Tumorigenic Process Research Articles

Circulating Endocannabinoids in Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumor.

A cutaneous mast cell tumor (cMCT) is among the most common tumors in dogs. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) belong to the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which involves also cannabinoid receptors and an enzymatic system of biosynthesis and degradation. In this study, plasma levels of N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), and N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA) were evaluated in 17 dogs with MCTs of varying histological grades and clinical stages, as well as in a control group of 11 dogs. Dogs affected by cMCT had higher plasma levels of 2-AG (p = 0.0001) and lower levels of AEA (p = 0.0012) and PEA (p = 0.0075) compared to the control group, while no differences were observed at the OEA level between healthy and cMCT dogs (p = 0.9264). The ability of eCBs to help discriminate between healthy and cMCT dogs was interrogated through the area under the ROC curve (AUC). An accuracy of 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-1.02) was found for 2-AG, of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.71-0.99) for AEA, and of 0.81% for PEA (95% CI, 0.64-0.69). Values > 52.75 pmol/mL for 2-AG showed 94% sensitivity and 90% specificity in distinguishing cMCT. This is the first study to demonstrate alterations in plasmatic levels of eCBs in dogs affected by MCTs, suggesting the significance of these biomarkers in the tumorigenic process and their potential use as biomarkers in the future.

Long Non-coding RNAs: Potential Diagnostic and Treatment Targets for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, necessitating ongoing scientific research to understand its detection, treatment, and prevention. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a diverse group of non-coding RNAs that play crucial roles in regulating tumorigenic processes, such as cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite not encoding proteins, lncRNAs have significant impacts on the development and progression of NSCLC. Recent evidence suggests that lncRNAs may serve as valuable biomarkers for diagnosing and prognosticating NSCLC through tissue or blood analysis, and as potential therapeutic targets. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in lncRNA research for NSCLC, offering new insights into their mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications. It also explores promising avenues for therapeutic development. By elucidating the complex roles of lncRNAs in NSCLC, this article aims to contribute to the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that can significantly enhance patient outcomes. Understanding the multifaceted functions of lncRNAs in lung cancer has the potential to lead to substantial progress in early disease detection, targeted treatments, and personalized medicine, ultimately improving the prognosis and quality of life for individuals affected by this devastating disease.

When Do Tumours Develop? Neoplastic Processes Across Different Timescales: Age, Season and Round the Circadian Clock.

While it is recognised that most, if not all, multicellular organisms harbour neoplastic processes within their bodies, the timing of when these undesirable cell proliferations are most likely to occur and progress throughout the organism's lifetime remains only partially documented. Due to the different mechanisms implicated in tumourigenesis, it is highly unlikely that this probability remains constant at all times and stages of life. In this article, we summarise what is known about this variation, considering the roles of age, season and circadian rhythm. While most studies requiring that level of detail be done on humans, we also review available evidence in other animal species. For each of these timescales, we identify mechanisms or biological functions shaping the variation. When possible, we show that evolutionary processes likely played a role, either directly to regulate the cancer risk or indirectly through trade-offs. We find that neoplastic risk varies with age in a more complex way than predicted by early epidemiological models: rather than resulting from mutations alone, tumour development is dictated by tissue- and age-specific processes. Similarly, the seasonal cycle can be associated with risk variation in some species with life-history events such as sexual competition or mating being timed according to the season. Lastly, we show that the circadian cycle influences tumourigenesis in physiological, pathological and therapeutic contexts. We also highlight two biological functions at the core of these variations across our three timescales: immunity and metabolism. Finally, we show that our understanding of the entanglement between tumourigenic processes and biological cycles is constrained by the limited number of species for which we have extensive data. Improving our knowledge of the periods of vulnerability to the onset and/or progression of (malignant) tumours is a key issue that deserves further investigation, as it is key to successful cancer prevention strategies.

Paving the way to a neural fate – RNA signatures in naive and trans-differentiating mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) derived from the embryonic mesoderm persist as a viable source of multipotent cells in adults and have a crucial role in tissue repair. One of the most promising aspects of MSCs is their ability to trans-differentiate into cell types outside of the mesodermal lineage, such as neurons. This characteristic positions MSCs as potential therapeutic tools for neurological disorders. However, the definition of a clear MSC signature is an ongoing topic of debate. Likewise, there is still a significant knowledge gap about functional alterations of MSCs during their transition to a neural fate. In this study, our focus is on the dynamic expression of RNA in MSCs as they undergo trans-differentiation compared to undifferentiated MSCs. To track and correlate changes in cellular signaling, we conducted high-throughput RNA expression profiling during the early time-course of human MSC neurogenic trans-differentiation. The expression of synapse maturation markers, including NLGN2 and NPTX1, increased during the first 24 h. The expression of neuron differentiation markers, such as GAP43 strongly increased during 48 h of trans-differentiation. Neural stem cell marker NES and neuron differentiation marker, including TUBB3 and ENO1, were highly expressed in mesenchymal stem cells and remained so during trans-differentiation. Pathways analyses revealed early changes in MSCs signaling that can be linked to the acquisition of neuronal features. Furthermore, we identified microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential drivers of the cellular trans-differentiation process. We also determined potential risk factors related to the neural trans-differentiation process. These factors include the persistence of stemness features and the expression of factors involved in neurofunctional abnormalities and tumorigenic processes. In conclusion, our findings contribute valuable insights into the intricate landscape of MSCs during neural trans-differentiation. These insights can pave the way for the development of safer treatments of neurological disorders.

Dense but not alpha granules of platelets are required for insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells

ObjectivesPlatelets, originally described for their role in blood coagulation, are now also recognized as key players in modulating inflammation, tissue regeneration, angiogenesis, and carcinogenesis. Recent evidence suggests that platelets also influence insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells. The multifaceted functions of platelets are mediated by the factors stored in their alpha granules (AGs) and dense granules (DGs). AGs primarily contain proteins, while DGs are rich in small molecules, and both types of granules are released during blood coagulation. Specific components stored in AGs and DGs are implicated in various inflammatory, regenerative, and tumorigenic processes. However, the relative contributions of AGs and DGs to the regulation of pancreatic β cell function have not been previously explored. MethodsIn this study, we utilized mouse models deficient in AG content (neurobeachin-like 2 (Nbeal2) -deficient mice) and models with defective DG release (Unc13d-deficiency in bone marrow-derived cells) to investigate the impact of platelet granules on insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells. ResultsOur findings indicate that AG deficiency has little to no effect on pancreatic β cell function and glucose homeostasis. Conversely, mice with defective DG release exhibited glucose intolerance and reduced insulin secretion. Furthermore, Unc13d-deficiency in hematopoietic stem cells led to a reduction in adipose tissue gain in obese mice. ConclusionsObtained data suggest that DGs, but not AGs, mediate the influence of platelets on pancreatic β cells, thereby modulating glucose metabolism.

Abstract B080: A porcine model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma for human scale translational cancer research

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a highly fatal form of cancer, requiring urgent advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Although PDAC mouse models have been crucial in advancing our comprehension of the disease, they present some limitations in replicating key human PDAC aspects. In this study, we present the development of the first large animal model of pancreatic cancer via Cre activatable mutations in the endogenous KRAS and TP53 genes 1,2. In order to activate these mutations in the pancreas, two Cre driver pig lines expressing Cre recombinase from PTF1A 3 and PDX1 were created. Crossing both Cre lines with pigs carrying latent KRAS G12D and TP53 R167H alleles produced double (KC) and triple (KPC) genetically modified animals. Pathological analyses revealed the presence of inter- and intralobular fibrosis with multifocal acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), some low-grade PanINs, dysplasia, inflammation and duct obstruction in most of the KPC pigs between 3 to 6 months of age. Interestingly, the majority of these pigs already exhibited local metastasis in the lymph nodes, suggesting that the metastatic potential is established early in the tumorigenic process. Age-matched KC pigs exhibited mainly ADM with dysplasia. Flow cytometry and RNA expression analyses of the established pancreatic tumour primary cells revealed a pronounced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, both bulk tumour samples and primary tumour cells showed high expression of the pancreatic cancer stem cell marker CD44, with differential expression of its isoforms, including the major isoform and variants 6 and 9. In addition, histological and molecular analyses revealed notable similarities between pig and human PDAC, including molecular subtypes, neuronal invasion and loss of acinar identity. These findings highlight the unique advantage of the pig PDAC model, that allows longitudinal and multi-regional tumour sampling in the absence of any therapeutic interventions. This makes it a valuable tool for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that can greatly improve patient outcomes in the long run.

Targeting HSP90 in Gynecologic Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches.

One of the leading causes of mortality for women is gynecologic cancer (GC). Numerous molecules (tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes) are involved in this form of cancer's invasion, metastasis, tumorigenic process, and therapy resistance. Currently, there is a shortage of efficient methods to eliminate these diseases, hence it is crucial to carry out more extensive studies on GCs. Novel pharmaceuticals are required to surmount this predicament. Highly conserved molecular chaperon, heat shock protein (HSP) 90, is essential for the maturation of recently produced polypeptides and offers a refuge for misfolding or denatured proteins to be turned around. In cancer, the client proteins of HSP90 play a role in the entire process of oncogenesis, which is linked to all the characteristic features of cancer. In this study, we explore the various functions of HSPs in GC progression. We also discuss their potential as promising targets for pharmacological therapy.

Multi-omics profiling combined with molecular docking reveals immune-inflammatory proteins as potential drug targets in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is globally ranked as the third most common malignant tumor. Its development involves a complex biological process driven by various genetic and epigenetic alterations. To elucidate the biological significance of the extensive omics data, we conducted comparative multi-omics studies on colorectal cancer patients at different clinical stages. Bioinformatics methods were applied to analyze multi-omics datasets and explore the molecular landscape. Drug prediction and molecular docking also were conducted to assess potential therapeutic interventions. In vitro experiments were used to validate the inhibitory effect on the migration and proliferation of cell lines. The results indicate up-regulated proteins involved in immune-inflammatory related pathways, while biomarkers related to muscular contraction and cell adhesion are significantly down-regulated. Drug prediction, coupled with in vitro experiments, suggests that AZ-628 may act as a potential drug to inhibit the proliferation and migration of CRC cell lines HCT-116 and HT-29 by regulating the aforementioned key biological pathways or proteins. Complementing these findings, metabolomics analysis unveiled a down-regulation of key carbon metabolism pathways, alongside an up-regulation in amino acid metabolism, particularly proline metabolism. This metabolic shift may reflect an adaptive response in cancer cells, favoring specific amino acids to support their growth. Together, these integrated results provide valuable insights into the intricate landscape of tumor development, highlighting the crossroads of immune regulation, cellular structure, and metabolic reprogramming in the tumorigenic process and providing valuable insights into cancer pathology.

Global transcriptomic network analysis of the crosstalk between microbiota and cancer-related cells in the oral-gut-lung axis.

The diagnosis and treatment of lung, colon, and gastric cancer through the histologic characteristics and genomic biomarkers have not had a strong impact on the mortality rates of the top three global causes of death by cancer. Twenty-five transcriptomic analyses (10 lung cancer, 10 gastric cancer, and 5 colon cancer datasets) followed our own bioinformatic pipeline based on the utilization of specialized libraries from the R language and DAVID´s gene enrichment analyses to identify a regulatory metafirm network of transcription factors and target genes common in every type of cancer, with experimental evidence that supports its relationship with the unlocking of cell phenotypic plasticity for the acquisition of the hallmarks of cancer during the tumoral process. The network's regulatory functional and signaling pathways might depend on the constant crosstalk with the microbiome network established in the oral-gut-lung axis. The global transcriptomic network analysis highlighted the impact of transcription factors (SOX4, TCF3, TEAD4, ETV4, and FOXM1) that might be related to stem cell programming and cancer progression through the regulation of the expression of genes, such as cancer-cell membrane receptors, that interact with several microorganisms, including human T-cell leukemia virus 1 (HTLV-1), the human papilloma virus (HPV), the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and SARS-CoV-2. These interactions can trigger the MAPK, non-canonical WNT, and IFN signaling pathways, which regulate key transcription factor overexpression during the establishment and progression of lung, colon, and gastric cancer, respectively, along with the formation of the microbiome network. The global transcriptomic network analysis highlights the important interaction between key transcription factors in lung, colon, and gastric cancer, which regulates the expression of cancer-cell membrane receptors for the interaction with the microbiome network during the tumorigenic process.

Spatial transcriptomics profiling of gallbladder adenocarcinoma: a detailed two-case study of progression from precursor lesions to cancer

BackgroundMost studies on tumour progression from precursor lesion toward gallbladder adenocarcinoma investigate lesions sampled from distinct patients, providing an overarching view of pathogenic cascades. Whether this reflects the tumourigenic process in individual patients remains insufficiently explored. Genomic and epigenomic studies suggest that a subset of gallbladder cancers originate from biliary intraepithelial neoplasia (BilIN) precursor lesions, whereas others form independently from BilINs. Spatial transcriptomic data supporting these conclusions are missing. Moreover, multiple areas with precursor or adenocarcinoma lesions can be detected within the same pathological sample. Yet, knowledge about intra-patient variability of such lesions is lacking.MethodsTo characterise the spatial transcriptomics of gallbladder cancer tumourigenesis in individual patients, we selected two patients with distinct cancer aetiology and whose samples simultaneously displayed multiple areas of normal epithelium, BilINs and adenocarcinoma. Using GeoMx digital spatial profiling, we characterised the whole transcriptome of a high number of regions of interest (ROIs) per sample in the two patients (24 and 32 ROIs respectively), with each ROI covering approximately 200 cells of normal epithelium, low-grade BilIN, high-grade BilIN or adenocarcinoma. Human gallbladder organoids and cell line-derived tumours were used to investigate the tumour-promoting role of genes.ResultsSpatial transcriptomics revealed that each type of lesion displayed limited intra-patient transcriptomic variability. Our data further suggest that adenocarcinoma derived from high-grade BilIN in one patient and from low-grade BilIN in the other patient, with co-existing high-grade BilIN evolving via a distinct process in the latter case. The two patients displayed distinct sequences of signalling pathway activation during tumour progression, but Semaphorin 4 A (SEMA4A) expression was repressed in both patients. Using human gallbladder-derived organoids and cell line-derived tumours, we provide evidence that repression of SEMA4A promotes pseudostratification of the epithelium and enhances cell migration and survival.ConclusionGallbladder adenocarcinoma can develop according to patient-specific processes, and limited intra-patient variability of precursor and cancer lesions was noticed. Our data suggest that repression of SEMA4A can promote tumour progression. They also highlight the need to gain gene expression data in addition to histological information to avoid understimating the risk of low-grade preneoplastic lesions.

Exploring the nexus between MYH9 and tumors: novel insights and new therapeutic opportunities.

The myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) gene, located on human chromosome 22, encodes non-muscle myosin heavy chain IIA (NM IIA). This protein is essential to various cellular events, such as generating intracellular chemomechanical force and facilitating the movement of the actin cytoskeleton. Mutations associated with thrombocytopenia in autosomal dominant diseases first highlighted the significance of the MYH9 gene. In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated the pivotal roles of MYH9 in various cancers. However, its effects on cancer are intricate and not fully comprehended. Furthermore, the elevated expression of MYH9 in certain malignancies suggests its potential as a target for tumor therapy. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of literature summarizing MYH9's role in tumors and the therapeutic strategies centered on it, necessitating a systematic analysis. This paper comprehensively reviews and analyzes the pertinent literature in this domain, elucidating the fundamental structural characteristics, biological functions, and the nexus between MYH9 and tumors. The mechanisms through which MYH9 contributes to tumor development and its multifaceted roles in the tumorigenic process are also explored. Additionally, we discuss the relationship between MYH9-related diseases (MYH9-RD) and tumors and also summarize tumor therapeutic approaches targeting MYH9. The potential clinical applications of studying the MYH9 gene include improving early diagnosis, clinical staging, and prognosis of tumors. This paper is anticipated to provide novel insights for tumor therapy.

Association between Epstein-Barr virus LMP-1 and Hodgkin lymphoma LMP-1 mechanisms in Hodgkin lymphoma development.

Hodgkin lymphoma is histologically characterised by the presence of Hodgkin (H) and Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells originating from germinal centre B-cells rearranged in the IgV gene. The formation of multinucleated RS cells is a product of telomere organisation in a process initiated by telomere aggregate accumulation in mononuclear H cells and may be mediated by latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) expression. LMP-1 is the main oncoprotein of EBV and supports several tumourigenic processes. LMP-1 may rescue proapoptotic B-cells through downregulation of B-cell receptor (BCR) components, mimicking and inducing multiple distinct B-cell signalling pathways to promote proliferation and survival, such as Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT), nuclear factor-kappa b (NF-кB), and cellular MYC (c-MYC), and inducing telomere instability mainly through Telomere repeat binding factor 2 (TRF2) downregulation to promote the formation of multinucleated RS cells. This review presents recent discoveries regarding the influence of LMP-1 on the surviving cellular signalling, genomic instability and mecanical formation of HRS cells.

Interplay between microbial-derived GABA and host GABA receptor signaling collectively influence the tumorigenic function of GABA in colon cancer.

Although classically recognized as a neurotransmitter, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) has also been identified in colonic tumors. Moreover, the gut microbiome represents another potential source of GABA. Both GABAA and GABAB receptors have been implicated in contributing to the effects of GABA in colorectal cancer, with both pro- and anti-tumorigenic functions identified. However, their subunit composition is often overlooked. Studies to date have not addressed whether the GABA-producing potential of the microbiome changes over the course of colon tumor development or whether receptor subunit expression patterns are altered in colon cancer. Therefore, we investigated the clusters of orthologous group frequencies of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) in feces from two murine models of colon cancer and found that the frequency of microbial GAD was significantly decreased early in the tumorigenic process. We also determined that microbial-derived GABA inhibited proliferation of colon cancer cells invitro and that this effect of GABA on SW480 cells involved both GABAA and GABAB receptors. GABA also inhibited prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced proliferation and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in these cells. Gene expression correlations were assessed using the "Cancer Exploration" suite of the TIMER2.0 web tool and identified that GABA receptor subunits were differentially expressed in human colon cancer. Moreover, GABAA receptor subunits were predominantly positively associated with PGE2 synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and IL-6. Collectively, these data demonstrate decreased potential of the microbiome to produce GABA during tumorigenesis, a novel anti-tumorigenic pathway for GABA, and that GABA receptor subunit expression adds a further layer of complexity to GABAergic signaling in colon cancer.

A positive feedback loop between PLD1 and NF-κB signaling promotes tumorigenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Phospholipase D (PLD) lipid-signaling enzyme superfamily has been widely implicated in various human malignancies, but its role and underlying mechanism remain unclear in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, we analyze the expressions of 6 PLD family members between 87 NPC and 10 control samples through transcriptome analysis. Our findings reveal a notable upregulation of PLD1 in both NPC tumors and cell lines, correlating with worse disease-free and overall survival in NPC patients. Functional assays further elucidate the oncogenic role of PLD1, demonstrating its pivotal promotion of critical tumorigenic processes such as cell proliferation and migration in vitro, as well as tumor growth in vivo. Notably, our study uncovers a positive feedback loop between PLD1 and the NF-κB signaling pathway to render NPC progression. Specifically, PLD1 enhances NF-κB activity by facilitating the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of RELA, which in turn binds to the promoter of PLD1, augmenting its expression. Moreover, RELA overexpression markedly rescues the inhibitory effects in PLD1-depleted NPC cells. Importantly, the application of the PLD1 inhibitor, VU0155069, substantially inhibits NPC tumorigenesis in a patient-derived xenograft model. Together, our findings identify PLD1/NF-κB signaling as a positive feedback loop with promising therapeutic and prognostic potential in NPC.

Gastric dysplastic lesions in Helicobacter pylori-naïve stomach: Foveolar-type adenoma and intestinal-type dysplasia.

Reports of Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-naïve gastric neoplasm (HpNGN) cases have been rapidly increasing due to the recent increase in the Hp-naïve population in Japan. Most HpNGNs exhibit the gastric immunophenotype and a low malignant potential regardless of histological type. Especially, foveolar-type gastric adenoma (FGA) and intestinal-type gastric dysplasia (IGD) rarely progress to invasive carcinoma. FGA is a foveolar epithelial neoplasm that occurs in the fundic gland (oxyntic gland) mucosa and is classified as the flat type or raspberry type (FGA-RA). The flat type is a large, whitish flatly elevated lesion while FGA-RA is a small reddish polyp. Genomically, the flat type is characterized by APC and KRAS gene mutations and FGA-RA by a common single nucleotide variant in the KLF4 gene. This KLF4 single-nucleotide variant reportedly induces gastric foveolar epithelial tumorigenesis and activates both cell proliferation and apoptosis, leading to its slow-growing nature. IGD consists of an intestinalized epithelial dysplasia that develops in the pyloric gland mucosa, characterized as a superficial depressed lesion surrounded by raised mucosa showing a gastritis-like appearance. Immunohistochemically, it exhibits an intestinal or gastrointestinal phenotype and, frequently, p53 overexpression. Thus, IGD shows unique characteristics in HpNGNs and a potential multistep tumorigenic process.

Heat shock protein 72 supports extracellular matrix production in metastatic mammary tumors.

This study identified tumorigenic processes most dependent on murine heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) in the mouse mammary tumor virus-PyMT mammary tumor model, which give rise to spontaneous mammary tumors that exhibit HSP72-dependent metastasis to the lung. RNA-seq expression profiling of Hspa1a/Hspa1b (Hsp72) WT and Hsp72-/- primary mammary tumors discovered significantly lower expression of genes encoding components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in Hsp72 knockout mammary tumors compared to WT controls. In vitro studies found that genetic or chemical inhibition of HSP72 activity in cultured collagen-expressing human or murine cells also reduces mRNA and protein levels of COL1A1 and several other ECM-encoding genes. In search of a possible mechanistic basis for this relationship, we found HSP72 to support the activation of the tumor growth factor-β-suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic-3 signaling pathway and evidence of suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic-3 and HSP72 coprecipitation, suggesting potential complex formation. Human COL1A1 mRNA expression was found to have prognostic value for HER2+breast tumors over other breast cancer subtypes, suggesting a possible human disease context where targeting HSP72 may have a therapeutic rationale. Analysis of human HER2+breast tumor gene expression data using a gene set comprising ECM-related gene and protein folding-related geneas an input to the statistical learning algorithm, Galgo, found a subset of these genes that can collectively stratify patients by relapse-free survival, further suggesting a potential interplay between the ECM and protein-folding genes may contribute to tumor progression.

Oral microbiome sequencing revealed the enrichment of Fusobacterium sp., Porphyromonas sp., Campylobacter sp., and Neisseria sp. on the oral malignant fibroma surface of giant panda.

Microbial community composition is closely associated with host disease onset and progression, underscoring the importance of understanding host-microbiota dynamics in various health contexts. In this study, we utilized full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing to conduct species-level identification of the microorganisms in the oral cavity of a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) with oral malignant fibroma. We observed a significant difference between the microbial community of the tumor side and non-tumor side of the oral cavity of the giant panda, with the latter exhibiting higher microbial diversity. The tumor side was dominated by specific microorganisms, such as Fusobacterium simiae, Porphyromonas sp. feline oral taxon 110, Campylobacter sp. feline oral taxon 100, and Neisseria sp. feline oral taxon 078, that have been reported to be associated with tumorigenic processes and periodontal diseases in other organisms. According to the linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis, more than 9 distinct biomarkers were obtained between the tumor side and non-tumor side samples. Furthermore, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed that the oral microbiota of the giant panda was significantly associated with genetic information processing and metabolism, particularly cofactor and vitamin, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism. Furthermore, a significant bacterial invasion of epithelial cells was predicted in the tumor side. This study provides crucial insights into the association between oral microbiota and oral tumors in giant pandas and offers potential biomarkers that may guide future health assessments and preventive strategies for captive and aging giant pandas.

Unravelling epigenetic mechanisms in Cerastoderma edule genome: a comparison of healthy and neoplastic cockles

Cancer is a multifaceted genetic disease characterized by the acquisition of several essential hallmarks. Notably, certain cancers exhibit horizontal transmissibility, observed across mammalian species and diverse bivalves, the latter referred to as hemic neoplasia. Within this complex landscape, epigenetic mechanisms such as histone modifications and cytosine methylation emerge as fundamental contributors to the pathogenesis of these transmissible cancers. Our study delves into the epigenetic landscape of Cerastoderma edule, focusing on whole-genome methylation and hydroxymethylation profiles in heathy specimens and transmissible neoplasias by means of Nanopore long-read sequencing. Our results unveiled a global hypomethylation in the neoplastic specimens compared to their healthy counterparts, emphasizing the role of DNA methylation in these tumorigenic processes. Furthermore, we verified that intragenic CpG methylation positively correlated with gene expression, emphasizing its role in modulating transcription in healthy and neoplastic cockles, as also highlighted by some up-methylated oncogenic genes. Hydroxymethylation levels were significantly more elevated in the neoplastic samples, particularly within satellites and complex repeats, likely related to structural functions. Additionally, our analysis also revealed distinct methylation and activity patterns in retrotransposons, providing additional insights into bivalve neoplastic processes. Altogether, these findings contribute to understanding the epigenetic dynamics of bivalve neoplasias and shed light on the roles of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in tumorigenesis. Understanding these epigenetic alterations holds promise for advancing our broader understanding of cancer epigenetics.

Metabolic Recoding of NSUN2-Mediated m5C Modification Promotes the Progression of Colorectal Cancer via the NSUN2/YBX1/m5C-ENO1 Positive Feedback Loop.

The RNA modification, 5-methylcytosine (m5C), has recently gained prominence as a pivotal post-transcriptional regulator of gene expression, intricately intertwined with various tumorigenic processes. However,the exact mechanisms governing m5C modifications during the onset and progressionof colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. Here, it is determined that the m5C methyltransferase NSUN2 exhibits significantly elevated expression and exerts an oncogenic function in CRC. Mechanistically, NSUN2 and YBX1 are identified as the "writer" and "reader" of ENO1, culminating in the reprogramming of the glucose metabolism and increased production of lactic acid in an m5C-dependent manner. The accumulation of lactic acid derived from CRC cells, in turn, activates the transcription of NSUN2 through histone H3K18 lactylation (H3K18la), and induces the lactylation of NSUN2 at the Lys356 residue (K356), which is crucial for capturing target RNAs. Together,these findings reveal an intriguing positive feedback loop involving the NSUN2/YBX1/m5C-ENO1 signaling axis, thereby bridging the connection between metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic remodeling, which may shed light on the therapeutic potential of combining an NSUN2 inhibitor with immunotherapy for CRC.

Chemokines as Prognostic Factor in Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Chemokines orchestrate many aspects of tumorigenic processes such as angiogenesis, apoptosis and metastatic spread, and related receptors are expressed on tumor cells as well as on inflammatory cells (e.g., tumor-infiltrating T cells, TILs) in the tumor microenvironment. Expressional changes of chemokines and their receptors in solid cancers are common and well known, especially in affecting colorectal cancer patient outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this current systematic review and meta-analysis was to classify chemokines as a prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer patients. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, CENTRAL and Web of Science. Information on the chemokine expression of 25 chemokines in colorectal cancer tissue and survival data of the patients were investigated. The hazard ratio of overall survival and disease-free survival with chemokine expression was examined. The risk of bias was analyzed using Quality in Prognosis Studies. Random effects meta-analysis was performed to determine the impact on overall respectively disease survival. For this purpose, the pooled hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used for calculation. Twenty-five chemokines were included, and the search revealed 5556 publications. A total of thirty-one publications were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Overexpression of chemokine receptor CXCR4 was associated with both a significantly reduced overall survival (HR = 2.70, 95%-CI: 1.57 to 4.66, p = 0.0003) as well as disease-free survival (HR = 2.68, 95%-CI: 1.41 to 5.08, p = 0.0026). All other chemokines showed either heterogeneous results or few studies were available. The overall risk of bias for CXCR4 was rated low. At the current level of evidence, this study demonstrates that CXCR4 overexpression in patients with colorectal cancer is associated with a significantly diminished overall as well as disease-free survival. Summed up, this systematic review and meta-analysis reveals CXCR4 as a promising prognostic biomarker. Nevertheless, more evidence is needed to evaluate CXCR4 and its antagonists serving as new therapeutic targets.