scholarly journals Gigantol Targets Cancer Stem Cells and Destabilizes Tumors via the Suppression of the PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT Pathways in Ectopic Lung Cancer Xenografts

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nattanan Losuwannarak ◽  
Arnatchai Maiuthed ◽  
Nakarin Kitkumthorn ◽  
Asada Leelahavanichkul ◽  
Sittiruk Roytrakul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Tumor Initiation ◽  
Mice Model ◽  
Ki 67 ◽  
Targeting Therapy

Lung cancer has long been recognized as an important world heath concern due to its high incidence and death rate. The failure of treatment strategies, as well as the regrowth of the disease driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs) residing in the tumor, lead to the urgent need for a novel CSC-targeting therapy. Here, we utilized proteome alteration analysis and ectopic tumor xenografts to gain insight on how gigantol, a bibenzyl compound from orchid species, could attenuate CSCs and reduce tumor integrity. The proteomics revealed that gigantol affected several functional proteins influencing the properties of CSCs, especially cell proliferation and survival. Importantly, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and JAK/STAT related pathways were found to be suppressed by gigantol, while the JNK signal was enhanced. The in vivo nude mice model confirmed that pretreatment of the cells with gigantol prior to a tumor becoming established could decrease the cell division and tumor maintenance. The results indicated that gigantol decreased the relative tumor weight with dramatically reduced tumor cell proliferation, as indicated by Ki-67 labeling. Although gigantol only slightly altered the epithelial-to-mesenchymal and angiogenesis statuses, the gigantol-treated group showed a dramatic loss of tumor integrity as compared with the well-grown tumor mass of the untreated control. This study reveals the effects of gigantol on tumor initiation, growth, and maintain in the scope that the cells at the first step of tumor initiation have lesser CSC property than the control untreated cells. This study reveals novel insights into the anti-tumor mechanisms of gigantol focused on CSC targeting and destabilizing tumor integrity via suppression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and JAK/STAT pathways. This data supports the potential of gigantol to be further developed as a drug for lung cancer.

scholarly journals Targeting therapy-resistant lung cancer stem cells via disruption of the AKT/TSPYL5/PTEN positive-feedback loop

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
In-Gyu Kim ◽  
Jei-Ha Lee ◽  
Seo-Yeon Kim ◽  
Chang-Kyu Heo ◽  
Rae-Kwon Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Positive Feedback ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Positive Feedback Loop ◽  
Targeting Therapy ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are regarded as essential targets to overcome tumor progression and therapeutic resistance; however, practical targeting approaches are limited. Here, we identify testis-specific Y-like protein 5 (TSPYL5) as a CSC-associated factor that promotes stemness and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in therapy-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Aberrantly activated PI3K/AKT pathway in therapy-resistant NSCLC cells promotes TSPYL5 phosphorylation at threonine-120 (pT120), which inhibits ubiquitination and stabilizes TSPYL5. TSPYL5 pT120 also supports SUMOylation, which leads to its nuclear translocation and functions as a transcriptional repressor of PTEN. Nuclear TSPYL5 also activates the transcription of CSC-associated genes, ALDH1 and CD44. Collectively, TSPYL5 pT120 maintains persistent CSC-like characteristics via transcriptional activation of CSC-associated genes and via a positive-feedback loop between the AKT/TSPYL5/PTEN and PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. However, inhibition of TSPYL5 pT120 can block aberrant AKT/TSPYL5/PTEN cyclic signaling and cancer stemness. Our study suggests TSPYL5 as a novel target for cancer therapy.

scholarly journals Estimating stem cell fractions in hierarchically organized tumors

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Werner ◽  
Jacob G Scott ◽  
Andrea Sottoriva ◽  
Alexander RA Anderson ◽  
Arne Traulsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Exact Result ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Cell Fractions ◽  
Tumor Types

Cancers arise as a result of genetic and epigenetic alterations. These accumulate in cells during the processes of tissue development, homeostasis and repair. Many tumor types are hierarchically organized and driven by a sub-population of cells often called cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells are uniquely capable of recapitulating the tumor and can be highly resistant to radio- and chemotherapy treatment. We investigate tumor growth patterns from a theoretical standpoint and show how significant changes in pre- and post-therapy tumor dynamics are tied to the dynamics of cancer stem cells. We identify two characteristic growth regimes of a tumor population that can be leveraged to estimate cancer stem cell fractions in vivo using simple linear regression. Our method is a mathematically exact result, parameter free and does not require any microscopic knowledge of the tumor properties. A more accurate quantification of the direct link between the sub-population driving tumor growth and treatment response promises new ways to individualize treatment strategies.

Targeting the androgen receptor as a novel therapeutic strategy for high-grade gliomas by suppressing glioma cancer stem cells.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13504-e13504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Zhao ◽  
Shaheen Ahmed ◽  
Fei Wang ◽  
DiMaio J Dominick ◽  
Chi Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Proliferation Assay ◽  
Cell Proliferation Assay ◽  
Expression Levels

e13504 Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and most common type of primary brain malignancies with median overall survival being only 20.9 months. The incidence of GBM is 50% greater in men than in women, and GBM transplanted into animals grow at a slower rate in females compared with males. Gender difference in GBM indicates that sex hormones such as androgen receptor (AR) may be involved in the tumorigenesis of GBM. A newer generation of AR antagonist, Enzalutamide, is available for prostate cancer treatment in clinic and can pass the blood-brain barrier, thus a good candidate for GBM treatment. Methods: Cell proliferation assay, cell cycle analysis, and cell apoptosis assay were performed on different GBM cell lines after Enzalutamide treatment. After treating GBM cells with or without Enzalutamide in mono-layer cell culturing or tumor spheres, cancer stem cell sub-population (CD133+ cells) in different groups was compared using flow cytometry. After enriching GBM cancer stem cells by sorting CD133+ U87MG cells out, cell proliferation assay was performed on CD133+ U87MG cells. Western blotting was performed comparing marker gene expression levels including CD133 and c-Myc with total protein isolated from GBM cells treated with Enzalutamide at different time points. A syngeneic orthotopic GBM mouse model was used for in vivo study. The size of tumors in the brain was monitored weekly with and without Enzalutamide treatment by in vivo imaging system for the luciferase activities. Results: Enzalutamide inhibited the proliferation of GBM cells both in vitro and in vivo. Enzalutamide induced apoptosis of GBM cells as well as arrested the cell cycle at G2/M phase in a cell cycle that has a potential of radio-sensitizing effect. Enzalutamide decreased the cancer stem cells population both in cultured mono-layer cells and in tumor spheres. Enzalutamide inhibited the proliferation of CD133+ U87MG cells after four days’ treatment. c-Myc is a proto-oncogene and required for maintenance of GBM cancer stem cells. Both CD133 and c-Myc expression levels decreased in GBM cell lines after Enzalutamide treatment in a time-dependent manner. Conclusions: Enzalutamide targets cancer stem cells and inhibits the proliferation of GBM.

scholarly journals Unlocking the Secrets of Cancer Stem Cells with γ-Secretase Inhibitors: A Novel Anticancer Strategy

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 972
Author(s):  
Maryam Ghanbari-Movahed ◽  
Zahra Ghanbari-Movahed ◽  
Saeideh Momtaz ◽  
Kaitlyn L. Kilpatrick ◽  
Mohammad Hosein Farzaei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Notch Signaling ◽  
English Language ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Notch Signaling Pathway ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Targeting Therapy

The dysregulation of Notch signaling is associated with a wide variety of different human cancers. Notch signaling activation mostly relies on the activity of the γ-secretase enzyme that cleaves the Notch receptors and releases the active intracellular domain. It is well-documented that γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) block the Notch activity, mainly by inhibiting the oncogenic activity of this pathway. To date, several GSIs have been introduced clinically for the treatment of various diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and various cancers, and their impacts on Notch inhibition have been found to be promising. Therefore, GSIs are of great interest for cancer therapy. The objective of this review is to provide a systematic review of in vitro and in vivo studies for investigating the effect of GSIs on various cancer stem cells (CSCs), mainly by modulation of the Notch signaling pathway. Various scholarly electronic databases were searched and relevant studies published in the English language were collected up to February 2020. Herein, we conclude that GSIs can be potential candidates for CSC-targeting therapy. The outcome of our study also indicates that GSIs in combination with anticancer drugs have a greater inhibitory effect on CSCs.

scholarly journals Lin28A Promotes the Amplification and Cancer Stemness of Lung Cancer Cells Via Activating MAPK Pathway Dependent on Let-7c Functions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Zhang ◽  
Pengpeng Liu ◽  
Xiao Zhang ◽  
Yingnan Ye ◽  
Jinpu Yu
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Culture System ◽  
3D Culture ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Cancer Stemness ◽  
Over Expression ◽  
3D Culture System

Abstract Background: Metastasis and relapse of lung cancer are the main cause of disease-related deaths. It’s reported that tumor metastasis and relapse originated from cancer stem cells (CSCs) which possess more potential in proliferation and invasion. In our previous studies, we established a conditional BME-based three-dimensional culture (3D culture) system to mimic the growth environment in vivo and further amplified lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs) in our system. However, the molecular mechanisms of the amplification and development of LCSCs in our 3D culture system are still not very clear. Methods: We tested the expression of Lin28 and let7 by western blot and qPCR, and constructed A549 cells either knockdown of Lin28 or overexpression of let7, followed by investigating the expression of stemness markers by flow cytometry and qPCR, and stem cell like phenotypes including cell proliferation, colony formation, mammosphere culture, cell apoptosis, migration, invasion and drug resistance in vitro, as well as tumorigenicity in vivo. Results: Here we observed Lin28A/let-7c was dysregulated in LCSCs both from the 3D culture system and from lung cancer tissues. Further, the abnormal expression of Lin28A/let-7c was correlated with poor survival outcomes. We found over-expression let-7c inhibited the maintenance of LCSC properties, while the results for knockdown of Lin28A showed Lin28A was critical for the enrichment and amplification of LCSCs via MAPK signaling pathway. Importantly, we found that either knockdown of Lin28A or over-expression of let-7c inhibited carcinogenesis and disrupted LCSC expansion in vivo. Conclusions: Our study uncovered the functions and mechanisms of the "Lin28A/let-7c/MAPK" signaling pathway in promoting the amplification and cancer stemness of LCSCs, which might be a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer therapy by reducing and even eliminating LCSCs in the future.

scholarly journals Sox2-dependent maintenance of mouse oligodendroglioma involves the Sox2-mediated downregulation of Cdkn2b, Ebf1, Zfp423 and Hey2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiana Barone ◽  
Mariachiara Buccarelli ◽  
Francesco Alessandrini ◽  
Miriam Pagin ◽  
Laura Rigoldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Regulatory Network ◽  
Glioma Cells ◽  
High Grade Glioma ◽  
High Grade

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSC) are essential for tumorigenesis. The transcription factor Sox2 is overexpressed in brain tumors. In gliomas, Sox2 is essential to maintain CSC. In mouse high-grade glioma pHGG, Sox2 deletion causes cell proliferation arrest and inability to reform tumors in vivo; 134 genes are significantly derepressed. To identify genes mediating the effects of Sox2 deletion, we overexpressed into pHGG cells nine among the most derepressed genes, and identified four genes, Cdkn2b, Ebf1, Zfp423 and Hey2, that strongly reduced cell proliferation in vitro and brain tumorigenesis in vivo. CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, or pharmacological inactivation, of each of these genes, individually, showed that their activity is essential for the proliferation arrest caused by Sox2 deletion. These Sox2-inhibited antioncogenes also inhibited clonogenicity in primary human glioblastoma-derived cancer stem-like cell lines. These experiments identify critical anti-oncogenic factors whose inhibition by Sox2 is involved in CSC maintenance, defining new potential therapeutic targets for gliomas.Table of Contents ImageMain PointsSox2 maintains glioma tumorigenicity by repressing the antioncogenic activity of a regulatory network involving the Ebf1, Hey2, Cdkn2b and Zfp423 genes.Mutation of these genes prevents the cell proliferation arrest of Sox2-deleted glioma cells.

scholarly journals Targeting Lung Cancer Stem Cells with Antipsychological Drug Thioridazine

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiying Yue ◽  
Dongning Huang ◽  
Li Qin ◽  
Zhiyong Zheng ◽  
Li Hua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Cell Cycle Distribution ◽  
Lung Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Sphere Formation

Lung cancer stem cells are a subpopulation of cells critical for lung cancer progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Thioridazine, a classical neurological drug, has been reported with anticancer ability. However, whether thioridazine could inhibit lung cancer stem cells has never been studied. In our current work, we used different dosage of thioridazine to test its effect on lung cancer stem cells sphere formation. The response of lung cancer stem cells to chemotherapy drug with thioridazine treatment was measured. The cell cycle distribution of lung cancer stem cells after thioridazine treatment was detected. The in vivo inhibitory effect of thioridazine was also measured. We found that thioridazine could dramatically inhibit sphere formation of lung cancer stem cells. It sensitized the LCSCs to chemotherapeutic drugs 5-FU and cisplatin. Thioridazine altered the cell cycle distribution of LCSCs and decreased the proportion of G0 phase cells in lung cancer stem cells. Thioridazine inhibited lung cancer stem cells initiated tumors growth in vivo. This study showed that thioridazine could inhibit lung cancer stem cells in vitro and in vivo. It provides a potential drug for lung cancer therapy through targeting lung cancer stem cells.

scholarly journals The Metabolic Inhibitor CPI-613 Negates Treatment Enrichment of Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Bellio ◽  
Celeste DiGloria ◽  
David R. Spriggs ◽  
Rosemary Foster ◽  
Whitfield B. Growdon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Metabolic Inhibitor ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Platinum Resistant

One of the most significant therapeutic challenges in the treatment of ovarian cancer is the development of recurrent platinum-resistant disease. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are postulated to contribute to recurrent and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (OvCa). Drugs that selectively target CSCs may augment the standard of care cytotoxics and have the potential to prevent and/or delay recurrence. Increased reliance on metabolic pathway modulation in CSCs relative to non-CSCs offers a possible therapeutic opportunity. We demonstrate that treatment with the metabolic inhibitor CPI-613 (devimistat, an inhibitor of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle) in vitro decreases CD133+ and CD117+ cell frequency relative to untreated OvCa cells, with negligible impact on non-CSC cell viability. Additionally, sphere-forming capacity and tumorigenicity in vivo are reduced in the CPI-613 treated cells. Collectively, these results suggest that treatment with CPI-613 negatively impacts the ovarian CSC population. Furthermore, CPI-613 impeded the unintended enrichment of CSC following olaparib or carboplatin/paclitaxel treatment. Collectively, our results suggest that CPI-613 preferentially targets ovarian CSCs and could be a candidate to augment current treatment strategies to extend either progression-free or overall survival of OvCa.

scholarly journals Targeting therapy-resistant lung cancer stem cells via disruption of the AKT/TSPYL5/PTEN positive-feedback loop

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
In-Gyu Kim ◽  
Jei-Ha Lee ◽  
Seo-Yeon Kim ◽  
Chang-Kyu Heo ◽  
Rae-Kwon Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Positive Feedback ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Positive Feedback Loop ◽  
Targeting Therapy

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSCs) are regarded as essential targets to overcome tumor progression and therapeutic resistance; however, practical targeting approaches are limited. Here, we identify testis-specific Y-like protein 5 (TSPYL5) as an upstream regulator of CSC-associated genes in non-small cell lung cancer cells, and suggest as a therapeutic target for CSC elimination. TSPYL5 elevation is driven by AKT-dependent TSPYL5 phosphorylation at threonine-120 and stabilization via inhibiting its ubiquitination. TSPYL5-pT120 also induces nuclear translocation and functions as a transcriptional activator of CSC-associated genes, ALDH1 and CD44. Also, nuclear TSPYL5 suppresses the transcription of PTEN, a negative regulator of PI3K signaling. TSPYL5-pT120 maintains persistent CSC-like characteristics via transcriptional activation of CSC-associated genes and a positive feedback loop consisting of AKT/TSPYL5/PTEN signaling pathway. Accordingly, elimination of TSPYL5 by inhibiting TSPYL5-pT120 can block aberrant AKT/TSPYL5/PTEN cyclic signaling and TSPYL5-mediated cancer stemness regulation. Our study suggests TSPYL5 be an effective target for therapy-resistant cancer.

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