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Elechalawar CK, Gulla SK, Roy RV, Means N, Zhang Y, Asifa S, Robertson DJ, Xu C, Bhattacharya R, Mukherjee P. Biodistribution and therapeutic efficacy of a gold nanoparticle-based targeted drug delivery system against pancreatic cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 589:216810. [PMID: 38494151 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is characterized by desmoplasia; crosstalk between pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) leads to the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins in the tumor environment resulting in poor vascularity. Targeting either PCCs or PSCs individually has produced mixed results, and there is currently no effective strategy to target both cell types simultaneously. Previously, we demonstrated, through in vitro cell culture experiments, that a specific gold nanoparticle-based nanoformulation containing the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab (C225) as a targeting agent and gemcitabine as a chemotherapeutic agent effectively targets both PCCs and PSCs simultaneously. Herein, we extend our studies to test the ability of these in vitro tested nano formulations to inhibit tumor growth in an orthotopic co-implantation model of pancreatic cancer in vivo. Orthotopic tumors were established by co-implantation of equal numbers of PCCs and PSCs in the mouse pancreas. Among the various formulations tested, 5 nm gold nanoparticles coated with gemcitabine, cetuximab and poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) of molecular weight 1000 Da, which we named ACGP441000, demonstrated optimal efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth. The current study reveals an opportunity to target PCCs and PSCs simultaneously, by exploiting their overexpression of EGFR as a target, in order to inhibit pancreatic cancer growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Kumar Elechalawar
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Suresh Kumar Gulla
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Ram Vinod Roy
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Nicolas Means
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Yushan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Sima Asifa
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - David J Robertson
- Department of Chemistry and University of Missouri Research Reactor, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Chao Xu
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Resham Bhattacharya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA; Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Priyabrata Mukherjee
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA; Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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2
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Ye Z, Li Q, Hu Y, Hu H, Xu J, Guo M, Zhang W, Lou X, Wang Y, Gao H, Jing D, Fan G, Qin Y, Zhang Y, Chen X, Chen J, Xu X, Yu X, Liu M, Ji S. The stromal microenvironment endows pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with spatially specific invasive and metastatic phenotypes. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216769. [PMID: 38438098 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in a variety of cancers. However, the role of tumor stroma in nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PanNETs) is often neglected. Profiling the heterogeneity of CAFs can reveal the causes of malignant phenotypes in NF-PanNETs. Here, we found that patients with high stromal proportion had poor prognosis, especially for that with infiltrating stroma (stroma and tumor cells that presented an infiltrative growth pattern and no regular boundary). In addition, myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs), characterized by FAP+ and α-SMAhigh, were spatially closer to tumor cells and promoted the EMT and tumor growth. Intriguingly, only tumor cells which were spatially closer to myCAFs underwent EMT. We further elucidated that myCAFs stimulate TGF-β expression in nearby tumor cells. Then, TGF-β promoted the EMT in adjacent tumor cells and promoted the expression of myCAFs marker genes in tumor cells, resulting in distant metastasis. Our results indicate that myCAFs cause spatial heterogeneity of EMT, which accounts for liver metastasis of NF-PanNETs. The findings of this study might provide possible targets for the prevention of liver metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeng Ye
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr.15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Yuheng Hu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Haifeng Hu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Junfeng Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Muzi Guo
- Department of Medicine, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Wuhu Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xin Lou
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Heli Gao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Desheng Jing
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Guixiong Fan
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yi Qin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Xuemin Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaowu Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Mingyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Shunrong Ji
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Center for Neuroendocrine Tumors, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Guo D, Sheng K, Zhang Q, Li P, Sun H, Wang Y, Lyu X, Jia Y, Wang C, Wu J, Zhang X, Wang D, Sun Y, Huang S, Yu J, Zhang J. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals the landscape of epithelial-mesenchymal transition molecular heterogeneity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 587:216723. [PMID: 38342234 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a prevalent and highly lethal malignant disease. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial in promoting ESCC development. However, the molecular heterogeneity of ESCC and the potential inhibitory strategies targeting EMT remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed high-resolution single-cell transcriptome data encompassing 209,231 ESCC cells from 39 tumor samples and 16 adjacent samples obtained from 44 individuals. We identified distinct cell populations exhibiting heterogeneous EMT characteristics and identified 87 EMT-associated molecules. The expression profiles of these EMT-associated molecules showed heterogeneity across different stages of ESCC progression. Moreover, we observed that EMT primarily occurred in early-stage tumors, before lymph node metastasis, and significantly promoted the rapid deterioration of ESCC. Notably, we identified SERPINH1 as a potential novel marker for ESCC EMT. By classifying ESCC patients based on EMT gene sets, we found that those with high EMT exhibited poorer prognosis. Furthermore, we predicted and experimentally validated drugs targeting ESCC EMT, including dactolisib, docetaxel, and nutlin, which demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting EMT and metastasis in ESCC. Through the integration of scRNA-seq, RNA-seq, and TCGA data with experimental validation, our comprehensive analysis elucidated the landscape of EMT during the entire course of ESCC development and metastasis. These findings provide valuable insights and a reference for refining ESCC clinical treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianhao Guo
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Kaiwen Sheng
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Qi Zhang
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Pin Li
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Haoqiang Sun
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Yongjie Wang
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Xinxing Lyu
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Yang Jia
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Caifan Wang
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Xiaohang Zhang
- Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau.
| | - Dandan Wang
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Yawen Sun
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Shuhong Huang
- School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China; Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Jingze Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250117, China.
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4
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Gu J, Zhang J, Xia R, Wang X, Yang J, Xie F, Zhou Q, Li J, Zhang T, Chen Q, Fan Y, Guo S, Wang H. The role of histone H1.2 in pancreatic cancer metastasis and chemoresistance. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 73:101027. [PMID: 38290407 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly metastatic malignant tumor of the digestive system. Drug resistance frequently occurs during cancer treatment process. This study aimed to explore the link between chemoresistance and tumor metastasis in PC and its possible molecular and cellular mechanisms. METHODS A Metastasis and Chemoresistance Signature (MCS) scoring system was built and validated based on metastasis- and chemoresistance-related genes using gene expression data of PC, and the model was applied to single-cell RNA sequencing data. The influence of linker histone H1.2 (H1-2) on PC was explored through in vitro and in vivo experiments including proliferation, invasion, migration, drug sensitivity, rescue experiments and immunohistochemistry, emphasizing its regulation with c-MYC signaling pathway. RESULTS A novel MCS scoring system accurately predicted PC patient survival and was linked to chemoresistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PC single-cell RNA sequencing data. H1-2 emerged as a significant prognostic factor, with its high expression indicating increased chemoresistance and EMT. This upregulation was mediated by c-MYC, which was also found to be highly expressed in PC tissues. CONCLUSION The MCS scoring system offers insights into PC chemoresistance and metastasis potential. Targeting H1-2 could enhance therapeutic strategies and improve PC patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyou Gu
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medicine Engineering for Hepatopancreatobiliary Diseases, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) Chongqing School, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Renpei Xia
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Xianxing Wang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medicine Engineering for Hepatopancreatobiliary Diseases, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Jiali Yang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Fuming Xie
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinghe Li
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) Chongqing School, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medicine Engineering for Hepatopancreatobiliary Diseases, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Yingfang Fan
- Department of Biliary Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
| | - Shixiang Guo
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medicine Engineering for Hepatopancreatobiliary Diseases, Chongqing 401147, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China.
| | - Huaizhi Wang
- Institute of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) Chongqing School, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medicine Engineering for Hepatopancreatobiliary Diseases, Chongqing 401147, China.
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Chakkera M, Foote JB, Farran B, Nagaraju GP. Breaking the stromal barrier in pancreatic cancer: Advances and challenges. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189065. [PMID: 38160899 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide due to the absence of early detection methods and the low success rates of traditional therapeutic strategies. Drug resistance in PC is driven by its desmoplastic stroma, which creates a barrier that shields cancer niches and prevents the penetration of drugs. The PC stroma comprises heterogeneous cellular populations and non-cellular components involved in aberrant ECM deposition, immunosuppression, and drug resistance. These components can influence PC development through intricate and complex crosstalk with the PC cells. Understanding how stromal components and cells interact with and influence the invasiveness and refractoriness of PC cells is thus a prerequisite for developing successful stroma-modulating strategies capable of remodeling the PC stroma to alleviate drug resistance and enhance therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we explore how non-cellular and cellular stromal components, including cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages, contribute to the immunosuppressive and tumor-promoting effects of the stroma. We also examine the signaling pathways underlying their activation, tumorigenic effects, and interactions with PC cells. Finally, we discuss recent pre-clinical and clinical work aimed at developing and testing novel stroma-modulating agents to alleviate drug resistance and improve therapeutic outcomes in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohana Chakkera
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Jeremy B Foote
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Batoul Farran
- Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
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Li O, Li L, Sheng Y, Ke K, Wu J, Mou Y, Liu M, Jin W. Biological characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Initiation to malignancy, intracellular to extracellular. Cancer Lett 2023; 574:216391. [PMID: 37714257 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly life-threatening tumour with a low early-detection rate, rapid progression and a tendency to develop resistance to chemotherapy. Therefore, understanding the regulatory mechanisms underlying the initiation, development and metastasis of pancreatic cancer is necessary for enhancing therapeutic effectiveness. In this review, we summarised single-gene mutations (including KRAS, CDKN2A, TP53, SMAD4 and some other less prevalent mutations), epigenetic changes (including DNA methylation, histone modifications and RNA interference) and large chromosome alterations (such as copy number variations, chromosome rearrangements and chromothripsis) associated with PDAC. In addition, we discussed variations in signalling pathways that act as intermediate oncogenic factors in PDAC, including PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, Hippo and TGF-β signalling pathways. The focus of this review was to investigate alterations in the microenvironment of PDAC, particularly the role of immunosuppressive cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, lymphocytes, other para-cancerous cells and tumour extracellular matrix in tumour progression. Peripheral axons innervating the pancreas have been reported to play a crucial role in the development of cancer. In addition, tumour cells can influence the behaviour of neighbouring non-tumour cells by secreting certain factors, both locally and at a distance. In this review, we elucidated the alterations in intracellular molecules and the extracellular environment that occur during the progression of PDAC. Altogether, this review may enhance the understanding of the biological characteristics of PDAC and guide the development of more precise treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ou Li
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Li
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunru Sheng
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kun Ke
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianzhang Wu
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiping Mou
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mingyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, China; National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China; Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Weiwei Jin
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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