{"title":"Growth Factor-Induced Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.","authors":"Santoshi Muppala","doi":"10.1615/CritRevOncog.2020035703","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1615/CritRevOncog.2020035703","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which accounts for ~ 90% of total liver cancer cases, is considered to be the second leading cause of death globally. Tumor vasculature has been identified as a prominent source of HCC progression. Angiogenesis, or vascular growth, is supported by many proangiogenic growth factors (GFs). Delineating the GF signaling-pathway axis and mechanisms underlying angiogenesis regulation could lead to useful and effective HCC treatments. This review collectively highlights different proangiogenic GFs, their key roles in angiogenesis regulation, and current antiangiogenic therapies for HCC.</p>","PeriodicalId":35617,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis","volume":"26 1","pages":"61-68"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25413705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Antonella Cusimano, Maurizio Soresi, Giuseppe Montalto, Giuseppa Augello, Maria Rita Emma, Antonina Azzolina, Melchiorre Cervello, Lydia Giannitrapani
{"title":"Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Difficult Cancer to Treat.","authors":"Antonella Cusimano, Maurizio Soresi, Giuseppe Montalto, Giuseppa Augello, Maria Rita Emma, Antonina Azzolina, Melchiorre Cervello, Lydia Giannitrapani","doi":"10.1615/CritRevOncog.2020036234","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1615/CritRevOncog.2020036234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very peculiar cancer because it presents several molecular alterations linked to the activation of survival and antiapoptotic signal pathways that are protein in form and not easily targetable by even the newest targeted therapies. In addition, it is almost always a consequence of liver cirrhosis, a serious disease condition in which several drugs are often not tolerated. This is why the study of HCC was such a challenge for Professor Natale D'Alessandro, to whom this work is dedicated, during the latter years of his career. The aim of this review is to summarize studies on different molecules involved in the development, progression, and chemoresistance of HCC, topics on which we have focused our research over the last decade. In particular, we have analyzed the role of inflammatory mediators, such as the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), interleukin 6 (IL-6), as well as other important factors, such as Yin Yang 1 (YY1), in HCC. Moreover, we have reviewed some more recent literature on research aimed at identifying druggable targets in HCC as well as candidate agents for its prevention and treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":35617,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis","volume":"26 2","pages":"11-25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39274775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Insights into Oncogenesis from Circadian Timing in Cancer Stem Cells.","authors":"M. Geusz, Astha Malik, Arpan De","doi":"10.1615/critrevoncog.2021041960","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1615/critrevoncog.2021041960","url":null,"abstract":"Cancer and circadian rhythms are linked in several ways, through immunomodulatory, neuroendocrine, and metabolic pathways. The circadian timing system consists of interacting circadian clocks in organs throughout the body that contain cells endowed with self-sustaining molecular circadian oscillations. Circadian rhythms are spontaneously generated by specific transcription and translation feedback cycles. Cancer cells emerging from these rhythmic tissues are subjected to daily physiological rhythms imposed by the circadian system, and some transformed cells have their own intrinsic circadian clocks. The role of these circadian clock cells in cancer prevention and oncogenesis remains to be fully explored. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that new cancers are fostered by degradation of the circadian system's rhythmic properties. In contrast, circadian clocks within cancer cells might aid in their survival if they provide benefits such as an ability to synchronize with daily nutrient availability or circadian rhythms in immune cell activity. Here, we address new evidence challenging the simplicity of carcinogenesis models that depend solely on the importance of minimized cancer risk provided by well-aligned and robust circadian clocks in the body. The biology of cancer stem cells and the benefits they may receive from their own rhythmic and non-rhythmic expressions of core circadian clock genes are examined with a focus on gliomas and liver cancer stem cells, along with possibilities for timed medical interventions.","PeriodicalId":35617,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis","volume":"26 4 1","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67428551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Brief Biography of Professor Natale D’Alessandro Dedicated in His Memory","authors":"M. Notarbartolo, M. Ziche","doi":"10.1615/CRITREVONCOG.V26.I2.30","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1615/CRITREVONCOG.V26.I2.30","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35617,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67429523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Patterns of Innate or Acquired Resistance to Anticancer Drugs: Our Experience to Overcome It.","authors":"Paola Poma, Manuela Labbozzetta, Monica Notarbartolo","doi":"10.1615/CritRevOncog.2020036247","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1615/CritRevOncog.2020036247","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Drug resistance, which is often of a multiple type, can be defined as the ability of cancer cells to obtain resistance to both conventional and novel chemotherapy agents. It remains a major problem to solve in cancer therapy. The mechanisms of resistance are multifactorial, and in our cellular models of acute myeloid leukemia, hepatocellular carcinoma, and triple-negative breast cancer, it involves the NF-κB pathway. In our opinion, multitarget molecules can be considered as privileged compounds capable of attacking and reversing the resistant phenotype. In the phenomena of both innate and acquired drug resistance that we have been studying since 1998 to today and up to 2016 under the guidance of Professor Natale D'Alessandro, more strictly pharmacological factors are certainly involved. These factors include P-glycoprotein and biological factors such as inhibitory proteins; apoptosis; the Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein, an important tumor suppressor and metastasis inhibitor, which enhances drug-induced apoptosis of cancer cells; and Yin Yang, a transcription factor involved in drug resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":35617,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis","volume":"26 2","pages":"27-37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39274776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Profound Relationship between Circadian Rhythm Dysfunction and Cancer Progression: An Approach to Exploration.","authors":"S. Samanta","doi":"10.1615/critrevoncog.2021039731","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1615/critrevoncog.2021039731","url":null,"abstract":"Circadian (~ 24-hour) rhythm has been observed in all living organisms. In humans, the circadian system governs different physiological functions such as metabolism, sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, hormone secretion, and cellular proliferation. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the anterior hypothalamus is the principal circadian pacemaker. The SCN receives input signals primarily from the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT), sends output signals to different parts of the hypothalamus, pineal gland, and the peripheral clocks through the neural or humoral network. The functions of the circadian clock are mediated by the rhythmic expression of the core clock genes through a complex feedback loop. Disruption of clock functions influences the development of several pathologic conditions, including cancer, shift work, chronic or acute jet lag, and light-at-night affect the circadian activity, leading to development of several physiological disorders, more specifically cancer. Circadian dysfunction alters the expression of core clock genes that promote the deregulation of the cell cycle, increase cell proliferation and survival, decrease apoptotic activity, alter metabolic functions, increase metastatic property, collectively induces cancer progression.","PeriodicalId":35617,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis","volume":"26 3 1","pages":"1-41"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67428725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma-An Updated Review.","authors":"Ravikiran Tekupalli, Santosh Anand, Sowbhagya Ramachandregowda, Anupama Sindhghatta Kariyappa, Ramakrishna Vadde","doi":"10.1615/CritRevOncog.2020035676","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1615/CritRevOncog.2020035676","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands third among cancer-related deaths globally. Owing to its high incidence and linked mortality, early diagnosis is alarming for patient survival and the management of patients with developing HCC requires immediate attention. Advances in the knowledge of cancer biology and recognizing unique molecular candidates, including genomic and proteomic profiles, substantiate our understanding about several biological signatures connected with HCC. Precise identification and differential diagnosis of early HCC can remarkably improve patient survival. Currently, detection of HCC in clinical practice is performed by diagnostic imaging and noninvasive methods such as evaluation of serum biomarkers, growth factors, and the like. In this review, we discuss recent developments in targeting biomarkers for HCC.</p>","PeriodicalId":35617,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis","volume":"26 1","pages":"11-20"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25413701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Direct and Indirect Anticancer Activity of Plant-Derived Alkaloid Conophylline.","authors":"Kazuo Umezawa, Ken Shirabe","doi":"10.1615/CritRevOncog.2020034129","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1615/CritRevOncog.2020034129","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>K-Ras is one of the most important oncogenes in human oncogenesis. K-Ras transfection of normal rat fibroblasts induces phenotypic change from flat to round morphology. Then, we screened compounds inducing flat morphology in K-Ras transformed fibroblasts from microbial culture filtrates and plant extracts. As a result, the alkaloid conophylline was isolated from the leaves of Ervatamia microphylla collected in Thailand. Conophylline induced flat morphology and inhibited cellular invasion in K-Ras-transformed normal rat kidney (K-Ras-NRK) cells. It also inhibited the growth of the K-Ras-NRK tumor in mice. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are now considered to activate cancer growth. Conophylline was found to suppress secretions of various inflammatory cytokines by pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts. Moreover, when combined with gemcitabine, it inhibited the growth of pancreatic cancer growth in mice. Conophylline is orally active. Thus, the plant-derived alkaloid conophylline inhibited cancer growth directly and indirectly, and it shows promise as a new anticancer agent.</p>","PeriodicalId":35617,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis","volume":"26 2","pages":"67-72"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39275151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Molecular Mechanisms of Resistance to Anti-Angiogenic Drugs.","authors":"Arianna Filippelli, Valerio Ciccone, Sandra Donnini, Marina Ziche, Lucia Morbidelli","doi":"10.1615/CritRevOncog.2020035422","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1615/CritRevOncog.2020035422","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The problem of drug resistance in cancer patients has been well in mind from the beginning of modern medicine and oncology treatments with the so called conventional cytotoxic therapy. With the advent of target therapy against tumor angiogenesis and in particular against the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor system, researchers thought that resistance could be no more a problem, since the low pattern of proliferation displayed by endothelial cells. However, beside the efficacy demonstrated by antiangiogenic drugs, resistance during prolonged drug treatments appears as a limiting feature. Nowadays, various mechanisms of resistance to antiangiogenic therapeutics have been discovered, either innate and depending on the host, or acquired by the tumor cells, especially as a consequence of induced hypoxia by antiangiogenic drugs and the redundancy of proangiogenic factors in the tumor microenvironment, and other forms of tumor neovascularization, than sprouting angiogenesis. Here, we have reviewed the preclinical and clinical evidence for mechanisms of resistance to antiangiogenic drugs reported so far. The knowledge of the mechanisms underneath antiangiogenic drug resistance could be of help in the choice of the more appropriate drug, the development of novel therapeutic strategies, the design of proper drug combination protocols or new formulations of antiangiogenic strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":35617,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis","volume":"26 2","pages":"39-66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39275211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Preface: Focus on the Main Research Interests of Professor Natale D’Alessandro","authors":"M. Notarbartolo, M. Ziche","doi":"10.1615/CRITREVONCOG.V26.I2.50","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1615/CRITREVONCOG.V26.I2.50","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35617,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67429563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}