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Tang Z, Zhang Y, Yu Z, Luo Z. Metformin Suppresses Stemness of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Induced by Paclitaxel through FOXO3a. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16611. [PMID: 38068934 PMCID: PMC10705988 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a pivotal role in drug resistance and metastasis. Among the key players, Forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) acts as a tumor suppressor. This study aimed to unravel the role of FOXO3a in mediating the inhibitory effect of metformin on cancer stemness derived from paclitaxel (PTX)-resistant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. We showed that CSC-like features were acquired by the chronic induction of resistance to PTX, concurrently with inactivation of FOXO3a. In line with this, knockdown of FOXO3a in PTX-sensitive cells led to changes toward stemness, while overexpression of FOXO3a in PTX-resistant cells mitigated stemness in vitro and remarkably curbed the tumorigenesis of NSCLC/PTX cells in vivo. Furthermore, metformin suppressed the self-renewal ability of PTX-resistant cells, reduced the expression of stemness-related markers (c-MYC, Oct4, Nanog and Notch), and upregulated FOXO3a, events concomitant with the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). All these changes were recapitulated by silencing FOXO3a in PTX-sensitive cells. Intriguingly, the introduction of the AMPK dominant negative mutant offset the inhibitory effect of metformin on the stemness of PTX-resistant cells. In addition, FOXO3a levels were elevated by the treatment of PTX-resistant cells with MK2206 (an Akt inhibitor) and U0126 (a MEK inhibitor). Collectively, our findings indicate that metformin exerts its effect on FOXO3a through the activation of AMPK and the inhibition of protein kinase B (Akt) and MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK), culminating in the suppression of stemness in paclitaxel-resistant NSCLC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Tang
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China;
| | - Yilan Zhang
- Nanchang Joint Program, Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Zhengyi Yu
- Nanchang Joint Program, Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Zhijun Luo
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China;
- Nanchang Joint Program, Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (Y.Z.); (Z.Y.)
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2
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Revskij D, Runst J, Umstätter C, Ehlers L, Rohde S, Zechner D, Bastian M, Müller-Hilke B, Fuellen G, Henze L, Murua Escobar H, Junghanss C, Kowald A, Walter U, Köhling R, Wolkenhauer O, Jaster R. Uncoupling protein 2 deficiency of non-cancerous tissues inhibits the progression of pancreatic cancer in mice. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2023; 22:190-199. [PMID: 36549966 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2022.12.003] [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: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a disease of the elderly mostly because its development from preneoplastic lesions depends on the accumulation of gene mutations and epigenetic alterations over time. How aging of non-cancerous tissues of the host affects tumor progression, however, remains largely unknown. METHODS We took advantage of a model of accelerated aging, uncoupling protein 2-deficient (Ucp2 knockout, Ucp2 KO) mice, to investigate the growth of orthotopically transplanted Ucp2 wild-type (WT) PDAC cells (cell lines Panc02 and 6606PDA) in vivo and to study strain-dependent differences of the PDAC microenvironment. RESULTS Measurements of tumor weights and quantification of proliferating cells indicated a significant growth advantage of Panc02 and 6606PDA cells in WT mice compared to Ucp2 KO mice. In tumors in the knockout strain, higher levels of interferon-γ mRNA despite similar numbers of tumor-infiltrating T cells were observed. 6606PDA cells triggered a stronger stromal reaction in Ucp2 KO mice than in WT animals. Accordingly, pancreatic stellate cells from Ucp2 KO mice proliferated at a higher rate than cells of the WT strain when they were incubated with conditioned media from PDAC cells. CONCLUSIONS Ucp2 modulates PDAC microenvironment in a way that favors tumor progression and implicates an altered stromal response as one of the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Revskij
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Jakob Runst
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Camilla Umstätter
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Luise Ehlers
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Sarah Rohde
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Dietmar Zechner
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Manuela Bastian
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Brigitte Müller-Hilke
- Facility for Cell Sorting and Cell Analysis and Institute of Immunology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Georg Fuellen
- Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Ageing Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Larissa Henze
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Hugo Murua Escobar
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Christian Junghanss
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Axel Kowald
- Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Ageing Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Uwe Walter
- Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Köhling
- Oscar Langendorff Institute of Physiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Olaf Wolkenhauer
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Robert Jaster
- Department of Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
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Mostafavi S, Zalpoor H, Hassan ZM. The promising therapeutic effects of metformin on metabolic reprogramming of cancer-associated fibroblasts in solid tumors. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:58. [PMID: 35869449 PMCID: PMC9308248 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00356-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrated lymphocytes are exposed to many toxic metabolites and molecules in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that suppress their anti-tumor activity. Toxic metabolites, such as lactate and ketone bodies, are produced mainly by catabolic cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to feed anabolic cancer cells. These catabolic and anabolic cells make a metabolic compartment through which high-energy metabolites like lactate can be transferred via the monocarboxylate transporter channel 4. Moreover, a decrease in molecules, including caveolin-1, has been reported to cause deep metabolic changes in normal fibroblasts toward myofibroblast differentiation. In this context, metformin is a promising drug in cancer therapy due to its effect on oncogenic signal transduction pathways, leading to the inhibition of tumor proliferation and downregulation of key oncometabolites like lactate and succinate. The cross-feeding and metabolic coupling of CAFs and tumor cells are also affected by metformin. Therefore, the importance of metabolic reprogramming of stromal cells and also the pivotal effects of metformin on TME and oncometabolites signaling pathways have been reviewed in this study.
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4
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Koltai T, Reshkin SJ, Carvalho TMA, Di Molfetta D, Greco MR, Alfarouk KO, Cardone RA. Resistance to Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Physiopathologic and Pharmacologic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2486. [PMID: 35626089 PMCID: PMC9139729 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a very aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis and inadequate response to treatment. Many factors contribute to this therapeutic failure: lack of symptoms until the tumor reaches an advanced stage, leading to late diagnosis; early lymphatic and hematic spread; advanced age of patients; important development of a pro-tumoral and hyperfibrotic stroma; high genetic and metabolic heterogeneity; poor vascular supply; a highly acidic matrix; extreme hypoxia; and early development of resistance to the available therapeutic options. In most cases, the disease is silent for a long time, andwhen it does become symptomatic, it is too late for ablative surgery; this is one of the major reasons explaining the short survival associated with the disease. Even when surgery is possible, relapsesare frequent, andthe causes of this devastating picture are the low efficacy ofand early resistance to all known chemotherapeutic treatments. Thus, it is imperative to analyze the roots of this resistance in order to improve the benefits of therapy. PDAC chemoresistance is the final product of different, but to some extent, interconnected factors. Surgery, being the most adequate treatment for pancreatic cancer and the only one that in a few selected cases can achieve longer survival, is only possible in less than 20% of patients. Thus, the treatment burden relies on chemotherapy in mostcases. While the FOLFIRINOX scheme has a slightly longer overall survival, it also produces many more adverse eventsso that gemcitabine is still considered the first choice for treatment, especially in combination with other compounds/agents. This review discusses the multiple causes of gemcitabine resistance in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephan Joel Reshkin
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Tiago M. A. Carvalho
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Daria Di Molfetta
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Maria Raffaella Greco
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
| | - Khalid Omer Alfarouk
- Zamzam Research Center, Zamzam University College, Khartoum 11123, Sudan;
- Alfarouk Biomedical Research LLC, Temple Terrace, FL 33617, USA
| | - Rosa Angela Cardone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy; (T.M.A.C.); (D.D.M.); (M.R.G.); (R.A.C.)
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Dong X, Zhang X, Liu P, Tian Y, Li L, Gong P. Lipolysis-Stimulated Lipoprotein Receptor Impairs Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Inhibits the Oncogenic Activity of YAP1 via PPPY Motif. Front Oncol 2022; 12:896412. [PMID: 35586495 PMCID: PMC9108500 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.896412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) is a type I single-pass transmembrane protein which is mainly expressed in the liver. In this study, we investigated if and how LSR is involved in the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Experimental Design To evaluate if LSR was abnormally expressed in human HCC tissues, and how its expression was associated with the survival probability of patients, we obtained data from Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas Program. To investigate if and how LSR regulates tumor growth, we knocked down and overexpressed LSR in human HCC cell lines. In addition, to evaluate the interaction between LSR and yes-associated protein1 (YAP1), we mutated LSR at PPPY motif, a binding site of YAP1. Results Totally, 454 patients were enrolled in the present study, and high expression of LSR significantly decreased the probability of death. Knockdown of LSR significantly increased the expansion of HCC cells and significantly promoted tumor growth. In addition, downregulation of LSR increased the nuclear accumulation and transcriptional function of YAP1. Conversely, overexpression of LSR impairs this function of YAP1 and phosphorylates YAP1 at serine 127. Of note, mutation of LSR at the PPPY motif could block the interaction between LSR and YAP1, and restore the transcriptional ability of YAP1. Conclusions The present study suggests that LSR binds to YAP1 via the PPPY motif. Thus, LSR increases the phosphorylation of YAP1 and impairs the growth of HCC. This highlights that targeting LSR might be a promising therapeutic strategy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Dong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Department of General Surgery & Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Shenzhen University General Hospital & Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen, China
- Carson International Cancer Center & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery & Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Shenzhen University General Hospital & Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen, China
- Carson International Cancer Center & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of General Surgery & Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Shenzhen University General Hospital & Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen, China
- Carson International Cancer Center & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of General Surgery & Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Shenzhen University General Hospital & Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen, China
- Carson International Cancer Center & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of General Surgery & Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Shenzhen University General Hospital & Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen, China
- Carson International Cancer Center & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Gong
- Department of General Surgery & Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Shenzhen University General Hospital & Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen, China
- Carson International Cancer Center & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
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6
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Kumstel S, Schreiber T, Goldstein L, Stenzel J, Lindner T, Joksch M, Zhang X, Wendt EHU, Schönrogge M, Krause B, Vollmar B, Zechner D. Targeting pancreatic cancer with combinatorial treatment of CPI-613 and inhibitors of lactate metabolism. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266601. [PMID: 35452495 PMCID: PMC9032382 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death, with a 5-year survival rate of 10%. A stagnant high mortality rate over the last decades highlights the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Pancreatic tumors pursue an altered metabolism in order to maintain energy generation under low nutrient influx and hypoxic conditions. Targeting these metabolic strategies might therefore be a reasonable therapeutic approach for pancreatic cancer. One promising agent is CPI- 613, a potent inhibitor of two enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The present study evaluated the anti-cancerous efficacy of CPI-613 in combination with galloflavin, a lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor or with alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, an inhibitor of monocarboxylate transporters. The efficacy of both combination therapies was tested in vitro on one human and two murine pancreatic cancer cell lines and in vivo in an orthotopic pancreatic cancer model. Tumor progression was evaluated by MRI and 18F-FDG PET-CT. Both combinatorial treatments demonstrated in vitro a significant inhibition of pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and induction of cell death. In contrast to the in vitro results, both combination therapies did not significantly reduce tumor growth in vivo. The in vitro results suggest that a combined inhibition of different metabolic pathways might be a promising approach for cancer therapy. However, the in vivo experiments indicate that applying a higher dosage or using other drugs targeting these metabolic pathways might be more promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Kumstel
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Tim Schreiber
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Lea Goldstein
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Jan Stenzel
- Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Tobias Lindner
- Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Markus Joksch
- Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Edgar Heinz Uwe Wendt
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Maria Schönrogge
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Bernd Krause
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Dietmar Zechner
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
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7
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Weegh N, Zentrich E, Zechner D, Struve B, Wassermann L, Talbot SR, Kumstel S, Heider M, Vollmar B, Bleich A, Häger C. Voluntary wheel running behaviour as a tool to assess the severity in a mouse pancreatic cancer model. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261662. [PMID: 34941923 PMCID: PMC8699632 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Laboratory animals frequently undergo routine experimental procedures such as handling, restraining and injections. However, as a known source of stress, these procedures potentially impact study outcome and data quality. In the present study, we, therefore, performed an evidence-based severity assessment of experimental procedures used in a pancreatic cancer model including surgical tumour induction and subsequent chemotherapeutic treatment via repeated intraperitoneal injections. Cancer cell injection into the pancreas was performed during a laparotomy under general anaesthesia. After a four-day recovery phase, mice received either drug treatment (galloflavin and metformin) or the respective vehicle substances via daily intraperitoneal injections. In addition to clinical scoring, an automated home-cage monitoring system was used to assess voluntary wheel running (VWR) behaviour as an indicator of impaired well-being. After surgery, slightly elevated clinical scores and minimal body weight reductions, but significantly decreased VWR behaviour were observed. During therapy, body weight declined in response to chemotherapy, but not after vehicle substance injection, while VWR activity was decreased in both cases. VWR behaviour differed between treatment groups and revealed altered nightly activity patterns. In summary, by monitoring VWR a high impact of repeated injections on the well-being of mice was revealed and substance effects on well-being were distinguishable. However, no differences in tumour growth between treatment groups were observed. This might be due to the severity of the procedures uncovered in this study, as exaggerated stress responses are potentially confounding factors in preclinical studies. Finally, VWR was a more sensitive indicator of impairment than clinical scoring in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Weegh
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eva Zentrich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dietmar Zechner
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Birgitta Struve
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Laura Wassermann
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Steven Roger Talbot
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Simone Kumstel
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Miriam Heider
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - André Bleich
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine Häger
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail:
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8
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Gu Z, Du Y, Zhao X, Wang C. Tumor microenvironment and metabolic remodeling in gemcitabine-based chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer. Cancer Lett 2021; 521:98-108. [PMID: 34461181 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a solid malignant tumor with a very low operative rate and a poor patient prognosis. Therefore, gemcitabine (GEM)-based chemotherapy remains one of the most important treatment choices for PDAC. However, the efficacy of GEM monotherapy or GEM combination chemotherapy in improving the survival of patients with advanced PDAC is very limited, primarily due to GEM resistance. The mechanism of GEM resistance is complex and unclear. An extensive and dense fibrous matrix in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is an important feature of PDAC. Increasing evidence indicates that this fibrotic TME not only actively participates in the growth and spread of PDAC but also contributes to the induction of GEM resistance. Metabolic remodeling reduces GEM transport and synthesis in PDAC. This review focuses on the main cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of the extracellular matrix (ECM), immune cells, and metabolic remodeling in the induction of GEM resistance; highlights the prospect of targeting the TME as an essential strategy to overcome GEM resistance; and provides new precise interventions for chemotherapy sensitization and improving the overall prognosis of patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongting Gu
- Department of Pancreatic and Gastric Surgery, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Yongxing Du
- Department of Pancreatic and Gastric Surgery, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Xueping Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Chengfeng Wang
- Department of Pancreatic and Gastric Surgery, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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9
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Swislocki A. Fatty Pancreas: An Underappreciated Intersection of the Metabolic Profile and Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Metab Syndr Relat Disord 2021; 19:317-324. [PMID: 33656378 DOI: 10.1089/met.2020.0070] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the prevalence of pancreatic cancer is increasing, treatment strategies remain limited, and success is rare. A growing body of evidence links pancreatic cancer to pre-existing metabolic disorders, including, but not limited to, type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. An infrequently described finding, fatty pancreas, initially described in the context of obesity in the early 20th century, appears to be at the crossroads of type 2 diabetes and obesity on the one hand, and the development of pancreatic cancer on the other. Similarly, other conditions of the pancreas, such as intrapancreatic mucinous neoplasms, also seem to be related to diabetes while increasing the subsequent risk of pancreatic cancer. In this review, the author explores the diagnostic criteria for, and prevalence of, fatty pancreas and the potential link to other pancreatic conditions, including pancreatic cancer. Diagnostic limitations, and areas of controversy are also addressed, as are potential therapeutic approaches to fatty pancreas intended to reduce the subsequent risk of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Swislocki
- Medical Service (612/111), Veterans Affairs Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS), Martinez, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
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10
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Tang Z, Tang N, Jiang S, Bai Y, Guan C, Zhang W, Fan S, Huang Y, Lin H, Ying Y. The Chemosensitizing Role of Metformin in Anti-Cancer Therapy. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 21:949-962. [PMID: 32951587 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200918102642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chemoresistance, which leads to the failure of chemotherapy and further tumor recurrence, presents the largest hurdle for the success of anti-cancer therapy. In recent years, metformin, a widely used first-line antidiabetic drug, has attracted increasing attention for its anti-cancer effects. A growing body of evidence indicates that metformin can sensitize tumor responses to different chemotherapeutic drugs, such as hormone modulating drugs, anti-metabolite drugs, antibiotics, and DNA-damaging drugs via selective targeting of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), improving the hypoxic microenvironment, and by suppressing tumor metastasis and inflammation. In addition, metformin may regulate metabolic programming, induce apoptosis, reverse Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), and Multidrug Resistance (MDR). In this review, we summarize the chemosensitization effects of metformin and focus primarily on its molecular mechanisms in enhancing the sensitivity of multiple chemotherapeutic drugs, through targeting of mTOR, ERK/P70S6K, NF-κB/HIF-1 α, and Mitogen- Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, as well as by down-regulating the expression of CSC genes and Pyruvate Kinase isoenzyme M2 (PKM2). Through a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of chemosensitization provided in this review, the rationale for the use of metformin in clinical combination medications can be more systematically and thoroughly explored for wider adoption against numerous cancer types.>.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Tang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathophysiology, Schools of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Nan Tang
- Nanchang Joint Program, Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Shanshan Jiang
- Institute of Hematological Research, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xian 710000, China
| | - Yangjinming Bai
- Nanchang Joint Program, Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Chenxi Guan
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathophysiology, Schools of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Wansi Zhang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathophysiology, Schools of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Shipan Fan
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory (GRMH-GDL), Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Yonghong Huang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathophysiology, Schools of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Hui Lin
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathophysiology, Schools of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Ying Ying
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathogens and Molecular Pathology and Department of Pathophysiology, Schools of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
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Verloy R, Privat-Maldonado A, Smits E, Bogaerts A. Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer-The Importance of Pancreatic Stellate Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102782. [PMID: 32998311 PMCID: PMC7601057 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review aims to highlight the potential of cold plasma, the fourth state of matter, as anti-cancer treatment for pancreatic cancer, and the importance of pancreatic stellate cells in the response to this treatment. Currently, a significant lack of basic research on cold plasma considering both pancreatic cancer and stellate cells exists. However, co-cultures of these populations can be advantageous, as they resemble the cell-to-cell interactions occurring in a tumor in response to therapy. Even more, these studies should be performed prior to clinical trials of cold plasma to avoid unforeseen responses to treatment. This review article provides a framework for future research of cold plasma therapies for pancreatic cancer, considering the critical role of pancreatic stellate cells in the disease and treatment outcome. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with low five-year survival rates of 8% by conventional treatment methods, e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. PDAC shows high resistance towards chemo- and radiotherapy and only 15–20% of all patients can have surgery. This disease is predicted to become the third global leading cause of cancer death due to its significant rise in incidence. Therefore, the development of an alternative or combinational method is necessary to improve current approaches. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatments could offer multiple advantages to this emerging situation. The plasma-derived reactive species can induce oxidative damage and a cascade of intracellular signaling pathways, which could lead to cell death. Previous reports have shown that CAP treatment also influences cells in the tumor microenvironment, such as the pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). These PSCs, when activated, play a crucial role in the propagation, growth and survival of PDAC tumors. However, the effect of CAP on PSCs is not yet fully understood. This review focuses on the application of CAP for PDAC treatment and the importance of PSCs in the response to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Verloy
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine-ANTwerp, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
- Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
- Correspondence: (R.V.); (A.P.-M.); Tel.: +32-3265-2343 (R.V. & A.P.-M.)
| | - Angela Privat-Maldonado
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine-ANTwerp, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
- Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
- Correspondence: (R.V.); (A.P.-M.); Tel.: +32-3265-2343 (R.V. & A.P.-M.)
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
| | - Annemie Bogaerts
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine-ANTwerp, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
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12
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Pothula SP, Pirola RC, Wilson JS, Apte MV. Pancreatic stellate cells: Aiding and abetting pancreatic cancer progression. Pancreatology 2020; 20:409-418. [PMID: 31928917 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2020.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tumour-stromal interactions have now been acknowledged to play a major role in pancreatic cancer (PC) progression. The abundant collagenous stroma is produced by a specific cell type in the pancreas-the pancreatic stellate cell (PSC). Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are a unique resident cell type of pancreas and with a critical role in both healthy and diseased pancreas. Accumulating evidence indicates that PSCs interact closely with cancer cells as well as with other cell types of the stroma such as immune cells, endothelial cells and neuronal cells, to set up a growth permissive microenvironment for pancreatic tumours, which facilitates local tumour growth as well as distant metastasis. Consequently, recent work in the field has focused on the development of novel therapeutic approaches targeting the stroma to inhibit PC progression. Such a multi-pronged approach targeting both tumour and stromal elements of PC has been successfully applied in pre-clinical settings. The challenge now is to translate the pre-clinical findings into the clinical setting to achieve better outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasa P Pothula
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, and the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, Australia
| | - Romano C Pirola
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, and the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, Australia
| | - Jeremy S Wilson
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, and the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, Australia
| | - Minoti V Apte
- Pancreatic Research Group, South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, and the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, Australia.
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13
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Barreto SG, Michael MZ, Keating DJ. Islets and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma - An opportunity for translational research from the 'Bench to the Bedside'. Pancreatology 2020; 20:385-390. [PMID: 32057682 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The islet-acinar axis is of prime importance to the optimal functioning of the human pancreas. Not only is this inter-relationship important for normal physiological processes, it is also relevant in diseased states, including chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Early experiments, nearly 4 decades ago, explored the role of islets in the development and progression of PDAC. These led to further studies that provided compelling evidence to support the role of islets and their hormones in PDAC. This association presents oncologists with therapeutic options not only for managing, but potentially preventing PDAC, a cancer that is well known for its poor patient outcomes. This review will discuss the accumulated evidence regarding the role of islets and their hormones in PDAC and highlight areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savio G Barreto
- Division of Surgery and Perioperative Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Michael Z Michael
- Division of Surgery and Perioperative Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia
| | - Damien J Keating
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia
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14
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Ramakrishnan P, Loh WM, Gopinath SC, Bonam SR, Fareez IM, Mac Guad R, Sim MS, Wu YS. Selective phytochemicals targeting pancreatic stellate cells as new anti-fibrotic agents for chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:399-413. [PMID: 32140388 PMCID: PMC7049637 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have been widely accepted as a key precursor of excessive pancreatic fibrosis, which is a crucial hallmark of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and its formidable associated disease, pancreatic cancer (PC). Hence, anti-fibrotic therapy has been identified as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating CP and PC by targeting PSCs. Most of the anti-fibrotic agents have been limited to phase I/II clinical trials involving vitamin analogs, which are abundant in medicinal plants and have proved to be promising for clinical application. The use of phytomedicines, as new anti-fibrotic agents, has been applied to a variety of complementary and alternative approaches. The aim of this review was to present a focused update on the selective new potential anti-fibrotic agents, including curcumin, resveratrol, rhein, emodin, green tea catechin derivatives, metformin, eruberin A, and ellagic acid, in combating PSC in CP and PC models. It aimed to describe the mechanism(s) of the phytochemicals used, either alone or in combination, and the associated molecular targets. Most of them were tested in PC models with similar mechanism of actions, and curcumin was tested intensively. Future research may explore the issues of bioavailability, drug design, and nano-formulation, in order to achieve successful clinical outcomes with promising activity and tolerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puvanesswaray Ramakrishnan
- Ageing and Age-Associated Disorders Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Wei Mee Loh
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Subash C.B. Gopinath
- School of Bioprocess Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Arau 02600, Malaysia
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Kangar 01000, Malaysia
| | - Srinivasa Reddy Bonam
- UMR 7242, CNRS-University of Strasbourg, Biotechnology and Cell Signaling/Laboratory of Excellence Medalis, Illkirch 67400, France
| | - Ismail M. Fareez
- Department of Oral Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Selangor 42610, Malaysia
| | - Rhanye Mac Guad
- Department of Biomedical Science and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia
| | - Maw Shin Sim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +60 3 51022709 (Yuan Seng Wu); +60 3 79675749 (Maw Shin Sim).
| | - Yuan Seng Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience and Nursing, MAHSA University, Selangor 42610, Malaysia
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +60 3 51022709 (Yuan Seng Wu); +60 3 79675749 (Maw Shin Sim).
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15
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A novel multi-parametric analysis of non-invasive methods to assess animal distress during chronic pancreatitis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14084. [PMID: 31575986 PMCID: PMC6773730 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50682-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ethical responsibility, legal requirements and the need to improve the quality of research create a growing interest in the welfare of laboratory animals. Judging the welfare of animals requires readout parameters, which are valid and sensitive as well as specific to assess distress after different interventions. In the present study, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of different non-invasive parameters (body weight change, faecal corticosterone metabolites concentration, burrowing and nesting activity) by receiver operating characteristic curves and judged the merit of a multi-parametric analysis by logistic regression. Chronic pancreatitis as well as laparotomy caused significant changes in all parameters. However, the accuracy of these parameters was different between the two animal models. In both animal models, the multi-parametric analysis relying on all the readout parameters had the highest accuracy when predicting distress. This multi-parametric analysis revealed that C57BL/6 mice during the course of chronic pancreatitis often experienced less distress than mice after laparotomy. Interestingly these data also suggest that distress does not steadily increase during chronic pancreatitis. In conclusion, combining these non-invasive methods for severity assessment represents a reliable approach to evaluate animal distress in models such as chronic pancreatitis.
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Kumstel S, Vasudevan P, Palme R, Zhang X, Wendt EHU, David R, Vollmar B, Zechner D. Benefits of non-invasive methods compared to telemetry for distress analysis in a murine model of pancreatic cancer. J Adv Res 2019; 21:35-47. [PMID: 31641536 PMCID: PMC6796693 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prospective severity assessment is legally required in many countries to ensure high-quality research along with high welfare standards for laboratory animals. Mice and rats, the most common laboratory species, are prey animals that usually suppress signs of pain and suffering. Therefore, highly sensitive readout parameters are necessary to adequately quantify distress. The present study compared the performance of different non-invasive methods in determining animal distress, such as measuring body weight, distress score, faecal corticosterone metabolites, burrowing, and nesting behaviour, with continuous monitoring of heart rate, body temperature and activity by telemetry. The distress caused by two surgical interventions was compared and the burden caused by tumour growth was described. Transmitter implantation caused higher distress than laparotomy plus carcinoma cell injection into the pancreas. Surprisingly, no significant increase in distress was observed during tumour growth. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that some non-invasive distress-parameters, i.e., distress-score and burrowing activity, exhibited slightly better performance to quantify distress than the most suitable parameters measured by telemetry. Due to the high burden caused by the implantation of the telemetric device, the use of non-invasive methods to assess distress in laboratory animals after surgical interventions should be favoured in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Kumstel
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Praveen Vasudevan
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany.,Department of Life, Light and Matter, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Edgar Heinz Uwe Wendt
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Robert David
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany.,Department of Life, Light and Matter, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Dietmar Zechner
- Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany
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17
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Zhang X, Kumstel S, Jiang K, Meng S, Gong P, Vollmar B, Zechner D. LW6 enhances chemosensitivity to gemcitabine and inhibits autophagic flux in pancreatic cancer. J Adv Res 2019; 20:9-21. [PMID: 31193017 PMCID: PMC6514270 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
LW6 inhibits proliferation and induces cell death in pancreatic cancer cells. LW6 improves the anti-proliferation efficacy of gemcitabine. LW6 enhances gemcitabine-induced cell death. LW6 in combination with gemcitabine decreases tumor weight. LW6 inhibits autophagic flux.
The efficacy of gemcitabine therapy is often insufficient for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The current study demonstrated that LW6, a chemical inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, is a promising drug for enhancing the chemosensitivity to gemcitabine. LW6 monotherapy and the combination therapy of LW6 plus gemcitabine significantly inhibited cell proliferation and enhanced cell death in pancreatic cancer cells. This combination therapy also significantly reduced the tumor weight in a syngeneic orthotopic pancreatic carcinoma model without causing toxic side effects. In addition, this study provides insight into the mechanism of how LW6 interferes with the pathophysiology of pancreatic cancer. The results revealed that LW6 inhibited autophagic flux, which is defined by the accumulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and p62/SQSTM1. Moreover, these results were verified by the analysis of a tandem RFP-GFP-tagged LC3 protein. Thence, for the first time, these data demonstrate that LW6 enhances the anti-tumor effects of gemcitabine and inhibits autophagic flux. This suggests that the combination therapy of LW6 plus gemcitabine may be a novel therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbin Zhang
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Simone Kumstel
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Ke Jiang
- Cancer Center, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Lvshun South Road 9W, 116044 Dalian, China
| | - Songshu Meng
- Cancer Center, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Lvshun South Road 9W, 116044 Dalian, China
| | - Peng Gong
- Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Xueyuan Road 1098, 518055 Shenzhen, China
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Dietmar Zechner
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18059 Rostock, Germany
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Grading Distress of Different Animal Models for Gastrointestinal Diseases Based on Plasma Corticosterone Kinetics. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9040145. [PMID: 30987232 PMCID: PMC6523747 DOI: 10.3390/ani9040145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Animal welfare is an important aspect of biomedical research. Many regulations have been implemented to combine high quality of research with minimal harm to laboratory animals. These guidelines also demand a prospective severity assessment of each animal model. A comparison of distress between animal models could allow realistic harm and benefit analysis and an appropriate use of refinement methods. However, studies comparing distress between different animal models are still rare. One good parameter for analyzing distress is the concentration of the stress hormone corticosterone in the blood. Therefore, we compared the corticosterone kinetics of distinct gastrointestinal animal models. The aim of this study was to evaluate which parameter the highest corticosterone concentration or the duration of increased stress hormone level could be used to quantify distress. We observed a significant increase of corticosterone 30 min after stress induction in all animal models. However, the corticosterone kinetics differed between the distinct interventions. Both the absolute value and the duration of increased corticosterone level correlated directly with an assessed distress score. We conclude that both variables of corticosterone kinetics are valid parameters to compare distress between animal models. Abstract Comparative studies for evaluating distress in established animal models are still rare. However, this issue is becoming more important as a consequence of worldwide appreciation of animal welfare. One good parameter for evaluating distress is the quantification of corticosterone. We hypothesized that not just the absolute value but also the duration of increased corticosterone concentration in the blood is an important aspect for evaluating animal distress. Therefore, we analyzed plasma corticosterone concentrations 30, 60, 120, and 240 min after induction of pancreatitis by cerulein, liver damage by carbon tetrachloride, liver damage by bile duct ligation, and after orthotopic injection of pancreatic cancer cells. We also evaluated corticosterone kinetics after injection of distinct carrier substances. Compared to phosphate buffered saline, dimethyl sulfoxide leads to dose-dependent higher and longer-lasting circulating corticosterone concentrations. In all disease models, we observed significantly increased corticosterone concentration 30 min after stress induction. However, the corticosterone kinetics differed among the animal models. Both the absolute value of corticosterone concentration and the duration correlated positively with the quantification of animal distress by a score sheet. This suggests that both variables of corticosterone kinetics might provide a solid basis for comparing and grading distress of different animal models.
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α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate impairs pancreatic cancer cells by stimulating the p38 signaling pathway. Cell Signal 2018; 47:101-108. [PMID: 29609037 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Multiple studies are currently targeting dysregulated cancer cell metabolism with distinct combinations of inhibitors. In this study, we evaluated in pancreatic cancer cells metformin, which blocks oxidative phosphorylation, in combination with α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate, which has been reported to inhibit the export of lactate from the cytosol. The combination of metformin with α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate had a major inhibitory effect on the migration of 6606PDA cells. Monotherapy with α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate and especially the combination with metformin also caused significant inhibition of cell proliferation and induced cell death. α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate in combination with metformin reduced the export of lactate significantly, whereas α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate monotherapy only modestly influenced lactate export. None of these two drugs inhibited the expression of distinct glycolytic enzymes. Interestingly, α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate rather inhibited the ERK and very strongly stimulated the p38 signaling pathway in 6606PDA as well as in 7265PDA cells. In addition, the inhibition of the p38 signaling pathway by PH-797804 partially reversed the effect of α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate on cell apoptosis in both cell lines. We conclude that α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate monotherapy and especially the combinatorial therapy with metformin has strong anti-cancerous effects. α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate causes cancer cell apoptosis by a novel mechanism for this drug, namely the stimulation of the p38 signaling pathway.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play an integral role in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. With the developing knowledge of this important cell type, we are at the cusp of developing effective therapies for the above diseases based upon targeting the PSC and modulating its function. RECENT FINDINGS The major themes of the recent PSC literature include: PSC interactions with the extracellular matrix and other stromal components; intracellular calcium physiology as drivers of mechanical interactions and necrosis; the relationship between proinflammatory, protumoural, angiogenic, and metabolic pathways in pancreatic necrosis, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis; and targeting of the stroma for antitumoural and antifibrotic effects. SUMMARY Traditionally, there have been few treatment options for pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The elucidation of the wide-ranging functions of PSCs provide an opportunity for treatments based on stromal reprogramming.
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Dong YW, Shi YQ, He LW, Cui XY, Su PZ. Effects of metformin on survival outcomes of pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis. Oncotarget 2017; 8:55478-55488. [PMID: 28903435 PMCID: PMC5589674 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Recent epidemiological studies indicated that metformin might improve the survival of various cancers. However, its benefit on pancreatic cancer was controversial. METHODS We performed this meta-analysis to investigate the benefit of metformin on pancreatic cancer. A comprehensive literature search was performed through PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase. Relative risk (RR) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled. RESULTS The meta-analysis of 2 randomized controlled trials including181 pancreatic patients, revealed that metformin use was not associated with an improved overall survival at 6 months (RR=0.90, 95% CI=0.67-1.21), overall survival (HR=1.19, 95% CI=0.86-1.63) and progression-free survival (HR=1.39, 95% CI=0.97-1.99). But the meta-analysis of 8 cohorts, involving 2805 pancreatic patients with diabetes, demonstrated a favorable result with improved overall survival (HR=0.78, 95% CI=0.66-0.92). CONCLUSIONS Observations in the cohort studies supported a favorable role of metformin while the data from randomized controlled trials did not support that. Therefore, more high-quality RCTs are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wei Dong
- The Second Clinical Medical School of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan-Qiang Shi
- The Second Clinical Medical School of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Li-Wen He
- The Second Clinical Medical School of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, Guangdong, China
| | - Xi-Yu Cui
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan (Affiliated Foshan Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University), Foshan 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Pei-Zhu Su
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan (Affiliated Foshan Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University), Foshan 528000, Guangdong, China
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22
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Zechner D, Albert AC, Bürtin F, Vollmar B. Metformin Inhibits Gemcitabine Induced Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines. J Cancer 2017; 8:1744-1749. [PMID: 28819370 PMCID: PMC5556636 DOI: 10.7150/jca.17972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many preclinical and clinical studies are currently evaluating metformin in combination with classical therapeutic agents as anti-cancer therapy. In this study we used three distinct pancreatic cancer cell lines and evaluated cell death by trypan blue assay and Western Blots using antibodies directed against cleaved caspase 3 and PARP. Surprisingly, we observed that 20mM metformin did not enhance, but rather inhibited gemcitabine induced cell death in murine 7265PDA, 6606PDA and 6606l cells. Microenvironmental aspects such as oxygen supply or the pH value did not influence the inhibition of cancer cell apoptosis by metformin. Glucose concentration in the medium, however, had a major effect on the impact of metformin. Medium with 0.5g/L glucose strongly increased metformin induced apoptosis and also prevented the inhibitory effect of metformin on gemcitabine induced cell apoptosis, when compared with medium containing 4.5g/L glucose. We conclude that the combination of metformin with gemcitabine has inappropriate effects for a successful treatment of pancreatic cancer. Thus, it might be more promising to use metformin in combination with other drugs that reduce the uptake or the metabolism of glucose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dietmar Zechner
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Ann-Christin Albert
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Florian Bürtin
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Brigitte Vollmar
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 69a, 18057 Rostock, Germany
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von Ahrens D, Bhagat TD, Nagrath D, Maitra A, Verma A. The role of stromal cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:76. [PMID: 28351381 PMCID: PMC5371211 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0448-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal cancer generally refractory to conventional treatments. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are cellular components of the desmoplastic stroma characteristic to the tumor that contributes to this treatment resistance. Various markers for CAFs have been explored including palladin and CD146 that have prognostic and functional roles in the pathobiology of PDAC. Mechanisms of CAF-tumor cell interaction have been described including exosomal transfer and paracrine signaling mediated by cytokines such as GM-CSF and IL-6. The role of downstream signaling pathways including JAK/STAT, mTOR, sonic hedge hog (SHH), and NFkB have also been shown to play an important function in PDAC-CAF cross talk. The role of autophagy and other metabolic effects on each cell type within the tumor have also been proposed to play roles in facilitating CAF secretory function and enhancing tumor growth in a low-glucose microenvironment. Targeting the stroma has gained interest with multiple preclinical and clinical trials targeting SHH, JAK2, and methods of either exploiting the secretory capability of CAFs to enhance drug delivery or inhibiting it to prevent its influence on cancer cell chemoresistance. This review summarizes the most recent progress made in understanding stromal formation; its contribution to tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis; its role in chemoresistance; and potential therapeutic strategies on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagny von Ahrens
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Tushar D Bhagat
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Deepak Nagrath
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Anirban Maitra
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Amit Verma
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Behrens
- EPO - Experimental Pharmacology and Oncology GmbH - GmbH, Robert-Roessle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang Walther
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Charité, University Medicine, Berlin; Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Roessle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Iduna Fichtner
- EPO - Experimental Pharmacology and Oncology GmbH - GmbH, Robert-Roessle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
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