Estrogen-responsive cancer-associated fibroblasts promote invasive property of gastric cancer in a paracrine manner via CD147 production

Estrogen receptor positivity in stromal cells of the tumor bed predicts the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast carcinoma

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine estrogen receptor (ER) expression in stromal cells in postchemotherapy tumor bed (PCTB) and its relationship with tumor regression and tumor characteristics.

METHODS

The study included 490 breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). We performed ER in stromal cells in all resection specimens and available pre-treatment core biopsy materials of 299 patients immunohistochemically.

RESULTS

Two hundred and forty-two (49.4%) cases were negative for ER in the stromal cells of the PCTB, and 248 (50.6%) cases were positive. ER-positive stromal cells in the PCTB correlated with a higher regression rate (90.2 vs 68.6%) and lower mean residual cancer burden value (1.366 vs 2.424) compared to ER-negative cases (p < 0.001). Stromal ER positivity was more prevalent in cases achieving pathologic complete response (pCR) (68.1%) compared to those without pCR (39.8%, p < 0.001). ER positivity in stromal cells was more common in non-luminal tumors than in luminal ones. Multivariate analysis identified stromal ER positivity (OR: 3.059, 95% CI [1.947-4.807], p < 0.001), intrinsic subtype (Odds ratio (OR): 1.477, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.102-1.980], p = 0.009), and Ki67 index (OR: 1.028, 95% CI [1.104-1.041], p < 0.001) as independent predictors of pCR. In core biopsies before NAC, 270 cases (90.3%) and 29 cases (9.7%) were negative and positive in stromal cells, respectively. Out of the cases with ER-negativity in stromal cells before NAC, 132 (48.9%) converted to ER positivity in stromal cells of PCTB and displayed a high regression rate (89.8%).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study regarding ER expression in the stroma of breast carcinoma that compares treatment response after NAC. We showed that the increase in ER positivity in the stromal cells of the PCTB is correlative with the complete response and tumor subtypes. In this manner, ER positivity in stromal cells will soon serve as a cornerstone for individualized treatment options.

Modified Gexia-Zhuyu Tang inhibits gastric cancer progression by restoring gut microbiota and regulating pyroptosis

BACKGROUND

Gexia-Zhuyu Tang (GZT), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is used to treat a variety of diseases. However, its roles in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the roles and underlying molecular mechanisms of modified GZT in GC.

METHODS

The effects of modified GZT on GC were investigated by constructing mouse xenograft models with MFC cell line. The fecal samples from low-dose, high-dose, and without modified GZT treatment groups were collected for the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Histopathological alterations of mice were evaluated using the hematoxylin-eosin (HE). Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis with Ki67 and GSDMD was performed to measure tissue cell proliferation and pyroptosis, respectively. Proteins associated with pyroptosis, invasion, and metastasis were detected by Western blotting. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess inflammation-related factors levels.

RESULTS

Modified GZT inhibited GC tumor growth and reduced metastasis and invasion-related proteins expression levels, including CD147, VEGF, and MMP-9. Furthermore, it notably promoted caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis, as evidenced by a dose-dependent increase in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, and LDH levels, along with elevated protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1. Additionally, modified GZT increased species abundance and diversity of the intestinal flora. FMT assay identified that modified GZT inhibited GC tumor progression through regulation of intestinal flora.

CONCLUSIONS

Modified GZT treatment may promote pyroptosis by modulating gut microbiota in GC. This study identifies a new potential approach for the GC clinical treatment.

Estrogens, Estrogen Receptors and Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and the most concerning issues in gynecological oncology in recent years. It is postulated that many factors may contribute to the development of ovarian cancer, including hormonal imbalance. Estrogens are a group of hormones that have an important role both in physiological and pathological processes. In ovarian cancer, they may regulate proliferation, invasiveness and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Estrogen signaling also takes part in the regulation of the biology of the tumor microenvironment. This review summarizes the information connected with estrogen receptors, estrogens and their association with a tumor microenvironment. Moreover, this review also includes information about the changes in estrogen receptor expression upon exposition to various environmental chemicals.

New Perspectives on Sex Steroid Hormones Signaling in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The importance of sex hormones, especially estrogen, in the pathogenesis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has attracted attention due to its high incidence among young adults and nonsmokers, especially those who are female. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) reside in the cancer stroma and influence cancer growth, invasion, metastasis, and acquisition of drug resistance through interactions with cancer cells and other microenvironmental components. Hormone-mediated cell-cell interactions are classic cell-cell interactions and well-known phenomena in breast cancer and prostate cancer CAFs. In cancers of other organs, including NSCLC, the effects of CAFs on hormone-receptor expression and hormone production in cancer tissues have been reported; however, there are few such studies. Many more studies have been performed on breast and prostate cancers. Recent advances in technology, particularly single-cell analysis techniques, have led to significant advances in the classification and function of CAFs. However, the importance of sex hormones in cell-cell interactions of CAFs in NSCLC remains unclear. This review summarizes reports on CAFs in NSCLC and sex hormones in cancer and immune cells surrounding CAFs. Furthermore, we discuss the prospects of sex-hormone research involving CAFs in NSCLC.