Visfatin Mediates Malignant Behaviors through Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Intermediary in Breast Cancer

Unraveling molecular interconnections and identifying potential therapeutic targets of significance in obesity-cancer link

Obesity, a global health concern, is associated with severe health issues like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory complications. It also increases the risk of various cancers, including melanoma, endometrial, prostate, pancreatic, esophageal adenocarcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, renal adenocarcinoma, and pre-and post-menopausal breast cancer. Obesity-induced cellular changes, such as impaired CD8+ T cell function, dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, mild hyperglycemia, and fluctuating levels of leptin, resistin, adiponectin, and IL-6, contribute to cancer development by promoting inflammation and creating a tumor-promoting microenvironment rich in adipocytes. Adipocytes release leptin, a pro-inflammatory substance that stimulates cancer cell proliferation, inflammation, and invasion, altering the tumor cell metabolic pathway. Adiponectin, an insulin-sensitizing adipokine, is typically downregulated in obese individuals. It has antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and antiangiogenic properties, making it a potential cancer treatment. This narrative review offers a comprehensive examination of the molecular interconnections between obesity and cancer, drawing on an extensive, though non-systematic, survey of the recent literature. This approach allows us to integrate and synthesize findings from various studies, offering a cohesive perspective on emerging themes and potential therapeutic targets. The review explores the metabolic disturbances, cellular alterations, inflammatory responses, and shifts in the tumor microenvironment that contribute to the obesity-cancer link. Finally, it discusses potential therapeutic strategies aimed at disrupting these connections, offering valuable insights into future research directions and the development of targeted interventions.

Exploring the multifaceted role of obesity in breast cancer progression

Obesity is a multifaceted metabolic disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue. It is a well-established risk factor for the development and progression of breast cancer. Adipose tissue, which was once regarded solely as a passive energy storage depot, is now acknowledged as an active endocrine organ producing a plethora of bioactive molecules known as adipokines that contribute to the elevation of proinflammatory cytokines and estrogen production due to enhanced aromatase activity. In the context of breast cancer, the crosstalk between adipocytes and cancer cells within the adipose microenvironment exerts profound effects on tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. Moreover, adipocytes can engage in direct interactions with breast cancer cells through physical contact and paracrine signaling, thereby facilitating cancer cell survival and invasion. This review endeavors to summarize the current understanding of the intricate interplay between adipocyte-associated factors and breast cancer progression. Furthermore, by discussing the different aspects of breast cancer that can be adversely affected by obesity, this review aims to shed light on potential avenues for new and novel therapeutic interventions.

Total and H-specific GDF-15 levels increase in caloric deprivation independently of leptin in humans

Mitochondrial-secreted growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) promotes weight loss in animals. Its effects in humans remain unclear, due to limited research and potential measurement interference from the H202D-variant. Our post-hoc analysis investigates total (irrespective of genetic variants) and H-specific GDF-15 (detected only in H202D-variant absence) in humans under acute and chronic energy deprivation, examining GDF-15 interaction with leptin (energy homeostasis regulator) and GDF-15 biologic activity modulation by the H202D-variant. Total and H-specific GDF-15 increased with acute starvation, and total GDF-15 increased with chronic energy deprivation, compared with healthy subjects and regardless of leptin repletion. Baseline GDF-15 positively correlated with triglyceride-rich particles and lipoproteins. During acute metabolic stress, GDF-15 associations with metabolites/lipids appeared to differ in subjects with the H202D-variant. Our findings suggest GDF-15 increases with energy deprivation in humans, questioning its proposed weight loss and suggesting its function as a mitokine, reflecting or mediating metabolic stress response.

The Role of Adipokines in Tumor Progression and Its Association with Obesity

Obesity is a well-established risk factor for various malignancies and emerging evidence suggests that adipokines play a pivotal role in linking excess adiposity to tumorigenesis. Adipokines are bioactive molecules secreted by adipose tissue and their altered expression in obesity contributes to a pro-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic, and growth-promoting microenvironment conducive to tumorigenesis. Leptin, a key adipokine, activates survival and proliferative signaling pathways whereas adiponectin exhibits tumor-suppressive effects by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Visfatin has also been documented to promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion. Moreover, emerging studies suggest that adipokines, such as resistin, apelin, and chemerin, which are overexpressed in obesity, may also possess oncogenic functions. Despite advancements in our understanding of the roles of individual adipokines in cancer, the intricate interplay and crosstalk between adipokines, tumor cells, and the tumor microenvironment remain complex and multifaceted. This review highlights the evolving knowledge of how adipokines contribute to obesity-related tumorigenesis, shedding light on the potential of targeting adipokine signaling pathways as a novel therapeutic approach for obesity-associated cancers. Further research on the specific mechanisms and interactions between adipokines and tumor cells is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of obesity-associated cancer pathogenesis.

Visfatin upregulates VEGF-C expression and lymphangiogenesis in esophageal cancer by activating MEK1/2-ERK and NF-κB signaling

Lymph node metastasis is a recognized prognostic factor in esophageal cancer. Adipokines, including visfatin, and the molecule vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, are implicated in lymphangiogenesis, but whether any association exists between esophageal cancer, adipokines and VEGF-C is unknown. We examined the relevance of adipokines and VEGF-C in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. We found significantly higher levels of visfatin and VEGF-C expression in esophageal cancer tissue than in normal tissue. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining identified that higher levels of visfatin and VEGF-C expression were correlated with advanced stage ESCC. Visfatin treatment of ESCC cell lines upregulated VEGF-C expression and VEGF-C-dependent lymphangiogenesis in lymphatic endothelial cells. Visfatin induced increases in VEGF-C expression by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases1/2-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK1/2-ERK) and Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) signaling cascades. Transfecting ESCC cells with MEK1/2-ERK and NF-κB inhibitors (PD98059, FR180204, PDTC, and TPCK) and siRNAs inhibited visfatin-induced increases in VEGF-C expression. It appears that visfatin and VEGF-C are promising therapeutic targets in the inhibition of lymphangiogenesis in esophageal cancer.

Adipokines at the crossroads of obesity and mesenchymal stem cell therapy

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is an emerging treatment strategy to counteract metabolic syndromes, including obesity and its comorbid disorders. However, its effectiveness is challenged by various factors in the obese environment that negatively impact MSC survival and function. The identification of these detrimental factors will provide opportunities to optimize MSC therapy for the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. Dysregulated production of adipokines, a group of cytokines and hormones derived from adipose tissue, has been postulated to play a pivotal role in the development of obesity-associated complications. Intriguingly, adipokines have also been implicated in the modulation of viability, self-renewal, proliferation, and other properties of MSC. However, the involvement of adipokine imbalance in impaired MSC functionality has not been completely understood. On the other hand, treatment of obese individuals with MSC can restore the serum adipokine profile, suggesting the bidirectionality of the adipokine-MSC relationship. In this review, we aim to discuss the current knowledge on the central role of adipokines in the crosstalk between obesity and MSC dysfunction. We also summarize recent advances in the use of MSC for the treatment of obesity-associated diseases to support the hypothesis that adipokines modulate the benefits of MSC therapy in obese patients.

The Adipokine Visfatin Modulates Cancer Stem Cell Properties in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Obesity is a cancer progression risk factor; excessive adipocytes increase adipokine secretion. Visfatin, a novel adipokine highly expressed in cancer patients, is related to breast cancer risk. The modulation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolism and the induction of a tumorigenic environment plays a vital role in cancer progression. Among cancer cell types, cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) with self-renewal and chemotherapy-resistance abilities could modulate tumor progression and cancer recurrence ability. In this study, we focused on visfatin's modulation effect on stemness-related properties using the high-malignancy breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 in in vitro and in vivo studies. Visfatin treatment significantly increased both the sphere number and sphere diameter and increased the protein expression of NANOG homeobox (NANOG), sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), as well as SIRT1 protein levels. The serum angiogenesis marker VEGF and extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT, visfatin) were induced after visfatin treatment, increasing the stemness and angiogenesis environment, which were significantly reduced by the visfatin inhibitor FK866. Our results demonstrate that the visfatin-activated SIRT-SOX2 axis promotes triple-negative breast cancer stemness and enriches the tumorigenic microenvironment.

Fumarate hydratase inhibits non-small cell lung cancer metastasis via inactivation of AMPK and upregulation of DAB2

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. As it is often first diagnosed only when cancer metastasis has already occurred, the development of effective biomarkers for the risk prediction of cancer metastasis, followed by stringent monitoring and the early treatment of high-risk patients, is essential for improving patient survival. Cancer cells exhibit alterations in metabolic pathways that enable them to maintain rapid growth and proliferation, which are quite different from the metabolic pathways of normal cells. Fumarate hydratase (FH, fumarase) is a well-known tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme that catalyzes the reversible hydration/dehydration of fumarate to malate. The current study sought to investigate the relationship between FH expression levels and the outcome of patients with lung cancer. FH was knocked down in lung cancer cells using shRNA or overexpressed using a vector, and the effect on migration ability was assessed. Furthermore, the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and disabled homolog 2 in the underlying mechanism was investigated using an AMPK inhibitor approach. The results showed that in lung cancer tissues, low FH expression was associated with lymph node metastasis, tumor histology and recurrence. In addition, patients with low FH expression exhibited a poor overall survival in comparison with patients having high FH expression. When FH was overexpressed in lung cancer cells, cell migration was reduced with no effect on cell proliferation. Furthermore, the level of phosphorylated (p-)AMPK, an energy sensor molecule, was upregulated when FH was knocked down in lung cancer cells, and the inhibition of p-AMPK led to an increase in the expression of disabled homolog 2, a tumor suppressor protein. These findings suggest that FH may serve as an effective biomarker for predicting the prognosis of lung cancer and as a therapeutic mediator.

The pleiotropic roles of adipocyte secretome in remodeling breast cancer

Background

Breast cancer is the leading female cancer type and the cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Adipocytes possess important functions of energy supply, metabolic regulation, and cytokine release, and are also the matrix cell that supports mammary gland tissue. In breast cancer tumor microenvironment (TME), adipocytes are the prominent stromal cells and are implicated in inflammation, metastatic formation, metabolic remodeling, and cancer susceptibility.

Main body

It is well-established that adipocyte secretome is a reservoir engaged in the regulation of tumor cell behavior by secreting a large number of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and chemokines), adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, autotaxin, and resistin), lipid metabolites (free fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate), and other exosome-encapsulated substances. These released factors influence the evolution and clinical outcome of breast cancer through complex mechanisms. The progression of breast cancer tumors revolves around the tumor-adipose stromal network, which may contribute to breast cancer aggressiveness by increasing the pro-malignant potential of TME and tumor cells themselves. Most importantly, the secretome alterations of adipocytes are regarded as distinctly important targets for breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and drug resistance.

Conclusion

Therefore, this review will provide a comprehensive description of the specific adipocyte secretome characteristics and interactions within TME cell populations, which will enable us to better tailor strategies for tumor stratification management and treatment.

CD44 Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis through AKT-Mediated Downregulation of Nuclear FOXA2

The primary cause of breast cancer mortality is the metastatic invasion of cancerous stem cells (CSC). Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) is a well-known CSC marker in various cancers, as well as a key role player in metastasis and relapse of breast cancer. CD44 is a cell-membrane embedded protein, and it interacts with different proteins to regulate cancer cell behavior. Transcription factor forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2) acts as an important regulator in multiple cancers, including breast cancer. However, the biological significance of CD44-FOXA2 association in breast cancer metastasis remains unclear. Herein, we observed that CD44 expression was higher in metastatic lymph nodes compared to primary tumors using a flow cytometric analysis. CD44 overexpression in breast cancer cell lines significantly promoted cell migration and invasion abilities, whereas the opposite effects occurred upon the knockdown of CD44. The stem cell array analysis revealed that FOXA2 expression was upregulated in CD44 knockdown cells. However, the knockdown of FOXA2 in CD44 knockdown cells reversed the effects on cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, we found that CD44 mediated FOXA2 localization in breast cancer cells through the AKT pathway. Moreover, the immunofluorescence assay demonstrated that AKT inhibitor wortmannin and AKT activator SC79 treatment in breast cancer cells impacted FOXA2 localization. Collectively, this study highlights that CD44 promotes breast cancer metastasis by downregulating nuclear FOXA2.

Clinical usefulness and acceleratory effect of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 on biliary tract cancer: an experimental biomarker analysis

BACKGROUND

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) has a poor prognosis; therefore, useful biomarkers and treatments are needed. Serum levels of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1), a member of the TGF-β superfamily, are elevated in patients with pancreaticobiliary cancers. However, the effect of MIC-1 on BTC is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effect of MIC-1 on BTC and assessed whether MIC-1 is a biomarker of or therapeutic target for BTC.

METHODS

MIC-1 expression in BTC cells was determined by performing histological immunostaining, tissue microarray (TMA), western blotting, and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Cell culture experiments were performed to investigate the effect of MIC-1 on BTC cell lines (HuCCT-1 and TFK-1). The relationships between serum MIC-1 levels and either the disease state or the serum level of the apoptosis marker M30 were retrospectively verified in 118 patients with pancreaticobiliary disease (individuals with benign disease served as a control group, n = 62; BTC, n = 56). The most efficient diagnostic marker for BTC was also investigated.

RESULTS

MIC-1 expression was confirmed in BTC tissue specimens and was higher in BTC cells than in normal bile duct epithelial cells, as determined using TMA, western blotting and RT-PCR. In cell culture experiments, MIC-1 increased BTC cell proliferation and invasion by preventing apoptosis and inhibited the effect of gemcitabine. In serum analyses, serum MIC-1 levels showed a positive correlation with BTC progression and serum M30 levels. The ability to diagnose BTC at an early stage or at all stages was improved using the combination of MIC-1 and M30. The overall survival was significantly longer in BTC patients with serum MIC-1 < the median than in BTC patients with serum MIC-1 ≥ the median.

CONCLUSIONS

MIC-1 is a useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and might be a potential therapeutic target for BTC.

Synchronous intracellular delivery of EGFR-targeted antibody-drug conjugates by p38-mediated non-canonical endocytosis

Monoclonal antibodies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), including cetuximab and panitumumab, have been used in clinic settings to treat cancer. They have also recently been applied to antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs); however, their clinical efficacy is limited by several issues, including lower internalization efficiency. The binding of cetuximab to the extracellular domain of EGFR suppresses ligand-induced events; therefore, we focus on ligand-independent non-canonical EGFR endocytosis for the delivery of ADCs into cells. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) strongly induces the endocytosis of the cetuximab-EGFR complex within 15 min via the p38 phosphorylation of EGFR in a tyrosine kinase-independent manner. A secondary antibody conjugated with saporin, a ribosome-inactivating protein, also undergoes internalization with the complex and enhances its anti-proliferative activity. Anti-cancer agents, including cisplatin and temozolomide, also induce the p38-mediated internalization. The results of the present study demonstrate that synchronous non-canonical EGFR endocytosis may be a feasible strategy for promoting the therapeutic efficacy of EGFR-targeting ADCs in clinical settings.

Cellular and molecular insights into the roles of visfatin in breast cancer cells plasticity programs

Obesity has reached a pandemic proportion and is responsible for the augmentation of multimorbidity including certain cancers. With the rise in obesity amongst the female population globally, a concomitant increase in breast cancer (BC) incidence and related mortality has been observed. In the present review, we have elucidated the cellular and molecular insight into the visfatin-mediated cellular plasticity programs such as Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), and stemness-associated changes in BC cells. EMT and EndoMT are responsible for inducing metastasis in cancer cells and conferring chemotherapy resistance, immune escape, and infinite growth potential. Visfatin, an obesity-associated adipokine implicated in metabolic syndrome, has emerged as a central player in BC pathogenesis. Several studies have indicated the presence of visfatin in the tumor microenvironment (TME) where it augments EMT and EndoMT of BC cells. Further, Visfatin also modulates the TME by acting on the tumor stroma cells such as adipocytes, infiltrated immune cells, and adipose-associated stem cells that secrete factors such as cytokines, and extracellular vesicles responsible for augmenting cellular plasticity program. Visfatin induced altered metabolism of the cancer cells and molecular determinants such as non-coding RNAs involved in EMT and EndoMT have been discussed. We have also highlighted specific therapeutic targets that can be exploited for the development of effective BC treatment. Taken together, these advanced understandings of cellular and molecular insight into the visfatin-mediated cellular plasticity programs may stimulate the development of better approaches for the prevention and therapy of BC, especially in obese patients.

The relationship between pan-immune-inflammation value and survival outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab in the second line and beyond: a Turkish oncology group kidney cancer consortium (TKCC) study

BACKGROUND

Pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) is an easily accessible immune marker based on peripheral blood to estimate prognosis in patients with cancer. This study evaluates the prognostic value of PIV in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with nivolumab.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, patients with mRCC treated with nivolumab in the second line and beyond were selected from the Turkish Oncology Group Kidney Cancer Consortium (TKCC) database. PIV was calculated using the following formula: neutrophil (10³/mm³) x monocyte (10³/mm³) x platelet (10³/mm³)/lymphocyte (10³/mm³).

RESULTS

A total of 152 patients with mRCC were included in this study. According to cut-off value for PIV, 77 (50.7%) and 75 (49.3%) patients fell into PIV-low ([Formula: see text] 372) and PIV-high (> 372) groups, respectively. In multivariate analysis, PIV-high (HR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.04-2.58, p = 0.033 for overall survival (OS); HR: 1.55, 95% CI 1.02-2.38, p = 0.042 for progression-free survival (PFS)) was independent risk factor for OS and PFS after adjusting for confounding variables, such as performance score, the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk score, and liver metastasis.

CONCLUSION

This study established that pre-treatment PIV might be a prognostic biomarker in patients with mRCC treated with nivolumab in the second line and beyond.

CD44 Mediates Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Promoting Activity of MRE11 via AKT Signaling

Oral cancer is one of the highest-incidence malignancies worldwide, with the occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) being the most frequently diagnosed form. A barrier for oral cancer management may arise from tumor cells that possess properties of cancer stemness, which has been recognized as a crucial factor in tumor recurrence and metastasis. As such, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these tumor cells may provide insights for improving cancer treatment. MRE11 is the core protein of the RAD50/MRE11/NBS1 complex with a primary role in DNA damage repair, and it has been diversely associated with tumor development including OSCC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the engagement of CD44, a cancer stemness marker functioning in the control of cell growth and motility, in OSCC malignancy under the influence of MRE11. We found that overexpression of MRE11 enhanced CD44 expression and tumorsphere formation in OSCC cells, whereas knockdown of MRE11 reduced these phenomena. In addition, the MRE11-promoted tumorsphere formation or cell migration ability was compromised in OSCC cells carrying siRNA that targets CD44, as was the MRE11-promoted AKT phosphorylation. These were further supported by analyzing clinical samples, where higher CD44 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis. Additionally, a positive correlation between the expression of MRE11 and CD44, or that of CD44 and phosphorylated AKT, was observed in OSCC tumor tissues. Finally, the expression of CD44 was found to be higher in the metastatic lung nodules from mice receiving tail vein-injection with MRE11-overexpressing OSCC cells compared with control mice, and a positive correlation between CD44 and phosphorylated AKT was also observed in these metastatic lung nodules. Altogether, our current study revealed a previously unidentified mechanism linking CD44 and AKT in MRE11-promoted OSCC malignancy, which may shed light to the development of novel therapeutic strategies in consideration of this new pathway in OSCC.

Cyclic Polypeptide D7 Protects Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Cells and Promotes Chondrogenesis during Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head via Growth Differentiation Factor 15-Mediated Redox Signaling

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a debilitating disease that is closely associated with the clinical application of high-dose glucocorticoids. Elevated oxidative stress contributes to the pathophysiological changes observed in ONFH. The lack of effective treatments besides surgical intervention highlights the importance of finding novel therapeutics. Our previous studies demonstrated that D7, a cyclic polypeptide, enhances the adhesion, expansion, and proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Therefore, in this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of D7 against ONFH in BMSCs and evaluated the underlying mechanisms. First, we screened for ONFH risk factors. Then, we applied D7 treatment to steroid-induced ONFH (SONFH) in an in vitro model produced by dexamethasone (DEX) to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms. We found negative correlations among oxidative stress marker expression, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) levels, and ONFH. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DEX inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of BMSCs by suppressing GDF15/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. D7 alleviated DEX-induced BMSCs injury and restored the chondrogenic function of BMSCs by activating GDF15/AKT/mTOR signaling. In addition, DEX-induced excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was an upstream trigger of GDF15-mediated signaling, and D7 ameliorated this DEX-induced redox imbalance by restoring the expression of antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1, SOD2, and catalase, via regulation of GDF15 expression. In conclusion, our findings revealed the potential therapeutic effects of D7 in SONFH and showed that this protective function may be mediated via inhibition of DEX-induced ROS and activation of GDF15/AKT/mTOR signaling, thereby providing insights into the potential applications of D7 in SONFH treatment.

Nicaraven prevents the fast growth of inflamed tumors by an anti-inflammatory mechanism

Inflammatory microenvironment is known to accelerate the progression of malignant tumors. We investigated the possible anti-inflammatory effect of nicaraven on slowing tumor growth. Tumor-bearing mice randomly received nicaraven injection (50 mg/kg daily, i.p, n = 8) or placebo treatment (n = 8) for 10 days, and then sacrificed for evaluations. Nicaraven administration effectively inhibited the fast growth of tumor, as a large tumor (> 1.0 g) developed finally in three of the eight mice received placebo treatment. Cytokines/chemokines array indicated that nicaraven reduced the levels of CXCL10 and SDF-1 in the tumor as well as the levels of IL-2 and MIP-2 in serum. Immunofluorescence staining showed that nicaraven significantly reduced the recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils in the tumor. Interestingly, western blot indicated that the expression of CD86, CD206, and NIMP-R14 was especially enhanced in the three large-size tumors, suggesting the potential role of nicaraven in preventing the hyper-inflammatory tumor microenvironment. Moreover, the expression of PARP-1 was downregulated, but the expression of phospho-p38 MAPK, phospho-MKK-3/6, and phospho-MSK-1 was upregulated in the large-size tumors, suggesting the involvement of p38 MAPK pathway in the anti-inflammatory effect of nicaraven. Taken together, our study suggests that nicaraven may effectively prevent the fast growth of inflamed tumors by an anti-inflammatory mechanism.

Live cell molecular analysis of primary prostate cancer organoids identifies persistent androgen receptor signaling

Prostate Cancer (PC) is a disease with remarkable tumor heterogeneity that often manifests in significant intra-patient variability with regards to clinical outcomes and treatment response. Commonly available PC cell lines do not accurately reflect the complexity of this disease and there is critical need for development of new models to recapitulate the intricate hierarchy of tumor pathogenesis. In current study, we established ex vivo primary patient-derived cancer organoid (PDCO) cultures from prostatectomy specimens of patients with locally advanced PC. We then performed a comprehensive multi-parameter characterization of the cellular composition utilizing a novel approach for live-cell staining and direct imaging in the integrated microfluidic Stacks device. Using orthogonal flow cytometry analysis, we demonstrate that primary PDCOs maintain distinct subsets of epithelial cells throughout culture and that these cells conserve expression of androgen receptor (AR)-related elements. Furthermore, to confirm the tumor-origin of the PDCOs we have analyzed the expression of PC-associated epigenetic biomarkers including promoter methylation of the GSTP1, RASSF1 and APC and RARb genes by employing a novel microfluidic rare-event screening protocol. These results demonstrate that this ex vivo PDCO model recapitulates the complexity of the epithelial tumor microenvironment of multifocal PC using orthogonal analyses. Furthermore, we propose to leverage the Stacks microfluidic device as a high-throughput, translational platform to interrogate phenotypic and molecular endpoints with the capacity to incorporate a complex tumor microenvironment.

CD44 Promotes Lung Cancer Cell Metastasis through ERK-ZEB1 Signaling

Lung cancer is a malignancy with high mortality worldwide, and metastasis occurs at a high frequency even when cancer spread is not detectable at primary operation. Cancer stemness plays an important role in malignant cancer behavior, treatment resistance, and cancer metastasis. Therefore, understanding the molecular pathogenesis behind cancer-stemness-mediated metastasis and developing effective approaches to prevent metastasis are key issues for improving cancer treatment. In this study, we investigated the role of CD44 stemness marker in lung cancer using in vitro and clinical studies. Immunohistochemical staining of lung cancer tissue specimens revealed that primary tumors with higher CD44 expression showed increased metastasis to regional lymph nodes. Flow cytometry analysis suggested that CD44 positive cells were enriched in the metastatic lymph nodes compared to the primary tumors. CD44 overexpression significantly increased migration and invasion abilities of lung cancer cells through CD44-induced ERK phosphorylation, ZEB1 upregulation, and Claudin-1 downregulation. Furthermore, ERK inhibition suppressed the migration and invasion abilities of CD44-overexpressing lung cancer cells. In summary, our in vitro and clinical results indicate that CD44 may be a potential prognostic and therapeutic marker for lung cancer patients.

Canonical transient receptor potential channels and their modulators: biology, pharmacology and therapeutic potentials

Canonical transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) are nonselective, high calcium permeability cationic channels. The TRPCs family includes TRPC1, TRPC2, TRPC3, TRPC4, TRPC5, TRPC6, and TRPC7. These channels are widely expressed in the cardiovascular and nervous systems and exist in many other human tissues and cell types, playing several crucial roles in the human physiological and pathological processes. Hence, the emergence of TRPCs modulators can help investigate these channels’ applications in health and disease. It is worth noting that the TRPCs subfamilies have structural and functional similarities, which presents a significant difficulty in screening and discovering of TRPCs modulators. In the past few years, only a limited number of selective modulators of TRPCs were detected; thus, additional research on more potent and more selective TRPCs modulators is needed. The present review focuses on the striking desired therapeutic effects of TRPCs modulators, which provides intel on the structural modification of TRPCs modulators and further pharmacological research. Importantly, TRPCs modulators can significantly facilitate future studies of TRPCs and TRPCs related diseases.

Intracellular Nampt impairs esophageal squamous cell carcinoma neo-adjuvant chemotherapy response independent of eNampt

Nampt consists of iNampt and eNampt, might contribute to modulating obesity-related malignancies and impairing response to chemotherapy in a range of cancers. This study explored the role of Nampt and adiposity in the progression and response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Patients with ESCC were treated with 2 cycles of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, then evaluated for surgery. Tumor regression grading (TRG) and prognosis of these patients were collected. Anthropometry was well utilized. Serum eNampt was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, iNampt expression in tissues were assessed by PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. eNampt in sera elevated significantly in these over-weight or obese patients, and was positively associated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and total fat area (TFA) (P<0.05). iNampt expression in the mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated in ESCC compared to their adjacent non-tumor specimens (P<0.05). iNampt protein staining revealed mainly in the cytoplasm and nuclei, while it was not related to serum eNampt, BMI, waist circumference, VFA, SFA and TFA (P>0.05). Pre-treatment iNampt, BMI, SFA, TFA and age significantly correlated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy response, and iNampt expression and age were independent predictors (P<0.05). Pre-treatment iNampt, ypT, ypN, ypTNM stage and TRG were associated with the survival of ESCCs, and ypN stage and TRG were independent prognostic factors (P<0.05). In conclusion, iNampt impaired ESCC response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy independent of eNampt, targeting iNampt to increase ESCC response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy would improve the prognosis of ESCCs.

The Influence of Biologically Active Substances Secreted by the Adipose Tissue on Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed gynecological neoplasms in developed countries and its incidence is rising. Usually, it is diagnosed in the early stages of the disease and has a good prognosis; however, in later stages, the rate of recurrence reaches up to 60%. The discrepancy in relapse rates is due to the heterogeneity of the group related to the presence of prognostic factors affecting survival parameters. Increased body weight, diabetes, metabolic disturbances and estrogen imbalance are important factors for the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer. Even though prognostic factors such as histopathological grade, clinical stage, histological type and the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors are well known in endometrial cancer, the search for novel prognostic biomarkers continues. Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ involved in metabolism, immune response and the production of biologically active substances participating in cell growth and differentiation, angiogenesis, apoptosis and carcinogenesis. In this manuscript, we review the impact of factors secreted by the adipose tissue involved in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism (leptin, adiponectin, omentin, vaspin, galectins) and factors responsible for homeostasis maintenance, inflammatory processes, angiogenesis and oxidative stress (IL-1β, 6, 8, TNFα, Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs)) in the diagnosis and prognosis of endometrial cancer.

Tumor Metabolic Reprogramming by Adipokines as a Critical Driver of Obesity-Associated Cancer Progression

Adiposity is associated with an increased risk of various types of carcinoma. One of the plausible mechanisms underlying the tumor-promoting role of obesity is an aberrant secretion of adipokines, a group of hormones secreted from adipose tissue, which have exhibited both oncogenic and tumor-suppressing properties in an adipokine type- and context-dependent manner. Increasing evidence has indicated that these adipose tissue-derived hormones differentially modulate cancer cell-specific metabolism. Some adipokines, such as leptin, resistin, and visfatin, which are overproduced in obesity and widely implicated in different stages of cancer, promote cellular glucose and lipid metabolism. Conversely, adiponectin, an adipokine possessing potent anti-tumor activities, is linked to a more favorable metabolic phenotype. Adipokines may also play a pivotal role under the reciprocal regulation of metabolic rewiring of cancer cells in tumor microenvironment. Given the fact that metabolic reprogramming is one of the major hallmarks of cancer, understanding the modulatory effects of adipokines on alterations in cancer cell metabolism would provide insight into the crosstalk between obesity, adipokines, and tumorigenesis. In this review, we summarize recent insights into putative roles of adipokines as mediators of cellular metabolic rewiring in obesity-associated tumors, which plays a crucial role in determining the fate of tumor cells.

MMP1 3'UTR facilitates the proliferation and migration of human oral squamous cell carcinoma by sponging miR-188-5p to up-regulate SOX4 and CDK4

Growing evidence indicates that the non-coding 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of genes acts as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to exert their roles in a number of diseases, including cancer. In the present study, MMP1 messenger RNA was identified to be significantly up-regulated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues, and both MMP1 and its 3'UTR promoted tumor growth and cell motility. Further mechanism investigations indicated that MMP1 3'UTR was able to antagonize miR-188-5p; in addition, overexpression of MMP1 3'UTR up-regulated the expression level of SOX4 and CDK4, target genes of miR-188-5p, which have also been identified as oncogenic driver genes in OSCC. Therefore, a ceRNA regulatory network among MMP1, SOX4, and CDK4 mediated via competing for binding to miR-188-5p was proved. Taken together, the present study demonstrates for the first time that MMP1 mRNA participates in the development of OSCC via ceRNA regulatory mechanism and genes involved in the ceRNA network may provide a novel avenue for target therapy.

The Tumor Microenvironment as a Driving Force of Breast Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity

Simple Summary

Breast cancer stem cells are a subset of transformed cells that sustain tumor growth and can metastasize to secondary organs. Since metastasis accounts for most cancer deaths, it is of paramount importance to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate this subgroup of cells. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the habitat in which transformed cells evolve, and it is composed by many different cell types and the extracellular matrix (ECM). A body of evidence strongly indicates that microenvironmental cues modulate stemness in breast cancer, and that the coevolution of the TME and cancer stem cells determine the fate of breast tumors. In this review, we summarize the studies providing links between the TME and the breast cancer stem cell phenotype and we discuss their specific interactions with immune cell subsets, stromal cells, and the ECM.

Abstract

Tumor progression involves the co-evolution of transformed cells and the milieu in which they live and expand. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a specialized subset of cells that sustain tumor growth and drive metastatic colonization. However, the cellular hierarchy in breast tumors is rather plastic, and the capacity to transition from one cell state to another depends not only on the intrinsic properties of transformed cells, but also on the interplay with their niches. It has become evident that the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major player in regulating the BCSC phenotype and metastasis. The complexity of the TME is reflected in its number of players and in the interactions that they establish with each other. Multiple types of immune cells, stromal cells, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) form an intricate communication network with cancer cells, exert a highly selective pressure on the tumor, and provide supportive niches for BCSC expansion. A better understanding of the mechanisms regulating these interactions is crucial to develop strategies aimed at interfering with key BCSC niche factors, which may help reducing tumor heterogeneity and impair metastasis.

Visfatin Enhances Breast Cancer Progression through CXCL1 Induction in Tumor-Associated Macrophages

Visfatin, an adipocytokine highly expressed in breast tumor tissues, is associated with breast cancer progression. Recent studies showed that adipocytokines mediate tumor development through adipocytokine tumor-stromal interactions in the tumor microenvironment. This study focused on the interaction between one key stromal constituent-tumor-associated macrophages-and visfatin. Pretreatment of THP-1 and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with recombinant visfatin resulted in M2-polarization determined by CD163 and CD206 expression. Indirect co-culture with visfatin-treated THP-1 (V-THP-1) promoted the viability, migration, tumorsphere formation, EMT, and stemness of breast cancer cells. Cytokine array identified an increased CXCL1 secretion in V-THP-1 conditioned medium and recombinant CXCL1 enhanced cell migration and invasion, which were abrogated by the CXCL1-neutralizing antibody. Additionally, visfatin induced pERK in THP-1 cells and clinical samples confirmed a positive CXCL1/pERK correlation. In an orthotopic mouse model, the tumor bioluminescent signal of luciferase-expressing MDA-MB-231 (Luc-MDA-MB-231) cells co-cultured with V-THP-1 and the expression of proliferation marker Ki67 were significantly higher than that co-cultured with THP-1. Furthermore, tail vein-injected Luc-MDA-MB-231 pretreated with V-PBMCs conditioned medium metastasized to lungs more frequently compared to control, and this was reversed by CXCL1 blocking antibody. In summary, this study demonstrated that visfatin enhanced breast cancer progression via pERK/CXCL1 induction in macrophages.

Development and validation of a novel metabolic signature for predicting prognosis in patients with laryngeal cancer

PURPOSE

Despite advances in the development of treatments for laryngeal cancer (LC), including surgical treatments and radio-chemotherapy, the survival rate of LC remains low. Therefore, novel metabolic signatures are urgently needed to evaluate the prognosis of LC patients.

METHODS

Differentially expressed metabolic genes were extracted via bioinformatics analysis from the raw data of The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Univariate Cox regression and LASSO analyses were performed to identify metabolic genes that were significantly correlated with overall survival (OS). Using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and receiver operating characteristics, the prognostic power of candidate signatures was evaluated in the two databases. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to explore significant signaling pathways and underlying mechanisms in the high- and low-risk groups.

RESULTS

Thirteen metabolism genes showed superior ability to predict OS for LC when compared to clinical variables, and patients in the high-risk group showed significantly poorer OS than those in the low-risk group. The area under the curve of receiver operating curves for 5- and 3-year OS was 0.929 and 0.899, respectively, which were better than the OS obtained with clinicopathological variables. Similar results obtained in the GEO cohort indicated that this gene signature could differentiate between LC patients with and without recurrence.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this study is the first to report that the 13 metabolic genes could serve as an independent biomarker for LC, which could provide vital prognostic information and prediction for personalized treatment of LC.

Exosomes From Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: The Emerging Roles and Applications in Tissue Regeneration of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are an important stem cell type separated from adipose tissue, with the properties of multilineage differentiation, easy availability, high proliferation potential, and self-renewal. Exosomes are novel frontiers of intercellular communication regulating the biological behaviors of cells, such as angiogenesis, immune modulation, proliferation, and migration. ASC-derived exosomes (ASC-exos) are important components released by ASCs paracrine, possessing multiple biological activities. Tissue regeneration requires coordinated “vital networks” of multiple growth factors, proteases, progenitors, and immune cells producing inflammatory cytokines. Recently, as cell-to-cell messengers, ASC-exos have received much attention for the fact that they are important paracrine mediators contributing to their suitability for tissue regeneration. ASC-exos, with distinct properties by encapsulating various types of bioactive cargoes, are endowed with great application potential in tissue regeneration, mechanically via the migration and proliferation of repair cells, facilitation of the neovascularization, and other specific functions in different tissues. Here, this article elucidated the research progress of ASC-exos about tissue regeneration in plastic and cosmetic surgery, including skin anti-aging therapy, dermatitis improvement, wound healing, scar removal, flap transplantation, bone tissue repair and regeneration, obesity prevention, fat grafting, breast cancer, and breast reconstruction. Deciphering the biological properties of ASC-exos will provide further insights for exploring novel therapeutic strategies of tissue regeneration in plastic and cosmetic surgery.

The Importance of Breast Adipose Tissue in Breast Cancer

Adipose tissue is a complex endocrine organ, with a role in obesity and cancer. Adipose tissue is generally linked to excessive body fat, and it is well known that the female breast is rich in adipose tissue. Hence, one can wonder: what is the role of adipose tissue in the breast and why is it required? Adipose tissue as an organ consists of adipocytes, an extracellular matrix (ECM) and immune cells, with a significant role in the dynamics of breast changes throughout the life span of a female breast from puberty, pregnancy, lactation and involution. In this review, we will discuss the importance of breast adipose tissue in breast development and its involvement in breast changes happening during pregnancy, lactation and involution. We will focus on understanding the biology of breast adipose tissue, with an overview on its involvement in the various steps of breast cancer development and progression. The interaction between the breast adipose tissue surrounding cancer cells and vice-versa modifies the tumor microenvironment in favor of cancer. Understanding this mutual interaction and the role of breast adipose tissue in the tumor microenvironment could potentially raise the possibility of overcoming breast adipose tissue mediated resistance to therapies and finding novel candidates to target breast cancer.