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Felipe I, Real FX. PDAC heterogeneity resolved spatially at the single-cell level: new biological answers, new questions on optimal translation †. J Pathol 2024. [PMID: 38828491 DOI: 10.1002/path.6293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive disease. Developing new strategies and using powerful methodologies for its early detection, coupled with in-depth comprehension of the mechanisms governing subtype evolution, will not only help to stratify PDAC patients' prognosis but also prevent unfavourable subtype plasticity upon treatment with chemotherapy. Michiels et al have developed a new approach to better capture PDAC heterogeneity at the single tumour duct spatial resolution level, leveraging detection of transcripts for mutant KRAS and multiple subtype markers. Their study sheds light on the association of mutant KRAS and PDAC phenotypic heterogeneity. The findings support functional cooperation of plastic tumour cells and opens new challenges towards PDAC patient stratification and therapeutic intervention. Pathology-based tools will be of prime importance to address these issues in a clinically meaningful manner. © 2024 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Felipe
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Centre - CNIO, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco X Real
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Centre - CNIO, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Medicina i Ciències de la Vida, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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2
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van Eijck CWF, Real FX, Malats N, Vadgama D, van den Bosch TPP, Doukas M, van Eijck CHJ, Mustafa DAM. GATA6 identifies an immune-enriched phenotype linked to favorable outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing upfront surgery. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101557. [PMID: 38733987 PMCID: PMC11148804 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
This study underscores GATA6's role in distinguishing classical and basal-like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) phenotypes. Retrospective studies associate GATA6 immunohistochemistry (IHC) expression with survival outcomes, warranting prospective validation. In a prospective treatment-naive cohort of patients with resected PDAC, GATA6 IHC proves a prognostic discriminator, associating high GATA6 expression with extended survival and the classical PDAC phenotype. However, GATA6's prognostic significance is numerically lower after gemcitabine-based neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy compared to its significance in patients treated with upfront surgery. Furthermore, GATA6 is implicated in immunomodulation, although a comprehensive investigation of its immunological role is lacking. Treatment-naive PDAC tumors with varying GATA6 expression yield distinct immunological landscapes. Tumors highly expressing GATA6 show reduced infiltration of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and M2 macrophages but increased infiltration of immune-stimulating, antigen-presenting, and activated T cells. Our findings caution against solely relying on GATA6 for molecular subtyping in clinical trials and open avenues for exploring immune-based combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casper W F van Eijck
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Francisco X Real
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Cáncer, Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Malats
- Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Disha Vadgama
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Thierry P P van den Bosch
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michail Doukas
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Casper H J van Eijck
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dana A M Mustafa
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Bioinformatics, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; The Tumor Immuno-Pathology Laboratory, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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3
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Tonelli C, Yordanov GN, Hao Y, Deschênes A, Hinds J, Belleau P, Klingbeil O, Brosnan E, Doshi A, Park Y, Hruban RH, Vakoc CR, Dobin A, Preall J, Tuveson DA. A mucus production programme promotes classical pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Gut 2024; 73:941-954. [PMID: 38262672 PMCID: PMC11088527 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-329839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The optimal therapeutic response in cancer patients is highly dependent upon the differentiation state of their tumours. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal cancer that harbours distinct phenotypic subtypes with preferential sensitivities to standard therapies. This study aimed to investigate intratumour heterogeneity and plasticity of cancer cell states in PDA in order to reveal cell state-specific regulators. DESIGN We analysed single-cell expression profiling of mouse PDAs, revealing intratumour heterogeneity and cell plasticity and identified pathways activated in the different cell states. We performed comparative analysis of murine and human expression states and confirmed their phenotypic diversity in specimens by immunolabeling. We assessed the function of phenotypic regulators using mouse models of PDA, organoids, cell lines and orthotopically grafted tumour models. RESULTS Our expression analysis and immunolabeling analysis show that a mucus production programme regulated by the transcription factor SPDEF is highly active in precancerous lesions and the classical subtype of PDA - the most common differentiation state. SPDEF maintains the classical differentiation and supports PDA transformation in vivo. The SPDEF tumour-promoting function is mediated by its target genes AGR2 and ERN2/IRE1β that regulate mucus production, and inactivation of the SPDEF programme impairs tumour growth and facilitates subtype interconversion from classical towards basal-like differentiation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings expand our understanding of the transcriptional programmes active in precancerous lesions and PDAs of classical differentiation, determine the regulators of mucus production as specific vulnerabilities in these cell states and reveal phenotype switching as a response mechanism to inactivation of differentiation states determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tonelli
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | | | - Yuan Hao
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Astrid Deschênes
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Juliene Hinds
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Pascal Belleau
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Olaf Klingbeil
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Erin Brosnan
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Abhishek Doshi
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Youngkyu Park
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Ralph H Hruban
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Alexander Dobin
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Jonathan Preall
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - David A Tuveson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
- Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
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4
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Zhao Y, Tang H, Xu J, Sun F, Zhao Y, Li Y. HNF4A-Bridging the Gap Between Intestinal Metaplasia and Gastric Cancer. Evol Bioinform Online 2024; 20:11769343241249017. [PMID: 38680615 PMCID: PMC11047246 DOI: 10.1177/11769343241249017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Intestinal metaplasia (IM) of gastric epithelium has traditionally been regarded as an irreversible stage in the process of the Correa cascade. Exploring the potential molecular mechanism of IM is significant for effective gastric cancer prevention. Methods The GSE78523 dataset, obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, was analyzed using RStudio software to identify the differently expressed genes (DEGs) between IM tissues and normal gastric epithelial tissues. Subsequently, gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GESA), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis were used to find potential genes. Additionally, the screened genes were analyzed for clinical, immunological, and genetic correlation aspects using single gene clinical correlation analysis (UALCAN), Tumor-Immune System Interactions Database (TISIDB), and validated through western blot experiments. Results Enrichment analysis showed that the lipid metabolic pathway was significantly associated with IM tissues and the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene was identified in the subsequent analysis. Experiment results and correlation analysis showed that the expression of APOB was higher in IM tissues than in normal tissues. This elevated expression of APOB was also found to be associated with the expression levels of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4A (HNF4A) gene. HNF4A was also found to be associated with immune cell infiltration to gastric cancer and was linked to the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Moreover, HNF4A was also highly expressed in both IM tissues and gastric cancer cells. Conclusion Our findings indicate that HNF4A regulates the microenvironment of lipid metabolism in IM tissues by targeting APOB. Higher expression of HNF4A tends to lead to a worse prognosis in gastric cancer patients implying it may serve as a predictive indicator for the progression from IM to gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jianhua Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Feifei Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Wang SS, Hall ML, Lee E, Kim SC, Ramesh N, Lee SH, Jang JY, Bold RJ, Ku JL, Hwang CI. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing identifies stage- and subtype-specific DNA methylation signatures in pancreatic cancer. iScience 2024; 27:109414. [PMID: 38532888 PMCID: PMC10963232 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), no recurrent metastasis-specific mutation has been found, suggesting that epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, are the major contributors of late-stage disease progression. Here, we performed the first whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) on mouse and human PDAC organoid models to identify stage-specific and molecular subtype-specific DNA methylation signatures. With this approach, we identified thousands of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that can distinguish between the stages and molecular subtypes of PDAC. Stage-specific DMRs are associated with genes related to nervous system development and cell-cell adhesions, and are enriched in promoters and bivalent enhancers. Subtype-specific DMRs showed hypermethylation of GATA6 foregut endoderm transcriptional networks in the squamous subtype and hypermethylation of EMT transcriptional networks in the progenitor subtype. These results indicate that aberrant DNA methylation contributes to both PDAC progression and subtype differentiation, resulting in significant and reoccurring DNA methylation patterns with diagnostic and prognostic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S. Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Madison L. Hall
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - EunJung Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Soon-Chan Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korean Cell Line Bank, Laboratory of Cell Biology and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Neha Ramesh
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sang Hyub Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin-Young Jang
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Richard J. Bold
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Ja-Lok Ku
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korean Cell Line Bank, Laboratory of Cell Biology and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chang-Il Hwang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Ren J, Ren B, Liu X, Cui M, Fang Y, Wang X, Zhou F, Gu M, Xiao R, Bai J, You L, Zhao Y. Crosstalk between metabolic remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming: A new perspective on pancreatic cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 587:216649. [PMID: 38311052 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant solid tumor with a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. Thus, exploring the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of pancreatic cancer is critical for identifying targets for diagnosis and treatment. Two important hallmarks of cancer-metabolic remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming-are interconnected and closely linked to regulate one another, creating a complex interaction landscape that is implicated in tumorigenesis, invasive metastasis, and immune escape. For example, metabolites can be involved in the regulation of epigenetic enzymes as substrates or cofactors, and alterations in epigenetic modifications can in turn regulate the expression of metabolic enzymes. The crosstalk between metabolic remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming in pancreatic cancer has gained considerable attention. Here, we review the emerging data with a focus on the reciprocal regulation of metabolic remodeling and epigenetic reprogramming. We aim to highlight how these mechanisms could be applied to develop better therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Bo Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Ming Cui
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Feihan Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Minzhi Gu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Ruiling Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Jialu Bai
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Lei You
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
| | - Yupei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100023, PR China; National Science and Technology Key Infrastructure on Translational Medicine in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100023, PR China.
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Grygoryev D, Ekstrom T, Manalo E, Link JM, Alshaikh A, Keith D, Allen-Petersen BL, Sheppard B, Morgan T, Soufi A, Sears RC, Kim J. Sendai virus is robust and consistent in delivering genes into human pancreatic cancer cells. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27221. [PMID: 38463758 PMCID: PMC10923719 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly intratumorally heterogeneous disease that includes several subtypes and is highly plastic. Effective gene delivery to all PDAC cells is essential for modulating gene expression and identifying potential gene-based therapeutic targets in PDAC. Most current gene delivery systems for pancreatic cells are optimized for islet or acinar cells. Lentiviral vectors are the current main gene delivery vectors for PDAC, but their transduction efficiencies vary depending on pancreatic cell type, and are especially poor for the classical subtype of PDAC cells from both primary tumors and cell lines. Methods We systemically compare transduction efficiencies of glycoprotein G of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-G)-pseudotyped lentiviral and Sendai viral vectors in human normal pancreatic ductal and PDAC cells. Results We find that the Sendai viral vector gives the most robust gene delivery efficiency regardless of PDAC cell type. Therefore, we propose using Sendai viral vectors to transduce ectopic genes into PDAC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmytro Grygoryev
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center at Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Taelor Ekstrom
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center at Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Elise Manalo
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center at Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Jason M. Link
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
- Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Amani Alshaikh
- The University of Edinburgh, Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Edinburgh, UK
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Health Sector (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dove Keith
- Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Brittany L. Allen-Petersen
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
- Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Brett Sheppard
- Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Terry Morgan
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center at Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
- Cancer Biology Research Program, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Abdenour Soufi
- The University of Edinburgh, Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, Institute of Stem Cell Research, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rosalie C. Sears
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
- Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
- Cancer Biology Research Program, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Jungsun Kim
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center at Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, USA
- Cancer Biology Research Program, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
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8
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Guo Z, Ashrafizadeh M, Zhang W, Zou R, Sethi G, Zhang X. Molecular profile of metastasis, cell plasticity and EMT in pancreatic cancer: a pre-clinical connection to aggressiveness and drug resistance. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:29-53. [PMID: 37453022 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10125-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The metastasis is a multistep process in which a small proportion of cancer cells are detached from the colony to enter into blood cells for obtaining a new place for metastasis and proliferation. The metastasis and cell plasticity are considered major causes of cancer-related deaths since they improve the malignancy of cancer cells and provide poor prognosis for patients. Furthermore, enhancement in the aggressiveness of cancer cells has been related to the development of drug resistance. Metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells has been considered one of the major causes of death in patients and their undesirable prognosis. PC is among the most malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and in addition to lifestyle, smoking, and other factors, genomic changes play a key role in its progression. The stimulation of EMT in PC cells occurs as a result of changes in molecular interaction, and in addition to increasing metastasis, EMT participates in the development of chemoresistance. The epithelial, mesenchymal, and acinar cell plasticity can occur and determines the progression of PC. The major molecular pathways including STAT3, PTEN, PI3K/Akt, and Wnt participate in regulating the metastasis of PC cells. The communication in tumor microenvironment can provide by exosomes in determining PC metastasis. The components of tumor microenvironment including macrophages, neutrophils, and cancer-associated fibroblasts can modulate PC progression and the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenli Guo
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, 128 Jinling Road, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, 341000, China
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Rongjun Zou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
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9
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Uddin MH, Zhang D, Muqbil I, El-Rayes BF, Chen H, Philip PA, Azmi AS. Deciphering cellular plasticity in pancreatic cancer for effective treatments. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:393-408. [PMID: 38194153 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Cellular plasticity and therapy resistance are critical features of pancreatic cancer, a highly aggressive and fatal disease. The pancreas, a vital organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones, is often affected by two main types of cancer: the pre-dominant ductal adenocarcinoma and the less common neuroendocrine tumors. These cancers are difficult to treat due to their complex biology characterized by cellular plasticity leading to therapy resistance. Cellular plasticity refers to the capability of cancer cells to change and adapt to different microenvironments within the body which includes acinar-ductal metaplasia, epithelial to mesenchymal/epigenetic/metabolic plasticity, as well as stemness. This plasticity allows heterogeneity of cancer cells, metastasis, and evasion of host's immune system and develops resistance to radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. To overcome this resistance, extensive research is ongoing exploring the intrinsic and extrinsic factors through cellular reprogramming, chemosensitization, targeting metabolic, key survival pathways, etc. In this review, we discussed the mechanisms of cellular plasticity involving cellular adaptation and tumor microenvironment and provided a comprehensive understanding of its role in therapy resistance and ways to overcome it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Hafiz Uddin
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Dingqiang Zhang
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA
| | - Irfana Muqbil
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA
| | - Bassel F El-Rayes
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Herbert Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Philip A Philip
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Henry Ford Health Systems, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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10
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Orlacchio A, Muzyka S, Gonda TA. Epigenetic therapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 383:1-40. [PMID: 38359967 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal solid malignancies, characterized by its aggressiveness and metastatic potential, with a 5-year survival rate of only 8-11%. Despite significant improvements in PDAC treatment and management, therapeutic alternatives are still limited. One of the main reasons is its high degree of intra- and inter-individual tumor heterogeneity which is established and maintained through a complex network of transcription factors and epigenetic regulators. Epigenetic drugs, have shown promising preclinical results in PDAC and are currently being evaluated in clinical trials both for their ability to sensitize cancer cells to cytotoxic drugs and to counteract the immunosuppressive characteristic of PDAC tumor microenvironment. In this review, we discuss the current status of epigenetic treatment strategies to overcome molecular and cellular PDAC heterogeneity in order to improve response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Orlacchio
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Stephen Muzyka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tamas A Gonda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, New York University, New York, NY, United States.
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11
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Ramal M, Corral S, Kalisz M, Lapi E, Real FX. The urothelial gene regulatory network: understanding biology to improve bladder cancer management. Oncogene 2024; 43:1-21. [PMID: 37996699 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02876-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The urothelium is a stratified epithelium composed of basal cells, one or more layers of intermediate cells, and an upper layer of differentiated umbrella cells. Most bladder cancers (BLCA) are urothelial carcinomas. Loss of urothelial lineage fidelity results in altered differentiation, highlighted by the taxonomic classification into basal and luminal tumors. There is a need to better understand the urothelial transcriptional networks. To systematically identify transcription factors (TFs) relevant for urothelial identity, we defined highly expressed TFs in normal human bladder using RNA-Seq data and inferred their genomic binding using ATAC-Seq data. To focus on epithelial TFs, we analyzed RNA-Seq data from patient-derived organoids recapitulating features of basal/luminal tumors. We classified TFs as "luminal-enriched", "basal-enriched" or "common" according to expression in organoids. We validated our classification by differential gene expression analysis in Luminal Papillary vs. Basal/Squamous tumors. Genomic analyses revealed well-known TFs associated with luminal (e.g., PPARG, GATA3, FOXA1) and basal (e.g., TP63, TFAP2) phenotypes and novel candidates to play a role in urothelial differentiation or BLCA (e.g., MECOM, TBX3). We also identified TF families (e.g., KLFs, AP1, circadian clock, sex hormone receptors) for which there is suggestive evidence of their involvement in urothelial differentiation and/or BLCA. Genomic alterations in these TFs are associated with BLCA. We uncover a TF network involved in urothelial cell identity and BLCA. We identify novel candidate TFs involved in differentiation and cancer that provide opportunities for a better understanding of the underlying biology and therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ramal
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Corral
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mark Kalisz
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eleonora Lapi
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco X Real
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
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12
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Qu N, Luan T, Liu N, Kong C, Xu L, Yu H, Kang Y, Han Y. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 a (HNF4α): A perspective in cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115923. [PMID: 38000355 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
HNF4α, a transcription factor, plays a vital role in regulating functional genes and biological processes. Its alternative splicing leads to various transcript variants encoding different isoforms. The spotlight has shifted towards the extensive discussion on tumors interplayed withHNF4α abnormalities. Aberrant HNF4α expression has emerged as sentinel markers of epigenetic shifts, casting reverberations upon downstream target genes and intricate signaling pathways, most notably with cancer. This review provides a comprehensive overview of HNF4α's involvement in tumor progression and metastasis, elucidating its role and underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningxin Qu
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ting Luan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Naiquan Liu
- The Nephrological Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chenhui Kong
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Le Xu
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hong Yu
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ye Kang
- The Pathology Dept, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ye Han
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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13
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Canel M, Sławińska AD, Lonergan DW, Kallor AA, Upstill-Goddard R, Davidson C, von Kriegsheim A, Biankin AV, Byron A, Alfaro J, Serrels A. FAK suppresses antigen processing and presentation to promote immune evasion in pancreatic cancer. Gut 2023; 73:131-155. [PMID: 36977556 PMCID: PMC10715489 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Immunotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has shown limited efficacy. Poor CD8 T-cell infiltration, low neoantigen load and a highly immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment contribute to this lack of response. Here, we aimed to further investigate the immunoregulatory function of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in PDAC, with specific emphasis on regulation of the type-II interferon response that is critical in promoting T-cell tumour recognition and effective immunosurveillance. DESIGN We combined CRISPR, proteogenomics and transcriptomics with mechanistic experiments using a KrasG12Dp53R172H mouse model of pancreatic cancer and validated findings using proteomic analysis of human patient-derived PDAC cell lines and analysis of publicly available human PDAC transcriptomics datasets. RESULTS Loss of PDAC cell-intrinsic FAK signalling promotes expression of the immunoproteasome and Major Histocompatibility Complex class-I (MHC-I), resulting in increased antigen diversity and antigen presentation by FAK-/- PDAC cells. Regulation of the immunoproteasome by FAK is a critical determinant of this response, optimising the physicochemical properties of the peptide repertoire for high affinity binding to MHC-I. Expression of these pathways can be further amplified in a STAT1-dependent manner via co-depletion of FAK and STAT3, resulting in extensive infiltration of tumour-reactive CD8 T-cells and further restraint of tumour growth. FAK-dependent regulation of antigen processing and presentation is conserved between mouse and human PDAC, but is lost in cells/tumours with an extreme squamous phenotype. CONCLUSION Therapies aimed at FAK degradation may unlock additional therapeutic benefit for the treatment of PDAC through increasing antigen diversity and promoting antigen presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Canel
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - David W Lonergan
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ashwin Adrian Kallor
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Rosie Upstill-Goddard
- The Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Catherine Davidson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alex von Kriegsheim
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew V Biankin
- The Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Adam Byron
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Javier Alfaro
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Alan Serrels
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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14
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Srilatha M, Malla R, Adem MP, Foote JB, Nagaraju GP. Obesity associated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Therapeutic challenges. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 97:12-20. [PMID: 37926347 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a prominent health issue worldwide and directly impacts pancreatic health, with obese individuals exhibiting a significant risk for increasing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Several factors potentially explain the increased risk for the development of PDAC, including obesity-induced chronic inflammation within and outside of the pancreas, development of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction, promotion of immune suppression within the pancreas during inflammation, pre- and malignant stages, variations in hormones levels (adiponectin, ghrelin, and leptin) produced from the adipose tissue, and acquisition of somatic mutations in tumor once- and suppressor proteins critical for pancreatic tumorigenesis. In this manuscript, we will explore the broad impact of these obesity-induced risk factors on the development and progression of PDAC, focusing on changes within the tumor microenvironment (TME) as they pertain to prevention, current therapeutic strategies, and future directions for targeting obesity management as they relate to the prevention of pancreatic tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mundla Srilatha
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517502, India
| | - Ramarao Malla
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530045, India
| | - Megha Priya Adem
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (Women's University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517502, India
| | - Jeremy B Foote
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
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15
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Leonhardt CS, Stamm T, Hank T, Prager G, Strobel O. Defining oligometastatic pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and critical synthesis of consensus. ESMO Open 2023; 8:102067. [PMID: 37988953 PMCID: PMC10774968 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.102067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small retrospective series suggest that local consolidative treatment (LCT) may improve survival in oligometastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, no uniform definition of oligometastatic disease (OMD) in PDAC exists; this impedes meaningful conclusions. PATIENTS AND METHODS A systematic literature search using PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL registries for studies and protocols reporting on definitions and/or LCT of OMD in PDAC was performed. The primary endpoint was the definition of OMD. Levels of agreement were categorized as consensus (≥75% agreement between studies), fair agreement (50%-74%), and absent/poor agreement (<50%). RESULTS After screening of 5374 abstracts, the full text of 218 studies was assessed, of which 76 were included in the qualitative synthesis. The majority of studies were retrospective (n = 66, 87%), two were prospective studies and eight were study protocols. Studies investigated mostly liver (n = 38, 51%) and lung metastases (n = 15, 20%). Across studies, less than one-half (n = 32, 42%) reported a definition of OMD, while 44 (58%) did not. Involvement was limited to a single organ (consensus). Additional criteria for defining OMD were the number of lesions (consensus), metastatic site (poor agreement), metastatic size (poor agreement), treatment possibilities (poor agreement), and biomarker response (poor agreement). Liver OMD could involve three or fewer lesions (consensus) and synchronous disease (fair agreement), while lung metastases could involve two or fewer lesions and metachronous disease (consensus). The large majority of studies were at a high risk of bias or did not include any control groups. CONCLUSION Definitions of OMD were not used or varied widely between studies hampering across-study comparability and highlighting an unmet need for a consensus. The present study is part of a multistep process that aims to develop an interdisciplinary consensus on OMD in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- C-S Leonhardt
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Visceral Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna
| | - T Stamm
- Institute of Outcomes Research, Center for Medical Data Science, Medical University of Vienna; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Vienna
| | - T Hank
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Visceral Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna
| | - G Prager
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - O Strobel
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Visceral Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna.
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16
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Maia-Silva D, Schier AC, Skopelitis D, Kechejian V, Alpsoy A, Liverpool J, Taatjes DJ, Vakoc CR. Marker-based CRISPR screening reveals a MED12-p63 interaction that activates basal identity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.24.563848. [PMID: 37961243 PMCID: PMC10634811 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.24.563848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The presence of basal lineage characteristics signifies hyper-aggressive human adenocarcinomas of the breast, bladder, and pancreas. However, the biochemical mechanisms that maintain this aberrant cell state are poorly understood. Here we performed marker-based genetic screens in search of factors needed to maintain basal identity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This approach revealed MED12 as a powerful regulator of the basal cell state in this disease. Using biochemical reconstitution and epigenomics, we show that MED12 carries out this function by bridging the transcription factor p63, a known master regulator of the basal lineage, with the Mediator complex to activate lineage-specific enhancer elements. Consistent with this finding, the growth of basal-like PDAC is hypersensitive to MED12 loss when compared to classical PDAC. Taken together, our comprehensive genetic screens have revealed a biochemical interaction that sustains basal identity in human cancer, which could serve as a target for tumor lineage-directed therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Aktan Alpsoy
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
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17
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Bararia A, Das A, Mitra S, Banerjee S, Chatterjee A, Sikdar N. Deoxyribonucleic acid methylation driven aberrations in pancreatic cancer-related pathways. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:1505-1519. [PMID: 37746645 PMCID: PMC10514732 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i9.1505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PanCa) presents a catastrophic disease with poor overall survival at advanced stages, with immediate requirement of new and effective treatment options. Besides genetic mutations, epigenetic dysregulation of signaling pathway-associated enriched genes are considered as novel therapeutic target. Mechanisms beneath the deoxyribonucleic acid methylation and its utility in developing of epi-drugs in PanCa are under trails. Combinations of epigenetic medicines with conventional cytotoxic treatments or targeted therapy are promising options to improving the dismal response and survival rate of PanCa patients. Recent studies have identified potentially valid pathways that support the prediction that future PanCa clinical trials will include vigorous testing of epigenomic therapies. Epigenetics thus promises to generate a significant amount of new knowledge of biological and medical importance. Our review could identify various components of epigenetic mechanisms known to be involved in the initiation and development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and related precancerous lesions, and novel pharmacological strategies that target these components could potentially lead to breakthroughs. We aim to highlight the possibilities that exist and the potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Bararia
- Human Genetics Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata 700108, India
| | - Amlan Das
- Department of Biochemistry, Royal Global University, Assam 781035, India
| | - Sangeeta Mitra
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Kalyani, West Bengal 741235, India
| | - Sudeep Banerjee
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tata Medical Center, Kolkata 700160, India
| | - Aniruddha Chatterjee
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Nilabja Sikdar
- Human Genetics Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata 700108, India
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18
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Zhou X, An J, Kurilov R, Brors B, Hu K, Peccerella T, Roessler S, Pfütze K, Schulz A, Wolf S, Hohmann N, Theile D, Sauter M, Burhenne J, Ei S, Heger U, Strobel O, Barry ST, Springfeld C, Tjaden C, Bergmann F, Büchler M, Hackert T, Fortunato F, Neoptolemos JP, Bailey P. Persister cell phenotypes contribute to poor patient outcomes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in PDAC. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:1362-1381. [PMID: 37679568 PMCID: PMC10518256 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00628-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can improve the survival of individuals with borderline and unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; however, heterogeneous responses to chemotherapy remain a significant clinical challenge. Here, we performed RNA sequencing (n = 97) and multiplexed immunofluorescence (n = 122) on chemo-naive and postchemotherapy (post-CTX) resected patient samples (chemoradiotherapy excluded) to define the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Transcriptome analysis combined with high-resolution mapping of whole-tissue sections identified GATA6 (classical), KRT17 (basal-like) and cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) coexpressing cells that were preferentially enriched in post-CTX resected samples. The persistence of GATA6hi and KRT17hi cells post-CTX was significantly associated with poor survival after mFOLFIRINOX (mFFX), but not gemcitabine (GEM), treatment. Analysis of organoid models derived from chemo-naive and post-CTX samples demonstrated that CYP3A expression is a predictor of chemotherapy response and that CYP3A-expressing drug detoxification pathways can metabolize the prodrug irinotecan, a constituent of mFFX. These findings identify CYP3A-expressing drug-tolerant cell phenotypes in residual disease that may ultimately inform adjuvant treatment selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhou
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Section Surgical Research, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jingyu An
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Section Surgical Research, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roma Kurilov
- Division of Applied Bioinformatics, The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Brors
- Division of Applied Bioinformatics, The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Core Center Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumour Disease (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kai Hu
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Section Surgical Research, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Teresa Peccerella
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Section Surgical Research, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Roessler
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katrin Pfütze
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angela Schulz
- NGS Core Facility, The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Wolf
- NGS Core Facility, The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nicolas Hohmann
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Theile
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Max Sauter
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Burhenne
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Shigenori Ei
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ulrike Heger
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Strobel
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Visceral Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon T Barry
- Bioscience, Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christoph Springfeld
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine Tjaden
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Section Surgical Research, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Bergmann
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Büchler
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Section Surgical Research, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Botton-Champalimaud Pancreatic Cancer Center, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Thilo Hackert
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Franco Fortunato
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Section Surgical Research, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - John P Neoptolemos
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Section Surgical Research, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Botton-Champalimaud Pancreatic Cancer Center, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Peter Bailey
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Section Surgical Research, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Botton-Champalimaud Pancreatic Cancer Center, Lisbon, Portugal.
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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19
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de Andrés MP, Jackson RJ, Felipe I, Zagorac S, Pilarsky C, Schlitter AM, Martinez de Villareal J, Jang GH, Costello E, Gallinger S, Ghaneh P, Greenhalf W, Knösel T, Palmer DH, Ruemmele P, Weichert W, Buechler M, Hackert T, Neoptolemos JP, Notta F, Malats N, Martinelli P, Real FX. GATA4 and GATA6 loss-of-expression is associated with extinction of the classical programme and poor outcome in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Gut 2023; 72:535-548. [PMID: 36109153 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-325803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE GATA6 is a key regulator of the classical phenotype in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Low GATA6 expression associates with poor patient outcome. GATA4 is the second most expressed GATA factor in the pancreas. We assessed whether, and how, GATA4 contributes to PDAC phenotype and analysed the association of expression with outcome and response to chemotherapy. DESIGN We analysed PDAC transcriptomic data, stratifying cases according to GATA4 and GATA6 expression and identified differentially expressed genes and pathways. The genome-wide distribution of GATA4 was assessed, as well as the effects of GATA4 knockdown. A multicentre tissue microarray study to assess GATA4 and GATA6 expression in samples (n=745) from patients with resectable was performed. GATA4 and GATA6 levels were dichotomised into high/low categorical variables; association with outcome was assessed using univariable and multivariable Cox regression models. RESULTS GATA4 messenger RNA is enriched in classical, compared with basal-like tumours. We classified samples in 4 groups as high/low for GATA4 and GATA6. Reduced expression of GATA4 had a minor transcriptional impact but low expression of GATA4 enhanced the effects of GATA6 low expression. GATA4 and GATA6 display a partially overlapping genome-wide distribution, mainly at promoters. Reduced expression of both proteins in tumours was associated with the worst patient survival. GATA4 and GATA6 expression significantly decreased in metastases and negatively correlated with basal markers. CONCLUSIONS GATA4 and GATA6 cooperate to maintain the classical phenotype. Our findings provide compelling rationale to assess their expression as biomarkers of poor prognosis and therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica P de Andrés
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre-CNIO, Madrid, Spain
| | - Richard J Jackson
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Irene Felipe
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre-CNIO, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sladjana Zagorac
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre-CNIO, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Anna Melissa Schlitter
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technische Universitat Munchen, Munchen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jaime Martinez de Villareal
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre-CNIO, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gun Ho Jang
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eithne Costello
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Steve Gallinger
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Wallace McCain Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic Surgical Oncology Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paula Ghaneh
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - William Greenhalf
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Thomas Knösel
- Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel H Palmer
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Petra Ruemmele
- Pathologisches Institute, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wilko Weichert
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technische Universitat Munchen, Munchen, Germany
| | - Markus Buechler
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thilo Hackert
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John P Neoptolemos
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Faiyaz Notta
- PanCuRx Translational Research Initiative, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Núria Malats
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
- Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre-CNIO, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paola Martinelli
- Institute of Cancer Research, Clinic for Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Francisco X Real
- Departament de Medicina i Ciències de la Vida, Universitt Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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20
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The Relationship between the Expression of GATA4 and GATA6 with the Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Resectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020252. [PMID: 36830789 PMCID: PMC9953151 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
GATA4 and GATA6 are transcription factors involved in the differentiation and development of PDAC. GATA6 expression is related to the classic molecular subtype, while its absence is related to the basal-like molecular subtype. The aim was to determine the clinical utility of IHC determination of GATA4 and GATA6 in a series of patients with resected PDAC. GATA4 and GATA6 expression was studied by IHC in TMA samples of normal tissue, PanIN, tumor tissue and lymph node metastases from a series of 89 patients with resected PDAC. Its relationship with clinicopathologic variables and the outcome was investigated. Seventy-two (81%) tumors were GATA6+ and 37 (42%) were GATA4+. While GATA4 expression was reduced during tumor progression, GATA6 expression remained highly conserved, except in lymph node metastases. All patients with early stages and well-differentiated tumors were GATA6+. The absence of GATA4 expression was related to smoking. Patients with GATA4+ or GATA6+ tumors had significantly lower Ca 19.9 levels. The expression of GATA4 and GATA6 was related to DFS, being more favorable in the GATA4+/GATA6+ group. The determination of the expression of GATA4 and GATA6 by IHC is feasible and provides complementary clinical and prognostic information that can help improve the stratification of patients with PDAC.
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21
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Pandey S, Gupta VK, Lavania SP. Role of epigenetics in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Epigenomics 2023; 15:89-110. [PMID: 36647796 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers, associated with poor survival outcomes. Lack of early diagnosis, resistance to conventional therapeutic treatments (including immunotherapy) and recurrence are some of the major hurdles in PDAC and contribute to its poor survival rate. While the risk of genetic predisposition to cancers is widely acknowledged and understood, recent advances in whole-genome and next-generation sequencing techniques have led to the acknowledgment of the role played by epigenetics, especially in PDAC. Epigenetic changes are heritable genetic modifications that influence gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., DNA methylation, post-translational modification of histone complexes and ncRNA) that result in reversible changes in gene expression are increasingly understood to be responsible for tumor initiation, development and even escape from immune surveillance. Our review seeks to highlight the various components of the epigenetic machinery that are known to be implicated in PDAC initiation and development and the feasibility of targeting these components to identify novel pharmacological strategies that could potentially lead to breakthroughs in PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somnath Pandey
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Vineet K Gupta
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Shweta P Lavania
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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22
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Kokumai T, Omori Y, Ishida M, Ohtsuka H, Mizuma M, Nakagawa K, Maeda C, Ono Y, Mizukami Y, Miura S, Kume K, Masamune A, Morikawa T, Unno M, Furukawa T. GATA6 and CK5 Stratify the Survival of Patients With Pancreatic Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy. Mod Pathol 2023; 36:100102. [PMID: 36788090 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Relevant protein expression of GATA6, CK5, vimentin, and mucins using immunohistochemistry was assessed for predicting the prognosis of and chemotherapy efficacy in patients with pancreatic cancers (PCs). The protein expression was examined in 159 PCs resected after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC-PCs) and compared with that of 120 matched biopsy specimens taken before NAC. KRAS mutations were assessed by digital PCR. NAC-PCs were classified by GATA6 expression initially and CK5 expression subsequently into 4 types: classical-type (n = 22) with GATA6-high (≥50%)/CK5-low (<10%) PCs; hybrid-type (n = 45) with GATA6-high/CK5-high (≥10%) PCs; basal-like-type (n = 53) with GATA6-low (<50%)/CK5-high (≥30%) PCs; and null-type (n = 39) with GATA6-low/CK5-low (<30%) PCs, which resulted in clear stratification of patient prognosis. The classical-type was associated with the most favorable prognosis, whereas the null-type was associated with the worst prognosis (multivariate hazard ratio: 3.56; 95% CI: 1.63-7.77; P = .0015). The hybrid and basal-like types correlated with in-between levels of prognosis. The risk of hepatic recurrence was lower in the classical-type than in null (multivariate odds ratio [mOR]: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.04-0.96; P = .0449) and basal-like (mOR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.05-1.16; P =.0750) types. By contrast, the risk of locoregional recurrence was higher in the classical-type than in the basal-like-type (mOR: 5.03; 95% CI: 1.20-21.1; P = .0272). The hybrid-type was subclassified into transition and coexpression patterns with different gastric mucin expression levels. High levels of vimentin (≥10%, n = 30) in pre-NAC-PC tissues was associated with poor prognosis (P = .0256). Phenotypic transitions between pre-NAC and post-NAC-PCs were common (73/120; 61%). PCs with NAC regression grades 2 and 3 showed a transition to poorer prognostic phenotypes (P = .0497). KRAS mutations were not associated with these phenotypes. In conclusion, GATA6 and CK5 immunohistochemical expression phenotypes may stratify the survival of patients with NAC-PCs and reflect post-NAC phenotypic transitions associated with poor prognosis. Prompt evaluation of immunohistochemical phenotypes may contribute to designing a precision therapeutic strategy for patients with PCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kokumai
- Department of Investigative Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yuko Omori
- Department of Investigative Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Institute of Biomedical Research, Sapporo Higashi Tokushukai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masaharu Ishida
- Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hideo Ohtsuka
- Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masamichi Mizuma
- Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kei Nakagawa
- Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Chiho Maeda
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Sapporo Higashi Tokushukai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ono
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Sapporo Higashi Tokushukai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Yusuke Mizukami
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Sapporo Higashi Tokushukai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Shin Miura
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Kume
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Atsushi Masamune
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takanori Morikawa
- Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Michiaki Unno
- Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Toru Furukawa
- Department of Investigative Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
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23
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Wisniewski L, Braak S, Klamer Z, Gao C, Shi C, Allen P, Haab BB. Heterogeneity of Glycan Biomarker Clusters as an Indicator of Recurrence in Pancreatic Cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.05.522607. [PMID: 36711795 PMCID: PMC9881915 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.05.522607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Outcomes following tumor resection vary dramatically among patients with pancreatic cancer. A challenge in defining predictive biomarkers is to discern within the complex tumor tissue the specific subpopulations and relationships that drive recurrence. Multiplexed immunofluorescence is valuable for such studies when supplied with markers of relevant subpopulations and analysis methods to sort out the intra-tumor relationships that are informative of tumor behavior. We hypothesized that the glycan biomarkers CA19-9 and STRA, which detect separate subpopulations of cancer cells, define intra-tumoral features associated with recurrence. We probed this question using automated signal thresholding and spatial cluster analysis applied to the immunofluorescence images of the STRA and CA19-9 glycan biomarkers in whole-block tumor sections. The tumors (N = 22) displayed extreme diversity between them in the amounts of the glycans and in the levels of spatial clustering, but neither the amounts nor the clusters of the individual and combined glycans associated with recurrence. The combined glycans, however, marked divergent types of spatial clusters, alternatively only STRA, only CA19-9, or both. The co-occurrence of more than one cluster type within a tumor associated significantly with disease recurrence, in contrast to the independent occurrence of each type of cluster. In addition, intra-tumoral regions with heterogeneity in biomarker clusters spatially aligned with pathology-confirmed cancer cells, whereas regions with homogeneous biomarker clusters aligned with various non-cancer cells. Thus, the STRA and CA19-9 glycans are markers of distinct and co-occurring subpopulations of cancer cells that in combination are associated with recurrence. Furthermore, automated signal thresholding and spatial clustering provides a tool for quantifying intra-tumoral subpopulations that are informative of outcome.
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24
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Wisniewski L, Braak S, Klamer Z, Gao C, Shi C, Allen P, Haab BB. Heterogeneity of glycan biomarker clusters as an indicator of recurrence in pancreatic cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1135405. [PMID: 37124496 PMCID: PMC10130372 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1135405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Outcomes following tumor resection vary dramatically among patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A challenge in defining predictive biomarkers is to discern within the complex tumor tissue the specific subpopulations and relationships that drive recurrence. Multiplexed immunofluorescence is valuable for such studies when supplied with markers of relevant subpopulations and analysis methods to sort out the intra-tumor relationships that are informative of tumor behavior. We hypothesized that the glycan biomarkers CA19-9 and STRA, which detect separate subpopulations of cancer cells, define intra-tumoral features associated with recurrence. Methods We probed this question using automated signal thresholding and spatial cluster analysis applied to the immunofluorescence images of the STRA and CA19-9 glycan biomarkers in whole-block sections of PDAC tumors collected from curative resections. Results The tumors (N = 22) displayed extreme diversity between them in the amounts of the glycans and in the levels of spatial clustering, but neither the amounts nor the clusters of the individual and combined glycans associated with recurrence. The combined glycans, however, marked divergent types of spatial clusters, alternatively only STRA, only CA19-9, or both. The co-occurrence of more than one cluster type within a tumor associated significantly with disease recurrence, in contrast to the independent occurrence of each type of cluster. In addition, intra-tumoral regions with heterogeneity in biomarker clusters spatially aligned with pathology-confirmed cancer cells, whereas regions with homogeneous biomarker clusters aligned with various non-cancer cells. Conclusion Thus, the STRA and CA19-9 glycans are markers of distinct and co-occurring subpopulations of cancer cells that in combination are associated with recurrence. Furthermore, automated signal thresholding and spatial clustering provides a tool for quantifying intra-tumoral subpopulations that are informative of outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Wisniewski
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Samuel Braak
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Zachary Klamer
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - ChongFeng Gao
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Chanjuan Shi
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Peter Allen
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Brian B. Haab
- Department of Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- *Correspondence: Brian B. Haab,
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25
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Kato H, Tateishi K, Iwadate D, Yamamoto K, Fujiwara H, Nakatsuka T, Kudo Y, Hayakawa Y, Ijichi H, Otsuka M, Kishikawa T, Takahashi R, Miyabayashi K, Nakai Y, Hirata Y, Toyoda A, Morishita S, Fujishiro M. HNF1B-driven three-dimensional chromatin structure for molecular classification in pancreatic cancers. Cancer Sci 2022; 114:1672-1685. [PMID: 36511816 PMCID: PMC10067390 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer (PC), either classical/progenitor-like or basal/squamous-like, are currently a major topic of research because of their direct association with clinical outcomes. Some transcription factors (TFs) have been reported to be associated with these subtypes. However, the mechanisms by which these molecular signatures of PCs are established remain unknown. Epigenetic regulatory processes, supported by dynamic changes in the chromatin structure, are essential for transcriptional profiles. Previously, we reported the importance of open chromatin profiles in the biological features and transcriptional status of PCs. Here, we aimed to analyze the relationships between three-dimensional (3D) genome structures and the molecular subtypes of human PCs using Hi-C analysis. We observed a correlation of the specific elements of 3D genome modules, including compartments, topologically associating domains, and enhancer-promoter loops, with the expression of related genes. We focused on HNF1B, a TF that is implicated in the progenitor subtype. Forced expression of HNF1B in squamous-type PC organoids induced the upregulation and downregulation of genes associated with progenitor and squamous subtypes, respectively. Long-range genomic interactions induced by HNF1B were accompanied by compartment modulation and H3K27ac redistribution. We also found that these HNF1B-induced changes in subtype-related gene expression required an intrinsically disordered region, suggesting a possible involvement of phase separation in compartment modulation. Thus, mapping of 3D structural changes induced by TFs, such as HNF1B, may become a useful resource for further understanding the molecular features of PCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tateishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Dosuke Iwadate
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Yamamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Gastroenterology, The Institute of Medical Science, Asahi Life Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuma Nakatsuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yotaro Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoku Hayakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideaki Ijichi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Otsuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryota Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Miyabayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yousuke Nakai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hirata
- Division of Advanced Genome Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Shinichi Morishita
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Fujishiro
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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26
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Espinet E, Klein L, Puré E, Singh SK. Mechanisms of PDAC subtype heterogeneity and therapy response. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:1060-1071. [PMID: 36117109 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is clinically challenging due to late diagnosis and resistance to therapy. Two major PDAC subtypes have been defined based on malignant epithelial cell gene expression profiles; the basal-like/squamous subtype is associated with a worse prognosis and therapeutic resistance as opposed to the classical subtype. Subtype specification is not binary, consistent with plasticity of malignant cell phenotype. PDAC heterogeneity and plasticity reflect partly malignant cell-intrinsic transcriptional and epigenetic regulation. However, the stromal and immune compartments of the tumor microenvironment (TME) also determine disease progression and therapy response. It is evident that integration of intrinsic and extrinsic factors can dictate subtype heterogeneity, and thus, delineating the pathways involved can help to reprogram PDAC towards a classical/druggable subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Espinet
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapy, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona (UB), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology Program (Oncobell), Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lukas Klein
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ellen Puré
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shiv K Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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27
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Baba T, Finetti P, Lillemoe KD, Warshaw AL, Fernández-Del Castillo C, Liss AS. A Lesson in Transcriptional Plasticity: Classical Identity Is Silenced, but Not Lost, in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines. Gastroenterology 2022; 163:1450-1453.e3. [PMID: 35850199 PMCID: PMC9613505 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Taisuke Baba
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Pascal Finetti
- Department of Predictive Oncology, Cancer Research Center of Marseille, U1068 INSERM, UMR 7258 CNRS, Institut Paoli Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Keith D Lillemoe
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrew L Warshaw
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Andrew S Liss
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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28
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Sang L, Wang X, Bai W, Shen J, Zeng Y, Sun J. The role of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) in tumorigenesis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1011230. [PMID: 36249028 PMCID: PMC9554155 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1011230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha (HNF4α) is a master transcription factor mainly expressed in the liver, kidney, intestine and endocrine pancreas. It regulates multiple target genes involved in embryonic development and metabolism. HNF4α-related diseases include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. Recently, HNF4α has been emerging as a key player in a variety of cancers. In this review, we summarized the role and mechanism of HNF4α in different types of cancers, especially in liver and colorectal cancer, aiming to provide additional guidance for intervention of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Sang
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yuxi, China
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Xingshun Wang
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yuxi, China
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Weiyu Bai
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Junling Shen
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yong Zeng
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yuxi, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jianwei Sun
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
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29
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Krebs N, Klein L, Wegwitz F, Espinet E, Maurer HC, Tu M, Penz F, Küffer S, Xu X, Bohnenberger H, Cameron S, Brunner M, Neesse A, Kishore U, Hessmann E, Trumpp A, Ströbel P, Brekken RA, Ellenrieder V, Singh SK. Axon guidance receptor ROBO3 modulates subtype identity and prognosis via AXL-associated inflammatory network in pancreatic cancer. JCI Insight 2022; 7:154475. [PMID: 35993361 PMCID: PMC9462476 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.154475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic pancreatic cancer (PDAC) has a poor clinical outcome with a 5-year survival rate below 3%. Recent transcriptome profiling of PDAC biopsies has identified 2 clinically distinct subtypes - the "basal-like" (BL) subtype with poor prognosis and therapy resistance compared with the less aggressive and drug-susceptible "classical" (CLA) subtype. However, the mechanistic events and environmental factors that promote the BL subtype identity are not very clear. Using preclinical models, patient-derived xenografts, and FACS-sorted PDAC patient biopsies, we report here that the axon guidance receptor, roundabout guidance receptor 3 (ROBO3), promotes the BL metastatic program via a potentially unique AXL/IL-6/phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) regulatory axis. RNA-Seq identified a ROBO3-mediated BL-specific gene program, while tyrosine kinase profiling revealed AXL as the key mediator of the p-STAT3 activation. CRISPR/dCas9-based ROBO3 silencing disrupted the AXL/p-STAT3 signaling axis, thereby halting metastasis and enhancing therapy sensitivity. Transcriptome analysis of resected patient tumors revealed that AXLhi neoplastic cells associated with the inflammatory stromal program. Combining AXL inhibitor and chemotherapy substantially restored a CLA phenotypic state and reduced disease aggressiveness. Thus, we conclude that a ROBO3-driven hierarchical network determines the inflammatory and prometastatic programs in a specific PDAC subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Krebs
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Lukas Klein
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Florian Wegwitz
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elisa Espinet
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,HI-STEM: The Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine gGmbH, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapy, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology Program (Oncobell), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hans Carlo Maurer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Mengyu Tu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Frederike Penz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | | | - Xingbo Xu
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, and
| | | | - Silke Cameron
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Marius Brunner
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and
| | - Albrecht Neesse
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Uday Kishore
- Biosciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Trumpp
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,HI-STEM: The Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine gGmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology,,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rolf A. Brekken
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, Departments of Surgery and Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Volker Ellenrieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Shiv K. Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology and,Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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30
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Zhong Z, Harmston N, Wood KC, Madan B, Virshup DM. A p300/GATA6 axis determines differentiation and Wnt dependency in pancreatic cancer models. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e156305. [PMID: 35536676 PMCID: PMC9197518 DOI: 10.1172/jci156305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling regulates the balance between stemness and differentiation in multiple tissues and in cancer. RNF43-mutant pancreatic cancers are dependent on Wnt production, and pharmacologic blockade of the pathway, e.g., by PORCN inhibitors, leads to tumor differentiation. However, primary resistance to these inhibitors has been observed. To elucidate potential mechanisms, we performed in vivo CRISPR screens in PORCN inhibitor-sensitive RNF43-mutant pancreatic cancer xenografts. As expected, genes in the Wnt pathway whose loss conferred drug resistance were identified, including APC, AXIN1, and CTNNBIP1. Unexpectedly, the screen also identified the histone acetyltransferase EP300 (p300), but not its paralog, CREBBP (CBP). We found that EP300 is silenced due to genetic alterations in all the existing RNF43-mutant pancreatic cancer cell lines that are resistant to PORCN inhibitors. Mechanistically, loss of EP300 directly downregulated GATA6 expression, thereby silencing the GATA6-regulated differentiation program and leading to a phenotypic transition from the classical subtype to the dedifferentiated basal-like/squamous subtype of pancreatic cancer. EP300 mutation and loss of GATA6 function bypassed the antidifferentiation activity of Wnt signaling, rendering these cancer cells resistant to Wnt inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhong
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke–NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nathan Harmston
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke–NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Science Division, Yale–NUS College, Singapore
| | - Kris C. Wood
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology and
| | - Babita Madan
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke–NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - David M. Virshup
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke–NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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31
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Versemann L, Hessmann E, Ulisse M. Epigenetic Therapeutic Strategies to Target Molecular and Cellular Heterogeneity in Pancreatic Cancer. Visc Med 2022; 38:11-19. [PMID: 35291698 PMCID: PMC8874235 DOI: 10.1159/000519859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a major challenge in cancer medicine and is characterized by a 5-year survival rate of <10%. Compelling evidence suggests that the devastating disease outcome of PDAC patients is linked to a high degree of intra- and interindividual tumor heterogeneity, which is predominantly installed at the level of gene transcription. The cellular and molecular complexities of the disease explain the poor efficacy of "one-size-fits-all" therapeutic approaches in PDAC treatment and strongly argue for pursuing tailored therapeutic strategies to tackle PDAC. In a highly dynamic manner, a network of transcription factors and epigenetic regulatory proteins temporally and spatially control the diverse transcriptomic states determining PDAC heterogeneity. Given the reversibility of epigenetic processes, pharmacological intervention with key epigenetic drivers of PDAC heterogeneity appeals as a promising concept to shift the transcriptomic phenotype of PDAC toward a less aggressive and more chemosensible state. SUMMARY In this review, we discuss the chances and pitfalls of epigenetic treatment strategies in overcoming and shifting molecular and cellular PDAC heterogeneities in order to combat PDAC. To this end, we utilized the keywords "pancreatic cancer," "heterogeneity," and "epigenetics" to search for relevant articles on the database PubMed and selected interventional studies enrolling PDAC patients as displayed in clinicaltrails.gov to generate a synopsis of clinical trials involving epigenetic targeting. KEY MESSAGES Targeting epigenetic regulators in PDAC represents a promising concept to reprogram molecular and cellular tumor heterogeneities in the pancreas and hence to modulate the PDAC phenotype in favor of a less aggressive and more therapy susceptible disease course. However, we just start to understand the complex interactions of epigenetic regulators in controlling PDAC plasticity, and a clinical breakthrough utilizing epigenetic targeting in PDAC patients has not been achieved yet. Nevertheless, increasing translational efforts which consider the pleiotropic effects of targeting epigenetic regulation in different cellular compartments of the tumor and that focus on the utility and sequence of combinatory treatment approaches might pave the way toward novel epigenetic treatment strategies in PDAC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennart Versemann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
- Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Maria Ulisse
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
- Clinical Research Unit KFO5002, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
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Roalsø MTT, Hald ØH, Alexeeva M, Søreide K. Emerging Role of Epigenetic Alterations as Biomarkers and Novel Targets for Treatments in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030546. [PMID: 35158814 PMCID: PMC8833770 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Epigenetic alterations cause changes in gene expression without affecting the DNA sequence and are found to affect several molecular pathways in pancreatic tumors. Such changes are reversible, making them potential drug targets. Furthermore, epigenetic alterations occur early in the disease course and may thus be explored for early detection. Hence, a deeper understanding of epigenetics in pancreatic cancer may lead to improved diagnostics, treatments, and prognostication. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with limited treatment options. Emerging evidence shows that epigenetic alterations are present in PDAC. The changes are potentially reversible and therefore promising therapeutic targets. Epigenetic aberrations also influence the tumor microenvironment with the potential to modulate and possibly enhance immune-based treatments. Epigenetic marks can also serve as diagnostic screening tools, as epigenetic changes occur at early stages of the disease. Further, epigenetics can be used in prognostication. The field is evolving, and this review seeks to provide an updated overview of the emerging role of epigenetics in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostication of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus T. T. Roalsø
- Department of Quality and Health Technology, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway;
- HPB Unit, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway;
- Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Øyvind H. Hald
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, 9038 Tromsø, Norway;
| | - Marina Alexeeva
- HPB Unit, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway;
- Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Kjetil Søreide
- HPB Unit, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway;
- Gastrointestinal Translational Research Unit, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
- Correspondence:
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D’Agosto S, Pezzini F, Veghini L, Delfino P, Fiorini C, Temgue Tane GD, Del Curatolo A, Vicentini C, Ferrari G, Pasini D, Andreani S, Lupo F, Fiorini E, Lorenzon G, Lawlor RT, Rusev B, Malinova A, Luchini C, Milella M, Sereni E, Pea A, Bassi C, Bailey P, Scarpa A, Bria E, Corbo V. Loss of FGFR4 promotes the malignant phenotype of PDAC. Oncogene 2022; 41:4371-4384. [PMID: 35963908 PMCID: PMC9481460 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02432-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptomic analyses of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have identified two major epithelial subtypes with distinct biology and clinical behaviours. Here, we aimed to clarify the role of FGFR1 and FGFR4 in the definition of aggressive PDAC phenotypes. We found that the expression of FGFR4 is exclusively detected in epithelial cells, significantly elevated in the classical PDAC subtype, and associates with better outcomes. In highly aggressive basal-like/squamous PDAC, reduced FGFR4 expression aligns with hypermethylation of the gene and lower levels of histone marks associated with active transcription in its regulatory regions. Conversely, FGFR1 has more promiscuous expression in both normal and malignant pancreatic tissues and is strongly associated with the EMT phenotype but not with the basal-like cell lineage. Regardless of the genetic background, the increased proliferation of FGFR4-depleted PDAC cells correlates with hyperactivation of the mTORC1 pathway both in vitro and in vivo. Downregulation of FGFR4 in classical cell lines invariably leads to the enrichment of basal-like/squamous gene programs and is associated with either partial or full switch of phenotype. In sum, we show that endogenous levels of FGFR4 limit the malignant phenotype of PDAC cells. Finally, we propose FGFR4 as a valuable marker for the stratification of PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina D’Agosto
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy ,grid.510779.d0000 0004 9414 6915Present Address: Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Pezzini
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lisa Veghini
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Pietro Delfino
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Claudia Fiorini
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Gael D. Temgue Tane
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Anais Del Curatolo
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Caterina Vicentini
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giorgia Ferrari
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Davide Pasini
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Andreani
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Lupo
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Elena Fiorini
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giulia Lorenzon
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rita T. Lawlor
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Borislav Rusev
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Antonia Malinova
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Claudio Luchini
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Medicine, Section of Oncology, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Sereni
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Surgery, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, “Pancreas Institute”, Verona, Italy
| | - Antonio Pea
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Surgery, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, “Pancreas Institute”, Verona, Italy
| | - Claudio Bassi
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Surgery, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, “Pancreas Institute”, Verona, Italy
| | - Peter Bailey
- grid.8756.c0000 0001 2193 314XInstitute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK ,grid.23636.320000 0000 8821 5196Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK ,grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of General Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy ,grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Emilio Bria
- grid.411075.60000 0004 1760 4193Comprehensive Cancer Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy ,grid.8142.f0000 0001 0941 3192Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XDepartment of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy ,grid.411475.20000 0004 1756 948XARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Malinova A, Veghini L, Real FX, Corbo V. Cell Lineage Infidelity in PDAC Progression and Therapy Resistance. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:795251. [PMID: 34926472 PMCID: PMC8675127 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.795251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Infidelity to cell fate occurs when differentiated cells lose their original identity and either revert to a more multipotent state or transdifferentiate into a different cell type, either within the same embryonic lineage or in an entirely different one. Whilst in certain circumstances, such as in wound repair, this process is beneficial, it can be hijacked by cancer cells to drive disease initiation and progression. Cell phenotype switching has been shown to also serve as a mechanism of drug resistance in some epithelial cancers. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the role of lineage infidelity and phenotype switching is still unclear. Two consensus molecular subtypes of PDAC have been proposed that mainly reflect the existence of cell lineages with different degrees of fidelity to pancreatic endodermal precursors. Indeed, the classical subtype of PDAC is characterised by the expression of endodermal lineage specifying transcription factors, while the more aggressive basal-like/squamous subtype is defined by epigenetic downregulation of endodermal genes and alterations in chromatin modifiers. Here, we summarise the current knowledge of mechanisms (genetic and epigenetic) of cell fate switching in PDAC and discuss how pancreatic organoids might help increase our understanding of both cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic factors governing lineage infidelity during the distinct phases of PDAC evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Malinova
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lisa Veghini
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francisco X. Real
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
- Department de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- ARC-Net Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Benitz S, Crawford H. Discovery of the pancreatic basal cell: a new candidate for an adult stem cell emerges. Gut 2021; 71:gutjnl-2021-325694. [PMID: 34732543 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-325694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Benitz
- Surgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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36
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Gutiérrez ML, Muñoz-Bellvís L, Orfao A. Genomic Heterogeneity of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Its Clinical Impact. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4451. [PMID: 34503261 PMCID: PMC8430663 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death due to limited advances in recent years in early diagnosis and personalized therapy capable of overcoming tumor resistance to chemotherapy. In the last decades, significant advances have been achieved in the identification of recurrent genetic and molecular alterations of PDAC including those involving the KRAS, CDKN2A, SMAD4, and TP53 driver genes. Despite these common genetic traits, PDAC are highly heterogeneous tumors at both the inter- and intra-tumoral genomic level, which might contribute to distinct tumor behavior and response to therapy, with variable patient outcomes. Despite this, genetic and genomic data on PDAC has had a limited impact on the clinical management of patients. Integration of genomic data for classification of PDAC into clinically defined entities-i.e., classical vs. squamous subtypes of PDAC-leading to different treatment approaches has the potential for significantly improving patient outcomes. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about the most relevant genomic subtypes of PDAC including the impact of distinct patterns of intra-tumoral genomic heterogeneity on the classification and clinical and therapeutic management of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Laura Gutiérrez
- Department of Medicine and Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Cancer Research Center (IBMCC-CSIC/USAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium-CIBER-CIBERONC, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Muñoz-Bellvís
- Cancer Research Center (IBMCC-CSIC/USAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium-CIBER-CIBERONC, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Service of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, University Hospital of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Alberto Orfao
- Department of Medicine and Cytometry Service (NUCLEUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Cancer Research Center (IBMCC-CSIC/USAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre Consortium-CIBER-CIBERONC, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Martens S, Coolens K, Van Bulck M, Arsenijevic T, Casamitjana J, Fernandez Ruiz A, El Kaoutari A, Martinez de Villareal J, Madhloum H, Esni F, Heremans Y, Leuckx G, Heimberg H, Bouwens L, Jacquemin P, De Paep DL, In't Veld P, D'Haene N, Bouchart C, Dusetti N, Van Laethem JL, Waelput W, Lefesvre P, Real FX, Rovira M, Rooman I. Discovery and 3D imaging of a novel ΔNp63-expressing basal cell type in human pancreatic ducts with implications in disease. Gut 2021; 71:gutjnl-2020-322874. [PMID: 34330784 PMCID: PMC9484383 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-322874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aggressive basal-like molecular subtype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) harbours a ΔNp63 (p40) gene expression signature reminiscent of a basal cell type. Distinct from other epithelia with basal tumours, ΔNp63+ basal cells reportedly do not exist in the normal pancreas. DESIGN We evaluated ΔNp63 expression in human pancreas, chronic pancreatitis (CP) and PDAC. We further studied in depth the non-cancerous tissue and developed a three-dimensional (3D) imaging protocol (FLIP-IT, Fluorescence Light sheet microscopic Imaging of Paraffin-embedded or Intact Tissue) to study formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples at single cell resolution. Pertinent mouse models and HPDE cells were analysed. RESULTS In normal human pancreas, rare ΔNp63+ cells exist in ducts while their prevalence increases in CP and in a subset of PDAC. In non-cancer tissue, ΔNp63+ cells are atypical KRT19+ duct cells that overall lack SOX9 expression while they do express canonical basal markers and pertain to a niche of cells expressing gastrointestinal stem cell markers. 3D views show that the basal cells anchor on the basal membrane of normal medium to large ducts while in CP they exist in multilayer dome-like structures. In mice, ΔNp63 is not found in adult pancreas nor in selected models of CP or PDAC, but it is induced in organoids from larger Sox9low ducts. In HPDE, ΔNp63 supports a basal cell phenotype at the expense of a classical duct cell differentiation programme. CONCLUSION In larger human pancreatic ducts, basal cells exist. ΔNp63 suppresses duct cell identity. These cells may play an important role in pancreatic disease, including PDAC ontogeny, but are not present in mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrina Martens
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Katarina Coolens
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Mathias Van Bulck
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Tatjana Arsenijevic
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Hopital Erasme Service de Gastroenterologie d'Hepato-Pancreatologie et d'Oncologie Digestive, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Joan Casamitjana
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona (UB), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, P-CMR[C], Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Angel Fernandez Ruiz
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona (UB), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, P-CMR[C], Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Abdessamad El Kaoutari
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille - CRCM, INSERM UMR1068, CRCM, Marseille, France
- COMPO Unit, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | | | - Hediel Madhloum
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Farzad Esni
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Department of Surgery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yves Heremans
- Laboratory of Beta Cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Gunter Leuckx
- Laboratory of Beta Cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Harry Heimberg
- Laboratory of Beta Cell Neogenesis, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Luc Bouwens
- Cell Differentiation Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Patrick Jacquemin
- Institut de Duve, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | | | - Peter In't Veld
- Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Nicky D'Haene
- Department of Pathology, Hopital Erasme, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Christelle Bouchart
- Department of Radiation-Oncology, Jules Bordet Institute, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Nelson Dusetti
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille - CRCM, INSERM UMR1068, CRCM, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Luc Van Laethem
- Laboratory of Experimental Gastroenterology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Hopital Erasme Service de Gastroenterologie d'Hepato-Pancreatologie et d'Oncologie Digestive, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Wim Waelput
- Department of Pathology, UZ Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Pierre Lefesvre
- Department of Pathology, UZ Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Francisco X Real
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Meritxell Rovira
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona (UB), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, P-CMR[C], Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Ilse Rooman
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
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Beatty GL, Werba G, Lyssiotis CA, Simeone DM. The biological underpinnings of therapeutic resistance in pancreatic cancer. Genes Dev 2021; 35:940-962. [PMID: 34117095 PMCID: PMC8247606 DOI: 10.1101/gad.348523.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this review, Beatty et al. discuss recent advances in our understanding of the biological underpinnings of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and dissect therapeutic targets that are intrinsic to PDAC and those that are defined by noncancer cells, including stromal cells, immune cells, and microbes. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States and has only recently achieved a 5-yr survival rate of 10%. This dismal prognosis reflects the remarkable capacity of PDAC to effectively adapt to and resist therapeutic intervention. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the biological underpinnings of PDAC and their implications as targetable vulnerabilities in this highly lethal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory L Beatty
- Abramson Cancer Center; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.,Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Gregor Werba
- Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA.,Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Costas A Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.,Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Diane M Simeone
- Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA.,Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York 10016, USA.,Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA
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