1
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Yang D, Dang S, Wang Z, Xie M, Li X, Ding X. Vessel co-option: a unique vascular-immune niche in liver cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1386772. [PMID: 38737903 PMCID: PMC11082301 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1386772] [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: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor vasculature is pivotal in regulating tumor perfusion, immune cell infiltration, metastasis, and invasion. The vascular status of the tumor is intricately linked to its immune landscape and response to immunotherapy. Vessel co-option means that tumor tissue adeptly exploits pre-existing blood vessels in the para-carcinoma region to foster its growth rather than inducing angiogenesis. It emerges as a significant mechanism contributing to anti-angiogenic therapy resistance. Different from angiogenic tumors, vessel co-option presents a distinctive vascular-immune niche characterized by varying states and distribution of immune cells, including T-cells, tumor-associated macrophages, neutrophils, and hepatic stellate cells. This unique composition contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that is crucial in modulating the response to cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we systematically reviewed the evidence and molecular mechanisms of vessel co-option in liver cancer, while also exploring its implications for anti-angiogenic drug resistance and the immune microenvironment, to provide new ideas and clues for screening patients with liver cancer who are effective in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xiangming Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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2
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He J, Wu F, Li J, Deng Q, Chen J, Li P, Jiang X, Yang K, Xu S, Jiang Z, Li X, Jiang Z. Tumor suppressor CLCA1 inhibits angiogenesis via TGFB1/SMAD/VEGF cascade and sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to Sorafenib. Dig Liver Dis 2024; 56:176-186. [PMID: 37230858 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2023.05.010] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly vascularized tumor with a poor prognosis. Novel vascular-related therapeutic targets and prognostic markers remain urgently needed. AIMS To investigate the role and mechanism of CLCA1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS Immunofluorescence, Co-immunoprecipitation and rescue experiment were used to determine the specific mechanisms of CLCA1. Chemosensitivity assay was used to measure the impact of CLCA1 on Sorafenib. RESULTS CLCA1 was dramatically downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and tissues. Ectopic expression of CLCA1 induced cell apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest while suppressed cell growth, inhibited migration and invasion, reversal of epithelial mesenchymal transition in vitro and reduced xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, CLCA1 could co-localize and interact with TGFB1, thereby suppressing HCC angiogenesis through the TGFB1/SMAD/VEGF signaling cascade in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, CLCA1 also enhanced the sensitivity of HCC cells to the first-line targeted therapy, Sorafenib. CONCLUSION CLCA1 sensitizes HCC cells to Sorafenib and suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma angiogenesis through downregulating TGFB1 signaling cascade. This newly identified CLCA1 signaling pathway may help guide the anti-angiogenesis therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma. We also support the possibility of CLCA1 being a prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Junfeng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Qianxi Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Pengtao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xianyao Jiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Kun Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Shuman Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Zhongxiang Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xiaoqing Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Zheng Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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3
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Gao Q, Sun Z, Fang D. Integrins in human hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis and therapy. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:253-268. [PMID: 36848180 PMCID: PMC10106235 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Integrins are a family of transmembrane receptors that connect the extracellular matrix and actin skeleton, which mediate cell adhesion, migration, signal transduction, and gene transcription. As a bi-directional signaling molecule, integrins can modulate many aspects of tumorigenesis, including tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, integrins have a great potential as antitumor therapeutic targets. In this review, we summarize the recent reports of integrins in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), focusing on the abnormal expression, activation, and signaling of integrins in cancer cells as well as their roles in other cells in the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss the regulation and functions of integrins in hepatitis B virus-related HCC. Finally, we update the clinical and preclinical studies of integrin-related drugs in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Gao
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Zhaolin Sun
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Deyu Fang
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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4
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Devan AR, Pavithran K, Nair B, Murali M, Nath LR. Deciphering the role of transforming growth factor-beta 1 as a diagnostic-prognostic-therapeutic candidate against hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:5250-5264. [PMID: 36185626 PMCID: PMC9521521 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i36.5250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that performs a dual role as a tumor suppressor and tumor promoter during cancer progression. Among different ligands of the TGF-β family, TGF-β1 modulates most of its biological outcomes. Despite the abundant expression of TGF-β1 in the liver, steatosis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression triggers elevated TGF-β1 levels, contributing to poor prognosis and survival. Additionally, elevated TGF-β1 levels in the tumor microenvironment create an immunosuppressive stage via various mechanisms. TGF-β1 has a prime role as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in HCC. Moreover, TGF-β1 is widely studied as a therapeutic target either as monotherapy or combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. This review provides clinical relevance and up-to-date information regarding the potential of TGF-β1 in diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswathy R Devan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Kochi 682041, Kerala, India
| | - Keechilat Pavithran
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi 682041, Kerala, India
| | - Bhagyalakshmi Nair
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Kochi 682041, Kerala, India
| | - Maneesha Murali
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Kochi 682041, Kerala, India
| | - Lekshmi R Nath
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Kochi 682041, Kerala, India
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5
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Small Molecule Inhibitors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Advances and Challenges. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175537. [PMID: 36080304 PMCID: PMC9457820 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
According to data provided by World Health Organization, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cause of deaths due to cancer worldwide. Tremendous progress has been achieved over the last 10 years developing novel agents for HCC treatment, including small-molecule kinase inhibitors. Several small molecule inhibitors currently form the core of HCC treatment due to their versatility since they would be more easily absorbed and have higher oral bioavailability, thus easier to formulate and administer to patients. In addition, they can be altered structurally to have greater volumes of distribution, allowing them to block extravascular molecular targets and to accumulate in a high concentration in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, they can be designed to have shortened half-lives to control for immune-related adverse events. Most importantly, they would spare patients, healthcare institutions, and society as a whole from the burden of high drug costs. The present review provides an overview of the pharmaceutical compounds that are licensed for HCC treatment and other emerging compounds that are still investigated in preclinical and clinical trials. These molecules are targeting different molecular targets and pathways that are proven to be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.
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6
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Huang ZL, Xu B, Li TT, Xu YH, Huang XY, Huang XY. Integrative Analysis Identifies Cell-Type-Specific Genes Within Tumor Microenvironment as Prognostic Indicators in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:878923. [PMID: 35707353 PMCID: PMC9190278 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.878923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, but effective early detection and prognostication methods are lacking. Methods The Cox regression model was built to stratify the HCC patients. The single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis and gene set enrichment analysis were employed to investigate the biological function of identified markers. PLCB1 gain- or loss-of-function experiments were performed, and obtained HCC samples were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry assay to validate the biological function of identified markers. Results In this study, we developed a model using optimized markers for HCC recurrence prediction. Specifically, we screened out 8 genes through a series of data analyses, and built a multivariable Cox model based on their expression. The risk stratifications using the Eight-Gene Cox (EGC) model were closely associated with the recurrence-free survivals (RFS) in both training and three validation cohorts. We further demonstrated that this risk stratification could serve as an independent predictor in predicting HCC recurrence, and that the EGC model could outperform other models. Moreover, we also investigated the cell-type-specific expression patterns of the eight recurrence-related genes in tumor microenvironment using single-cell RNA sequencing data, and interpreted their functional roles from correlation and gene set enrichment analyses, in vitro and in vivo experiments. Particularly, PLCB1 and SLC22A7 were predominantly expressed in malignant cells, and they were predicted to promote angiogenesis and to help maintain normal metabolism in liver, respectively. In contrast, both FASLG and IL2RB were specifically expressed in T cells, and were highly correlated with T cell marker genes, suggesting that these two genes might assist in maintaining normal function of T cell-mediated immune response in tumor tissues. Conclusion In conclusion, the EGC model and eight identified marker genes could not only facilitate the accurate prediction of HCC recurrence, but also improve our understanding of the mechanisms behind HCC recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Li Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Department of Radiology, Xuhui District Central Hospital of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Department of General Surgery, The Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Hua Xu
- Department of Radiology, Xuhui District Central Hospital of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Yu Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiu-Yan Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
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7
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Gouda G, Gupta MK, Donde R, Behera L, Vadde R. Tumor microenvironment in heptocellular carcinoma. THERANOSTICS AND PRECISION MEDICINE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA 2022:109-124. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-98806-3.00007-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
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8
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Karabicici M, Azbazdar Y, Ozhan G, Senturk S, Firtina Karagonlar Z, Erdal E. Changes in Wnt and TGF-β Signaling Mediate the Development of Regorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line HuH7. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:639779. [PMID: 34458250 PMCID: PMC8386122 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.639779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive, chemo resistant neoplasm with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Exploring activated pathways upon drug treatment can be used to discover more effective anticancer agents to overcome therapy resistance and enhance therapeutic outcomes for patients with advanced HCC. Human tumor-derived cell lines recapitulate HCC diversity and are widely used for studying mechanisms that drive drug resistance in HCC. In this study, we show that regorafenib treatment activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling only in hepatoblast-like HCC cell lines and induces enrichment of markers associated with hepatic stem/progenitor cells. Moreover, activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling via Wnt3a/R-Spo1 treatment protects these cells from regorafenib induced apoptosis. On the other hand, regorafenib resistant cells established by long-term regorafenib treatment demonstrate diminished Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity while TGF-β signaling activity of these cells is significantly enhanced. Regorafenib resistant cells (RRCs) also show increased expression of several mesenchymal genes along with an induction of CD24 and CD133 cancer stem cell markers. Moreover, regorafenib resistant cells also exhibit significantly augmented in vitro and in vivo migration capacity which could be reversed by TGF-β type 1 receptor (TGFb -R1) inhibition. When combined with regorafenib treatment, TGFβ-R1 inhibition also significantly decreased colony formation ability and augmented cell death in resistant spheroids. Importantly, when we knocked down TGFβ-R1 using a lentiviral plasmid, regorafenib resistant cells entered senescence indicating that this pathway is important for their survival. Treatment of RRCs with TGFβ-R1 inhibitor and regorafenib significantly abolished pSTAT3, pSMAD2 and pERK (44/42) expression suggesting the involvement of both canonical and non-canonical pathways. In conclusion, our data suggest that HCC tumors with aberrant activation in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, might have higher intrinsic regorafenib resistance and the inhibition of this pathway along with regorafenib administration might increase regorafenib-induced cell death in combinational therapies. However, to resolve acquired regorafenib resistance developed in HCC patients, the combined use of TGF-β pathway inhibitors and Regorafenib constitute a promising approach that can increase regorafenib sensitization and prevent tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Karabicici
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey.,Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Yagmur Azbazdar
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey.,Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gunes Ozhan
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey.,Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Serif Senturk
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey.,Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute (IBG-Izmir), Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Esra Erdal
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), Dokuz Eylul University Health Campus, Izmir, Turkey.,Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
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9
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Ailanthoidol, a Neolignan, Suppresses TGF-β1-Induced HepG2 Hepatoblastoma Cell Progression. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091110. [PMID: 34572296 PMCID: PMC8472484 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ailanthoidol (ATD), a neolignan, possessed an antitumor promotion effect in the mouse skin model in our previous investigation. However, other antitumor properties remain to be elucidated. Liver cancer is a major cause of death in the world, and its prognosis and survival rate are poor. Therefore, the prevention and therapy of liver cancer have received much attention. TGF (transforming growth factor)-β1, a cytokine, plays a critical role in the progression of liver cancer. This study determined the inhibitory effects of ATD on the migration and invasion induced by TGF-β1 in HepG2 hepatoblastoma cells. Furthermore, ATD reduced the TGF-β1-promoted colony number of HepG2 hepatoblastoma cells. In addition to reversing TGF-β1-induced cell scattering, ATD suppressed TGF-β1-induced expression of integrin α3, vimentin, N-cadherin, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2). Finally, this study found that ATD significantly inhibited TGF-β1-promoted phosphorylation of p-38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Smad 2. Furthermore, the administration of SB203580 (p38MAPK inhibitor) suppressed TGF-β1-induced expression of integrin α3, N-cadherin, and MMP2. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism of ATD against progression of liver cancer.
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10
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Liu ZL, Liu JH, Staiculescu D, Chen J. Combination of molecularly targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors in the new era of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2021; 13:17588359211018026. [PMID: 34104226 PMCID: PMC8150670 DOI: 10.1177/17588359211018026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) have been the only first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for more than a decade, until the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Moreover, the combination regimen of atezolizumab (anti-programmed cell death protein ligand 1 antibody) plus bevacizumab (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody) has recently been demonstrated to have superior efficacy when compared with sorafenib monotherapy. The remarkable efficacy has made this combination therapy the new standard treatment for advanced HCC. In addition to MKIs, many other molecularly targeted therapies are under investigation, some of which have shown promising results. Therefore, in the era of immuno-oncology, there is a significant rationale for testing the combinations of molecularly targeted therapies and ICIs. Indeed, numerous preclinical and clinical studies have shown the synergic antitumor efficacy of such combinations. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on the combination of molecularly targeted therapies and immune checkpoint therapies for HCC from both preclinical and clinical perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Long Liu
- Division of Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jing-Hua Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Professor Cai’s Laboratory, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, Shandong Province, China
| | - Daniel Staiculescu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jiang Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, No. 3, East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310016, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
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11
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Lee HY, Hong IS. Targeting Liver Cancer Stem Cells: An Alternative Therapeutic Approach for Liver Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102746. [PMID: 32987767 PMCID: PMC7598600 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The first report of cancer stem cell (CSC) from Bruce et al. has demonstrated the relatively rare population of stem-like cells in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The discovery of leukemic CSCs prompted further identification of CSCs in multiple types of solid tumor. Recently, extensive research has attempted to identity CSCs in multiple types of solid tumors in the brain, colon, head and neck, liver, and lung. Based on these studies, we hypothesize that the initiation and progression of most malignant tumors rely largely on the CSC population. Recent studies indicated that stem cell-related markers or signaling pathways, such as aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), CD133, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and Notch signaling, contribute to the initiation and progression of various liver cancer types. Importantly, CSCs are markedly resistant to conventional therapeutic approaches and current targeted therapeutics. Therefore, it is believed that selectively targeting specific markers and/or signaling pathways of hepatic CSCs is an effective therapeutic strategy for treating chemotherapy-resistant liver cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the hepatic CSC hypothesis and discuss the specific surface markers and critical signaling pathways involved in the development and maintenance of hepatic CSC subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwa-Yong Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Jungwon University, 85 Goesan-eup, Munmu-ro, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do 367700, Korea;
| | - In-Sun Hong
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 406840, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-32-899-6315; Fax: +82-32-899-6350
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12
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Ke FY, Chen WY, Lin MC, Hwang YC, Kuo KT, Wu HC. Novel monoclonal antibody against integrin α3 shows therapeutic potential for ovarian cancer. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:3478-3492. [PMID: 32648337 PMCID: PMC7541015 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer has a high recurrence rate after platinum‐based chemotherapy. To improve the treatment of ovarian cancer and identify ovarian cancer‐specific antibodies, we immunized mice with the human ovarian carcinoma cell line, SKOV‐3, and generated hybridoma clones. Several rounds of screening yielded 30 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with no cross‐reactivity to normal cells. Among these mAbs, OV‐Ab 30‐7 was found to target integrin α3 and upregulate p53 and p21, while stimulating the apoptosis of cancer cells. We further found that binding of integrin α3 by OV‐Ab 30‐7 impaired laminin‐induced focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation. The mAb alone or in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel inhibited tumor progression and prolonged survival of tumor‐bearing mice. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining of ovarian patient specimens revealed higher levels of integrin α3 in cancer cells compared with normal cells. By querying online clinical databases, we found that elevated ITGA3 expression in ovarian cancer is associated with poor prognosis. Taken together, our data suggest that the novel mAb, OV‐Ab 30‐7, may be considered as a potential therapeutic for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Yi Ke
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Pathology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Yu Chen
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chieh Lin
- Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chyi Hwang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Ting Kuo
- Graduate Institute of Pathology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Biomedical Park Branch, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chung Wu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Pathology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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13
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Kwon SM, Lee YK, Min S, Woo HG, Wang HJ, Yoon G. Mitoribosome Defect in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Promotes an Aggressive Phenotype with Suppressed Immune Reaction. iScience 2020; 23:101247. [PMID: 32629612 PMCID: PMC7306587 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes), the specialized translational machinery for mitochondrial genes, exclusively encode the subunits of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system. Although OXPHOS dysfunctions are associated with hepatic disorders including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), their underlying mechanisms remain poorly elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of mitoribosome defects on OXPHOS and HCC progression. By generating a gene signature from HCC transcriptome data, we developed a scoring system, i.e., mitoribosome defect score (MDS), which represents the degree of mitoribosomal defects in cancers. The MDS showed close associations with the clinical outcomes of patients with HCC and with gene functions such as oxidative phosphorylation, cell-cycle activation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. By analyzing immune profiles, we observed that mitoribosomal defects are also associated with immunosuppression and evasion. Taken together, our results provide new insights into the roles of mitoribosome defects in HCC progression. A set of down-regulated MRPs in HCC cause mitoribosomal defects Mitoribosomal defects are linked to aggressive molecular features and poor prognosis Mitoribosomal defects in HCC are associated with immunosuppression and evasion TGF-β signaling pathway is a crucial mechanism to mediate mitoribosomal defects in HCC
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Affiliation(s)
- So Mee Kwon
- Departments of Physiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; Departments of Biochemistry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; Departments of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea.
| | - Young-Kyoung Lee
- Departments of Biochemistry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; Departments of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
| | - Seongki Min
- Departments of Biochemistry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; Departments of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
| | - Hyun Goo Woo
- Departments of Physiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; Departments of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
| | - Hee Jung Wang
- Departments of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea
| | - Gyesoon Yoon
- Departments of Biochemistry, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea; Departments of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea.
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14
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Giannelli G, Santoro A, Kelley RK, Gane E, Paradis V, Cleverly A, Smith C, Estrem ST, Man M, Wang S, Lahn MM, Raymond E, Benhadji KA, Faivre S. Biomarkers and overall survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with TGF-βRI inhibitor galunisertib. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0222259. [PMID: 32210440 PMCID: PMC7094874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signalling is involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We followed changes in biomarkers during treatment of patients with HCC with the TGF-βRI/ALK5 inhibitor galunisertib. Methods This phase 2 study (NCT01246986) enrolled second-line patients with advanced HCC into one of two cohorts of baseline serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): Part A (AFP ≥1.5x ULN) or Part B (AFP <1.5x ULN). Baseline and postbaseline levels of AFP, TGF-β1, E-cadherin, selected miRNAs, and other plasma proteins were monitored. Results The study enrolled 149 patients (Part A, 109; Part B, 40). Median OS was 7.3 months in Part A and 16.8 months in Part B. Baseline AFP, TGF-β1, E-cadherin, and an additional 16 plasma proteins (such as M-CSF, IL-6, ErbB3, ANG-2, neuropilin-1, MIP-3 alpha, KIM-1, uPA, IL-8, TIMP-1, ICAM-1, Apo A-1, CA-125, osteopontin, tetranectin, and IGFBP-1) were found to correlate with OS. In addition, a range of miRs were found to be associated with OS. In AFP responders (21% of patients in Part A with decrease of >20% from baseline) versus non-responders, median OS was 21.5 months versus 6.8 months (p = 0.0015). In TGF-β1 responders (51% of all patients) versus non-responders, median OS was 11.2 months versus 5.3 months (p = 0.0036). Conclusions Consistent with previous findings, both baseline levels and changes from baseline of circulating AFP and TGF-β1 function as prognostic indicators of survival. Future trials are needed to confirm and extend these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, “s. De Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Robin K. Kelley
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Ed Gane
- Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Ann Cleverly
- Eli Lilly and Company, Windlesham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Smith
- Eli Lilly and Company, Windlesham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Shawn T. Estrem
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Michael Man
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Shuaicheng Wang
- BioStat Solutions, Inc., Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael M. Lahn
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Eric Raymond
- Paris Saint-Joseph Hospital Center, Paris, France
| | - Karim A. Benhadji
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
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15
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Ge JC, Wang YX, Chen ZB, Chen DF. Integrin alpha 7 correlates with poor clinical outcomes, and it regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis and stemness via PTK2-PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Signal 2019; 66:109465. [PMID: 31698037 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2019.109465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of integrin alpha 7 (ITGA7) with clinical outcomes and its effect on cell activities as well as stemness in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC tumor tissues and paired adjacent tissues from 90 HCC patients were obtained and ITGA7 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry assay. Cellular experiments were conducted to examine the effect of ITGA7 on cell activities, astemness via ITGA7 ShRNA transfection, and compensation experiments were further performed to test whether ITGA7 functioned via regulating PTK2-PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. ITGA7 was overexpressed in tumor tissues compared with paired adjacent tissues and its high expression was correlated with larger tumor size, vein invasion and advanced Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage, and it also independently predicted worse overall survival in HCC patients. In cellular experiments, ITGA7 was upregulated in SMMC-7721, Hep G2, HuH-7 and BEL-7404 cell lines compared with normal human liver cells HL-7702. ITGA7 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation but promoted apoptosis, and it also downregulated CSCs markers (CD44, CD133 and OCT-4) as well as PTK2, PI3K and AKT expressions in SMMC-7721 and Hep G2 cell lines. ITGA7 overexpression promoted cell proliferation but inhibited apoptosis, and it also upregulated CSCs markers in HL-7702 cells. Further compensation experiments verified that ITGA7 regulated cell proliferation, apoptosis and CSCs markers via PTK2-PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. ITGA7 negatively associates with clinical outcomes in HCC patients, and it regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis and CSCs markers via PTK2-PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Chen Ge
- Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China, 400042
| | - Yu-Xi Wang
- Department of Emergency, Linan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Biao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Chinese People's Liberation Army 211 Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Dong-Feng Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China, 400042.
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16
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Noonan A, Pawlik TM. Hepatocellular carcinoma: an update on investigational drugs in phase I and II clinical trials. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2019; 28:941-949. [DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2019.1677606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Noonan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Timothy M. Pawlik
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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17
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Contextual Regulation of TGF-β Signaling in Liver Cancer. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101235. [PMID: 31614569 PMCID: PMC6829617 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is one of the leading causes for cancer-related death worldwide. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine that signals through membrane receptors and intracellular Smad proteins, which enter the nucleus upon receptor activation and act as transcription factors. TGF-β inhibits liver tumorigenesis in the early stage by inducing cytostasis and apoptosis, but promotes malignant progression in more advanced stages by enhancing cancer cell survival, EMT, migration, invasion and finally metastasis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning the multi-faceted roles of TGF-β in liver cancer has become a persistent pursuit during the last two decades. Contextual regulation fine-tunes the robustness, duration and plasticity of TGF-β signaling, yielding versatile albeit specific responses. This involves multiple feedback and feed-forward regulatory loops and also the interplay between Smad signaling and non-Smad pathways. This review summarizes the known regulatory mechanisms of TGF-β signaling in liver cancer, and how they channel, skew and even switch the actions of TGF-β during cancer progression.
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18
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Helmy SA, El-Mesery M, El-Karef A, Eissa LA, El Gayar AM. Thymoquinone upregulates TRAIL/TRAILR2 expression and attenuates hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo model. Life Sci 2019; 233:116673. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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19
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Faivre S, Santoro A, Kelley RK, Gane E, Costentin CE, Gueorguieva I, Smith C, Cleverly A, Lahn MM, Raymond E, Benhadji KA, Giannelli G. Novel transforming growth factor beta receptor I kinase inhibitor galunisertib (LY2157299) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver Int 2019; 39:1468-1477. [PMID: 30963691 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS We assessed the activity of galunisertib, a small molecule inhibitor of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1) receptor I, in second-line patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in two cohorts of baseline serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP). METHODS Patients with advanced HCC who progressed on or were ineligible to receive sorafenib, Child-Pugh A/B7 and ECOG PS ≤1 were enrolled into Part A (AFP ≥ 1.5× ULN) or Part B (AFP < 1.5× ULN). Patients were treated with 80 or 150 mg galunisertib BID for 14 days per 28-day cycle. Endpoints were time-to-progression (TTP) and changes in circulating AFP and TGF-β1 levels, as well as safety, pharmacokinetics, progression-free survival and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Patients (n = 149) were enrolled with median age 65 years. Median TTP was 2.7 months (95% CI: 1.5-2.9) in Part A (n = 109) and 4.2 months (95% CI: 1.7-5.5) in Part B (n = 40). Median OS was 7.3 months (95% CI: 4.9-10.5) in Part A and 16.8 months (95% CI: 10.5-24.4) in Part B. OS was longer in AFP responders (>20% decrease from baseline, Part A) compared to non-responders (21.5 months vs 6.8 months). OS was longer in TGF-β1 responders (>20% decrease from baseline, all patients) compared to non-responders. The most common Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events were neutropenia (n = 4) and fatigue, anaemia, increased bilirubin, hypoalbuminemia and embolism (each, n = 2). CONCLUSIONS Galunisertib treatment had a manageable safety profile in patients with HCC. Lower baseline AFP and a response in AFP or TGF-β1 levels (vs no response) correlated with longer survival. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01246986 at ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Armando Santoro
- Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | | | - Ed Gane
- Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Claire Smith
- Lilly Research Centre Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, UK
| | - Ann Cleverly
- Lilly Research Centre Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, UK
| | | | - Eric Raymond
- Centre Hospitalier Paris Saint-Joseph, Paris, France
| | | | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, Research Instituts "S. De Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
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20
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Liao ZB, Tan XL, Dong KS, Zhang HW, Chen XP, Chu L, Zhang BX. miRNA-448 inhibits cell growth by targeting BCL-2 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Dig Liver Dis 2019; 51:703-711. [PMID: 30316787 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2018.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence indicates that aberrant micro (mi)RNA-448 expression plays a critical role in the progression of several human cancers. However, the function of miRNA-448 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been fully investigated. METHODS miRNA-448 expression levels in HCC tissues, adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANTs), and HCC cell lines were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). HCC cells were treated with a miRNA-448 mimic or inhibitor, followed by cell viability measurements with the CCK-8 assay. Venn diagram analysis predicted, and dual luciferase reporter assays verified, the target gene of miRNA-448. Expression of the target gene was detected by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Growth of miRNA-448- or target gene-expressing HCC xenograft tumors in nude mice was measured. RESULTS miRNA-448 was expressed at a lower level in HCC tissues than ANTs, and correlated with a larger tumor size, incomplete tumor encapsulation, and advanced Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage. miRNA-448 inhibited HCC cell growth. The downstream target of miRNA-448 was BCL-2, which was highly expressed in HCC tissues and its mRNA level was negatively correlated with miRNA-448 expression. In vivo, BCL-2 attenuated the tumor inhibiting effect of miRNA-448. CONCLUSION miRNA-448 functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting BCL-2 in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Bin Liao
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiao-Long Tan
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ke-Shuai Dong
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hong-Wei Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Liang Chu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Bi-Xiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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21
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Luo J, Chen XQ, Li P. The Role of TGF-β and Its Receptors in Gastrointestinal Cancers. Transl Oncol 2019; 12:475-484. [PMID: 30594036 PMCID: PMC6314240 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Early detection of gastrointestinal tumors improves patient survival. However, patients with these tumors are typically diagnosed at an advanced stage and have poor prognosis. The incidence and mortality of gastrointestinal cancers, including esophageal, gastric, liver, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers, are increasing worldwide. Novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents are required to improve patient survival and quality of life. The tumor microenvironment, which contains nontumor cells, signaling molecules such as growth factors and cytokines, and extracellular matrix proteins, plays a critical role in cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling has dual roles in gastrointestinal tumor development and progression as both a tumor suppressor and tumor promoter. Here, we review the dynamic roles of TGF-β and its receptors in gastrointestinal tumors and provide evidence that targeting TGF-β signaling may be an effective therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Luo
- Oncology Department, West China Hospital of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Xu-Qiao Chen
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ping Li
- Oncology Department, West China Hospital of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P.R. China.
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22
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Kim YR, Byun MR, Choi JW. Integrin α6 as an invasiveness marker for hepatitis B viral X-driven hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Biomark 2018; 23:135-144. [PMID: 30010110 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-181498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) accounts for more than 60% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases. However, there is limited information about the features of HBV-driven HCC that differentiate it from other types of HCC. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to find a gene specific to HBV-driven HCC and understand its role during tumorigenesis. METHODS The differences in gene expression patterns were analyzed among patients with hepatitis virus-unrelated liver cirrhosis, and hepatitis C virus- and HBV-driven HCC. Genes expressed only in HBV patients were compared to genes of transgenic mice expressing hepatitis B viral X gene. RESULTS Integrin α6 was commonly overexpressed in both HBV-driven HCC patients and transgenic mice expressing viral X. This gene's activation induced overexpression of integrin α6, as well as formation of integrins α6β1 and α6β4, without changing the expression of non-integrin laminin receptors. Suppression of integrin α6 caused significant inhibition of tumor migration in vitro. CONCLUSIONS This study found a significant association between HBV and integrin α6, which may be responsible for early migration and invasion of HCC. Thus, integrin α6 is a predictive marker for tumor recurrence and invasiveness of HBV-driven HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Rang Kim
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, Yuseong Sun Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Mi Ran Byun
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Woo Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
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23
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Abstract
The critical event in neoplastic diseases is the invasion of surrounding tissue by cancer cells. This event greatly reduces treatment options, and makes cancer a lethal disease. Factors that initiate cancer invasion are not well understood, neither do we have mechanistic insights in the process itself. Recently, a new concept has emerged: the tissue surrounding tumor cells, ie, the tumor microenvironment, may play an important, if not decisive role in triggering invasion. This concept is based on data from many laboratories working on the cell biology of cancer invasion. In this review, we survey several components of the tumor microenvironment, including extracellular matrix macromolecules, metalloproteinases and soluble factors, and discuss their potential involvement in stimulating cancer cell motility. These novel views may have far-reaching consequences, since “normal” tissue microenvironment components, rather than the traditional tumor cells themselves, may eventually become targets for devising new treatments that prevent, inhibit or block cancer invasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Quaranta
- Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, USA
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24
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Kishi T, Mayanagi T, Iwabuchi S, Akasaka T, Sobue K. Myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) activity-dependent cell adhesion is correlated to focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity. Oncotarget 2018; 7:72113-72130. [PMID: 27708220 PMCID: PMC5342149 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulation of cell-substrate adhesion is tightly linked to the malignant phenotype of tumor cells and plays a role in their migration, invasion, and metastasis. Focal adhesions (FAs) are dynamic adhesion structures that anchor the cell to the extracellular matrix. Myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs), co-regulators of the serum response factor (SRF), regulate expression of a set of genes encoding actin cytoskeletal/FA-related proteins. Here we demonstrated that the forced expression of a constitutively active MRTF-A (CA-MRTF-A) in B16F10 melanoma cells induced the up-regulation of actin cytoskeletal and FA proteins, resulting in FA reorganization and the suppression of cell migration. Expression of CA-MRTF-A markedly increased phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin, which are important components for FA dynamics. Notably, FAK activation was triggered by the clustering of up-regulated integrins. Our results revealed that the MRTF-SRF-dependent regulation of cell migration requires both the up-regulation of actin cytoskeletal/FA proteins and the integrin-mediated regulation of FA components via the FAK/Src pathway. We also demonstrated that activation of the MRTF-dependent transcription correlates FAK activation in various tumor cells. The elucidation of the correlation between MRTF and FAK activities would be an effective therapeutic target in focus of tumor cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Kishi
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Yahaba 028-3694, Japan.,Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Morioka 020-8505, Japan
| | - Taira Mayanagi
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Yahaba 028-3694, Japan
| | - Sadahiro Iwabuchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Yahaba 028-3694, Japan
| | - Toshihide Akasaka
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Morioka 020-8505, Japan
| | - Kenji Sobue
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Yahaba 028-3694, Japan
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25
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Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is defined as the structural and dynamic network of cellular and non-cellular interactions between malignant cells and the surrounding non-malignant matrix. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are two of the most challenging gastrointestinal malignancies. Despite clinical advancements in understanding tumor biology and growth of the chemotherapeutic industry, there have been no corresponding improvements in prognosis and overall survival of HCC and PDAC. Both of these cancers have a very intimate relationship with their surrounding environment; the TME is thought to actively participate in initiating and sustaining these malignancies. Individual TME constituents play a vital role in chemoresistance and recurrence after surgery and have been established as independent prognostic factors. This review article will highlight the diverse structural components, key signaling pathways, and extracellular matrices of HCC and PDAC and discuss their crosstalk with tumor cells to promote growth and metastasis. The article will also summarize the latest laboratory and clinical research based on therapeutic targets identified within the TME of both HCC and PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fathima Kamil
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Julie H Rowe
- Division of Oncology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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26
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He X, Guo X, Zhang H, Kong X, Yang F, Zheng C. Mechanism of action and efficacy of LY2109761, a TGF-β receptor inhibitor, targeting tumor microenvironment in liver cancer after TACE. Oncotarget 2017; 9:1130-1142. [PMID: 29416682 PMCID: PMC5787425 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
TACE (transcatheter arterial chemoembolization) has been recognized as an effective palliative treatment option for patients with HCC, however, the medium-long term efficacy of it remains modest. LY2109761, a TGF-β receptor inhibitor, was confirmed to reduce tumor cell growth, intravasation, and metastatic dissemination of HCC cells through different molecular mechanisms. This study aims to investigate the treatment effect of combining TACE therapy with LY2109761- a TGF-β receptor I kinase inhibitor on suppressing tumor growth and metastasis in a rabbit VX2 tumor model. The molecular mechanisms underlying the biological activities of LY2109761 was also evaluated through an in vitro model. And we found that LY2109761 could inhibit cell proliferation by down-regulating the phosphorylation of Smad-2 as well as improved the therapeutic effect of TACE in a VX2 hepatocellular carcinoma model. And we further found that LY2109761 may play a modulating role in the process of T cell transformation. Hence, based on those obsevations in our research, we concluded that combing LY2109761 with TACE for the treatment of VX2 rabbit liver cancer can help inhibit tumor growth as well as increase the tumor cell necrosis after TACE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun He
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Radiology, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaopeng Guo
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongsen Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangchuang Kong
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuansheng Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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27
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Helmy SA, El-Mesery M, El-Karef A, Eissa LA, El Gayar AM. Chloroquine upregulates TRAIL/TRAILR2 expression and potentiates doxorubicin anti-tumor activity in thioacetamide-induced hepatocellular carcinoma model. Chem Biol Interact 2017; 279:84-94. [PMID: 29133031 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Impaired apoptosis and systemic toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs make cancer treatment suboptimal. Thus, there is urgency for drug repurposing which facilitates discovery of safe and effective combination therapy. This study aimed to evaluate chloroquine's (CQ) ability to trigger TRAIL/TRAILR2 apoptotic pathway in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) either alone or in combination with doxorubicin (DOX). Moreover, its ability to attenuate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity was investigated. TAA was injected in male Sprague Dawely rats (200 mg/kg; ip; 2 times/week) for 16 weeks. After the 16th week, rats were further divided into different groups (n = 10) and treated for 7 weeks. CQ group (received CQ 25 mg/kg/day; orally), DOX group (received DOX 1 mg/kg; ip; 2 times/week) and CQ/DOX group. Liver function biomarkers, AFP, hepatic levels of MDA and GSH, serum CK-MB and LDH enzymes activity were measured. Quantitative, Real-Time PCR was used to measure TRAIL, TRAILR2, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-3, BCL-2 and TGF-β1 genes expression levels. Necroinflammation and fibrosis were scored by histopathological examination. CQ improved liver functions, reduced AFP level and attenuated HCC progression. CQ induced apoptosis via upregulation of TRAIL/TRAILR2, caspase-8, caspase-3 and caspase-8 genes and downregulation of BCL-2 gene. Moreover, CQ/DOX showed marked decrease in hepatic MDA level, serum CK-MB, LDH enzymes activity, as well as marked increase in hepatic GSH level. In conclusion, this work assess the in vivo efficacy of CQ/DOX combination therapy in this HCC model that not only has enhanced anti-tumor activity but it also protects against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Nevertheless, more studies should be performed to illustrate the molecular mechanism of CQ's cardioprotective effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar A Helmy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed El-Mesery
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Amro El-Karef
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Laila A Eissa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
| | - Amal M El Gayar
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
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Wang X, Hassan W, Jabeen Q, Khan GJ, Iqbal F. Interdependent and independent multidimensional role of tumor microenvironment on hepatocellular carcinoma. Cytokine 2017; 103:150-159. [PMID: 29029799 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2017.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The novelty of an effective therapeutic targeting for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is based on improved understanding of each component of tumor microenvironment (TME) and its correspondent interactions at biological and molecular levels. In this context, new expansions for the treatment against TME and its communication with HCC are under exploration. Despite of the fact that blockage of growth factor receptors has become a treatment of choice in late phases of HCC in clinical practice, still a precise targeted treatment should address all the components of TME. Targeting one specific element out of cellular (cancer associated fibroblasts, endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells, Kupffer cells and lymphocytes) or non-cellular (extracellular matrix, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, proteolytic enzymes) parts of TME may not be a successful remedy for the disease because of well-designed hindrances of each component and their functional alternativeness. Meanwhile there are some elements of TME like epithelial-mesenchymal transition and CAF, which are considerably important and need thorough investigations. Ascertaining the potential role of these elements, and a single or combinational drug therapy targeting these elements of TME simultaneously, may provide the appreciable considerations to eventually improve in clinical practices and may also minimize the chances of reoccurrence of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Wang
- Jiangnan University, Wuxi Medical School, Wuxi 214122, China; China Pharmaceutical University, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Waseem Hassan
- Department of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; Department of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Qaiser Jabeen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
| | - Ghulam Jilany Khan
- China Pharmaceutical University, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Furqan Iqbal
- Department of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
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Shi Y, Qin N, Zhou Q, Chen Y, Huang S, Chen B, Shen G, Jia H. Role of IQGAP3 in metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human hepatocellular carcinoma. J Transl Med 2017; 15:176. [PMID: 28810875 PMCID: PMC5558666 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-017-1275-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide owing to its high rates of metastasis and recurrence. The oncogene IQ motif-containing GTPase activating protein 3 (IQGAP3) is ubiquitously overexpressed in several human cancers, including liver, ovary, lung, large intestine, gastric, bone marrow, and breast malignancies and is involved in the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Therefore, we aimed to determine the biological role and molecular mechanism of IQGAP3 in HCC. Methods We used 120 archived clinical HCC samples, 9 snap-frozen HCC tumor tissues, and 4 normal liver tissues. Expression of IQGAP3 mRNA and protein in HCC cell lines (Hep3B, SMMC-7721, HCCC-9810, HepG2, BEL-7404, HCCLM3, QGY-7701, Huh7, and MHCC97H) and normal liver epithelial cells LO2 was examined by western blot, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry. In addition, wound-healing and transwell matrix penetration assays were used to assess the migratory and invasive abilities of HCC cells, respectively. Results Expression of the IQGAP3 was robustly upregulated in HCC cells and tissues. High expression of IQGAP3 in HCC correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features and was an independent poor prognostic factor for overall survival. Furthermore, ectopic expression of IQGAP3 markedly enhanced HCC cell migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and promoted metastasis of orthotopic hepatic tumors in nude mice. Conversely, silencing endogenous IQGAP3 showed an opposite effect. Mechanistically, IQGAP3 promoted EMT and metastasis by activating TGF-β signaling. Conclusions IQGAP3 functions as an important regulator of metastasis and EMT by constitutively activating the TGF-β signaling pathway in HCC. Our findings present new evidence of the role of IQGAP3 in EMT and metastasis, indicating its potential as a prognostic biomarker candidate and a therapeutic target against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Shi
- Department of Clinical Examination, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Qin
- Department of Clinical Examination, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Department of Clinical Examination, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanqiu Chen
- Department of ENT, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9th Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Sicong Huang
- Department of Clinical Examination, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Clinical Examination, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Shen
- Department of Interventional Radiology and Vascular Anomalies, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9th Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, 510623, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hongyun Jia
- Department of Clinical Examination, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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Lao L, Shen J, Tian H, Zhong G, Murray SS, Wang JC. Secreted phosphoprotein 24kD (Spp24) inhibits growth of hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2017; 51:51-55. [PMID: 28286322 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have shown that secreted phosphoprotein 24kD (Spp24) inhibits tumor growth. However, the effects of spp24 on hepatocellular carcinoma are not quite clear. In this study, we observed the inhibitory effect of spp24 on hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo. A subcutaneous hepatocellular carcinoma mice model was established by using Hep G2 cells. After sacrifice at day 40, tumor growth was assessed and tumor cell apoptosis and tumor cells proliferation were assessed by TUNEL assay and immunochemical analysis, respectively. BMP2 slightly stimulated the subcutaneous tumor growth compared with the control. Spp24 significantly inhibited the tumor growth and also abolished the BMP2-induced tumor growth (p<0.05). TUNEL assay and immunochemical analysis further showed that spp24 could enhance tumor cell apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation (p<0.01). Our data show that spp24 can inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma. Spp24 may have great potential for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifeng Lao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Shen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Haijun Tian
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Guibin Zhong
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Samuel S Murray
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Sepulveda, CA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Biomedical Engineering Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Zhou Y, Zhao Y, Gao Y, Hu W, Qu Y, Lou N, Zhu Y, Zhang X, Yang H. Hepatitis C virus NS3 protein enhances hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion by promoting PPM1A ubiquitination and degradation. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2017; 36:42. [PMID: 28283039 PMCID: PMC5345236 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-017-0510-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background Growing evidence suggests that hepatitis C virus (HCV) contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by directly modulating oncogenic signaling pathways. Protein phosphatase magnesium-dependent 1A (PPM1A) has recently emerged as an important tumor suppressor as it can block a range of tumor-centric signaling pathways through protein dephosphorylation. However, the role and regulatory mechanisms of PPM1A in HCV-infected cells have not been reported. Methods Total, cytoplasmic, and nuclear PPM1A protein after HCV infection or overexpression of HCV nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) were detected by western blotting. The expression of PPM1A in normal liver and HCV-related HCC tissues was quantified by immunohistochemistry. The effects of HCV infection and NS3 expression on the PPM1A protein level were systematically analyzed, and the ubiquitination level of PPM1A was determined by precipitation with anti-PPM1A and immunoblotting with either anti-ubiquitin or anti-PPM1A antibody. Finally, the roles of NS3 and PPM1A in hepatoma cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing and transwell assays, respectively. Results HCV infection and replication decreased PPM1A abundance, mediated by NS3, in hepatoma cells. Compared to normal liver tissues, the expression of PPM1A was significantly decreased in the HCC tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. NS3 directly interacted with PPM1A to promote PPM1A ubiquitination and degradation, which was dependent on its protease domain. Blockade of PPM1A through small interfering RNA significantly promoted HCC cell migration, invasion, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), which were further intensified by TGF-β1 stimulation, in vitro. Furthermore, restoration of PPM1A abrogated the NS3-mediated promotion of HCC migration and invasion to a great extent, which was dependent on its protein phosphatase function. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that the HCV protein NS3 can downregulate PPM1A by promoting its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, which might contribute to the migration and invasion of hepatoma cells and may represent a new strategy of HCV in carcinogenesis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-017-0510-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yaoying Gao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wenjun Hu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yan Qu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ning Lou
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Hongmei Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China.
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Transforming Growth Factor β1 Promotes Migration and Invasion of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Via Up-Regulation of Connective Tissue Growth Factor. Cell Biochem Biophys 2017; 73:775-81. [PMID: 27259324 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-015-0693-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with a poor patient survival. Expression of TGF-β1 is up-regulated in HCC and is thought to play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of HCC. However, the mechanism of TGF-β1-mediated facilitation of malignant growth and invasion remains unclear, although some previous studies highlighted a potential involvement of the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Here we demonstrate that the in vitro migration of the HCC cell line SMMC-7721 is increased in the presence of recombinant TGF-β1, and that this effect is reversed by the specific inhibitor SB431542. Furthermore, TGF-β1 treatment up-regulated the expression of its own mRNA as well as the expression of CTGF mRNA. The TGF-β1-stimulated migration of SMMC-7721 cells was diminished by siRNA silencing of CTGF. These in vitro observations were validated in a murine xenograft model. In particular, silencing of CTFG diminished the TGF-β1-induced tumorigenesis in experimental animals. In conclusion, TGF-β1 plays a critical role in HCC migration and invasion, and this effect is dependent on CTGF.
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The opposing roles of laminin-binding integrins in cancer. Matrix Biol 2017; 57-58:213-243. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Azzariti A, Mancarella S, Porcelli L, Quatrale AE, Caligiuri A, Lupo L, Dituri F, Giannelli G. Hepatic stellate cells induce hepatocellular carcinoma cell resistance to sorafenib through the laminin-332/α3 integrin axis recovery of focal adhesion kinase ubiquitination. Hepatology 2016; 64:2103-2117. [PMID: 27639064 DOI: 10.1002/hep.28835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving sorafenib, drug resistance is common. HCC develops in a microenvironment enriched with extracellular matrix proteins including laminin (Ln)-332, produced by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Ln-332 is the ligand of α3β1 and α6β4 integrins, differently expressed on the HCC cell surface, that deliver intracellular pathways. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Ln-332 on sorafenib's effectiveness. HCC cells were challenged with sorafenib in the presence of Ln-332 and of HSC conditioned medium (CM). Sorafenib impaired HCC cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. HSC-CM or Ln-332 inhibited sorafenib's effectiveness in HCC cells expressing both α3β1 and α6β4. Inhibiting α3 but not α6 integrin subunit using blocking antibodies or small interfering RNA abrogated the protection induced by Ln-332 and HSC-CM. Hep3B cells expressing α6β4 but lacking the α3 integrin were insensitive to Ln-332 and HSC-CM protective effects. Hep3B α3-positive, but not wild-type and scramble transfected, cells acquired protection by sorafenib when plated on Ln-332-CM or HSCs. Sorafenib dephosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2, whereas Ln-332 and HSC-CM partially restored the pathways. Silencing FAK, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2, abrogated the protection induced by Ln-332 and HSC-CM, suggesting a specific role for FAK. Sorafenib down-regulated total FAK, inducing its proteasomal degradation, while Ln-332 and HSC-CM promoted the escape of FAK from ubiquitination, probably inducing a preferential membrane localization. CONCLUSION This study unveils a novel mechanism of sorafenib resistance depending on the α3β1/Ln-332 axis and requiring FAK ubiquitination, providing new insights into personalizing therapy for patients with HCC. (Hepatology 2016;64:2103-2117).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Azzariti
- National Cancer Institute, Istituto Tumori G. Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Serena Mancarella
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "S. De Bellis", Castellana Grotte Bari, Italy
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- National Cancer Institute, Istituto Tumori G. Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Luigi Lupo
- University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Dituri
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "S. De Bellis", Castellana Grotte Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS "S. De Bellis", Castellana Grotte Bari, Italy
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Giannelli G, Koudelkova P, Dituri F, Mikulits W. Role of epithelial to mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol 2016; 65:798-808. [PMID: 27212245 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 405] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a multistep biological process whereby epithelial cells change in plasticity by transient de-differentiation into a mesenchymal phenotype. EMT and its reversal, mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET), essentially occur during embryogenetic morphogenesis and have been increasingly described in fibrosis and cancer during the last decade. In carcinoma progression, EMT plays a crucial role in early steps of metastasis when cells lose cell-cell contacts due to ablation of E-cadherin and acquire increased motility to spread into surrounding or distant tissues. Epithelial plasticity has become a hot issue in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as strong inducers of EMT such as transforming growth factor-β are able to orchestrate both fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis, showing rising cytokine levels in cirrhosis and late stage HCC. In this review, we consider the significance of EMT-MET in malignant hepatocytes as well as changes in the plasticity of hepatic stellate cells for cellular heterogeneity of HCC, and further aim at explaining the current limiting insights into EMT by snapshot analyses of HCC tissues. Recent advances in the identification of clinically relevant mechanisms that impinge on important EMT-transcription factors, as well as on miRNAs causing EMT signatures and HCC progression are highlighted. In addition, we draw particular attention to framing EMT in the context of potential clinical relevance for HCC patients. We conclude that some aspects of EMT are still elusive and further studies are required to better link the clinical management of HCC with biomarkers and targeted therapies related to EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluigi Giannelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
| | - Petra Koudelkova
- Department of Medicine I, Division: Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Francesco Dituri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Wolfgang Mikulits
- Department of Medicine I, Division: Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
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Huang XY, Huang ZL, Xu B, Chen Z, Re TJ, Zheng Q, Tang ZY, Huang XY. Elevated MTSS1 expression associated with metastasis and poor prognosis of residual hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2016; 35:85. [PMID: 27230279 PMCID: PMC4881066 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-016-0361-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Hepatectomy generally offers the best chance of long-term survival for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Many studies have shown that hepatectomy accelerates tumor metastasis, but the mechanism remains unclear. Methods An orthotopic nude mice model with palliative HCC hepatectomy was performed in this study. Metastasis-related genes in tumor following resection were screened; HCC invasion, metastasis, and some molecular alterations were examined in vivo and in vitro. Clinical significance of key gene mRNA expression was also analyzed. Results Metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS1) located in the central position of gene function net of residual HCC. MTSS1 was up-regulated in residual tumor after palliative resection. In hepatitis B-related HCC patients undergone palliative hepatectomy, those with higher MTSS1 mRNA expression accompanied by activation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) in residual HCC, had earlier residual HCC detection after hepatectomy and poorer survival when compared to those with lower MTSS1. In different cell lines, the levels of MTSS1 mRNA increased in parallel with metastatic potential. MTSS1 down regulation via siRNA decreased MMP2 activity, reduced invasive potentials of HCC by 28.9 % in vitro, and averted the deteriorated lung metastatic extent in vivo. Conclusions The poor prognosis of hepatitis B-related HCC patients following palliative hepatectomy associates with elevated MTSS1 mRNA expression; therefore, MTSS1 may provide a new research field for HCC diagnosis and treatment. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-016-0361-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Yan Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yi Shan Road, Shanghai, 200233, Peoples Republic of China.
| | - Zi-Li Huang
- Department of Radiology, Xuhui Central Hospital, Shanghai, 200031, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Zi Chen
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Thomas Joseph Re
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02446, USA
| | - Qi Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yi Shan Road, Shanghai, 200233, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Zhao-You Tang
- Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Xin-Yu Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yi Shan Road, Shanghai, 200233, Peoples Republic of China.
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Sun H, Zhong X, Wang C, Wang S, Lin L, Zou R, Wu Y, Sun N, Sun G, Wen T, Chi ZH, Zhao Y. SNF5 is Involved in Suppression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression via TGF-Beta 1 Signaling. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2016; 299:869-77. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2015] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongmiao Sun
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; China Medical University; Shenyang Liaoning 110122 China
| | - Xinping Zhong
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital; China Medical University; Shenyang Liaoning 110001 China
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; China Medical University; Shenyang Liaoning 110122 China
| | - Shengli Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; China Medical University; Shenyang Liaoning 110122 China
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; China Medical University; Shenyang Liaoning 110122 China
| | - Renlong Zou
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; China Medical University; Shenyang Liaoning 110122 China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; China Medical University; Shenyang Liaoning 110122 China
| | - Ning Sun
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; China Medical University; Shenyang Liaoning 110122 China
| | - Ge Sun
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; China Medical University; Shenyang Liaoning 110122 China
| | - Tao Wen
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; China Medical University; Shenyang Liaoning 110122 China
| | - Zhi-Hong Chi
- Department of Pathophysiology; China Medical University; Shenyang Liaoning 110122 China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education; China Medical University; Shenyang Liaoning 110122 China
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Transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 acted through miR-130b to increase integrin α5 to promote migration of colorectal cancer cells. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:10763-73. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-4965-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Park SA, Kim MJ, Park SY, Kim JS, Lim W, Nam JS, Yhong Sheen Y. TIMP-1 mediates TGF-β-dependent crosstalk between hepatic stellate and cancer cells via FAK signaling. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16492. [PMID: 26549110 PMCID: PMC4637930 DOI: 10.1038/srep16492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling plays a key role in progression and metastasis of HCC. This study was undertaken to gain the proof of concept of a small-molecule inhibitor of TGF-β type I receptor kinase, EW-7197 as a potent anti-cancer therapy for HCC. We identified tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) as one of the secreted proteins of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and a key mediator of TGF-β-mediated crosstalk between HSCs and HCC cells. TGF-β signaling led to increased expression of TIMP-1, which activates focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling via its interaction with CD63. Inhibition of TGF-β signaling using EW-7197 significantly attenuated the progression and intrahepatic metastasis of HCC in an SK-HEP1-Luc orthotopic-xenograft mouse model. In addition, EW-7197 inhibited TGF-β-stimulated TIMP-1 secretion by HSCs as well as the TIMP-1-induced proliferation, motility, and survival of HCC cells. Further, EW-7197 interrupted TGF-β-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and Akt signaling, leading to significant reductions in the motility and anchorage-independent growth of HCC cells. In conclusion, we found that TIMP-1 mediates TGF-β-regulated crosstalk between HSCs and HCC cells via FAK signaling. In addition, EW-7197 demonstrates potent in vivo anti-cancer therapeutic activity and may be a potential new anti-cancer drug of choice to treat patients with liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-A Park
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min-Jin Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - So-Yeon Park
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung-Shin Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woosung Lim
- Department of Surgery, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Seok Nam
- Laboratory of Tumor Suppressor, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea.,Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea
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40
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Thompson AI, Conroy KP, Henderson NC. Hepatic stellate cells: central modulators of hepatic carcinogenesis. BMC Gastroenterol 2015; 15:63. [PMID: 26013123 PMCID: PMC4445994 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-015-0291-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and is increasing in incidence. Currently, our therapeutic repertoire for the treatment of HCC is severely limited, and therefore effective new therapies are urgently required. Recently, there has been increasing interest focusing on the cellular and molecular interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment. HCC represents a unique opportunity to study the relationship between a diseased stroma and promotion of carcinogenesis, as 90 % of HCCs arise in a cirrhotic liver. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the major source of extracellular proteins during fibrogenesis, and may directly, or via secreted products, contribute to tumour initiation and progression. In this review we explore the complex cellular and molecular interplay between HSC biology and hepatocarcinogenesis. We focus on the molecular mechanisms by which HSC modulate HCC growth, immune cell evasion and angiogenesis. This is followed by a discussion of recent progress in the field in understanding the mechanistic crosstalk between HSC and HCC, and the pathways that are potentially amenable to therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, we summarise the exciting recent developments in strategies to target HSC specifically, and novel techniques to deliver pharmaceutical agents directly to HSC, potentially allowing tailored, cell-specific therapy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra I Thompson
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Kylie P Conroy
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Neil C Henderson
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, UK.
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Neuzillet C, de Gramont A, Tijeras-Raballand A, de Mestier L, Cros J, Faivre S, Raymond E. Perspectives of TGF-β inhibition in pancreatic and hepatocellular carcinomas. Oncotarget 2014; 5:78-94. [PMID: 24393789 PMCID: PMC3960190 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are non-curable diseases with a particularly poor prognosis. Over the last decade, research has increasingly focused on the microenvironment surrounding cancer cells, and its role in tumour development and progression. PDAC and HCC differ markedly regarding their pathological features: PDAC are typically stromal-predominant, desmoplastic, poorly vascularized tumours, whereas HCC are cellular and highly vascularized. Despite these very different settings, PDAC and HCC share transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) as a common key-signalling mediator, involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, invasion, and stroma-tumour dialogue. Recently, novel drugs blocking the TGF-β pathway have entered clinical evaluation demonstrating activity in patients with advanced PDAC and HCC. TGF-β signalling is complex and mediates both pro- and anti-tumoural activities in cancer cells depending on their context, in space and time, and their microenvironment. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview of the role of the TGF-β pathway and its deregulation in PDAC and HCC development and progression at the cellular and microenvironment levels. We also summarize key preclinical and clinical data on the role of TGF-β as a target for therapeutic intervention in PDAC and HCC, and explore perspectives to optimize TGF-β inhibition therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Neuzillet
- INSERM U728 and U773 and Department of Medical Oncology, Beaujon University Hospital (AP-HP - PRES Paris 7 Diderot), 100 boulevard du Général Leclerc, Clichy, France
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Yu W, Huang C, Wang Q, Huang T, Ding Y, Ma C, Ma H, Chen W. MEF2 transcription factors promotes EMT and invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma through TGF-β1 autoregulation circuitry. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:10943-51. [PMID: 25087096 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-2403-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasion and metastasis is the main causes leading to the death of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, the underlying mechanism is still to be explored. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a stronger inducer of HCC cell invasion. However, the downstream effector of TGF-β1 that promotes HCC invasion is still unknown. In this study, we found that PI3K/Akt activation takes place following the stimulation of TGF-β1. The inhibition of PI3K/Akt activation abolished epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion of HCC cells induced by TGF-β1. Myocyte enhancer factors 2 (MEF2) family proteins were found to be overexpressed in HCC cells under the treatment of TGF-β1 in a PI3K/Akt-dependent way. Silencing the expression of MEF2s was able to prevent the effect of TGF-β1 on HCC EMT and invasion. Unexpectedly, MEF2 proteins were able to promote the expression of TGF-β1 in HCC cells, suggesting the existence of regulatory circuitry consisting of TGF-β1, PI3K/Akt, and MEF2. A natural compound, oleanolic acid, was demonstrated to suppress the invasion and EMT of HCC cells by downregulating MEF2, showing that targeting this pathway is an effective therapeutic strategy for HCC invasion. We believe that our findings can contribute to better understanding of the involved mechanism of HCC invasion and the development of preventive and therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, 127 Dongming Road, 450008, Zhengzhou, China
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Dituri F, Serio G, Filannino D, Mascolo A, Sacco R, Villa E, Giannelli G. Circulating TGF-β1-related biomarkers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and their association with HCC staging scores. Cancer Lett 2014; 353:264-71. [PMID: 25088578 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
TGF-β1 was inversely correlated with E-cadherin but significantly correlated with VEGF. VEGF and AFP had a low coefficient value but statistically significant. A significant correlation was found between E-cadherin and MMP2. In conclusion, TGF-β and E-cadherin are inversely correlated in HCC patients' sera and not related to the BCLC classification nor survival but rather to the biological properties of the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Dituri
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Serio
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Doriana Filannino
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella Mascolo
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Sacco
- Department of Gastroenterology, Pisa University Cisanello Hospital, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Erica Villa
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Italy Via del Pozzo 71, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
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Aggarwal A, Al-Rohil RN, Batra A, Feustel PJ, Jones DM, DiPersio CM. Expression of integrin α3β1 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) are positively correlated in human breast cancer. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:459. [PMID: 24950714 PMCID: PMC4069347 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Expression of integrin α3β1 is associated with tumor progression, metastasis, and poor prognosis in several cancers, including breast cancer. Moreover, preclinical studies have revealed important pro-tumorigenic and pro-metastatic functions for this integrin, including tumor growth, survival, invasion, and paracrine induction of angiogenesis. Our previously published work in a preclinical breast cancer model showed that integrin α3β1 promotes expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2/PTGS2), a known driver of breast cancer progression. However, the clinical significance of this regulation was unknown. The objective of the current study was to assess the clinical relevance of the relationship between integrin α3β1 and COX2 by testing for their correlated expression among various forms of human breast cancer. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess co-expression of α3 and COX2 in specimens of human invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), either on a commercial tissue microarray (n = 59 samples) or obtained from Albany Medical Center archives (n = 68 samples). Immunostaining intensity for the integrin α3 subunit or COX2 was scored, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis was performed to assess their co-expression across and within different tumor subtypes or clinicopathologic criteria. RESULTS Although expression of integrin α3 or COX2 varied among clinical IDC samples, a statistically significant, positive correlation was detected between α3 and COX2 in both tissue microarrays (r(s) = 0.49, p < 0.001, n = 59) and archived samples (r(s) = 0.59, p < 0.0001, n = 68). In both sample sets, this correlation was independent of hormone receptor status, histological grade, or disease stage. CONCLUSIONS COX2 and α3 are correlated in IDC independently of hormone receptor status or other clinicopathologic features, supporting the hypothesis that integrin α3β1 is a determinant of COX2 expression in human breast cancer. These results support the clinical relevance of α3β1-dependent COX2 gene expression that we reported previously in breast cancer cells. The findings also suggest that COX2-positive breast carcinomas of various subtypes might be vulnerable to therapeutic strategies that target α3β1, and that α3 expression might serve as an independent prognostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshu Aggarwal
- Center for Cell Biology & Cancer Research, Albany Medical College, Mail Code 165, Room MS-420, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208-3479, USA
| | - Rami N Al-Rohil
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Anupam Batra
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Paul J Feustel
- Center for Neuropharmacology and Neurosciences, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - David M Jones
- Department of Pathology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - C Michael DiPersio
- Center for Cell Biology & Cancer Research, Albany Medical College, Mail Code 165, Room MS-420, 47 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208-3479, USA
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Novel strategies for the treatment of chondrosarcomas: targeting integrins. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:396839. [PMID: 24490159 PMCID: PMC3893802 DOI: 10.1155/2013/396839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Chondrosarcomas are a heterogeneous group of malignant bone tumors that are characterized by the production of cartilaginous extracellular matrix. They are the second most frequently occurring type of bone malignancy. Surgical resection remains the primary mode of treatment for chondrosarcomas, since conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy are largely ineffective. Treatment of patients with high-grade chondrosarcomas is particularly challenging, owing to the lack of effective adjuvant therapies. Integrins are cell surface adhesion molecules that regulate a variety of cellular functions. They have been implicated in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of solid tumors. Deregulation of integrin expression and/or signaling has been identified in many chondrosarcomas. Therefore, the development of new drugs that can selectively target regulators of integrin gene expression and ligand-integrin signaling might hold great promise for the treatment of these cancers. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of how growth factors, chemokines/cytokines, and other inflammation-related molecules can control the expression of specific integrins to promote cell migration. We also review the roles of specific subtypes of integrins and their signaling mechanisms, and discuss how these might be involved in tumor growth and metastasis. Finally, novel therapeutic strategies for targeting these molecules will be discussed.
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β3 integrin promotes TGF-β1/H2O2/HOCl-mediated induction of metastatic phenotype of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by enhancing TGF-β1 signaling. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79857. [PMID: 24260309 PMCID: PMC3832483 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2013] [Accepted: 09/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to being an important mediator of migration and invasion of tumor cells, β3 integrin can also enhance TGF-β1 signaling. However, it is not known whether β3 might influence the induction of metastatic phenotype of tumor cells, especially non-metastatic tumor cells which express low level of β3. Here we report that H2O2 and HOCl, the reactive oxygen species produced by neutrophils, could cooperate with TGF-β1 to induce metastatic phenotype of non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. TGF-β1/H2O2/HOCl, but not TGF-β1 or H2O2/HOCl, induced β3 expression by triggering the enhanced activation of p38 MAPK. Intriguingly, β3 in turn promoted TGF-β1/H2O2/HOCl-mediated induction of metastatic phenotype of HCC cells by enhancing TGF-β1 signaling. β3 promoted TGF-β1/H2O2/HOCl-induced expression of itself via positive feed-back effect on p38 MAPK activation, and also promoted TGF-β1/H2O2/HOCl-induced expression of α3 and SNAI2 by enhancing the activation of ERK pathway, thus resulting in higher invasive capacity of HCC cells. By enhancing MAPK activation, β3 enabled TGF-β1 to augment the promoting effect of H2O2/HOCl on anoikis-resistance of HCC cells. TGF-β1/H2O2/HOCl-induced metastatic phenotype was sufficient for HCC cells to extravasate from circulation and form metastatic foci in an experimental metastasis model in nude mice. Inhibiting the function of β3 could suppress or abrogate the promoting effects of TGF-β1/H2O2/HOCl on invasive capacity, anoikis-resistance, and extravasation of HCC cells. These results suggest that β3 could function as a modulator to promote TGF-β1/H2O2/HOCl-mediated induction of metastatic phenotype of non-metastatic tumor cells, and that targeting β3 might be a potential approach in preventing the induction of metastatic phenotype of non-metastatic tumor cells.
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Ng L, Poon RTP, Pang R. Biomarkers for predicting future metastasis of human gastrointestinal tumors. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:3631-56. [PMID: 23370778 PMCID: PMC11113832 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1266-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2012] [Revised: 01/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The recent advances in surgery and radiation therapy have significantly improved the prognosis of patients with primary cancer, and the major challenge of cancer treatment now is metastatic disease development. The 5-year survival rate of cancer patients who have distant metastasis at diagnosis is extremely low, suggesting that prediction and early detection of metastasis would definitely improve their prognosis because suitable patient therapeutic management and treatment strategy can be provided. Cancer cells from a primary site give rise to a metastatic tumor via a number of steps which require the involvement and altered expression of many regulators. These regulators may serve as biomarkers for predicting metastasis. Over the past few years, numerous regulators have been found correlating with metastasis. In this review, we summarize the findings of a number of potential biomarkers that are involved in cadherin-catenin interaction, integrin signaling, PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and cancer stem cell identification in gastrointestinal cancers. We will also discuss how certain biomarkers are associated with the tumor microenvironment that favors cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lui Ng
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China,
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Guo Y, Zang C, Li Y, Yuan L, Liu Q, Zhang L, Li S. Association between TGF-β1 polymorphisms and hepatocellular carcinoma risk: a meta-analysis. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2013; 17:814-20. [PMID: 24016252 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2013.0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Associations between transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 polymorphisms and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk remained controversial. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to investigate these associations. METHODS We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases for studies before March 2013. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate the strength of association. RESULTS A total of 14 studies were included in this meta-analysis. TGF-β1 +869C/T polymorphism was significantly associated with HCC risk (OR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.22-2.47, p=0.002). In addition, a significant association between -509C/T polymorphism and HCC risk was observed (OR=1.40, 95% CI: 1.15-1.70, p=0.0007). Furthermore, significant associations between these polymorphisms and HCC risk were found in Asians and population-based studies. CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis suggested that the TGF-β1 +869C/T and -509C/T polymorphisms may be risk factors for developing HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Guo
- 1 Department of Radiology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing, People's Republic of China
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Dituri F, Mazzocca A, Fernando J, Peidrò FJ, Papappicco P, Fabregat I, De Santis F, Paradiso A, Sabbà C, Giannelli G. Differential Inhibition of the TGF-β Signaling Pathway in HCC Cells Using the Small Molecule Inhibitor LY2157299 and the D10 Monoclonal Antibody against TGF-β Receptor Type II. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67109. [PMID: 23826206 PMCID: PMC3694933 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated blocking the TGF-β signaling pathway in HCC using two small molecule inhibitors (LY2157299, LY2109761) and a neutralizing humanized antibody (D10) against TGF-βRII. LY2157299 and LY2109761 inhibited HCC cell migration on Laminin-5, Fibronectin, Vitronectin, Fibrinogen and Collagen-I and de novo phosphorylation of pSMAD2. LY2157299 inhibited HCC migration and cell growth independently of the expression levels of TGF-βRII. In contrast to LY2157299, D10 showed a reduction in pSMAD2 only after a short exposure. This study supports the use of LY2157299 in clinical trials, and presents new insights into TGF-β receptor cycling in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Dituri
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Section of Internal Medicine Allergology and Immunology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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Contribution of cells undergoing epithelial–mesenchymal transition to the tumour microenvironment. J Proteomics 2013; 78:545-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2012.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Revised: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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