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Souza VGP, Telkar N, Lam WL, Reis PP. Comprehensive Analysis of Lung Adenocarcinoma and Brain Metastasis through Integrated Single-Cell Transcriptomics. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3779. [PMID: 38612588 PMCID: PMC11012108 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073779] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a highly prevalent and lethal form of lung cancer, comprising approximately half of all cases. It is often diagnosed at advanced stages with brain metastasis (BM), resulting in high mortality rates. Current BM management involves complex interventions and conventional therapies that offer limited survival benefits with neurotoxic side effects. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex system where cancer cells interact with various elements, significantly influencing tumor behavior. Immunotherapies, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, target the TME for cancer treatment. Despite their effectiveness, it is crucial to understand metastatic lung cancer and the specific characteristics of the TME, including cell-cell communication mechanisms, to refine treatments. Herein, we investigated the tumor microenvironment of brain metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD-BM) and primary tumors across various stages (I, II, III, and IV) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) from publicly available datasets. Our analysis included exploring the immune and non-immune cell composition and the expression profiles and functions of cell type-specific genes, and investigating the interactions between different cells within the TME. Our results showed that T cells constitute the majority of immune cells present in primary tumors, whereas microglia represent the most dominant immune cell type in BM. Interestingly, microglia exhibit a significant increase in the COX pathway. Moreover, we have shown that microglia primarily interact with oligodendrocytes and endothelial cells. One significant interaction was identified between DLL4 and NOTCH4, which demonstrated a relevant association between endothelial cells and microglia and between microglia and oligodendrocytes. Finally, we observed that several genes within the HLA complex are suppressed in BM tissue. Our study reveals the complex molecular and cellular dynamics of BM-LUAD, providing a path for improved patient outcomes with personalized treatments and immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa G. P. Souza
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Nikita Telkar
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Wan L. Lam
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Patricia P. Reis
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
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2
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Souza VGP, Forder A, Pewarchuk ME, Telkar N, de Araujo RP, Stewart GL, Vieira J, Reis PP, Lam WL. The Complex Role of the Microbiome in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Development and Progression. Cells 2023; 12:2801. [PMID: 38132121 PMCID: PMC10741843 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242801] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the relationship between microorganisms in the surrounding environment and cancer cells. While the tumor microenvironment predominantly comprises cancer cells, stromal cells, and immune cells, emerging research highlights the significant contributions of microbial cells to tumor development and progression. Although the impact of the gut microbiome on treatment response in lung cancer is well established, recent investigations indicate complex roles of lung microbiota in lung cancer. This article focuses on recent findings on the human lung microbiome and its impacts in cancer development and progression. We delve into the characteristics of the lung microbiome and its influence on lung cancer development. Additionally, we explore the characteristics of the intratumoral microbiome, the metabolic interactions between lung tumor cells, and how microorganism-produced metabolites can contribute to cancer progression. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive review of the current literature on the lung microbiome and its implications for the metastatic potential of tumor cells. Additionally, this review discusses the potential for therapeutic modulation of the microbiome to establish lung cancer prevention strategies and optimize lung cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa G. P. Souza
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil (P.P.R.)
| | - Aisling Forder
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | | | - Nikita Telkar
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Rachel Paes de Araujo
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil (P.P.R.)
| | - Greg L. Stewart
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Juliana Vieira
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Patricia P. Reis
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil (P.P.R.)
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | - Wan L. Lam
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
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3
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Minutentag IW, Seneda AL, Barros-Filhos MC, de Carvalho M, Souza VGP, Hasimoto CN, Moraes MPT, Marchi FA, Lam WL, Reis PP, Drigo SA. Discovery of Novel miRNAs in Colorectal Cancer: Potential Biological Roles and Clinical Utility. Noncoding RNA 2023; 9:65. [PMID: 37987361 PMCID: PMC10660700 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna9060065] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Deregulated miRNAs are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), with alterations depending on the tumor location. Novel tissue-specific miRNAs have been identified in different tumors and are associated with cancer. We used miRMaster to identify novel miRNAs in CRC from the TCGA and GEO data (discovery and validation groups). We used TCGA data from five tissues to analyze miRNA tissue specificity. miRDB was used to predict miRNA targets, and the UCSC Xena Browser was used to evaluate target expression. After successive analyses, we identified 15 novel miRNAs with the same expression patterns in CRC in both the discovery and validation groups. Four molecules (nov-miR-13844-5p, nov-miR-7154-5p, nov-miR-5035-3p, and nov-miR-590-5p) were differentially expressed in proximal and distal CRC. The nov-miR-3345-5p and nov-miR-13172-3p, which are upregulated in tumors, are only expressed in colorectal tissues. These molecules have been linked to a worse prognosis in right-sided colon and rectal carcinomas. An analysis revealed an association between eight novel miRNAs and 81 targets, mostly cancer-related genes, with varying expression based on tumor location. These findings provide new miRNAs with potential biological relevance, molecular biomarkers, and therapeutic targets for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iael Weissberg Minutentag
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil; (A.L.S.); (C.N.H.)
- Experimental Research Unity (UNIPEX), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil;
| | - Ana Laura Seneda
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil; (A.L.S.); (C.N.H.)
- Experimental Research Unity (UNIPEX), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil;
| | - Mateus C. Barros-Filhos
- Centro Internacional de Pesquisa (CIPE)—A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01508-010, Brazil
| | - Márcio de Carvalho
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Vanessa G. P. Souza
- Experimental Research Unity (UNIPEX), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil;
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Claudia N. Hasimoto
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil; (A.L.S.); (C.N.H.)
| | - Marcelo P. T. Moraes
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil; (A.L.S.); (C.N.H.)
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Fabio A. Marchi
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Medical School and São Paulo State Cancer Institute (ICESP), University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Wan L. Lam
- British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Patricia P. Reis
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil; (A.L.S.); (C.N.H.)
- Experimental Research Unity (UNIPEX), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil;
| | - Sandra A. Drigo
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil; (A.L.S.); (C.N.H.)
- Experimental Research Unity (UNIPEX), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil;
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4
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Souza VGP, Forder A, Telkar N, Stewart GL, Carvalho RF, Mur LAJ, Lam WL, Reis PP. Identifying New Contributors to Brain Metastasis in Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Transcriptomic Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4526. [PMID: 37760494 PMCID: PMC10526208 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184526] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung tumors frequently metastasize to the brain. Brain metastasis (BM) is common in advanced cases, and a major cause of patient morbidity and mortality. The precise molecular mechanisms governing BM are still unclear, in part attributed to the rarity of BM specimens. In this work, we compile a unique transcriptomic dataset encompassing RNA-seq, microarray, and single-cell analyses from BM samples obtained from patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). By integrating this comprehensive dataset, we aimed to enhance understanding of the molecular landscape of BM, thereby facilitating the identification of novel and efficient treatment strategies. We identified 102 genes with significantly deregulated expression levels in BM tissues, and discovered transcriptional alterations affecting the key driver 'hub' genes CD69 (a type II C-lectin receptor) and GZMA (Granzyme A), indicating an important role of the immune system in the development of BM from primary LUAD. Our study demonstrated a BM-specific gene expression pattern and revealed the presence of dendritic cells and neutrophils in BM, suggesting an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. These findings highlight key drivers of LUAD-BM that may yield therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa G. P. Souza
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit (UNIPEX), Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (A.F.); (N.T.); (G.L.S.); (W.L.L.)
| | - Aisling Forder
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (A.F.); (N.T.); (G.L.S.); (W.L.L.)
| | - Nikita Telkar
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (A.F.); (N.T.); (G.L.S.); (W.L.L.)
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Greg L. Stewart
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (A.F.); (N.T.); (G.L.S.); (W.L.L.)
| | - Robson F. Carvalho
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, SP, Brazil;
| | - Luis A. J. Mur
- Department of Life Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales SY23 3FL, UK;
| | - Wan L. Lam
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (A.F.); (N.T.); (G.L.S.); (W.L.L.)
| | - Patricia P. Reis
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit (UNIPEX), Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
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5
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Souza VGP, Forder A, Brockley LJ, Pewarchuk ME, Telkar N, de Araújo RP, Trejo J, Benard K, Seneda AL, Minutentag IW, Erkan M, Stewart GL, Hasimoto EN, Garnis C, Lam WL, Martinez VD, Reis PP. Liquid Biopsy in Lung Cancer: Biomarkers for the Management of Recurrence and Metastasis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108894. [PMID: 37240238 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsies have emerged as a promising tool for the detection of metastases as well as local and regional recurrence in lung cancer. Liquid biopsy tests involve analyzing a patient's blood, urine, or other body fluids for the detection of biomarkers, including circulating tumor cells or tumor-derived DNA/RNA that have been shed into the bloodstream. Studies have shown that liquid biopsies can detect lung cancer metastases with high accuracy and sensitivity, even before they are visible on imaging scans. Such tests are valuable for early intervention and personalized treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes. Liquid biopsies are also minimally invasive compared to traditional tissue biopsies, which require the removal of a sample of the tumor for further analysis. This makes liquid biopsies a more convenient and less risky option for patients, particularly those who are not good candidates for invasive procedures due to other medical conditions. While liquid biopsies for lung cancer metastases and relapse are still being developed and validated, they hold great promise for improving the detection and treatment of this deadly disease. Herein, we summarize available and novel approaches to liquid biopsy tests for lung cancer metastases and recurrence detection and describe their applications in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa G P Souza
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Aisling Forder
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Liam J Brockley
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | | | - Nikita Telkar
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Rachel Paes de Araújo
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Jessica Trejo
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Katya Benard
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Ana Laura Seneda
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Iael W Minutentag
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Melis Erkan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Greg L Stewart
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Erica N Hasimoto
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Cathie Garnis
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Wan L Lam
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Victor D Martinez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Patricia P Reis
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP 18618-687, Brazil
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6
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Brockley LJ, Souza VGP, Forder A, Pewarchuk ME, Erkan M, Telkar N, Benard K, Trejo J, Stewart MD, Stewart GL, Reis PP, Lam WL, Martinez VD. Sequence-Based Platforms for Discovering Biomarkers in Liquid Biopsy of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082275. [PMID: 37190212 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082275] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer detection and monitoring are hampered by a lack of sensitive biomarkers, which results in diagnosis at late stages and difficulty in tracking response to treatment. Recent developments have established liquid biopsies as promising non-invasive methods for detecting biomarkers in lung cancer patients. With concurrent advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies and bioinformatics tools, new approaches for biomarker discovery have emerged. In this article, we survey established and emerging biomarker discovery methods using nucleic acid materials derived from bodily fluids in the context of lung cancer. We introduce nucleic acid biomarkers extracted from liquid biopsies and outline biological sources and methods of isolation. We discuss next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms commonly used to identify novel biomarkers and describe how these have been applied to liquid biopsy. We highlight emerging biomarker discovery methods, including applications of long-read sequencing, fragmentomics, whole-genome amplification methods for single-cell analysis, and whole-genome methylation assays. Finally, we discuss advanced bioinformatics tools, describing methods for processing NGS data, as well as recently developed software tailored for liquid biopsy biomarker detection, which holds promise for early diagnosis of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam J Brockley
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Vanessa G P Souza
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | - Aisling Forder
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | | | - Melis Erkan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Nikita Telkar
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Katya Benard
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Jessica Trejo
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Matt D Stewart
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Greg L Stewart
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Patricia P Reis
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
- Department of Surgery and Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | - Wan L Lam
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Victor D Martinez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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7
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Forder A, Zhuang R, Souza VGP, Brockley LJ, Pewarchuk ME, Telkar N, Stewart GL, Benard K, Marshall EA, Reis PP, Lam WL. Mechanisms Contributing to the Comorbidity of COPD and Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032859. [PMID: 36769181 PMCID: PMC9918127 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often co-occur, and individuals with COPD are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer. While the underlying mechanism for this risk is not well understood, its major contributing factors have been proposed to include genomic, immune, and microenvironment dysregulation. Here, we review the evidence and significant studies that explore the mechanisms underlying the heightened lung cancer risk in people with COPD. Genetic and epigenetic changes, as well as the aberrant expression of non-coding RNAs, predispose the lung epithelium to carcinogenesis by altering the expression of cancer- and immune-related genes. Oxidative stress generated by tobacco smoking plays a role in reducing genomic integrity, promoting epithelial-mesenchymal-transition, and generating a chronic inflammatory environment. This leads to abnormal immune responses that promote cancer development, though not all smokers develop lung cancer. Sex differences in the metabolism of tobacco smoke predispose females to developing COPD and accumulating damage from oxidative stress that poses a risk for the development of lung cancer. Dysregulation of the lung microenvironment and microbiome contributes to chronic inflammation, which is observed in COPD and known to facilitate cancer initiation in various tumor types. Further, there is a need to better characterize and identify the proportion of individuals with COPD who are at a high risk for developing lung cancer. We evaluate possible novel and individualized screening strategies, including biomarkers identified in genetic studies and exhaled breath condensate analysis. We also discuss the use of corticosteroids and statins as chemopreventive agents to prevent lung cancer. It is crucial that we optimize the current methods for the early detection and management of lung cancer and COPD in order to improve the health outcomes for a large affected population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisling Forder
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Rebecca Zhuang
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Vanessa G P Souza
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | - Liam J Brockley
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Michelle E Pewarchuk
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Nikita Telkar
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Greg L Stewart
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Katya Benard
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Erin A Marshall
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Patricia P Reis
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Experimental Research Unit, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | - Wan L Lam
- British Columbia Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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