Survival mechanisms of circulating tumor cells and their implications for cancer treatment
AbstractMetastasis remains the principal trigger for relapse and mortality across diverse cancer types. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which originate from the primary tumor or its metastatic sites, traverse the vascular system, serving as precursors in cancer recurrence and metastasis. Nevertheless, before CTCs can establish themselves in the distant parenchyma, they must overcome significant challenges present within the circulatory system, including hydrodynamic shear stress (HSS), oxidative damage, anoikis, and immune surveillance. Recently, there has been a growing body of compelling evidence suggesting that a specif...
Source: Cancer and Metastasis Reviews - March 4, 2024 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Epidemiology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: current insights and future outlook
AbstractNasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterised by its remarkable geographical and ethnic distribution. The interplay between genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and Epstein –Barr virus (EBV) infections is indicated in the development of NPC. Exposure to tobacco smoking, dietary factors, and inhalants has been associated with the risk of NPC. Genetic association studies have revealed NPC-associated susceptibility loci, including genes involved in immune responses, xen obiotic metabolism, genome maintenance, and cell cycle regulation. EBV exposure timing and strain variation might play a role in its c...
Source: Cancer and Metastasis Reviews - March 2, 2024 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Comprehensive assessment of TECENTRIQ ® and OPDIVO®: analyzing immunotherapy indications withdrawn in triple-negative breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma
This study will examine bo th the structural and clinical aspects. This review provides detailed insights into the structure of the PD-1 receptor and its ligands, the interactions between PD-1 and PD-L1, and their interactions with the withdrawn antibodies (atezolizumab and nivolumab) as well as PD-1 and PD-L1 modifications. In addition, this review further assesses these antibodies in the context of TNBC and HCC. It seeks to elucidate the factors that contribute to diverse responses to PD-1/PD-L1 therapy in different types of cancer and propose approaches for predicting responses, mitigating the potential risks linked to ...
Source: Cancer and Metastasis Reviews - February 27, 2024 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Molecular panorama of therapy resistance in prostate cancer: a pre-clinical and bioinformatics analysis for clinical translation
AbstractProstate cancer (PCa) is a malignant disorder of prostate gland being asymptomatic in early stages and high metastatic potential in advanced stages. The chemotherapy and surgical resection have provided favourable prognosis of PCa patients, but advanced and aggressive forms of PCa including CRPC and AVPC lack response to therapy properly, and therefore, prognosis of patients is deteriorated. At the advanced stages, PCa cells do not respond to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in a satisfactory level, and therefore, therapy resistance is emerged. Molecular profile analysis of PCa cells reveals the apoptosis suppression,...
Source: Cancer and Metastasis Reviews - February 19, 2024 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Cancer cell plasticity: from cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms to tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance
In conclusion, this review offers a holistic, detailed exploration of cancer cell plasticity, aiming to bolster the understanding and approach toward tackling the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. As articulated in this review, the delineation of cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms underlying tumor heterogeneity and d rug resistance seeks to contribute substantially to the progress in cancer therapeutics and the advancement of precision medicine, ultimately enhancing the prospects for effective cancer treatment and patient outcomes. (Source: Cancer and Metastasis Reviews)
Source: Cancer and Metastasis Reviews - February 8, 2024 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Clusterin: a marker and mediator of chemoresistance in colorectal cancer
AbstractIntra-tumoural heterogeneity and cancer cell plasticity in colorectal cancer (CRC) have been key challenges to effective treatment for patients. It has been suggested that a subpopulation of LGR5-expressing cancer stem cells (CSCs) is responsible for driving tumour relapse and therapy resistance in CRC. However, studies have revealed that the LGR5+ve CSC population is highly sensitive to chemotherapy. It has been hypothesised that another subset of tumour cells can phenotypically revert to a stem-like state in response to chemotherapy treatment which replenishes the LGR5+ve CSC population and maintains tumour growt...
Source: Cancer and Metastasis Reviews - February 6, 2024 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Therapeutic importance and diagnostic function of circRNAs in urological cancers: from metastasis to drug resistance
AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are a member of non-coding RNAs with no ability in encoding proteins and their aberrant dysregulation is observed in cancers. Their closed-loop structure has increased their stability, and they are reliable biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Urological cancers have been responsible for high mortality and morbidity worldwide, and developing new strategies in their treatment, especially based on gene therapy, is of importance since these malignant diseases do not respond to conventional therapies. In the current review, three important aims are followed. At the first step, the role of circRNAs ...
Source: Cancer and Metastasis Reviews - January 22, 2024 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
The impact of tumor microenvironment: unraveling the role of physical cues in breast cancer progression
AbstractMetastasis accounts for the vast majority of breast cancer-related fatalities. Although the contribution of genetic and epigenetic modifications to breast cancer progression has been widely acknowledged, emerging evidence underscores the pivotal role of physical stimuli in driving breast cancer metastasis. In this review, we summarize the changes in the mechanics of the breast cancer microenvironment and describe the various forces that impact migrating and circulating tumor cells throughout the metastatic process. We also discuss the mechanosensing and mechanotransducing molecules responsible for promoting the mal...
Source: Cancer and Metastasis Reviews - January 19, 2024 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
