Long noncoding RNA HOTAIR regulates the invasion and metastasis of prostate cancer by targeting hepaCAM

Mechanisms and progress of LncRNAs in prostate cancer development and diagnostic therapy

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in men worldwide. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, challenges such as late-stage detection, therapeutic resistance, and the complexity of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) persist. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) play critical roles in PCa progression through epigenetic regulation, transcriptional and post-transcriptional modulation, and immune response regulation. This review highlights the molecular mechanisms by which LncRNAs influence PCa development, treatment resistance, and immune regulation, emphasizing their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We also discuss future research directions to advance precision medicine in PCa.

LncRNAs in oncogenic microenvironment: from threat to therapy

LncRNAs are RNA molecules of more than 200 nucleotides in length and participate in cellular metabolism and cellular responses through their diverse interactomedespite having no protein-coding capabilities. Such significant interactions also implicate the presence of lncRNAs in complex pathobiological pathways of various diseases, affecting cellular survival by modulating autophagy, inflammation and apoptosis. Proliferating cells harbour a complex microenvironment that mainly stimulate growth-specific activities such as DNA replication, repair, and protein synthesis. They also recognise damages at the macromolecular level, preventing them from reaching the next-generation. LncRNAs have shown significant association with the events occurring towards proliferation, regulating key events in dividing cells, and dysregulation of lncRNA transcriptome affects normal cellular life-cycle, promoting the development of cancer. Furthermore, lncRNAs also demonstrated an association with cancer growth and progression by regulating key pathways governing cell growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis. This makes lncRNAs an attractive target for the treatment of cancer and can also be used as a marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases due to their differential expression in diseased samples. This review delves into the correlation of the lncRNA transcriptome with the fundamental cellular signalling and how this crosstalk shapes the complexity of the oncogenic microhabitat.

AC074117.1/miR-193a-3p axis regulates the malignant progression of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma via the m6A-related gene ALKBH5

Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies, with an annually increasing incidence and a poor prognosis. lncRNAs and microRNAs regulate the progression of UCEC through ceRNA networks. Additionally, m6A modification plays various roles in UCEC, and abnormal regulation of it can directly affect tumor progression. However, the role of m6A-associated ceRNA networks in UCEC remains unclear. This study showed that the AC074117.1/miR-193a-3p axis promoted the malignant progression of UCEC through ALKBH5, an m6A demethylase. MeRIP assay indicated that ALKBH5 regulated m6A modification in UCEC. Gene set enrichment analysis and cell proliferation and migration assays showed that the AC074117.1/miR-193a-3p/ALKBH5 axis regulated the proliferation and migration of UCEC cells. With regard to mechanistic analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that AC074117.1 acted as a ceRNA for miR-193a-3p, influencing the expression of ALKBH5. Furthermore, rescue experiments validated that the regulatory effects of miR-193a-3p on the malignant progression of UCEC relied on ALKBH5 to some extent. Altogether, this study revealed an m6A-related ceRNA network in UCEC, which may serve as a target for early diagnosis and treatment.

Integrated analysis of non‑coding RNAs (HOTAIR and miR‑130a) and their cross‑talk with TGF‑β1, SIRT1 and E‑cadherin as potential biomarkers in colorectal cancer

Molecular changes have a substantial impact on the onset of colorectal cancer (CRC). Complexes of HOTAIR and miRNAs disrupt several cellular functions during carcinogenesis, primarily by disrupting several carcinogenic signaling pathways. In the present study, the relationships between the serum levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and E-cadherin and those of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) and microRNA-130a (miR-130a) in individuals with CRC were analyzed, including their correlations and diagnostic potential. Patients with colon cancer and healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected from 70 patients with CRC and 30 age-matched healthy control volunteers and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the serum levels of HOTAIR and miR-130a. In addition, the levels of TGF-β1, SIRT1 and E-cadherin were determined utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Patients with CRC were found to have significantly higher TGF-β1, SIRT1, HOTAIR and miR-130a serum levels than those of healthy participants. In addition, patients with high-grade CRC had significantly higher levels of TGF-β1, SIRT1, HOTAIR and miR-130a compared with those of patients with low-grade CRC. A significant reduction in the serum levels of E-cadherin was observed in participants with CRC compared with healthy participants, but no significant difference was detected according to the grade of CRC. Positive correlations were found between HOTAIR and miR-130a, as well as TGF-β1 and SIRT1. By contrast, negative correlations were noted between E-cadherin and HOTAIR, miR-130a, TGF-β1 and SIRT1. Therefore, it may be concluded that the miR-130a/HOTAIR and TGF-β1/SIRT1/E-cadherin axes may serve as novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of CRC.

Interplay between lncRNAs and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the progression of digestive system neoplasms (Review)

Long non‑coding RNA (lncRNA) is a class of non‑coding RNA molecules located in the cytoplasm or nucleus, which can regulate chromosome structure and function by interacting with DNA, RNA, proteins and other molecules; binding to mRNA bases in a complementary manner, affecting the splicing, stabilization, translation and degradation of mRNA; acting as competing endogenous RNA competitively binds to microRNAs to regulate gene expression and participate in the regulation of various vital activities of the body. The PI3K/AKT signalling pathway plays a key role in numerous biological and cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis. It has been found that the lncRNA/PI3K/AKT axis regulates the expression of cancer‑related genes and thus tumour progression. The abnormal regulation of lncRNA expression in the lncRNA/PI3K/AKT axis is clearly associated with clinicopathological features and plays an important role in regulating biological functions. In the present review, the expression and biological functions of PI3K/AKT‑related lncRNAs both in vitro and in vivo over recent years, were comprehensively summarized and analyzed. Their correlation with clinicopathological features was also evaluated, with the objective of furnishing a solid theoretical foundation for clinical diagnosis and the monitoring of efficacy in digestive system neoplasms. The present review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the expression and biological functions of PI3K/AKT‑related lncRNAs in digestive system neoplasms and to assess their correlation with clinicopathological features. This endeavor seeks to establish a solid theoretical foundation for the clinical diagnosis and efficacy monitoring of digestive system tumors.

HOTAIR in cancer: diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic perspectives

The long non-coding RNA HOTAIR is overexpressed in many cancers and is associated with several cancer-promoting effects, including increased cell proliferation, migration and treatment resistance. HOTAIR levels correlate with tumor stage, lymph node metastasis and overall survival in patients with various types of cancer. This highlights the potential uses of HOTAIR, including early cancer detection, predicting patient outcome, identifying high-risk individuals and assisting in therapy selection and monitoring. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the research progress, molecular mechanisms and clinical significance of HOTAIR in various human cancers. In addition, the clinical applications of HOTAIR, such as targeted therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, are discussed, and relevant information on the potential future advances of HOTAIR in cancer research is provided.

3-Deazaneplanocin A (DZNep): A Drug That Deserves a Second Look

The emerging data compiled during the past five years on 3-deazaneplanocin (DZNep) provide compelling evidence to reevaluate this drug as a better alternative over the specific catalytic inhibitors of histone methyl transferases (HTMs). The indirect mechanism of DZNep via inhibition of AdoHcy-ase, once considered a liability due to possible side effects, has now shown to be rather beneficial as additional pathways targeted by DZNep are important contributors to its superior anticancer properties. Furthermore, DZNep has demonstrated the ability to induce proteasomal degradation of its target and reduce toxicity in combination with well-established antitumor therapies in animal models. In addition, DZNep has shown important effects in suppressing fibrosis and inflammation in liver, kidney, peritoneum, and airways. Finally, inhibition of mRNA m6A methylation by DZNep suppresses the synthesis of the viral genome in SARS-Cov-2 infection and promises to have important therapeutic value when combined with its potent antiviral efficacy and anti-inflammatory effects.

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR: A biomarker and therapeutic target in urological tumors

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) significantly influence gene regulation across epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels through their interactions with DNA, RNA, and proteins. There is growing evidence of lncRNAs' critical roles in the emergence and progression of various diseases, including urological tumors (UTs), such as cancers of the kidney, bladder, and prostate. Research increasingly links lncRNA dysregulation to diverse cellular processes like invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, and chromatin remodeling. Among these, HOTAIR stands out for its pivotal role in oncogenesis, impacting treatment resistance, cell migration, proliferation, survival, and genomic integrity. This review provides an overview of HOTAIR's functions, its identification, and its biological significance. Furthermore, it delves into HOTAIR's involvement in UTs, underlining its potential as a therapeutic target and biomarker for innovative approaches to treating these cancers.

HOTAIR/miR-1277-5p/FBN2 signaling axis is involved in recurrent spontaneous abortion by regulating the growth, migration, and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells†

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the specific pathways by which HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA contributes to the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion.

METHODS

Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to assess the differential expression levels of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA in chorionic villi tissues from unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion patients and women with voluntarily terminated pregnancies. HTR-8/SVneo served as a cellular model. Knockdown and overexpression of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA in the cells were achieved through siRNA transfection and pcDNA3.1 transfection, respectively. Cell viability, migration, and invasion were evaluated using cell counting kit-8, scratch, and Transwell assays, respectively. The interaction among the HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA /miR-1277-5p/fibrillin 2 axis was predicted through bioinformatics analysis and confirmed through in vitro experiments. Furthermore, the regulatory effects of the HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA /miR-1277-5p/fibrillin 2 signaling axis on cellular behaviors were validated in HTR-8/SVneo cells.

RESULTS

We found that HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA was downregulated in chorionic villi tissues from unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion patients. Overexpression of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA significantly enhanced the viability, migration, and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells, while knockdown of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA had the opposite effects. We further confirmed the regulatory effect of the HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA /miR-1277-5p/fibrillin 2 signaling axis in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. Specifically, HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA and fibrillin 2 were found to reduce the risk of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion by enhancing cell viability, migration, and invasion, whereas miR-1277-5p exerted the opposite effects.

CONCLUSION

HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA promotes unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion development by targeting inhibition of miR-1277-5p/fibrillin 2 axis.

Critical role of the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in radiotherapy (RT)-resistance of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer: Is there a way to defeat this resistance?

Radiotherapy (RT) is a frequently used treatment for cervical cancer, effectively decreasing the likelihood of the disease returning in the same area and extending the lifespan of individuals with cervical cancer. Nevertheless, the primary reason for treatment failure in cancer patients is the cancer cells' resistance to radiation therapy (RT). Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are a subset of RNA molecules that do not code for proteins and are longer than 200 nucleotides. They have a significant impact on the regulation of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers biological processes. Recent research has shown that lncRNAs have a significant impact in controlling the responsiveness of GI cancer to radiation. This review provides a concise overview of the composition and operation of lncRNAs as well as the intricate molecular process behind radiosensitivity in GI cancer. Additionally, it compiles a comprehensive list of lncRNAs that are linked to radiosensitivity in such cancers. Furthermore, it delves into the potential practical implementation of these lncRNAs in modulating radiosensitivity in GI cancer.

Recent advances and future perspectives in the therapeutics of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common cancers in males and the fifth leading reason of death. Age, ethnicity, family history, and genetic defects are major factors that determine the aggressiveness and lethality of PC. The African population is at the highest risk of developing high-grade PC. It can be challenging to distinguish between low-risk and high-risk patients due to the slow progression of PC. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a revolutionary discovery for the identification of PC. However, it has led to an increase in over diagnosis and over treatment of PC in the past few decades. Even if modifications are made to the standard PSA testing, the specificity has not been found to be significant. Our understanding of PC genetics and proteomics has improved due to advances in different fields. New serum, urine, and tissue biomarkers, such as PC antigen 3 (PCA3), have led to various new diagnostic tests, such as the prostate health index, 4K score, and PCA3. These tests significantly reduce the number of unnecessary and repeat biopsies performed. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and prostatectomy are standard treatment options. However, newer novel hormone therapy drugs with a better response have been identified. Androgen deprivation and hormonal therapy are evolving as new and better options for managing hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant PC. This review aimed to highlight and discuss epidemiology, various risk factors, and developments in PC diagnosis and treatment regimens.

The multifaceted role of extracellular vesicles in prostate cancer-a review

Prostate cancer is the second most prominent form of cancer in men and confers the highest mortality after lung cancer. The term "extracellular vesicles" refers to minute endosomal-derived membrane microvesicles and it was demonstrated that extracellular vesicles affect the environment in which tumors originate. Extracellular vesicles' involvement is also established in the development of drug resistance, angiogenesis, stemness, and radioresistance in various cancers including prostate cancer. Extracellular vesicles influence the general environment, processes, and growth of prostate cancer and can be a potential area that offers a significant lead in prostate cancer therapy. In this review, we have elaborated on the multifaceted role of extracellular vesicles in various processes involved in the development of prostate cancer, and their multitude of applications in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer through the encapsulation of various bioactives.

Long non-coding RNA AC245100.4 activates the PI3K/AKT pathway to promote PCa cell proliferation by elevating PAR2

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is among the most generally diagnosed cancers in males. A long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) called AC245100.4 has been discovered and linked to PCa carcinogenesis. However, its specific and potential mechanism is uncertain in PCa. In this research, we investigated the role of AC245100.4 in cell proliferation and the underlying mechanism in PCa cells.

Methods

qRT-PCR assays were utilized to detect AC245100.4 expression and confirm its downstream target. The pathways related to AC245100.4 were identified by RAP-MS. PCa cell proliferation was experimented by Cell Counting Kit-8 and Colony formation assays. Western blot was performed to detect PAR2, AKT, p-AKT, Cyclin D1 and PCNA expression.

Results

AC245100.4/PAR2 overexpression promotes PCa cell proliferation and the opposite results are obtained after AC245100.4/PAR2 knockdown. Mechanistically, we found that PAR2 is confirmed as the AC245100.4 downstream target and AC245100.4 promotes PCa cell proliferation by regulating PAR2. AC245100.4 promotes PCa cell proliferation via PI3K/AKT pathway. Rescue assays validated that PAR2 knockdown reversed the impact of AC245100.4 overexpression on increasing p-AKT protein levels.

Conclusion

This research revealed that AC245100.4 enhances cell proliferation in PCa cells through modulating the PAR2/PI3K/AKT axis, which may offer novel tumor markers and potential therapeutic targets for PCa.

LncRNAs and related molecular basis in malignant pleural mesothelioma: challenges and potential

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare but invasive cancer, which mainly arises from mesothelial tissues of pleura, peritoneum and pericardium. Despite significant advances in treatments, the prognosis of MPM patients remains poor, and the 5-year survival rate is less than 10%. Therefore, it is urgent to explore novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of MPM. Growing evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) potentially could be promising therapeutic targets for numerous cancers. In this regard, lncRNAs might also potentially therapeutic targets for MPM. Recent advances have been made to investigate the molecular basis of MPM. This review first provides a comprehensive overview of roles of lncRNAs in MPM and then discusses the relationship between molecular basis of MPM and MPM-related lncRNAs to implement them as promising therapeutic targets for MPM.

HOTAIR: a potential metastatic, drug-resistant and prognostic regulator of breast cancer

HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is an oncogenic non-coding RNA whose expression is strongly correlated with the tumor grade and prognosis of a variety of carcinomas including breast cancer (BC). HOTAIR regulates various target genes via sponging and epigenetic mechanisms and controls various oncogenic cellular and signaling mechanisms including metastasis and drug resistance. In BC cells, HOTAIR expression is regulated by a variety of transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. In this review, we describe the regulatory mechanisms that govern HOTAIR expression during cancer development and explore how HOTAIR drives BC development, metastasis, and drug resistance. In the final section of this review, we focus on the role of HOTAIR in BC management, therapeutic treatment, and prognosis, highlighting its potential therapeutic applications.

Comprehensive analysis of the FOXA1-related ceRNA network and identification of the MAGI2-AS3/DUSP2 axis as a prognostic biomarker in prostate cancer

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in American men. Even though increasing evidence has disclosed the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks among cancers, the complexity and behavior characteristics of the ceRNA network in PCa remain unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the forkhead box A1 (FOXA1)-related ceRNA regulatory network and ascertain potential prognostic markers associated with PCa.

Methods

RNA sequence profiles downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analyzed to recognize differentially expressed genes (DEGs) derived from tumor and non-tumor adjacent samples as well as FOXA1low and FOXA1high tumor samples. The enrichment analysis was conducted for the dysregulated mRNAs. The network for the differentially expressed long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-associated ceRNAs was then established. Survival analysis and univariate Cox regression analysis were executed to determine independent prognostic RNAs associated with PCa. The correlation between DUSP2 and immune cell infiltration level was analyzed. Tissue and blood samples were collected to verify our network. Molecular experiments were performed to explore whether DUSP2 is involved in the development of PCa.

Results

A ceRNA network related to FOXA1 was constructed and comprised 18 lncRNAs, 5 miRNAs, and 44 mRNAs. The MAGI2-AS3~has-mir-106a/has-mir-204~DUSP2 ceRNA regulatory network relevant to the prognosis of PCa was obtained by analysis. We markedly distinguished the MAGI2-AS3/DUSP2 axis in the ceRNA. It will most likely become a clinical prognostic model and impact the changes in the tumor immune microenvironment of PCa. The abnormal MAGI2-AS3 expression level from the patients’ blood manifested that it would be a novel potential diagnostic biomarker for PCa. Moreover, down-expressed DUSP2 suppressed the proliferation and migration of PCa cells.

Conclusions

Our findings provide pivotal clues to understanding the role of the FOXA1-concerned ceRNA network in PCa. Simultaneously, this MAGI2-AS3/DUSP2 axis might be a new significant prognostic factor associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of PCa.

Oncogenic Long Noncoding RNAs in Prostate Cancer, Osteosarcoma, and Metastasis

Prostate cancer (PC) is a common malignancy and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in men worldwide. Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone cancer, representing 20-40% of all bone malignancy cases. Cancer metastasis is a process by which malignant tumor cells detach from the primary tumor site via a cascade of processes and migrate to secondary sites through the blood circulation or lymphatic system to colonize and form secondary tumors. PC has a specific affinity to the bone based on the "seed and soil" theory; once PC reach the bone, it becomes incurable. Several studies have identified long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as potential targets for cancer therapy or as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The dysregulation of various lncRNAs has been found in various cancer types, including PC, OS, and metastasis. However, the mechanisms underlying lncRNA oncogenic activity in tumor progression and metastasis are extremely complex and remain incompletely understood. Therefore, understanding oncogenic lncRNAs and their role in OS, PC, and metastasis and the underlying mechanism may help better manage and treat this malignancy. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge of oncogenic lncRNAs and their involvement in PC, OS, and bone metastasis.

The effects of endosulfan on cell migration and invasion in prostate cancer cells via the KCNQ1OT1/miR-137-3p/PTP4A3 axis

Endosulfan belongs to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), closely related to an increased risk of prostate cancer (PCa). The existing evidence shows that lncRNAs compete with miRNAs for binding sites and contribute to the onset and progression of human malignancies. In this study we investigate how endosulfan promotes cell migration and invasion in DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells through epigenetic mechanism of lncRNA-miRNA regulation. Based on our past research we focused on PTP4A3 and constructed wild-type (WT) and mutant PTP4A3 plasmids for further analysis. Our results revealed that transfection of PTP4A3-WT can lead to changes in the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers and critical proteins in the TGF-β signaling pathway, and promote cell migration and invasion in PCa cells. Bioinformatics analysis shows that there were complementary sequences in PTP4A3 3'-UTR and KCNQ1OT1 3'-UTR to the seed sequence of hsa-miR-137-3p, and dual luciferase reporter assay indicates the potential binding capacity of miR-137-3p to 3'-UTR of PTP4A3 and KCNQ1OT1. We found that miR-137-3p mimic inhibited cell migration and invasion, as well as repressed alterations of EMT biomarkers and critical proteins in the TGF-β signaling pathway. Rescue experiment results revealed that co-transfection of miR-137-3p mimic and PTP4A3-WT plasmid reversed these changes following transfection with miR-137-3p mimic alone. We found that KCNQ1OT1 was predominantly distributed in the cytoplasm from a subcellular fractionation assay. Functionally, silencing of KCNQ1OT1 repressed cell migration and invasion, and caused alterations of EMT biomarkers and critical proteins in the TGF-β signaling pathway, which were all restored by co-transfection with anti-miR-137-3p or PTP4A3-WT plasmid. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-137-3p or silencing of KCNQ1OT1 dramatically rescued the effects of endosulfan on promoting cell migration and invasion. These findings suggest that endosulfan can indeed promote cell migration and invasion via the KCNQ1OT1/miR-137-3p/PTP4A3 axis in PCa cells.

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 exerts functions in gastric cancer development via modulating microRNA-222-3p methylation and WEE1 expression

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has been studied in gastric cancer (GC), while the role of EZH2 in GC via binding to microRNA (miR)-222-3p remains obscure. This research aims to unravel the regulatory mechanism of EZH2 in GC progression via the modulation of miR-222-3p/WEE1 axis. Initially, EZH2, miR-222-3p, and WEE1 levels in GC cells and tissues were examined. Thereafter, constructs altering EZH2, miR-222-3p, or WEE1 expression were transfected into GC cells to determine the malignant behaviors involved in tumorigenesis of GC cells. Finally, the targeting relations among EZH2, miR-222-3p, and WEE1 were validated. EZH2 and WEE1 were upregulated while miR-222-3p was down-regulated in GC tissues and cells. The decreased EZH2, silenced WEE1, or restored miR-222-3p constrained the malignant behaviors involved in tumorigenesis of GC cells. Deletion of miR-222-3p could reverse the effect of silenced EZH2 on suppressing the biological functions of GC cells. EZH2 could bind to the promoter of miR-222-3p, and there was a targeting relationship between miR-222-3p and WEE1. Our study demonstrates that EZH2 promotes GC development via the modulation of miR-222-3p/WEE1 axis, thus providing promising therapeutic targets for GC therapy.

HOTAIR/miR-1277-5p/ZEB1 axis mediates hypoxia-induced oxaliplatin resistance via regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer

The hypoxic microenvironment contributes to the chemoresistance of many malignant tumors including colorectal cancer (CRC). Accumulating studies have indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in chemotherapy resistance. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of lncRNAs in hypoxia-mediated resistance in CRC and its potential mechanism. Here, we discovered that hypoxia-induced oxaliplatin resistance and HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) expression was increased in hypoxia-treated CRC cell lines and CRC tumors. Knockdown of HOTAIR by siRNA reduced the viability and proliferation of CRC cells treated with oxaliplatin and reversed hypoxia-induced resistance. Mechanically, we found that HOTAIR modulates zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) expression by negative regulations of miR-1277-5p. When miR-1277-5p was silenced, knockdown of HOTAIR was unable to reduce the oxaliplatin resistance in CRC cells. In mouse models of CRC, HOTAIR knockdown markedly inhibited the tumor growth when treated with oxaliplatin. Thus, HOTAIR/miR-1277-5p/ZEB1 axis appears a promising therapeutic target for improving the oxaliplatin efficacy in CRC.

Long non-coding RNA in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in males and its development and progression remains an important area of study. Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been evidenced as key players in cancer pathogenesis. Specifically, dysregulation of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression has shown to affect tumor proliferation and metastasis, acting as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes. However, its specific mechanisms and functions in prostate cancer remain unclear. This review provides an overview of currently available information on prostate cancer-related lncRNAs, including GAS5, GAS-007, MEG3, PCA3, PCAT14, PCAT1, PVT1, UCA1, SChLAP1, MALAT1, HOTAIR, and NEAT1. Notable tumor growth inhibitors include GAS5 and MEG3. GAS5 is evidenced to interfere with the AKT/MTOR signaling pathway through targeting microRNA mir-103. MEG3, however, is proposed to inhibit the cycle, sponge miR-9-5p, and induce gene silencing. PCAT1, PVT1, and UCA1 are important tumor growth promoters. PCAT1 is indicated to be a transcriptional repressor, a mir-145-5P sponge, and a P13K/AKT pathway activator. Studies suggest that PVT1 acts via microRNA targeting and regulating proliferating cell nuclear antigen. UCA1 may sponge miR-204 and miR-331-3p as well as regulate myosin VI. Thorough understanding of these lncRNAs may elucidate new aspects of prostate cancer pathology and serve a pivotal role in developing novel diagnostic and prognostic techniques.

From Omics to Multi-Omics Approaches for In-Depth Analysis of the Molecular Mechanisms of Prostate Cancer

Cancer arises following alterations at different cellular levels, including genetic and epigenetic modifications, transcription and translation dysregulation, as well as metabolic variations. High-throughput omics technologies that allow one to identify and quantify processes involved in these changes are now available and have been instrumental in generating a wealth of steadily increasing data from patient tumors, liquid biopsies, and from tumor models. Extensive investigation and integration of these data have led to new biological insights into the origin and development of multiple cancer types and helped to unravel the molecular networks underlying this complex pathology. The comprehensive and quantitative analysis of a molecule class in a biological sample is named omics and large-scale omics studies addressing different prostate cancer stages have been performed in recent years. Prostate tumors represent the second leading cancer type and a prevalent cause of cancer death in men worldwide. It is a very heterogenous disease so that evaluating inter- and intra-tumor differences will be essential for a precise insight into disease development and plasticity, but also for the development of personalized therapies. There is ample evidence for the key role of the androgen receptor, a steroid hormone-activated transcription factor, in driving early and late stages of the disease, and this led to the development and approval of drugs addressing diverse targets along this pathway. Early genomic and transcriptomic studies have allowed one to determine the genes involved in prostate cancer and regulated by androgen signaling or other tumor-relevant signaling pathways. More recently, they have been supplemented by epigenomic, cistromic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses, thus, increasing our knowledge on the intricate mechanisms involved, the various levels of regulation and their interplay. The comprehensive investigation of these omics approaches and their integration into multi-omics analyses have led to a much deeper understanding of the molecular pathways involved in prostate cancer progression, and in response and resistance to therapies. This brings the hope that novel vulnerabilities will be identified, that existing therapies will be more beneficial by targeting the patient population likely to respond best, and that bespoke treatments with increased efficacy will be available soon.

CTB-193M12.5 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression via Enhancing NSD1-Mediated WNT10B/Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Activation

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

HepaCAM‑PIK3CA axis regulates the reprogramming of glutamine metabolism to inhibit prostate cancer cell proliferation

Energy metabolism reprogramming is becoming an increasingly important hallmark of cancer. Specifically, cancers tend to undergo metabolic reprogramming to upregulate a cell-dependent glutamine (Gln) metabolism. Notably, hepatocellular cell adhesion molecule (HepaCAM) has been previously reported to serve a key role as a tumour suppressor. However, the possible regulatory role of HepaCAM in Gln metabolism in prostate cancer (PCa) remains poorly understood. In the present study, bioinformatics analysis predicted a significant negative correlation among the expression of HepaCAM, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit α (PIK3CA), glutaminase (GLS) and solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5), components of Gln metabolism, in clinical and genomic datasets. Immunohistochemistry results verified a negative correlation between HepaCAM and PIK3CA expression in PCa tissues. Subsequently, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) assays were performed, and the results revealed markedly reduced levels of Gln and metabolic flux in the blood samples of patients with PCa and in PCa cells. Mechanistically, overexpression of HepaCAM inhibited Gln metabolism and proliferation by regulating PIK3CA in PCa cells. In addition, Gln metabolism was discovered to be stress-resistant in PCa cells, since the expression levels of GLS and SLC1A5 remained high for a period of time after Gln starvation. However, overexpression of HepaCAM reversed this resistance to some extent. Additionally, alpelisib, a specific inhibitor of PIK3CA, effectively potentiated the inhibitory effects of HepaCAM overexpression on Gln metabolism and cell proliferation through mass spectrometry and CCK-8 experiments. In addition, the inhibitory effect of PIK3CA on the growth of tumor tissue in nude mice was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry in vivo. To conclude, the results from the present study revealed an abnormal Gln metabolic profile in the blood samples of patients with PCa, suggesting that it can be applied as a clinical diagnostic tool for PCa. Additionally, a key role of the HepaCAM/PIK3CA axis in regulating Gln metabolism, cell proliferation and tumour growth was identified. The combination of alpelisib treatment with the upregulation of HepaCAM expression may serve as a novel method for treating patients with PCa.

Noncoding-RNA-Based Therapeutics with an Emphasis on Prostatic Carcinoma—Progress and Challenges

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) defy the central dogma by representing a family of RNA molecules that are not translated into protein but can convey information encoded in their DNA. Elucidating the exact function of ncRNA has been a focus of discovery in the last decade and remains challenging. Nevertheless, the importance of understanding ncRNA is apparent since these molecules regulate gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level exerting pleiotropic effects critical in development, oncogenesis, and immunity. NcRNAs have been referred to as “the dark matter of the nucleus”, and unraveling their role in physiologic and pathologic processes will provide vast opportunities for basic and translational research with the potential for significant therapeutic progress. Consequently, strong efforts are underway to exploit the therapeutic utility of ncRNA, some of which have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. The use of ncRNA therapeutics (or “vaccines” if defined as anti-disease agents) may result in improved curative strategies when used alone or in combination with existing treatments. This review will focus on the role of ncRNA therapeutics in prostatic carcinoma while exploring basic biological aspects of these molecules that represent about 97% of the transcriptome in humans.

KB-68A7.1 Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development Through Binding to NSD1 and Suppressing Wnt/β-Catenin Signalling

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies with extremely poor prognosis. Therefore, revealing the critical molecules involved in HCC progression and prognosis is urgently needed. In this study, through combining public dataset and our cohort, we found a novel prognosis-related long non-coding RNA KB-68A7.1 in HCC. KB-68A7.1 was lowly expressed in HCC, whose low expression was associated with large tumour size, aggressive clinical characteristic, and poor survival. Gain- and loss-of-function assays demonstrated that KB-68A7.1 restricted HCC cellular proliferation, induced HCC cellular apoptosis, and suppressed HCC cellular migration and invasion in vitro. Xenograft assays demonstrated that KB-68A7.1 suppressed HCC tumour growth and metastasis in vivo. These functional assays suggested KB-68A7.1 as a tumour suppressor in HCC. Histone methyltransferase nuclear receptor binding SET domain-containing protein 1 (NSD1) was found to bind to KB-68A7.1. KB-68A7.1 was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. The binding of KB-68A7.1 to NSD1 sequestrated NSD1 in the cytoplasm, leading to the reduction in nuclear NSD1 level. Through decreasing nuclear NSD1 level, KB-68A7.1 reduced di-methylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 (H3K36me2) and increased tri-methylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3) at the promoter of WNT10B, a target of NSD1. Thus, KB-68A7.1 repressed WNT10B transcription. The expression of WNT10B was negatively correlated with that of KB-68A7.1 in HCC tissues. Through repressing WNT10B, KB-68A7.1 further repressed Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Functional rescue assays showed that overexpression of WNT10B reversed the tumour-suppressive roles of KB-68A7.1, whereas the oncogenic roles of KB-68A7.1 depletion were abolished by Wnt/β-catenin signalling inhibitor. Overall, this study identified KB-68A7.1 as a lowly expressed and prognosis-related lncRNA in HCC, which suppressed HCC progression through binding to NSD1 and repressing Wnt/β-catenin signalling.

Regulation of Neuroendocrine-like Differentiation in Prostate Cancer by Non-Coding RNAs

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represents a variant of prostate cancer that occurs in response to treatment resistance or, to a much lesser extent, de novo. Unravelling the molecular mechanisms behind transdifferentiation of cancer cells to neuroendocrine-like cancer cells is essential for development of new treatment opportunities. This review focuses on summarizing the role of small molecules, predominantly microRNAs, in this phenomenon. A published literature search was performed to identify microRNAs, which are reported and experimentally validated to modulate neuroendocrine markers and/or regulators and to affect the complex neuroendocrine phenotype. Next, available patients’ expression datasets were surveyed to identify deregulated microRNAs, and their effect on NEPC and prostate cancer progression is summarized. Finally, possibilities of miRNA detection and quantification in body fluids of prostate cancer patients and their possible use as liquid biopsy in prostate cancer monitoring are discussed. All the addressed clinical and experimental contexts point to an association of NEPC with upregulation of miR-375 and downregulation of miR-34a and miR-19b-3p. Together, this review provides an overview of different roles of non-coding RNAs in the emergence of neuroendocrine prostate cancer.

Keep your eyes peeled for long noncoding RNAs: Explaining their boundless role in cancer metastasis, drug resistance, and clinical application

Cancer metastasis and drug resistance are two major obstacles in the treatment of cancer and therefore, the leading cause of cancer-associated mortalities worldwide. Hence, an in-depth understanding of these processes and identification of the underlying key players could help design a better therapeutic regimen to treat cancer. Earlier thought to be merely transcriptional junk and having passive or secondary function, recent advances in the genomic research have unravelled that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play pivotal roles in diverse physiological as well as pathological processes including cancer metastasis and drug resistance. LncRNAs can regulate various steps of the complex metastatic cascade such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, migration and metastatic colonization, and also affect the sensitivity of cancer cells to various chemotherapeutic drugs. A substantial body of literature for more than a decade of research evince that lncRNAs can regulate gene expression at different levels such as epigenetic, transcriptional, posttranscriptional, translational and posttranslational levels, depending on their subcellular localization and through their ability to interact with DNA, RNA and proteins. In this review, we mainly focus on how lncRNAs affect cancer metastasis by modulating expression of key metastasis-associated genes at various levels of gene regulation. We also discuss how lncRNAs confer cancer cells either sensitivity or resistance to various chemo-therapeutic drugs via different mechanisms. Finally, we highlight the immense potential of lncRNAs as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets in cancer.

Long Noncoding RNA AATBC Promotes the Proliferation and Migration of Prostate Cancer Cell Through miR-1245b-5p/CASK Axis

Introduction

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRANs) as suppressive or oncogenic genes have been substantiated in prostate cancer (PCa). In the current study, the role and molecular mechanism of lncRNA AATBC in the progression of PCa was evaluated.

Methods

LncRNA AATBC and miR-1245b-5p expression were evaluated using RT-qPCR. CCK-8, colony-formation, apoptosis and transwell assay were used to analyze the in vitro role. The xenograft model was used to explore the in vivo role. Bioinformatics analysis and a dual luciferase assay, RIP and RNA pull down were used to confirm the interaction between lncRNA AATBC and 1245b-5p, as well as 1245b-5p and CASK.

Results

Firstly, we certified that the expression of AATBC was augmented in PCa, and knockdown of AATBC could significantly inhibit the growth of PCa in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, our results manifested that AATBC could directly bind to miR-1245b-5p. In addition, miR-1245b-5p played cancer-suppressive role in PCa cells. Moreover, CASK was attested as the target of miR-1245b-5p, and CASK was demonstrated to exert as oncogene in the progression of PCa. Finally, rescue assays illustrated that miR-1245b-5p downregulation or CASK restoration could greatly resist the restrained effects of AATBC knockdown on PCa progression.

Conclusion

AATBC could accelerate the progression of PCa through regulating miR-1245b-5p/CASK axis, which provided a potential therapeutic target for PCa treatment.

STAT3 phosphorylation is required for the HepaCAM-mediated inhibition of castration-resistant prostate cancer cell viability and metastasis

BACKGROUND

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is an advanced disease that is difficult to treat, the mechanism of it is unclear. This study illustrated the function of hepatocyte cell adhesion molecule (HepaCAM) on CRPC cell viability and metastasis.

METHODS

The expression of HepaCAM and p-STAT3 in CRPC tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays were deployed to analyze the growth ability of CRPC cells following the adenovirus-mediated re-expression of HepaCAM. CRPC cell migration and invasion capacity were investigated by wound healing and Matrigel-coated transwell assays, respectively. The messenger RNA or protein levels of p-STAT3, CyclinD1, cMyc, MMP2, MMP9, and VEGF were determined by reverse transcription (RT) followed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and western blot analysis after either HepaCAM re-expression alone or in combination with IL-22 treatment. A CRPC orthotopic xenograft mouse model was applied to investigate the functional effect of HepaCAM on the metastasis of CRPC cells to the lungs.

RESULTS

The expression levels of HepaCAM were decreased while those of p-STAT3 were elevated in CRPC cells compare with surrounding benign tissues (p < .001). The overexpression of HepaCAM in CRPC cells notably reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion by inhibiting the expression of p-STAT3, CyclinD1, cMyc, MMP2, MMP9, and VEGF (p < .05). In addition, the expression of HepaCAM significantly inhibited the IL-22/p-STAT3 axis and the metastasis of CRPC cells to the lungs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggested that HepaCAM suppressed the viability of CRPC cells via the IL-22/p-STAT3 axis and inhibited the metastasis of CRPC cells from the prostate to the lungs (p < .05).