In vivo effects of mutant RHOA on tumor formation in an orthotopic inoculation model

Lifestyles, genetics, and future perspectives on gastric cancer in east Asian populations

The prevalence of gastric cancer (GC) differs among regions worldwide, with the highest occurrence in east Asia. Thus, its etiology, with respect to ethnic background, environmental factors, and lifestyles, is also thought to differ essentially. In addition, etiology of GC is speculated to be changing due to the recent decrease in the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in Japan. State-of-the-art somatic/germline cancer genomics has clarified the etiologies of gastric carcinogenesis. In this review article, we summarize past and present milestones in our understanding of GC achieved through genomic approaches, including a recent report that revealed higher-than-expected frequencies of GCs attributed to east Asian-specific germline variants in ALDH2 or CDH1 in combination with lifestyles. Based on this updated knowledge, we also discuss the possible impact of and high-risk approaches for GCs in the upcoming "H. pylori-negative era."

Mutational drivers of cancer cell migration and invasion

Genomic instability and mutations underlie the hallmarks of cancer-genetic alterations determine cancer cell fate by affecting cell proliferation, apoptosis and immune response, and increasing data show that mutations are involved in metastasis, a crucial event in cancer progression and a life-threatening problem in cancer patients. Invasion is the first step in the metastatic cascade, when tumour cells acquire the ability to move, penetrate into the surrounding tissue and enter lymphatic and blood vessels in order to disseminate. A role for genetic alterations in invasion is not universally accepted, with sceptics arguing that cellular motility is related only to external factors such as hypoxia, chemoattractants and the rigidity of the extracellular matrix. However, increasing evidence shows that mutations might trigger and accelerate the migration and invasion of different types of cancer cells. In this review, we summarise data from published literature on the effect of chromosomal instability and genetic mutations on cancer cell migration and invasion.

Why All the Fuss about Oxidative Phosphorylation (OXPHOS)?

Certain subtypes of cancer cells require oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to survive. Increased OXPHOS dependency is frequently a hallmark of cancer stem cells and cells resistant to chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Suppressing the OXPHOS function might also influence the tumor microenvironment by alleviating hypoxia and improving the antitumor immune response. Thus, targeting OXPHOS is a promising strategy to treat various cancers. A growing arsenal of therapeutic agents is under development to inhibit this biological process. This Perspective provides an overview of the structure and function of OXPHOS complexes, their biological functions in cancer, relevant research tools and models, as well as the limitations of OXPHOS as drug targets. We also focus on the current development status of OXPHOS inhibitors and potential therapeutic strategies to strengthen their clinical applications.