Macrophages promote anti-androgen resistance in prostate cancer bone disease

A novel bone metastasis-related gene signature for predicting prognosis, anti-androgen resistance, and drug choice in prostate cancer

Objective

Prostate cancer (PCa) often metastasizes to the bone, posing a significant clinical challenge. This study aims to develop a bone metastasis-related risk model for PCa.

Methods

Bone metastasis-related genes (BMRGs) were identified through a combination of differential gene expression analysis and WGCNA using GSE32269 and GSE77930 datasets. Consensus clustering analysis was employed to determine the significance of these genes in molecular subtyping of PCa. LASSO-Cox regression analysis was utilized to construct the bone metastasis-related prognostic gene signature (BMRPS). The predictive performance of BMRPS was assessed using ROC curves, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and a predictive nomogram. The immune landscape heterogeneity of subgroups was analyzed using CIBERSORT, ESTIMATE, and xCell algorithms. Drug sensitivity and molecular docking analysis were performed to identify drugs associated with BMRPS.

Results

Forty-four BMRGs associated with the prognosis of PCa were identified. Consensus clustering revealed the pivotal role of these genes in stratifying PCa into three distinct prognostic clusters. The BMRPS, consisting of 14 BMRGs, demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy for prognosis and served as an independent prognostic factor in PCa. BMRPS effectively predicted the overall survival of bone metastatic PCa and differentiated bone metastasis from other metastatic types. BMRPS showed a close correlation with the immune landscape and immunotherapeutic response biomarkers. Additionally, BMRPS was associated with anti-androgen resistance, and AZD8186 was identified as a potential BMRPS-related drug that holds promise for personalized treatment in PCa.

Conclusion

BMRPS facilitates the prediction of prognosis and resistance to anti-androgens in PCa. It also offers insights into the molecular mechanisms of bone metastasis and aids in drug selection for the treatment of PCa.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals metabolic remodeling and functional specialization in the immune microenvironment of bone tumors

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the metabolic remodeling and functional specialization of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) of bone tumors, including Ewing's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and giant cell tumor of bone, through high-resolution single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis.

METHODS

Immune cells were isolated from 13 bone tumor samples and profiled via scRNA-seq to delineate cellular compositions, metabolic adaptations, and intercellular communication networks. Differential gene expression analysis, metabolic pathway enrichment, and pseudotime trajectory inference were employed to characterize functional states and differentiation processes of immune cell subsets.

RESULTS

We identified 12 major immune cell clusters with distinct functional and metabolic characteristics. Naïve T cells exhibited amino acid metabolism-dependent activation potential, whereas NK cells relied on lipid metabolism and the TCA cycle for cytotoxic activity. Macrophage subsets demonstrated functional divergence: C06 macrophages adopted lipid metabolism to facilitate immunosuppression and tissue repair, while C04 macrophages displayed pro-inflammatory characteristics associated with complement activation. Intercellular signaling analysis revealed FN1 as a central regulator of immune coordination, governing cell adhesion, migration, and homeostasis within the TME.

CONCLUSION

This study provides novel insights into the metabolic and functional plasticity of immune cells in bone tumor TMEs, underscoring the critical role of metabolic remodeling in immune regulation. Our findings highlight potential therapeutic targets for modulating immune cell function and offering new avenues to improve treatment outcomes for patients with bone tumors.

Overexpression of SERPINA3 inhibits castration-resistant prostate cancer progression by enhancing M1 macrophage recruitment via CXCL2 upregulation

The primary objective of the present study was to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) to verify the potential mechanism of CRPC progression. DEGs from CRPC datasets were filtered with a P<0.05 and Spearman correlation coefficient ≥0.3. Serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade A member 3 (SERPINA3), was uniquely present in three CRPC datasets, and its low expression in CRPC was confirmed in cell lines and tissues. Colony formation, transwell assays, and subcutaneous tumor formation experiments in mice demonstrated that overexpression of SERPINA3 may significantly inhibit the proliferation and invasion of PC3 cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that, in prostate cancer (PCa), SERPINA3 can activate the interleukin (IL)-17 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α signaling pathways by promoting the expression of CXC chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2), thereby increasing the recruitment of M1 macrophages into the tumor microenvironment and inhibiting the progression of PCa. The current results indicated that the expression of SERPINA3 may be negatively correlated with CRPC, and it could promote the M1 polarization of macrophages and inhibit the progression of CRPC by increasing the expression of CXCL2.

Effects of SB939 are mediated by STAT3 to inhibit breast cancer cell metastasis-related genes

The histone deacetylase inhibitor pracinostat (SB939) may inhibit metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer by downregulating fibronectin (FN1) expression through the STAT3 signaling pathway. SB939 exhibits low cytotoxicity and is a potential targeted agent against breast cancer. The present study investigated the value of STAT3 and FN1 as breast cancer treatment targets and integrated cancer databases and bioinformatics tools to evaluate the effect of SB939 on breast cancer metastasis. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, Gene Expression Database of Normal and Tumor Tissues 2, The University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer data analysis portal, GeneMANIA, Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins, LinkedOmics and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource databases were used in the present study. SB939 inhibited enrichment of the STAT3 pathway and decreased the expression of FN1. FN1 and STAT3 expression was markedly higher in breast cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that increased expression of STAT3 and FN1 was associated with low survival in patients with breast cancer with overall, recurrence-free and disease-specific survival and FN1 having the strongest association with MMP2, which facilitating extracellular matrix degradation and metastatic niche formation. Furthermore, MMP2 exhibits crosstalk STAT3 to induce metastasis of breast cancer cells. To conclude, SB939 may be used as a small molecule compound for the clinical treatment of breast cancer.

Astragaloside IV-PESV facilitates pyroptosis by enhancing palmitoylation of GSDMD protein mediated by ZDHHC1

Prostate cancer (PCa) is an epithelial malignancy affecting the prostate gland. Astragaloside IV combined with polypeptide extract from scorpion venom (PESV) has been reported to inhibit the growth of PCa. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which this combination mitigates the progression of PCa. Bioinformatic analysis was utilized to investigate the correlation between zinc finger DHHC-type containing 1 (ZDHHC1) expression and PCa progression. The extent of pyroptosis in PCa cells was assessed by measuring cell viability, IL-1β and IL-18 secretion, LDH release, and HMGB1 content. PCa mouse models were constructed by subcutaneous injection of DU145 or PC-3 cells into nude mice, with subsequent monitoring of tumor weight and volume. ZDHHC1 expression was significantly lower in PCa patient tissues, which correlated with a poor prognosis. ZDHHC1 overexpression inhibited PC-3 and DU145 cell viability and increased IL-1β, IL-18, LDH, and HMGB1 levels in cell supernatants. Notably, the pyroptosis inhibitor LDC7559 partially reversed these effects. Co-IP assay demonstrated an interaction between ZDHHC1 and GSDMD. ZDHHC1 overexpression significantly enhanced GSDMD palmitoylation-mediated membrane translocation and pyroptosis; however, this effect was partially reversed by the palmitoylation inhibitor 2-BP. The combination of Astragaloside IV and PESV promoted GSDMD membrane translocation and pyroptosis in PCa cells, with ZDHHC1 knockdown partially reversing the effects of Astragaloside IV-PESV. Furthermore, treatment with Astragaloside IV-PESV significantly inhibited tumor tissue growth in tumor-bearing nude mouse models. Astragaloside IV-PESV enhances palmitoylation-mediated membrane translocation of GSDMD-N by upregulating ZDHHC1 expression, thereby facilitating pyroptosis in PCa cells and attenuating PCa progression.

Single-cell profiling uncovers the intricate pathological niche diversity in brain, lymph node, bone, and adrenal metastases of lung cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to explore the pathological niche of cancer metastasis and the site-specific interactions between tumor cells and the microenvironment, understand the mechanisms driving metastasis progression and identify potential therapeutic targets.

METHODS

Data from four lung cancer metastasis datasets (GSE123902, GSE131907, GSE148071, and GSE186344) were downloaded and subjected to stringent quality control and filtering. Cell types were identified using canonical markers, and pseudotime trajectory analysis was performed to evaluate cell differentiation. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses, including ssGSEA and GO/KEGG, were conducted. CellphoneDB was used to analyze intercellular communication, ranking receptor-ligand interactions based on communication strength.

RESULTS

Eleven cell types were identified after quality control, revealing significant heterogeneity and site-specific functionality in lung cancer metastases. CTLs showed notable activity in antigen presentation and T-cell differentiation pathways, with DNAJB1⁺ CTLs playing a dominant role in cytotoxicity and immune regulation. B cells, myeloid cells, and CAFs were involved in immune modulation, defense, and matrix remodeling through specific signaling pathways. Tumor cell subclusters drove proliferation, migration, and immune evasion via immune-regulatory, Hippo, and TGF-beta pathways. No overlapping pathways were observed across metastatic sites. Cell communication analysis identified PPIA-BSG and APP-CD74 as key axes in brain and lymph node metastases, while FN1-Integrin and CTLA4-CD86 dominated in bone and adrenal metastases, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, this study highlights the functional heterogeneity and site-specific interactions of cells in lung cancer metastases, providing insights into the mechanisms shaping metastatic niches and potential therapeutic strategies.

Tracing the Evolution of Sex Hormones and Receptor-Mediated Immune Microenvironmental Differences in Prostate and Bladder Cancers: From Embryonic Development to Disease

The bladder and prostate originate from the urogenital sinus. However, bladder cancer (BC) is usually classified as an immune "hot" tumor, whereas prostate cancer (PCa) is deemed as an immune "cold" tumor according to the tumor microenvironment (TME) and clinical outcomes. To investigate the immune differences between BC and PCa, studies are compared focusing on immune regulation mediated by sex hormones and receptors to identify key genes and pathways responsible for the immune differences. From a developmental perspective, it is shown that PCa and BC activate genes and pathways similar to those in the developmental stage. During prostate development, the differential expression and function of the androgen receptor (AR) across cell types may contribute to its dual role in promoting and inhibiting immunity in different cells. Androgen deprivation therapy affects AR function in different cells within the TME, influencing immune cell infiltration and antitumor function. Additionally, estrogenα and estrogenβ exert contrasting effects in PCa and BC, which may hold the potential for modifying the "cold" and "hot" tumor phenotypes. Future research should target key genes and pathways involved in bladder development to clarify the immune regulatory similarities and differences between BC and PCa.

TET3 is expressed in prostate cancer tumor-associated macrophages and is associated with anti-androgen resistance

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of TET3 in prostate cancer and its effect on the efficacy of anti-androgen therapy (ADT).

METHODS

The expression of TET3 in 1965 cases of prostate cancer and 493 cases of normal prostate tissues were analyzed. The CIBERSORT algorithm evaluated the abundance of 22 tumor-infiltrating immune cells in 497 prostate cancers. Subsequently, the expression of TET3 in prostate cancer TAMs was analyzed using 21,292 cells from single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq). In addition, the trajectory of the differentiation process was reconstructed based on pseudotime analysis. Sensitivity prediction of prostate cancers to ADT was evaluated based on GDSC2 and CTRP databases. Another dataset GSE111177 was employed for further analysis.

RESULTS

TET3 was over-expressed in prostate cancer, and the expression of TET3 in metastatic prostate cancer was higher than that in non-metastatic prostate cancer. The scRNAseq analysis of prostate cancer showed that TET3 was mainly expressed in TAM. TET3 expressed in early and active TAMs, with the activation of signaling pathways such as energy metabolism, cell communication, and cytokine production. Prostate cancer in TET3 high expression group was more sensitive to ADT drugs such as Bicalutamide and AZD3514, and was also more sensitive to chemotherapy drugs such as Cyclophosphamide, Paclitaxel, and Vincristine, and MAPK pathway inhibitors of Docetaxel and Dabrafenib.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of ADT in prostate cancer is related to the expression of TET3 in TAMs, and TET3 may be a potential therapeutic target for coordinating ADT.

Immune microenvironment of cancer bone metastasis

Bone is a common and frequent site of metastasis in cancer patients, leading to a significant reduction in quality of life and increased mortality. Bone marrow, the primary site of hematopoiesis, also serves as both a primary and secondary lymphoid organ. It harbors and supports a diverse array of immune cells, thereby creating a distinct immune microenvironment. These immune cells engage in a range of activities, including anti-tumor, pro-tumor, or a combination of both, which influence the development and progression of bone metastases. Rapid advances in cancer immunotherapy have underscored its potential to eradicate bone metastases. However, clinical outcomes have not yet met expectations. To improve the efficacy of immunotherapy, it is crucial to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the immune microenvironment within bone metastases. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the role of different immune cells, their anti-tumor and pro-tumor activities, and their overall contribution to bone metastasis.

New players in the landscape of renal cell carcinoma bone metastasis and therapeutic opportunities

Approximately one-third of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients develop osteolytic bone metastases, leading to skeletal complications. In this review, we first provide a comprehensive perspective of seminal studies on bone metastasis of RCC describing the main molecular modulators and growth factor signaling pathways most important for the RCC-stimulated osteoclast-mediated bone destruction. We next focus on newer developments revealing with in-depth details, the bidirectional interplay between renal cancer cells and the immune and stromal microenvironment that can through epigenetic reprogramming, profoundly affect the behaviors of transformed cells. Understanding their mechanistic interactions is of paramount importance for advancing both fundamental and translational research. These new investigations into the landscape of RCC-bone metastasis offer novel insights and identify potential avenues for future therapeutic interventions.

Harnessing the tumor microenvironment: targeted cancer therapies through modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is integral to cancer progression, impacting metastasis and treatment response. It consists of diverse cell types, extracellular matrix components, and signaling molecules that interact to promote tumor growth and therapeutic resistance. Elucidating the intricate interactions between cancer cells and the TME is crucial in understanding cancer progression and therapeutic challenges. A critical process induced by TME signaling is the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), wherein epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal traits, which enhance their motility and invasiveness and promote metastasis and cancer progression. By targeting various components of the TME, novel investigational strategies aim to disrupt the TME's contribution to the EMT, thereby improving treatment efficacy, addressing therapeutic resistance, and offering a nuanced approach to cancer therapy. This review scrutinizes the key players in the TME and the TME's contribution to the EMT, emphasizing avenues to therapeutically disrupt the interactions between the various TME components. Moreover, the article discusses the TME's implications for resistance mechanisms and highlights the current therapeutic strategies toward TME modulation along with potential caveats.

Osteoimmunology in bone malignancies: a symphony with evil

Bone marrow is pivotal for normal hematopoiesis and immune responses, yet it is often compromised by malignancies. The bone microenvironment (BME), composed of bone and immune cells, maintains skeletal integrity and blood production. The emergence of primary or metastatic tumors in the skeletal system results in severe complications and contributes significantly to cancer-related mortality. These tumors set off a series of interactions among cancer, bone, and immune cells, and disrupt the BME locally or distantly. However, the drivers, participants, and underlying molecules of these interactions are not fully understood. This review explores the crosstalk between bone metabolism and immune responses, synthesizing current knowledge on the intersection of cancer and osteoimmune biology. It outlines how bone marrow immune cells can either facilitate or hinder tumor progression by interacting with bone cells and pinpoints the molecules responsible for immunosuppression within bone tumors. Moreover, it discusses how primary tumors remotely alter the BME, leading to systemic immune suppression in cancer patients. This knowledge provides critical rationales for emerging immunotherapies in the treatment of bone-related tumors. Taken together, by summarizing the intricate relationship between tumor cells and the BME, this review aims to deepen the understanding of the diversity, complexity, and dynamics at play during bone tumor progression. Ultimately, it highlights the potential of targeting bone-tumor interactions to correct aberrant immune functions, thereby inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis.

Systematic multiomics analysis and in vitro experiments suggest that ITGA5 could serve as a promising therapeutic target for ccRCC

BACKGROUND

Integrin alpha 5 (ITGA5) was previously confirmed to be related to prognosis in several cancer types; however, its function in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and how this molecule regulates tumor progression and the tumor microenvironment (TME) remain to be elucidated.

METHODS

We investigated the prognostic implications of ITGA5 with a machine learning model and evaluated biological behaviors of different levels of ITGA5 expression in vitro. Bioinformatic analysis was performed to explain the comprehensive effect of ITGA5 on the TME and drug sensitivity.

RESULTS

We constructed a machine learning model to elaborate the prognostic implication of ITGA5. As tumorigenesis of ccRCC was tightly relevant with several mutant genes, we investigated the correlation between ITGA5 expression and frequent mutations and found ITGA5 upregulation in VHL mutant ccRCC (P = 0.016). Through overexpressing, silencing, and blocking ITGA5, we verified the role of ITGA5 in promoting ccRCC adverse biological activities; and the potential functions of ITGA5 in ccRCC were bioinformatically demonstrated, summarizing as cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. The localization of ITGA5 primarily in endothelia and macrophages further verified its magnitude in angiogenesis and aroused our excavation in ITGA5 regulation of immune infiltration landscape. Generally, ITGA5-high ccRCC presented an immunosuppressive TME by inducing a lower level of CD8 + T cell infiltration. For the last part we predicted drug sensitivity relevant to ITGA5 and concluded that a joint medication of ITGA5 inhibitors and VEGFR-target drugs (including sunitinib, axitinib, pazopanib, and motesanib) might be a promising therapeutic strategy.

CONCLUSION

Our findings clarified the adverse outcome induced by high expression of ITGA5 in ccRCC patients. In vitro experiments and bioinformatical analysis identified ITGA5 function as predominantly cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and macrophage recruitment. Further, we predicted immune infiltration and medication sensitivity regulation by ITGA5 and proposed a joint use of ITGA5 inhibitors and anti-angiogenetic drugs as a potential potent therapeutic strategy.

IL-17RA/CTSK axis mediates H. pylori-induced castration-resistant prostate cancer growth

In this investigation, we explored the molecular dynamics guiding the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) influenced by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-mediated M2 polarization of macrophages through the IL-17RA/CTSK/EMT axis. An 830-patient clinical trial categorized subjects into hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC) and CRPC groups. H. pylori infection, evaluated by ELISA, exhibited a higher incidence in CRPC patients, impacting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival. In-depth in vitro and in vivo experiments, including 16S rDNA sequencing, immunohistochemical tests, and transcriptome analysis, unveiled that H. pylori promotes CRPC growth and metastasis by upregulating IL-17RA and CTSK, leading to enhanced EMT. Notably, M2 macrophages emerged as pivotal immune cells influencing CRPC progression. This study uncovers a novel pathway wherein H. pylori enrichment exacerbates CRPC by inducing macrophage M2 polarization, IL-17RA/CTSK expression, and EMT activation, shedding light on a previously unrecognized mechanism contributing to the growth and metastasis of CRPC.

Macrophage diversity in cancer dissemination and metastasis

Invasion and metastasis are hallmarks of cancer. In addition to the well-recognized hematogenous and lymphatic pathways of metastasis, cancer cell dissemination can occur via the transcoelomic and perineural routes, which are typical of ovarian and pancreatic cancer, respectively. Macrophages are a universal major component of the tumor microenvironment and, in established tumors, promote growth and dissemination to secondary sites. Here, we review the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in cancer cell dissemination and metastasis, emphasizing the diversity of myeloid cells in different tissue contexts (lungs, liver, brain, bone, peritoneal cavity, nerves). The generally used models of lung metastasis fail to capture the diversity of pathways and tissue microenvironments. A better understanding of TAM diversity in different tissue contexts may pave the way for tailored diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Targeting TUBB3 Suppresses Anoikis Resistance and Bone Metastasis in Prostate Cancer

Bone metastases occur in more than 70% of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) patients, leading to a poor prognosis. Resistance to detachment-induced apoptosis, also known as anoikis, plays a crucial role in the onset of tumor metastasis. Targeting anoikis resistance is of immense therapeutic significance in repression of metastatic spread. In this study, based on an anoikis-related prognostic risk model of PCa, this study identifies TUBB3 as a key anoikis-related prognostic gene that is highly expressed in bone metastatic PCa. TUBB3 expression is increased in anoikis-resistant PCa cells, and TUBB3 depletion significantly reverses anoikis resistance during extracellular matrix (ECM) detachment and inhibits anoikis-resistance-induced PCa cell invasion and migration as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. TUBB3 knockdown significantly reduces αvβ3/FAK/Src axis activation, blocking its downstream oncogenic signaling. In addition, this work develops bone-targeting lipid nanoparticles (BT-LNP) based on bisphosphonate-modified ionizable lipid for systemic delivery of siRNA targeting TUBB3 (siTUBB3). BT-LNP-delivered siTUBB3 therapy with localization in the bone microenvironment significantly attenuate PCa bone metastasis progression in vivo upon intravenous administration. These findings pinpoint that TUBB3, as a key regulator of anoikis resistance, is an effective therapeutic target in bone metastatic PCa and that BT-LNP-mediated systemic delivery of siTUBB3 can be developed as a novel therapeutic strategy for this disease.

Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies a subtype of FN1 + tumor-associated macrophages associated with glioma recurrence and as a biomarker for immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Glioma is the most common primary malignant tumor in the brain, and even with standard treatments including surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the long-term survival rate of patients remains unsatisfactory. Recurrence is one of the leading causes of death in glioma patients. The molecular mechanisms underlying glioma recurrence remain unclear.

METHODS

Our study utilized single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and RNA-seq data to identify a subtype of FN1 + tumor-associated macrophages (FN1 + TAMs) associated with glioma recurrence.

RESULTS

This study revealed an increased abundance of FN1 + TAMs in recurrent gliomas, indicating their potential involvement as a critical factor in glioma recurrence. A negative correlation was observed between the abundance of FN1 + TAMs in primary gliomas and the interval time to recurrence, suggesting poor prognosis for glioma patients with high levels of FN1 + TAMs. Further investigation showed that FN1 + TAMs were enriched in hypoxic tumor regions, implying that metabolic changes in tumors drive the production and recruitment of FN1 + TAMs. Additionally, FN1 + TAMs were found to contribute to the regulation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in gliomas, and their abundance might serve as an indicator of patients' sensitivity to immunotherapy. Finally, we developed a user-friendly website, PRIMEG ( http://www.szflab.site/PRIMEG/ ), for exploring the immune microenvironment of primary and recurrent gliomas.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight a subtype of FN1 + TAMs associated with glioma recurrence, providing new insights into potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, the abundance of FN1 + TAMs hold promise for predicting immune therapy response and aiding in more precise risk stratification of recurrent glioma patients.

Activin A plays an essential role in migration and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells via Smad3 and calcium signaling

Activin A and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are involved in tissue repair and fibrosis in liver injury. This study investigated the impact of activin A on HSC activation and migration. A microfluidic D4-chip was used for examining the cell migration of mouse hepatic stellate cell line MHSteC. The analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that activin βA (Inhba), activin receptor type 1A (Acvr1a) and type 2A (Acvr2a) mRNAs were more significantly expressed in human HSCs than in the hepatocytes. Moreover, activin A promoted MHSteC proliferation and induced MHSteC migration. Furthermore, the MHSteCs treated with activin A exhibited increased levels of migration-related proteins, N-cadherin, Vimentin, α-SMA, MMP2 and MMP9, but a decreased level of E-cadherin. Additionally, activin A treatment significantly increased the p-Smad3 levels and p-Smad3/Smad3 ratio in the MHSteCs, and the Smad3 inhibitor SIS3 attenuated activin A-induced MHSteC proliferation and migration. Simultaneously, activin A increased the calcium levels in the MHSteCs, and the migratory effects of activin A on MHSteCs were weakened by the intracellular calcium ion-chelating agent BAPTA-AM. These data indicate that activin A can promote MHSteC activation and migration through the canonical Smad3 signaling and calcium signaling.

Unveiling the contribution of tumor-associated macrophages in driving epithelial-mesenchymal transition: a review of mechanisms and therapeutic Strategies

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), fundamental constituents of the tumor microenvironment (TME), significantly influence cancer development, primarily by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT endows cancer cells with increased motility, invasiveness, and resistance to therapies, marking a pivotal juncture in cancer progression. The review begins with a detailed exposition on the origins of TAMs and their functional heterogeneity, providing a foundational understanding of TAM characteristics. Next, it delves into the specific molecular mechanisms through which TAMs induce EMT, including cytokines, chemokines and stromal cross-talking. Following this, the review explores TAM-induced EMT features in select cancer types with notable EMT characteristics, highlighting recent insights and the impact of TAMs on cancer progression. Finally, the review concludes with a discussion of potential therapeutic targets and strategies aimed at mitigating TAM infiltration and disrupting the EMT signaling network, thereby underscoring the potential of emerging treatments to combat TAM-mediated EMT in cancer. This comprehensive analysis reaffirms the necessity for continued exploration into TAMs' regulatory roles within cancer biology to refine therapeutic approaches and improve patient outcomes.

Secreted factors from M1 macrophages drive prostate cancer stem cell plasticity by upregulating NANOG, SOX2, and CD44 through NFκB-signaling

The inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME) is a key driver for tumor-promoting processes. Tumor-associated macrophages are one of the main immune cell types in the TME and their increased density is related to poor prognosis in prostate cancer. Here, we investigated the influence of pro-inflammatory (M1) and immunosuppressive (M2) macrophages on prostate cancer lineage plasticity. Our findings reveal that M1 macrophage secreted factors upregulate genes related to stemness while downregulating genes associated with androgen response in prostate cancer cells. The expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) plasticity markers NANOG, KLF4, SOX2, OCT4, and CD44 was stimulated by the secreted factors from M1 macrophages. Moreover, AR and its target gene PSA were observed to be suppressed in LNCaP cells treated with secreted factors from M1 macrophages. Inhibition of NFκB signaling using the IKK16 inhibitor resulted in downregulation of NANOG, SOX2, and CD44 and CSC plasticity. Our study highlights that the secreted factors from M1 macrophages drive prostate cancer cell plasticity by upregulating the expression of CSC plasticity markers through NFκB signaling pathway.

Silencing SPP1 in M2 macrophages inhibits the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer via the MMP9/TGFβ1 axis

Background

M2 macrophages can promote the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), but the specific mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, we are preliminarily exploring the molecular mechanism by which M2 macrophages regulate the progression of CRPC.

Methods

The genes positively correlated with CRPC and with the most significant differences in the GEO32269 dataset were obtained. Database and immunofluorescence experiments were used to validate the localization of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) in localized prostate cancer (PCa), hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC), and CRPC tumor tissues. The function of SPP1 in M2 macrophages was verified through cell scratch, Transwell, and an orthotopic PCa model. PCa database and Western blot were used to verify the relationship between SPP1 and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), as well as the ability of MMP9 in M2 macrophages to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PCa cells.

Results

The primary localization of SPP1 in prostate and CRPC tissues is in macrophages. Silencing SPP1 expression in M2 macrophages promotes their polarization towards the M1 phenotype and significantly inhibits the malignant progression of PCa in vitro and in vivo. SPP1 promotes the expression of MMP9 through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in M2 macrophages. Furthermore, MMP9 enhances the EMT and migratory capabilities of PC3 cells by activating the TGFβ signaling pathway.

Conclusions

We have found that the high expression of SPP1 in M2 macrophages promotes the progression of CRPC through cell-cell interactions. These findings can contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for combating this deadly disease.

Targeting a STING agonist to perivascular macrophages in prostate tumors delays resistance to androgen deprivation therapy

BACKGROUND

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a front-line treatment for prostate cancer. In some men, their tumors can become refractory leading to the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This causes tumors to regrow and metastasize, despite ongoing treatment, and impacts negatively on patient survival. ADT is known to stimulate the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells like protumoral tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells in prostate tumors, as well as hypofunctional T cells. Protumoral TAMs have been shown to accumulate around tumor blood vessels during chemotherapy and radiotherapy in other forms of cancer, where they drive tumor relapse. Our aim was to see whether such perivascular (PV) TAMs also accumulate in ADT-treated prostate tumors prior to CRPC, and, if so, whether selectively inducing them to express a potent immunostimulant, interferon beta (IFNβ), would stimulate antitumor immunity and delay CRPC.

METHODS

We used multiplex immunofluorescence to assess the effects of ADT on the distribution and activation status of TAMs, CD8+T cells, CD4+T cells and NK cells in mouse and/or human prostate tumors. We then used antibody-coated, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to selectively target a STING agonist, 2'3'-cGAMP (cGAMP), to PV TAMs in mouse prostate tumors during ADT.

RESULTS

TAMs accumulated at high density around blood vessels in response to ADT and expressed markers of a protumoral phenotype including folate receptor-beta (FR-β), MRC1 (CD206), CD169 and VISTA. Additionally, higher numbers of inactive (PD-1-) CD8+T cells and reduced numbers of active (CD69+) NK cells were present in these PV tumor areas. LNPs coated with an antibody to FR-β selectively delivered cGAMP to PV TAMs in ADT-treated tumors, where they activated STING and upregulated the expression of IFNβ. This resulted in a marked increase in the density of active CD8+T cells (along with CD4+T cells and NK cells) in PV tumor areas, and significantly delayed the onset of CRPC. Antibody depletion of CD8+T cells during LNP administration demonstrated the essential role of these cells in delay in CRPC induced by LNPs.

CONCLUSION

Together, our data indicate that targeting a STING agonist to PV TAMs could be used to extend the treatment window for ADT in prostate cancer.

The reactive stroma response regulates the immune landscape in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the United States. The neoplastic transformation of prostate epithelia, concomitant with modulations in the stromal compartment, known as reactive stromal response, is critical for the growth, development, and progression of prostate cancer. Reactive stroma typifies an emergent response to disrupted tissue homeostasis commonly observed in wound repair and pathological conditions such as cancer. Despite the significance of reactive stroma in prostate cancer pathobiology, our understanding of the ontogeny, phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, and reactive stromal regulation of the immune microenvironment in prostate cancer remains limited. Traditionally characterized to have an immunologically "cold" tumor microenvironment, prostate cancer presents significant challenges for advancing immunotherapy compared to other solid tumors. This review explores the detrimental role of reactive stroma in prostate cancer, particularly its immunomodulatory function. Understanding the molecular characteristics and dynamic transcriptional program of the reactive stromal populations in tandem with tumor progression could offer insights into enhancing immunotherapy efficacy against prostate cancer.

Integrated profiling identifies DXS253E as a potential prognostic marker in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence suggests that DXS253E is critical for cancer development and progression, but the function and potential mechanism of DXS253E in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain largely unknown. In this study, we evaluated the clinical significance and explored the underlying mechanism of DXS253E in CRC.

METHODS

DXS253E expression in cancer tissues was investigated using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The Kaplan-Meier plot was used to assess the prognosis of DXS253E. The cBioPortal, MethSurv, and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) databases were employed to analyze the mutation profile, methylation, and immune infiltration associated with DXS253E. The biological functions of DXS253E in CRC cells were determined by CCK-8 assay, plate cloning assay, Transwell assay, flow cytometry, lactate assay, western blot, and qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

DXS253E was upregulated in CRC tissues and high DXS253E expression levels were correlated with poor survival in CRC patients. Our bioinformatics analyses showed that high DXS253E gene methylation levels were associated with the favorable prognosis of CRC patients. Furthermore, DXS253E levels were linked to the expression levels of several immunomodulatory genes and an abundance of immune cells. Mechanistically, the overexpression of DXS253E enhanced proliferation, migration, invasion, and the aerobic glycolysis of CRC cells through the AKT/mTOR pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that DXS253E functions as a potential role in CRC progression and may serve as an indicator of outcomes and a therapeutic target for regulating the AKT/mTOR pathway in CRC.

A temporal perspective for tumor-associated macrophage identities and functions

Cancer is a progressive disease that can develop and evolve over decades, with inflammation playing a central role at each of its stages, from tumor initiation to metastasis. In this context, macrophages represent well-established bridges reciprocally linking inflammation and cancer via an array of diverse functions that have spurred efforts to classify them into subtypes. Here, we discuss the intertwines between macrophages, inflammation, and cancer with an emphasis on temporal dynamics of macrophage diversity and functions in pre-malignancy and cancer. By instilling temporal dynamism into the more static classic view of tumor-associated macrophage biology, we propose a new framework to better contextualize their significance in the inflammatory processes that precede and result from the onset of cancer and shape its evolution.

Choline metabolism reprogramming mediates an immunosuppressive microenvironment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by promoting tumor-associated macrophage functional polarization and endothelial cell proliferation

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer is a prevalent malignancy globally, and immunotherapy has revolutionized its treatment. However, resistance to immunotherapy remains a challenge. Abnormal cholinesterase (ChE) activity and choline metabolism are associated with tumor oncogenesis, progression, and poor prognosis in multiple cancers. Yet, the precise mechanism underlying the relationship between ChE, choline metabolism and tumor immune microenvironment in lung cancer, and the response and resistance of immunotherapy still unclear.

METHODS

Firstly, 277 advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving first-line immunotherapy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were enrolled in the study. Pretreatment and the alteration of ChE after 2 courses of immunotherapy and survival outcomes were collected. Kaplan-Meier survival and cox regression analysis were performed, and nomogram was conducted to identify the prognostic and predicted values. Secondly, choline metabolism-related genes were screened using Cox regression, and a prognostic model was constructed. Functional enrichment analysis and immune microenvironment analysis were also conducted. Lastly, to gain further insights into potential mechanisms, single-cell analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Firstly, baseline high level ChE and the elevation of ChE after immunotherapy were significantly associated with better survival outcomes for advanced NSCLC. Constructed nomogram based on the significant variables from the multivariate Cox analysis performed well in discrimination and calibration. Secondly, 4 choline metabolism-related genes (MTHFD1, PDGFB, PIK3R3, CHKB) were screened and developed a risk signature that was found to be related to a poorer prognosis. Further analysis revealed that the choline metabolism-related genes signature was associated with immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, immune escape and metabolic reprogramming. scRNA-seq showed that MTHFD1 was specifically distributed in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), mediating the differentiation and immunosuppressive functions of macrophages, which may potentially impact endothelial cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the discovery of ChE as a prognostic marker in advanced NSCLC, suggesting its potential for identifying patients who may benefit from immunotherapy. Additionally, we developed a prognostic signature based on choline metabolism-related genes, revealing the correlation with the immunosuppressive microenvironment and uncovering the role of MTHFD1 in macrophage differentiation and endothelial cell proliferation, providing insights into the intricate workings of choline metabolism in NSCLC pathogenesis.

Unbiased metastatic niche-labeling identifies estrogen receptor-positive macrophages as a barrier of T cell infiltration during bone colonization

Microenvironment niches determine cellular fates of metastatic cancer cells. However, robust and unbiased approaches to identify niche components and their molecular profiles are lacking. We established Sortase A-Based Microenvironment Niche Tagging (SAMENT), which selectively labels cells encountered by cancer cells during metastatic colonization. SAMENT was applied to multiple cancer models colonizing the same organ and the same cancer to different organs. Common metastatic niche features include macrophage enrichment and T cell depletion. Macrophage niches are phenotypically diverse between different organs. In bone, macrophages express the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and exhibit active ERα signaling in male and female hosts. Conditional knockout of Esr1 in macrophages significantly retarded bone colonization by allowing T cell infiltration. ERα expression was also discovered in human bone metastases of both genders. Collectively, we identified a unique population of ERα+ macrophages in the metastatic niche and functionally tied ERα signaling in macrophages to T cell exclusion during metastatic colonization.

HIGHLIGHTS

SAMENT is a robust metastatic niche-labeling approach amenable to single-cell omics.Metastatic niches are typically enriched with macrophages and depleted of T cells.Direct interaction with cancer cells induces ERα expression in niche macrophages. Knockout of Esr1 in macrophages allows T cell infiltration and retards bone colonization.

Tea polyphenol-engineered hybrid cellular nanovesicles for cancer immunotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a crucial and effective strategy for prostate cancer, while systemic administration may cause profound side effects on normal tissues. More importantly, the ADT can easily lead to resistance by involving the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and high infiltration of M2 macrophages in tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we developed a biomimetic nanotherapeutic platform by deriving cell membrane nanovesicles from cancer cells and probiotics to yield the hybrid cellular nanovesicles (hNVs), loading flutamide (Flu) into the resulting hNVs, and finally modifying the hNVs@Flu with Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). In this nanotherapeutic platform, the hNVs significantly improved the accumulation of hNVs@Flu-EGCG in tumor sites and reprogramed immunosuppressive M2 macrophages into antitumorigenic M1 macrophages, the Flu acted on androgen receptors and inhibited tumor proliferation, and the EGCG promoted apoptosis of prostate cancer cells by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, thus synergistically stimulating the antitumor immunity and reducing the side effects and resistance of ADT. In a prostate cancer mouse model, the hNVs@Flu-EGCG significantly extended the lifespan of mice with tumors and led to an 81.78% reduction in tumor growth compared with the untreated group. Overall, the hNVs@Flu-EGCG are safe, modifiable, and effective, thus offering a promising platform for effective therapeutics of prostate cancer.

Targeting the tumor microenvironment, a new therapeutic approach for prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

A growing number of studies have shown that in addition to adaptive immune cells such as CD8 + T cells and CD4 + T cells, various other cellular components within prostate cancer (PCa) tumor microenvironment (TME), mainly tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), have been increasingly recognized as important modulators of tumor progression and promising therapeutic targets.

OBJECTIVE

In this review, we aim to delineate the mechanisms by which TAMs, CAFs and MDSCs interact with PCa cells in the TME, summarize the therapeutic advancements targeting these cells and discuss potential new therapeutic avenues.

METHODS

We searched PubMed for relevant studies published through December 10 2023 on TAMs, CAFs and MDSCs in PCa.

RESULTS

TAMs, CAFs and MDSCs play a critical role in the tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis of PCa. Moreover, they substantially mediate therapeutic resistance against conventional treatments including anti-androgen therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Therapeutic interventions targeting these cellular components have demonstrated promising effects in preclinical models and several clinical trials for PCa, when administrated alone, or combined with other anti-cancer therapies. However, the lack of reliable biomarkers for patient selection and incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying the interactions between these cellular components and PCa cells hinder their clinical translation and utility.

CONCLUSION

New therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs, CAFs, and MDSCs in PCa hold promising prospects. Future research endeavors should focus on a more comprehensive exploration of the specific mechanisms by which these cells contribute to PCa, aiming to identify additional drug targets and conduct more clinical trials to validate the safety and efficacy of these treatment strategies.

Macrophage heterogeneity in bone metastasis

Previous studies illustrated that macrophage, a type of innate immune cell, plays critical roles in tumour progression and metastasis. Bone is the most frequent site of metastasis for several cancer types including breast, prostate, and lung. In bone metastasis, osteoclast, a macrophage subset specialized in bone resorption, was heavily investigated in the past. Recent studies illustrated that other macrophage subsets, e.g. monocyte-derived macrophages, and bone resident macrophages, promoted bone metastasis independent of osteoclast function. These novel mechanisms further improved our understanding of macrophage heterogeneity in the context of bone metastasis and illustrated new opportunities for future studies.

Moving toward improved immune checkpoint immunotherapy for advanced prostate cancer

Human prostate cancer is a heterogenous malignancy that responds poorly to immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoints. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that is typical of human prostate cancer has been the main obstacle to these treatments. The effectiveness of these therapies is also hindered by acquired resistance, leading to slow progress in prostate cancer immunotherapy. Results from the highly anticipated late-stage clinical trials of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade in patients with advanced prostate cancer have highlighted some of the obstacles to immunotherapy. Despite the setbacks, there is much that has been learned about the mechanisms that drive resistance, and new strategies are being developed and tested. Here, we review the status of immune checkpoint blockade and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and discuss factors contributing to innate and adaptive resistance to immune checkpoint blockade within the context of prostate cancer. We then examine current strategies aiming to overcome these challenges as well as prospects.

Macrophage: Hidden Criminal in Therapy Resistance

BACKGROUND

Although substantial efforts have been made by researchers to develop drugs, a disappointing reality is that the emergence of drug resistance is an unavoidable reality for the majority of patients. In recent years, emerging evidence suggests a connection between drug resistance and immune dysregulation.

SUMMARY

As a ubiquitously distributed, versatile innate immune cell, macrophages play essential roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis in a steady state. Nevertheless, it is becoming aware that macrophages undermine the action of therapeutic drugs across various disease types. Reprogramming macrophage function has been proven to be effective in restoring patient responsiveness to treatment. Herein, we comprehensively reviewed how macrophages respond to drugs and the mechanisms by which they contribute to treatment unresponsiveness in cancer, inflammatory diseases, and metabolic diseases. In addition, future prospects in macrophage-based combination therapy were discussed.

KEY MESSAGES

Targeting macrophages is a promising strategy for overcoming drug resistance in immune disorders.

Identification macrophage signatures in prostate cancer by single-cell sequencing and machine learning

BACKGROUND

The tumor microenvironment (TME) encompasses a variety of cells that influence immune responses and tumor growth, with tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) being a crucial component of the TME. TAM can guide prostate cancer in different directions in response to various external stimuli.

METHODS

First, we downloaded prostate cancer single-cell sequencing data and second-generation sequencing data from multiple public databases. From these data, we identified characteristic genes associated with TAM clusters. We then employed machine learning techniques to select the most accurate TAM gene set and developed a TAM-related risk label for prostate cancer. We analyzed the tumor-relatedness of the TAM-related risk label and different risk groups within the population. Finally, we validated the accuracy of the prognostic label using single-cell sequencing data, qPCR, and WB assays, among other methods.

RESULTS

In this study, the TAM_2 cell cluster has been identified as promoting the progression of prostate cancer, possibly representing M2 macrophages. The 9 TAM feature genes selected through ten machine learning methods and demonstrated their effectiveness in predicting the progression of prostate cancer patients. Additionally, we have linked these TAM feature genes to clinical pathological characteristics, allowing us to construct a nomogram. This nomogram provides clinical practitioners with a quantitative tool for assessing the prognosis of prostate cancer patients.

CONCLUSION

This study has analyzed the potential relationship between TAM and PCa and established a TAM-related prognostic model. It holds promise as a valuable tool for the management and treatment of PCa patients.

Forces at play: exploring factors affecting the cancer metastasis

Metastatic disease, a leading and lethal indication of deaths associated with tumors, results from the dissemination of metastatic tumor cells from the site of primary origin to a distant organ. Dispersion of metastatic cells during the development of tumors at distant organs leads to failure to comply with conventional treatments, ultimately instigating abrupt tissue homeostasis and organ failure. Increasing evidence indicates that the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a crucial factor in cancer progression and the process of metastatic tumor development at secondary sites. TME comprises several factors contributing to the initiation and progression of the metastatic cascade. Among these, various cell types in TME, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), T cells, and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), are significant players participating in cancer metastasis. Besides, various other factors, such as extracellular matrix (ECM), gut microbiota, circadian rhythm, and hypoxia, also shape the TME and impact the metastatic cascade. A thorough understanding of the functions of TME components in tumor progression and metastasis is necessary to discover new therapeutic strategies targeting the metastatic tumor cells and TME. Therefore, we reviewed these pivotal TME components and highlighted the background knowledge on how these cell types and disrupted components of TME influence the metastatic cascade and establish the premetastatic niche. This review will help researchers identify these altered components' molecular patterns and design an optimized, targeted therapy to treat solid tumors and restrict metastatic cascade.

Targeting tumor and bone microenvironment: Novel therapeutic opportunities for castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with bone metastasis

Despite standard hormonal therapy that targets the androgen receptor (AR) attenuates prostate cancer (PCa) effectively in the initial stage, the tumor ultimately converts to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), and the acquired resistance is still a great challenge for the management of advanced prostate cancer patients. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of multiple cellular and noncellular agents is well known as a vital role during the development and progression of CRPC by establishing communication between TME and tumor cells. Additionally, as primary prostate cancer progresses towards metastasis, and CRPC always experiences bone metastasis, the TME is conducive to the spread of tumors to the distant sits, particularly in bone. In addition, the bone microenvironment (BME) is also closely related to the survival, growth and colonization of metastatic tumor cells. The present review summarized the recent studies which mainly focused on the role of TME or BME in the CRPC patients with bone metastasis, and discussed the underlying mechanisms, as well as the potential therapeutic values of targeting TME and BME in the management of metastatic CRPC patients.

Taurine Inhibits Ferroptosis Mediated by the Crosstalk between Tumor Cells and Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Prostate Cancer

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play an essential role in tumor therapeutic resistance. Although the lethal effect of ferroptosis on tumor cells is well reported, how TAMs inhibit the effect of ferroptosis in tumors has not been clearly defined. In this study, it is demonstrated that TAM-secreted taurine suppresses ferroptosis in prostate cancer (PCa) by activating the Liver X receptor alpha/Stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1 (LXRα/SCD1) pathway. Blocking taurine intake via inhibition of taurine transporter TauT restores the sensitivity to ferroptosis in tumors. Furthermore, LXRα activates the transcription of both miR-181a-5p and its binding protein FUS to increase the recruitment of miR-181a-5p in tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). It is observed that macrophages appear to be recipient cells of the miR-181a-5p-enriched EVs. Intake of miR-181a-5p in macrophages promotes their M2 polarization and enhances the taurine export by inhibiting expression of its target gene lats1, which in turn inactivates the hippo pathway and results in a Yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear translocation for transcriptional activation of both M2 polarization-related genes such as ARG1 and CD163 and the taurine transport gene TauT. Taken together, the findings indicate a reciprocal interaction between PCa cells and TAMs as a positive feedback-loop to repress ferroptosis in PCa, mediated by TAM-secreted taurine and tumor EV-delivered miR-181a-5p.

Role of gonadally synthesized steroid hormones in the colorectal cancer microenvironment

Objective

To understand the relationship between steroid hormones synthesized by the gonads and colorectal cancer as well as its tumor microenvironment, in the expectation of providing new ideas in order to detect and treat colorectal cancer.

Methods

Through reviewing the relevant literature at home and abroad, we summarized that androgens promote the growth of colorectal cancer, and estrogens and progesterone help prevent bowel cancer from developing; these three hormones also have a relevant role in the cellular and other non-cellular components of the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer.

Conclusion

The current literature suggests that androgens, estrogens, and progesterone are valuable in diagnosing and treating colorectal cancer, and that androgens promote the growth of colorectal cancer whereas estrogens and progesterone inhibit colorectal cancer, and that, in addition, the receptors associated with them are implicated in the modulation of a variety of cellular components of the microenvironment of colorectal cancer.

Prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index, and pan-immune-inflammation value in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients who underwent 177Lu-PSMA-617

This study is aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of inflammation indices, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients who had received lutetium labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (177Lu-PSMA-617) therapy. Sixty-one mCRPC patients who received 177Lu-PSMA-617 treatment and followed up in Kocaeli University were included. The relationship between overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and clinical and laboratory parameters was analyzed by multivariate analyses. The mean age was 69.8 ± 6.9 years. The mean follow-up time was 53.2 ± 24 months. The median OS was 14 (95% CI: 8.8-18.1) and the median PFS was 10.4 (95% CI: 4.7-17.2) months. NLR ≥ 2.7, PLR ≥ 134.27, SII ≥ 570.39, PIV ≥ 408.59 were considered as elevated levels. In the multivariate analysis for OS, baseline ECOG performance score (HR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.01-3.65, P = .046), high albümin (HR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.16-0.82, P = .015), primary resistant total prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) (HR: 4.37, 95% CI: 1.84-10.35, P = .001), high NLR (HR: 3.32, 95% CI: 1.66-6.65, P = .001), high MLR (HR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.35-4.76, P = .004), high PLR (HR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.23-4.96, P = .01), and high SII (HR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.09-4.32, P = .027) were associated with shorter OS. However, PIV was not associated with survival (P = .69). No factor other than the primer-resistant PSA could be identified as having an impact on PFS (for the PSA, HR: 4.52, 95% CI: 1.89-10.76, P = .001). In this study, pretreatment NLR, MLR, PLR, and SII demonstrate as powerful independent prognostic indices predicting survival in patients with mCRPC receiving 177Lu-PSMA-617 therapy.

New insights into molecular signaling pathways and current advancements in prostate cancer diagnostics & therapeutics

Prostate adenocarcinoma accounts for more than 20% of deaths among males due to cancer. It is the fifth-leading cancer diagnosed in males across the globe. The mortality rate is quite high due to prostate cancer. Despite the fact that advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics have been made, there is a lack of effective drugs. Metabolic pathways are altered due to the triggering of androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathways, and elevated levels of dihydrotestosterone are produced due to defects in AR signaling that accelerate the growth of prostate cancer cells. Further, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways interact with AR signaling pathway and act as precursors to promote prostate cancer. Prostate cancer therapy has been classified into luminal A, luminal B, and basal subtypes. Therapeutic drugs inhibiting dihydrotestosterone and PI3K have shown to give promising results to combat prostate cancer. Many second-generation Androgen receptor signaling antagonists are given either as single agent or with the combination of other drugs. In order to develop a cure for metastasized prostate cancer cells, Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is applied by using surgical or chemical methods. In many cases, Prostatectomy or local radiotherapy are used to control metastasized prostate cancer. However, it has been observed that after 1.5 years to 2 years of Prostatectomy or castration, there is reoccurrence of prostate cancer and high incidence of castration resistant prostate cancer is seen in population undergone ADT. It has been observed that Androgen derivation therapy combined with drugs like abiraterone acetate or docetaxel improve overall survival rate in metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) patients. Scientific investigations have revealed that drugs inhibiting poly ADP Ribose polymerase (PARP) are showing promising results in clinical trials in the prostate cancer population with mCRPC and DNA repair abnormalities. Recently, RISUG adv (reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance) has shown significant results against prostate cancer cell lines and MTT assay has validated substantial effects of this drug against PC3 cell lines. Current review paper highlights the advancements in prostate cancer therapeutics and new drug molecules against prostate cancer. It will provide detailed insights on the signaling pathways which need to be targeted to combat metastasized prostate cancer and castration resistant prostate cancer.

Molecular Targeted Therapies in Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Recent Advances and Future Challenges

Prostate cancer is the most frequent malignant tumor in men, and, despite the great improvements in survival in patients with localized cancer, the prognosis for metastatic disease remains poor. Novel molecular targeted therapies, which block specific molecules or signaling pathways in tumor cells or in their microenvironment, have shown encouraging results in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Among these therapeutic approaches, prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted radionuclide therapies and DNA repair inhibitors represent the most promising ones, with some therapeutic protocols already approved by the FDA, whereas therapies targeting tumor neovascularization and immune checkpoint inhibitors have not yet demonstrated clear clinical benefits. In this review, the most relevant studies and clinical trials on this topic are illustrated and discussed, together with future research directions and challenges.

Macrophages and bone metastasis

In the prostate bone metastasis microenvironment, macrophages activate a cascade that involves Activin A, the extracellular matrix, and SRC kinase and drives resistance to anti-androgen therapy. These findings (Li et al., 2023. J. Exp. Med.https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20221007) have broad implications, including metastasis diversity in different tissue milieus and the interplay between hormones and immunity.