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Frąszczak K, Barczyński B. The Role of Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:40. [PMID: 38201468 PMCID: PMC10778113 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer and the eighth most common female cancer. The early diagnosis of ovarian cancer remains a clinical problem despite the significant development of technology. Nearly 70% of patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with stages III-IV metastatic disease. Reliable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are currently lacking. Ovarian cancer recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy pose vital problems and translate into poor outcomes. Cancer stem cells appear to be responsible for tumour recurrence resulting from chemotherapeutic resistance. These cells are also crucial for tumour initiation due to the ability to self-renew, differentiate, avoid immune destruction, and promote inflammation and angiogenesis. Studies have confirmed an association between CSC occurrence and resistance to chemotherapy, subsequent metastases, and cancer relapses. Therefore, the elimination of CSCs appears important for overcoming drug resistance and improving prognoses. This review focuses on the expression of selected ovarian CSC markers, including CD133, CD44, CD24, CD117, and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1, which show potential prognostic significance. Some markers expressed on the surface of CSCs correlate with clinical features and can be used for the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer. However, due to the heterogeneity and plasticity of CSCs, the determination of specific CSC phenotypes is difficult.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bartłomiej Barczyński
- 1st Chair and Department of Oncological Gynaecology and Gynaecology, Medical University in Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland;
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Piro MC, Gasperi V, De Stefano A, Anemona L, Cenciarelli CR, Montanaro M, Mauriello A, Catani MV, Terrinoni A, Gambacurta A. In Vivo Identification of H3K9me2/H3K79me3 as an Epigenetic Barrier to Carcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12158. [PMID: 37569534 PMCID: PMC10419041 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512158] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The highly dynamic nature of chromatin's structure, due to the epigenetic alterations of histones and DNA, controls cellular plasticity and allows the rewiring of the epigenetic landscape required for either cell differentiation or cell (re)programming. To dissect the epigenetic switch enabling the programming of a cancer cell, we carried out wide genome analysis of Histone 3 (H3) modifications during osteogenic differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The most significant modifications concerned H3K27me2/3, H3K9me2, H3K79me1/2, and H3K4me1 that specify the process of healthy adult stem cell differentiation. Next, we translated these findings in vivo, assessing H3K27, H3K9, and H3K79 methylation states in biopsies derived from patients affected by basalioma, head and neck carcinoma, and bladder tumors. Interestingly, we found a drastic decrease in H3K9me2 and H3K79me3 in cancer specimens with respect to their healthy counterparts and also a positive correlation between these two epigenetic flags in all three tumors. Therefore, we suggest that elevated global levels of H3K9me2 and H3K79me3, present in normal differentiated cells but lost in malignancy, may reflect an important epigenetic barrier to tumorigenesis. This suggestion is further corroborated, at least in part, by the deranged expression of the most relevant H3 modifier enzymes, as revealed by bioinformatic analysis. Overall, our study indicates that the simultaneous occurrence of H3K9me2 and H3K79me3 is fundamental to ensure the integrity of differentiated tissues and, thus, their combined evaluation may represent a novel diagnostic marker and potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Piro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Valeria Gasperi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Alessandro De Stefano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Lucia Anemona
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Claudio Raffaele Cenciarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Manuela Montanaro
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Mauriello
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Maria Valeria Catani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Alessandro Terrinoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Alessandra Gambacurta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
- NAST Centre (Nanoscience & Nanotechnology & Innovative Instrumentation), Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Ahmad Sophien AN, Jusop AS, Tye GJ, Tan YF, Wan Kamarul Zaman WS, Nordin F. Intestinal stem cells and gut microbiota therapeutics: hype or hope? Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1195374. [PMID: 37547615 PMCID: PMC10400779 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1195374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The vital role of the intestines as the main site for the digestion and absorption of nutrients for the body continues subconsciously throughout one's lifetime, but underneath all the complex processes lie the intestinal stem cells and the gut microbiota that work together to maintain the intestinal epithelium. Intestinal stem cells (ISC) are multipotent stem cells from which all intestinal epithelial cells originate, and the gut microbiota refers to the abundant collection of various microorganisms that reside in the gastrointestinal tract. Both reside in the intestines and have many mechanisms and pathways in place with the ultimate goal of co-managing human gastrointestinal tract homeostasis. Based on the abundance of research that is focused on either of these two topics, this suggests that there are many methods by which both players affect one another. Therefore, this review aims to address the relationship between ISC and the gut microbiota in the context of regenerative medicine. Understanding the principles behind both aspects is therefore essential in further studies in the field of regenerative medicine by making use of the underlying designed mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Naqiuddin Ahmad Sophien
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (CTERM), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Amirah Syamimi Jusop
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (CTERM), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Gee Jun Tye
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Malaysia
| | - Yuen-Fen Tan
- PPUKM-MAKNA Cancer Center, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK FMHS), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Malaysia
| | - Wan Safwani Wan Kamarul Zaman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering (CIME), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fazlina Nordin
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (CTERM), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Stem Cells for Cancer Therapy: Translating the Uncertainties and Possibilities of Stem Cell Properties into Opportunities for Effective Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021012. [PMID: 36674525 PMCID: PMC9864033 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer recurrence and drug resistance following treatment, as well as metastatic forms of cancer, are trends that are commonly encountered in cancer management. Amidst the growing popularity of personalized medicine and targeted therapy as effective cancer treatment, studies involving the use of stem cells in cancer therapy are gaining ground as promising translational treatment options that are actively pursued by researchers due to their unique tumor-homing activities and anti-cancer properties. Therefore, this review will highlight cancer interactions with commonly studied stem cell types, namely, mesenchymal stroma/stem cells (MSC), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), iPSC-derived MSC (iMSC), and cancer stem cells (CSC). A particular focus will be on the effects of paracrine signaling activities and exosomal miRNA interaction released by MSC and iMSCs within the tumor microenvironment (TME) along with their therapeutic potential as anti-cancer delivery agents. Similarly, the role of exosomal miRNA released by CSCs will be further discussed in the context of its role in cancer recurrence and metastatic spread, which leads to a better understanding of how such exosomal miRNA could be used as potential forms of non-cell-based cancer therapy.
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Chen J, Li Z, Zhao Q, Chen L. Roles of apelin/APJ system in cancer: Biomarker, predictor, and emerging therapeutic target. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:3734-3751. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology University of South China Hengyang Hunan China
| | - Zhiyue Li
- Health Management Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan Province China
| | - Qun Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Changsha Hunan China
| | - Linxi Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology University of South China Hengyang Hunan China
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Parthenolide and Its Soluble Analogues: Multitasking Compounds with Antitumor Properties. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020514. [PMID: 35203723 PMCID: PMC8962426 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to its chemical properties and multiple molecular effects on different tumor cell types, the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide (PN) can be considered an effective drug with significant potential in cancer therapy. PN has been shown to induce either classic apoptosis or alternative caspase-independent forms of cell death in many tumor models. The therapeutical potential of PN has been increased by chemical design and synthesis of more soluble analogues including dimethylaminoparthenolide (DMAPT). This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of both PN and analogues action in tumor models, highlighting their effects on gene expression, signal transduction and execution of different types of cell death. Recent findings indicate that these compounds not only inhibit prosurvival transcriptional factors such as NF-κB and STATs but can also determine the activation of specific death pathways, increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and modifications of Bcl-2 family members. An intriguing property of these compounds is its specific targeting of cancer stem cells. The unusual actions of PN and its analogues make these agents good candidates for molecular targeted cancer therapy.
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Sebestyén A, Dankó T, Sztankovics D, Moldvai D, Raffay R, Cervi C, Krencz I, Zsiros V, Jeney A, Petővári G. The role of metabolic ecosystem in cancer progression — metabolic plasticity and mTOR hyperactivity in tumor tissues. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2022; 40:989-1033. [PMID: 35029792 PMCID: PMC8825419 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-10006-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite advancements in cancer management, tumor relapse and metastasis are associated with poor outcomes in many cancers. Over the past decade, oncogene-driven carcinogenesis, dysregulated cellular signaling networks, dynamic changes in the tissue microenvironment, epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, protein expression within regulatory pathways, and their part in tumor progression are described in several studies. However, the complexity of metabolic enzyme expression is considerably under evaluated. Alterations in cellular metabolism determine the individual phenotype and behavior of cells, which is a well-recognized hallmark of cancer progression, especially in the adaptation mechanisms underlying therapy resistance. In metabolic symbiosis, cells compete, communicate, and even feed each other, supervised by tumor cells. Metabolic reprogramming forms a unique fingerprint for each tumor tissue, depending on the cellular content and genetic, epigenetic, and microenvironmental alterations of the developing cancer. Based on its sensing and effector functions, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is considered the master regulator of metabolic adaptation. Moreover, mTOR kinase hyperactivity is associated with poor prognosis in various tumor types. In situ metabolic phenotyping in recent studies highlights the importance of metabolic plasticity, mTOR hyperactivity, and their role in tumor progression. In this review, we update recent developments in metabolic phenotyping of the cancer ecosystem, metabolic symbiosis, and plasticity which could provide new research directions in tumor biology. In addition, we suggest pathomorphological and analytical studies relating to metabolic alterations, mTOR activity, and their associations which are necessary to improve understanding of tumor heterogeneity and expand the therapeutic management of cancer.
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