scholarly journals The Role of Cancer Stem Cells and Mechanical Forces in Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bregenzer ◽  
Horst ◽  
Mehta ◽  
Novak ◽  
Repetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Ovarian Tumor ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Ovarian Cancers

Ovarian cancer is an extremely lethal gynecologic disease; with the high-grade serous subtype predominantly associated with poor survival rates. Lack of early diagnostic biomarkers and prevalence of post-treatment recurrence, present substantial challenges in treating ovarian cancers. These cancers are also characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity and protracted metastasis, further complicating treatment. Within the ovarian tumor microenvironment, cancer stem-like cells and mechanical stimuli are two underappreciated key elements that play a crucial role in facilitating these outcomes. In this review article, we highlight their roles in modulating ovarian cancer metastasis. Specifically, we outline the clinical relevance of cancer stem-like cells, and challenges associated with their identification and characterization and summarize the ways in which they modulate ovarian cancer metastasis. Further, we review the mechanical cues in the ovarian tumor microenvironment, including, tension, shear, compression and matrix stiffness, that influence (cancer stem-like cells and) metastasis in ovarian cancers. Lastly, we outline the challenges associated with probing these important modulators of ovarian cancer metastasis and provide suggestions for incorporating these cues in basic biology and translational research focused on metastasis. We conclude that future studies on ovarian cancer metastasis will benefit from the careful consideration of mechanical stimuli and cancer stem cells, ultimately allowing for the development of more effective therapies.

scholarly journals Ovarian Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells—Cellular and Molecular Characteristics, Signaling Pathways, and Usefulness as a Diagnostic Tool in Medicine and Oncology

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 4178
Author(s):  
Andrzej Nowicki ◽  
Magdalena Kulus ◽  
Maria Wieczorkiewicz ◽  
Wojciech Pieńkowski ◽  
Katarzyna Stefańska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Despite the increasing development of medicine, ovarian cancer is still a high-risk, metastatic disease that is often diagnosed at a late stage. In addition, difficulties in its treatment are associated with high resistance to chemotherapy and frequent relapse. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), recently attracting significant scientific interest, are considered to be responsible for the malignant features of tumors. CSCs, as the driving force behind tumor development, generate new cells by modifying different signaling pathways. Moreover, investigations on different types of tumors have shown that signaling pathways are key to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulation, metastasis, and self-renewal of CSCs. Based on these established issues, new therapies are being investigated based on the use of inhibitors to block CSC growth and proliferation signals. Many reports indicate that CSC markers play a key role in cancer metastasis, with hopes placed in their targeting to block this process and eliminate relapses. Current histological classification of ovarian tumors, their epidemiology, and the most recent knowledge of ovarian CSCs, with particular emphasis on their molecular background, are important aspects for consideration. Furthermore, the importance of signaling pathways involved in tumor growth, development, and metastasis, is also presented.

scholarly journals Ovarian Cancer Stemness: Biological and Clinical Implications for Metastasis and Chemotherapy Resistance

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Motohara ◽  
Hidetaka Katabuchi
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Chemotherapy Resistance ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells

Epithelial ovarian cancer is a highly lethal gynecological malignancy that is characterized by the early development of disseminated metastasis. Though ovarian cancer has been generally considered to preferentially metastasize via direct transcoelomic dissemination instead of the hematogenous route, emerging evidence has indicated that the hematogenous spread of cancer cells plays a larger role in ovarian cancer metastasis than previously thought. Considering the distinctive biology of ovarian cancer, an in-depth understanding of the biological and molecular mechanisms that drive metastasis is critical for developing effective therapeutic strategies against this fatal disease. The recent “cancer stem cell theory” postulates that cancer stem cells are principally responsible for tumor initiation, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. Even though the hallmarks of ovarian cancer stem cells have not yet been completely elucidated, metastasized ovarian cancer cells, which have a high degree of chemoresistance, seem to manifest cancer stem cell properties and play a key role during relapse at metastatic sites. Herein, we review our current understanding of the cell-biological mechanisms that regulate ovarian cancer metastasis and chemotherapy resistance, with a pivotal focus on ovarian cancer stem cells, and discuss the potential clinical implications of evolving cancer stem cell research and resultant novel therapeutic approaches.

scholarly journals Ovarian Cancers: Genetic Abnormalities, Tumor Heterogeneity and Progression, Clonal Evolution and Cancer Stem Cells

Medicines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ugo Testa ◽  
Eleonora Petrucci ◽  
Luca Pasquini ◽  
Germana Castelli ◽  
Elvira Pelosi
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Clonal Evolution ◽  
Cell Subpopulation ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Histological Subtypes ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Ovarian Cancers

Four main histological subtypes of ovarian cancer exist: serous (the most frequent), endometrioid, mucinous and clear cell; in each subtype, low and high grade. The large majority of ovarian cancers are diagnosed as high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGS-OvCas). TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in HGS-OvCas; about 50% of these tumors displayed defective homologous recombination due to germline and somatic BRCA mutations, epigenetic inactivation of BRCA and abnormalities of DNA repair genes; somatic copy number alterations are frequent in these tumors and some of them are associated with prognosis; defective NOTCH, RAS/MEK, PI3K and FOXM1 pathway signaling is frequent. Other histological subtypes were characterized by a different mutational spectrum: LGS-OvCas have increased frequency of BRAF and RAS mutations; mucinous cancers have mutation in ARID1A, PIK3CA, PTEN, CTNNB1 and RAS. Intensive research was focused to characterize ovarian cancer stem cells, based on positivity for some markers, including CD133, CD44, CD117, CD24, EpCAM, LY6A, ALDH1. Ovarian cancer cells have an intrinsic plasticity, thus explaining that in a single tumor more than one cell subpopulation, may exhibit tumor-initiating capacity. The improvements in our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of ovarian cancers should lead to more efficacious treatments.

scholarly journals Metformin against Cancer Stem Cells through the Modulation of Energy Metabolism: Special Considerations on Ovarian Cancer

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Hun Kim ◽  
Dong Hoon Suh ◽  
Mi-Kyung Kim ◽  
Yong Sang Song
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Anticancer Efficacy

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy among women worldwide and is presumed to result from the presence of ovarian cancer stem cells. To overcome the limitation of current anticancer agents, another anticancer strategy is necessary to effectively target cancer stem cells in ovarian cancer. In many types of malignancies, including ovarian cancer, metformin, one of the most popular antidiabetic drugs, has been demonstrated to exhibit chemopreventive and anticancer efficacy with respect to incidence and overall survival rates. Thus, the metabolic reprogramming of cancer and cancer stem cells driven by genetic alterations during carcinogenesis and cancer progression could be therapeutically targeted. In this review, the potential efficacy and anticancer mechanisms of metformin against ovarian cancer stem cells will be discussed.

scholarly journals Repositioning Trimebutine Maleate as a Cancer Treatment Targeting Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 918
Author(s):  
Heejin Lee ◽  
Oh-Bin Kwon ◽  
Jae-Eon Lee ◽  
Yong-Hyun Jeon ◽  
Dong-Seok Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
G1 Arrest ◽  
Dead Cell ◽  
Trimebutine Maleate ◽  
Simultaneous Inhibition

The overall five-year survival rate for late-stage patients of ovarian cancer is below 29% due to disease recurrence and drug resistance. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are known as a major contributor to drug resistance and recurrence. Accordingly, therapies targeting ovarian CSCs are needed to overcome the limitations of present treatments. This study evaluated the effect of trimebutine maleate (TM) targeting ovarian CSCs, using A2780-SP cells acquired by a sphere culture of A2780 epithelial ovarian cancer cells. TM is indicated as a gastrointestinal motility modulator and is known to as a peripheral opioid receptor agonist and a blocker for various channels. The GI50 of TM was approximately 0.4 µM in A2780-SP cells but over 100 µM in A2780 cells, demonstrating CSCs specific growth inhibition. TM induced G0/G1 arrest and increased the AV+/PI+ dead cell population in the A2780-SP samples. Furthermore, TM treatment significantly reduced tumor growth in A2780-SP xenograft mice. Voltage gated calcium channels (VGCC) and calcium-activated potassium channels (BKCa) were overexpressed on ovarian CSCs and targeted by TM; inhibition of both channels reduced A2780-SP cells viability. TM reduced stemness-related protein expression; this tendency was reproduced by the simultaneous inhibition of VGCC and BKCa compared to single channel inhibition. In addition, TM suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and Hedgehog pathways which contribute to many CSCs characteristics. Specifically, further suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by simultaneous inhibition of BKCa and VGCC is necessary for the effective and selective action of TM. Taken together, TM is a potential therapeutic drug for preventing ovarian cancer recurrence and drug resistance.

scholarly journals In Ovarian Cancer Multicellular Spheroids, Platelet Releasate Promotes Growth, Expansion of ALDH+ and CD133+ Cancer Stem Cells, and Protection against the Cytotoxic Effects of Cisplatin, Carboplatin and Paclitaxel

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 3019
Author(s):  
Naike Casagrande ◽  
Cinzia Borghese ◽  
Francesco Agostini ◽  
Cristina Durante ◽  
Mario Mazzucato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Chemotherapy Resistance ◽  
Multicellular Spheroids ◽  
Multicellular Tumor Spheroid ◽  
Activated Platelets ◽  
Clinical Responses ◽  
Bona Fide ◽  
Paclitaxel Treatment

A high platelet count is associated with a poor prognosis in ovarian cancer (OvCa). Despite good clinical responses with platinating agents in combination with taxanes, numerous OvCa patients relapse due to chemotherapy resistance. Here, we report that treatment of OvCa cells A2780, OVCAR5 and MDAH with releasate from activated platelets (PR) promoted multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) formation. These OvCa-MCTSs had increased percentages of CD133+ and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)+ cells, bona fide markers of OvCa cancer stem cells (CSCs). PR increased OVCAR5- and MDAH-MCTS viability and decreased the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of paclitaxel, cisplatin and carboplatin. PR increased the volume of spontaneously formed OVCAR8-MCTSs and counteracted their size reduction due to cisplatin, carboplatin and paclitaxel treatment. PR promoted the survival of ALDH+ and CD133+ OvCa cells during cisplatin, carboplatin and paclitaxel treatment. In conclusion, molecules and growth factors released by activated platelets (EGF, PDGF, TGF-β, IGF and CCL5) may protect tumor cells from chemotherapy by promoting the expansion of ALDH+ and CD133+ OvCa-CSCs, favoring drug resistance and tumor relapse.

scholarly journals The CXCL12 Crossroads in Cancer Stem Cells and Their Niche

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 469
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos López-Gil ◽  
Laura Martin-Hijano ◽  
Patrick C. Hermann ◽  
Bruno Sainz
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Stem Cell Support ◽  
Cell Support ◽  
Tumor Entities

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are defined as a subpopulation of “stem”-like cells within the tumor with unique characteristics that allow them to maintain tumor growth, escape standard anti-tumor therapies and drive subsequent repopulation of the tumor. This is the result of their intrinsic “stem”-like features and the strong driving influence of the CSC niche, a subcompartment within the tumor microenvironment that includes a diverse group of cells focused on maintaining and supporting the CSC. CXCL12 is a chemokine that plays a crucial role in hematopoietic stem cell support and has been extensively reported to be involved in several cancer-related processes. In this review, we will provide the latest evidence about the interactions between CSC niche-derived CXCL12 and its receptors—CXCR4 and CXCR7—present on CSC populations across different tumor entities. The interactions facilitated by CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axes seem to be strongly linked to CSC “stem”-like features, tumor progression, and metastasis promotion. Altogether, this suggests a role for CXCL12 and its receptors in the maintenance of CSCs and the components of their niche. Moreover, we will also provide an update of the therapeutic options being currently tested to disrupt the CXCL12 axes in order to target, directly or indirectly, the CSC subpopulation.

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