scholarly journals The Emerging Role of MicroRNAs in Regulating the Drug Response of Cholangiocarcinoma

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1396
Author(s):  
Wen-Kuan Huang ◽  
Chun-Nan Yeh
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Targeted Therapy ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the most common biliary malignancy, and has a poor prognosis. The median overall survival with the standard-of-care chemotherapy (Gemcitabine and cisplatin) in patients with advanced-stage CCA is less than one year. The limited efficacy of chemotherapy or targeted therapy remains a major obstacle to improving survival. The mechanisms involved in drug resistance are complex. Research efforts focusing on the distinct molecular mechanisms underlying drug resistance should prompt the development of treatment strategies that overcome chemoresistance or targeted drug resistance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of evolutionarily conserved, short noncoding RNAs regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Dysregulated miRNAs have been shown to participate in almost all CCA hallmarks, including cell proliferation, migration and invasion, apoptosis, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Emerging evidence demonstrates that miRNAs play a role in regulating responses to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Herein, we present an overview of the current knowledge on the miRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms underlying drug resistance among CCA. We also discuss the application of miRNA-based therapeutics to CCA, providing the basis for innovative treatment approaches.

scholarly journals Molecular mechanisms underpinning sarcomas and implications for current and future therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Damerell ◽  
Michael S. Pepper ◽  
Sharon Prince
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Mesenchymal To Epithelial Transition ◽  
Cells Of Origin ◽  
Novel Treatment Strategies ◽  
Future Therapy

AbstractSarcomas are complex mesenchymal neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Their clinical management is highly challenging due to their heterogeneity and insensitivity to current treatments. Although there have been advances in understanding specific genomic alterations and genetic mutations driving sarcomagenesis, the underlying molecular mechanisms, which are likely to be unique for each sarcoma subtype, are not fully understood. This is in part due to a lack of consensus on the cells of origin, but there is now mounting evidence that they originate from mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs). To identify novel treatment strategies for sarcomas, research in recent years has adopted a mechanism-based search for molecular markers for targeted therapy which has included recapitulating sarcomagenesis using in vitro and in vivo MSC models. This review provides a comprehensive up to date overview of the molecular mechanisms that underpin sarcomagenesis, the contribution of MSCs to modelling sarcomagenesis in vivo, as well as novel topics such as the role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT)/mesenchymal-to-epithelial-transition (MET) plasticity, exosomes, and microRNAs in sarcomagenesis. It also reviews current therapeutic options including ongoing pre-clinical and clinical studies for targeted sarcoma therapy and discusses new therapeutic avenues such as targeting recently identified molecular pathways and key transcription factors.

scholarly journals Molecular mechanisms of epithelial to mesenchymal transition in tumor metastasis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artur Nieszporek ◽  
Klaudia Skrzypek ◽  
Grazyna Adamek ◽  
Marcin Majka
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Signaling Networks ◽  
Mesenchymal Phenotype ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Growth Activation ◽  
Metastatic Sites

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process during which cancer cells lose epithelial features, cytoskeletal architecture is re-organized, cell shape changes and cells activate genes that help to define mesenchymal phenotype, what leads to an increased cell motility and dissemination of tumor to distant metastatic sites. This review describes different signaling networks between microRNAs and proteins that regulate EMT in tumor growth. Activation of EMT is mediated via series of paracrine signaling molecules. WNT, TGF-b, NOTCH and Shh signaling pathways play crucial roles in activation of EMT-related transcription factors, such as SNAIL, SLUG, ZEB1/2 or TWIST. Recent data provide evidence that crosstalk between microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and EMT-transcription factors is crucial event in EMT regulation. MicroRNAs affect also level of proteins responsible for cellular contact, adhesion and cytoskeletal proteins, what induces changes of epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype. Understanding of those signaling networks may help to identify novel biomarkers or develop new treatment strategies based on microRNA therapeutics in future.

scholarly journals Downregulation of NEAT1 sensitizes gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine through modulation of the miR-506-3p/ZEB2/EMT axis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaowei Fu ◽  
Xueqiang Deng ◽  
Weidong Xiao ◽  
Bo Huang ◽  
Xuan Yi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Mouse Xenograft ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Mouse Xenograft Model ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract BackgroundChemoresistance is a major cause of treatment failure in pancreatic cancer (PC). It has been demonstrated that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is closely related to drug resistance in PC; however, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Recently found evidence has suggested that nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) is involved in the development of chemoresistance. However, the role and mechanism of NEAT1 in PC gemcitabine resistance remain unknown.MethodsTwo independent gemcitabine-resistant (GR) PC cell lines, PANC-1/GR and SW1990/GR, were established. Transwell assays were used to validate whether GR cells acquired EMT. qRT-PCR and western blot were performed to detect the expression levels of NEAT1, miR-506-3p, and ZEB2 in GR cells. MTT and cell apoptosis assays were conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of GR cells to gemcitabine. Rescue experiments were employed to investigate whether NEAT1 mediates drug resistance of GR cells through modulation of the miR-506-3p/ZEB2/EMT axis. Furthermore, a mouse xenograft model was established to confirm these findings.ResultsGR cells displayed markedly enhanced migration and invasion abilities, decreased expression of E-cadherin, and upregulation of N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, ZEB1, and ZEB2. Furthermore, elevated expression of NEAT1 was observed in GR cells. Downregulation of NEAT1 sensitized GR cells to gemcitabine. More importantly, we demonstrated that downregulation of NEAT1 enhanced the sensitivity of GR cells to gemcitabine by reversing the EMT process. NEAT1 regulated ZEB2 expression by sponging miR-506-3p, and the function of NEAT1 in GR cells was dependent on miR-506-3p. These findings were further confirmed in a nude mouse xenograft model.ConclusionsTaken together, downregulation of NEAT1 sensitized the GR PC cells to gemcitabine through modulation of the miR-506-3p/ZEB2/EMT axis. These results provide a new direction for improving the chemotherapeutic effects in PC.

The Anticancer Properties of Silibinin: Its Molecular Mechanism and Therapeutic Effect in Breast Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 1787-1796
Author(s):  
Agata Binienda ◽  
Sylwia Ziolkowska ◽  
Elzbieta Pluciennik
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Anticancer Properties ◽  
Main Component ◽  
Inhibit Cell Proliferation ◽  
Inflammatory Effect

Background: Silibinin (SB), the main component of Silymarin (SM), is a natural substance obtained from the seeds of the milk thistle. SM contains up to 70% of SB as two isoforms: A and B. It has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect on hepatocytes and is known to inhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and curb angiogenesis. SB has demonstrated activity against many cancers, such as skin, liver, lung, bladder, and breast carcinomas. Methods: his review presents current knowledge of the use of SM in breast cancer, this being one of the most common types of cancer in women. It describes selected molecular mechanisms of the action of SM; for example, although SB influences both Estrogen Receptors (ER), α and β, it has opposite effects on the two. Its action on ERα influences the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAS/ERK signaling pathways, while by up-regulating ERβ, it increases the numbers of apoptotic cells. In addition, ERα is involved in SB-induced autophagy, while ERβ is not. Interestingly, SB also inhibits metastasis by suppressing TGF-β2 expression, thus suppressing Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). It also influences migration and invasive potential via the Jak2/STAT3 pathway. Results: SB may be a promising enhancement of BC treatment: when combined with chemotherapeutic drugs such as carboplatin, cisplatin, and doxorubicin, the combination exerts a synergistic effect against cancer cells. This may be of value when treating aggressive types of mammary carcinoma. Conclusion: Summarizing, SB inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and restrains metastasis via several mechanisms. It is possible to combine SB with different anticancer drugs, an approach that represents a promising therapeutic strategy for patients suffering from BC.

scholarly journals Multifunctional Roles of miR-34a in Cancer: A Review with the Emphasis on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Thyroid Cancer with Clinical Implications

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 563
Author(s):  
David Kalfert ◽  
Marie Ludvikova ◽  
Martin Pesta ◽  
Jaroslav Ludvik ◽  
Lucie Dostalova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Squamous Carcinoma ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

MiR-34a belongs to the class of small non-coding regulatory RNAs and functions as a tumor suppressor. Under physiological conditions, miR-34a has an inhibitory effect on all processes related to cell proliferation by targeting many proto-oncogenes and silencing them on the post-transcriptional level. However, deregulation of miR-34a was shown to play important roles in tumorigenesis and processes associated with cancer progression, such as tumor-associated epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, further understanding of miR-34a molecular mechanisms in cancer are indispensable for the development of effective diagnosis and treatments. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on miR-34a functions in human disease with an emphasis on its regulation and dysregulation, its role in human cancer, specifically head and neck squamous carcinoma and thyroid cancer, and emerging role as a disease diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and the novel therapeutic target in oncology.

scholarly journals Repurposing Penfluridol in Combination with Temozolomide for the Treatment of Glioblastoma

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim ◽  
Chong ◽  
Ryu ◽  
Park ◽  
Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Antitumor Effect ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Antipsychotic Agent ◽  
Therapeutic Modality ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Despite the presence of aggressive treatment strategies, glioblastoma remains intractable, warranting a novel therapeutic modality. An oral antipsychotic agent, penflurido (PFD), used for schizophrenia treatment, has shown an antitumor effect on various types of cancer cells. As glioma sphere-forming cells (GSCs) are known to mediate drug resistance in glioblastoma, and considering that antipsychotics can easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier, we investigated the antitumor effect of PFD on patient-derived GSCs. Using five GSCs, we found that PFD exerts an antiproliferative effect in a time- and dose-dependent manner. At IC50, spheroid size and second-generation spheroid formation were significantly suppressed. Stemness factors, SOX2 and OCT4, were decreased. PFD treatment reduced cancer cell migration and invasion by reducing the Integrin α6 and uPAR levels and suppression of the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) factors, vimentin and Zeb1. GLI1 was found to be involved in PFD-induced EMT inhibition. Furthermore, combinatorial treatment of PFD with temozolomide (TMZ) significantly suppressed tumor growth and prolonged survival in vivo. Immunostaining revealed decreased expression of GLI1, SOX2, and vimentin in the PFD treatment group but not in the TMZ-only treatment group. Therefore, PFD can be effectively repurposed for the treatment of glioblastoma by combining it with TMZ.

scholarly journals Emerging Roles of DDB2 in Cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (20) ◽  
pp. 5168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Gilson ◽  
Guillaume Drouot ◽  
Andréa Witz ◽  
Jean-Louis Merlin ◽  
Philippe Becuwe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Excision Repair ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Cell Formation ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Clinical Consequences ◽  
Cycle Regulation

Damage-specific DNA-binding protein 2 (DDB2) was originally identified as a DNA damage recognition factor that facilitates global genomic nucleotide excision repair (GG-NER) in human cells. DDB2 also contributes to other essential biological processes such as chromatin remodeling, gene transcription, cell cycle regulation, and protein decay. Recently, the potential of DDB2 in the development and progression of various cancers has been described. DDB2 activity occurs at several stages of carcinogenesis including cancer cell proliferation, survival, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, migration and invasion, angiogenesis, and cancer stem cell formation. In this review, we focus on the current state of scientific knowledge regarding DDB2 biological effects in tumor development and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We also provide insights into the clinical consequences of DDB2 activity in cancers.

scholarly journals Standard of Care and Promising New Agents for the Treatment of Mesenchymal Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1080
Author(s):  
Silvia Mezi ◽  
Andrea Botticelli ◽  
Giulia Pomati ◽  
Bruna Cerbelli ◽  
Simone Scagnoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative Breast Cancer ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Expression Of Genes

The pathologic definition of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) relies on the absence of expression of estrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors. However, this BC subgroup is distinguished by a wide biological, molecular and clinical heterogeneity. Among the intrinsic TNBC subtypes, the mesenchymal type is defined by the expression of genes involved in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition, stromal interaction and cell motility. Moreover, it shows a high expression of genes involved in proliferation and an immune-suppressive microenvironment. Several molecular alterations along different pathways activated during carcinogenesis and tumor progression have been outlined and could be involved in immune evasion mechanisms. Furthermore, reverting epithelial to mesenchymal transition process could lead to the overcoming of immune-resistance. This paper reviews the current knowledge regarding the mesenchymal TNBC subtype and its response to conventional therapeutic strategies, as well as to some promising molecular target agents and immunotherapy. The final goal is a tailored combination of cytotoxic drugs, target agents and immunotherapy in order to restore immunocompetence in mesenchymal breast cancer patients.

scholarly journals Defining the Role of GLI/Hedgehog Signaling in Chemoresistance: Implications in Therapeutic Approaches

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 4746
Author(s):  
Jian Yi Chai ◽  
Vaisnevee Sugumar ◽  
Ahmed F. Alshanon ◽  
Won Fen Wong ◽  
Shin Yee Fung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Hh Signaling

Insight into cancer signaling pathways is vital in the development of new cancer treatments to improve treatment efficacy. A relatively new but essential developmental signaling pathway, namely Hedgehog (Hh), has recently emerged as a major mediator of cancer progression and chemoresistance. The evolutionary conserved Hh signaling pathway requires an in-depth understanding of the paradigm of Hh signaling transduction, which is fundamental to provide the necessary means for the design of novel tools for treating cancer related to aberrant Hh signaling. This review will focus substantially on the canonical Hh signaling and the treatment strategies employed in different studies, with special emphasis on the molecular mechanisms and combination treatment in regard to Hh inhibitors and chemotherapeutics. We discuss our views based on Hh signaling’s role in regulating DNA repair machinery, autophagy, tumor microenvironment, drug inactivation, transporters, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and cancer stem cells to promote chemoresistance. The understanding of this Achilles’ Heel in cancer may improve the therapeutic outcome for cancer therapy.

scholarly journals Down-Regulation of MiR-181c-5p Promotes Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Targeting SERPINE1

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Li ◽  
Ping Wu ◽  
Yaoyun Tang ◽  
Yuhua Fan ◽  
Yalan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Migration ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Enhancement Effect ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) arises from the squamous epithelium of the larynx and is associated with a high incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in the epigenetic regulation of cellular biological processes, including cancer metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms of specific miRNAs responsible for LSCC metastasis and their clinical significance have yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, LSCC cohort datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were downloaded and examined by comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, which revealed that upregulation of mRNA SERPINE1 and downregulation of miR-181c-5p were associated with unfavorable overall survival. Our analysis showed that SERPINE1 expression negatively correlated with the expression level of miR-181c-5p in our LSCC patient samples. Silencing of miR-181c-5p expression promoted cell migration and invasion in cell lines, whereas the overexpression of miR-181c-5p suppressed cell migration and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through the downregulation of SERPINE1. Further analysis showed that the enhancement effect on EMT and metastasis induced by silencing miR-181c-5p could be rescued through knockdown of SERPINE1 expression in vitro. Collectively, our findings indicated that miR-181c-5p acted as an EMT suppressor miRNA by downregulation of SERPINE1 in LSCC and offers novel strategies for the prevention of metastasis in LSCC.

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