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Škarková A, Bizzarri M, Janoštiak R, Mašek J, Rosel D, Brábek J. Educate, not kill: treating cancer without triggering its defenses. Trends Mol Med 2024:S1471-4914(24)00091-1. [PMID: 38658206 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Traditionally, anticancer therapies focus on restraining uncontrolled proliferation. However, these cytotoxic therapies expose cancer cells to direct killing, instigating the process of natural selection favoring survival of resistant cells that become the foundation for tumor progression and therapy failure. Recognizing this phenomenon has prompted the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. Here we propose strategies targeting cancer hallmarks beyond proliferation, aiming at re-educating cancer cells towards a less malignant phenotype. These strategies include controlling cell dormancy, transdifferentiation therapy, normalizing the cancer microenvironment, and using migrastatic therapy. Adaptive resistance to these educative strategies does not confer a direct proliferative advantage to resistant cells, as non-resistant cells are not subject to eradication, thereby delaying or preventing the development of therapy-resistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Škarková
- Department of Cell Biology, BIOCEV, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Mariano Bizzarri
- System Biology Group Laboratory, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Radoslav Janoštiak
- First Faculty of Medicine, BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Mašek
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Rosel
- Department of Cell Biology, BIOCEV, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Brábek
- Department of Cell Biology, BIOCEV, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic.
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2
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Yan X, Mischel P, Chang H. Extrachromosomal DNA in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:261-273. [PMID: 38409389 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-024-00669-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) has recently been recognized as a major contributor to cancer pathogenesis that is identified in most cancer types and is associated with poor outcomes. When it was discovered over 60 years ago, ecDNA was considered to be rare, and its impact on tumour biology was not well understood. The application of modern imaging and computational techniques has yielded powerful new insights into the importance of ecDNA in cancer. The non-chromosomal inheritance of ecDNA during cell division results in high oncogene copy number, intra-tumoural genetic heterogeneity and rapid tumour evolution that contributes to treatment resistance and shorter patient survival. In addition, the circular architecture of ecDNA results in altered patterns of gene regulation that drive elevated oncogene expression, potentially enabling the remodelling of tumour genomes. The generation of clusters of ecDNAs, termed ecDNA hubs, results in interactions between enhancers and promoters in trans, yielding a new paradigm in oncogenic transcription. In this Review, we highlight the rapid advancements in ecDNA research, providing new insights into ecDNA biogenesis, maintenance and transcription and its role in promoting tumour heterogeneity. To conclude, we delve into a set of unanswered questions whose answers will pave the way for the development of ecDNA targeted therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Yan
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Paul Mischel
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Howard Chang
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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3
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Neagu AN, Whitham D, Bruno P, Arshad A, Seymour L, Morrissiey H, Hukovic AI, Darie CC. Onco-Breastomics: An Eco-Evo-Devo Holistic Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1628. [PMID: 38338903 PMCID: PMC10855488 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Known as a diverse collection of neoplastic diseases, breast cancer (BC) can be hyperbolically characterized as a dynamic pseudo-organ, a living organism able to build a complex, open, hierarchically organized, self-sustainable, and self-renewable tumor system, a population, a species, a local community, a biocenosis, or an evolving dynamical ecosystem (i.e., immune or metabolic ecosystem) that emphasizes both developmental continuity and spatio-temporal change. Moreover, a cancer cell community, also known as an oncobiota, has been described as non-sexually reproducing species, as well as a migratory or invasive species that expresses intelligent behavior, or an endangered or parasite species that fights to survive, to optimize its features inside the host's ecosystem, or that is able to exploit or to disrupt its host circadian cycle for improving the own proliferation and spreading. BC tumorigenesis has also been compared with the early embryo and placenta development that may suggest new strategies for research and therapy. Furthermore, BC has also been characterized as an environmental disease or as an ecological disorder. Many mechanisms of cancer progression have been explained by principles of ecology, developmental biology, and evolutionary paradigms. Many authors have discussed ecological, developmental, and evolutionary strategies for more successful anti-cancer therapies, or for understanding the ecological, developmental, and evolutionary bases of BC exploitable vulnerabilities. Herein, we used the integrated framework of three well known ecological theories: the Bronfenbrenner's theory of human development, the Vannote's River Continuum Concept (RCC), and the Ecological Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Eco-Evo-Devo) theory, to explain and understand several eco-evo-devo-based principles that govern BC progression. Multi-omics fields, taken together as onco-breastomics, offer better opportunities to integrate, analyze, and interpret large amounts of complex heterogeneous data, such as various and big-omics data obtained by multiple investigative modalities, for understanding the eco-evo-devo-based principles that drive BC progression and treatment. These integrative eco-evo-devo theories can help clinicians better diagnose and treat BC, for example, by using non-invasive biomarkers in liquid-biopsies that have emerged from integrated omics-based data that accurately reflect the biomolecular landscape of the primary tumor in order to avoid mutilating preventive surgery, like bilateral mastectomy. From the perspective of preventive, personalized, and participatory medicine, these hypotheses may help patients to think about this disease as a process governed by natural rules, to understand the possible causes of the disease, and to gain control on their own health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca-Narcisa Neagu
- Laboratory of Animal Histology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, Carol I bvd. 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania
| | - Danielle Whitham
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA; (D.W.); (P.B.); (A.A.); (L.S.); (H.M.); (A.I.H.)
| | - Pathea Bruno
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA; (D.W.); (P.B.); (A.A.); (L.S.); (H.M.); (A.I.H.)
| | - Aneeta Arshad
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA; (D.W.); (P.B.); (A.A.); (L.S.); (H.M.); (A.I.H.)
| | - Logan Seymour
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA; (D.W.); (P.B.); (A.A.); (L.S.); (H.M.); (A.I.H.)
| | - Hailey Morrissiey
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA; (D.W.); (P.B.); (A.A.); (L.S.); (H.M.); (A.I.H.)
| | - Angiolina I. Hukovic
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA; (D.W.); (P.B.); (A.A.); (L.S.); (H.M.); (A.I.H.)
| | - Costel C. Darie
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA; (D.W.); (P.B.); (A.A.); (L.S.); (H.M.); (A.I.H.)
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Harada K, Yuki S, Kawamoto Y, Nakamura T, Kaneko S, Ishida K, Sakamoto N, Komatsu Y. Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor treatment for patients with Neo RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer: a case report of two cases. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2023; 15:17588359231216090. [PMID: 38033418 PMCID: PMC10685759 DOI: 10.1177/17588359231216090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The NeoRAS phenomenon is defined as the conversion of tumor RAS status from mutant-type (MT) to wild-type (WT) after systemic chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Cetuximab, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody, is effective in patients with RAS WT mCRC but ineffective in those with RAS MT mCRC; however, its outcome in patients with NeoRAS WT mCRC is unclear. Herein, we report two cases of NeoRAS WT mCRC that responded clinically to anti-EGFR treatment. The first was a 40-year-old man with synchronous peritoneal metastatic rectosigmoid cancer. The first RAS testing on tumor tissue revealed a KRAS G12C mutation, which was converted to RAS WT after two lines of chemotherapy, as assessed by liquid biopsy. After initiating irinotecan plus cetuximab treatment, a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed that malignant ascites had resolved. The treatment was discontinued after 4 months because of disease progression. The second was a 68-year-old male patient with synchronous liver metastasis from sigmoid colon cancer. The KRAS G12D mutation, initially detected in tumor tissue, was not detected by liquid biopsy after six lines of chemotherapy. Cetuximab monotherapy was initiated, and the liver metastases shrank significantly. The patient continued cetuximab monotherapy for 8 months without disease progression. Our cases demonstrate the efficacy of anti-EGFR therapy for NeoRAS WT mCRC and highlight the importance of capturing the gene mutation profile throughout the clinical course for optimal treatment selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuaki Harada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8638, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yuki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Kawamoto
- Division of Cancer Center, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takeaki Nakamura
- Division of Cancer Center, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Shiho Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Koichi Ishida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Naoya Sakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yoshito Komatsu
- Division of Cancer Center, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Zhu X, Zhao W, Zhou Z, Gu X. Unraveling the Drivers of Tumorigenesis in the Context of Evolution: Theoretical Models and Bioinformatics Tools. J Mol Evol 2023:10.1007/s00239-023-10117-0. [PMID: 37246992 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-023-10117-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Cancer originates from somatic cells that have accumulated mutations. These mutations alter the phenotype of the cells, allowing them to escape homeostatic regulation that maintains normal cell numbers. The emergence of malignancies is an evolutionary process in which the random accumulation of somatic mutations and sequential selection of dominant clones cause cancer cells to proliferate. The development of technologies such as high-throughput sequencing has provided a powerful means to measure subclonal evolutionary dynamics across space and time. Here, we review the patterns that may be observed in cancer evolution and the methods available for quantifying the evolutionary dynamics of cancer. An improved understanding of the evolutionary trajectories of cancer will enable us to explore the molecular mechanism of tumorigenesis and to design tailored treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunuo Zhu
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wenyi Zhao
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhan Zhou
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China.
- Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Xun Gu
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA.
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Arese M, Bussolino F, Pergolizzi M, Bizzozero L. An Overview of the Molecular Cues and Their Intracellular Signaling Shared by Cancer and the Nervous System: From Neurotransmitters to Synaptic Proteins, Anatomy of an All-Inclusive Cooperation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23. [PMID: 36499024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose an overview of the molecular cues and their intracellular signaling involved in the crosstalk between cancer and the nervous system. While "cancer neuroscience" as a field is still in its infancy, the relation between cancer and the nervous system has been known for a long time, and a huge body of experimental data provides evidence that tumor-nervous system connections are widespread. They encompass different mechanisms at different tumor progression steps, are multifaceted, and display some intriguing analogies with the nervous system's physiological processes. Overall, we can say that many of the paradigmatic "hallmarks of cancer" depicted by Weinberg and Hanahan are affected by the nervous system in a variety of manners.
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Vokurka M, Lacina L, Brábek J, Kolář M, Ng YZ, Smetana K. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Influence the Biological Properties of Malignant Tumours via Paracrine Secretion and Exosome Production. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:964. [PMID: 35055153 PMCID: PMC8778626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are an essential component of the tumour microenvironment. They represent a heterogeneous group of cells that are under the control of cancer cells and can reversely influence the cancer cell population. They affect the cancer cell differentiation status, and the migration and formation of metastases. This is achieved through the production of the extracellular matrix and numerous bioactive factors. IL-6 seems to play the central role in the communication of noncancerous and cancer cells in the tumour. This review outlines the role of exosomes in cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Available data on the exosomal cargo, which can significantly intensify interactions in the tumour, are summarised. The role of exosomes as mediators of the dialogue between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts is discussed together with their therapeutic relevance. The functional unity of the paracrine- and exosome-mediated communication of cancer cells with the tumour microenvironment represented by CAFs is worthy of attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Vokurka
- Institute of Pathological Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic;
| | - Lukáš Lacina
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
- Department of Dermatovenereology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, 120 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Brábek
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic;
- BIOCEV, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kolář
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic;
| | - Yi Zhen Ng
- A*STAR Skin Research Labs (A*SRL)—Biopolis, Skin Research Institute of Singapore, 8A Biomedical Grove #06-06 Immunos Singapore, Singapore 138665, Singapore;
| | - Karel Smetana
- Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
- BIOCEV, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
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Bhattacharya S, Mohanty A, Achuthan S, Kotnala S, Jolly MK, Kulkarni P, Salgia R. Group Behavior and Emergence of Cancer Drug Resistance. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:323-334. [PMID: 33622644 PMCID: PMC8500356 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance is a major impediment in cancer. Although it is generally thought that acquired drug resistance is due to genetic mutations, emerging evidence indicates that nongenetic mechanisms also play an important role. Resistance emerges through a complex interplay of clonal groups within a heterogeneous tumor and the surrounding microenvironment. Traits such as phenotypic plasticity, intercellular communication, and adaptive stress response, act in concert to ensure survival of intermediate reversible phenotypes, until permanent, resistant clones can emerge. Understanding the role of group behavior, and the underlying nongenetic mechanisms, can lead to more efficacious treatment designs and minimize or delay emergence of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriyo Bhattacharya
- Translational Bioinformatics, Center for Informatics, Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Atish Mohanty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Srisairam Achuthan
- Center for Informatics, Division of Research Informatics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Sourabh Kotnala
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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Ghorbani M, Pourjafar F, Saffari M, Asgari Y. Paclitaxel resistance resulted in a stem-like state in triple-negative breast cancer: A systems biology approach. Meta Gene 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mgene.2020.100800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Lahoz-Beltra R, Rodriguez RJ. Modeling a cancerous tumor development in a virtual patient suffering from a depressed state of mind: Simulation of somatic evolution with a customized genetic algorithm. Biosystems 2020; 198:104261. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2020.104261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Colizzi ES, Vroomans RM, Merks RM. Evolution of multicellularity by collective integration of spatial information. eLife 2020; 9:56349. [PMID: 33064078 PMCID: PMC7652420 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
At the origin of multicellularity, cells may have evolved aggregation in response to predation, for functional specialisation or to allow large-scale integration of environmental cues. These group-level properties emerged from the interactions between cells in a group, and determined the selection pressures experienced by these cells. We investigate the evolution of multicellularity with an evolutionary model where cells search for resources by chemotaxis in a shallow, noisy gradient. Cells can evolve their adhesion to others in a periodically changing environment, where a cell's fitness solely depends on its distance from the gradient source. We show that multicellular aggregates evolve because they perform chemotaxis more efficiently than single cells. Only when the environment changes too frequently, a unicellular state evolves which relies on cell dispersal. Both strategies prevent the invasion of the other through interference competition, creating evolutionary bi-stability. Therefore, collective behaviour can be an emergent selective driver for undifferentiated multicellularity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renske Ma Vroomans
- Informatics Institute, University of Amsterdam; Origins Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Roeland Mh Merks
- Mathematical Institute, Leiden University; Institute of Biology, Leiden University; Origins Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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12
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Kang HW, Kim WJ, Yun SJ. The therapeutic and prognostic implications of molecular biomarkers in urothelial carcinoma. Transl Cancer Res 2020; 9:6609-6623. [PMID: 35117271 PMCID: PMC8798786 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-20-1243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) of the bladder and upper urinary tract is a heterogeneous disease with distinct biologic features resulting in different clinical behaviors. Bladder cancer (BC) is classified into non-muscle invasive BC (NMIBC) and muscle invasive BC (MIBC). NMIBC is associated with high recurrence rates and risk of progression to invasive disease, whereas MIBC is complicated by systemic recurrence after radical cystectomy because of the limited efficacy of available therapies. UCC of the upper urinary tract (UUT-UCC) is a rare but aggressive urologic cancer characterized by multifocality, local recurrence, and metastasis. Conventional histopathologic evaluation of UCC, including tumor stage and grade, cannot accurately predict the behavior of BC and UUT-UCC. Recent clinical and preclinical studies aimed at understanding the molecular landscape of UCC have provided insight into molecular subtyping, inter- or intratumoral heterogeneity, and potential therapeutic targets. Combined analysis of molecular markers and standard pathological features may improve risk stratification and help monitor tumor progression and treatment response, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This review discusses prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers for BC and UUT-UCC, and describes recent advances in molecular stratification that may guide prognosis, patient stratification, and treatment selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Won Kang
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Department of Urology, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Wun-Jae Kim
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Department of Urology, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Seok Joong Yun
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.,Department of Urology, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, South Korea
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Bouchahda M, Saffroy R, Karaboué A, Hamelin J, Innominato P, Saliba F, Lévi F, Bosselut N, Lemoine A. Undetectable RAS-Mutant Clones in Plasma: Possible Implication for Anti-EGFR Therapy and Prognosis in Patients With RAS-Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. JCO Precis Oncol 2020; 4:1900400. [PMID: 33015528 PMCID: PMC7529530 DOI: 10.1200/po.19.00400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Combining cetuximab with chemotherapy provides clinical benefit to 60% of the patients with RAS wild-type (RAS-wt) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This pilot study investigated the efficacy of cetuximab-based chemotherapy in a sample of patients (40%) with RAS mutation (RAS-mt) in their primary tumor whose circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) was RAS-wt. MATERIALS AND METHODS The occurrence of Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS), neuroblastoma rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (NRAS), V-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF), and PI3KCA mutations was determined in ctDNA by using a new ultrasensitive analysis based on mass spectrometry detection. All consenting patients with confirmed RAS-mt mCRC had disease progression on previous chemotherapy that contained no anti–epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The patients with RAS-wt ctDNA received cetuximab + fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI), whereas those with RAS-mt ctDNA were treated with the oncologist’s choice of therapy. RESULTS Of 16 registered patients, 11 were male and five female. They were age 48 to 81 years, and they had unresectable metastatic adenocarcinoma from the colon (n = 11) or rectum (n = 5), with a median of two metastatic sites. They had received a median number of three previous chemotherapy protocols. Plasma genotyping identified RAS-mt in seven patients (44%) and RAS-wt in nine patients (56%). In the patients with wt ctDNA, objective tumor response rate was 50.0%, including one complete response and four partial responses after a median number of 6 courses of cetuximab + FOLFIRI (range, 1 to 16 courses). Two of the nine patients had stable disease, and two had progressive disease. No grade 3 to 4 toxicities were encountered. One-year survival rates were 60.0% for the patients with RAS-wt ctDNA and 17.9% for those with RAS-mt ctDNA. Median overall survival times were not reached and 4.7 months, respectively. CONCLUSION Patients with RAS-mt mCRC whose plasma biopsies contained RAS-wt could benefit from cetuximab-based therapy, a hypothesis to be tested in a prospective randomized trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Bouchahda
- Medical Oncology Department, Paul Brousse Hospital, Villejuif, France.,Medical Oncology Unit, Clinique du Mousseau, Evry, France
| | - Raphael Saffroy
- Oncogenetics Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paul Brousse Hospital, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Abdoulaye Karaboué
- French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Unit 935, Villejuif, France.,Medical Oncology Unit, Groupe Hospitalier Intercommunal Le Raincy-Montfermeil, Montfermeil, France
| | - Jocelyne Hamelin
- Oncogenetics Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paul Brousse Hospital, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Pasquale Innominato
- French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Unit 935, Villejuif, France.,North Wales Cancer Centre, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Bangor, United Kingdom.,Cancer Chronotherapy Team, Cancer Research Centre, Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Faouzi Saliba
- Centre Hépato Biliaire, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Villejuif, France
| | - Francis Lévi
- Medical Oncology Department, Paul Brousse Hospital, Villejuif, France.,French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Unit 935, Villejuif, France.,Cancer Chronotherapy Team, Cancer Research Centre, Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Nelly Bosselut
- Oncogenetics Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paul Brousse Hospital, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Antoinette Lemoine
- Oncogenetics Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paul Brousse Hospital, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
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14
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Mariya T, Kubo T, Hirohashi Y, Yanagawa J, Tabuchi Y, Matsuo K, Furumura K, Morita R, Nakatsugawa M, Kanaseki T, Tsukahara T, Hasegawa T, Saito T, Torigoe T. Less correlation between mismatch repair proteins deficiency and decreased expression of HLA class I molecules in endometrial carcinoma: a different propensity from colorectal cancer. Med Mol Morphol 2020; 54:14-22. [PMID: 32410009 DOI: 10.1007/s00795-020-00254-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Mismatch repair protein deficiency (dMMR) is a favorable prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. It is also associated with aberrant expression of HLA class I molecules, which are required for cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated cancer immunotherapy. Because dMMR is frequently also found in endometrial cancers (ECs), we retrospectively investigated the expression of mismatch repair proteins and HLA class I molecules in 127 EC patients. In this study, EC patients being treated in our hospital were recruited from 2005 to 2009 and observed until December 2017. Lesion specimens were evaluated via immunohistochemistry for MSH6 and PMS2 (mismatch repair proteins) and HLA class I molecules. Expression of these molecules was statistically related to clinical and pathological factors and prognosis. dMMR was detected in 33 patients and did not correlate with the expression level of HLA class I molecules (P = 0.60). On the other hand, unexpectedly, multivariate analysis revealed that intact expression of HLA class I molecules was associated with p53 overexpression (P = 0.004). Neither dMMR nor decreased expression of HLA class I molecules were prognostic factors. These results are inconsistent with previous findings for colorectal cancer. A distinctive local tissue immune microenvironment would underlie the discrepancy in the results between EC and colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasuku Mariya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Terufumi Kubo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Yoshihiko Hirohashi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Junko Yanagawa
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuta Tabuchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | | | | | - Rena Morita
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Munehide Nakatsugawa
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.,Department of Pathology, Hachioji Medical Center of Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kanaseki
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tomohide Tsukahara
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tadashi Hasegawa
- Department of Surgical Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Torigoe
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
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15
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Chen Y, Han H, Seo G, Vargas RE, Yang B, Chuc K, Zhao H, Wang W. Systematic analysis of the Hippo pathway organization and oncogenic alteration in evolution. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3173. [PMID: 32081887 PMCID: PMC7035326 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60120-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is a central regulator of organ size and a key tumor suppressor via coordinating cell proliferation and death. Initially discovered in Drosophila, the Hippo pathway has been implicated as an evolutionarily conserved pathway in mammals; however, how this pathway was evolved to be functional from its origin is still largely unknown. In this study, we traced the Hippo pathway in premetazoan species, characterized the intrinsic functions of its ancestor components, and unveiled the evolutionary history of this key signaling pathway from its unicellular origin. In addition, we elucidated the paralogous gene history for the mammalian Hippo pathway components and characterized their cancer-derived somatic mutations from an evolutionary perspective. Taken together, our findings not only traced the conserved function of the Hippo pathway to its unicellular ancestor components, but also provided novel evolutionary insights into the Hippo pathway organization and oncogenic alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Chen
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.,Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Han Han
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Gayoung Seo
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Rebecca Elizabeth Vargas
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Bing Yang
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Kimberly Chuc
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Huabin Zhao
- Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Wenqi Wang
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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16
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Furukawa Y, Kikuchi J. Molecular basis of clonal evolution in multiple myeloma. Int J Hematol 2020; 111:496-511. [DOI: 10.1007/s12185-020-02829-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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17
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Abstract
In 2018, 9.6 million deaths from cancer were estimated, being this disease the second leading cause of death worldwide. Notwithstanding all the efforts developed in prevention, diagnosis and new treatment approaches, chemoresistance seems to be inevitable, leading to cancer progression, recurrence and affecting the outcome of the disease. As more and more evidence support that cancer is an evolutionary and ecological process, this concept is rarely applied in the clinical context. In fact, cancer cells emerge and progress within an ecological niche - the tumor microenvironment - that is shared with several other cell types and that is continuously changing. Therefore, the tumor microenvironment imposes several selective pressures on cancer cells such as acidosis, hypoxia, competition for space and resources, immune predation and anti-cancer therapies, that cancer cells must be able to adapt to or will face extinction.In here, the role of the tumor microenvironment selective pressures on cancer progression will be discussed, as well as the targeting of its features/components as strategies to fight cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia C Nunes
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil (IPOLFG), Lisbon, Portugal
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