Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Influences Prostate Cancer Cell Growth and Invasion through an Integrin α3, α5, αV, and β1 Dependent Mechanism

Sulforaphane Inhibits Adhesion and Migration of Cisplatin- and Gemcitabine-Resistant Bladder Cancer Cells In Vitro

Only 20% of patients with muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma respond to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Since the natural phytochemical sulforaphane (SFN) exhibits antitumor properties, its influence on the adhesive and migratory properties of cisplatin- and gemcitabine-sensitive and cisplatin- and gemcitabine-resistant RT4, RT112, T24, and TCCSUP bladder cancer cells was evaluated. Mechanisms behind the SFN influence were explored by assessing levels of the integrin adhesion receptors β1 (total and activated) and β4 and their functional relevance. To evaluate cell differentiation processes, E- and N-cadherin, vimentin and cytokeratin (CK) 8/18 expression were examined. SFN down-regulated bladder cancer cell adhesion with cell line and resistance-specific differences. Different responses to SFN were reflected in integrin expression that depended on the cell line and presence of resistance. Chemotactic movement of RT112, T24, and TCCSUP (RT4 did not migrate) was markedly blocked by SFN in both chemo-sensitive and chemo-resistant cells. Integrin-blocking studies indicated β1 and β4 as chemotaxis regulators. N-cadherin was diminished by SFN, particularly in sensitive and resistant T24 and RT112 cells, whereas E-cadherin was increased in RT112 cells (not detectable in RT4 and TCCSup cells). Alterations in vimentin and CK8/18 were also apparent, though not the same in all cell lines. SFN exposure resulted in translocation of E-cadherin (RT112), N-cadherin (RT112, T24), and vimentin (T24). SFN down-regulated adhesion and migration in chemo-sensitive and chemo-resistant bladder cancer cells by acting on integrin β1 and β4 expression and inducing the mesenchymal-epithelial translocation of cadherins and vimentin. SFN does, therefore, possess potential to improve bladder cancer therapy.

The Impact of Nutrient Supply on Prostate Cancer Risk Worldwide

We aim to explore the association between nutrient supply and the incidence of prostate cancer globally. We utilized national nutrient supply data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for 150 countries, including the average supply of total protein (APS), animal protein (AAPS), fat (AFS), animal protein/total protein ratio (ATR), and share of dietary energy supply derived from cereals, roots, and tubers (CR). Prostate cancer incidence data were sourced from the Global Burden Disease 2019 (GBD2019). Correlation, regression analyses, and subgroup analysis were conducted. Our findings imply that incidence of prostate cancer is significantly correlated to APS (ρ = 0.394, p < 0.01), AAPS (ρ = 0.560, p < 0.01), AFS (ρ = 0.522, p < 0.01), ATR (ρ = 0.592, p < 0.01), and CR (ρ = -0.667, p < 0.01). After adjusting for confounders, regression analysis showed linear relationships between the AAPS (β = 0.605, p = 0.006), ATR (β = 70.76, p = 0.005), CR (β = -1.4451, p < 0.01), and age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) of prostate cancer, while no association was observed with APS (β = 0.030, p = 0.483) or AFS (β = 0.237, p = 0.405). Subgroup analysis suggested that dietary supply indicators were associated with ASIR in middle, middle-high, and high SDI, but not in countries with low and middle-low SDI. In summary, prostate cancer rates globally correlate significantly with AAPS, ATR, and CR, but not with APS and AFS. When considering the SDI of countries, the relationship is generally more pronounced in economically advanced nations, but not evident in low and middle-low SDI countries.

Integrins and Actions of Androgen in Breast Cancer

Androgen has been shown to regulate male physiological activities and cancer proliferation. It is used to antagonize estrogen-induced proliferative effects in breast cancer cells. However, evidence indicates that androgen can stimulate cancer cell growth in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative breast cancer cells via different types of receptors and different mechanisms. Androgen-induced cancer growth and metastasis link with different types of integrins. Integrin αvβ3 is predominantly expressed and activated in cancer cells and rapidly dividing endothelial cells. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) also plays a vital role in cancer growth. The part of integrins in action with androgen in cancer cells is not fully mechanically understood. To clarify the interactions between androgen and integrin αvβ3, we carried out molecular modeling to explain the potential interactions of androgen with integrin αvβ3. The androgen-regulated mechanisms on PD-L1 and its effects were also addressed.

Emerging Role of IGF-1 in Prostate Cancer: A Promising Biomarker and Therapeutic Target

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a highly heterogeneous disease driven by gene alterations and microenvironmental influences. Not only enhanced serum IGF-1 but also the activation of IGF-1R and its downstream signaling components has been increasingly recognized to have a vital driving role in the development of PCa. A better understanding of IGF-1/IGF-1R activity and regulation has therefore emerged as an important subject of PCa research. IGF-1/IGF-1R signaling affects diverse biological processes in cancer cells, including promoting survival and renewal, inducing migration and spread, and promoting resistance to radiation and castration. Consequently, inhibitory reagents targeting IGF-1/IGF-1R have been developed to limit cancer development. Multiple agents targeting IGF-1/IGF-1R signaling have shown effects against tumor growth in tumor xenograft models, but further verification of their effectiveness in PCa patients in clinical trials is still needed. Combining androgen deprivation therapy or cytotoxic chemotherapeutics with IGF-1R antagonists based on reliable predictive biomarkers and developing and applying novel agents may provide more desirable outcomes. This review will summarize the contribution of IGF-1 signaling to the development of PCa and highlight the relevance of this signaling axis in potential strategies for cancer therapy.

Mechanisms of Prostate Cancer Cells Survival and Their Therapeutic Targeting

Prostate cancer (PCa) is today the second most common cancer in the world, with almost 400,000 deaths annually. Multiple factors are involved in the etiology of PCa, such as older age, genetic mutations, ethnicity, diet, or inflammation. Modern treatment of PCa involves radical surgical treatment or radiation therapy in the stages when the tumor is limited to the prostate. When metastases develop, the standard procedure is androgen deprivation therapy, which aims to reduce the level of circulating testosterone, which is achieved by surgical or medical castration. However, when the level of testosterone decreases to the castration level, the tumor cells adapt to the new conditions through different mechanisms, which enable their unhindered growth and survival, despite the therapy. New knowledge about the biology of the so-called of castration-resistant PCa and the way it adapts to therapy will enable the development of new drugs, whose goal is to prolong the survival of patients with this stage of the disease, which will be discussed in this review.

Metformin use and mortality in Asian, diabetic patients with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy: A population-based study

BACKGROUND

This study aims to examine the associations between metformin use concurrent with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and mortality risks in Asian, diabetic patients with prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

This study identified diabetic adults with PCa receiving any ADT attending public hospitals in Hong Kong between December 1999 and March 2021 retrospectively, with follow-up until September 2021. Patients with <6 months of medical castration without subsequent bilateral orchidectomy, <6 months of concurrent metformin use and ADT, or missing baseline HbA1c were excluded. Metformin users had ≥180 days of concurrent metformin use and ADT, while non-users had no concurrent metformin use and ADT or never used metformin. The primary outcome was PCa-related mortality. The secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. The study used inverse probability treatment weighting to balance covariates.

RESULTS

The analyzed cohort consisted of 1971 patients (1284 metformin users and 687 non-users; mean age 76.2 ± 7.8 years). Over a mean follow-up of 4.1 ± 3.2 years, metformin users had significantly lower risks of PCa-related mortality (weighted hazard ratio [wHR]: 0.49 [95% confidence interval, CI:  0.39-0.61], p < 0.001) and all-cause mortality (wHR 0.53 [0.46-0.61], p < 0.001), independent of diabetic control or status of chronic kidney disease. Such effects appeared stronger in patients with less advanced PCa, which is reflected by the absence of androgen receptor antagonist or chemotherapy use (p value for interaction: 0.017 for PCa-related mortality; 0.048 for all-cause mortality).

CONCLUSIONS

Metformin use concurrent with ADT was associated with lower risks of mortality in Asian, diabetic patients with PCa.

Combinatorial approaches of nanotherapeutics for inflammatory pathway targeted therapy of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most prevalent male urogenital cancer worldwide. PC patients presenting an advanced or metastatic cancer succumb to the disease, even after therapeutic interventions including radiotherapy, surgery, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), and chemotherapy. One of the hallmarks of PC is evading immune surveillance and chronic inflammation, which is a major challenge towards designing effective therapeutic formulations against PC. Chronic inflammation in PC is often characterized by tumor microenvironment alterations, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix modifications. The inflammatory events are modulated by reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Major signaling pathways in PC includes androgen receptor, PI3K and NF-κB pathways and targeting these inter-linked pathways poses a major therapeutic challenge. Notably, many conventional treatments are clinically unsuccessful, due to lack of targetability and poor bioavailability of the therapeutics, untoward toxicity and multidrug resistance. The past decade witnessed an advancement of nanotechnology as an excellent therapeutic paradigm for PC therapy. Modern nanovectorization strategies such as stimuli-responsive and active PC targeting carriers offer controlled release patterns and superior anti-cancer effects. The current review initially describes the classification, inflammatory triggers and major inflammatory pathways of PC, various PC treatment strategies and their limitations. Subsequently, recent advancement in combinatorial nanotherapeutic approaches, which target PC inflammatory pathways, and the mechanism of action are discussed. Besides, the current clinical status and prospects of PC homing nanovectorization, and major challenges to be addressed towards the advancement PC therapy are also addressed.

Integrated analysis of mRNA-single nucleotide polymorphism-microRNA interaction network to identify biomarkers associated with prostate cancer

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies among men worldwide currently. However, specific mechanisms of prostate cancer were still not fully understood due to lack of integrated molecular analyses. We performed this study to establish an mRNA-single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-microRNA (miRNA) interaction network by comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, and search for novel biomarkers for prostate cancer.

Materials and methods: mRNA, miRNA, and SNP data were acquired from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differential expression analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and miRNAs (DEMs). Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses, protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis of DEGs were conducted. SNPs related to DEMs (miRSNPs) were downloaded from the open-source website MirSNP and PolymiRTS 3.0. TargetScan and miRDB databases were used for the target mRNA prediction of miRNA. The mRNA-SNP-miRNA interaction network was then constructed and visualized by Cytoscape 3.9.0. Selected key biomarkers were further validated using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A nomogram model was constructed to predict the risk of prostate cancer.

Results: In our study, 266 DEGs and 11 DEMs were identified. KEGG pathway analysis showed that DEGs were strikingly enriched in focal adhesion and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. A total of 60 mRNA-SNP-miRNAs trios were identified to establish the mRNA-SNP-miRNA interaction network. Seven mRNAs in mRNA-SNP-miRNA network were consistent with the predicted target mRNAs of miRNA. These results were largely validated by the TCGA database analysis. A nomogram was constructed that contained four variables (ITGB8, hsa-miR-21, hsa-miR-30b and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value) for predicting the risk of prostate cancer.

Conclusion: Our study established the mRNA-SNP-miRNA interaction network in prostate cancer. The interaction network showed that hsa-miR-21, hsa-miR-30b, and ITGB8 may be utilized as new biomarkers for prostate cancer.

Systemic Ablation of Camkk2 Impairs Metastatic Colonization and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in TRAMP Mice: Evidence for Cancer Cell-Extrinsic CAMKK2 Functions in Prostate Cancer

Despite early studies linking calcium-calmodulin protein kinase kinase 2 (CAMKK2) to prostate cancer cell migration and invasion, the role of CAMKK2 in metastasis in vivo remains unclear. Moreover, while CAMKK2 is known to regulate systemic metabolism, whether CAMKK2's effects on whole-body metabolism would impact prostate cancer progression and/or related comorbidities is not known. Here, we demonstrate that germline ablation of Camkk2 slows, but does not stop, primary prostate tumorigenesis in the TRansgenic Adenocarcinoma Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) genetic mouse model. Consistent with prior epidemiological reports supporting a link between obesity and prostate cancer aggressiveness, TRAMP mice fed a high-fat diet exhibited a pronounced increase in the colonization of lung metastases. We demonstrated that this effect on the metastatic spread was dependent on CAMKK2. Notably, diet-induced lung metastases exhibited a highly aggressive neuroendocrine phenotype. Concurrently, Camkk2 deletion improved insulin sensitivity in the same mice. Histological analyses revealed that cancer cells were smaller in the TRAMP;Camkk2-/- mice compared to TRAMP;Camkk2+/+ controls. Given the differences in circulating insulin levels, a known regulator of cell growth, we hypothesized that systemic CAMKK2 could promote prostate cancer cell growth and disease progression in part through cancer cell-extrinsic mechanisms. Accordingly, host deletion of Camkk2 impaired the growth of syngeneic murine prostate tumors in vivo, confirming nonautonomous roles for CAMKK2 in prostate cancer. Cancer cell size and mTOR signaling was diminished in tumors propagated in Camkk2-null mice. Together, these data indicate that, in addition to cancer cell-intrinsic roles, CAMKK2 mediates prostate cancer progression via tumor-extrinsic mechanisms. Further, we propose that CAMKK2 inhibition may also help combat common metabolic comorbidities in men with advanced prostate cancer.

Integrin α2 and β1 Cross-Communication with mTOR/AKT and the CDK-Cyclin Axis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Simple Summary

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression depends on two major processes, tumor growth and invasion. The present study investigated how these events are linked. A panel of HCC cell lines were stimulated with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) and the biological behavior was evaluated. IGF1 activated the proliferation and invasion cascade by altering the expression level of integrin α subtypes, which were associated with the AKT-mTOR pathway and the CDK-Cyclin axis. We assume that HCC progression is controlled by a fine-tuned network between IGF1 driven integrin signaling, the Akt-mTOR pathway, and the CDK-Cyclin axis. Concerted targeting of these pathways may, therefore, become an innovative option to prevent cancer dissemination.

Abstract

Integrin receptors contribute to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invasion, while AKT-mTOR signaling controls mitosis. The present study was designed to explore the links between integrins and the AKT-mTOR pathway and the CDK-Cyclin axis. HCC cell lines (HepG2, Huh7, Hep3B) were stimulated with soluble collagen or Matrigel to activate integrins, or with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) to activate AKT-mTOR. HCC growth, proliferation, adhesion, and chemotaxis were evaluated. AKT/mTOR-related proteins, proteins of the CDK-Cyclin axis, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and integrin-linked kinase (ILK) were determined following IGF1-stimulation or integrin knockdown. Stimulation with collagen or Matrigel increased tumor cell growth and proliferation. This was associated with significant alteration of the integrins α2, αV, and β1. Blockade of these integrins led to cell cycle arrest in G2/M and diminished the number of tumor cell clones. Knocking down the integrins α2 or β1 suppressed ILK, reduced FAK-phosphorylation and diminished AKT/mTOR, as well as the proteins of the CDK-Cyclin axis. Activating the cells with IGF1 enhanced the expression of the integrins α2, αV, β1, activated FAK, and increased tumor cell adhesion and chemotaxis. Blocking the AKT pathway canceled the enhancing effect of IGF on the integrins α2 and β1. These findings reveal that HCC growth, proliferation, and invasion are controlled by a fine-tuned network between α2/β1-FAK signaling, the AKT-mTOR pathway, and the CDK–Cyclin axis. Concerted blockade of the integrin α2/β1 complex along with AKT-mTOR signaling could, therefore, provide an option to prevent progressive dissemination of HCC.