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Kazakova AN, Lukina MM, Anufrieva KS, Bekbaeva IV, Ivanova OM, Shnaider PV, Slonov A, Arapidi GP, Shender VO. Exploring the diversity of cancer-associated fibroblasts: insights into mechanisms of drug resistance. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1403122. [PMID: 38818409 PMCID: PMC11137237 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1403122] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Among the various stromal cell types within the tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) emerge as the predominant constituent, exhibiting a diverse array of oncogenic functions not intrinsic to normal fibroblasts. Their involvement spans across all stages of tumorigenesis, encompassing initiation, progression, and metastasis. Current understanding posits the coexistence of distinct subpopulations of CAFs within the tumor microenvironment across a spectrum of solid tumors, showcasing both pro- and antitumor activities. Recent advancements in single-cell transcriptomics have revolutionized our ability to meticulously dissect the heterogeneity inherent to CAF populations. Furthermore, accumulating evidence underscores the pivotal role of CAFs in conferring therapeutic resistance to tumors against various drug modalities. Consequently, efforts are underway to develop pharmacological agents specifically targeting CAFs. Methods: This review embarks on a comprehensive analysis, consolidating data from 36 independent single-cell RNA sequencing investigations spanning 17 distinct human malignant tumor types. Results: Our exploration centers on elucidating CAF population markers, discerning their prognostic relevance, delineating their functional contributions, and elucidating the underlying mechanisms orchestrating chemoresistance. Discussion: Finally, we deliberate on the therapeutic potential of harnessing CAFs as promising targets for intervention strategies in clinical oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia N. Kazakova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria M. Lukina
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Ksenia S. Anufrieva
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina V. Bekbaeva
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Olga M. Ivanova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina V. Shnaider
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey Slonov
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Georgij P. Arapidi
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victoria O. Shender
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Numakura S, Kato M, Uozaki H. Discovery of YS-1 as a cell line of gastric inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:542. [PMID: 38642200 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09442-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts (iCAFs) was first identified by co-culture of pancreatic stellate cells and tumor organoids. The key feature of iCAFs is IL-6high/αSMAlow. We examine this phenomenon in gastric cancer using two cell lines of gastric fibroblasts (HGF and YS-1). METHODS AND RESULTS HGF or YS-1 were co-cultured with MKN7 (a gastric adenocarcinoma cell line) in Matrigel. IL-6 protein levels in the culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. The increased production of IL-6 was not observed in any of the combinations. Instead, the supernatant of YS-1 exhibited the higher levels of IL-6. YS-1 showed IL-6high/αSMA (ACTA2)low in real-time PCR, mRNA-seq and immunohistochemistry. In mRNA-seq, iCAFs-associated genes and signaling pathways were up-regulated in YS-1. No transition to myofibroblastic phenotype was observed by monolayer culture, or the exposure to sonic hedgehog (SHH) or TGF-β. YS-1 conditioned medium induced changes of morphology and stem-ness/differentiation in NUGC-3 (a human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line) and UBE6T-15 (a human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell line). CONCLUSIONS YS-1 is a stable cell line of gastric iCAFs. This discovery will promote further research on iCAFs for many researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoe Numakura
- Department of Pathology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan.
| | - Masahiro Kato
- Department of Pathology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Uozaki
- Department of Pathology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
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Guo T, Xu J. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: a versatile mediator in tumor progression, metastasis, and targeted therapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024:10.1007/s10555-024-10186-7. [PMID: 38602594 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10186-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been demonstrated to play a significant role in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major component of TME and exhibit heterogeneous properties in their communication with tumor cells. This heterogeneity of CAFs can be attributed to various origins, including quiescent fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), adipocytes, pericytes, endothelial cells, and mesothelial cells. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing has identified diverse phenotypes of CAFs, with myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs) and inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) being the most acknowledged, alongside newly discovered subtypes like antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs). Due to these heterogeneities, CAFs exert multiple functions in tumorigenesis, cancer stemness, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, metabolism, and metastasis. As a result, targeted therapies aimed at the TME, particularly focusing on CAFs, are rapidly developing, fueling the promising future of advanced tumor-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianchen Guo
- Women's Reproductive Health Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junfen Xu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
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Ozmen E, Demir TD, Ozcan G. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: protagonists of the tumor microenvironment in gastric cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1340124. [PMID: 38562556 PMCID: PMC10982390 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1340124] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Enhanced knowledge of the interaction of cancer cells with their environment elucidated the critical role of tumor microenvironment in tumor progression and chemoresistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts act as the protagonists of the tumor microenvironment, fostering the metastasis, stemness, and chemoresistance of cancer cells and attenuating the anti-cancer immune responses. Gastric cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers in the clinic, refractory to anti-cancer therapies. Growing evidence indicates that cancer-associated fibroblasts are the most prominent risk factors for a poor tumor immune microenvironment and dismal prognosis in gastric cancer. Therefore, targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts may be central to surpassing resistance to conventional chemotherapeutics, molecular-targeted agents, and immunotherapies, improving survival in gastric cancer. However, the heterogeneity in cancer-associated fibroblasts may complicate the development of cancer-associated fibroblast targeting approaches. Although single-cell sequencing studies started dissecting the heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts, the research community should still answer these questions: "What makes a cancer-associated fibroblast protumorigenic?"; "How do the intracellular signaling and the secretome of different cancer-associated fibroblast subpopulations differ from each other?"; and "Which cancer-associated fibroblast subtypes predominate specific cancer types?". Unveiling these questions can pave the way for discovering efficient cancer-associated fibroblast targeting strategies. Here, we review current knowledge and perspectives on these questions, focusing on how CAFs induce aggressiveness and therapy resistance in gastric cancer. We also review potential therapeutic approaches to prevent the development and activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts via inhibition of CAF inducers and CAF markers in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Ozmen
- Koç University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Tevriz Dilan Demir
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Gulnihal Ozcan
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Park JG, Roh PR, Kang MW, Cho SW, Hwangbo S, Jung HD, Kim HU, Kim JH, Yoo JS, Han JW, Jang JW, Choi JY, Yoon SK, You YK, Choi HJ, Ryu JY, Sung PS. Intrahepatic IgA complex induces polarization of cancer-associated fibroblasts to matrix phenotypes in the tumor microenvironment of HCC. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00746. [PMID: 38466639 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play key roles in the tumor microenvironment. IgA contributes to inflammation and dismantling antitumor immunity in the human liver. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of the IgA complex on CAFs in Pil Soo Sung the tumor microenvironment of HCC. APPROACH AND RESULTS CAF dynamics in HCC tumor microenvironment were analyzed through single-cell RNA sequencing of HCC samples. CAFs isolated from 50 HCC samples were treated with mock or serum-derived IgA dimers in vitro. Progression-free survival of patients with advanced HCC treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab was significantly longer in those with low serum IgA levels ( p <0.05). Single-cell analysis showed that subcluster proportions in the CAF-fibroblast activation protein-α matrix were significantly increased in patients with high serum IgA levels. Flow cytometry revealed a significant increase in the mean fluorescence intensity of fibroblast activation protein in the CD68 + cells from patients with high serum IgA levels ( p <0.001). We confirmed CD71 (IgA receptor) expression in CAFs, and IgA-treated CAFs exhibited higher programmed death-ligand 1 expression levels than those in mock-treated CAFs ( p <0.05). Coculture with CAFs attenuated the cytotoxic function of activated CD8 + T cells. Interestingly, activated CD8 + T cells cocultured with IgA-treated CAFs exhibited increased programmed death-1 expression levels than those cocultured with mock-treated CAFs ( p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Intrahepatic IgA induced polarization of HCC-CAFs into more malignant matrix phenotypes and attenuates cytotoxic T-cell function. Our study highlighted their potential roles in tumor progression and immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Geun Park
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Pu Reun Roh
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Woo Kang
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Woo Cho
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Suhyun Hwangbo
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Deok Jung
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 four), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Uk Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BK21 four), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Kim
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Sung Yoo
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Won Han
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Won Jang
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Young Choi
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Kew Yoon
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Kyoung You
- Department of Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Joong Choi
- Department of Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Yong Ryu
- Department of Biotechnology, Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Pil Soo Sung
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center, College of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Liu C, Liu L. Identification and immunoassay of prognostic genes associated with the complement system in acute myeloid leukemia. J Formos Med Assoc 2024:S0929-6646(24)00057-3. [PMID: 38341328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies have associated the development of pulmonary leukemia with the activation of the complement system. However, the roles and mechanisms of complement system-related genes (CSRGs) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have not been investigated extensively. This study used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-AML and GSE37642 datasets. Differentially expressed CSRGs (CSRDEGs) were identified by overlapping genes differentially expressed between the high and low CSRG score groups and key module genes identified in a weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses identified CSRG-related biomarkers, which were used to build a prognostic model. After gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), immune-related and drug-sensitivity analyses were performed in the high- and low-risk groups. Four prognosis-related biomarkers were identified and used to develop a prognostic model: MEOX2, IGFBP5, CH25H, and RAB3B. The model's performance was verified in a test cohort (a subset of samples from the TCGA-AML dataset) and a validation cohort (GSE37642). The GSEA revealed that the high-risk group was mainly enriched for Golgi organization and cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, and the low-risk group was mainly enriched in the hedgehog signaling pathway and spliceosome. Lastly, two immune cells were found to show differential infiltration between risk groups, which correlated with the risk scores. M1 macrophage infiltration was significantly positively correlated with RAB3B expression. Sensitivity to 36 drugs differed significantly between risk groups. This study screened four CSRG-related biomarkers (MEOX2, IGFBP5, CH25H, and RAB3B) to provide a basis for predicting AML prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liu
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, ChongQing, 400016, China.
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, ChongQing, 400016, China.
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Chua ZM, Tajebe F, Abuwarwar M, Fletcher AL. Differential induction of T-cell tolerance by tumour fibroblast subsets. Curr Opin Immunol 2024; 86:102410. [PMID: 38237251 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2023.102410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
T-cell immunotherapy is now a first-line cancer treatment for metastatic melanoma and some lung cancer subtypes, which is a welcome clinical success. However, the response rates observed in these diseases are not yet replicated across other prominent solid tumour types, particularly stromal-rich subtypes with a complex microenvironment that suppresses infiltrating T cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the most abundant and pro-pathogenic players in the tumour microenvironment, promoting tumour neogenesis, persistence and metastasis. Accumulating evidence is clear that CAFs subdue anti-tumour T-cell immunity and interfere with immunotherapy. CAFs can be grouped into different subtypes that operate synergistically to suppress T-cell function, including myofibroblastic CAFs, inflammatory CAFs and antigen-presenting CAFs, among other nomenclatures. Here, we review the mechanisms used by CAFs to induce T- cell tolerance and how these functions are likely to affect immunotherapy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Mx Chua
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Fitsumbhran Tajebe
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, University of Gondar, Gondar 0000, Ethiopia
| | - Mohammed Abuwarwar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Anne L Fletcher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
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8
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Bantug GR, Hess C. The immunometabolic ecosystem in cancer. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:2008-2020. [PMID: 38012409 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01675-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Our increased understanding of how key metabolic pathways are activated and regulated in malignant cells has identified metabolic vulnerabilities of cancers. Translating this insight to the clinics, however, has proved challenging. Roadblocks limiting efficacy of drugs targeting cancer metabolism may lie in the nature of the metabolic ecosystem of tumors. The exchange of metabolites and growth factors between cancer cells and nonmalignant tumor-resident cells is essential for tumor growth and evolution, as well as the development of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. In this Review, we will examine the metabolic interplay between tumor-resident cells and how targeted inhibition of specific metabolic enzymes in malignant cells could elicit pro-tumorigenic effects in non-transformed tumor-resident cells and inhibit the function of tumor-specific T cells. To improve the efficacy of metabolism-targeted anticancer strategies, a holistic approach that considers the effect of metabolic inhibitors on major tumor-resident cell populations is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn R Bantug
- Department of Biomedicine, Immunobiology, University of Basel and University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Christoph Hess
- Department of Biomedicine, Immunobiology, University of Basel and University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Department of Medicine, CITIID, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Eguchi S, Yamada D, Kobayashi S, Sasaki K, Iwagami Y, Tomimaru Y, Noda T, Takahashi H, Asaoka T, Tanemura M, Doki Y, Eguchi H. Automated Analysis for the Prevalence of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Resected Specimens of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma is a Simple and Reliable Evaluation System. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:5420-5428. [PMID: 37222943 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-13633-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) has a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis, and chemotherapy options are limited. The prevalence of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in iCCA has recently emerged as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target. A method to quantify the expression of CAFs is needed; however, a simple and reliable quantification method has not yet been established. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to establish a simple and reliable method of quantifying CAFs. METHODS A total of 71 patients with iCCA who underwent curative resection from November 2006 to October 2020 in our hospital were investigated. Immunohistochemistry for alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was performed and α-SMA-positive cells were quantified by an automated analysis system (new method) and visually counted (conventional method). The times required for measurement and the prognosis were compared. RESULTS The results of the quantification of CAFs by the new method were significantly correlated with the results by the conventional method, and the time required for measurement was significantly shorter with the new method. Patients with high-intensity CAFs showed a significantly poorer prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) and the cumulative hepatic recurrence rate. In addition, high α-SMA levels were a significant risk factor for OS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS This new method may contribute to the management of patients with iCCA, not only for the prediction of prognosis of patients with iCCA, but also for the indication of targeted therapy against CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Eguchi
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisaku Yamada
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shogo Kobayashi
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Kazuki Sasaki
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Iwagami
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshito Tomimaru
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takehiro Noda
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidenori Takahashi
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tadafumi Asaoka
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka Police Hospital, Tennoji, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Tanemura
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Rinku General Medical Center, Izumisano, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Doki
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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10
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Tang PW, Frisbie L, Hempel N, Coffman L. Insights into the tumor-stromal-immune cell metabolism cross talk in ovarian cancer. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C731-C749. [PMID: 37545409 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00588.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The ovarian cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a constellation of abundant cellular components, extracellular matrix, and soluble factors. Soluble factors, such as cytokines, chemokines, structural proteins, extracellular vesicles, and metabolites, are critical means of noncontact cellular communication acting as messengers to convey pro- or antitumorigenic signals. Vast advancements have been made in our understanding of how cancer cells adapt their metabolism to meet environmental demands and utilize these adaptations to promote survival, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. The stromal TME contribution to this metabolic rewiring has been relatively underexplored, particularly in ovarian cancer. Thus, metabolic activity alterations in the TME hold promise for further study and potential therapeutic exploitation. In this review, we focus on the cellular components of the TME with emphasis on 1) metabolic signatures of ovarian cancer; 2) understanding the stromal cell network and their metabolic cross talk with tumor cells; and 3) how stromal and tumor cell metabolites alter intratumoral immune cell metabolism and function. Together, these elements provide insight into the metabolic influence of the TME and emphasize the importance of understanding how metabolic performance drives cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla W Tang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Leonard Frisbie
- Department of Integrative Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Nadine Hempel
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Lan Coffman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
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11
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Lintern N, Smith AM, Jayne DG, Khaled YS. Photodynamic Stromal Depletion in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4135. [PMID: 37627163 PMCID: PMC10453210 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164135] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest solid malignancies, with a five-year survival of less than 10%. The resistance of the disease and the associated lack of therapeutic response is attributed primarily to its dense, fibrotic stroma, which acts as a barrier to drug perfusion and permits tumour survival and invasion. As clinical trials of chemotherapy (CT), radiotherapy (RT), and targeted agents have not been successful, improving the survival rate in unresectable PDAC remains an urgent clinical need. Photodynamic stromal depletion (PSD) is a recent approach that uses visible or near-infrared light to destroy the desmoplastic tissue. Preclinical evidence suggests this can resensitise tumour cells to subsequent therapies whilst averting the tumorigenic effects of tumour-stromal cell interactions. So far, the pre-clinical studies have suggested that PDT can successfully mediate the destruction of various stromal elements without increasing the aggressiveness of the tumour. However, the complexity of this interplay, including the combined tumour promoting and suppressing effects, poses unknowns for the clinical application of photodynamic stromal depletion in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Lintern
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Andrew M. Smith
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | - David G. Jayne
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Yazan S. Khaled
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
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12
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Dwivedi NV, Datta S, El-Kersh K, Sadikot RT, Ganti AK, Batra SK, Jain M. GPCRs and fibroblast heterogeneity in fibroblast-associated diseases. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23101. [PMID: 37486603 PMCID: PMC10916681 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest and most diverse class of signaling receptors. GPCRs regulate many functions in the human body and have earned the title of "most targeted receptors". About one-third of the commercially available drugs for various diseases target the GPCRs. Fibroblasts lay the architectural skeleton of the body, and play a key role in supporting the growth, maintenance, and repair of almost all tissues by responding to the cellular cues via diverse and intricate GPCR signaling pathways. This review discusses the dynamic architecture of the GPCRs and their intertwined signaling in pathological conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, pancreatic fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis, and cancer as opposed to the GPCR signaling of fibroblasts in physiological conditions. Understanding the dynamics of GPCR signaling in fibroblasts with disease progression can help in the recognition of the complex interplay of different GPCR subtypes in fibroblast-mediated diseases. This review highlights the importance of designing and adaptation of next-generation strategies such as GPCR-omics, focused target identification, polypharmacology, and effective personalized medicine approaches to achieve better therapeutic outcomes for fibrosis and fibrosis associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi V Dwivedi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Souvik Datta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Karim El-Kersh
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Ruxana T Sadikot
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System
| | - Apar K. Ganti
- VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System
- Division of Oncology and Hematology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Maneesh Jain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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13
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Bates ME, Libring S, Reinhart-King CA. Forces exerted and transduced by cancer-associated fibroblasts during cancer progression. Biol Cell 2023; 115:e2200104. [PMID: 37224184 PMCID: PMC10757454 DOI: 10.1111/boc.202200104] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Although it is well-known that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a key role in regulating tumor progression, the effects of mechanical tissue changes on CAFs are understudied. Myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs), in particular, are known to alter tumor matrix architecture and composition, heavily influencing the mechanical forces in the tumor microenvironment (TME), but much less is known about how these mechanical changes initiate and maintain the myCAF phenotype. Additionally, recent studies have pointed to the existence of CAFs in circulating tumor cell clusters, indicating that CAFs may be subject to mechanical forces beyond the primary TME. Due to their pivotal role in cancer progression, targeting CAF mechanical regulation may provide therapeutic benefit. Here, we will discuss current knowledge and summarize existing gaps in how CAFs regulate and are regulated by matrix mechanics, including through stiffness, solid and fluid stresses, and fluid shear stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison E Bates
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sarah Libring
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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14
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Morgan A, Griffin M, Kameni L, Wan DC, Longaker MT, Norton JA. Medical Biology of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Pancreatic Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1044. [PMID: 37626931 PMCID: PMC10451924 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer with one of the lowest 5-year survival rates of all cancer types. A defining characteristic of pancreatic cancer is the existence of dense desmoplastic stroma that, when exposed to stimuli such as cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines, generate a tumor-promoting environment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are activated during the progression of pancreatic cancer and are a crucial component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). CAFs are primarily pro-tumorigenic in their activated state and function as promoters of cancer invasion, proliferation, metastasis, and immune modulation. Aided by many signaling pathways, cytokines, and chemokines in the tumor microenvironment, CAFs can originate from many cell types including resident fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, pancreatic stellate cells, adipocytes, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and other cell types. CAFs are a highly heterogeneous cell type expressing a variety of surface markers and performing a wide range of tumor promoting and inhibiting functions. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses have revealed a high degree of specialization among CAFs. Some examples of CAF subpopulations include myofibrotic CAFs (myCAFs), which exhibit a matrix-producing contractile phenotype; inflammatory CAFs (iCAF) that are classified by their immunomodulating, secretory phenotype; and antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs), which have antigen-presenting capabilities and express Major Histocompatibility Complex II (MHC II). Over the last several years, various attempts have been undertaken to describe the mechanisms of CAF-tumor cell interaction, as well as CAF-immune cell interaction, that contribute to tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Although our understanding of CAF biology in cancer has steadily increased, the extent of CAFs heterogeneity and their role in the pathobiology of pancreatic cancer remains elusive. In this regard, it becomes increasingly evident that further research on CAFs in pancreatic cancer is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annah Morgan
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
| | - Michelle Griffin
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lionel Kameni
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
| | - Derrick C. Wan
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael T. Longaker
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jeffrey A. Norton
- Hagey Laboratory of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (A.M.); (M.G.); (L.K.); (D.C.W.); (M.T.L.)
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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15
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Zhihao Z, Cheng J, Xiaoshuang Z, Yangguang M, Tingyu W, Yongyong Y, Zhou Y, Jie Z, Tao Z, Xueyu H, Zhe W. Cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration in osteosarcoma: the discrepancy in subtypes pathways and immunosuppression. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1136960. [PMID: 37441535 PMCID: PMC10333483 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1136960] [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: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Osteosarcoma (OS), the primary malignant bone tumor, has a low survival rate for recurrent patients. Latest reports indicated that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were the main component of tumor microenvironment, and would generate a variable role in the progression of tumors. However, the role of CAFs is still few known in osteosarcoma. Methods: The processed RNA-seq data and the corresponding clinical and molecular information were retrieved from the Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database and processed data of tumor tissue was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Xcell method was used in data processing, and Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) was used to calculates enrichment scores. Nomogram was constructed to evaluate prognostic power of the predictive model. And the construction of risk scores and assessment of prognostic predictive were based on the LASSO model. Results: This study classified Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort into high and low CAFs infiltrate phenotype with different CAFs infiltration enrichment scores. Then TOP 9 genes were screened as prognostic signatures among 2,488 differentially expressed genes between the two groups. Key prognostic molecules were CGREF1, CORT and RHBDL2 and the risk score formula is: Risk-score = CGREF1*0.004 + CORT*0.004 + RHBDL2*0.002. The signatures were validated to be independent prognostic factors to predict tumor prognosis with single-factor COX and multi-factor COX regression analyses and Norton chart. The risk score expression of risk score model genes could predict the drug resistance, and significant differences could be found between the high and low scoring groups for 17-AAG, AZD6244, PD-0325901 and Sorafenib. Discussion: To sum up, this article validated the prediction role of CAF infiltration in the prognosis of OS, which might shed light on the treatment of OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Zhihao
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ju Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zuo Xiaoshuang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ma Yangguang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wu Tingyu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Yongyong
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhou Jie
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhang Tao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hu Xueyu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wang Zhe
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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16
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Chang J, Lo ZHY, Alenizi S, Kovacevic Z. Re-Shaping the Pancreatic Cancer Tumor Microenvironment: A New Role for the Metastasis Suppressor NDRG1. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2779. [PMID: 37345116 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102779] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PaC) is a highly aggressive disease, with poor response to current treatments and 5-year survival rates of 10-15%. PaC progression is facilitated by its interaction with the complex and multifaceted tumor microenvironment (TME). In the TME, cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells constantly communicate with each other via the secretion and uptake of factors including cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, metabolites, and extracellular vesicles (EVs), reshaping the landscape of PaC. Recent studies demonstrated that the metastasis suppressor N-myc downstream regulated 1 (NDRG1) not only inhibits oncogenic signaling pathways in PaC cells but also alters the communication between PaC cells and the surrounding stroma. In fact, NDRG1 was found to influence the secretome of PaC cells, alter cancer cell metabolism, and interfere with intracellular trafficking and intercellular communication between PaC cells and surrounding fibroblasts. This review will present recent advancements in understanding the role of NDRG1 in PaC progression, with a focus on how this molecule influences PaC-stroma communication and its potential for re-shaping the PaC TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Chang
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of NSW, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Zoe H Y Lo
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Shafi Alenizi
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
| | - Zaklina Kovacevic
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of NSW, Sydney 2052, Australia
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17
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Hartl L, Duitman J, Maarten FB, Spek CA. The Dual Role of C/EBPδ in Cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 185:103983. [PMID: 37024021 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.103983] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein delta (C/EBPδ) is a transcription factor involved in differentiation and inflammation. While sparsely expressed in adult tissues, aberrant expression of C/EBPδ has been associated with different cancers. Initially, re-expression of C/EBPδ in cell cultures limited tumor cell proliferation, assigning it a tumor suppressor role. However, opposing observations were made in pre-clinical models and patients, suggesting that C/EBPδ not only mediates cell proliferation but dictates a broader spectrum of tumorigenesis-related effects. It is now widely accepted that C/EBPδ contributes to an inflammatory, tumor-promoting microenvironment, aids hypoxia adaption and contributes to the recruitment of blood vessels for improved nutrient supply to tumor cells and facilitated extravasation. This review summarizes the work published on this transcription factor in the field of cancer over the past decade. It points out areas in which a consensus on C/EBPδ's role appears to emerge and seek to explain seemingly contradictory results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Hartl
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - JanWillem Duitman
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Experimental Immunology, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Infection & Immunity, Inflammatory Diseases, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - F Bijlsma Maarten
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C Arnold Spek
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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18
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Wieder R. Fibroblasts as Turned Agents in Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15072014. [PMID: 37046676 PMCID: PMC10093070 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15072014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiated epithelial cells reside in the homeostatic microenvironment of the native organ stroma. The stroma supports their normal function, their G0 differentiated state, and their expansion/contraction through the various stages of the life cycle and physiologic functions of the host. When malignant transformation begins, the microenvironment tries to suppress and eliminate the transformed cells, while cancer cells, in turn, try to resist these suppressive efforts. The tumor microenvironment encompasses a large variety of cell types recruited by the tumor to perform different functions, among which fibroblasts are the most abundant. The dynamics of the mutual relationship change as the sides undertake an epic battle for control of the other. In the process, the cancer “wounds” the microenvironment through a variety of mechanisms and attracts distant mesenchymal stem cells to change their function from one attempting to suppress the cancer, to one that supports its growth, survival, and metastasis. Analogous reciprocal interactions occur as well between disseminated cancer cells and the metastatic microenvironment, where the microenvironment attempts to eliminate cancer cells or suppress their proliferation. However, the altered microenvironmental cells acquire novel characteristics that support malignant progression. Investigations have attempted to use these traits as targets of novel therapeutic approaches.
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19
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Cao T, Wu H, Ji T. Bioinformatics-based construction of prognosis-related methylation prediction model for pancreatic cancer patients and its application value. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1086309. [PMID: 36969862 PMCID: PMC10034005 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1086309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a highly malignant gastrointestinal tumor with almost similar morbidity and mortality. In this study, based on bioinformatics, we investigated the role of gene methylation in PAAD, evaluated relevant factors affecting patient prognosis, screened potential anti-cancer small molecule drugs, and constructed a prediction model to assess the prognosis of PAAD.Methods: Clinical and genomic data of PAAD were collected from the Tumor Genome Atlas Project (TCGA) database and gene expression profiles were obtained from the GTEX database. Analysis of differentially methylated genes (DMGs) and significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was performed on tumorous samples with KRAS wild-type and normal samples using the “limma” package and combined analysis. We selected factors significantly associated with survival from the significantly differentially methylated and expressed genes (DMEGs), and their fitting into a relatively streamlined prognostic model was validated separately from the internal training and test sets and the external ICGC database to show the robustness of the model.Results: In the TCGA database, 2,630 DMGs were identified, with the largest gap between DMGs in the gene body and TSS200 region. 318 DEGs were screened, and the enrichment analysis of DMGs and DEGs was taken to intersect DMEGs, showing that the DMEGs were mainly related to Olfactory transduction, natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity pathway, and Cytokine -cytokine receptor interaction. DMEGs were able to distinguish well between PAAD and paraneoplastic tissues. Through techniques such as drug database and molecular docking, we screened a total of 10 potential oncogenic small molecule compounds, among which felbamate was the most likely target drug for PAAD. We constructed a risk model through combining three DMEGs (S100P, LY6D, and WFDC13) with clinical factors significantly associated with prognosis, and confirmed the model robustness using external and internal validation.Conclusion: The classification model based on DMEGs was able to accurately separate normal samples from tumor samples and find potential anti-PAAD drugs by performing gene-drug interactions on DrugBank.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tengfei Ji
- *Correspondence: Tiansheng Cao, ; Tengfei Ji,
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20
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Li X, Zhou J, Wang X, Li C, Ma Z, Wan Q, Peng F. Pancreatic cancer and fibrosis: Targeting metabolic reprogramming and crosstalk of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1152312. [PMID: 37033960 PMCID: PMC10073477 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1152312] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most dangerous types of cancer today, notable for its low survival rate and fibrosis. Deciphering the cellular composition and intercellular interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a necessary prerequisite to combat pancreatic cancer with precision. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as major producers of extracellular matrix (ECM), play a key role in tumor progression. CAFs display significant heterogeneity and perform different roles in tumor progression. Tumor cells turn CAFs into their slaves by inducing their metabolic dysregulation, exacerbating fibrosis to acquire drug resistance and immune evasion. This article reviews the impact of metabolic reprogramming, effect of obesity and cellular crosstalk of CAFs and tumor cells on fibrosis and describes relevant therapies targeting the metabolic reprogramming.
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21
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Gu L, Liao P, Liu H. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in acute leukemia. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1022979. [PMID: 36601484 PMCID: PMC9806275 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1022979] [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: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the prognosis for acute leukemia has greatly improved, treatment of relapsed/refractory acute leukemia (R/R AL) remains challenging. Recently, increasing evidence indicates that the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) plays a crucial role in leukemogenesis and therapeutic resistance; therefore, BMM-targeted strategies should be a potent protocol for treating R/R AL. The targeting of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in solid tumors has received much attention and has achieved some progress, as CAFs might act as an organizer in the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, over the last 10 years, attention has been drawn to the role of CAFs in the BMM. In spite of certain successes in preclinical and clinical studies, the heterogeneity and plasticity of CAFs mean targeting them is a big challenge. Herein, we review the heterogeneity and roles of CAFs in the BMM and highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with acute leukemia therapies that involve the targeting of CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Gu
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,The Joint Laboratory for Lung Development and Related Diseases of West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University and School of Life Sciences of Fudan University, West China Institute of Women and Children’s Health, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Ling Gu, ; Ping Liao, ; Hanmin Liu,
| | - Ping Liao
- Calcium Signalling Laboratory, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore,Academic & Clinical Development, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore,Health and Social Sciences, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore, Singapore,*Correspondence: Ling Gu, ; Ping Liao, ; Hanmin Liu,
| | - Hanmin Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,The Joint Laboratory for Lung Development and Related Diseases of West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University and School of Life Sciences of Fudan University, West China Institute of Women and Children’s Health, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Sichuan Birth Defects Clinical Research Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Ling Gu, ; Ping Liao, ; Hanmin Liu,
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22
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Dong S, Li W, Li X, Wang Z, Chen Z, Shi H, He R, Chen C, Zhou W. Glucose metabolism and tumour microenvironment in pancreatic cancer: A key link in cancer progression. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1038650. [PMID: 36578477 PMCID: PMC9792100 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1038650] [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: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer (PC) remain challenging endeavors globally. Late diagnosis lag, high invasiveness, chemical resistance, and poor prognosis are unresolved issues of PC. The concept of metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer cells. Increasing evidence shows that PC cells alter metabolic processes such as glucose, amino acids, and lipids metabolism and require continuous nutrition for survival, proliferation, and invasion. Glucose metabolism, in particular, regulates the tumour microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, the link between glucose metabolism and TME also plays an important role in the targeted therapy, chemoresistance, radiotherapy ineffectiveness, and immunosuppression of PC. Altered metabolism with the TME has emerged as a key mechanism regulating PC progression. This review shed light on the relationship between TME, glucose metabolism, and various aspects of PC. The findings of this study provide a new direction in the development of PC therapy targeting the metabolism of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Dong
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wancheng Li
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhengfeng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhou Chen
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Huaqing Shi
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ru He
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Chen Chen
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wence Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China,*Correspondence: Wence Zhou,
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Zhou J, Schwenk-Zieger S, Kranz G, Walz C, Klauschen F, Dhawan S, Canis M, Gires O, Haubner F, Baumeister P, Kohlbauer V. Isolation and characterization of head and neck cancer-derived peritumoral and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Front Oncol 2022; 12:984138. [PMID: 36544698 PMCID: PMC9760815 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.984138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are characterized by strong cellular and molecular heterogeneity and treatment resistance entailing poor survival. Besides cell-intrinsic properties, carcinoma cells receive important cues from non-malignant cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the TME that impact on the molecular make-up of malignant cells and have a decisive function in tumor progression. However, the potential functionality of fibroblasts within tumor-adjacent, macroscopically normal tissue remains poorly explored. Methods Here, we isolated primary peritumoral fibroblasts (PtFs) from macroscopically normal tissue in vicinity of primary human papillomavirus-negative and -positive oropharyngeal HNSCC and compared their phenotype and functionality with matched CAFs (n = 5 pairs) and with human oral fibroblasts (hOFs). Results Expression patterns of CD90, CD73, CD105, smooth muscle actin, Vimentin, and S100A4 were comparable in PtFs, CAFs, and hOFs. Cell proliferation and doubling times of CAFs and PtFs were heterogeneous across patients (n =2 PtF>CAF; n = 1 CAF>PtF; n = 2 CAF=PtF) and reflected inferior growth than hOFs. Furthermore, PtFs displayed an reduced heterogeneity in cell size compared to matched CAFs, which were characterized by the presence of single large cells. Overall, conditioned supernatants from CAFs had more frequently growth-promoting effects on a panel of carcinoma cell lines of the upper aerodigestive tract carcinoma cell lines (Cal27, Cal33, FaDu, and Kyse30), whereas significant differences in migration-inducing effects demonstrated a higher potential of PtFs. Except for Kyse30, CAFs were significantly superior to hOFs in promoting proliferation, while PtFs induced stronger migration than hOFs in all carcinoma lines tested. Analysis of soluble factors demonstrated significantly increased VEGF-A production in CAFs (except in pat.8), and significantly increased PDGF-BB production in PtFs of two patients. Tube formation assays confirmed a significantly enhanced angiogenic potential of conditioned supernatants from CAFs compared to hOFs on human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. Discussion Hence, matched CAFs and PtFs present in HNSCC patients are heterogeneous in their proliferation-, migration-, and angiogenesis-promoting capacity. Despite this heterogeneity, CAFs induced stronger carcinoma cell proliferation and HUVEC tube formation overall, whereas PtFs promoted migration of tumor cells more strongly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiefu Zhou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Grosshadern Medical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Sabina Schwenk-Zieger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Grosshadern Medical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Gisela Kranz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Grosshadern Medical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Walz
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Frederik Klauschen
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sharduli Dhawan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Grosshadern Medical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Canis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Grosshadern Medical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany,Clinical Cooperation Group “Personalized Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer”, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Olivier Gires
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Grosshadern Medical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany,Clinical Cooperation Group “Personalized Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer”, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Frank Haubner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Grosshadern Medical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Baumeister
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Grosshadern Medical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany,Clinical Cooperation Group “Personalized Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer”, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Vera Kohlbauer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Grosshadern Medical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich, Germany,*Correspondence: Vera Kohlbauer,
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Yuan B, Liu G, Dai Z, Wang L, Lin B, Zhang J. CYP1B1: A Novel Molecular Biomarker Predicts Molecular Subtype, Tumor Microenvironment, and Immune Response in 33 Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225641. [PMID: 36428734 PMCID: PMC9688555 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225641] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytochrome P450 Family 1 Subfamily B Member 1 (CYP1B1) is a critical metabolic enzyme of melatonin. Although melatonin has been identified to exhibit tumor suppressing activity, the role and mechanism of the clinical and immunological characteristics of CYP1B1 in cancer remain unclear. METHODS In this study, RNA expression and clinical data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) across 33 solid tumors. The expression, survival, immune subtype, molecular subtype, tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), biological pathways, and function in vitro and vivo were evaluated. The predictive value of CYP1B1 in immune cohorts was further explored. RESULTS We found the dysregulated expression of CYP1B1 was associated with the clinical stage and tumor grade. Immunological correlation analysis showed CYP1B1 was positively correlated with the infiltration of lymphocyte, immunomodulator, chemokine, receptor, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in most cancer. Meanwhile, CYP1B1 was involved in immune subtype and molecular subtype, and was connected with TMB, MSI, neoantigen, the activation of multiple melatonergic and immune-related pathways, and therapeutic resistance. CONCLUSIONS Together, this study comprehensively revealed the role and mechanism of CYP1B1 and explored the significant association between CYP1B1 expression and immune activity. These findings provide a promising predictor and molecular target for clinical immune treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benchao Yuan
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, The Sixth People’s Hospital of Huizhou City, Huiyang Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Huizhou 516003, China
| | - Guihong Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dongguan Tungwah Hospital, Dongguan 523120, China
| | - Zili Dai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Baisheng Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510095, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510095, China
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511495, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-020-66673666
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25
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Zhang X, Luo F, Luo S, Li L, Ren X, Lin J, Liang Y, Ma C, Ding L, Zhang D, Ye T, Lin Y, Jin B, Gao S, Ye Q. Transcriptional Repression of Aerobic Glycolysis by OVOL2 in Breast Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2200705. [PMID: 35896951 PMCID: PMC9507357 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202200705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect), a hallmark of cancer, plays a critical role in cancer cell growth and metastasis; however, direct inhibition of the Warburg effect remains largely unknown. Herein, the transcription factor OVO-like zinc finger 2 (OVOL2) is demonstrated to directly repress the expression of several glycolytic genes, blocking the Warburg effect and breast tumor growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. OVOL2 inhibits glycolysis by recruiting the nuclear receptor co-repressor (NCoR) and histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3). The tumor suppressor p53, a key regulator of cancer metabolism, activates OVOL2 by binding to the oncoprotein mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) and inhibiting MDM2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of OVOL2. OVOL2 expression is negatively correlated with glycolytic gene expression and can be a good predictor of prognosis in patients with breast cancer. Therefore, targeting the p53/MDM2/OVOL2 axis provides a potential avenue for cancer treatment, especially breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Zhang
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
| | - Fei Luo
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
- Medical School of Guizhou UniversityGuiyang550025China
| | - Shaliu Luo
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
- Medical School of Guizhou UniversityGuiyang550025China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
| | - Xinxin Ren
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100037China
- Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030000China
| | - Jing Lin
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100037China
| | - Yingchun Liang
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
| | - Chao Ma
- Institute of Cancer Stem CellDalian Medical UniversityDalian116000China
| | - Lihua Ding
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
| | - Deyu Zhang
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
| | - Tianxing Ye
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
| | - Yanni Lin
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
- Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030000China
| | - Bilian Jin
- Institute of Cancer Stem CellDalian Medical UniversityDalian116000China
| | - Shan Gao
- Zhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Qinong Ye
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
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Skorupan N, Palestino Dominguez M, Ricci SL, Alewine C. Clinical Strategies Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4209. [PMID: 36077755 PMCID: PMC9454553 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174209] [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: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has a complex tumor microenvironment which engages in extensive crosstalk between cancer cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and immune cells. Many of these interactions contribute to tumor resistance to anti-cancer therapies. Here, new therapeutic strategies designed to modulate the cancer-associated fibroblast and immune compartments of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas are described and clinical trials of novel therapeutics are discussed. Continued advances in our understanding of the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment are generating stromal and immune-modulating therapeutics that may improve patient responses to anti-tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nebojsa Skorupan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Medical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mayrel Palestino Dominguez
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Samuel L. Ricci
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Christine Alewine
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Masugi Y. The Desmoplastic Stroma of Pancreatic Cancer: Multilayered Levels of Heterogeneity, Clinical Significance, and Therapeutic Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133293. [PMID: 35805064 PMCID: PMC9265767 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant disease with treatment resistance to standardized chemotherapies. In addition, only a small fraction of patients with pancreatic cancer has, to date, actionable genetic aberrations, leading to a narrow therapeutic window for molecularly targeted therapies or immunotherapies. A lot of preclinical and translational studies are ongoing to discover potential vulnerabilities to treat pancreatic cancer. Histologically, human pancreatic cancer is characterized by abundant cancer-associated fibrotic stroma, called “desmoplastic stroma”. Recent technological advances have revealed that desmoplastic stroma in pancreatic cancer is much more complicated than previously thought, playing pleiotropic roles in manipulating tumor cell fate and anti-tumor immunity. Moreover, real-world specimen-based analyses of pancreatic cancer stroma have also uncovered spatial heterogeneity and an intertumoral variety associated with molecular alterations, clinicopathological factors, and patient outcomes. This review describes an overview of the current efforts in the field of pancreatic cancer stromal biology and discusses treatment opportunities of stroma-modifying therapies against this hard-to-treat cancer. Abstract Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies and is becoming a dramatically increasing cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Abundant desmoplastic stroma is a histological hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Emerging evidence suggests a promising therapeutic effect of several stroma-modifying therapies that target desmoplastic stromal elements in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment. The evidence also unveils multifaceted roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in manipulating pancreatic cancer progression, immunity, and chemotherapeutic response. Current state-of-the-art technologies, including single-cell transcriptomics and multiplexed tissue imaging techniques, have provided a more profound knowledge of CAF heterogeneity in real-world specimens from pancreatic cancer patients, as well as in genetically engineered mouse models. In this review, we describe recent advances in the understanding of the molecular pathology bases of pancreatic cancer desmoplastic stroma at multilayered levels of heterogeneity, namely, (1) variations in cellular and non-cellular members, including CAF subtypes and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins; (2) geographical heterogeneity in relation to cell–cell interactions and signaling pathways at niche levels and spatial heterogeneity at locoregional levels or organ levels; and (3) intertumoral stromal heterogeneity at individual levels. This review further discusses the clinicopathological significance of desmoplastic stroma and the potential opportunities for stroma-targeted therapies against this lethal malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Masugi
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan; ; Tel.: +81-3-5363-3764; Fax: +81-3-3353-3290
- Department of Pathology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
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Chen H, Tu W, Lu Y, Zhang Y, Xu Y, Chen X, Zhu M, Liu Y. Low-dose X-ray irradiation combined with FAK inhibitors improves the immune microenvironment and confers sensitivity to radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113114. [PMID: 35594704 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy offers limited clinical benefits for patients with pancreatic cancer, partly as a result of the predominantly immunosuppressive microenvironment characteristic of this specific type of cancer. A large number of abnormal blood vessels and high-density fibrous matrices in pancreatic cancer will lead to hypoxia within tumor tissue and hinder immune cell infiltration. We used low-dose X-ray irradiation, also known as low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT), to normalize the blood vessels in pancreatic cancer, while simultaneously administering an inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) to reduce pancreatic cancer fibrosis. We found that this treatment successfully reduced pancreatic cancer hypoxia, increased immune cell infiltration, and increased sensitivity to radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanliang Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Wenzhi Tu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yue Lu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Huangpu Branch of the Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200002, China
| | - Yingzi Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yiqing Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xuming Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Meiling Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China.
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