scholarly journals Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Functions as a Road-Block in Cancer Therapy

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 5246
Author(s):  
Pradip De ◽  
Jennifer Aske ◽  
Nandini Dey

The journey of a normal resident fibroblast belonging to the tumor microenvironment (TME) from being a tumor pacifier to a tumor patron is fascinating. We introduce cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) as a crucial component of the TME. Activated-CAF partners with tumor cells and all components of TME in an established solid tumor. We briefly overview the origin, activation, markers, and overall functions of CAF with a particular reference to how different functions of CAF in an established tumor are functionally connected to the development of resistance to cancer therapy in solid tumors. We interrogate the role of CAF in mediating resistance to different modes of therapies. Functional diversity of CAF in orchestrating treatment resistance in solid tumors portrays CAF as a common orchestrator of treatment resistance; a roadblock in cancer therapy.

Folia Medica ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashish P. Shah ◽  
Chhagan N. Patel ◽  
Dipen K. Sureja ◽  
Kirtan P. Sanghavi

AbstractThe DNA repair process protects the cells from DNA damaging agent by multiple pathways. Majority of the cancer therapy cause DNA damage which leads to apoptosis. The cell has natural ability to repair this damage which ultimately leads to development of resistance of drugs. The key enzymes involved in DNA repair process are poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP). Tumor cells repair their defective gene via defective homologues recombination (HR) in the presence of enzyme PARP. PARP inhibitors inhibit the enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) which lead to apoptosis of cancer cells. Current clinical data shows the role of PARP inhibitors is not restricted to BRCA mutations but also effective in HR dysfunctions related tumors. Therefore, investigation in this area could be very helpful for future therapy of cancer. This review gives detail information on the role of PARP in DNA damage repair, the role of PARP inhibitors and chemistry of currently available PARP inhibitors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junghyun Lim ◽  
Aditya Murthy

Autophagy is a catabolic process that targets its cargo for lysosomal degradation. In addition to its function in maintaining tissue homeostasis, autophagy is recognized to play a context-dependent role in cancer. Autophagy may inhibit tumor initiation under specific contexts; however, a growing body of evidence supports a pro-tumorigenic role of this pathway in established disease. In this setting, autophagy drives treatment resistance, metabolic changes, and immunosuppression both in a tumor-intrinsic and extrinsic manner. This observation has prompted renewed interest in targeting autophagy for cancer therapy. Novel genetic models have proven especially insightful, revealing unique and overlapping roles of individual autophagy-related genes in tumor progression. Despite identification of pharmacologically actionable nodes in the pathway, fundamental challenges still exist for successful therapeutic inhibition of autophagy. Here we summarize the current understanding of autophagy as a driver of resistance against targeted and immuno-therapies and highlight knowledge gaps that, if addressed, may provide meaningful advances in the treatment of cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. e1009348
Author(s):  
Tyler Cassidy ◽  
Daniel Nichol ◽  
Mark Robertson-Tessi ◽  
Morgan Craig ◽  
Alexander R. A. Anderson

Intra-tumour heterogeneity is a leading cause of treatment failure and disease progression in cancer. While genetic mutations have long been accepted as a primary mechanism of generating this heterogeneity, the role of phenotypic plasticity is becoming increasingly apparent as a driver of intra-tumour heterogeneity. Consequently, understanding the role of this plasticity in treatment resistance and failure is a key component of improving cancer therapy. We develop a mathematical model of stochastic phenotype switching that tracks the evolution of drug-sensitive and drug-tolerant subpopulations to clarify the role of phenotype switching on population growth rates and tumour persistence. By including cytotoxic therapy in the model, we show that, depending on the strategy of the drug-tolerant subpopulation, stochastic phenotype switching can lead to either transient or permanent drug resistance. We study the role of phenotypic heterogeneity in a drug-resistant, genetically homogeneous population of non-small cell lung cancer cells to derive a rational treatment schedule that drives population extinction and avoids competitive release of the drug-tolerant sub-population. This model-informed therapeutic schedule results in increased treatment efficacy when compared against periodic therapy, and, most importantly, sustained tumour decay without the development of resistance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 21-23
Author(s):  
Purvish M. Parikh ◽  
T. P. Sahoo ◽  
Randeep Singh ◽  
Bahl Ankur ◽  
Talvar Vineet ◽  
...  

Response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) are a method used to evaluate and document the response to cancer treatment in solid tumors. The availability of a new class of immuneoncology drugs has resulted in the need to modify RECIST criteria methodology. The first leadership immuno-oncology network (LION) master course brought together experts in oncology and immuno-oncology. Six questions were put to the experts and their opinion, supporting evidence, and experience were discussed to arrive at a practical consensus recommendation. n this nascent field, the availability of a practical consensus recommendation developed by experts in the field is of immense value to the community oncologist and other health-care consultants.


Author(s):  
Mohamad Hossein Pourhanifeh ◽  
Kazem Abbaszadeh-Goudarzi ◽  
Mohammad Goodarzi ◽  
Sara G.M. Piccirillo ◽  
Alimohammad Shafiee ◽  
...  

: Melanoma is the most life-threatening and aggressive class of skin malignancies. The incidence of melanoma has steadily increased. Metastatic melanoma is greatly resistant to standard anti-melanomatreatments such as chemotherapy, and 5-year survival rate of cases with melanoma who have metastatic form of disease is less than 10%. The contributing role of apoptosis, angiogenesis and autophagy in the pathophysiology of melanoma has been previously demonstrated. Thus, it is extremely urgent to search for complementary therapeutic approachesthat couldenhance the quality of life of subjects and reduce treatment resistance and adverse effects. Resveratrol, known as a polyphenol component present in grapes and some plants, has anti-cancer properties due to its function as an apoptosis inducer in tumor cells, and anti-angiogenic agent to prevent metastasis. However, more clinical trials should be conducted to prove resveratrol efficacy. : Herein, for first time, we summarize current knowledge of anti-cancerous activities of resveratrol in melanoma.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-213
Author(s):  
Guangying Qi ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
Sisi Mi ◽  
Takaaki Tsunematsu ◽  
Shengjian Jin ◽  
...  

Aurora kinases are a group of serine/threonine kinases responsible for the regulation of mitosis. In recent years, with the increase in Aurora kinase-related research, the important role of Aurora kinases in tumorigenesis has been gradually recognized. Aurora kinases have been regarded as a new target for cancer therapy, resulting in the development of Aurora kinase inhibitors. The study and application of these small-molecule inhibitors, especially in combination with chemotherapy drugs, represent a new direction in cancer treatment. This paper reviews studies on Aurora kinases from recent years, including studies of their biological function, their relationship with tumor progression, and their inhibitors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cong Tang ◽  
Guodong Zhu

The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) consists of a family of transcription factors involved in the regulation of a wide variety of biological responses. Growing evidence support that NF-κB plays a major role in oncogenesis as well as its well-known function in the regulation of immune responses and inflammation. Therefore, we made a review of the diverse molecular mechanisms by which the NF-κB pathway is constitutively activated in different types of human cancers and the potential role of various oncogenic genes regulated by this transcription factor in cancer development and progression. We also discussed various pharmacological approaches employed to target the deregulated NF-κB signaling pathway and their possible therapeutic potential in cancer therapy. Moreover, Syk (Spleen tyrosine kinase), non-receptor tyrosine kinase which mediates signal transduction downstream of a variety of transmembrane receptors including classical immune-receptors like the B-cell receptor (BCR), which can also activate the inflammasome and NF-κB-mediated transcription of chemokines and cytokines in the presence of pathogens would be discussed as well. The highlight of this review article is to summarize the classic and novel signaling pathways involved in NF-κB and Syk signaling and then raise some possibilities for cancer therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-90
Author(s):  
Arjun Sharma ◽  
Pravir Kumar ◽  
Rashmi K. Ambasta

Background: Silencing of several genes is critical for cancer therapy. These genes may be apoptotic gene, cell proliferation gene, DNA synthesis gene, etc. The two subunits of Ribonucleotide Reductase (RR), RRM1 and RRM2, are critical for DNA synthesis. Hence, targeting the blockage of DNA synthesis at tumor site can be a smart mode of cancer therapy. Specific targeting of blockage of RRM2 is done effectively by SiRNA. The drawbacks of siRNA delivery in the body include the poor uptake by all kinds of cells, questionable stability under physiological condition, non-target effect and ability to trigger the immune response. These obstacles may be overcome by target delivery of siRNA at the tumor site. This review presents a holistic overview regarding the role of RRM2 in controlling cancer progression. The nanoparticles are more effective due to specific characteristics like cell membrane penetration capacity, less toxicity, etc. RRM2 have been found to be elevated in different types of cancer and identified as the prognostic and predictive marker of the disease. Reductase RRM1 and RRM2 regulate the protein and gene expression of E2F, which is critical for protein expression and progression of cell cycle and cancer. The knockdown of RRM2 leads to apoptosis via Bcl2 in cancer. Both Bcl2 and E2F are critical in the progression of cancer, hence a gene that can affect both in regulating DNA replication is essential for cancer therapy. Aim: The aim of the review is to identify the related gene whose silencing may inhibit cancer progression. Conclusion: In this review, we illuminate the critical link between RRM-E2F, RRM-Bcl2, RRM-HDAC for the therapy of cancer. Altogether, this review presents an overview of all types of SiRNA targeted for cancer therapy with special emphasis on RRM2 for controlling the tumor progression.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanjun Lu ◽  
Yau-Tuen Chan ◽  
Hor-Yue Tan ◽  
Sha Li ◽  
Ning Wang ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document