The Exploration of Chemokines Importance in the Pathogenesis and Development of Endometrial Cancer

Intermittent energy restriction inhibits tumor growth and enhances paclitaxel response in a transgenic mouse model of endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

Overweight/obesity is the strongest risk factor for endometrial cancer (EC), and weight management can reduce that risk and improve survival. We aimed to establish the differential benefits of intermittent energy restriction (IER) and low-fat diet (LFD), alone and in combination with paclitaxel, to reverse the procancer effects of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in a mouse model of EC.

METHODS

Lkb1fl/flp53fl/fl mice were fed HFD or LFD to generate obese and lean phenotypes, respectively. Obese mice were maintained on a HFD or switched to a LFD (HFD-LFD) or IER (HFD-IER). Ten weeks after induction of endometrial cancer, mice in each group received paclitaxel or placebo for 4 weeks. Body and tumor weights; tumoral transcriptomic, metabolomic and oxylipin profiles; and serum metabolic hormones and chemocytokines were assessed.

RESULTS

HFD-IER and HFD-LFD, relative to HFD, reduced body weight; reversed obesity-induced alterations in serum insulin, leptin and inflammatory factors; and decreased tumor incidence and mass, often to levels emulating those associated with continuous LFD. Concurrent paclitaxel, versus placebo, enhanced tumor suppression in each group, with greatest benefit in HFD-IER. The diets produced distinct tumoral gene expression and metabolic profiles, with HFD-IER associated with a more favorable (antitumor) metabolic and inflammatory environment.

CONCLUSION

In Lkb1fl/flp53fl/fl mice, IER is generally more effective than LFD in promoting weight loss, inhibiting obesity-related endometrial tumor growth (particularly in combination with paclitaxel), and reversing detrimental obesity-related metabolic effects. These findings lay the foundation for further investigations of IER as an EC prevention and treatment strategies in overweight/obesity women.

Exploring the cross-cancer effect of circulating proteins and discovering potential intervention targets for 13 site-specific cancers

BACKGROUND

The proteome is an important reservoir of potential therapeutic targets for cancer. This study aimed to examine the causal associations between plasma proteins and cancer risk and to identify proteins with cross-cancer effects.

METHODS

Genetic instruments for 3991 plasma proteins were extracted from a large-scale proteomic study. Summary-level data of 13 site-specific cancers were derived from publicly available datasets. Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses were used to investigate the causal effect of circulating proteins on cancers. Protein-protein interactions and druggability assessment were conducted to prioritize potential therapeutic targets. Finally, systematical Mendelian randomization analysis between healthy lifestyle factors and cancer-related proteins was conducted to identify which proteins could act as interventional targets by lifestyle changes.

RESULTS

Genetically determined circulating levels of 58 proteins were statistically significantly associated with 7 site-specific cancers. A total of 39 proteins were prioritized by colocalization, of them, 11 proteins (ADPGK, CD86, CLSTN3, CSF2RA, CXCL10, GZMM, IL6R, NCR3, SIGLEC5, SIGLEC14, and TAPBP) were observed to have cross-cancer effects. Notably, 5 of these identified proteins (CD86, CSF2RA, CXCL10, IL6R, and TAPBP) have been targeted for drug development in cancer therapy; 8 proteins (ADPGK, CD86, CXCL10, GZMM, IL6R, SIGLEC5, SIGLEC14, TAPBP) could be modulated by healthy lifestyles.

CONCLUSION

Our study identified 39 circulating protein biomarkers with convincing causal evidence for 7 site-specific cancers, with 11 proteins demonstrating cross-cancer effects, and prioritized the proteins as potential intervention targets by either drugs or lifestyle changes, which provided new insights into the etiology, prevention, and treatment of cancers.

Research progress of the chemokine/chemokine receptor axes in the oncobiology of multiple myeloma (MM)

BACKGROUND

The incidence of multiple myeloma (MM), a type of blood cancer affecting monoclonal plasma cells, is rising. Although new drugs and therapies have improved patient outcomes, MM remains incurable. Recent studies have highlighted the crucial role of the chemokine network in MM's pathological mechanism. Gaining a better understanding of this network and creating an overview of chemokines in MM could aid in identifying potential biomarkers and developing new therapeutic strategies and targets.

PURPOSE

To summarize the complicated role of chemokines in MM, discuss their potential as biomarkers, and introduce several treatments based on chemokines.

METHODS

Pubmed, Web of Science, ICTRP, and Clinical Trials were searched for articles and research related to chemokines. Publications published within the last 5 years are selected.

RESULTS

Malignant cells can utilize chemokines, including CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CXCL7, CXCL8, CXCL12, and CXCL13 to evade apoptosis triggered by immune cells or medication, escape from bone marrow and escalate bone lesions. Other chemokines, including CXCL4, CCL19, and CXCL10, may aid in recruiting immune cells, increasing their cytotoxicity against cancer cells, and inducing apoptosis of malignant cells.

CONCLUSION

Utilizing anti-tumor chemokines or blocking pro-tumor chemokines may provide new therapeutic strategies for managing MM. Inspired by developed CXCR4 antagonists, including plerixafor, ulocuplumab, and motixafortide, more small molecular antagonists or antibodies for pro-tumor chemokine ligands and their receptors can be developed and used in clinical practice. Along with inhibiting pro-tumor chemokines, studies suggest combining chemokines with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapy is promising and efficient.

Intermittent energy restriction inhibits tumor growth and enhances paclitaxel response in a transgenic mouse model of endometrial cancer

Objective

Overweight/obesity is the strongest risk factor for endometrial cancer (EC), and weight management can reduce that risk and improve survival. We aimed to establish the differential abilities of intermittent energy restriction (IER) and low-fat diet (LFD), alone and in combination with paclitaxel, to reverse the procancer effects of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in a mouse model of EC.

Methods

Lkb1 fl/fl p53 fl/fl mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD) or LFD to generate obese and lean phenotypes, respectively. Obese mice were maintained on HFD or switched to LFD (HFD-LFD) or IER (HFD-IER). Ten weeks after induction of endometrial tumor, mice in each group received paclitaxel or placebo for 4 weeks. Body and tumor weights; tumoral transcriptomic, metabolomic and oxylipin profiles; and serum metabolic hormones and chemocytokines were assessed.

Results

HFD-IER and HFD-LFD, relative to HFD, reduced body weight; reversed obesity-induced alterations in serum insulin, leptin and inflammatory factors; and decreased tumor incidence and mass, often to levels emulating those associated with continuous LFD. Concurrent paclitaxel, versus placebo, enhanced tumor suppression in each group, with greatest benefit in HFD-IER. The diets produced distinct tumoral gene expression and metabolic profiles, with HFD-IER associated with a more favorable (antitumor) metabolic and inflammatory environment.

Conclusion

In Lkb1 fl/fl p53 fl/fl mice, IER is generally more effective than LFD in promoting weight loss, inhibiting obesity-related endometrial tumor growth (particularly in combination with paclitaxel), and reversing detrimental obesity-related metabolic effects. These findings lay the foundation for further investigations of IER as a EC prevention strategy in women with overweight/obesity.

Metastases and Recurrence Risk Factors in Endometrial Cancer-The Role of Selected Molecular Changes, Hormonal Factors, Diagnostic Methods and Surgery Procedures

The presence of metastatic endometrial cancer (EC) is a key problem in treatment failure associated with reduced overall survival rates. The most common metastatic location is the pelvic lymph nodes, and the least common is the brain. The presence of metastasis depends on many factors, including the molecular profile of cancer (according to the TCGA-Genome Atlas), the activity of certain hormones (estrogen, prolactin), and pro-inflammatory adipocytokines. Additionally, an altered expression of microRNAs affecting the regulation of numerous genes is also related to the spread of cancer. This paper also discusses the value of imaging methods in detecting metastases; the primary role is attributed to the standard transvaginal USG with the tumor-free distance (uTFD) option. The influence of diagnostic and therapeutic methods on EC spread is also described. Hysteroscopy, according to the analysis discussed above, may increase the risk of metastases through a fluid medium, mainly performed in advanced stages of EC. According to another analysis, laparoscopic hysterectomy performed with particular attention to avoiding risky procedures (trocar flushing, tissue traumatization, preserving a margin of normal tissue) was not found to increase the risk of EC dissemination.

Associations between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms from the Genes of Chemokines and the CXCR2 Chemokine Receptor and an Increased Risk of Endometrial Cancer

Significant relationships with endometrial cancer were demonstrated, both for CCL2, CCL5, and CXCL8 chemokines and for the chemokine receptor CXCR2. The reported case-control study of genetic associations was designed to establish the role of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CCL2, CCL5, CXCL8, and CXCR2 genes in the onset and progression of endometrial cancer. This study was conducted on 282 women, including 132 (46.8%) patients with endometrial cancer and 150 (53.2%) non-cancerous controls. The genotypes for CCL2 rs4586, CCL5 rs2107538 and rs2280789, CXCL8 rs2227532 and -738 T>A, and CXCR2 rs1126580 were determined, using PCR-RFLP assays. The AA homozygotes in CCL5 rs2107538 were associated with more than a quadruple risk of endometrial cancer (p ≤ 0.050). The GA heterozygotes in the CXCR2 SNP were associated with approximately threefold higher cancer risk (p ≤ 0.001). That association also remained significant after certain adjustments, carried out for age, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, or endometrial thickness above 5 mm (p ≤ 0.050). The A-A haplotypes for the CCL5 polymorphisms and T-A-A haplotypes for the CCL2 and CCL5 SNPs were associated with about a twofold risk of endometrial cancer (p ≤ 0.050). In conclusion, CCL2 rs4586, CCL5 rs2107538 and rs2280789, and CXCR2 rs1126580 demonstrated significant associations with an increased risk of endometrial cancer.