population characterized by strong positive expression of CCR7, which was significantly elevated in TIS population compared with normal proliferating and autonomously senescent lymphoma cell populations. Additionally, CCR7 expression was significantly upregulated in patients with r/r B-NHL, and was an independent prognostic factor in B-NHL, with high CCR7 expression being strongly associated with poor prognosis. In vitro results indicated that CCL21 induced migration and invasion of B-NHL cells via CCR7, while blocking CCR7 reduced doxorubicin-induced migration and invasion of these cells. Furthermore, B-NHL-TIS regulated by CCR7 and exhibited enhanced phenotypic and functional stemness features, including the upregulation of stemness markers, increased colony-forming, invasive and migratory capabilities. Mechanistically, blocking CCR7 reversed the stemness characteristics of senescent B-NHL cells by inhibiting the activation of ARHGAP18/IKBα signaling.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, TIS promotes the stemness of B-NHL cells via CCR7/ARHGAP18/IKBα signaling activation and targeting CCR7/ARHGAP18 might overcome the chemoresistance of senescent B-NHL cells by inhibiting stemness acquisition and maintenance.

Targeting KIFC1 Promotes Senescence in Soft Tissue Sarcoma via FXR1-Dependent Regulation of MAD2L1 mRNA Stability

Patients diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) often present at intermediate to advanced stages, with inherently limited therapeutic options available. There is an urgent need to identify novel therapeutic targets. In this study, by screening STS data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases, KIFC1 is identified as a potential biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for STS. Notably, a significant increase in KIFC1 levels, which exhibited a strong correlation with a poor prognosis in STS patients is observed. The findings revealed that knockout of KIFC1 suppressed STS growth both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, KIFC1 is found to regulate cellular senescence in STS, which has not been reported before. that targeting KIFC1 induced cellular senescence via interacting with FXR1, an RNA-binding protein is discovered, thereby further stabilizing MAD2L1 mRNA in an m6A-dependent manner. Additionally, the suppression of KIFC1 markedly diminished the growth of patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and triggered senescence. This study provides the first evidence that KIFC1 inhibition induces cellular senescence through MAD2L1, underscoring KIFC1 as a novel prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for STS.

Reprogramming cellular senescence in the tumor microenvironment augments cancer immunotherapy through multifunctional nanocrystals

Harnessing the immunogenic potential of senescent tumor cells provides an opportunity to remodel tumor microenvironment (TME) and boost antitumor immunity. However, this potential needs to be sophisticatedly wielded to avoid additional immunosuppressive capacity of senescent cells. Our study shows that blocking the JAK2/STAT3 pathway enhances immunogenic efficacy of Aurora kinase inhibitor alisertib (Ali)-induced senescence by reducing immunosuppressive senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) while preserving immunogenic SASP. Hypothesizing that SASP reprogramming with Ali and JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib (Rux) will benefit cancer immunotherapy, we create nanoparticulate crystals (Ali-Rux) composed of Ali and Rux with a fully active pharmaceutical ingredient. Immunization with Ali-Rux-orchestrated senescent cells promotes stronger activation of antigen-presenting cells, enhancing antitumor immune surveillance. This approach remodels the TME by increasing CD8+ T cell and NK recruitment and activation while decreasing MDSCs. Combined with PD-L1 blockade, Ali-Rux elicits a durable antitumor immune response, suggesting the TME reshaping approach as a potential cancer immunotherapy.

Advances in predictive biomarkers associated with immunotherapy in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly malignant and poor-prognosis cancer, with most cases diagnosed at the extensive stage (ES). Amidst a landscape marked by limited progress in treatment modalities for ES-SCLC over the past few decades, the integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with platinum-based chemotherapy has provided a milestone approach for improving prognosis, emerging as the new standard for initial therapy in ES-SCLC. However, only a minority of SCLC patients can benefit from ICIs, which frequently come with varying degrees of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Therefore, it is crucial to investigate predictive biomarkers to screen potential beneficiaries of ICIs, mitigate the risk of side effects, and improve treatment precision. This review summarized potential biomarkers for predicting ICI response in ES-SCLC, with a primary focus on markers sourced from tumor tissue or peripheral blood samples. The former mainly included PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), along with cellular or molecular components related to the tumor microenvironment (TME) and antigen presentation machinery (APM), molecular subtypes of SCLC, and inflammatory gene expression profiles. Circulating biomarkers predominantly comprised circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cytokines, plasma autoantibodies, inflammation-related parameters, and blood TMB. We synthesized and analyzed the research progress of these potential markers. Notably, investigations into PD-L1 expression and TMB have been the most extensive, exhibiting preliminary predictive efficacy in salvage immunotherapy; however, consistent conclusions have yet to be reached across studies. Additionally, novel predictive markers developed based on TME composition, APM, transcriptomic and genomic features provide promising tools for precision immunotherapy. Circulating biomarkers offer the advantages of convenience, non-invasiveness, and a comprehensive reflection of tumor molecular characteristics. They may serve as alternative options for predicting immunotherapy efficacy in SCLC. However, there is a scarcity of studies, and the significant heterogeneity in research findings warrants attention.

The multifaceted role of the stroma in the healthy prostate and prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PC) is an age-related disease and represents, after lung cancer, the second cause of cancer death in males worldwide. Mortality is due to the metastatic disease, which mainly involves the bones, lungs, and liver. In the last 20 years, the incidence of metastatic PC has increased in Western Countries, and a further increase is expected in the near future, due to the population ageing. Current treatment options, including state of the art cancer immunotherapy, need to be more effective to achieve long-term disease control. The most significant anatomical barrier to overcome to improve the effectiveness of current and newly designed drug strategies consists of the prostatic stroma, in particular the fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix, which are the most abundant components of both the normal and tumor prostatic microenvironment. By weaving a complex communication network with the glandular epithelium, the immune cells, the microbiota, the endothelium, and the nerves, in the healthy prostatic microenvironment, the fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix support organ development and homeostasis. However, during inflammation, ageing and prostate tumorigenesis, they undergo dramatic phenotypic and genotypic changes, which impact on tumor growth and progression and on the development of therapy resistance. Here, we focus on the characteristics and functions of the prostate associated fibroblasts and of the extracellular matrix in health and cancer. We emphasize their roles in shaping tumor behavior and the feasibility of manipulating and/or targeting these stromal components to overcome the limitations of current treatments and to improve precision medicine's chances of success.

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.

Targeting senescence-associated secretory phenotypes to remodel the tumour microenvironment and modulate tumour outcomes

Tumour cell senescence can be induced by various factors, including DNA damage, inflammatory signals, genetic toxins, ionising radiation and nutrient metabolism. The senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), secreted by senescent tumour cells, possesses the capacity to modulate various immune cells, including macrophages, T cells, natural killer cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, as well as vascular endothelial cells and fibroblasts within the tumour microenvironment (TME), and this modulation can result in either the promotion or suppression of tumorigenesis and progression. Exploring the impact of SASP on the TME could identify potential therapeutic targets, yet limited studies have dissected its functions. In this review, we delve into the causes and mechanisms of tumour cell senescence. We then concentrate on the influence of SASP on the tumour immune microenvironment, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix and the reprogramming of cancer stem cells, along with their associated tumour outcomes. Last, we present a comprehensive overview of the diverse array of senotherapeutics, highlighting their prospective advantages and challenge for the treatment of cancer patients. KEY POINTS: Senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) secretion from senescent tumour cells significantly impacts cancer progression and biology. SASP is involved in regulating the remodelling of the tumour microenvironment, including immune microenvironment, vascular, extracellular matrix and cancer stem cells. Senotherapeutics, such as senolytic, senomorphic, nanotherapy and senolytic vaccines, hold promise for enhancing cancer treatment efficacy.

Potential regulation and prognostic model of colorectal cancer with extracellular matrix genes

Background

The tumor microenvironment (TME) of colorectal cancer (CRC) mainly comprises immune cells, stromal cells, tumor cells, as well as the extracellular matrix (ECM), which holds a pivotal position. The ECM affects cancer progression, but its regulatory roles and predictive potential in CRC are not fully understood.

Methods

We analyzed transcriptomes from CRC tumors and paired normal tissues to study ECM features. Up-regulated ECM components were examined through functional enrichment analysis, and single-cell sequencing identified cell types producing collagen, regulators, and secreted factors. Transcription factor analysis and cell-cell interaction studies were conducted to identify potential regulators of ECM changes. Additionally, a prognostic model was developed using TCGA-CRC cohort data, focusing on up-regulated core ECM components.

Results

Bulk RNA-seq analysis revealed a unique ECM pattern in tumors, with ECM abundance and composition significantly related to patient survival. Up-regulated ECM components were linked to various cancer-related pathways. Fibroblasts and non-fibroblasts interactions were crucial in forming the TME. Key potential regulators identified included ZNF469, PRRX2, TWIST1, and AEBP1. A prognostic model based on five ECM genes (THBS3, LAMB3, ESM1, SPRX, COL9A3) demonstrated strong associations with immune suppression and tumor angiogenesis.

Conclusions

The ECM components were involved in various cell-cell interactions and correlated with tumor development and poor survival outcomes. The ECM prognostic model components could be potential targets for novel therapeutic interventions in colorectal cancer.

Drug tolerant persister cell plasticity in cancer: A revolutionary strategy for more effective anticancer therapies

Non-genetic mechanisms have recently emerged as important drivers of anticancer drug resistance. Among these, the drug tolerant persister (DTP) cell phenotype is attracting more and more attention and giving a predominant non-genetic role in cancer therapy resistance. The DTP phenotype is characterized by a quiescent or slow-cell-cycle reversible state of the cancer cell subpopulation and inert specialization to stimuli, which tolerates anticancer drug exposure to some extent through the interaction of multiple underlying mechanisms and recovering growth and proliferation after drug withdrawal, ultimately leading to treatment resistance and cancer recurrence. Therefore, targeting DTP cells is anticipated to provide new treatment opportunities for cancer patients, although our current knowledge of these DTP cells in treatment resistance remains limited. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the formation characteristics and underlying drug tolerant mechanisms of DTP cells, investigate the potential drugs for DTP (including preclinical drugs, novel use for old drugs, and natural products) based on different medicine models, and discuss the necessity and feasibility of anti-DTP therapy, related application forms, and future issues that will need to be addressed to advance this emerging field towards clinical applications. Nonetheless, understanding the novel functions of DTP cells may enable us to develop new more effective anticancer therapy and improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients.

A novel Senescence-Based prognostic model unveils tumor interactions and drug resistance in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

In China, CRC incidence is escalating. The main hurdles are heterogeneity and drug resistance. This research delves into cellular senescence in CRC, aiming to devise a prognostic model and pinpoint mechanisms impacting drug resistance.

METHODS

Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis confirmed the association between CRC and cellular aging. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-CRC data served as the training set, with GSE38832 and GSE39582 as validation sets. Various bioinformatics methods were employed to construct and validate a risk model. CRC cells with NADPH Oxidase 4 (NOX4) knockout were generated using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Protein blotting and colony formation assays elucidated the role of NOX4 in CRC cell aging and drug resistance.

RESULTS

A prognostic model, derived from dataset analysis, uncovered a link between high-risk groups and cancer progression. Notable differences in the tumor microenvironment were observed between risk groups. Finally, NOX4 was found to be linked with aging and drug resistance in CRC.

CONCLUSION

This research presents a novel senescence-based CRC prognosis model. It identifies NOX4's role in CRC drug resistance, suggesting it is a potential treatment target.

Effects of senescence on the tumour microenvironment and response to therapy

Cellular senescence is a state of durable cell arrest that has been identified both in vitro and in vivo. It is associated with profound changes in gene expression and a specific secretory profile that includes pro-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors and matrix-remodelling enzymes, referred to as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). In cancer, senescence can have anti- or pro-tumour effects. On one hand, it can inhibit tumour progression in a cell autonomous manner. On the other hand, senescence can also promote tumour initiation, progression, metastatic dissemination and resistance to therapy in a paracrine manner. Therefore, despite efforts to target senescence as a potential strategy to inhibit tumour growth, senescent cancer and microenvironmental cells can eventually lead to uncontrolled proliferation and aggressive tumour phenotypes. This can happen either through overcoming senescence growth arrest or through SASP-mediated effects in adjacent tumour cells. This review will discuss how senescence affects the tumour microenvironment, including extracellular matrix remodelling, the immune system and the vascular compartment, to promote tumourigenesis, metastasis and resistance to DNA-damaging therapies. It will also discuss current approaches used in the field to target senescence: senolytics, improving the immune clearance of senescent cells and targeting the SASP.

Targeting senescent cells to reshape the tumor microenvironment and improve anticancer efficacy

Cancer is daunting pathology with remarkable breadth and scope, spanning genetics, epigenetics, proteomics, metalobomics and cell biology. Cellular senescence represents a stress-induced and essentially irreversible cell fate associated with aging and various age-related diseases, including malignancies. Senescent cells are characterized of morphologic alterations and metabolic reprogramming, and develop a highly active secretome termed as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Since the first discovery, senescence has been understood as an important barrier to tumor progression, as its induction in pre-neoplastic cells limits carcinogenesis. Paradoxically, senescent cells arising in the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to tumor progression, including augmented therapeutic resistance. In this article, we define typical forms of senescent cells commonly observed within the TME and how senescent cells functionally remodel their surrounding niche, affect immune responses and promote cancer evolution. Furthermore, we highlight the recently emerging pipelines of senotherapies particularly senolytics, which can selectively deplete senescent cells from affected organs in vivo and impede tumor progression by restoring therapeutic responses and securing anticancer efficacies. Together, co-targeting cancer cells and their normal but senescent counterparts in the TME holds the potential to achieve increased therapeutic benefits and restrained disease relapse in future clinical oncology.

A new perspective on prostate cancer treatment: the interplay between cellular senescence and treatment resistance

The emergence of resistance to prostate cancer (PCa) treatment, particularly to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), has posed a significant challenge in the field of PCa management. Among the therapeutic options for PCa, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy are commonly used modalities. However, these therapeutic approaches, while inducing apoptosis in tumor cells, may also trigger stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS). Cellular senescence, an entropy-driven transition from an ordered to a disordered state, ultimately leading to cell growth arrest, exhibits a dual role in PCa treatment. On one hand, senescent tumor cells may withdraw from the cell cycle, thereby reducing tumor growth rate and exerting a positive effect on treatment. On the other hand, senescent tumor cells may secrete a plethora of cytokines, growth factors and proteases that can affect neighboring tumor cells, thereby exerting a negative impact on treatment. This review explores how radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy trigger SIPS and the nuanced impact of senescent tumor cells on PCa treatment. Additionally, we aim to identify novel therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance in PCa treatment, thereby enhancing patient outcomes.

Cytokines and soluble mediators as architects of tumor microenvironment reprogramming in cancer therapy

Navigating the intricate landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME) unveils a pivotal arena for cancer therapeutics, where cytokines and soluble mediators emerge as double-edged swords in the fight against cancer. This review ventures beyond traditional perspectives, illuminating the nuanced interplay of these elements as both allies and adversaries in cancer dynamics. It critically evaluates the evolving paradigms of TME reprogramming, spotlighting innovative strategies that target the sophisticated network of cytokines and mediators. Special focus is placed on unveiling the therapeutic potential of novel cytokines and mediators, particularly their synergistic interactions with extracellular vesicles, which represent underexplored conduits for therapeutic targeting. Addressing a significant gap in current research, we explore the untapped potential of these biochemical players in orchestrating immune responses, tumor proliferation, and metastasis. The review advocates for a paradigm shift towards exploiting these dynamic interactions within the TME, aiming to transcend conventional treatments and pave the way for a new era of precision oncology. Through a critical synthesis of recent advancements, we highlight the imperative for innovative approaches that harness the full spectrum of cytokine and mediator activities, setting the stage for breakthrough therapies that offer heightened specificity, reduced toxicity, and improved patient outcomes.

Kdm6a-CNN1 axis orchestrates epigenetic control of trauma-induced spinal cord microvascular endothelial cell senescence to balance neuroinflammation for improved neurological repair

Cellular senescence assumes pivotal roles in various diseases through the secretion of proinflammatory factors. Despite extensive investigations into vascular senescence associated with aging and degenerative diseases, the molecular mechanisms governing microvascular endothelial cell senescence induced by traumatic stress, particularly its involvement in senescence-induced inflammation, remain insufficiently elucidated. In this study, we present a comprehensive demonstration and characterization of microvascular endothelial cell senescence induced by spinal cord injury (SCI). Lysine demethylase 6A (Kdm6a), commonly known as UTX, emerges as a crucial regulator of cell senescence in injured spinal cord microvascular endothelial cells (SCMECs). Upregulation of UTX induces senescence in SCMECs, leading to an amplified release of proinflammatory factors, specifically the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) components, thereby modulating the inflammatory microenvironment. Conversely, the deletion of UTX in endothelial cells shields SCMECs against senescence, mitigates the release of proinflammatory SASP factors, and promotes neurological functional recovery after SCI. UTX forms an epigenetic regulatory axis by binding to calponin 1 (CNN1), orchestrating trauma-induced SCMECs senescence and SASP secretion, thereby influencing neuroinflammation and neurological functional repair. Furthermore, local delivery of a senolytic drug reduces senescent SCMECs and suppresses proinflammatory SASP secretion, reinstating a local regenerative microenvironment and enhancing functional repair after SCI. In conclusion, targeting the UTX-CNN1 epigenetic axis to prevent trauma-induced SCMECs senescence holds the potential to inhibit SASP secretion, alleviate neuroinflammation, and provide a novel treatment strategy for SCI repair.

Autophagy and senescence facilitate the development of antiestrogen resistance in ER positive breast cancer

Estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer is the most common breast cancer diagnosed annually in the US with endocrine-based therapy as standard-of-care for this breast cancer subtype. Endocrine therapy includes treatment with antiestrogens, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), selective estrogen receptor downregulators (SERDs), and aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Despite the appreciable remission achievable with these treatments, a substantial cohort of women will experience primary tumor recurrence, subsequent metastasis, and eventual death due to their disease. In these cases, the breast cancer cells have become resistant to endocrine therapy, with endocrine resistance identified as the major obstacle to the medical oncologist and patient. To combat the development of endocrine resistance, the treatment options for ER+, HER2 negative breast cancer now include CDK4/6 inhibitors used as adjuvants to antiestrogen treatment. In addition to the dysregulated activity of CDK4/6, a plethora of genetic and biochemical mechanisms have been identified that contribute to endocrine resistance. These mechanisms, which have been identified by lab-based studies utilizing appropriate cell and animal models of breast cancer, and by clinical studies in which gene expression profiles identify candidate endocrine resistance genes, are the subject of this review. In addition, we will discuss molecular targeting strategies now utilized in conjunction with endocrine therapy to combat the development of resistance or target resistant breast cancer cells. Of approaches currently being explored to improve endocrine treatment efficacy and patient outcome, two adaptive cell survival mechanisms, autophagy, and "reversible" senescence, are considered molecular targets. Autophagy and/or senescence induction have been identified in response to most antiestrogen treatments currently being used for the treatment of ER+ breast cancer and are often induced in response to CDK4/6 inhibitors. Unfortunately, effective strategies to target these cell survival pathways have not yet been successfully developed. Thus, there is an urgent need for the continued interrogation of autophagy and "reversible" senescence in clinically relevant breast cancer models with the long-term goal of identifying new molecular targets for improved treatment of ER+ breast cancer.

A versatile engineered extracellular vesicle platform simultaneously targeting and eliminating senescent stromal cells and tumor cells to promote tumor regression

Chemotherapy is an important therapeutic approach for malignant tumors for it triggers apoptosis of cancer cells. However, chemotherapy also induces senescence of stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment to promote tumor progression. Strategies aimed at killing tumor cells while simultaneously eliminating senescent stromal cells represent an effective approach to cancer treatment. Here, we developed an engineered Src-siRNA delivery system based on small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) to simultaneously eliminate senescent stromal cells and tumor cells for cancer therapy. The DSPE-PEG-modified urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) peptide was anchored to the membranes of induced mesenchymal stem cell-derived sEVs (uPA-sEVs), and Src siRNA was loaded into the uPA-sEVs by electroporation (uPA-sEVs-siSrc). The engineered uPA-sEVs-siSrc retained the basic sEVs properties and protected against siSrc degradation. uPA peptide modification enhanced the sEVs with the ability to simultaneously target doxorubicin-induced senescent stromal cells and tumor cells. Src silencing by uPA-sEVs-siSrc induced apoptosis of both senescent stromal cells and tumor cells. The uPA-sEVs-siSrc displayed preferential tumor accumulation and effectively inhibited tumor growth in a tumor xenograft model. Furthermore, uPA-sEVs-siSrc in combination with doxorubicin significantly reduced the senescence burden and enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy. Taken together, uPA-sEVs-siSrc may serve as a promising therapy to kill two birds with one stone, not only killing tumor cells to achieve remarkable antitumor effect, but also eliminating senescent cells to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agent in tumor regression.

Modeling of senescence-related chemoresistance in ovarian cancer using data analysis and patient-derived organoids

Background

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a malignant tumor associated with poor prognosis owing to its susceptibility to chemoresistance. Cellular senescence, an irreversible biological state, is intricately linked to chemoresistance in cancer treatment. We developed a senescence-related gene signature for prognostic prediction and evaluated personalized treatment in patients with OC.

Methods

We acquired the clinical and RNA-seq data of OC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas and identified a senescence-related prognostic gene set through differential and cox regression analysis in distinct chemotherapy response groups. A prognostic senescence-related signature was developed and validated by OC patient-derived-organoids (PDOs). We leveraged gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and ESTIMATE to unravel the potential functions and immune landscape of the model. Moreover, we explored the correlation between risk scores and potential chemotherapeutic agents. After confirming the congruence between organoids and tumor tissues through immunohistochemistry, we measured the IC50 of cisplatin in PDOs using the ATP activity assay, categorized by resistance and sensitivity to the drug. We also investigated the expression patterns of model genes across different groups.

Results

We got 2740 differentially expressed genes between two chemotherapy response groups including 43 senescence-related genes. Model prognostic genes were yielded through univariate cox analysis, and multifactorial cox analysis. Our work culminated in a senescence-related prognostic model based on the expression of SGK1 and VEGFA. Simultaneously, we successfully constructed and propagated three OC PDOs for drug screening. PCR and WB from PDOs affirmed consistent expression trends as those of our model genes derived from comprehensive data analysis. Specifically, SGK1 exhibited heightened expression in cisplatin-resistant OC organoids, while VEGFA manifested elevated expression in the sensitive group (P<0.05). Intriguingly, GSEA results unveiled the enrichment of model genes in the PPAR signaling pathway, pivotal regulator in chemoresistance and tumorigenesis. This revelation prompted the identification of potential beneficial drugs for patients with a high-risk score, including gemcitabine, dabrafenib, epirubicin, oxaliplatin, olaparib, teniposide, ribociclib, topotecan, venetoclax.

Conclusion

Through the formulation of a senescence-related signature comprising SGK1 and VEGFA, we established a promising tool for prognosticating chemotherapy reactions, predicting outcomes, and steering therapeutic strategies. Patients with high VEGFA and low SGK1 expression levels exhibit heightened sensitivity to chemotherapy.

Spatiotemporal transformable nano-assembly for on-demand drug delivery to enhance anti-tumor immunotherapy

Induction of tumor cell senescence has become a promising strategy for anti-tumor immunotherapy, but fibrotic matrix severely blocks senescence inducers penetration and immune cells infiltration. Herein, we designed a cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) triggered structure-transformable nano-assembly (HSD-P@V), which can directionally deliver valsartan (Val, CAFs regulator) and doxorubicin (DOX, senescence inducer) to the specific targets. In detail, DOX is conjugated with hyaluronic acid (HA) via diselenide bonds (Se-Se) to form HSD micelles, while CAFs-sensitive peptide is grafted onto the HSD to form a hydrophilic polymer, which is coated on Val nanocrystals (VNs) surface for improving the stability and achieving responsive release. Once arriving at tumor microenvironment and touching CAFs, HSD-P@V disintegrates into VNs and HSD micelles due to sensitive peptide detachment. VNs can degrade the extracellular matrix, leading to the enhanced penetration of HSD. HSD targets tumor cells, releases DOX to induce senescence, and recruits effector immune cells. Furthermore, senescent cells are cleared by the recruited immune cells to finish the integrated anti-tumor therapy. In vitro and in vivo results show that the nano-assembly remarkably inhibits tumor growth as well as lung metastasis, and extends tumor-bearing mice survival. This work provides a promising paradigm of programmed delivering multi-site nanomedicine for cancer immunotherapy.

Past and Future Directions for Research on Cellular Senescence

Cellular senescence was initially described in the early 1960s by Hayflick and Moorehead. They noted sustained cell-cycle arrest after repeated subculturing of human primary cells. Over half a century later, cellular senescence has become recognized as one of the fundamental pillars of aging. Developing senotherapeutics, interventions that selectively eliminate or target senescent cells, has emerged as a key focus in health research. In this article, we note major milestones in cellular senescence research, discuss current challenges, and point to future directions for this rapidly growing field.

Association of Biological Age with Tumor Microenvironment in Patients with Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Esophageal cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide and typically tends to manifest at an older age. Marked heterogeneity in time-dependent functional decline in older adults results in varying grades of clinically manifest patient fitness or frailty. The biological age-related adaptations that accompany functional decline have been shown to modulate the non-malignant cells comprising the tumor microenvironment (TME). In the current work, we studied the association between biological age and TME characteristics in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

We comparatively assessed intratumoral histologic stroma quantity, tumor immune cell infiltrate, and blood leukocyte and thrombocyte count in 72 patients stratified over 3 strata of biological age (younger <70 years, fit older ≥70 years, and frail older adults ≥70 years), as defined by a geriatric assessment.

RESULTS

Frailty in older adults was predictive of decreased intratumoral stroma quantity (B = -14.66% stroma, p = 0.022) relative to tumors in chronological-age-matched fit older adults. Moreover, in comparison to younger adults, frail older adults (p = 0.032), but not fit older adults (p = 0.302), demonstrated a lower blood thrombocyte count at the time of diagnosis. Lastly, we found an increased proportion of tumors with a histologic desert TME histotype, comprising low stroma quantity and low immune cell infiltration, in frail older adults.

CONCLUSION

Our results illustrate the stromal-reprogramming effects of biological age and provide a biological underpinning for the clinical relevance of assessing frailty in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, further justifying the need for standardized geriatric assessment in geriatric cancer patients.

Aptamer Conjugate-Based Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for Precise Imaging of Therapy-Induced Cancer Senescence

Therapy-induced cellular senescence has been increasingly recognized as a key mechanism to promote various aspects of carcinogenesis in a nonautonomous manner. Thus, real-time imaging monitoring of cellular senescence during cancer therapy is imperative not only to further elucidate its roles in cancer progression but also to provide guidance for medical management of cancer. However, it has long been a challenging task due to the lack of effective imaging molecule tools with high specificity and accuracy toward cancer senescence. Herein, we report the rational design, synthesis, and evaluation of an aptamer conjugate-based ratiometric fluorescent probe for precise imaging of therapy-induced cancer senescence. Unlike traditional senescence imaging systems, our probe targets two senescence-associated markers at both cellular and subcellular dimensions, namely, aptamer-mediated membrane marker recognition for active cell targeting and lysosomal marker-triggered ratiometric fluorescence changes of two cyanine dyes for site-specific, high-contrast imaging. Moreover, such a two-channel fluorescence response is activated after a one-step reaction and at the same location, avoiding the diffusion-caused signal decay previously encountered in dual-marker activated probes, contributing to spatiotemporally specific imaging of therapy-induced cancer senescence in living cells and three-dimensional multicellular tumor spheroids. This work may offer a valuable tool for a basic understanding of cellular senescence in cancer biology and interventions.

Improving targeted small molecule drugs to overcome chemotherapy resistance

BACKGROUND

Conventional cancer treatments face the challenge of therapeutic resistance, which causes poor treatment outcomes. The use of combination therapies can improve treatment results in patients and is one of the solutions to overcome this challenge. Chemotherapy is one of the conventional treatments that, due to the non-targeted and lack of specificity in targeting cancer cells, can cause serious complications in the short and long-term for patients by damaging healthy cells. Also, the employment of a wide range of strategies for chemotherapy resistance by cancer cells, metastasis, and cancer recurrence create serious problems to achieve the desired results of chemotherapy. Accordingly, targeted therapies can be used as a combination treatment with chemotherapy to both cause less damage to healthy cells, which as a result, they reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, and by targeting the factors that cause therapeutic challenges, can improve the results of chemotherapy in patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Small molecules are one of the main targeted therapies that can be used for diverse targets in cancer treatment due to their penetration ability and characteristics. However, small molecules in cancer treatment are facing obstacles that a better understanding of cancer biology, as well as the mechanisms and factors involved in chemotherapy resistance, can lead to the improvement of this type of major targeted therapy.

CONCLUSION

In this review article, at first, the challenges that lead to not achieving the desired results in chemotherapy and how cancer cells can be resistant to chemotherapy are examined, and at the end, research areas are suggested that more focusing on them, can lead to the improvement of the results of using targeted small molecules as an adjunctive treatment for chemotherapy in the conditions of chemotherapy resistance and metastasis of cancer cells.

Nanomedicine Combats Drug Resistance in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the second most prevalent cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Surgery, chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy are currently available as treatment methods. However, drug resistance is a significant factor in the failure of lung cancer treatments. Novel therapeutics have been exploited to address complicated resistance mechanisms of lung cancer and the advancement of nanomedicine is extremely promising in terms of overcoming drug resistance. Nanomedicine equipped with multifunctional and tunable physiochemical properties in alignment with tumor genetic profiles can achieve precise, safe, and effective treatment while minimizing or eradicating drug resistance in cancer. Here, this work reviews the discovered resistance mechanisms for lung cancer chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, and outlines novel strategies for the development of nanomedicine against drug resistance. This work focuses on engineering design, customized delivery, current challenges, and clinical translation of nanomedicine in the application of resistant lung cancer.

Rutin is a potent senomorphic agent to target senescent cells and can improve chemotherapeutic efficacy

Aging is a major risk factor for most chronic disorders, for which cellular senescence is one of the central hallmarks. Senescent cells develop the pro-inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which significantly contributes to organismal aging and age-related disorders. Development of senotherapeutics, an emerging class of therapeutic agents to target senescent cells, allows to effectively delay aging and alleviate chronic pathologies. Here we report preliminary outputs from screening of a natural medicinal agent (NMA) library for senotherapeutic candidates and validated several agents with prominent potential as senomorphics. Rutin, a phytochemical constituent found in a number of plants, showed remarkable capacity in targeting senescent cells by dampening expression of the full spectrum SASP. Further analysis indicated that rutin restrains the acute stress-associated phenotype (ASAP) by specifically interfering with the interactions of ATM with HIF1α, a master regulator of cellular and systemic homeostasis activated during senescence, and of ATM with TRAF6, part of a key signaling axis supporting the ASAP development toward the SASP. Conditioned media produced by senescent stromal cells enhanced the malignant phenotypes of prostate cancer cells, including in vitro proliferation, migration, invasion, and more importantly, chemoresistance, while rutin remarkably downregulated these gain-of-functions. Although classic chemotherapy reduced tumor progression, the treatment outcome was substantially improved upon combination of a chemotherapeutic agent with rutin. Our study provides a proof of concept for rutin as an emerging natural senomorphic agent, and presents an effective therapeutic avenue for alleviating age-related pathologies including cancer.

Predictive Roles of ADAM17 in Patient Survival and Immune Cell Infiltration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the deadliest malignant tumour worldwide. The metalloproteinase ADAM17 is associated with tumour formation and development; however, its significance in HCC is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of ADAM17 in HCC and the correlation between its expression and immune cell infiltration. ADAM17 expression was analysed in pan-cancer and HCC tissues using The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression datasets. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis displayed a negative association between ADAM17 expression and the overall survival of patients with HCC. High ADAM17 expression was linked to poor tumour/node (T/N) stage and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed the enrichment of several pathways, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, inflammatory response, Hedgehog, and KRAS signalling, in patients with upregulated ADAM17. ADAM17 was shown to be positively correlated with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint expression via the Tumour Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database and immunohistochemistry analyses. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed that ADAM17 plays a core role in cancer development and immune evasion. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that ADAM17 influences HCC growth and metastasis. In conclusion, ADAM17 is upregulated in most cancers, particularly HCC, and is critical in the development and immune evasion of HCC.

FBXW7 and human tumors: mechanisms of drug resistance and potential therapeutic strategies

Drug therapy, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine therapy, stands as the foremost therapeutic approach for contemporary human malignancies. However, increasing drug resistance during antineoplastic therapy has become a substantial barrier to favorable outcomes in cancer patients. To enhance the effectiveness of different cancer therapies, an in-depth understanding of the unique mechanisms underlying tumor drug resistance and the subsequent surmounting of antitumor drug resistance is required. Recently, F-box and WD Repeat Domain-containing-7 (FBXW7), a recognized tumor suppressor, has been found to be highly associated with tumor therapy resistance. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the underlying mechanisms through which FBXW7 facilitates the development of drug resistance in cancer. Additionally, this review elucidates the role of FBXW7 in therapeutic resistance of various types of human tumors. The strategies and challenges implicated in overcoming tumor therapy resistance by targeting FBXW7 are also discussed.

Natural Polysaccharide Delivery Platforms with Multiscale Structure Used for Cancer Chemoimmunotherapy

Chemoimmunotherapy is an effective cancer treatment method. Drugs are always combined and used in treating cancer. However, the characteristic of drugs varies, making it challenging to control their release kinetics utilizing delivery devices with a single microstructure. In this study, we attempted to uniformly size drugs of varying molecular weights and confine them in a compartment where immune cells may be recruited and moved freely. Dextran microgels were created as modular drug libraries to address the cryogel burst release of small molecule drugs. Then, modular drug libraries and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were integrated into cryogels for a combined treatment. Herein, alginate was zwitterion modified to avoid the immune reaction generated by the material. Because of its macroporous structure, the cryogel could be injected into the body, eliminating invasive surgical procedures. Results demonstrated that multiscale delivery platforms could improve the synergistic effect of various medications on tumor treatment.

Combination of PARP inhibitor and CDK4/6 inhibitor modulates cGAS/STING-dependent therapy-induced senescence and provides "one-two punch" opportunity with anti-PD-L1 therapy in colorectal cancer

Although PARP inhibitor (PARPi) has been proven to be a promising anticancer drug in cancer patients harboring BRCA1/2 mutation, it provides limited clinical benefit in colorectal cancer patients with a low prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations. In our study, we found PARPi talazoparib significantly induced cellular senescence via inhibiting p53 ubiquitination and activating p21. Furthermore, CDK4/6i palbociclib amplified this therapy-induced senescence (TIS) in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, talazoparib and palbociclib combination induced senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and characterization of SASP components revealed type I interferon (IFN)-related mediators, which were amplified by cGAS/STING signaling. More importantly, RNA sequencing data indicated that combination therapy activated T cell signatures and combination treatment transformed the tumor microenvironment (TME) into a more antitumor state with increased CD8 T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and decreased macrophages and granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs). Moreover, clearance of the TIS cells by αPD-L1 promoted survival in immunocompetent mouse colorectal cancer models. Collectively, we elucidated the synergistic antitumor and immunomodulatory mechanisms of the talazoparib-palbociclib combination. Further combination with PD-L1 antibody might be a promising "one-two punch" therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer patients.

Identifying potential immuno-oncology targets in salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma based on inflammatory status and treatment response

BACKGROUND

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a rare salivary gland malignant tumour. This study aimed to investigate inflammatory and immune signatures of mucoepidermoid carcinoma by identifying potential proteo-transcriptomic biomarkers towards the development of precision immuno-oncology treatment strategies.

METHODS

A total of 30 biopsies obtained from patients diagnosed with mucoepidermoid carcinoma between 2013 and 2022 were analysed after H&E staining for scoring of histological inflammatory stroma subtypes and inflammatory hotspots with QuPath. Multiplex immunofluorescence staining and NanoString nCounter PanCancer IO 360™ panel were used to assess stroma and tumour inflammation signatures in high grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma cases in the tumour microenvironment via proteomics and transcriptomics, respectively.

RESULTS

Inflammatory cells within the histological inflammatory stroma inflammatory (HIS-INF/hot) tumour neighbourhoods were greater compared to the histological inflammatory stroma-immune desert (HIS-ID/cold) (p = 0.001). A similar trend was observed between treatment non-responders and responders in stroma neighbourhoods (p = 0.0625) and in stroma-to-interface inflammatory hotspots (p = 0.0081), indicating an augmented inflammatory response in hot tumours and non-responders. Furthermore, there were striking differences in the expression of pan-immune leukocyte marker CD45 between responders and non responders particularly in the tumour neighbourhoods (p = 0.0341), but such were not robust for PD-1 and macrophage fractions. Additionally, transcriptomic analysis revealed key differences in leukocyte activation profiles between responders and non-responders.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary report unveils the importance of assessing immune leukocyte cellular fractions and pathways for future prognostic biomarker discoveries in mucoepidermoid carcinoma as per the involvement of CD45-driven inflammatory and immune mediators in high grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma in non-responders to treatment. These findings will potentially contribute to the development of novel personalised immunotherapies.

Aging and oral squamous cell carcinoma development: the role of cellular senescence

The gradual accumulation and inadequate renewal of senescent cells over time drive organismal aging. Senescent cells undergo altered gene expression and release inflammatory mediators collectively termed the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which significantly contributes to a spectrum of age-related disorders, including cancer. In the context of carcinogenesis, the SASP produced by senescent cells has been implicated in the promotion of epithelial cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most common form of oral cancer. Senescent cells within the tumor microenvironment release factors that amplify the growth and invasiveness of neighboring cancer cells. Senotherapeutics, including senolytics and senomorphics, emerge as promising modalities to target senescent cells and their associated inflammatory factors, thereby opening novel avenues for augmenting the efficacy of cancer treatments. Here, we review the general aspects of cellular senescence, focusing on the relation between senescence-related inflammation with cancer development. We also analyze the available evidence linking cellular senescence with OSCC, highlighting possible clinical applications.

Cell Survival, Death, and Proliferation in Senescent and Cancer Cells: the Role of (Poly)phenols

Cellular senescence has long been considered a permanent state of cell cycle arrest occurring in proliferating cells subject to different stressors, used as a cellular defense mechanism from acquiring potentially harmful genetic faults. However, recent studies highlight that senescent cells might also alter the local tissue environment and concur to chronic inflammation and cancer risk by secreting inflammatory and matrix remodeling factors, acquiring a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Indeed, during aging and age-related diseases, senescent cells amass in mammalian tissues, likely contributing to the inevitable loss of tissue function as we age. Cellular senescence has thus become one potential target to tackle age-associated diseases as well as cancer development. One important aspect characterizing senescent cells is their telomere length. Telomeres shorten as a consequence of multiple cellular replications, gradually leading to permanent cell cycle arrest, known as replicative senescence. Interestingly, in the large majority of cancer cells, a senescence escape strategy is used and telomere length is maintained by telomerase, thus favoring cancer initiation and tumor survival. There is growing evidence showing how (poly)phenols can impact telomere maintenance through different molecular mechanisms depending on dose and cell phenotypes. Although normally, (poly)phenols maintain telomere length and support telomerase activity, in cancer cells this activity is negatively modulated, thus accelerating telomere attrition and promoting cancer cell death. Some (poly)phenols have also been shown to exert senolytic activity, thus suggesting both antiaging (directly eliminating senescent cells) and anticancer (indirectly, via SASP inhibition) potentials. In this review, we analyze selective (poly)phenol mechanisms in senescent and cancer cells to discriminate between in vitro and in vivo evidence and human applications considering (poly)phenol bioavailability, the influence of the gut microbiota, and their dose-response effects.

The Emerging Role of Senotherapy in Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Senotherapy, a promising therapeutic strategy, has drawn a lot attention recently due to its potential for combating cancer. Senotherapy refers to the targeting of senescent cells to restore tissue homeostasis and mitigate the deleterious effects associated with senescence. Senolytic drugs represent a promising avenue in cancer treatment, with the potential to target and modulate senescent cells to improve patient outcomes. The review highlights the intricate interplay between the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and the tumor microenvironment, emphasizing the role of senescent cells in promoting chronic inflammation, immune evasion, and tumor-cell proliferation. It then explores the potential of senotherapy as a novel strategy for cancer therapy. This review addresses the emerging evidence on the combination of senotherapy with conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

WNT-Conditioned Mechanism of Exit from Postchemotherapy Shock of Differentiated Tumour Cells

BACKGROUND

the present study aims to prove or disprove the hypothesis that the state of copy number aberration (CNA) activation of WNT signalling pathway genes accounts for the ability of differentiated tumour cells to emerge from postchemotherapy shock.

METHODS

In the first step, the CNA genetic landscape of breast cancer cell lines BT-474, BT-549, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MD-468, MCF7, SK-BR-3 and T47D, which were obtained from ATCC, was examined to rank cell cultures according to the degree of ectopic activation of the WNT signalling pathway. Then two lines of T47D with ectopic activation and BT-474 without activation were selected. The differentiated EpCAM+CD44-CD24-/+ cells of these lines were subjected to IL6 de-differentiation with formation of mammospheres on the background of cisplatin and WNT signalling inhibitor ICG-001.

RESULTS

it was found that T47D cells with ectopic WNT signalling activation after cisplatin exposure were dedifferentiated to form mammospheres while BT-474 cells without ectopic WNT-signalling activation did not form mammospheres. The dedifferentiation of T47D cells after cisplatin exposure was completely suppressed by the WNT signalling inhibitor ICG-001. Separately, ICG-001 reduced, but did not abolish, the ability to dedifferentiate in both cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

these data support the hypothesis that the emergence of differentiated tumour cells from postchemotherapy shock after chemotherapy is due to ectopic activation of WNT signalling pathway genes.

Genes associated with cellular senescence favor melanoma prognosis by stimulating immune responses in tumor microenvironment

PURPOSE

Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), a malignant tumor from melanocytes, is the fifth most prevalent tumor. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy improves prognosis of SKCM, but immune response varies for different populations. Cellular senescence in the tumor microenvironment (TME) promotes antitumor immunity, mediated by dendritic cells (DC) and CD8+ T cells. Therefore, we sought to explore the role of cellular senescence in the TME of SKCM through bioinformatics and machine learning.

METHODS

First, we obtained 93 cellular senescence-prognosis genes (CSPGs) by univariate survival analysis. Thereafter, 23 optimal CSPGs were obtained by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (lasso) analysis. Based on the riskscore obtained by lasso analysis and clinical information from multivariate cox, we obtained the nomogram of SKCM, which was validated in the validation cohort. Based on the riskscore, the patients were split into low- and high-risk groups. Functional differences between the two groups were analyzed using Metascape and GSEA, and immune infiltration differences were achieved by multiple algorithms. We obtained a risk prediction nomogram for the validated SKCM based on the lasso model by univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

In the low-risk group, immune responses were in an active state. NK, CD8+ T, DC, macrophages, and neutrophils were significantly upregulated, and ICI-relevant genes were notably upregulated. With the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and optimal CSPGs, we obtained the hub genes: NOX4, NTN4, PROX1, and TRPM8. The hub genes were mainly expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and endothelial cells by single cell analysis, which were mainly associated with angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Genes associated with cellular senescence favor SKCM prognosis by stimulating immune responses in TME. Patients with high expression of cellular senescence associated genes in the TME might have better benefit from ICI immunotherapy. Cellular senescence functions as a pro-tumor agent in mesenchymal cells and needs further study.

A senescence-based prognostic gene signature for colorectal cancer and identification of the role of SPP1-positive macrophages in tumor senescence

BACKGROUND

Senescence is significantly associated with cancer prognosis. This study aimed to construct a senescence-related prognostic model for colorectal cancer (CRC) and to investigate the influence of senescence on the tumor microenvironment.

METHODS

Transcriptome and clinical data of CRC cases were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Senescence-related prognostic genes detected by univariate Cox regression were included in Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) analysis to construct a model. The efficacy of the model was validated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and survival analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were performed. CIBERSORT and Immuno-Oncology Biological Research (IOBR) were used to investigate the features of the tumor microenvironment. Single-cell RNA-seq data were used to investigate the expression levels of model genes in various cell types. Immunofluorescence staining for p21, SPP1, and CD68 was performed with human colon tissues.

RESULTS

A seven-gene (PTGER2, FGF2, IGFBP3, ANGPTL4, DKK1, WNT16 and SPP1) model was finally constructed. Patients were classified as high- or low-risk using the median score as the threshold. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the 1-, 2-, and 3-year disease-specific survival (DSS) were 0.731, 0.651, and 0.643, respectively. Survival analysis showed a better 5-year DSS in low-risk patients in the construction and validation cohorts. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that DEGs were enriched in extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interactions, focal adhesion, and protein digestion and absorption. CIBERSORT and IOBR analyses revealed an abundance of macrophages and an immunosuppressive environment in the high-risk subgroup. Low-risk patients had higher response rates to immunotherapy than high-risk patients. ScRNA-seq data revealed high expression of SPP1 in a subset of macrophages with strong senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) features. Using CRC tumor tissues, we discovered that SPP1+ macrophages were surrounded by a large number of senescent tumor cells in high-grade tumors.

CONCLUSION

Our study presents a novel model based on senescence-related genes that can identify CRC patients with a poor prognosis and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. SPP1+ macrophages may correlate with cell senescence leading to poor prognosis.

The Potential of Senescence as a Target for Developing Anticancer Therapy

Senescence occurs in response to various stimuli. Senescence has attracted attention because of its potential use in anticancer therapy as it plays a tumor-suppressive role. It also promotes tumorigeneses and therapeutic resistance. Since senescence can induce therapeutic resistance, targeting senescence may help to overcome therapeutic resistance. This review provides the mechanisms of senescence induction and the roles of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in various life processes, including therapeutic resistance and tumorigenesis. The SASP exerts pro-tumorigenic or antitumorigenic effects in a context-dependent manner. This review also discusses the roles of autophagy, histone deacetylases (HDACs), and microRNAs in senescence. Many reports have suggested that targeting HDACs or miRNAs could induce senescence, which, in turn, could enhance the effects of current anticancer drugs. This review presents the view that senescence induction is a powerful method of inhibiting cancer cell proliferation.

Cpt1c Downregulation Causes Plasma Membrane Remodelling and Anthracycline Resistance in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. While the main systemic treatment option is anthracycline-containing chemotherapy, chemoresistance continues to be an obstacle to patient survival. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1C (CPT1C) has been described as a poor-prognosis marker for several tumour types, as it favours tumour growth and hinders cells from entering senescence. At the molecular level, CPT1C has been associated with lipid metabolism regulation and important lipidome changes. Since plasma membrane (PM) rigidity has been associated with reduced drug uptake, we explored whether CPT1C expression could be involved in PM remodelling and drug chemoresistance. Liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) lipid analysis of PM-enriched fractions of MDA-MB-231 BC cells showed that CPT1C silencing increased PM phospholipid saturation, suggesting a rise in PM rigidity. Moreover, CPT1C silencing increased cell survival against doxorubicin (DOX) treatment in different BC cells due to reduced drug uptake. These findings, further complemented by ROC plotter analysis correlating lower CPT1C expression with a lower pathological complete response to anthracyclines in patients with more aggressive types of BC, suggest CPT1C as a novel predictive biomarker for BC chemotherapy.

Construction of a novel anoikis-related prognostic model and analysis of its correlation with infiltration of immune cells in neuroblastoma

Background

Anoikis resistance (AR) plays an important role in the process of metastasis, which is an important factor affecting the risk stage of neuroblastoma (NB). This study aims to construct an anoikis-related prognostic model and analyze the characteristics of hub genes, important pathways and tumor microenvironment of anoikis-related subtypes of NB, so as to provide help for the clinical diagnosis, treatment and research of NB.

Methods

We combined transcriptome data of GSE49710 and E-MTAB-8248, screened anoikis-related genes (Args) closely related to the prognosis of NB by univariate cox regression analysis, and divided the samples into anoikis-related subtypes by consistent cluster analysis. WGCNA was used to screen hub genes, GSVA and GSEA were used to analyze the differentially enriched pathways between anoikis-related subtypes. We analyzed the infiltration levels of immune cells between different groups by SsGSEA and CIBERSORT. Lasso and multivariate regression analyses were used to construct a prognostic model. Finally, we analyzed drug sensitivity through the GDSC database.

Results

721 cases and 283 Args were included in this study. All samples were grouped into two subtypes with different prognoses. The analyses of WGCNA, GSVA and GSEA suggested the existence of differentially expressed hub genes and important pathways in the two subtypes. We further constructed an anoikis-related prognostic model, in which 15 Args participated. This model had more advantages in evaluating the prognoses of NB than other commonly used clinical indicators. The infiltration levels of 9 immune cells were significantly different between different risk groups, and 13 Args involved in the model construction were correlated with the infiltration levels of immune cells. There was a relationship between the infiltration levels of 6 immune cells and riskscores. Finally, we screened 15 drugs with more obvious effects on NB in high-risk group.

Conclusion

There are two anoikis-related subtypes with different prognoses in the population of NB. The anoikis-related prognostic model constructed in this study can accurately predict the prognoses of children with NB, and has a good guiding significance for clinical diagnosis, treatment and research of NB.

Therapy-Induced Stromal Senescence Promoting Aggressiveness of Prostate and Ovarian Cancer

Cancer progression is supported by the cross-talk between tumor cells and the surrounding stroma. In this context, senescent cells in the tumor microenvironment contribute to the development of a pro-inflammatory milieu and the acquisition of aggressive traits by cancer cells. Anticancer treatments induce cellular senescence (therapy-induced senescence, TIS) in both tumor and non-cancerous cells, contributing to many detrimental side effects of therapies. Thus, we focused on the effects of chemotherapy on the stromal compartment of prostate and ovarian cancer. We demonstrated that anticancer chemotherapeutics, regardless of their specific mechanism of action, promote a senescent phenotype in stromal fibroblasts, resulting in metabolic alterations and secretion of paracrine factors, sustaining the invasive and clonogenic potential of both prostate and ovarian cancer cells. The clearance of senescent stromal cells, through senolytic drug treatment, reverts the malignant phenotype of tumor cells. The clinical relevance of TIS was validated in ovarian and prostate cancer patients, highlighting increased accumulation of lipofuscin aggregates, a marker of the senescent phenotype, in the stromal compartment of tissues from chemotherapy-treated patients. These data provide new insights into the potential efficacy of combining traditional anticancer strategies with innovative senotherapy to potentiate anticancer treatments and overcome the adverse effects of chemotherapy.

Immunomodulatory role of metalloproteinase ADAM17 in tumor development

ADAM17 is a member of the a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) family of transmembrane proteases involved in the shedding of some cell membrane proteins and regulating various signaling pathways. More than 90 substrates are regulated by ADAM17, some of which are closely relevant to tumor formation and development. Besides, ADAM17 is also responsible for immune regulation and its substrate-mediated signal transduction. Recently, ADAM17 has been considered as a major target for the treatment of tumors and yet its immunomodulatory roles and mechanisms remain unclear. In this paper, we summarized the recent understanding of structure and several regulatory roles of ADAM17. Importantly, we highlighted the immunomodulatory roles of ADAM17 in tumor development, as well as small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies targeting ADAM17.

Unraveling tumor microenvironment of small-cell lung cancer: Implications for immunotherapy

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive lung cancer subtype and its first-line treatment has remained unchanged for decades. In recent years, immunotherapy has emerged as a therapeutic strategy for tumor treatment, whereas, patients with SCLC exhibit poor overall responses to immunotherapy alone, which highlights the necessity for combinatorial approaches. The tumor microenvironment (TME), an integral component in cancer, is widely implicated in tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis. The interactions of various cells within TME shape the adverse conditions of the tumor microenvironment (characterized by hypoxia, nutrient restriction, and acidity) and are considered responsible for the modest therapeutic responses to immunotherapy. Several studies have suggested that adverse TME can regulate immune cell activation and function. However, the specific regulatory mechanisms and their implications on immunotherapy remain unclear. Thus, it is worth unraveling the characteristics of TME and its impact on antitumor immunity, in the hope of devising novel strategies to reinforce immunotherapeutic effects on SCLC. In this review, we firstly elaborate on the immune landscape of SCLC and the formation of three remarkable characteristics in TME, as well as the interaction among them. Next, we summarize the latest findings regarding the impacts of adverse TME on immune cells and its targeted therapy in SCLC. Finally, we discuss the ongoing trials in combination therapy and potential directions of SCLC therapy. Collectively, the findings combined here are expected to aid the design of trials for combining immunotherapy with therapy targeting the TME of SCLC.

Can 3D bioprinting solve the mystery of senescence in cancer therapy?

Tumor dormancy leading to cancer relapse is still a poorly understood mechanism. Several cell states such as quiescence and diapause can explain the persistence of tumor cells in a dormant state, but the potential role of tumor cell senescence has been met with hesitance given the historical understanding of the senescent growth arrest as irreversible. However, recent evidence has suggested that senescence might contribute to dormancy and relapse, although its exact role is not fully developed. This limited understanding is largely due to the paucity of reliable study models. The current 2D cell modeling is overly simplistic and lacks the appropriate representation of the interactions between tumor cells (senescent or non-senescent) and the other cell types within the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as with the extracellular matrix (ECM). 3D cell culture models, including 3D bioprinting techniques, offer a promising approach to better recapitulate the native cancer microenvironment and would significantly improve our understanding of cancer biology and cellular response to treatment, particularly Therapy-Induced Senescence (TIS), and its contribution to tumor dormancy and cancer recurrence. Fabricating a novel 3D bioprinted model offers excellent opportunities to investigate both the role of TIS in tumor dormancy and the utility of senolytics (drugs that selectively eliminate senescent cells) in targeting dormant cancer cells and mitigating the risk for resurgence. In this review, we discuss literature on the possible contribution of TIS in tumor dormancy, provide examples on the current 3D models of senescence, and propose a novel 3D model to investigate the ultimate role of TIS in mediating overall response to therapy.

Anticancer effects of putative and validated BH3-mimetic drugs in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: An overview of current knowledge

The purpose of this review was to summarise available literature concerning the anticancer effects of both putative and validated BH3-mimetics in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. A literature search was performed and studies assessing malignant cell lines, xenograft models, and/or humans were considered eligible. A total of 501 studies were identified, of which 40 were included. One phase-II clinical trial assessing gossypol (combined with docetaxel) was found. The remaining 39 preclinical studies investigated cell lines and/or xenograft models involving the use of six validated BH3-mimetics (A-1210477, A-1331852, ABT-737, navitoclax, S63845, venetoclax) and six putative BH3-mimetics (ApoG2, gossypol, obatoclax, sabutoclax, TW-37, and YC137). In preclinical settings, most validated BH3-mimetics were capable of inducing apoptosis (in-vitro) and tumour growth inhibition (in-vivo). The majority of putative BH3-mimetics were also capable of inducing cell death, although important off-target effects, such as autophagy induction, were also described. Combinations with conventional anticancer drugs, ionising radiation, or multiple BH3-mimetics generally resulted in enhanced anticancer effects, such as increased sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli, especially considering some cell lines that showed resistance to either treatment alone. In conclusion, although clinical data are still insufficient to evaluate the anticancer effects of BH3-mimetics in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, promising results in preclinical settings were observed concerning induction of cell death and inhibition of tumour growth. Therefore, further clinical trials are highly encouraged.

Characterization of the Tumor Microenvironment in Osteosarcoma Identifies Prognostic- and Immunotherapy-Relevant Gene Signatures

The osteosarcoma (OS) microenvironment is composed of tumor cells, immune cells, and stromal tissue and is emerging as a pivotal player in OS development and progression. Thus, microenvironment-targeted strategies are urgently needed to improve OS treatment outcomes. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we systematically examined the tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune cell infiltration of 88 OS cases and constructed a TME scoring system based on the TMEscore high and TMEscore low phenotypes. Our analysis revealed that TMEscore high correlates with longer survival in OS patients, elevated immune cell infiltration, increased immune checkpoints, and increased sensitivity to chemotherapy. TMEscore low strongly correlated with immune exclusion. These observations were externally validated using a GEO dataset (GSE21257) from 53 OS patients. Our laboratory data also proved our findings. This finding enhances our understanding of the immunological landscape in OS and may uncover novel targeted therapeutic strategies.

Comprehensive analysis of molecular features, prognostic values, and immune landscape association of m6A-regulated immune-related lncRNAs in smoking-associated lung squamous cell carcinoma

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is the second most common histopathological subtype of lung cancer, and smoking is the leading cause of this type of cancer. However, the critical factors that directly affect the survival rate and sensitivity to immunotherapy of smoking LUSC patients are still unknown. Previous studies have highlighted the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification, the most common epigenetic modification in eukaryotic species, together with immune-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in promoting the development and progression of tumors. Thus, elucidating m6A-modified immune lncRNAs in LUSC patients with smoking history is vital. In this study, we described the expression and mutation features of the 24 m6A-related regulators in the smoking-associated LUSC cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Then, two distinct subtypes based on the expression levels of the prognostic m6A-regulated immune lncRNAs were defined, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the subtypes were identified. The distributions of clinical characteristics and the tumor microenvironment (TME) between clusters were analyzed. Finally, we established a lncRNA-associated risk model and exhaustively clarified the clinical features, prognosis, immune landscape, and drug sensitivity on the basis of this scoring system. Our findings give insight into potential mechanisms of LUSC tumorigenesis and development and provide new ideas in offering LUSC patients with individual and effective immunotherapies.