scholarly journals The Microbiome as a Potential Target for Therapeutic Manipulation in Pancreatic Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3779
Author(s):  
Rozana Abdul Abdul Rahman ◽  
Angela Lamarca ◽  
Richard A. Hubner ◽  
Juan W. Valle ◽  
Mairéad G. McNamara
Keyword(s):  
Immune Modulation ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Diagnostic Biomarkers ◽  
Cancer Hallmarks ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Diseased State ◽  
Normal Health ◽  
Made In

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers and is projected to be the second most common cause of cancer-related death by 2030, with an overall 5-year survival rate between 7% and 9%. Despite recent advances in surgical, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy techniques, the outcome for patients with PDAC remains poor. Poor prognosis is multifactorial, including the likelihood of sub-clinical metastatic disease at presentation, late-stage at presentation, absence of early and reliable diagnostic biomarkers, and complex biology surrounding the extensive desmoplastic PDAC tumour micro-environment. Microbiota refers to all the microorganisms found in an environment, whereas microbiome is the collection of microbiota and their genome within an environment. These organisms reside on body surfaces and within mucosal layers, but are most abundantly found within the gut. The commensal microbiome resides in symbiosis in healthy individuals and contributes to nutritive, metabolic and immune-modulation to maintain normal health. Dysbiosis is the perturbation of the microbiome that can lead to a diseased state, including inflammatory bowel conditions and aetiology of cancer, such as colorectal and PDAC. Microbes have been linked to approximately 10% to 20% of human cancers, and they can induce carcinogenesis by affecting a number of the cancer hallmarks, such as promoting inflammation, avoiding immune destruction, and microbial metabolites can deregulate host genome stability preceding cancer development. Significant advances have been made in cancer treatment since the advent of immunotherapy. The microbiome signature has been linked to response to immunotherapy and survival in many solid tumours. However, progress with immunotherapy in PDAC has been challenging. Therefore, this review will focus on the available published evidence of the microbiome association with PDAC and explore its potential as a target for therapeutic manipulation.

scholarly journals Ca2+ Signaling and Its Potential Targeting in Pancreatic Ductal Carcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3085
Author(s):  
Louay Bettaieb ◽  
Maxime Brulé ◽  
Axel Chomy ◽  
Mel Diedro ◽  
Malory Fruit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Exocrine Pancreas ◽  
Ductal Carcinoma ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Molecular Devices ◽  
Pancreatic Ductal Carcinoma ◽  
Aberrant Expression ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Cancer Hallmarks ◽  
Cancer Mutations

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a major cause of cancer-associated mortality in Western countries (and estimated to be the second cause of cancer deaths by 2030). The main form of PC is pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death, and this situation has remained virtually unchanged for several decades. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is inherently linked to the unique physiology and microenvironment of the exocrine pancreas, such as pH, mechanical stress, and hypoxia. Of them, calcium (Ca2+) signals, being pivotal molecular devices in sensing and integrating signals from the microenvironment, are emerging to be particularly relevant in cancer. Mutations or aberrant expression of key proteins that control Ca2+ levels can cause deregulation of Ca2+-dependent effectors that control signaling pathways determining the cells’ behavior in a way that promotes pathophysiological cancer hallmarks, such as enhanced proliferation, survival and invasion. So far, it is essentially unknown how the cancer-associated Ca2+ signaling is regulated within the characteristic landscape of PDAC. This work provides a complete overview of the Ca2+ signaling and its main players in PDAC. Special consideration is given to the Ca2+ signaling as a potential target in PDAC treatment and its role in drug resistance.

scholarly journals Targeting Pin1 for Modulation of Cell Motility and Cancer Therapy

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 359
Author(s):  
Hsiang-Hao Chuang ◽  
Yen-Yi Zhen ◽  
Yu-Chen Tsai ◽  
Cheng-Hao Chuang ◽  
Ming-Shyan Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Tumor Suppressors ◽  
Protein Conformation ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Cancer Development ◽  
Cancer Hallmarks ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
And Function

Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (Pin1) specifically binds and isomerizes the phosphorylated serine/threonine-proline (pSer/Thr-Pro) motif, which leads to changes in protein conformation and function. Pin1 is widely overexpressed in cancers and plays an important role in tumorigenesis. Mounting evidence has revealed that targeting Pin1 is a potential therapeutic approach for various cancers by inhibiting cell proliferation, reducing metastasis, and maintaining genome stability. In this review, we summarize the underlying mechanisms of Pin1-mediated upregulation of oncogenes and downregulation of tumor suppressors in cancer development. Furthermore, we also discuss the multiple roles of Pin1 in cancer hallmarks and examine Pin1 as a desirable pharmaceutical target for cancer therapy. We also summarize the recent progress of Pin1-targeted small-molecule compounds for anticancer activity.

Extending landscape of volatile metabolites as novel diagnostic biomarkers of inflammatory bowel disease – a review

2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iftikhar Ahmed ◽  
Faisal Fayyaz ◽  
Moneeb Nasir ◽  
Zafar Niaz ◽  
Manuele Furnari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Diagnostic Biomarkers ◽  
Volatile Metabolites ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

scholarly journals Nucleases as molecular targets for cancer diagnosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alien Balian ◽  
Frank J. Hernandez
Keyword(s):  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Essential Feature ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cancer Biomarkers ◽  
Diagnostic Biomarkers ◽  
Early Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Novel Biomarkers ◽  
Made In

AbstractEarly cancer diagnosis is a crucial element to improved treatment options and survival. Great research efforts have been made in the search for better performing cancer diagnostic biomarkers. However, the quest continues as novel biomarkers with high accuracy for an early diagnosis remain an unmet clinical need. Nucleases, which are enzymes capable of cleaving nucleic acids, have been long considered as potential cancer biomarkers. The implications of nucleases are key for biological functions, their presence in different cellular counterparts and catalytic activity led the enthusiasm towards investigating the role of nucleases as promising cancer biomarkers. However, the most essential feature of these proteins, which is their enzymatic activity, has not been fully exploited. This review discusses nucleases interrogated as cancer biomarkers, providing a glimpse of their physiological roles. Moreover, it highlights the potential of harnessing the enzymatic activity of cancer-associated nucleases as a novel diagnostic biomarker using nucleic acid probes as substrates.

Pathogenetic mechanisms of anemic syndrome formation in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

2021 ◽  
pp. 29-34
Author(s):  
Yu. P. Uspenskiy ◽  
Yu. A. Fominykh ◽  
K. N. Nadzhafova ◽  
O. I. Veduta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Ulcerative Colitis ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
Pathogenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Bowel Diseases ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Made In

Inflammatory bowel diseases are an urgent public health problem and are often complicated by the development of anemic syndrome. Significant progress has been made in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, but the correction of associated anemia in most cases remains insufficient. This article describes in detail the pathogenetic mechanisms of the formation of anemic syndrome in inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as possible ways to correct this condition.

scholarly journals Targeting Mutant KRAS in Pancreatic Cancer: Futile or Promising?

Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friederike Inga Nollmann ◽  
Dietrich Alexander Ruess
Keyword(s):  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Preclinical Studies ◽  
Dismal Prognosis ◽  
Pi3k Inhibition ◽  
Suitable Treatment ◽  
Oncogenic Driver ◽  
Major Treatment ◽  
Made In

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal cancers with a dismal prognosis for the patient. This is due to limited diagnostic options for the early detection of the disease as well as its rather aggressive nature. Despite major advances in oncologic research in general, the treatment options in the clinic for PDAC have only undergone minor changes in the last decades. One major treatment advance would be the successful targeting of the oncogenic driver KRASmut. In the past, the indirect targeting of KRAS has been exploited, e. g., via upstream inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinases or via downstream MEK or PI3K inhibition. However, the experience gained from clinical trials and from the clinic itself in the treatment of KRASmut cancer entities has dampened the initial euphoria. Lately, with the development of KRASG12C-specific inhibitors, not only the direct but also the indirect targeting of KRASmut has gained momentum again. Though preclinical studies and preliminary early clinical studies of monotherapies have shown promising results, they have been overshadowed by the swift development of resistances resulting in inconsistent responses in patient cohorts. Currently, several different combination therapies for KRASmut cancer are being explored. If they hold the promise they have made in preclinical studies, they might also be suitable treatment options for patients suffering from PDAC.

Investigating autophagy and glutamine metabolism as therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 381-381
Author(s):  
Mario Jardon ◽  
Steve Kalloger ◽  
Christina Iggulden ◽  
Nancy Erro Go ◽  
Paalini Sathiyaseelan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Glutamine Metabolism ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Pdac Cell ◽  
Multiple Cancer ◽  
Tissue Micro Array ◽  
Cancer Hallmarks ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
New Therapeutic Approaches

381 Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest types of cancer, for which new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. We are developing novel combination therapy approaches based on the inhibition of glutamine metabolism and autophagy, to improve current treatments for PDAC. Since both processes are key mediators of multiple cancer hallmarks, and have inter-related but non-redundant roles, this combination may result in a more efficient disruption of cancer cell resistance to treatments. Methods: We interrogated the Pancreas Centre BC tissue micro-array, containing the epithelial component of 252 PDAC samples, for expression of three key glutamine-metabolizing proteins and two autophagy-related proteins: glutamine synthetase (GLUL), asparagine synthetase (ASNS), glutaminase C (GLS-GAC), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (MAP1-LC3B or LC3B) and autophagy-related protein 4B (ATG4B). While previous efforts by other groups have focused on GLS-GAC, the role of GLUL in cancer has remained less well understood. We thus investigated the functional relevance of GLUL using a panel of PDAC cell lines. We are also investigating interactions between glutamine metabolism and autophagy, including the exploration of strategies to target GLUL and the evaluation of a new class of ATG4B inhibitors for the treatment of pancreatic cancers. Results: We found that GLUL, ASNS, GLS-GAC, LC3B and ATG4B were expressed in 31%, 58%, 99%, 51% and 73%, respectively, of PDAC samples. Furthermore, higher LC3B expression correlated with poor outcome. Our functional studies revealed that various PDAC cells express GLUL, which can be upregulated upon glutamine deprivation. In all cell lines tested, GLUL knockdown sensitized them to gemcitabine, as assessed by a long-term recovery assay. We also found that the candidate ATG4B inhibitors, shown to inhibit this target in cell-free assays, effectively inhibit PDAC cell proliferation at micromolar concentrations. Conclusions: Our study reveals that glutamine metabolism and autophagy are clinically relevant in PDAC and may have potential as therapeutic targets. Supported by Pancreas Centre BC, BC Cancer Foundation and VGH Foundation.

scholarly journals Randomised, open-label, phase II study of gemcitabine with and without IMM-101 for advanced pancreatic cancer

2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (7) ◽  
pp. 789-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angus G Dalgleish ◽  
Justin Stebbing ◽  
Douglas JA Adamson ◽  
Seema Safia Arif ◽  
Paolo Bidoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Ii ◽  
Immune Modulation ◽  
Advanced Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
Adverse Event Reporting ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Open Label Phase ◽  
Intent To Treat

Abstract Background: Immune Modulation and Gemcitabine Evaluation-1, a randomised, open-label, phase II, first-line, proof of concept study (NCT01303172), explored safety and tolerability of IMM-101 (heat-killed Mycobacterium obuense; NCTC 13365) with gemcitabine (GEM) in advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Methods: Patients were randomised (2 : 1) to IMM-101 (10 mg ml−l intradermally)+GEM (1000 mg m−2 intravenously; n=75), or GEM alone (n=35). Safety was assessed on frequency and incidence of adverse events (AEs). Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rate (ORR) were collected. Results: IMM-101 was well tolerated with a similar rate of AE and serious adverse event reporting in both groups after allowance for exposure. Median OS in the intent-to-treat population was 6.7 months for IMM-101+GEM v 5.6 months for GEM; while not significant, the hazard ratio (HR) numerically favoured IMM-101+GEM (HR, 0.68 (95% CI, 0.44–1.04, P=0.074). In a pre-defined metastatic subgroup (84%), OS was significantly improved from 4.4 to 7.0 months in favour of IMM-101+GEM (HR, 0.54, 95% CI 0.33–0.87, P=0.01). Conclusions: IMM-101 with GEM was as safe and well tolerated as GEM alone, and there was a suggestion of a beneficial effect on survival in patients with metastatic disease. This warrants further evaluation in an adequately powered confirmatory study.

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