scholarly journals Loss of SNAI2 in Prostate Cancer Correlates With Clinical Response to Androgen Deprivation Therapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 1048-1059
Author(s):  
Marek Cmero ◽  
Natalie J. Kurganovs ◽  
Ryan Stuchbery ◽  
Patrick McCoy ◽  
Corrina Grima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Clinical Response ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Treatment ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

PURPOSE Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is important in prostate cancer progression, and therapies that target this pathway have been the mainstay of treatment for advanced disease for over 70 years. Tumors eventually progress despite castration through a number of well-characterized mechanisms; however, little is known about what determines the magnitude of response to short-term pathway inhibition. METHODS We evaluated a novel combination of AR-targeting therapies (degarelix, abiraterone, and bicalutamide) and noted that the objective patient response to therapy was highly variable. To investigate what was driving treatment resistance in poorly responding patients, as a secondary outcome we comprehensively characterized pre- and post-treatment samples using both whole-genome and RNA sequencing. RESULTS We find that resistance following short-term treatment differs molecularly from typical progressive castration-resistant disease, associated with transcriptional reprogramming, to a transitional epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype rather than an upregulation of AR signaling. Unexpectedly, tolerance to therapy appears to be the default state, with treatment response correlating with the prevalence of tumor cells deficient for SNAI2, a key regulator of EMT reprogramming. CONCLUSION We show that EMT characterizes acutely resistant prostate tumors and that deletion of SNAI2, a key transcriptional regulator of EMT, correlates with clinical response.

miRNA as regulators of prostate carcinogenesis and endocrine and chemoresistance

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoran Culig
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Androgen Independence ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Androgen Synthesis ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

: More therapy options are available for advanced prostate cancer, including novel inhibitors of androgen synthesis, anti-androgens, chemotherapeutics and targeted therapies. Although patients´ survival has been improved, management of castration therapy-resistant prostate cancer remains a challenge. Regulation of cellular events in cancer by small non-coding miRNAs is therefore an area of special interest. Overexpression of selected miRNA may lead to androgen independence and prostate cancer progression. miRNA may be considered also a biomarker in patients with prostate cancer. In contrast, diminished expression of tumor-suppressive miRNA in prostate cancer leads to enhanced proliferation, reduced apoptosis, increased migration, invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. miRNA may be directly involved in regulation of chemosensitivity in prostate cancer. Experimental overexpression of selected miRNA in chemoresistant prostate cancer leads to inhibition of cellular stemness and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Reduction of tumorsuppressive miRNA may also lead to hyperactivity of signaling pathways such as that of the epidermal growth factor receptor and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Although a considerable progress on miRNA research in prostate cancer has been achieved, therapeutic effects could be improved on the basis of development of novel delivery methods.

scholarly journals Pioneer of prostate cancer: past, present and the future of FOXA1

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Teng ◽  
Stanley Zhou ◽  
Changmeng Cai ◽  
Mathieu Lupien ◽  
Housheng Hansen He
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Open Chromatin ◽  
Normal Prostate ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cancer Mutations ◽  
Pioneer Factor

Abstract Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-cutaneous cancers in North American men. While androgen deprivation has remained as the cornerstone of prostate cancer treatment, resistance ensues leading to lethal disease. Forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) encodes a pioneer factor that induces open chromatin conformation to allow the binding of other transcription factors. Through direct interactions with the Androgen Receptor (AR), FOXA1 helps to shape AR signaling that drives the growth and survival of normal prostate and prostate cancer cells. FOXA1 also possesses an AR-independent role of regulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In prostate cancer, mutations converge onto the coding sequence and cis-regulatory elements (CREs) of FOXA1, leading to functional alterations. In addition, FOXA1 activity in prostate cancer can be modulated post-translationally through various mechanisms such as LSD1-mediated protein demethylation. In this review, we describe the latest discoveries related to the function and regulation of FOXA1 in prostate cancer, pointing to their relevance to guide future clinical interventions.

scholarly journals Skp2 and Slug Are Coexpressed in Aggressive Prostate Cancer and Inhibited by Neddylation Blockade

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2844
Author(s):  
Alena Mickova ◽  
Gvantsa Kharaishvili ◽  
Daniela Kurfurstova ◽  
Mariam Gachechiladze ◽  
Milan Kral ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Slug Expression ◽  
Chemical Inhibition ◽  
Novel Treatment Strategies ◽  
E Cadherin

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in Western countries, and there is still an urgent need for a better understanding of PCa progression to inspire new treatment strategies. Skp2 is a substrate-recruiting component of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, whose activity is regulated through neddylation. Slug is a transcriptional repressor involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which may contribute to therapy resistance. Although Skp2 has previously been associated with a mesenchymal phenotype and prostate cancer progression, the relationship with Slug deserves further elucidation. We have previously shown that a high Gleason score (≥8) is associated with higher Skp2 and lower E-cadherin expression. In this study, significantly increased expression of Skp2, AR, and Slug, along with E-cadherin downregulation, was observed in primary prostate cancer in patients who already had lymph node metastases. Skp2 was slightly correlated with Slug and AR in the whole cohort (Rs 0.32 and 0.37, respectively), which was enhanced for both proteins in patients with high Gleason scores (Rs 0.56 and 0.53, respectively) and, in the case of Slug, also in patients with metastasis to lymph nodes (Rs 0.56). Coexpression of Skp2 and Slug was confirmed in prostate cancer tissues by multiplex immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. The same relationship between these two proteins was observed in three sets of prostate epithelial cell lines (PC3, DU145, and E2) and their mesenchymal counterparts. Chemical inhibition of Skp2, but not RNA interference, modestly decreased Slug protein in PC3 and its docetaxel-resistant subline PC3 DR12. Importantly, chemical inhibition of Skp2 by MLN4924 upregulated p27 and decreased Slug expression in PC3, PC3 DR12, and LAPC4 cells. Novel treatment strategies targeting Skp2 and Slug by the neddylation blockade may be promising in advanced prostate cancer, as recently documented for other aggressive solid tumors.

scholarly journals Functional Linkage of RKIP to the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Autophagy during the Development of Prostate Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Ahmed ◽  
Trang Lai ◽  
Sahib Zada ◽  
Jin Hwang ◽  
Trang Pham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Prostate Hyperplasia ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Novel Interactions

Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) plays a critical role in many signaling pathways as a multi-functional adapter protein. In particular, the loss of RKIP’s function in certain types of cancer cells results in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the promotion of cancer metastasis. In addition, RKIP inhibits autophagy by modulating LC3-lipidation and mTORC1. How the RKIP-dependent inhibition of autophagy is linked to EMT and cancer progression is still under investigation. In this study, we investigated the ways by which RKIP interacts with key gene products in EMT and autophagy during the progression of prostate cancer. We first identified the gene products of interest using the corresponding gene ontology terms. The weighted-gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied on a gene expression dataset from three groups of prostate tissues; benign prostate hyperplasia, primary and metastatic cancer. We found two modules of highly co-expressed genes, which were preserved in other independent datasets of prostate cancer tissues. RKIP showed potentially novel interactions with one EMT and seven autophagy gene products (TGFBR1; PIK3C3, PIK3CB, TBC1D25, TBC1D5, TOLLIP, WDR45 and WIPI1). In addition, we identified several upstream transcription modulators that could regulate the expression of these gene products. Finally, we verified some RKIP novel interactions by co-localization using the confocal microscopy analysis in a prostate cancer cell line. To summarize, RKIP interacts with EMT and autophagy as part of the same functional unit in developing prostate cancer.

scholarly journals miR-154* and miR-379 in the DLK1-DIO3 MicroRNA Mega-Cluster Regulate Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Bone Metastasis of Prostate Cancer

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 6559-6569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murali Gururajan ◽  
Sajni Josson ◽  
Gina Chia-Yi Chu ◽  
Chia-Lun Lu ◽  
Yi-Tsung Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Bone Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

scholarly journals PPAR-gamma induced AKT3 expression increases levels of mitochondrial biogenesis driving prostate cancer

Oncogene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (13) ◽  
pp. 2355-2366
Author(s):  
Laura C. A. Galbraith ◽  
Ernest Mui ◽  
Colin Nixon ◽  
Ann Hedley ◽  
David Strachan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Mitochondrial Biogenesis ◽  
Nuclear Export ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Ppar Gamma ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Serine Threonine Kinase ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
And Function

AbstractPeroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARG) is one of the three members of the PPAR family of transcription factors. Besides its roles in adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism, we recently demonstrated an association between PPARG and metastasis in prostate cancer. In this study a functional effect of PPARG on AKT serine/threonine kinase 3 (AKT3), which ultimately results in a more aggressive disease phenotype was identified. AKT3 has previously been shown to regulate PPARG co-activator 1 alpha (PGC1α) localisation and function through its action on chromosome maintenance region 1 (CRM1). AKT3 promotes PGC1α localisation to the nucleus through its inhibitory effects on CRM1, a known nuclear export protein. Collectively our results demonstrate how PPARG over-expression drives an increase in AKT3 levels, which in turn has the downstream effect of increasing PGC1α localisation within the nucleus, driving mitochondrial biogenesis. Furthermore, this increase in mitochondrial mass provides higher energetic output in the form of elevated ATP levels which may fuel the progression of the tumour cell through epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and ultimately metastasis.

scholarly journals The Role of Autophagy and lncRNAs in the Maintenance of Cancer Stem Cells

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1239
Author(s):  
Leila Jahangiri ◽  
Tala Ishola ◽  
Perla Pucci ◽  
Ricky M. Trigg ◽  
Joao Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumour Microenvironment ◽  
Repair Capacity ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cellular Processes

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess properties such as self-renewal, resistance to apoptotic cues, quiescence, and DNA-damage repair capacity. Moreover, CSCs strongly influence the tumour microenvironment (TME) and may account for cancer progression, recurrence, and relapse. CSCs represent a distinct subpopulation in tumours and the detection, characterisation, and understanding of the regulatory landscape and cellular processes that govern their maintenance may pave the way to improving prognosis, selective targeted therapy, and therapy outcomes. In this review, we have discussed the characteristics of CSCs identified in various cancer types and the role of autophagy and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in maintaining the homeostasis of CSCs. Further, we have discussed methods to detect CSCs and strategies for treatment and relapse, taking into account the requirement to inhibit CSC growth and survival within the complex backdrop of cellular processes, microenvironmental interactions, and regulatory networks associated with cancer. Finally, we critique the computationally reinforced triangle of factors inclusive of CSC properties, the process of autophagy, and lncRNA and their associated networks with respect to hypoxia, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and signalling pathways.

scholarly journals Molecular and Functional Links between Neurodevelopmental Processes and Treatment-Induced Neuroendocrine Plasticity in Prostate Cancer Progression

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 692
Author(s):  
Roosa Kaarijärvi ◽  
Heidi Kaljunen ◽  
Kirsi Ketola
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Phenotypic Change ◽  
Prostate Cancer Progression ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer

Neuroendocrine plasticity and treatment-induced neuroendocrine phenotypes have recently been proposed as important resistance mechanisms underlying prostate cancer progression. Treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer (t-NEPC) is highly aggressive subtype of castration-resistant prostate cancer which develops for one fifth of patients under prolonged androgen deprivation. In recent years, understanding of molecular features and phenotypic changes in neuroendocrine plasticity has been grown. However, there are still fundamental questions to be answered in this emerging research field, for example, why and how do the prostate cancer treatment-resistant cells acquire neuron-like phenotype. The advantages of the phenotypic change and the role of tumor microenvironment in controlling cellular plasticity and in the emergence of treatment-resistant aggressive forms of prostate cancer is mostly unknown. Here, we discuss the molecular and functional links between neurodevelopmental processes and treatment-induced neuroendocrine plasticity in prostate cancer progression and treatment resistance. We provide an overview of the emergence of neurite-like cells in neuroendocrine prostate cancer cells and whether the reported t-NEPC pathways and proteins relate to neurodevelopmental processes like neurogenesis and axonogenesis during the development of treatment resistance. We also discuss emerging novel therapeutic targets modulating neuroendocrine plasticity.

scholarly journals TMEFF2: A Transmembrane Proteoglycan with Multifaceted Actions in Cancer and Disease

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3862
Author(s):  
Motasim Masood ◽  
Stefan Grimm ◽  
Mona El-Bahrawy ◽  
Ernesto Yagüe
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Intracellular Localization ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Type I ◽  
Amyloid Β Protein

Transmembrane protein with an EGF-like and two Follistatin-like domains 2 (TMEFF2) is a 374-residue long type-I transmembrane proteoglycan which is proteolytically shed from the cell surface. The protein is involved in a range of functions including metabolism, neuroprotection, apoptosis, embryonic development, onco-suppression and endocrine function. TMEFF2 is methylated in numerous cancers, and an inverse correlation with the stage, response to therapy and survival outcome has been observed. Moreover, TMEFF2 methylation increases with breast, colon and gastric cancer progression. TMEFF2 is methylated early during oncogenesis in breast and colorectal cancer, and the detection of methylated free-circulating TMEFF2 DNA has been suggested as a potential diagnostic tool. The TMEFF2 downregulation signature equals and sometimes outperforms the Gleason and pathological scores in prostate cancer. TMEFF2 is downregulated in glioma and cotricotropinomas, and it impairs the production of adrenocorticotropic hormone in glioma cells. Interestingly, through binding the amyloid β protein, its precursor and derivatives, TMEFF2 provides neuroprotection in Alzheimer’s disease. Despite undergoing extensive investigation over the last two decades, the primary literature regarding TMEFF2 is incoherent and offers conflicting information, in particular, the oncogenic vs. onco-suppressive role of TMEFF2 in prostate cancer. For the first time, we have compiled, contextualised and critically analysed the vast body of TMEFF2-related literature and answered the apparent discrepancies regarding its function, tissue expression, intracellular localization and oncogenic vs. onco-suppressive role.

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