1
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Metge BJ, Alsheikh HAM, Kammerud SC, Chen D, Das D, Nebane NM, Bostwick JR, Shevde LA, Samant RS. Targeting EMT using low-dose Teniposide by downregulating ZEB2-driven activation of RNA polymerase I in breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:322. [PMID: 38719798 PMCID: PMC11079014 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06694-7] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Metastatic dissemination from the primary tumor is a complex process that requires crosstalk between tumor cells and the surrounding milieu and involves the interplay between numerous cellular-signaling programs. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) remains at the forefront of orchestrating a shift in numerous cellular programs, such as stemness, drug resistance, and apoptosis that allow for successful metastasis. Till date, there is limited success in therapeutically targeting EMT. Utilizing a high throughput screen of FDA-approved compounds, we uncovered a novel role of the topoisomerase inhibitor, Teniposide, in reversing EMT. Here, we demonstrate Teniposide as a potent modulator of the EMT program, specifically through an IRF7-NMI mediated response. Furthermore, Teniposide significantly reduces the expression of the key EMT transcriptional regulator, Zinc Finger E-Box Binding Homeobox 2 (ZEB2). ZEB2 downregulation by Teniposide inhibited RNA polymerase I (Pol I) activity and rRNA biogenesis. Importantly, Teniposide treatment markedly reduced pulmonary colonization of breast cancer cells. We have uncovered a novel role of Teniposide, which when used at a very low concentration, mitigates mesenchymal-like invasive phenotype. Overall, its ability to target EMT and rRNA biogenesis makes Teniposide a viable candidate to be repurposed as a therapeutic option to restrict breast cancer metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon J Metge
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Sarah C Kammerud
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Dongquan Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Devika Das
- Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Parexel Biotech, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - N Miranda Nebane
- High-Throughput Screening Center, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - J Robert Bostwick
- High-Throughput Screening Center, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lalita A Shevde
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rajeev S Samant
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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2
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Xu Z. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated silencing of CD44: unveiling the role of hyaluronic acid-mediated interactions in cancer drug resistance. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2024; 397:2849-2876. [PMID: 37991544 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02840-8] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive overview of CD44 (CD44 Molecule (Indian Blood Group)), a cell surface glycoprotein, and its interaction with hyaluronic acid (HA) in drug resistance mechanisms across various types of cancer is provided, where CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing was utilized to silence CD44 expression and examine its impact on cancer cell behavior, migration, invasion, proliferation, and drug sensitivity. The significance of the HA-CD44 axis in tumor microenvironment (TME) delivery and its implications in specific cancer types, the influence of CD44 variants and the KHDRBS3 (KH RNA Binding Domain Containing, Signal Transduction Associated 3) gene on cancer progression and drug resistance, and the potential of targeting HA-mediated pathways using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to overcome drug resistance in cancer were also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhujun Xu
- Wuhan No.1 Hospital, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.
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3
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Singh D, Siddique HR. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer progression: unraveling the immunosuppressive module driving therapy resistance. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:155-173. [PMID: 37775641 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10141-y] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells undergo phenotypic switching (cancer cell plasticity) in response to microenvironmental cues, including exposure to therapy/treatment. Phenotypic plasticity enables the cancer cells to acquire more mesenchymal traits promoting cancer cells' growth, survival, therapy resistance, and disease recurrence. A significant program in cancer cell plasticity is epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), wherein a comprehensive reprogramming of gene expression occurs to facilitate the translational shift from epithelial-to-mesenchymal phenotypes resulting in increased invasiveness and metastasis. In addition, EMT plays a pivotal role in facilitating cancer cells' escape from the body's immune system using several mechanisms, such as the downregulation of major histocompatibility complex-mediated antigen presentation, upregulation of immune checkpoint molecules, and recruitment of immune-suppressive cells. Cancer cells' ability to undergo phenotypic switching and EMT-driven immune escape presents a formidable obstacle in cancer management, highlighting the need to unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying these processes and develop novel therapeutic strategies. This article discusses the role of EMT in promoting immune evasion and therapy resistance. We also discuss the ongoing research on developing therapeutic approaches targeting intrinsic and induced cell plasticity within the immune suppressive microenvironment. We believe this review article will update the current research status and equip researchers, clinicians, and other healthcare professionals with valuable insights enhancing their existing knowledge and shedding light on promising directions for future cancer research. This will facilitate the development of innovative strategies for managing therapy-resistant cancers and improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepti Singh
- Molecular Cancer Genetics & Translational Research Lab, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
| | - Hifzur R Siddique
- Molecular Cancer Genetics & Translational Research Lab, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India.
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4
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Aouad P, Quinn HM, Berger A, Brisken C. Tumor dormancy: EMT beyond invasion and metastasis. Genesis 2024; 62:e23552. [PMID: 37776086 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23552] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
More than two-thirds of cancer-related deaths are attributable to metastases. In some tumor types metastasis can occur up to 20 years after diagnosis and successful treatment of the primary tumor, a phenomenon termed late recurrence. Metastases arise from disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) that leave the primary tumor early on in tumor development, either as single cells or clusters, adapt to new environments, and reduce or shut down their proliferation entering a state of dormancy for prolonged periods of time. Dormancy has been difficult to track clinically and study experimentally. Recent advances in technology and disease modeling have provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms orchestrating dormancy and the switch to a proliferative state. A new role for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in inducing plasticity and maintaining a dormant state in several cancer models has been revealed. In this review, we summarize the major findings linking EMT to dormancy control and highlight the importance of pre-clinical models and tumor/tissue context when designing studies. Understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling dormant DTCs is pivotal in developing new therapeutic agents that prevent distant recurrence by maintaining a dormant state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Aouad
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hazel M Quinn
- ISREC-Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Adeline Berger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cathrin Brisken
- ISREC-Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
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5
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Nasr MM, Lynch CC. How circulating tumor cluster biology contributes to the metastatic cascade: from invasion to dissemination and dormancy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1133-1146. [PMID: 37442876 PMCID: PMC10713810 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10124-z] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are known to be prognostic for metastatic relapse and are detected in patients as solitary cells or cell clusters. Circulating tumor cell clusters (CTC clusters) have been observed clinically for decades and are of significantly higher metastatic potential compared to solitary CTCs. Recent studies suggest distinct differences in CTC cluster biology regarding invasion and survival in circulation. However, differences regarding dissemination, dormancy, and reawakening require more investigations compared to solitary CTCs. Here, we review the current state of CTC cluster research and consider their clinical significance. In addition, we discuss the concept of collective invasion by CTC clusters and molecular evidence as to how cluster survival in circulation compares to that of solitary CTCs. Molecular differences between solitary and clustered CTCs during dormancy and reawakening programs will also be discussed. We also highlight future directions to advance our current understanding of CTC cluster biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa M Nasr
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Conor C Lynch
- Tumor Biology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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Schuhwerk H, Brabletz T. Mutual regulation of TGFβ-induced oncogenic EMT, cell cycle progression and the DDR. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 97:86-103. [PMID: 38029866 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.11.009] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
TGFβ signaling and the DNA damage response (DDR) are two cellular toolboxes with a strong impact on cancer biology. While TGFβ as a pleiotropic cytokine affects essentially all hallmarks of cancer, the multifunctional DDR mostly orchestrates cell cycle progression, DNA repair, chromatin remodeling and cell death. One oncogenic effect of TGFβ is the partial activation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), conferring invasiveness, cellular plasticity and resistance to various noxae. Several reports show that both individual networks as well as their interface affect chemo-/radiotherapies. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly resolved. EMT often correlates with TGFβ-induced slowing of proliferation, yet numerous studies demonstrate that particularly the co-activated EMT transcription factors counteract anti-proliferative signaling in a partially non-redundant manner. Collectively, evidence piled up over decades underscore a multifaceted, reciprocal inter-connection of TGFβ signaling / EMT with the DDR / cell cycle progression, which we will discuss here. Altogether, we conclude that full cell cycle arrest is barely compatible with the propagation of oncogenic EMT traits and further propose that 'EMT-linked DDR plasticity' is a crucial, yet intricate facet of malignancy, decisively affecting metastasis formation and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Schuhwerk
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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7
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Brisset M, Mehlen P, Meurette O, Hollande F. Notch receptor/ligand diversity: contribution to colorectal cancer stem cell heterogeneity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1231416. [PMID: 37860822 PMCID: PMC10582728 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1231416] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell heterogeneity is a key contributor to therapeutic failure and post-treatment recurrence. Targeting cell subpopulations responsible for chemoresistance and recurrence seems to be an attractive approach to improve treatment outcome in cancer patients. However, this remains challenging due to the complexity and incomplete characterization of tumor cell subpopulations. The heterogeneity of cells exhibiting stemness-related features, such as self-renewal and chemoresistance, fuels this complexity. Notch signaling is a known regulator of cancer stem cell (CSC) features in colorectal cancer (CRC), though the effects of its heterogenous signaling on CRC cell stemness are only just emerging. In this review, we discuss how Notch ligand-receptor specificity contributes to regulating stemness, self-renewal, chemoresistance and cancer stem cells heterogeneity in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Brisset
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Cancer Cell Death Laboratory, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Patrick Mehlen
- Cancer Cell Death Laboratory, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Meurette
- Cancer Cell Death Laboratory, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Frédéric Hollande
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Hockney S, Parker J, Turner JE, Todd X, Todryk S, Gieling RG, Hilgen G, Simoes DCM, Pal D. Next generation organoid engineering to replace animals in cancer drug testing. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 213:115586. [PMID: 37164297 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115586] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Cancer therapies have several clinical challenges associated with them, namely treatment toxicity, treatment resistance and relapse. Due to factors ranging from patient profiles to the tumour microenvironment (TME), there are several hurdles to overcome in developing effective treatments that have low toxicity that can mitigate emergence of resistance and occurrence of relapse. De novo cancer development has the highest drug attrition rates with only 1 in 10,000 preclinical candidates reaching the market. To alleviate this high attrition rate, more mimetic and sustainable preclinical models that can capture the disease biology as in the patient, are required. Organoids and next generation 3D tissue engineering is an emerging area that aims to address this problem. Advancement of three-dimensional (3D) in vitro cultures into complex organoid models incorporating multiple cell types alongside acellular aspects of tissue microenvironments can provide a system for therapeutic testing. Development of microfluidic technologies have furthermore increased the biomimetic nature of these models. Additionally, 3D bio-printing facilitates generation of tractable ex vivo models in a controlled, scalable and reproducible manner. In this review we highlight some of the traditional preclinical models used in cancer drug testing and debate how next generation organoids are being used to replace not only animal models, but also some of the more elementary in vitro approaches, such as cell lines. Examples of applications of the various models will be appraised alongside the future challenges that still need to be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Hockney
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Jessica Parker
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Jasmin E Turner
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4EP, UK
| | - Xanthea Todd
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Stephen Todryk
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Roben Ger Gieling
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Gerrit Hilgen
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4EP, UK
| | - Davina Camargo Madeira Simoes
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Deepali Pal
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK; Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
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Wang Y, Yu Y, Yang W, Wu L, Yang Y, Lu Q, Zhou J. SETD4 Confers Cancer Stem Cell Chemoresistance in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Patients via the Epigenetic Regulation of Cellular Quiescence. Stem Cells Int 2023; 2023:7367854. [PMID: 37274024 PMCID: PMC10239305 DOI: 10.1155/2023/7367854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that quiescent cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a root cause of chemoresistance. SET domain-containing protein 4 (SETD4) epigenetically regulates cell quiescence in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), and SETD4-positive BCSCs are chemoradioresistant. However, the role of SETD4 in chemoresistance, tumor progression, and prognosis in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients is unclear. Here, SETD4-positive cells were identified as quiescent lung cancer stem cells (qLCSCs) since they expressed high levels of ALDH1 and CD133 and low levels of Ki67. SETD4 expression was significantly higher in advanced-stage NSCLC tissues than in early-stage NSCLC tissues and significantly higher in samples from the chemoresistant group than in those from the chemosensitive group. Patients with high SETD4 expression had shorter progression-free survival (PFS) times than those with low SETD4 expression. SETD4 facilitated heterochromatin formation via H4K20me3, thereby leading to cell quiescence. RNA-seq analysis showed upregulation of genes involved in cell proliferation, glucose metabolism, and PI3K-AKT signaling in activated qLCSCs (A-qLCSCs) compared with qLCSCs. In addition, SETD4 overexpression facilitated PTEN-mediated inhibition of the PI3K-mTOR pathway. In summary, SETD4 confers chemoresistance, tumor progression, and a poor prognosis by regulating CSCs in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehong Wang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Yuman Yu
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Weijun Yang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Linying Wu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Yaoshun Yang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qianyun Lu
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jianying Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
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Rainho MDA, Siqueira PB, de Amorim ÍSS, Mencalha AL, Thole AA. Mitochondria in colorectal cancer stem cells - a target in drug resistance. Cancer Drug Resist 2023; 6:273-283. [PMID: 37457136 PMCID: PMC10344721 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2022.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed cancer and the second most deadly type of cancer worldwide. In late diagnosis, CRC can resist therapy regimens in which cancer stem cells (CSCs) are intimately related. CSCs are a subpopulation of tumor cells responsible for tumor initiation and maintenance, metastasis, and resistance to conventional treatments. In this scenario, colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs) are considered an important key for therapeutic failure and resistance. In its turn, mitochondria is an organelle involved in many mechanisms in cancer, including chemoresistance of cytotoxic drugs due to alterations in mitochondrial metabolism, apoptosis, dynamics, and mitophagy. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mitochondrial role in CCSCs regarding CRC drug resistance. It has been shown that enhanced anti-apoptotic protein expression, mitophagy rate, and addiction to oxidative phosphorylation are the major strategies developed by CCSCs to avoid drug insults. Thus, new mitochondria-targeted drug approaches must be explored to mitigate CRC chemoresistance via the ablation of CCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus de Almeida Rainho
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil
| | - Priscyanne Barreto Siqueira
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biometry and Biophysics Department, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil
| | - Ísis Salviano Soares de Amorim
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biometry and Biophysics Department, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil
| | - Andre Luiz Mencalha
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Biometry and Biophysics Department, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Alves Thole
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil
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Ding L, Kun W, Xu W, Chen S, Cai Z. Comparative analysis of clinicopathological characteristics of central necrotizing breast cancer and basal cell-like breast cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:915949. [PMID: 37114130 PMCID: PMC10127251 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.915949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PurposeThis study aims to compare the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of centrally necrotizing carcinoma of the breast (CNC) and basal-like breast cancer (BLBC), as well as to analyze the characteristics of the molecular typing of the CNC.MethodsThe clinicopathological features of 69 cases of CNC and 48 cases of BLBC were observed and compared. EnVision immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in CNC and BLBC.ResultsThe age of the 69 patients ranged from 32 to 80 years, with an average of 54.55 years. Gross examination showed that most tumors were well-defined single central nodules with a diameter of 1.2~5.0 cm. Microscopically, there is a large necrotic or acellular area in the center of the tumor, mainly composed of tumor coagulative necrosis with varying degrees of fibrosis or hyaline degeneration. A small amount of cancer tissue remained in the form of a ribbon or small nest around the necrotic focus. Among 69 cases of CNC, the proportion of basal cell type (56.5%) was significantly higher than that of lumen type A (18.84%), lumen type B (13.04%), HER2 overexpression (5.8%), and nonexpression (5.8%). A total of 31 cases were followed up for 8~50 months, with an average of 33.94 months. There have been nine cases of disease progression. When compared to BLBC, there were no significant differences in BRCA1 and VEGF protein expression in response to CNC (p > 0.05), but there were significant differences in protein expression in HIF-1α (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe molecular typing of CNC showed that over half of those were BLBC. No statistically significant difference in the expression of BRCA1 was observed between CNC and BLBC; thus, we predict that targeted therapy for BRCA1 in BLBC may also have considerable effects in CNC patients. The expression of HIF-1α is significantly different in CNC and BLBC, and perhaps HIF-1α can be used as a new entry point to distinguish between the two. There is a significant correlation between the expression of VEGF and HIF-1α in BLBC, and there was no significant correlation between the expression levels of the two proteins in CNC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ding
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Wang Kun
- Department of Pathology, Mengcheng Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Bozhou, Anhui, China
| | - Wenjing Xu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical College and The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Zhaogen Cai
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical College and The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
- *Correspondence: Zhaogen Cai,
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12
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Shi ZD, Pang K, Wu ZX, Dong Y, Hao L, Qin JX, Wang W, Chen ZS, Han CH. Tumor cell plasticity in targeted therapy-induced resistance: mechanisms and new strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:113. [PMID: 36906600 PMCID: PMC10008648 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01383-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the success of targeted therapies in cancer treatment, therapy-induced resistance remains a major obstacle to a complete cure. Tumor cells evade treatments and relapse via phenotypic switching driven by intrinsic or induced cell plasticity. Several reversible mechanisms have been proposed to circumvent tumor cell plasticity, including epigenetic modifications, regulation of transcription factors, activation or suppression of key signaling pathways, as well as modification of the tumor environment. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, tumor cell and cancer stem cell formation also serve as roads towards tumor cell plasticity. Corresponding treatment strategies have recently been developed that either target plasticity-related mechanisms or employ combination treatments. In this review, we delineate the formation of tumor cell plasticity and its manipulation of tumor evasion from targeted therapy. We discuss the non-genetic mechanisms of targeted drug-induced tumor cell plasticity in various types of tumors and provide insights into the contribution of tumor cell plasticity to acquired drug resistance. New therapeutic strategies such as inhibition or reversal of tumor cell plasticity are also presented. We also discuss the multitude of clinical trials that are ongoing worldwide with the intention of improving clinical outcomes. These advances provide a direction for developing novel therapeutic strategies and combination therapy regimens that target tumor cell plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Duo Shi
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.,School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Kun Pang
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhuo-Xun Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Yang Dong
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin Hao
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jia-Xin Qin
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
| | - Cong-Hui Han
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China. .,Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China. .,School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Jiangsu, China. .,Department of Urology, Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital, Heilongjiang, China.
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13
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Abstract
One of the most formidable challenges in oncology and tumor biology research is to provide an accurate understanding of tumor dormancy mechanisms. Dormancy refers to the ability of tumor cells to go undetected in the body for a prolonged period, followed by "spontaneous" escape. Various models of dormancy have been postulated, including angiogenic, immune-mediated, and cellular dormancy. While the former two propose mechanisms by which tumor growth may remain static at a population level, cellular dormancy refers to molecular processes that restrict proliferation at the cell level. Senescence is a form of growth arrest, during which cells undergo distinct phenotypic, epigenetic, and metabolic changes. Senescence is also associated with the development of a robust secretome, comprised of various chemokines and cytokines that interact with the surrounding microenvironment, including other tumor cells, stromal cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells. Both tumor and non-tumor cells can undergo senescence following various stressors, many of which are present during tumorigenesis and therapy. As such, senescent cells are present within forming tumors and in residual tumors post-treatment and therefore play a major role in tumor biology. However, the contributions of senescence to dormancy are largely understudied. Here, we provide an overview of multiple processes that have been well established as being involved in tumor dormancy, and we speculate on how senescence may contribute to these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie J DeLuca
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Tareq Saleh
- Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan.
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14
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Alhasan B, Mikeladze M, Guzhova I, Margulis B. Autophagy, molecular chaperones, and unfolded protein response as promoters of tumor recurrence. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:217-254. [PMID: 36723697 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10085-3] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Tumor recurrence is a paradoxical function of a machinery, whereby a small proportion of the cancer cell population enters a resistant, dormant state, persists long-term in this condition, and then transitions to proliferation. The dormant phenotype is typical of cancer stem cells, tumor-initiating cells, disseminated tumor cells, and drug-tolerant persisters, which all demonstrate similar or even equivalent properties. Cancer cell dormancy and its conversion to repopulation are regulated by several protein signaling systems that inhibit or induce cell proliferation and provide optimal interrelations between cancer cells and their special niche; these systems act in close connection with tumor microenvironment and immune response mechanisms. During dormancy and reawakening periods, cell proteostasis machineries, autophagy, molecular chaperones, and the unfolded protein response are recruited to protect refractory tumor cells from a wide variety of stressors and therapeutic insults. Proteostasis mechanisms functionally or even physically interfere with the main regulators of tumor relapse, and the significance of these interactions and implications in the tumor recurrence phases are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashar Alhasan
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Marina Mikeladze
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Irina Guzhova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Boris Margulis
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064, St. Petersburg, Russia
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15
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Francescangeli F, De Angelis ML, Rossi R, Cuccu A, Giuliani A, De Maria R, Zeuner A. Dormancy, stemness, and therapy resistance: interconnected players in cancer evolution. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:197-215. [PMID: 36757577 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10092-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The biological complexity of cancer represents a tremendous clinical challenge, resulting in the frequent failure of current treatment protocols. In the rapidly evolving scenario of a growing tumor, anticancer treatments impose a drastic perturbation not only to cancer cells but also to the tumor microenvironment, killing a portion of the cells and inducing a massive stress response in the survivors. Consequently, treatments can act as a double-edged sword by inducing a temporary response while laying the ground for therapy resistance and subsequent disease progression. Cancer cell dormancy (or quiescence) is a central theme in tumor evolution, being tightly linked to the tumor's ability to survive cytotoxic challenges, metastasize, and resist immune-mediated attack. Accordingly, quiescent cancer cells (QCCs) have been detected in virtually all the stages of tumor development. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the characterization of quiescent/therapy resistant cancer cells, unveiling QCCs core transcriptional programs, metabolic plasticity, and mechanisms of immune escape. At the same time, our partial understanding of tumor quiescence reflects the difficulty to identify stable QCCs biomarkers/therapeutic targets and to control cancer dormancy in clinical settings. This review focuses on recent discoveries in the interrelated fields of dormancy, stemness, and therapy resistance, discussing experimental evidences in the frame of a nonlinear dynamics approach, and exploring the possibility that tumor quiescence may represent not only a peril but also a potential therapeutic resource.
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16
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Lindell E, Zhong L, Zhang X. Quiescent Cancer Cells-A Potential Therapeutic Target to Overcome Tumor Resistance and Relapse. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043762. [PMID: 36835173 PMCID: PMC9959385 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Quiescent cancer cells (QCCs) are nonproliferating cells arrested in the G0 phase, characterized by ki67low and p27high. QCCs avoid most chemotherapies, and some treatments could further lead to a higher proportion of QCCs in tumors. QCCs are also associated with cancer recurrence since they can re-enter a proliferative state when conditions are favorable. As QCCs lead to drug resistance and tumor recurrence, there is a great need to understand the characteristics of QCCs, decipher the mechanisms that regulate the proliferative-quiescent transition in cancer cells, and develop new strategies to eliminate QCCs residing in solid tumors. In this review, we discussed the mechanisms of QCC-induced drug resistance and tumor recurrence. We also discussed therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance and relapse by targeting QCCs, including (i) identifying reactive quiescent cancer cells and removing them via cell-cycle-dependent anticancer reagents; (ii) modulating the quiescence-to-proliferation switch; and (iii) eliminating QCCs by targeting their unique features. It is believed that the simultaneous co-targeting of proliferating and quiescent cancer cells may ultimately lead to the development of more effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of solid tumors.
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17
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Kim M, Bakyt L, Akhmetkaliyev A, Toktarkhanova D, Bulanin D. Re-Sensitizing Cancer Stem Cells to Conventional Chemotherapy Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24. [PMID: 36768445 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are found in many cancer types. They comprise a distinct subpopulation of cells within the tumor that exhibit properties of stem cells. They express a number of cell surface markers, such as CD133, CD44, ALDH, and EpCAM, as well as embryonic transcription factors Oct4, Nanog, and SOX2. CSCs are more resistant to conventional chemotherapy and can potentially drive tumor relapse. Therefore, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive chemoresistance and to target them with specific therapy effectively. Highly conserved developmental signaling pathways such as Wnt, Hedgehog, and Notch are commonly reported to play a role in CSCs chemoresistance development. Studies show that particular pathway inhibitors combined with conventional therapy may re-establish sensitivity to the conventional therapy. Another significant contributor of chemoresistance is a specific tumor microenvironment. Surrounding stroma in the form of cancer-associated fibroblasts, macrophages, endothelial cells, and extracellular matrix components produce cytokines and other factors, thus creating a favorable environment and decreasing the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy. Anti-stromal agents may potentially help to overcome these effects. Epigenetic changes and autophagy were also among the commonly reported mechanisms of chemoresistance. This review provides an overview of signaling pathway components involved in the development of chemoresistance of CSCs and gathers evidence from experimental studies in which CSCs can be re-sensitized to conventional chemotherapy agents across different cancer types.
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18
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Zhao P, Sun J, Huang X, Zhang X, Liu X, Liu R, Du G, Gan W, Yang C, Tang Y, Chen C, Jiang D. Targeting the KLF5-EphA2 axis can restrain cancer stemness and overcome chemoresistance in basal-like breast cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:1861-1874. [PMID: 37063424 PMCID: PMC10092769 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.82567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2) is a member of the tyrosine receptor kinases, a family of membrane proteins recognized as potential anticancer targets. EphA2 highly expressed in a variety of human cancers, playing roles in proliferation, migration, and invasion. However, whether and how EphA2 regulates basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) cell stemness and chemoresistance has not been revealed. Here, KLF5 was proven to be a direct transcription factor for EphA2 in BLBC cells, and its expression was positively correlated in clinical samples from breast cancer patients. The inflammatory factor TNF-α could promote BLBC cell stemness partially by activating the KLF5-EphA2 axis. Moreover, phosphorylation of EphA2 at S897 (EphA2 pS897) induced by TNF-α and PTX/DDP contributes to chemoresistance of BLBC. Furthermore, the EphA2 inhibitor ALW-II-41-27 could effectively reduce EphA2 pS897 and tumor cell stemness in vitro and significantly enhance the sensitivity of xenografts to the chemotherapeutic drugs PTX and DDP in vivo. Clinically, tumor samples from breast patients with less response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed a high level of EphA2 pS897 expression. In conclusion, KLF5-EphA2 promotes stemness and drug resistance in BLBC and could be a potential target for the treatment of BLBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhao
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650118 China
| | - Jian Sun
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650118 China
| | - Xinwei Huang
- Key Laboratory of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kuming Medical College, Kunming, 650101, China
| | - Xiangwu Zhang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650118 China
| | - Xin Liu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650118 China
| | - Rong Liu
- Translational Cancer Research Center, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034 China
| | - Guangshi Du
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025 China
| | - Wenqiang Gan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 China
- Kunming College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204 China
| | - Chuanyu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 China
| | - Yiyin Tang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650118 China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Dewei Jiang, , orcid.org/0000-0002-7773-5449; Ceshi Chen, , orcid.org/0000-0001-6398-3516; Yiying Tang,
| | - Ceshi Chen
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650118 China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 China
- Academy of Biomedical Engineering, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500 China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Dewei Jiang, , orcid.org/0000-0002-7773-5449; Ceshi Chen, , orcid.org/0000-0001-6398-3516; Yiying Tang,
| | - Dewei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 China
- Kunming College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204 China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Dewei Jiang, , orcid.org/0000-0002-7773-5449; Ceshi Chen, , orcid.org/0000-0001-6398-3516; Yiying Tang,
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19
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Ervin EH, French R, Chang CH, Pauklin S. Inside the stemness engine: Mechanistic links between deregulated transcription factors and stemness in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 87:48-83. [PMID: 36347438 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cell identity is largely determined by its transcriptional profile. In tumour, deregulation of transcription factor expression and/or activity enables cancer cell to acquire a stem-like state characterised by capacity to self-renew, differentiate and form tumours in vivo. These stem-like cancer cells are highly metastatic and therapy resistant, thus warranting a more complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms downstream of the transcription factors that mediate the establishment of stemness state. Here, we review recent research findings that provide a mechanistic link between the commonly deregulated transcription factors and stemness in cancer. In particular, we describe the role of master transcription factors (SOX, OCT4, NANOG, KLF, BRACHYURY, SALL, HOX, FOX and RUNX), signalling-regulated transcription factors (SMAD, β-catenin, YAP, TAZ, AP-1, NOTCH, STAT, GLI, ETS and NF-κB) and unclassified transcription factors (c-MYC, HIF, EMT transcription factors and P53) across diverse tumour types, thereby yielding a comprehensive overview identifying shared downstream targets, highlighting unique mechanisms and discussing complexities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egle-Helene Ervin
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom.
| | - Rhiannon French
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom.
| | - Chao-Hui Chang
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom.
| | - Siim Pauklin
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom.
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20
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Magrath JW, Kang HJ, Hartono A, Espinosa-Cotton M, Somwar R, Ladanyi M, Cheung NKV, Lee SB. Desmoplastic small round cell tumor cancer stem cell-like cells resist chemotherapy but remain dependent on the EWSR1-WT1 oncoprotein. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1048709. [PMID: 36506091 PMCID: PMC9732033 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1048709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT) is a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer driven by the EWSR1-WT1 fusion oncogene. Combinations of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are not curative, and the 5-years survival rate is less than 25%. One potential explanation for refractoriness is the existence of a cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulation able escape current treatment modalities. However, no study to-date has examined the role of CSCs in DSRCT or established in vitro culture conditions to model this subpopulation. In this study, we investigated the role of stemness markers in DSRCT survival and metastasis, finding that elevated levels of SOX2 and NANOG are associated with worse survival in sarcoma patients and are elevated in metastatic DSRCT tumors. We further develop the first in vitro DSRCT CSC model which forms tumorspheres, expresses increased levels of stemness markers (SOX2, NANOG, KLF4, and OCT4), and resists doxorubicin chemotherapy treatment. This model is an important addition to the DSRCT tool kit and will enable investigation of this critical DSRCT subpopulation. Despite lower sensitivity to chemotherapy, the DSRCT CSC model remained sensitive to knockdown of the EWSR1-WT1 fusion protein, suggesting that future therapies directed against this oncogenic driver have the potential to treat both DSRCT bulk tumor and CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin W. Magrath
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Hong-Jun Kang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Alifiani Hartono
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Madelyn Espinosa-Cotton
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Romel Somwar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nai-Kong V. Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sean B. Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
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21
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Ludikhuize MC, Gevers S, Nguyen NTB, Meerlo M, Roudbari SKS, Gulersonmez MC, Stigter ECA, Drost J, Clevers H, Burgering BMT, Rodríguez Colman MJ. Rewiring glucose metabolism improves 5-FU efficacy in p53-deficient/KRAS G12D glycolytic colorectal tumors. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1159. [PMID: 36316440 PMCID: PMC9622833 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04055-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is the backbone for chemotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC), the response rates in patients is limited to 50%. The mechanisms underlying 5-FU toxicity are debated, limiting the development of strategies to improve its efficacy. How fundamental aspects of cancer, such as driver mutations and phenotypic heterogeneity, relate to the 5-FU response remains obscure. This largely relies on the limited number of studies performed in pre-clinical models able to recapitulate the key features of CRC. Here, we analyzed the 5-FU response in patient-derived organoids that reproduce the different stages of CRC. We find that 5-FU induces pyrimidine imbalance, which leads to DNA damage and cell death in the actively proliferating cancer cells deficient in p53. Importantly, p53-deficiency leads to cell death due to impaired cell cycle arrest. Moreover, we find that targeting the Warburg effect in KRASG12D glycolytic tumor organoids enhances 5-FU toxicity by further altering the nucleotide pool and, importantly, without affecting non-transformed WT cells. Thus, p53 emerges as an important factor in determining the 5-FU response, and targeting cancer metabolism in combination with replication stress-inducing chemotherapies emerges as a promising strategy for CRC treatment. In p53-deficient colorectal cancer organoids, 5-fluorouracil induces pyrimidine imbalance, which causes DNA damage and cell death. Rewiring glucose metabolism through PDK inhibition by DCA enhances 5-FU toxicity in glycolytic p53-deficient organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies C. Ludikhuize
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sira Gevers
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Nguyen T. B. Nguyen
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike Meerlo
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - S. Khadijeh Shafiei Roudbari
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - M. Can Gulersonmez
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Edwin C. A. Stigter
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jarno Drost
- grid.487647.ePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.499559.dOncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Clevers
- grid.487647.ePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.499559.dOncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.418101.d0000 0001 2153 6865Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Boudewijn M. T. Burgering
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands ,grid.418101.d0000 0001 2153 6865Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maria J. Rodríguez Colman
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Molecular Cancer Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
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22
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Santos F, Capela AM, Mateus F, Nóbrega-Pereira S, Bernardes de Jesus B. Non-coding antisense transcripts: fine regulation of gene expression in cancer. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5652-5660. [PMID: 36284703 PMCID: PMC9579725 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural antisense transcripts (NATs) are coding or non-coding RNA sequences transcribed on the opposite direction from the same genomic locus. NATs are widely distributed throughout the human genome and seem to play crucial roles in physiological and pathological processes, through newly described and targeted mechanisms. NATs represent the intricate complexity of the genome organization and constitute another layer of potential targets in disease. Here, we focus on the interesting and unique role of non-coding NATs in cancer, paying particular attention to those acting as miRNA sponges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Corresponding author at: Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine – iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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23
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Cuccu A, Francescangeli F, De Angelis ML, Bruselles A, Giuliani A, Zeuner A. Analysis of Dormancy-Associated Transcriptional Networks Reveals a Shared Quiescence Signature in Lung and Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9869. [PMID: 36077264 PMCID: PMC9456317 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Quiescent cancer cells (QCCs) are a common feature of solid tumors, representing a major obstacle to the long-term success of cancer therapies. We isolated QCCs ex vivo from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) xenografts with a label-retaining strategy and compared QCCs gene expression profiles to identify a shared “quiescence signature”. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed a specific component neatly discriminating quiescent and replicative phenotypes in NSCLC and CRC. The discriminating component showed significant overlapping, with 688 genes in common including ZEB2, a master regulator of stem cell plasticity and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Gene set enrichment analysis showed that QCCs of both NSCLC and CRC had an increased expression of factors related to stemness/self renewal, EMT, TGF-β, morphogenesis, cell adhesion and chemotaxis, whereas proliferating cells overexpressed Myc targets and factors involved in RNA metabolism. Eventually, we analyzed in depth by means of a complex network approach, both the ‘morphogenesis module’ and the subset of differentially expressed genes shared by NCSLC and CRC. This allowed us to recognize different gene regulation network wiring for quiescent and proliferating cells and to underpin few genes central for network integration that may represent new therapeutic vulnerabilities. Altogether, our results highlight common regulatory pathways in QCCs of lung and colorectal tumors that may be the target of future therapeutic interventions.
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24
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De Angelis ML, Francescangeli F, Nicolazzo C, Xhelili E, La Torre F, Colace L, Bruselles A, Macchia D, Vitale S, Gazzaniga P, Baiocchi M, Zeuner A. An Orthotopic Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) Model Allows the Analysis of Metastasis-Associated Features in Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:869485. [PMID: 35837106 PMCID: PMC9275818 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.869485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the primary cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), urging the need for preclinical models that recapitulate the metastatic process at the individual patient level. We used an orthotopic patient-derived xenograft (PDX) obtained through the direct implantation of freshly dissociated CRC cells in the colon of immunocompromised mice to model the metastatic process. Ortho-PDX engraftment was associated to a specific set of molecular features of the parental tumor, such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), TGF-β pathway activation, increased expression of stemness-associated factors and higher numbers of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) clusters expressing the metastatic marker CD44v6. A parallel analysis of orthotopic/metastatic xenografts and organoids showed that tumor cells underwent mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition at the metastatic site and that metastasis-derived organoids had increased chemotherapy resistance. These observations support the usefulness of ortho-PDX as a preclinical model to study metastasis-related features and provide preliminary evidence that EMT/stemness properties of primary colorectal tumors may be crucial for orthotopic tumor engraftment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura De Angelis
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Nicolazzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Liquid Biopsy Unit, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Eljona Xhelili
- Surgical Sciences and Emergency Department, Policlinico Umberto I/Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo La Torre
- Surgical Sciences and Emergency Department, Policlinico Umberto I/Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lidia Colace
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I/Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bruselles
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Macchia
- Center of Animal research and Welfare, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Vitale
- Department of Medicine and Traslational Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Gazzaniga
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Liquid Biopsy Unit, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Baiocchi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ann Zeuner
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Ann Zeuner,
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25
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Tune BXJ, Sim MS, Poh CL, Guad RM, Woon CK, Hazarika I, Das A, Gopinath SCB, Rajan M, Sekar M, Subramaniyan V, Fuloria NK, Fuloria S, Batumalaie K, Wu YS. Matrix Metalloproteinases in Chemoresistance: Regulatory Roles, Molecular Interactions, and Potential Inhibitors. J Oncol 2022; 2022:3249766. [PMID: 35586209 PMCID: PMC9110224 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3249766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide. Its treatments usually fail when the tumor has become malignant and metastasized. Metastasis is a key source of cancer recurrence, which often leads to resistance towards chemotherapeutic agents. Hence, most cancer-related deaths are linked to the occurrence of chemoresistance. Although chemoresistance can emerge through a multitude of mechanisms, chemoresistance and metastasis share a similar pathway, which is an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a class of zinc and calcium-chelated enzymes, are found to be key players in driving cancer migration and metastasis through EMT induction. The aim of this review is to discuss the regulatory roles and associated molecular mechanisms of specific MMPs in regulating chemoresistance, particularly EMT initiation and resistance to apoptosis. A brief presentation on their potential diagnostic and prognostic values was also deciphered. It also aimed to describe existing MMP inhibitors and the potential of utilizing other strategies to inhibit MMPs to reduce chemoresistance, such as upstream inhibition of MMP expressions and MMP-responsive nanomaterials to deliver drugs as well as epigenetic regulations. Hence, manipulation of MMP expression can be a powerful tool to aid in treating patients with chemo-resistant cancers. However, much still needs to be done to bring the solution from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette Xin Jie Tune
- Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Maw Shin Sim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Rhanye Mac Guad
- Department of Biomedical Science and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, 88400 Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Choy Ker Woon
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, 47000 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Iswar Hazarika
- Department of Pharmacology, Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Guwahati 781017, India
| | - Anju Das
- Department of Pharmacology, Royal School of Pharmacy, Royal Global University, Guwahati 781035, India
| | - Subash C. B. Gopinath
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Arau, 02600 Perlis, Malaysia
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Kangar, 01000 Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Mariappan Rajan
- Department of Natural Products Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625021, India
| | - Mahendran Sekar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Royal College of Medicine Perak, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh 30450, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Vetriselvan Subramaniyan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience and Nursing, MAHSA University, Selangor 42610, Malaysia
| | | | - Shivkanya Fuloria
- Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling, Bedong, Kedah 08100, Malaysia
| | - Kalaivani Batumalaie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Asia Metropolitan University, 81750 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Yuan Seng Wu
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. There have been improvements in screening, and therefore overall survival, but patients continue to present at late stages when minimal treatment options are available to them. While some targeted therapies have been introduced, their application is limited by patient-specific tumor characteristics. Additional targets for CRC in patients who present at a late stage, or who experience tumor relapse, need to be identified to continue to improve patient outcomes. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on emerging pathways and drug targets for the treatment of colorectal cancer. The shift to the cancer stem cell model and potential targets involving Wnt, NF-κB, phosphodiesterases, RAS, and guanylyl cyclase C, are discussed. The current utility of checkpoint inhibitors and evolving immunological options are examined. EXPERT OPINION Surgery and current systemic cytotoxic therapies are inadequate to appropriately treat the full spectrum of CRC, especially in those patients who present with metastatic or treatment-refractory disease. In addition to the identification of new, more generalizable targets, additional focus is being placed on novel administrations. Immuno-oncologic options and stem cell-targeting therapies for mCRC will become available to patients and may increase survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison M. Crutcher
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Trevor R. Baybutt
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Jessica S. Kopenhaver
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Adam E. Snook
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Scott A. Waldman
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA,Corresponding Author: 1020 Locust Street, JAH368, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, USA,
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Abstract
Quiescent cancer stem cells (qCSCs) are a major source of posttreatment relapse, but methods to identify molecular targets for qCSC elimination are limited. Here, we present a protocol using the fluorescent dye PKH26 to isolate label-retaining qCSCs from colorectal cancer (CRC) patient-derived organoids (PDOs). We describe processing of organoids to single cells, followed by PKH26 labeling and FACS-based cell isolation. We then detail steps for functional assays and RNA sequencing. This protocol can also be applied to normal tissue-derived organoids. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Regan et al. (2021). Protocol for the isolation of PKH26 label-retaining cells from CRC organoids Processing organoids to single cells, PKH26 labeling, and FACS Functional validation and RNA sequencing of quiescent cancer stem cells Applicable to normal tissue-derived and patient-derived organoids
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L. Regan
- Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Corresponding author
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28
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Rodríguez-Fanjul V, Guerrero-López R, Fernández-Varas B, Perona R, Sastre-Perona A, Sastre L. Comparison of Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells and Oxaliplatin-Resistant Cells Unveils Functional Similarities. Cells 2022; 11:511. [PMID: 35159320 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in women, the third in men, and an important cause of cancer-related mortality. Recurrence and the development of chemotherapy resistance are major hindrances for patients’ treatment. The presence of cancer stem cells with chemotherapy resistance able to generate proliferating tumor cells contributes to tumor recurrence and resistance. In addition, tumor cells can develop chemoresistance through adaptation mechanisms. In this article, cancer stem cells were isolated from HT29 and SW620 colorectal cancer cell lines. Oxaliplatin resistance was induced by a single drug treatment simulating the usual guidelines of patient treatment. A comparison of these two populations showed similarities since cancer stem cells presented increased oxaliplatin resistance, and resistant cells contained an increased number of cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells isolated from resistant cells showed increased oxaliplatin resistance. Cell invasion capacity and epithelial-mesenchymal transition were increased both in cancer stem cells and oxaliplatin-resistant cells. mRNA expression analysis showed that both cell types shared a significant proportion of commonly regulated genes. In summary, the data presented indicate that colorectal cancer stem cells and oxaliplatin-resistant cells are highly related cell populations that might have interesting implications in the development of tumor recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy.
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29
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Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for the initiation of primary tumors and for metastasis seeding at distant organs. Therefore, they represent crucial targets for the study and preclinical testing of new antimetastatic approaches. We recently generated a molecularly characterized biobank of colorectal CSCs, isolated from individual patients and cultured in serum-free medium as multicellular spheroids. Here, we describe in detail the generation of a metastatic model of colorectal cancer based on the orthotopic injection of CSCs into the cecum serosa of immunodeficient mice. Such a model represents an excellent experimental system to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in colorectal cancer metastasis, to analyze rare premetastatic elements such as circulating and disseminated tumor cells, and for the preclinical testing of new agents with potential antimetastatic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura De Angelis
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ann Zeuner
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Baiocchi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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30
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Manjili SH, Isbell M, Ghochaghi N, Perkinson T, Manjili MH. Multifaceted functions of chronic inflammation in regulating tumor dormancy and relapse. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 78:17-22. [PMID: 33785450 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation is a double-edged sword exhibiting multifaceted functions. On one hand, it either induces tumor cell apoptosis, or establishes tumor dormancy by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation; on the other hand, it either facilitates the tumorigenesis process or reawakens dormant tumor cells, resulting in disease recurrences. Each outcome would depend on the balance between type I and type II inflammation as well as the duration of inflammation being acute or chronic. In this essay, we provide a critical review of the empirical evidence suggesting that chronic inflammation, dominated by type I inflammatory cells and cytokines as a result of trauma and microbiome dysbiosis, could facilitate the carcinogenesis process in normal cells and retain nascent transformed cells in a dormant state. On the other hand, an elevated type II inflammation along with inefficient resolution of type I inflammation following trauma or major surgeries could delay the wound healing process and promote the growth and reawakening of dormant tumor cells, resulting in disease recurrences. Finally, cytokines exhibiting type I and II inflammatory functions, simultaneously, tend to promote tumor recurrence when become chronic. Therefore, the risk of reawakening dormant tumor cells should be considered in cancer survivors who experience major surgeries and trauma, or suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases.
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31
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Ogata R, Mori S, Kishi S, Sasaki R, Iwata N, Ohmori H, Sasaki T, Nishiguchi Y, Nakashima C, Goto K, Kawahara I, Fujiwara-Tani R, Kuniyasu H. Linoleic Acid Upregulates Microrna-494 to Induce Quiescence in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010225. [PMID: 35008652 PMCID: PMC8745195 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer dormancy is a state characterized by the quiescence of disseminated cancer cells, and tumor recurrence occurs when such cells re-proliferate after a long incubation period. These cancer cells tend to be treatment resistant and one of the barriers to successful therapeutic intervention. We have previously reported that long-term treatment of cancer cells with linoleic acid (LA) induces a dormancy-like phenotype. However, the mechanism underpinning this effect has not yet been clarified. Here, we investigate the mechanism of LA-induced quiescence in cancer cells. We first confirmed that long-term treatment of the mouse colorectal cancer cell line CT26 with LA induced quiescence. When these cells were inoculated subcutaneously into a syngeneic mouse and fed with an LA diet, the inoculated cancer cells maintained the quiescent state and exhibited markers of dormancy. LA-treated CT26 cells showed reduced oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, and energy production as well as reduced expression of the regulatory factors Pgc1α and MycC. MicroRNA expression profiling revealed that LA induced an upregulation in miR-494. The expression of Pgc1α and MycC were both induced by an miR-494 mimic, and the LA-induced decrease in gene expression was abrogated by an miR-494 inhibitor. The expression of miR-494 was enhanced by the mitochondrial oxidative stress produced by LA. In a syngeneic mouse subcutaneous tumor model, growth suppression by an LA diet and growth delay by LA pretreatment + LA diet were found to have similar effects as administration of an miR-494 mimic. In contrast, the effects of LA were abrogated by an miR-494 inhibitor. Analysis of human colorectal cancer tissue revealed that miR-494 was present at low levels in non-metastatic cases and cases with simultaneous liver metastases but was expressed at high levels in cases with delayed liver metastases, which also exhibited reduced expression of PGC1α and MYCC. These results suggest that miR-494 is involved in cancer dormancy induced by high levels of LA intake and that this microRNA may be valuable in targeting dormant cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hiroki Kuniyasu
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-744-22-3051; Fax: +81-744-25-7308
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De Angelis ML, Francescangeli F, Zeuner A, Baiocchi M. Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells: An Overview of Evolving Methods and Concepts. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5910. [PMID: 34885020 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In recent years, colorectal cancer stem cells (cCSCs) have been the object of intense investigation for their promise to disclose new aspects of colorectal cancer cell biology, as well as to devise new treatment strategies for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, accumulating studies on cCSCs by complementary technologies have progressively disclosed their plastic nature, i.e., their capability to acquire different phenotypes and/or functions under different circumstances in response to both intrinsic and extrinsic signals. In this review, we aim to recapitulate how a progressive methodological development has contributed to deepening and remodeling the concept of cCSCs over time, up to the present. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents one of the most deadly cancers worldwide. Colorectal cancer stem cells (cCSCs) are the driving units of CRC initiation and development. After the concept of cCSC was first formulated in 2007, a huge bulk of research has contributed to expanding its definition, from a cell subpopulation defined by a fixed phenotype in a plastic entity modulated by complex interactions with the tumor microenvironment, in which cell position and niche-driven signals hold a prominent role. The wide development of cellular and molecular technologies recent years has been a main driver of advancements in cCSCs research. Here, we will give an overview of the parallel role of technological progress and of theoretical evolution in shaping the concept of cCSCs.
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33
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Mammes A, Pasquier J, Mammes O, Conti M, Douard R, Loric S. Extracellular vesicles: General features and usefulness in diagnosis and therapeutic management of colorectal cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2021; 13:1561-1598. [PMID: 34853637 PMCID: PMC8603448 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i11.1561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the world, among all type of cancers, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed in males and the second in females. In most of cases, (RP1) patients’ prognosis limitation with malignant tumors can be attributed to delayed diagnosis of the disease. Identification of patients with early-stage disease leads to more effective therapeutic interventions. Therefore, new screening methods and further innovative treatment approaches are mandatory as they may lead to an increase in progression-free and overall survival rates. For the last decade, the interest in extracellular vesicles (EVs) research has exponentially increased as EVs generation appears to be a universal feature of every cell that is strongly involved in many mechanisms of cell-cell communication either in physiological or pathological situations. EVs can cargo biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and generate transmission signal through the intercellular transfer of their content. By this mechanism, tumor cells can recruit and modify the adjacent and systemic microenvironment to support further invasion and dissemination. This review intends to cover the most recent literature on the role of EVs production in colorectal normal and cancer tissues. Specific attention is paid to the use of EVs for early CRC diagnosis, follow-up, and prognosis as EVs have come into the spotlight of research as a high potential source of ‘liquid biopsies’. The use of EVs as new targets or nanovectors as drug delivery systems for CRC therapy is also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelien Mammes
- INSERM UMR-938, Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Unit, Saint-Antoine Research Center, Saint Antoine University Hospital, Paris 75012, France
| | - Jennifer Pasquier
- INSERM UMR-938, Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Unit, Saint-Antoine Research Center, Saint Antoine University Hospital, Paris 75012, France
| | | | - Marc Conti
- INSERM UMR-938, Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Unit, Saint-Antoine Research Center, Saint Antoine University Hospital, Paris 75012, France
- Metabolism Research Unit, Integracell SAS, Longjumeau 91160, France
| | - Richard Douard
- UCBM, Necker University Hospital, Paris 75015, France
- Gastrointestinal Surgery Department, Clinique Bizet, Paris 75016, France
| | - Sylvain Loric
- INSERM UMR-938, Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Unit, Saint-Antoine Research Center, Saint Antoine University Hospital, Paris 75012, France
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34
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Seebacher NA, Krchniakova M, Stacy AE, Skoda J, Jansson PJ. Tumour Microenvironment Stress Promotes the Development of Drug Resistance. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1801. [PMID: 34829672 PMCID: PMC8615091 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10111801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-drug resistance (MDR) is a leading cause of cancer-related death, and it continues to be a major barrier to cancer treatment. The tumour microenvironment (TME) has proven to play an essential role in not only cancer progression and metastasis, but also the development of resistance to chemotherapy. Despite the significant advances in the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies, the development of drug resistance remains a major impediment to therapeutic success. This review highlights the interplay between various factors within the TME that collectively initiate or propagate MDR. The key TME-mediated mechanisms of MDR regulation that will be discussed herein include (1) altered metabolic processing and the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) axis; (2) changes in stromal cells; (3) increased cancer cell survival via autophagy and failure of apoptosis; (4) altered drug delivery, uptake, or efflux and (5) the induction of a cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype. The review also discusses thought-provoking ideas that may assist in overcoming the TME-induced MDR. We conclude that stressors from the TME and exposure to chemotherapeutic agents are strongly linked to the development of MDR in cancer cells. Therefore, there remains a vast area for potential research to further elicit the interplay between factors existing both within and outside the TME. Elucidating the mechanisms within this network is essential for developing new therapeutic strategies that are less prone to failure due to the development of resistance in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Krchniakova
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Alexandra E. Stacy
- Cancer Drug Resistance & Stem Cell Program, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Jan Skoda
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic;
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Patric J. Jansson
- Cancer Drug Resistance & Stem Cell Program, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia;
- Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
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35
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Uhlitz F, Bischoff P, Peidli S, Sieber A, Trinks A, Lüthen M, Obermayer B, Blanc E, Ruchiy Y, Sell T, Mamlouk S, Arsie R, Wei T, Klotz‐Noack K, Schwarz RF, Sawitzki B, Kamphues C, Beule D, Landthaler M, Sers C, Horst D, Blüthgen N, Morkel M. Mitogen-activated protein kinase activity drives cell trajectories in colorectal cancer. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e14123. [PMID: 34409732 PMCID: PMC8495451 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In colorectal cancer, oncogenic mutations transform a hierarchically organized and homeostatic epithelium into invasive cancer tissue lacking visible organization. We sought to define transcriptional states of colorectal cancer cells and signals controlling their development by performing single-cell transcriptome analysis of tumors and matched non-cancerous tissues of twelve colorectal cancer patients. We defined patient-overarching colorectal cancer cell clusters characterized by differential activities of oncogenic signaling pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinase and oncogenic traits such as replication stress. RNA metabolic labeling and assessment of RNA velocity in patient-derived organoids revealed developmental trajectories of colorectal cancer cells organized along a mitogen-activated protein kinase activity gradient. This was in contrast to normal colon organoid cells developing along graded Wnt activity. Experimental targeting of EGFR-BRAF-MEK in cancer organoids affected signaling and gene expression contingent on predictive KRAS/BRAF mutations and induced cell plasticity overriding default developmental trajectories. Our results highlight directional cancer cell development as a driver of non-genetic cancer cell heterogeneity and re-routing of trajectories as a response to targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Uhlitz
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- IRI Life SciencesHumboldt University of BerlinBerlinGermany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site BerlinGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Philip Bischoff
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Stefan Peidli
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- IRI Life SciencesHumboldt University of BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Anja Sieber
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- IRI Life SciencesHumboldt University of BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Alexandra Trinks
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- BIH Bioportal Single CellsBerlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Mareen Lüthen
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site BerlinGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Benedikt Obermayer
- Core Unit Bioinformatics (CUBI)Berlin Institute of Health at Charité Universitätsmedizin – BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Eric Blanc
- Core Unit Bioinformatics (CUBI)Berlin Institute of Health at Charité Universitätsmedizin – BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Yana Ruchiy
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Thomas Sell
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- IRI Life SciencesHumboldt University of BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Soulafa Mamlouk
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site BerlinGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Roberto Arsie
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular MedicineBerlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB)BerlinGermany
| | - Tzu‐Ting Wei
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular MedicineBerlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB)BerlinGermany
| | - Kathleen Klotz‐Noack
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- Institute of Medical ImmunologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Roland F Schwarz
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular MedicineBerlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB)BerlinGermany
- BIFOLD – Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and DataBerlinGermany
| | - Birgit Sawitzki
- Institute of Medical ImmunologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Carsten Kamphues
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site BerlinGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
- Department of SurgeryCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Dieter Beule
- Core Unit Bioinformatics (CUBI)Berlin Institute of Health at Charité Universitätsmedizin – BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Markus Landthaler
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular MedicineBerlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB)BerlinGermany
| | - Christine Sers
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site BerlinGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - David Horst
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site BerlinGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Nils Blüthgen
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- IRI Life SciencesHumboldt University of BerlinBerlinGermany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site BerlinGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Markus Morkel
- Institute of PathologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site BerlinGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
- BIH Bioportal Single CellsBerlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
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36
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Asif PJ, Longobardi C, Hahne M, Medema JP. The Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Cancer Invasion and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4720. [PMID: 34572947 PMCID: PMC8472587 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a key role in cancer progression by contributing to extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and remodeling, extensive crosstalk with cancer cells, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance. As metastasis is a main reason for cancer-related deaths, it is crucial to understand the role of CAFs in this process. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease and lethality is especially common in a subtype of CRC with high stromal infiltration. A key component of stroma is cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). To provide new perspectives for research on CAFs and CAF-targeted therapeutics, especially in CRC, we discuss the mechanisms, crosstalk, and functions involved in CAF-mediated cancer invasion, metastasis, and protection. This summary can serve as a framework for future studies elucidating these roles of CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paris Jabeen Asif
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (P.J.A.); (C.L.)
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ciro Longobardi
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (P.J.A.); (C.L.)
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Hahne
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France;
| | - Jan Paul Medema
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (P.J.A.); (C.L.)
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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37
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Azwar S, Seow HF, Abdullah M, Faisal Jabar M, Mohtarrudin N. Recent Updates on Mechanisms of Resistance to 5-Fluorouracil and Reversal Strategies in Colon Cancer Treatment. Biology (Basel) 2021; 10:854. [PMID: 34571731 PMCID: PMC8466833 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) plus leucovorin (LV) remain as the mainstay standard adjuvant chemotherapy treatment for early stage colon cancer, and the preferred first-line option for metastatic colon cancer patients in combination with oxaliplatin in FOLFOX, or irinotecan in FOLFIRI regimens. Despite treatment success to a certain extent, the incidence of chemotherapy failure attributed to chemotherapy resistance is still reported in many patients. This resistance, which can be defined by tumor tolerance against chemotherapy, either intrinsic or acquired, is primarily driven by the dysregulation of various components in distinct pathways. In recent years, it has been established that the incidence of 5-FU resistance, akin to multidrug resistance, can be attributed to the alterations in drug transport, evasion of apoptosis, changes in the cell cycle and DNA-damage repair machinery, regulation of autophagy, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cell involvement, tumor microenvironment interactions, miRNA dysregulations, epigenetic alterations, as well as redox imbalances. Certain resistance mechanisms that are 5-FU-specific have also been ascertained to include the upregulation of thymidylate synthase, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and the downregulation of thymidine phosphorylase. Indeed, the successful modulation of these mechanisms have been the game plan of numerous studies that had employed small molecule inhibitors, plant-based small molecules, and non-coding RNA regulators to effectively reverse 5-FU resistance in colon cancer cells. It is hoped that these studies would provide fundamental knowledge to further our understanding prior developing novel drugs in the near future that would synergistically work with 5-FU to potentiate its antitumor effects and improve the patient's overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamin Azwar
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (S.A.); (H.F.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Heng Fong Seow
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (S.A.); (H.F.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Maha Abdullah
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (S.A.); (H.F.S.); (M.A.)
| | - Mohd Faisal Jabar
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Norhafizah Mohtarrudin
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (S.A.); (H.F.S.); (M.A.)
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38
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Turdo A, Glaviano A, Pepe G, Calapà F, Raimondo S, Fiori ME, Carbone D, Basilicata MG, Di Sarno V, Ostacolo C, Parrino B, Cascioferro S, Pecoraro C, Di Franco S, Bellavia D, Gaggianesi M, Veschi V, Lo Iacono M, Ganduscio G, Pantina VD, Mangiapane LR, Bongiorno MR, Alessandro R, Todaro M, De Maria R, Diana P, Campiglia P, Stassi G. Nobiletin and Xanthohumol Sensitize Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells to Standard Chemotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3927. [PMID: 34439086 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13163927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer stem cells (CR-CSCs) play a pivotal role in the therapy resistance and relapse of CRC patients. Herein we demonstrate that new treatment approaches comprising polymethoxyflavones and prenylflavonoids extracted from Citrus sinensis and Humulus lupulus, respectively, hamper the viability of CR-CSCs as well as synergizing with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (FOX)-based chemotherapy. Extract fractions containing Nobiletin and Xanthohumol, in combination with chemotherapy, decreased stemness properties of CR-CSCs and restrained the outgrowth of chemoresistant metastatic CR-CSCs. These data pinpoint Nobiletin and Xanthohumol as efficacious anti-cancer compounds in metastatic settings. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality is mainly caused by patient refractoriness to common anti-cancer therapies and consequent metastasis formation. Besides, the notorious toxic side effects of chemotherapy are a concurrent obstacle to be tackled. Thus, new treatment approaches are needed to effectively improve patient outcomes. Compelling evidence demonstrated that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for treatment failure and relapse. New natural treatment approaches showed capabilities to selectively target the CSC subpopulation by rendering them targetable by standard cytotoxic compounds. Herein we show the anti-cancer properties of the polymethoxyflavones and prenylflavonoids extracted from Citrus sinensis and Humulus lupulus, respectively. The natural biofunctional fractions, singularly and in combination, reduced the cell viability of CRC stem cells (CR-CSCs) and synergized with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (FOX) chemotherapy. These phenomena were accompanied by a reduced S and G2/M phase of the cell cycle and upregulation of cell death-related genes. Notably, both phytoextracts in combination with FOX thwarted stemness features in CR-CSCs as demonstrated by the impaired clonogenic potential and decreased Wnt pathway activation. Extracts lowered the expression of CD44v6 and affected the expansion of metastatic CR-CSCs in patients refractory to chemotherapy. Together, this study highlights the importance of polymethoxyflavones and prenylflavonoids as natural remedies to aid oncological therapies.
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39
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Wang X, Thiery JP. Harnessing Carcinoma Cell Plasticity Mediated by TGF-β Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3397. [PMID: 34298613 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review describes mechanisms driving epithelial plasticity in carcinoma mediated by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling. Plasticity in carcinoma is frequently induced through epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), an evolutionary conserved process in the development of multicellular organisms. The review explores the multifaceted functions of EMT, particularly focusing on the intermediate stages, which provide more adaptive responses of carcinoma cells in their microenvironment. The review critically considers how different intermediate or hybrid EMT stages confer carcinoma cells with stemness, refractoriness to therapies, and ability to execute all steps of the metastatic cascade. Finally, the review provides examples of therapeutic interventions based on the EMT concept. Abstract Epithelial cell plasticity, a hallmark of carcinoma progression, results in local and distant cancer dissemination. Carcinoma cell plasticity can be achieved through epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), with cells positioned seemingly indiscriminately across the spectrum of EMT phenotypes. Different degrees of plasticity are achieved by transcriptional regulation and feedback-loops, which confer carcinoma cells with unique properties of tumor propagation and therapy resistance. Decoding the molecular and cellular basis of EMT in carcinoma should enable the discovery of new therapeutic strategies against cancer. In this review, we discuss the different attributes of plasticity in carcinoma and highlight the role of the canonical TGFβ receptor signaling pathway in the acquisition of plasticity. We emphasize the potential stochasticity of stemness in carcinoma in relation to plasticity and provide data from recent clinical trials that seek to target plasticity.
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40
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Regan JL, Schumacher D, Staudte S, Steffen A, Lesche R, Toedling J, Jourdan T, Haybaeck J, Mumberg D, Henderson D, Győrffy B, Regenbrecht CRA, Keilholz U, Schäfer R, Lange M. RNA sequencing of long-term label-retaining colon cancer stem cells identifies novel regulators of quiescence. iScience 2021; 24:102618. [PMID: 34142064 PMCID: PMC8185225 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent data suggest that therapy-resistant quiescent cancer stem cells (qCSCs) are the source of relapse in colon cancer. Here, using colon cancer patient-derived organoids and xenografts, we identify rare long-term label-retaining qCSCs that can re-enter the cell cycle to generate new tumors. RNA sequencing analyses demonstrated that these cells display the molecular hallmarks of quiescent tissue stem cells, including expression of p53 signaling genes, and are enriched for transcripts common to damage-induced quiescent revival stem cells of the regenerating intestine. In addition, we identify negative regulators of cell cycle, downstream of p53, that we show are indicators of poor prognosis and may be targeted for qCSC abolition in both p53 wild-type and mutant tumors. These data support the temporal inhibition of downstream targets of p53 signaling, in combination with standard-of-care treatments, for the elimination of qCSCs and prevention of relapse in colon cancer. Colon tumors contain therapy-resistant quiescent cancer stem cells (qCSCs) qCSC gene expression mirrors that of quiescent stem cells of the regenerating gut qCSCs are enriched for p53 signaling genes qCSC elimination may be achieved by inhibiting downstream targets of p53 signaling
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L Regan
- Bayer AG, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13342 Berlin, Germany.,Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dirk Schumacher
- Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Staudte
- Bayer AG, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13342 Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Steffen
- Bayer AG, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13342 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Lesche
- Bayer AG, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13342 Berlin, Germany.,Nuvisan ICB GmbH, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Joern Toedling
- Bayer AG, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13342 Berlin, Germany.,Nuvisan ICB GmbH, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thibaud Jourdan
- Bayer AG, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13342 Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Haybaeck
- Institute of Pathology, Neuropathology and Molecular Pathology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.,Diagnostic & Research Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Dominik Mumberg
- Bayer AG, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13342 Berlin, Germany
| | - David Henderson
- Bayer AG, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13342 Berlin, Germany
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- Department of Bioinformatics, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary.,TTK Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Christian R A Regenbrecht
- Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany.,CELLphenomics GmbH, 13125 Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Keilholz
- Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Reinhold Schäfer
- Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany.,Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), DKFZ, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Lange
- Bayer AG, Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, 13342 Berlin, Germany.,Nuvisan ICB GmbH, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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41
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Basu S, Dong Y, Kumar R, Jeter C, Tang DG. Slow-cycling (dormant) cancer cells in therapy resistance, cancer relapse and metastasis. Semin Cancer Biol 2021:S1044-579X(21)00122-X. [PMID: 33979674 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It is increasingly appreciated that cancer cell heterogeneity and plasticity constitute major barriers to effective clinical treatments and long-term therapeutic efficacy. Research in the past two decades suggest that virtually all treatment-naive human cancers harbor subsets of cancer cells that possess many of the cardinal features of normal stem cells. Such stem-like cancer cells, operationally defined as cancer stem cells (CSCs), are frequently quiescent and dynamically change and evolve during tumor progression and therapeutic interventions. Intrinsic tumor cell heterogeneity is reflected in a different aspect in that tumors also harbor a population of slow-cycling cells (SCCs) that are not in the proliferative cell cycle and thus are intrinsically refractory to anti-mitotic drugs. In this Perspective, we focus our discussions on SCCs in cancer and on various methodologies that can be employed to enrich and purify SCCs, compare the similarities and differences between SCCs, CSCs and cancer cells undergoing EMT, and present evidence for the involvement of SCCs in surviving anti-neoplastic treatments, mediating tumor relapse, maintaining tumor dormancy and mediating metastatic dissemination. Our discussions make it clear that an in-depth understanding of the biological properties of SCCs in cancer will be instrumental to developing new therapeutic strategies to prevent tumor relapse and distant metastasis.
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42
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Zheng X, Dai F, Feng L, Zou H, Feng L, Xu M. Communication Between Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity and Cancer Stem Cells: New Insights Into Cancer Progression. Front Oncol 2021; 11:617597. [PMID: 33968721 PMCID: PMC8097085 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.617597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is closely associated with the acquisition of aggressive traits by carcinoma cells and is considered responsible for metastasis, relapse, and chemoresistance. Molecular links between the EMT and cancer stem cells (CSCs) have indicated that EMT processes play important roles in the expression of CSC-like properties. It is generally thought that EMT-related transcription factors (EMT-TFs) need to be downregulated to confer an epithelial phenotype to mesenchymal cells and increase cell proliferation, thereby promoting metastasis formation. However, the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate EMT and CSC activation are contradictory. Emerging evidence suggests that EMT need not be a binary model and instead a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state. This dynamic process correlates with epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity, which indicates a contradictory role of EMT during cancer progression. Recent studies have linked the epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity and stem cell-like traits, providing new insights into the conflicting relationship between EMT and CSCs. In this review, we examine the current knowledge about the interplay between epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity and CSCs in cancer biology and evaluate the controversies and future perspectives. Understanding the biology of epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity and CSCs and their implications in therapeutic treatment may provide new opportunities for targeted intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Zheng
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fuzhen Dai
- Department of General Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Feng
- Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Zou
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,General Surgery Center of PLA, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Feng
- Department of General Surgery, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingqing Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Meishan City People's Hospital, Meishan Hospital of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Meishan, China
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Abstract
Metastasis and relapse account for the great majority of cancer-related deaths. Most metastatic lesions are micro metastases that have the capacity to remain in a non-dividing state called “dormancy” for months or even years. Commonly used anticancer drugs generally target actively dividing cancer cells. Therefore, cancer cells that remain in a dormant state evade conventional therapies and contribute to cancer recurrence. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of cancer dormancy are not fully understood. Recent studies indicate that a major cellular stress response mechanism, autophagy, plays an important role in the adaptation, survival and reactivation of dormant cells. In this review article, we will summarize accumulating knowledge about cellular and molecular mechanisms of cancer dormancy, and discuss the role and importance of autophagy in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunus Akkoc
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nesibe Peker
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Arzu Akcay
- Yeni Yüzyıl University, School of Medicine, Private Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital, Department of Pathology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Devrim Gozuacik
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Turkey.,Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.,Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Istanbul, Turkey
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44
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Lei X, He Q, Li Z, Zou Q, Xu P, Yu H, Ding Y, Zhu W. Cancer stem cells in colorectal cancer and the association with chemotherapy resistance. Med Oncol 2021; 38:43. [PMID: 33738588 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-021-01488-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) have always been among the highest in the world, although the diagnosis and treatment are becoming more and more advanced. At present, the main reason is that patients have acquired drug resistance after long-term conventional drug treatment. An increasing number of evidences confirm the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are a group of special cells in cancer, only a small part of cancer cells. These special cell populations are not eliminated by chemotherapeutic drugs and result in tumor recurrence and metastasis after drug treatment. CSCs have the ability of self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation, which is associated with the occurrence and development of cancer. CSCs can be screened and identified by related surface markers. In this paper, the characteristic surface markers of CSCs in CRC and the related mechanism of drug resistance will be discussed in detail. A better understanding of the mechanism of CSCs resistance to chemotherapy may lead to better targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Lei
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, No.1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qinglian He
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, No.1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ziqi Li
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, No.1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qian Zou
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, No.1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Pingrong Xu
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, No.1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haibing Yu
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yuanlin Ding
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, No.1 Xincheng Road, Dongguan, 523808, Guangdong Province, China.
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45
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Hernández-Barranco A, Nogués L, Peinado H. Could Extracellular Vesicles Contribute to Generation or Awakening of "Sleepy" Metastatic Niches? Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:625221. [PMID: 33738282 PMCID: PMC7960773 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.625221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-metastatic niches provide favorable conditions for tumor cells to disseminate, home to and grow in otherwise unfamiliar and distal microenvironments. Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles are now recognized as carriers of key messengers secreted by primary tumors, signals that induce the formation of pre-metastatic niches. Recent evidence suggests that tumor cells can disseminate from the very earliest stages of primary tumor development. However, once they reach distal sites, tumor cells can persist in a dormant state for long periods of time until their growth is reactivated and they produce metastatic lesions. In this new scenario, the question arises as to whether extracellular vesicles could influence the formation of these metastatic niches with dormant tumor cells? (here defined as "sleepy niches"). If so, what are the molecular mechanisms involved? In this perspective-review article, we discuss the possible influence of extracellular vesicles in early metastatic dissemination and whether they might play a role in tumor cell dormancy. In addition, we comment whether extracellular vesicle-mediated signals may be involved in tumor cell awakening, considering the possibility that extracellular vesicles might serve as biomarkers to detect early metastasis and/or minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Hernández-Barranco
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Nogués
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Héctor Peinado
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
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46
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Marzagalli M, Fontana F, Raimondi M, Limonta P. Cancer Stem Cells-Key Players in Tumor Relapse. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:376. [PMID: 33498502 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor relapse and treatment failure are unfortunately common events for cancer patients, thus often rendering cancer an uncurable disease. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subset of cancer cells endowed with tumor-initiating and self-renewal capacity, as well as with high adaptive abilities. Altogether, these features contribute to CSC survival after one or multiple therapeutic approaches, thus leading to treatment failure and tumor progression/relapse. Thus, elucidating the molecular mechanisms associated with stemness-driven resistance is crucial for the development of more effective drugs and durable responses. This review will highlight the mechanisms exploited by CSCs to overcome different therapeutic strategies, from chemo- and radiotherapies to targeted therapies and immunotherapies, shedding light on their plasticity as an insidious trait responsible for their adaptation/escape. Finally, novel CSC-specific approaches will be described, providing evidence of their preclinical and clinical applications.
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Luo M, Li JF, Yang Q, Zhang K, Wang ZW, Zheng S, Zhou JJ. Stem cell quiescence and its clinical relevance. World J Stem Cells 2020; 12:1307-1326. [PMID: 33312400 PMCID: PMC7705463 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v12.i11.1307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Quiescent state has been observed in stem cells (SCs), including in adult SCs and in cancer SCs (CSCs). Quiescent status of SCs contributes to SC self-renewal and conduces to averting SC death from harsh external stimuli. In this review, we provide an overview of intrinsic mechanisms and extrinsic factors that regulate adult SC quiescence. The intrinsic mechanisms discussed here include the cell cycle, mitogenic signaling, Notch signaling, epigenetic modification, and metabolism and transcriptional regulation, while the extrinsic factors summarized here include microenvironment cells, extracellular factors, and immune response and inflammation in microenvironment. Quiescent state of CSCs has been known to contribute immensely to therapeutic resistance in multiple cancers. The characteristics and the regulation mechanisms of quiescent CSCs are discussed in detail. Importantly, we also outline the recent advances and controversies in therapeutic strategies targeting CSC quiescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Luo
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
- Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jin-Fan Li
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhan-Wei Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou 313003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shu Zheng
- Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
- Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
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Sistigu A, Musella M, Galassi C, Vitale I, De Maria R. Tuning Cancer Fate: Tumor Microenvironment's Role in Cancer Stem Cell Quiescence and Reawakening. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2166. [PMID: 33193295 PMCID: PMC7609361 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell dormancy is a common feature of human tumors and represents a major clinical barrier to the long-term efficacy of anticancer therapies. Dormant cancer cells, either in primary tumors or disseminated in secondary organs, may reawaken and relapse into a more aggressive disease. The mechanisms underpinning dormancy entry and exit strongly resemble those governing cancer cell stemness and include intrinsic and contextual cues. Cellular and molecular components of the tumor microenvironment persistently interact with cancer cells. This dialog is highly dynamic, as it evolves over time and space, strongly cooperates with intrinsic cell nets, and governs cancer cell features (like quiescence and stemness) and fate (survival and outgrowth). Therefore, there is a need for deeper insight into the biology of dormant cancer (stem) cells and the mechanisms regulating the equilibrium quiescence-versus-proliferation are vital in our pursuit of new therapeutic opportunities to prevent cancer from recurring. Here, we review and discuss microenvironmental regulations of cancer dormancy and its parallels with cancer stemness, and offer insights into the therapeutic strategies adopted to prevent a lethal recurrence, by either eradicating resident dormant cancer (stem) cells or maintaining them in a dormant state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Sistigu
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Musella
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Galassi
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilio Vitale
- IIGM - Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, c/o IRCSS Candiolo (TO), Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Qin S, Jiang J, Lu Y, Nice EC, Huang C, Zhang J, He W. Emerging role of tumor cell plasticity in modifying therapeutic response. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:228. [PMID: 33028808 PMCID: PMC7541492 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00313-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to cancer therapy is a major barrier to cancer management. Conventional views have proposed that acquisition of resistance may result from genetic mutations. However, accumulating evidence implicates a key role of non-mutational resistance mechanisms underlying drug tolerance, the latter of which is the focus that will be discussed here. Such non-mutational processes are largely driven by tumor cell plasticity, which renders tumor cells insusceptible to the drug-targeted pathway, thereby facilitating the tumor cell survival and growth. The concept of tumor cell plasticity highlights the significance of re-activation of developmental programs that are closely correlated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, acquisition properties of cancer stem cells, and trans-differentiation potential during drug exposure. From observations in various cancers, this concept provides an opportunity for investigating the nature of anticancer drug resistance. Over the years, our understanding of the emerging role of phenotype switching in modifying therapeutic response has considerably increased. This expanded knowledge of tumor cell plasticity contributes to developing novel therapeutic strategies or combination therapy regimens using available anticancer drugs, which are likely to improve patient outcomes in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingwen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Lu
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Edouard C Nice
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Canhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1166 Liutai Road, 611137, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weifeng He
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Institute of Burn Research, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory for Disease Proteomics, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
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Marin JJG, Macias RIR, Monte MJ, Herraez E, Peleteiro-Vigil A, Blas BS, Sanchon-Sanchez P, Temprano AG, Espinosa-Escudero RA, Lozano E, Briz O, Romero MR. Cellular Mechanisms Accounting for the Refractoriness of Colorectal Carcinoma to Pharmacological Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2605. [PMID: 32933095 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes a high number (more than 800,000) of deaths worldwide each year. Better methods for early diagnosis and the development of strategies to enhance the efficacy of the therapeutic approaches used to complement or substitute surgical removal of the tumor are urgently needed. Currently available pharmacological armamentarium provides very moderate benefits to patients due to the high resistance of tumor cells to respond to anticancer drugs. The present review summarizes and classifies into seven groups the cellular and molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance (MOC) accounting for the failure of CRC response to the pharmacological treatment. Abstract The unsatisfactory response of colorectal cancer (CRC) to pharmacological treatment contributes to the substantial global health burden caused by this disease. Over the last few decades, CRC has become the cause of more than 800,000 deaths per year. The reason is a combination of two factors: (i) the late cancer detection, which is being partially solved by the implementation of mass screening of adults over age 50, permitting earlier diagnosis and treatment; (ii) the inadequate response of advanced unresectable tumors (i.e., stages III and IV) to pharmacological therapy. The latter is due to the existence of complex mechanisms of chemoresistance (MOCs) that interact and synergize with each other, rendering CRC cells strongly refractory to the available pharmacological regimens based on conventional chemotherapy, such as pyrimidine analogs (5-fluorouracil, capecitabine, trifluridine, and tipiracil), oxaliplatin, and irinotecan, as well as drugs targeted toward tyrosine kinase receptors (regorafenib, aflibercept, bevacizumab, cetuximab, panitumumab, and ramucirumab), and, more recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, ipilimumab, and pembrolizumab). In the present review, we have inventoried the genes involved in the lack of CRC response to pharmacological treatment, classifying them into seven groups (from MOC-1 to MOC-7) according to functional criteria to identify cancer cell weaknesses. This classification will be useful to pave the way for developing sensitizing tools consisting of (i) new agents to be co-administered with the active drug; (ii) pharmacological approaches, such as drug encapsulation (e.g., into labeled liposomes or exosomes); (iii) gene therapy interventions aimed at restoring the impaired function of some proteins (e.g., uptake transporters and tumor suppressors) or abolishing that of others (such as export pumps and oncogenes).
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