Hepatocellular carcinoma: Gene expression profiling and regulation of xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochromes P450

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a highly prevalent and deadly disease, being among the top causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite the fact that the liver is the major site of biotransformation, studies on drug metabolizing enzymes in HCC are scarce. It is known that malignant transformation of hepatocytes leads to a significant alteration of their metabolic functions and overall deregulation of gene expression. Advanced stages of the disease are thus frequently associated with liver failure, and severe alteration of drug metabolism. However, the impact of dysregulation of metabolic enzymes on therapeutic efficacy and toxicity in HCC patients is largely unknown. Here we demonstrate a significant down-regulation in European Caucasian patients of cytochromes P450 (CYPs), the major xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, in HCC tumour samples as compared to their surrounding non-cancerous (reference) tissue. Moreover, we report for the first time the association of the unique CYP profiles with specific transcriptome changes, and interesting correlations with expression levels of nuclear receptors and with the histological grade of the tumours. Integrated analysis has suggested certain co-expression profiles of CYPs with lncRNAs that need to be further characterized. Patients with large tumours with down-regulated CYPs could be more vulnerable to drug toxicity; on the other hand, such tumours would eliminate drugs more slowly and should be more sensitive to pharmacotherapy (except in the case of pro-drugs where activation is necessary).

Aberrant DR5 transport through disruption of lysosomal function suggests a novel mechanism for receptor activation

To examine reciprocal or unilateral implications between two cell destruction processes, autophagy and apoptosis, in 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated tumor cells, a combination of chemical inhibitors, RNAi and genetic approaches were used. In contrast to cancer cells harboring obstructed apoptosis, either at the DISC or the mitochondrial level, p53-deficiency generated signs of autophagy deregulation upon chemotherapy. On the other, hand disruption of lysosomal function by chloroquine, caused a profound decrease in apoptotic markers appearing in response to 5-FU. DR5, which is essential for 5-FU-induced apoptosis, accumulated in lysosomes and autophagosomes upon chloroquine treatment. Since neither 3-MA, RNAi of critical autophagy regulators or inhibition of cathepsins reversed apoptosis in a similar manner, it is likely that not autophagy per se but rather correct receptor transport is an important factor for 5-FU cytotoxicity. We found that apoptosis generated by TRAIL, the cognate ligand for DR5, remained unchanged upon chloroquine lysosomal interference, indicating that 5-FU activates the receptor by a discrete mechanism. In support, depletion of membrane cholesterol or hampering cholesterol transport drastically reduced 5-FU cytotoxicity. We conclude that targeting of lysosomes by chloroquine deregulates DR5 trafficking and abrogates 5-FU- but not TRAIL-stimulated cell elimination, hence suggesting a novel mechanism for receptor activation.

Regulation of the metabolism of polyunsaturated Fatty acids and butyrate in colon cancer cells

Experimental and epidemiological evidence supports the idea that dietary fat and fiber influence colon carcinogenesis. Particularly, their components, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and butyrate, have been proven to exhibit beneficial effects on colon epithelial cell metabolism, signaling, and kinetics, thus preventing colon inflammation and cancer. Moreover, these effects may be strengthened by PUFA and butyrate combination. It appears that administration of these compounds might be a relatively nontoxic form of supportive therapy improving cancer treatment outcomes and slowing down or preventing recurrence of certain types of cancer. However, their efficient application has to be based on solid scientific evidence of their mechanisms of action from the molecular and cellular to the organismal level. In this review, we emphasize the role of lipids and their metabolism during tumor development, describe some important mechanisms considering cellular and molecular levels of PUFA and butyrate action in colon epithelial cells, and particularly focus on the interaction of their metabolism and the signaling pathways with respect to the differences in response of normal and cancer colon cells.

Inhibition of vacuolar ATPase attenuates the TRAIL-induced activation of caspase-8 and modulates the trafficking of TRAIL receptosomes

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL), a membrane-bound ligand from the TNF family, has attracted significant attention due to its rather specific and effective ability to induce apoptotic death in various types of cancer cells via binding to and activating its pro-apoptotic death receptors. However, a significant number of primary cancer cells often develop resistance to TRAIL treatment, and the signalling platform behind this phenomenon is not fully understood. Upon blocking endosomal acidification by the vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) inhibitors bafilomycin A1 (BafA1) or concanamycin A, we observed a significantly reduced initial sensitivity of several, mainly colorectal, tumour cell lines to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In cells pretreated with these inhibitors, the TRAIL-induced processing of caspase-8 and the aggregation and trafficking of the TRAIL receptor complexes were temporarily attenuated. Nuclear factor κB or mitogen activated protein/stress kinase signalling from the activated TRAIL receptors remained unchanged, and neither possible lysosomal permeabilization nor acid sphingomyelinase was involved in this process. The cell surface expression of TRAIL receptors and their TRAIL-induced internalization were not affected by V-ATPase inhibitors. The inhibitory effect of BafA1, however, was blunted by knockdown of the caspase-8 inhibitor cFLIP. Altogether, the data obtained provide the first evidence that endosomal acidification could represent an important regulatory node in the proximal part of TRAIL-induced pro-apoptotic signalling.

Docosahexaenoic fatty acid (DHA) in the regulation of colon cell growth and cell death: a review

BACKGROUND

Experimental, epidemiological and clinical data substantiate the beneficial role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in preventing inflammation and cancer of the colon. This review covers the unsaturated docosahexaenoic fatty acid (DHA), describes some of its important cellular and molecular mechanisms, its interaction with another dietary lipid, butyrate and with endogenous apoptotic regulators of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family. We also discuss the clinical impact of this knowledge and the use of these lipids in colon cancer prevention and treatment.

RESULTS

From the literature, DHA has been shown to suppress the growth, induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells in vitro and decrease the incidence and growth of experimental tumours in vivo. Based on these data and our own experimental results, we describe and discuss the possible mechanisms of DHA anticancer effects at various levels of cell organization. We show that DHA can sensitize colon cancer cells to other chemotherapeutic/chemopreventive agents and affect the action of physiological apoptotic regulators of the TNF family.

CONCLUSION

Use of n-3 PUFAs could be a relatively non-toxic form of supportive therapy for improving colon cancer treatment and slowing down or preventing its recurrence. However, it is necessary to use them with caution, based on solid scientific evidence of their mechanisms of action from the molecular to the cellular and organism levels.