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Lei ZN, Teng QX, Tian Q, Chen W, Xie Y, Wu K, Zeng Q, Zeng L, Pan Y, Chen ZS, He Y. Signaling pathways and therapeutic interventions in gastric cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:358. [PMID: 36209270 PMCID: PMC9547882 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01190-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) ranks fifth in global cancer diagnosis and fourth in cancer-related death. Despite tremendous progress in diagnosis and therapeutic strategies and significant improvements in patient survival, the low malignancy stage is relatively asymptomatic and many GC cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, which leads to unsatisfactory prognosis and high recurrence rates. With the recent advances in genome analysis, biomarkers have been identified that have clinical importance for GC diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Modern molecular classifications have uncovered the vital roles that signaling pathways, including EGFR/HER2, p53, PI3K, immune checkpoint pathways, and cell adhesion signaling molecules, play in GC tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic responsiveness. These biomarkers and molecular classifications open the way for more precise diagnoses and treatments for GC patients. Nevertheless, the relative significance, temporal activation, interaction with GC risk factors, and crosstalk between these signaling pathways in GC are not well understood. Here, we review the regulatory roles of signaling pathways in GC potential biomarkers, and therapeutic targets with an emphasis on recent discoveries. Current therapies, including signaling-based and immunotherapies exploited in the past decade, and the development of treatment for GC, particularly the challenges in developing precision medications, are discussed. These advances provide a direction for the integration of clinical, molecular, and genomic profiles to improve GC diagnosis and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Ning Lei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Qiu-Xu Teng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Qin Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuhao Xie
- Institute for Biotechnology, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Kaiming Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qianlin Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Leli Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yihang Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
- Institute for Biotechnology, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
| | - Yulong He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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Negative Modulation of the Angiogenic Cascade Induced by Allosteric Kinesin Eg5 Inhibitors in a Gastric Adenocarcinoma In Vitro Model. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27030957. [PMID: 35164221 PMCID: PMC8840372 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Eg5 is a kinesin essential in bipolar spindle formation, overexpressed in tumours, thus representing a new target in cancer therapy. We aimed at evaluating the anti-cancer activity of Eg5 thiadiazoline inhibitors 2 and 41 on gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS), focusing on the modulation of angiogenic signalling. Docking studies confirmed a similar interaction with Eg5 to that of the parent compound K858. Thiadiazolines were also tested in combination with Hesperidin (HSD). Cell cycle analysis reveals a reduction of G1 and S phase percentages when 41 is administered as well as HSD in combination with K858. Western blot reveals Eg5 inhibitors capability to reduce PI3K, p-AKT/Akt and p-Erk/Erk expressions; p-Akt/Akt ratio is even more decreased in HSD+2 sample than the p-Erk/Erk ratio in HSD+41 or K858. VEGF expression is reduced when HSD+2 and HSD+41 are administered with respect to compounds alone, after 72 h. ANGPT2 gene expression increases in cells treated with 41 and HSD+2 compared to K858. The wound-healing assay highlights a reduction in the cut in HSD+2 sample compared to 2 and HSD. Thus, Eg5 inhibitors appear to modulate angiogenic signalling by controlling VEGF activity even better if combined with HSD. Overall, Eg5 inhibitors can represent a promising starting point to develop innovative anti-cancer strategies.
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N-Acetylcysteine Reduces ROS-Mediated Oxidative DNA Damage and PI3K/Akt Pathway Activation Induced by Helicobacter pylori Infection. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:1874985. [PMID: 29854076 PMCID: PMC5944265 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1874985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Background H. pylori infection induces reactive oxygen species- (ROS-) related DNA damage and activates the PI3K/Akt pathway in gastric epithelial cells. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is known as an inhibitor of ROS; the role of NAC in H. pylori-related diseases is unclear. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ROS and the protective role of NAC in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-related diseases. Method An in vitro coculture system and an in vivo Balb/c mouse model of H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells were established. The effects of H. pylori infection on DNA damage and ROS were assessed by the comet assay and fluorescent dichlorofluorescein assay. The level of PI3K/Akt pathway-related proteins was evaluated by Western blotting. The protective role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was also evaluated with in vitro and in vivo H. pylori infection models. Results The results revealed that, in vitro and in vivo, H. pylori infection increased the ROS level and induced DNA damage in gastric epithelial cells. NAC treatment effectively reduced the ROS level and inhibited DNA damage in GES-1 cells and the gastric mucosa of Balb/c mice. H. pylori infection induced ROS-mediated PI3K/Akt pathway activation, and NAC treatment inhibited this effect. However, the gastric mucosa pathological score of the NAC-treated group was not significantly different from that of the untreated group. Furthermore, chronic H. pylori infection decreased APE-1 expression in the gastric mucosa of Balb/c mice. Conclusions An increased ROS level is a critical mechanism in H. pylori pathogenesis, and NAC may be beneficial for the treatment of H. pylori-related gastric diseases linked to oxidative DNA damage.
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Cao GD, Chen K, Chen B, Xiong MM. Positive prognostic value of HER2-HER3 co-expression and p-mTOR in gastric cancer patients. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:841. [PMID: 29233126 PMCID: PMC5727869 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3851-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The HER2-HER3 heterodimer significantly decreases survival in breast cancer patients. However, the prognostic value of HER2-HER3 overexpression remains unknown in gastric cancer (GC). Methods The expression levels of HER2, HER3, Akt, p-Akt, mTOR and p-mTOR were examined in specimens from 120 GC patients by immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. The associations of HER proteins, PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins, clinicopathological features of GC, and overall survival (OS) were assessed. To comprehensively evaluate the prognostic values of pathway-related proteins, meta-analyses were conducted with STATA 11.0. Results HER2 overexpression was significantly associated with HER3 levels (P = 0.02). HER3 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues. High HER2 and HER3 levels were associated with elevated p-Akt and p-mTOR amounts (P < 0.05). Furthermore, HER2-HER3 co-expression was associated with high p-Akt and p-mTOR (P < 0.05) levels. Meanwhile, p-mTOR overexpression was tightly associated with differentiation, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and OS (P < 0.05). By meta-analyses, Akt, p-Akt, and mTOR levels were unrelated to clinicopathological characters. HER3 overexpression was associated with depth of invasion (OR = 2.39, 95%CI 1.62–3.54, P < 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.35, 95%CI 1.34–4.11, P = 0.003). Further, p-mTOR overexpression was associated with patient age, tumor location, depth of invasion (OR = 1.63, 95%CI 1.08–2.45, P = 0.02) and TNM stage (OR = 1.73, 95%CI 1.29–2.32, P < 0.001). In addition, HER2-HER3 overexpression corresponded to gradually shortened 5-year OS (P < 0.05), and significant relationships were shown among HER3, p-mTOR overexpression, and 1-, 3-, 5-year OS (P < 0.05). Conclusions HER2-HER3 co-expression may potentially enhance mTOR phosphorylation. HER2-HER3 co-expression and p-mTOR are both related to the prognosis of GC patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-017-3851-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Dong Cao
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Ke Chen
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China.
| | - Mao-Ming Xiong
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China.
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Yang Z, Xie C, Xu W, Liu G, Cao X, Li W, Chen J, Zhu Y, Luo S, Luo Z, Lu N. Phosphorylation and inactivation of PTEN at residues Ser380/Thr382/383 induced by Helicobacter pylori promotes gastric epithelial cell survival through PI3K/Akt pathway. Oncotarget 2016; 6:31916-26. [PMID: 26376616 PMCID: PMC4741650 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation of PTEN at residues Ser380/Thr382/383 leads to loss of phosphatase activity and tumor suppressor function. Here, we found that phosphorylation of PTEN at residues Ser380/Thr382/383 was increased with gastric carcinogenesis, and more importantly, Helicobacter pylori was a trigger of this modification in chronic non-atrophic gastritis. H. pylori could phosphorylate and inactivate PTEN in vivo and in vitro, resulting in survival of gastric epithelial cells. Furthermore, stable expression of dominant-negative mutant PTEN or inhibition of Akt prevented the enhanced survival induced by H. pylori. These results indicate that PTEN phosphorylation at residues Ser380/Thr382/383 is a novel mechanism of PTEN inactivation in gastric carcinogenesis, and H. pylori triggers this modification, resulting in activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and promotion of cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Chuan Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wenting Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Gongmeizi Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ximei Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jiang Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yin Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shiwen Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.,Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhijun Luo
- The Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.,Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nonghua Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Bai X, Li P, Xie Y, Guo C, Sun Y, Xu Q, Zhao D. Overexpression of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 is associated with prognosis of gastric carcinoma. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:2333-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4024-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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Chen H, Guan R, Lei Y, Chen J, Ge Q, Zhang X, Dou R, Chen H, Liu H, Qi X, Zhou X, Chen C. Lymphangiogenesis in gastric cancer regulated through Akt/mTOR-VEGF-C/VEGF-D axis. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:103. [PMID: 25884175 PMCID: PMC4358729 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1109-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphangiogenesis plays a significant role in metastasis and recurrence of gastric cancer. There is no report yet focusing on the modulation of VEGF pathway and lymphangiogenesis of gastric cancer by targeting Akt/mTOR pathway. This study aims to demonstrate the relationship between Akt/mTOR pathway and VEGF-C/-D in gastric cancer. METHODS We collected surgically resected gastric adenocarcinoma specimens from 55 consented patients. Immunohistochemistry staining of p-Akt, p-mTOR, VEGF-C, VEGF-D were performed and scored by two independent pathologists. The results were presented as staining intensity and positive staining cell rate. We also measured lymphatic vessel density (LVD) by D2-40 staining. Different dosages of p-Akt inhibitor LY294002 (12.5 μM, 25 μM, 50 μM) and p-mTOR inhibitor Rapamycin (25 nM, 50 nM, 100 nM) were given to gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 in vitro. The inhibition rate of cell growth was tested by MTT at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, respectively and protein expressions of Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, p-mTOR, VEGF-C and VEGF-D were examined by Western blot. RESULTS The positive staining rates of p-Akt, p-mTOR, VEGF-C and VEGF-D in 55 gastric cancer clinical specimens were 74.54%, 85.45%, 72.73% and 58.18%. p-Akt and p-mTOR were positively correlated with VEGF-C and VEGF-D (p < 0.01). The LVD increased with incremental tendency of staining intensity of p-Akt, p-mTOR, VEGF-C and VEGF-D. LY294002 or Rapamycin significantly suppressed SGC-7901 cell growth and the inhibition rate was dose and time dependent (p < 0.001). In addition, the protein expression of p-Akt and p-mTOR were positively correlated with that of VEGF-C and VEGF-D (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The level of LVD in gastric cancer specimens was significant higher than that of normal gastric tissue and was positively correlated with p-Akt, p-mTOR, VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Inhibition of p-Akt and p-mTOR, in vitro, decreased tumor cell VEGF-C and VEGF-D significantly. Therefore, we concluded that lymphangiogenesis of gastric cancer might be related to Akt/mTOR-VEGF-C/VEGF-D axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Runnian Guan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiping Central Hospital, Kaiping, 529300, China.
| | - Yupeng Lei
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Jianyong Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Qi Ge
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Xiaoshen Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ruoxu Dou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Hongyuan Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, School of Basic Course, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Xiaolong Qi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang, 330006, China. .,Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Xiaodong Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Changyan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang, 330006, China. .,Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Matsuoka T, Yashiro M. The Role of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling in Gastric Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2014; 6:1441-63. [PMID: 25003395 PMCID: PMC4190549 DOI: 10.3390/cancers6031441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is one of the key signaling pathways induced by various receptor-tyrosine kinases. Accumulating evidence shows that this pathway is an important promoter of cell growth, metabolism, survival, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy. Genetic alterations in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in gastric carcinoma have often been demonstrated. Many kinds of molecular targeting therapies are currently undergoing clinical testing in patients with solid tumors. However, with the exception of the ErbB2-targeting antibody, targeting agents, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors, have not been approved for treatment of patients with gastric carcinoma. This review summarizes the current knowledge on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in the pathogenesis of gastric carcinoma and the possible therapeutic targets for gastric carcinoma. Improved knowledge of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in gastric carcinoma will be useful in understanding the mechanisms of tumor development and for identifying ideal targets of anticancer therapy for gastric carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasuku Matsuoka
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan.
| | - Masakazu Yashiro
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan.
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