Colorectal cancer cell dormancy:An insight into pathways

Cancer cell dormancy(CCD)in colorectal cancer(CRC)poses a significant challenge to effective treatment.In CRC,CCD contributes to tumour recurrence,drug resistance,and amplifying the disease's burden.The molecular mechanisms governing CCD and strategies for eliminating dormant cancer cells remain largely unexplored.Therefore,understanding the molecular mechanisms governing dormancy is crucial for improving patient outcomes and developing targeted therapies.This editorial highlights the complex interplay of signalling pathways and factors involved in colorectal CCD,emphasizing the roles of Hippo/YAP,pluripotent transcription factors such as NANOG,HIF-1αsignalling,and Notch signalling pathways.Additionally,ERK/p38α/β/MAPK pathways,AKT signalling pathway,and Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer,along with some potential less explored pathways such as STAT/p53 switch and canonical and non-canonical Wnt and SMAD signalling,are also involved in promoting colorectal CCD.Highlighting their clinical significance,these findings may offer the potential for identifying key dormancy regulator pathways,improving treatment strategies,surmounting drug resistance,and advancing personalized medicine approaches.Moreover,insights into dormancy mechanisms could lead to the development of predictive biomarkers for identifying patients at risk of recurrence and the tailoring of targeted therapies based on individual dormancy profiles.It is essential to conduct further research into these pathways and their modulation to fully comprehend CRC dormancy mechanisms and enhance patient outcomes.

Expression of Gli1 in the hedgehog signaling pathway and breast cancer recurrence

The hedgehog （Hh） signaling pathway plays an essential role in the embryonic development and homeostasis of diverse adult tissues, and its deregulation has been implicated in the tumorigenesis and metastasis of various malignancies including breast cancer. Aberrant activation of the Hh pathway includes the following mechanisms： （I） Hh ligand-independent mechanism - Loss of function mutations in the Hh receptor Patched 1 （PTCH1） or gain of function mutations in the Smoothened （SMO） lead to constitutive activation of this pathway; （II） Autocrine signaling- Ith ligand produced by tumor cells stimulates the Hh signaling in tumor cells; （III） Paracrine signaling - tumor cell produced-Hh ligand activates stromal and endothelial cells that produce growth factors in microenvironment for supporting tumor growth and survival; and （IV） Reverse paracrine signaling - Hh ligand produced by stromal cells support tumor growth and survival. Upon the pathway activation, the Gli transcription factors, effectors of the Hh signaling, activate or inhibit transcription by binding to their responsive genes and interacting with the transcriptional complex. The Gli transcription factor family includes Glil, Gli2, and Gli3 （1）. Glil is a transcriptional activator whose expression has been recognized as an activation state of the Hh signaling pathway, Gli2 is either an activator or repressor, and Gli3 is a strong repressor of transcriptional activities. To date, a ligand-dependent autocrine model of activating the Hh signaling has been described in breast cancer, and both an autocrine and paracrine mechanisms in colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer （2,3）. Notably, a ligand-independent mechanism （mutationsin PTCHI and SMO） of the signaling has been well demonstrated in basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma （4,5）.

The hedgehog pathway in breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers around the world with approximately 1.6 million new cases and 425 thousand deaths from the disease in 2010 （1）. While early detection methods and treatment have continuously evolved and improved over the years, there is still a strong need to further understand the pathways and mechanisms that lead to and drive this malignancy with the ultimate goal being more personalized, less toxic treatment with improved survival and higher cure rates.

Adenosine triphosphate induced cell death: Mechanisms and implications in cancer biology and therapy

Adenosine triphosphate(ATP)induced cell death(AICD)is a critical cellular process that has garnered substantial scientific interest for its profound relevance to cancer biology and to therapeutic interventions.This comprehensive review unveils the intricate web of AICD mechanisms and their intricate connections with cancer biology.This review offers a comprehensive framework for comprehending the multifaceted role of AICD in the context of cancer.This is achieved by elucidating the dynamic interplay between systemic and cellular ATP homeostasis,deciphering the intricate mechanisms governing AICD,elucidating its intricate involvement in cancer signaling pathways,and scrutinizing validated key genes.Moreover,the exploration of AICD as a potential avenue for cancer treatment underscores its essential role in shaping the future landscape of cancer therapeutics.

Tumorigenic bacteria in colorectal cancer:mechanisms and treatments

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the third most common and the second most fatal cancer.In recent years,more attention has been directed toward the role of gut microbiota in the initiation and development of CRC.Some bacterial species,such as Fusobacterium nucleatum,Escherichia coli,Bacteroides fragilis,Enterococcus faecalis,and Salmonella sp.have been associated with CRC,based upon sequencing studies in CRC patients and functional studies in cell culture and animal models.These bacteria can cause host DNA damage by genotoxic substances,including colibactin secreted by pks+Escherichia coli,B.fragilis toxin(BFT)produced by Bacteroides fragilis,and typhoid toxin(TT)from Salmonella.These bacteria can also indirectly promote CRC by influencing host-signaling pathways,such as E-cadherin/β-catenin,TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB,and SMO/RAS/p38 MAPK.Moreover,some of these bacteria can contribute to CRC progression by helping tumor cells to evade the immune response by suppressing immune cell function,creating a proinflammatory environment,or influencing the autophagy process.Treatments with the classical antibacterial drugs,metronidazole or erythromycin,the antibacterial active ingredients,M13@Ag(electrostatically assembled from inorganic silver nanoparticles and the protein capsid of bacteriophage M13),berberine,and zerumbone,were found to inhibit tumorigenic bacteria to different degrees.In this review,we described progress in elucidating the tumorigenic mechanisms of several CRC-associated bacteria,as well as progress in developing effective antibacterial therapies.Specific bacteria have been shown to be active in the oncogenesis and progression of CRC,and some antibacterial compounds have shown therapeutic potential in bacteria-induced CRC.These bacteria may be useful as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for CRC.

Cancer stem cells: Involvement in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis and perspectives on cancer therapeutics

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies. Despite remarkable progress in understanding pancreatic carcinogenesis at the molecular level, as well as progress in new therapeutic approaches, pancreatic cancer remains a disease with a dismal prognosis. Among the mechanisms responsible for drug resistance, the most relevant are changes in individual genes or signaling pathways and the presence of highly resistant cancer stem cells(CSCs). In pancreatic cancer, CSCs represent 0.2%-0.8% of pancreatic cancer cells and are considered to be responsible for tumor growth, invasion, metastasis and recurrence. CSCs have been extensively studied as of late to identify specific surface markers to ensure reliable sorting and for signaling pathways identified to play a pivotal role in CSC self-renewal. Involvement of CSCs in pancreatic cancer pathogenesis has also highlighted these cells as the preferential targets for therapy. The present review is an update of the results in two main fields of research in pancreatic cancer, pathogenesis and therapy, focused on the narrow perspective of CSCs.

A network pharmacological study on the mechanism of Commiphora myrrha in the treatment of prostate cancer

Background:Prostate cancer(PCa)is one of the most common malignancies of the male genitourinary system.Commiphora myrrha(CM)has the potential to treat PCa,but the underlying mechanism is still unclear.Therefore,this study uses the network pharmacology method to investigate the target of CM in the treatment of PCa and related signal pathways,and further analyze the theoretical basis and potential mechanism of its treatment with PCa.Methods:All the components and targets of CM were retrieved from Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP).GeneCards and DisGeNET databases were used to collect PCa-related targets.String was used to build a target protein interaction network.The network of“active component-interaction target-related pathways”and protein-protein interaction network were constructed using Cytoscape,the functional enrichment analysis of GO and the enrichment analysis of KEGG pathway of CM in the treatment of PCa were performed using Metascape.Results:A total of 33 active ingredients including quercetin,β-sitosterol and ellagic acid were obtained,and 61 common targets of CM for PCa were obtained by screening intersection.The most frequent occurrences were AKT1,TP53,JUN,VEGFA,etc.These targets were mainly involved in biological processes,such as apoptotic signaling pathway,response to growth factor,and reactive oxygen species metabolic process,and were mainly concentrated in PI3K-Akt,MAPK and other signaling pathways.Conclusion:This study revealed the effective ingredients,potential targets and mechanism of action of CM in the treatment of PCa,aiming to provide a theoretical basis and reference for subsequent experimental studies.

Local recurrence after successful endoscopic submucosal dissection for rectal mucinous mucosal adenocarcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colorectum is a rare histological subtype characterized by an abundant mucinous component.Mucinous tumors are frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage,which indicates an aggressive subtype.However,few case reports have been published,and little information is available concerning genetic alterations in mucinous adenocarcinoma.CASE SUMMARY A 76-year-old man underwent en bloc endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)for the management of a type 0-Is+IIa lesion.Histological examination revealed an intramucosal mucinous adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cell carcinoma and well-to-moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma.Three years after the ESD,local recurrence was detected by an endoscopic examination,revealing a new 0-Is+IIa lesion with a phenotype similar to the previously resected lesion.Re-ESD was chosen for the management of the recurrent tumor,and the histological examination showed positive tumor infiltration at the vertical margin.Additional surgical resection was performed for the curative treatment.Genetic analysis showed pathogenic alterations in RNF43 and TP53 in the adenoma and an additional SMAD4 alteration in the carcinoma.CONCLUSION This mucinous mucosal adenocarcinoma case was suggested to have an aggressive phenotype and a careful and close follow-up are required.

Potential mechanism of Huatan Qushi decoction on improving phlegm-dampness constitution using microRNA array and RT-qPCR targeting on hsa-miR-1237e3p

Background:Metabolic diseases pose considerable burden on the healthcare system worldwide,indicating the significance of prevention and treatment.In constitution theory of traditional Chinese medicine,phlegm-dampness constitution(PDC)is the common basis of metabolic diseases.In clinical practice,Huatan Qushi(HTQS)decoction targeting on PDC can effectively improve metabolic indicators.However,its underlying biochemical mechanism still remains unclear.Methods:Eight PDC participants received HTQS decoction for three months.Their blood was collected at baseline and 1 and 3 months after intervention started.Related biomedical indicators were detected.High-throughput sequencing and RT-qPCR were used for validation.Due to the missing data,repeated measures with missing values in mixed models were used.Results:After 3-month treatment,HDL-C level increased(P<.001)and FBG,FINS,and HbA1c all showed decreasing trend at different time points(all P<.05).After miRNA high-throughput sequencing,compared with the baseline,differential miRNAs at 1 and 3 months were screened,and target gene prediction and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed.The results displayed that metabolic disease-related pathways mainly included pathways in cancer,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,etc.Further,RT-qPCR showed that hsa-miR-1237e3p differed statistically(P=.008).Then we validated the target genes of hsa-miR-1237e3p in the“Pathways in Cancer”pathway including SDF1,AC,CRK,and HGF,also known as upstream target genes of PI3K/AKT pathway.The results showed that two indicators of CRK and HGF were in statistical significance(P=.045 and P=.036,respectively).Conclusion:PDC serves as a common basis for various metabolic diseases.Through adjusting PDC,HTQS decoction can improve biomedical indicators including blood glucose,HbA1c,insulin,and HDL-C.The target pathway is“Pathways in cancer”.Specifically,HTQS decoction acts on targets of CRK and HGF by regulating hsa-miR-1237e3p,and probably exerts effects on their downstream PI3K/AKT pathway.

Regulatory effects of antitumor agent matrine on FOXO and PI3K-AKT pathway in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells

We previously demonstrated that matrine could inhibit the proliferating, migrating, as well as invading processes of both PC-3 and DU145 cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been clearly defined. In this study, using various techniques such as high throughput sequencing technology, bioinformatics, quantitative real-time PCR, and immunoblot analysis,we aimed to understand whether matrine serves as a novel regulator of FOXO and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. DU145 and PC-3 cell lines were cultured for 24 h in vitro. Cells were treated with either matrine or control serum for 48 h, followed by extraction of total RNA. The RNA was sequenced using HiSeq 2500 high-throughput sequencing platform (Illumina). A gene library was established and quality analysis of read data carried out. Integrated database from the website DAVID was used to analyze Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway of differential genes was used for pathway analysis, screening for fold differences of more than two times. The FOXO and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways were screened, and expression levels of mRNA and core protein detected by real-time PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. High throughput sequencing and GO analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes before and after treatment played an important role in cell metabolic process, growth process, anatomical structure formation, cellular component organization, and biological regulation. KEGG signal pathway analysis revealed that FOXO and PI3K-AKT signal pathways had a significant difference between before and after matrine-treated androgen-independent prostate cancer cells PC-3 and DU145. Real-time PCR showed that matrine treatment led to a significant increase in the expression levels of FOXO1A, FOXO3A, FOXO4, and FOXO6 in DU145 and PC-3 cells (P<0.01 or P<0.05), whereas the PI3K expression levels decreased (P<0.01). Similarly, immunoblotting revealed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the expression levels of FOXO1A FOXO3A, FOXO4, and FOXO6 in both PC-3 and DU145 cells, whereas PI3K expression levels decreased (P<0.05). Matrine had a broad regulating effect on the mRNA expression profiles of both PC-3 and DU145 cells. Matrine may inhibit cell proliferation, migration, as well as invasion, and induce apoptosis in both PC-3 and DU145 cells through FOXO and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways. Matrine could therefore be used as a complementary drug to present chemotherapeutic agents, for treating androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Scutellaria barbata D.Don Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Growth via Suppression of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Objective： To investigate the effect of the ethanol extract of Scutellaria barbata D. Don（EESB） on colorectal cancer（CRC） growth and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. Methods： In vivoexperiment, CRC xenograft mouse model was constructed with injection of HT-29 cells. Following xenograft implantation, twenty mice were randomly divided into EESB-treated group（n=10） and control group（n=10） by a random number table, and were given with intra-gastric administration of 2 g/kg EESB or saline, 5 days a week for 16 days, respectively. At the end of experiment, tumors were removed and weighed by electronic scales. The proliferation biomarker Ki-67 of tumor was evaluated by immunohistochemistry（IHC） assay. In vitro study, HT-29 cells were treated with 0, 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 mg/m L EESB for 24 h. At the end of the treatment, the viability and survival of HT-29 cells were determined by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide（MTT） assay and colony formation assay, respectively. The m RNA expression of c-Myc, Survivin and adenomatous polyposis coli（APC） was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR） both in tumor tissues of CRC xenograft mice and HT-29 cells. Protein expression of c-Myc, Survivin, APC, and β-catenin as well as β-catenin phosphorylation level were evaluated by IHC assay or Western blotting. Results： EESB significantly reduced tumor weight in CRC xenografts mice, compared with the control group（P〈0.05）. IHC assay showed that EESB significantly inhibited protein expression of Ki-67 in tumor tissues（P〈0.05）. MTT assay showed that EESB significantly reduced HT-29 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner（P〈0.05）. Colony formation assay showed that EESB dose-dependently decreased the survival of HT-29 cells（P〈0.05）. In addition, RT-PCR assay showed that EESB decreased the m RNA expression of c-Myc and Survivin and increased APC expression, both in tumor tissues of CRC xenograft mice and HT-29 cells（P〈0.05）. IHC assay or Western blotting showed that EESB decreased protein expression of β-catenin, c-Myc and Survivin, as well as increased APC expression and β-catenin phosphorylation in tumor tissues or HT-29 cells（P〈0.05）. Conclusions： EESB significantly reduced tumor growth in CRC xenografts mice, and inhibited the viability and survival of HT-29 cells. EESB could suppress the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which might be one of the mechanisms whereby Scutellaria barbata D. Don exerts its anticancer activity.

Differential roles of EPS8 in carcinogenesis:Loss of protein expression in a subset of colorectal carcinoma and adenoma

AIM:To analyze the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8(EPS8) expression status and role in colorectal carcinogenesis given that EPS8 has a conserved actin barbed-end capping function that is required for proper maturation in intestinal cells.METHODS:We studied 8 colon cancer cell lines and 58 colorectal tumors(19 adenomas and 39 carcinomas).We performed expression microarray analysis of colon cancer cell lines followed by loss of heterozygosity(LOH)analysis and immunohistochemistry for EPS8 expression in colon tumors.Subsequently,we performed mutation analysis by direct sequencing and methylation analysis by bisulfite sequencing and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction assays.RESULTS:Expression microarray analysis of colon cancer cell lines showed overexpression of EPS8 transcript in all lines but RKO.Genome wide loss of heterozygosity(LOH) analysis of colon tumors,showed considerable LOH at the EPS8 gene locus.Immunohistochemically,EPS8 was constitutively expressed in normal colonic mucosa with a dot-like supranuclear localization with accentuation at the luminal surface supporting its proposed role in epithelial maturation.Nineteen colon tumors(4 adenoma,15 carcinoma) out of 51(37%) showed strikingly tumor specific EPS8 protein loss.Of the remaining tumors,5/51(2 adenoma,and 3 carcinoma,10%) showed marked overexpression,while 27/51 tumors(53%) showed retained expression.Mutation analysis revealed a missense mutation(c.794C>T,p.R265C) in exon 8 in RKO.The EPS8 promoter was also methylated in RKO,but there was no significant methylation in other cell lines or carcinoma specimens.CONCLUSION:The loss of EPS8 expression in colorectal adenomas and carcinomas suggests that down regulation of this gene contributes to the development of a subset of colorectal cancers,a finding which could have applications in diagnosis and treatment.

Brucine Inhibits Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer Cells by Suppressing Jagged1/Notch1 Signaling Pathways

Objective： To examine the effects of brucine on the invasion, migration and bone resorption of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand（RANKL）-induced osteoclastogenesis. Methods： The osteoclastogenesis model was builded by co-culturing human breast tumor MDA-MB-231 and mouse RAW264.7 macrophages cells. RANKL（50 ng/m L） and macrophage-colony stimulating factor（50 ng/m L） were added to this system, followed by treatment with brucine（0.02, 0.04 and 0.08 mmol/L）, or 10 μmol/L zoledronic acid as positive control. The migration and bone resorption were measured by transwell assay and in vitro bone resorption assay. The protein expressions of Jagged1 and Notch1 were investigated by Western blot. The expressions of transforming growth factor-β1（TGF-β1）, nuclear factor-kappa B（NF-κB） and Hes1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results： Compared with the model group, brucine led to a dose-dependent decrease on migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption of RAW264.7 cells（P 〈0.01）. Furthermore, brucine decreased the protein levels of Jagged1 and Notch1 in MDA-MB-231 cells and RAW264.7 cells co-cultured system as well as the expressions of TGF-β1, NF-κB and Hes1（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Brucine may inhibit osteoclastogenesis by suppressing Jagged1/Notch1 signaling pathways.

Literature-based knowledgebase of pancreatic cancer gene to prioritize the key genes and pathways

Pancreatic cancer （PC） occurs when malignant cells develop in the part of the pancreas, a glandular organ behind the stomach. For 2015, there are about 40,560 people dead of pancreatic cancer （20,710 men and 19,850 women） in the US （Siegel et al., 2015）. Though PC accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the US, it can cause about 7% of cancer deaths. This is mainly because that the early stages of this cancer do not usually produce symptoms, and thus the cancer is almost always fatal when it is diagnosed.

Oncogenic Ras/PI3K/Her2 share a common pathway in promoting cancer metastasis via inhibiting expression of p53-related ΔNp63α

Subject Code:H16With the support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,a collaborative study by the research groups led by Prof.Xiao Zhixiong(肖智雄)from the College of Life Science,Sichuan University demonstrates thatΔNp63αis a common inhibitory target in oncogenic PI3K/Ras/Her2-induced

Bioinformatics research of CD44 and epithelial cell adhesion molecule related genes and pathways in colorectal cancer

Objective To investigate genes and involved biological processes closely associated with stem cell markers of colorectal cancer-epithelial cell adhesion molecule(EpCAM)+and CD44+.Methods By the bioinformatics method,with microarray data of colorectal cancer from gene expression omnibus(GEO)database and R2 platform,the genes significantly related with CD44 and Ep-

Analysis of Pathway Activity in Primary Tumors and NCI60 Cell Lines Using Gene Expression Profiling Data

To determine cancer pathway activities in nine types of primary tumors and NCI60 cell lines, we applied an in silico approach by examining gene signatures reflective of consequent pathway activation using gene expression data. Supervised learning approaches predicted that the Ras pathway is active in -70% of lung adenocarcinomas but inactive in most squamous cell carcinomas, pulmonary carcinoids, and small cell lung carcinomas. In contrast, the TGF-β, TNF-α, Src, Myc, E2F3, and β-catenin pathways are inactive in lung adenocarcinomas. We predicted an active Ras, Myc, Src, and/or E2F3 pathway in significant percentages of breast cancer, colorectal carcinoma, and gliomas. Our results also suggest that Ras may be the most prevailing oncogenic pathway. Additionally, many NCI60 cell lines exhibited a gene signature indicative of an active Ras, Myc, and/or Src, but not E2F3, β-catenin, TNF-α, or TGF-β pathway. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive survey of cancer pathway activities in nine major tumor types and the most widely used NCI60 cell lines. The ＂gene expression pathway signatures＂ we have defined could facilitate the understanding of molecular mechanisms in cancer development and provide guidance to the selection of appropriate cell lines for cancer research and pharmaceutical compound screening.