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Škarková A, Bizzarri M, Janoštiak R, Mašek J, Rosel D, Brábek J. Educate, not kill: treating cancer without triggering its defenses. Trends Mol Med 2024:S1471-4914(24)00091-1. [PMID: 38658206 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.04.003] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Traditionally, anticancer therapies focus on restraining uncontrolled proliferation. However, these cytotoxic therapies expose cancer cells to direct killing, instigating the process of natural selection favoring survival of resistant cells that become the foundation for tumor progression and therapy failure. Recognizing this phenomenon has prompted the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. Here we propose strategies targeting cancer hallmarks beyond proliferation, aiming at re-educating cancer cells towards a less malignant phenotype. These strategies include controlling cell dormancy, transdifferentiation therapy, normalizing the cancer microenvironment, and using migrastatic therapy. Adaptive resistance to these educative strategies does not confer a direct proliferative advantage to resistant cells, as non-resistant cells are not subject to eradication, thereby delaying or preventing the development of therapy-resistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Škarková
- Department of Cell Biology, BIOCEV, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Mariano Bizzarri
- System Biology Group Laboratory, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Radoslav Janoštiak
- First Faculty of Medicine, BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Mašek
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Rosel
- Department of Cell Biology, BIOCEV, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Brábek
- Department of Cell Biology, BIOCEV, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vestec, Czech Republic.
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Pensotti A, Bizzarri M, Bertolaso M. The phenotypic reversion of cancer: Experimental evidences on cancer reversibility through epigenetic mechanisms (Review). Oncol Rep 2024; 51:48. [PMID: 38275101 PMCID: PMC10835663 DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8707] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Different experimental models reveal that malignant cancer cells can be induced to change their phenotype into a benign one. This phenotypic transformation, confirmed both in vitro and in vivo, currently is known as 'tumor reversion'. This evidence raises a radical question among current cancer models: Is cancer reversible? How do genetic and epigenetic alterations hierarchically relate? Understanding the mechanisms of 'tumor reversion' represents a key point in order to evolve the actual cancer models and develop new heuristic models that can possibly lead to drugs that target epigenetic mechanisms, for example epigenetic drugs. Even though evidence of tumor reversion dates back to the 1950s, this remains a completely new field of research recently re‑discovered thanks to the interest in cell reprogramming research, developmental biology and the increasing understanding of epigenetic mechanisms. In the current review, a comprehensive review of all the main experimental models on tumor reversion was presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pensotti
- Research Unit of Philosophy of Science and Human Development, University Campus Bio‑Medico of Rome, I‑00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariano Bizzarri
- Systems Biology Group Lab, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, I‑00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Bertolaso
- Research Unit of Philosophy of Science and Human Development, University Campus Bio‑Medico of Rome, I‑00128 Rome, Italy
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Pensotti A, Bertolaso M, Bizzarri M. Is Cancer Reversible? Rethinking Carcinogenesis Models-A New Epistemological Tool. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050733. [PMID: 37238604 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050733] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing number of studies shows that it is possible to induce a phenotypic transformation of cancer cells from malignant to benign. This process is currently known as "tumor reversion". However, the concept of reversibility hardly fits the current cancer models, according to which gene mutations are considered the primary cause of cancer. Indeed, if gene mutations are causative carcinogenic factors, and if gene mutations are irreversible, how long should cancer be considered as an irreversible process? In fact, there is some evidence that intrinsic plasticity of cancerous cells may be therapeutically exploited to promote a phenotypic reprogramming, both in vitro and in vivo. Not only are studies on tumor reversion highlighting a new, exciting research approach, but they are also pushing science to look for new epistemological tools capable of better modeling cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pensotti
- Research Unit of Philosophy of Science and Human Development, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
- Systems Biology Group Lab, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Bertolaso
- Research Unit of Philosophy of Science and Human Development, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariano Bizzarri
- Systems Biology Group Lab, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Kim LH, Kim JY, Xu YY, Lim MA, Koo BS, Kim JH, Yoon SE, Kim YJ, Choi KW, Chang JW, Hong ST. Tctp, a unique Ing5-binding partner, inhibits the chromatin binding of Enok in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2218361120. [PMID: 37014852 PMCID: PMC10104566 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2218361120] [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: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The MOZ/MORF histone acetyltransferase complex is highly conserved in eukaryotes and controls transcription, development, and tumorigenesis. However, little is known about how its chromatin localization is regulated. Inhibitor of growth 5 (ING5) tumor suppressor is a subunit of the MOZ/MORF complex. Nevertheless, the in vivo function of ING5 remains unclear. Here, we report an antagonistic interaction between Drosophila Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) (Tctp) and ING5 (Ing5) required for chromatin localization of the MOZ/MORF (Enok) complex and H3K23 acetylation. Yeast two-hybrid screening using Tctp identified Ing5 as a unique binding partner. In vivo, Ing5 controlled differentiation and down-regulated epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, whereas it is required in the Yorkie (Yki) pathway to determine organ size. Ing5 and Enok mutants promoted tumor-like tissue overgrowth when combined with uncontrolled Yki activity. Tctp depletion rescued the abnormal phenotypes of the Ing5 mutation and increased the nuclear translocation of Ing5 and chromatin binding of Enok. Nonfunctional Enok promoted the nuclear translocation of Ing5 by reducing Tctp, indicating a feedback mechanism between Tctp, Ing5, and Enok to regulate histone acetylation. Therefore, Tctp is essential for H3K23 acetylation by controlling the nuclear translocation of Ing5 and chromatin localization of Enok, providing insights into the roles of human TCTP and ING5-MOZ/MORF in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee-Hyang Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja-Young Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Ying Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Ae Lim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Bon Seok Koo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hae Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Eun Yoon
- Korea Drosophila Resource Center, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Joon Kim
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Wook Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, Daejeon34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Won Chang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Tae Hong
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon35015, Republic of Korea
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Le Moigne R, Subra F, Karam M, Auclair C. The β-Carboline Harmine Induces Actin Dynamic Remodeling and Abrogates the Malignant Phenotype in Tumorigenic Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051168. [PMID: 32397195 PMCID: PMC7290983 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that alteration of actin remodeling plays a pivotal role in the regulation of morphologic and phenotypic changes leading to malignancy. In the present study, we searched for drugs that can regulate actin polymerization and reverse the malignant phenotype in cancer cells. We developed a cell-free high-throughput screening assay for the identification of compounds that induce the actin polymerization in vitro, by fluorescence anisotropy. Then, the potential of the hit compound to restore the actin cytoskeleton and reverse the malignant phenotype was checked in EWS-Fli1-transformed fibroblasts and in B16-F10 melanoma cells. A β-carboline extracted from Peganum harmala (i.e., harmine) is identified as a stimulator of actin polymerization through a mechanism independent of actin binding and requiring intracellular factors involved in a process that regulates actin kinetics. Treatment of malignant cells with non-cytotoxic concentrations of harmine induces the recovery of a non-malignant cell morphology accompanied by reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, rescued cell–cell adhesion, inhibition of cell motility and loss of anchorage-independent growth. In conclusion, harmine induces the reversion of the malignant phenotype by a process involving the modulation of actin dynamics and is a potential anti-tumor agent acting principally through a non-cytotoxic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronan Le Moigne
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS UMR 8113, Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliquée, 94230 Cachan, France; (R.L.M.); (F.S.)
| | - Frédéric Subra
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS UMR 8113, Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliquée, 94230 Cachan, France; (R.L.M.); (F.S.)
| | - Manale Karam
- AC Bioscience, Innovation Park, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1024 Ecublens, Switzerland;
| | - Christian Auclair
- AC Bioscience, Innovation Park, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1024 Ecublens, Switzerland;
- Département de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, 94230 Cachan, France
- Correspondence:
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Gonzalez-Guerrico AM, Espinoza I, Schroeder B, Park CH, Kvp CM, Khurana A, Corominas-Faja B, Cuyàs E, Alarcón T, Kleer C, Menendez JA, Lupu R. Suppression of endogenous lipogenesis induces reversion of the malignant phenotype and normalized differentiation in breast cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:71151-71168. [PMID: 27223424 PMCID: PMC5342069 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The correction of specific signaling defects can reverse the oncogenic phenotype of tumor cells by acting in a dominant manner over the cancer genome. Unfortunately, there have been very few successful attempts at identifying the primary cues that could redirect malignant tissues to a normal phenotype. Here we show that suppression of the lipogenic enzyme fatty acid synthase (FASN) leads to stable reversion of the malignant phenotype and normalizes differentiation in a model of breast cancer (BC) progression. FASN knockdown dramatically reduced tumorigenicity of BC cells and restored tissue architecture, which was reminiscent of normal ductal-like structures in the mammary gland. Loss of FASN signaling was sufficient to direct tumors to a reversed phenotype that was near normal when considering the development of polarized growth-arrested acinar-like structure similar to those formed by nonmalignant breast cells in a 3D reconstituted basement membrane in vitro. This process, in vivo, resulted in a low proliferation index, mesenchymal-epithelial transition, and shut-off of the angiogenic switch in FASN-depleted BC cells orthotopically implanted into mammary fat pads. The role of FASN as a negative regulator of correct breast tissue architecture and terminal epithelial cell differentiation was dominant over the malignant phenotype of tumor cells possessing multiple cancer-driving genetic lesions as it remained stable during the course of serial in vivo passage of orthotopic tumor-derived cells. Transient knockdown of FASN suppressed hallmark structural and cytosolic/secretive proteins (vimentin, N-cadherin, fibronectin) in a model of EMT-induced cancer stem cells (CSC). Indirect pharmacological inhibition of FASN promoted a phenotypic switch from basal- to luminal-like tumorsphere architectures with reduced intrasphere heterogeneity. The fact that sole correction of exacerbated lipogenesis can stably reprogram cancer cells back to normal-like tissue architectures might open a new avenue to chronically restrain BC progression by using FASN-based differentiation therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatilde M Gonzalez-Guerrico
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ingrid Espinoza
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Barbara Schroeder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Cheol Hong Park
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Chandra Mohan Kvp
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ashwani Khurana
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Bruna Corominas-Faja
- ProCURE (Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance), Metabolism and Cancer Group, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Girona, Catalonia, Spain.,Molecular Oncology Group, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Girona, Spain
| | - Elisabet Cuyàs
- ProCURE (Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance), Metabolism and Cancer Group, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Girona, Catalonia, Spain.,Molecular Oncology Group, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Girona, Spain
| | - Tomás Alarcón
- Computational and Mathematical Biology Research Group, Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM), Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Matemàtiques, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain.,ICREA (Institució Catalana d'Estudis i Recerca Avançats), Barcelona, Spain.,Barcelona Graduate School of Mathematics (BGSMath), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Celina Kleer
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Javier A Menendez
- ProCURE (Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance), Metabolism and Cancer Group, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Girona, Catalonia, Spain.,Molecular Oncology Group, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Girona, Spain
| | - Ruth Lupu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA
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