Stefanos Pafitanis , Lefteris C. Zacharia , Andreas Stylianou , Vasiliki Gkretsi
{"title":"In vitro models: Can they unravel the complexities of cancer cell metastasis?","authors":"Stefanos Pafitanis , Lefteris C. Zacharia , Andreas Stylianou , Vasiliki Gkretsi","doi":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189293","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189293","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Metastasis still accounts for the majority of cancer-related deaths despite intense research efforts made worldwide to better understand the determinants involved and discover novel ways to halt it. However, studying the pathogenesis of metastasis in actual patients is indeed challenging which renders the need for the development of relevant experimental models urgent. Traditionally, several <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> models have been developed to study metastasis each of which having its own advantages and limitations. In the present review, we analyzed the current approaches used in cancer biology research to study cancer cell metastasis giving emphasis on the newly developed <em>in vitro</em> systems that take into account factors like the three-dimensional (3D) nature of the tumor, the interaction between cancer cells and the extracellular matrix or other cells present in the tumor microenvironment, and thus, better recapitulate the metastatic process. These approaches, namely 3D bioprinting, 3D tissue models, microfluidics systems, and spheroid generation are currently used separately or in combination depending on the research question and the cancer type in order to better represent the actual <em>in vivo</em> setting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8782,"journal":{"name":"Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer","volume":"1880 2","pages":"Article 189293"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143580632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mrudula Gore , Shama Prasada Kabekkodu , Sanjiban Chakrabarty
{"title":"Exploring the metabolic alterations in cervical cancer induced by HPV oncoproteins: From mechanisms to therapeutic targets","authors":"Mrudula Gore , Shama Prasada Kabekkodu , Sanjiban Chakrabarty","doi":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189292","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189292","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The role of human Papillomavirus (HPV) in metabolic reprogramming is implicated in the development and progression of cervical cancer. During carcinogenesis, cancer cells modify various metabolic pathways to generate energy and sustain their growth and development. Cervical cancer, one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting women globally, involves metabolic alterations such as increased glycolysis, elevated lactate production, and lipid accumulation. The oncoproteins, primarily E6 and E7, which are encoded by high-risk HPVs, facilitate the accumulation of several cancer markers, promoting not only the growth and development of cancer but also metastasis, immune evasion, and therapy resistance. HPV oncoproteins interact with cellular MYC (c-MYC), retinoblastoma protein (pRB), p53, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), leading to the induction of metabolic reprogramming and favour the Warburg effect. Metabolic reprogramming enables HPV to persist for an extended period and accelerates the progression of cervical cancer. This review summarizes the role of HPV oncoproteins in metabolic reprogramming and their contributions to the development and progression of cervical cancer. Additionally, this review provides insights into how metabolic reprogramming opens avenues for novel therapeutic strategies, including the discovery of new and repurposed drugs that could be applied to treat cervical cancer.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8782,"journal":{"name":"Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer","volume":"1880 2","pages":"Article 189292"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143560307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jingtong Yang, Benkai Xin, Xiaoyu Wang, Youzhong Wan
{"title":"Cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer in the single-cell era: Opportunities and challenges","authors":"Jingtong Yang, Benkai Xin, Xiaoyu Wang, Youzhong Wan","doi":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189291","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189291","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Breast cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women, and its progression is closely linked to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), key components of the TME, play a crucial role in promoting tumor growth by driving cancer cell proliferation, invasion, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, inflammation, chemoresistance, and immunosuppression. CAFs exhibit considerable heterogeneity and are classified into subgroups based on different combinations of biomarkers. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables high-throughput and high-resolution analysis of individual cells. Relying on this technology, it is possible to cluster complex CAFs according to different biomarkers to analyze the specific phenotypes and functions of different subpopulations. This review explores CAF clusters in breast cancer and their associated biomarkers, highlighting their roles in disease progression and potential for targeted therapies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8782,"journal":{"name":"Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer","volume":"1880 2","pages":"Article 189291"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143538090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluation of ImmunoPET in the efficacy and prognosis of immunotherapy for lung cancer","authors":"Yiran Liang , Mei Xie , Xuefeng Zang , Xin Zhang , Xinying Xue","doi":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189289","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189289","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Advances in immune oncology have established immunotherapy as the first-line standard treatment for lung cancer; however, its efficacy remains limited to a subset of patients. Developing predictive biomarkers within the tumor microenvironment (TME) to assess the efficacy and prognosis of immunotherapy can enhance drug development and treatment strategies. Immuno-positron emission tomography (ImmunoPET) non-invasively visualizes the biological distribution of key targets in the TME using highly specific, radiolabeled tracers. PET imaging of the TME can serve as a reliable biomarker for predicting and monitoring responses to immune therapy, complementing existing immunohistochemical techniques. This review will focus on the development of ImmunoPET biomarkers, as well as the application of corresponding tracers and radionuclides in lung cancer. We will focus on available clinical tracers and those under development, outlining each TME target and its clinical validation for tumor immunotherapy efficacy and prognosis, while discussing the latest advances that may enhance ImmunoPET in future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8782,"journal":{"name":"Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer","volume":"1880 2","pages":"Article 189289"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143506724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carolin Victoria Schneider , Marie Decraecker , Aurélie Beaufrère , Audrey Payancé , Audrey Coilly , Kai Markus Schneider , Paulette Bioulac , Jean-Frédéric Blanc , Brigitte Le Bail , Samuel Amintas , Marion Bouchecareilh
{"title":"Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and primary liver cancers","authors":"Carolin Victoria Schneider , Marie Decraecker , Aurélie Beaufrère , Audrey Payancé , Audrey Coilly , Kai Markus Schneider , Paulette Bioulac , Jean-Frédéric Blanc , Brigitte Le Bail , Samuel Amintas , Marion Bouchecareilh","doi":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189290","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189290","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Primary liver cancers (PLCs) remain a major challenge to global health and an escalating threat to human life, with a growing incidence worldwide. PLCs are composed of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and mixed HCC-CCA, accounting for 85 %, 10 %, and 5 % of cases, respectively. Among the numerous identified risk factors associated with liver cancers, Alpha 1-AntiTrypsin Deficiency (AATD) genetic disease emerges as an intriguing one. AATD-related liver disease may lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and PLCs in adulthood. Although our knowledge about the natural history of AATD-liver disease has improved recently, liver cancers associated with AATD remain poorly understood and explored, while this specific population is at a 20 to 50 times higher risk of developing PLC. Thus, we review here current knowledge about AATD-associated PLCs, describing the impact of AATD genotypes on their occurrence. We also discuss emerging hypotheses regarding the AATD PiZZ genotype-related hepatic carcinogenesis process. Finally, we perform an updated analysis of the United Kingdom Biobank database that highlights and confirms AATD PiZZ genotype as an important HCC risk factor.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8782,"journal":{"name":"Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer","volume":"1880 2","pages":"Article 189290"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143488574","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Min Zhou, Mengdie Tian, Zhuoer Li, Chunli Wang, Zhiqiang Guo
{"title":"Overview of splicing variation in ovarian cancer","authors":"Min Zhou, Mengdie Tian, Zhuoer Li, Chunli Wang, Zhiqiang Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189288","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189288","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ovarian cancer remains one of the deadliest gynecological malignancies, with a persistently high mortality rate despite promising advancements in immunotherapy. Aberrant splicing events play a crucial role in cancer heterogeneity and treatment resistance. Many splicing variants, especially those involving key molecular markers such as BRCA1/2, are closely linked to disease progression and treatment outcomes. These variants and related splicing factors hold significant clinical value as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review provides a comprehensive overview of splicing variants in ovarian cancer, emphasizing their role in metastasis and resistance, and offers insights to advance biomarker development and treatment strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8782,"journal":{"name":"Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer","volume":"1880 2","pages":"Article 189288"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143495025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tianhang Li , Xiangyu Wu , Xiangyang Li , Ming Chen
{"title":"Cancer-associated fungi: An emerging powerful player in cancer immunotherapy","authors":"Tianhang Li , Xiangyu Wu , Xiangyang Li , Ming Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189287","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189287","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The role of the human microbiome in cancer has been extensively studied, focusing mainly on bacteria-host interactions and their impact on tumor development and treatment response. However, fungi, an immune-active component of the human microbiome, have received less attention regarding their roles in cancer. Recent studies have identified the widespread and specific colonization and distribution of fungi in multiple sites in patients across various cancer types. Importantly, host-fungal immune interactions significantly influence immune regulation within the tumor microenvironment. The rapid advancement of immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based cancer immunotherapy creates an urgent need for effective biomarkers and synergistic therapeutic targets. Cancer-associated fungi and their associated antifungal immunity demonstrate significant potential and efficacy in enhancing cancer immunotherapy. This review summarizes and discusses the growing evidence of the functions and mechanisms of commensal and pathogenic cancer-associated fungi in cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, we emphasize the potential of fungi as predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer immunotherapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8782,"journal":{"name":"Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer","volume":"1880 2","pages":"Article 189287"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143436477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yukun Liu , Changlei Li , Xiaotong Cui , Miaomiao Li , Shiguo Liu , Zusen Wang
{"title":"Potentially diagnostic and prognostic roles of piRNAs/PIWIs in pancreatic cancer: A review","authors":"Yukun Liu , Changlei Li , Xiaotong Cui , Miaomiao Li , Shiguo Liu , Zusen Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189286","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189286","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with limited early diagnostic methods and therapeutic options, contributing to its poor prognosis. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing have highlighted the critical roles of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), in cancer biology. In this review, we systematically summarize the emerging roles of piRNAs and their associated PIWI proteins in PDAC pathogenesis, progression, and prognosis. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the molecular mechanisms by which piRNAs/PIWIs regulate gene expression and cellular signaling pathways in PDAC. Furthermore, we discuss their potential as novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and therapeutic targets. Importantly, this review identifies key piRNAs/PIWIs involved in PDAC and proposes innovative strategies for improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Our work not only consolidates current knowledge but also offers new perspectives for future research and clinical applications in PDAC management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8782,"journal":{"name":"Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer","volume":"1880 2","pages":"Article 189286"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143419820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dan Liu , Ziqi Liu , Yan Hu , Wei Xiong , Dan Wang , Zhaoyang Zeng
{"title":"MOMP: A critical event in cell death regulation and anticancer treatment","authors":"Dan Liu , Ziqi Liu , Yan Hu , Wei Xiong , Dan Wang , Zhaoyang Zeng","doi":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189280","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189280","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) refers to the increase in permeability of the mitochondrial outer membrane, allowing proteins, DNA, and other molecules to pass through the intermembrane space into the cytosol. As a crucial event in the induction of apoptosis, MOMP plays a significant role in regulating various forms of cell death, including apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. Importantly, MOMP is not a binary process of “all-or-nothing.” Under sub-lethal stress stimuli, cells may experience a phenomenon referred to as minority MOMP (miMOMP), where only a subset of mitochondria undergo functional impairment, thereby disrupting the normal life cycle of the cell. This can lead to pathological and physiological changes such as tumor formation, cellular senescence, innate immune dysfunction, and chronic inflammation. This review focuses on the diversity of MOMP events to elucidate how varying degrees of MOMP under different stress conditions influence cell fate. Additionally, it summarizes the current research progress on novel antitumor therapeutic strategies targeting MOMP in clinical contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8782,"journal":{"name":"Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer","volume":"1880 2","pages":"Article 189280"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143416603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carlota J.F. Conceição , Elin Moe , Paulo A. Ribeiro , Maria Raposo
{"title":"PARP1: A comprehensive review of its mechanisms, therapeutic implications and emerging cancer treatments","authors":"Carlota J.F. Conceição , Elin Moe , Paulo A. Ribeiro , Maria Raposo","doi":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189282","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bbcan.2025.189282","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) enzyme is involved in several signalling pathways related to homologous repair (HR), base excision repair (BER), and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Studies demonstrated that the deregulation of PARP1 function and control mechanisms can lead to cancer emergence. On the other side, PARP1 can be a therapeutic target to maximize cancer treatment. This is done by molecules that can modulate radiation effects, such as DNA repair inhibitors (PARPi). With this approach, tumour cell viability can be undermined by targeting DNA repair mechanisms. Thus, treatment using PARPi represents a new era for cancer therapy, and even new horizons can be attained by coupling these molecules with a nano-delivery system. For this, drug delivery systems such as liposomes encompass all the required features due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. This review presents a comprehensive overview of PARP1 biological features and mechanisms, its role in cancer development, therapeutic implications, and emerging cancer treatments by PARPi-mediated therapies. Although there are a vast number of studies regarding PARP1 biological function, some PARP1 mechanisms are not clear yet, and full-length PARP1 structure is missing. Nevertheless, literature reports demonstrate already the high usefulness and vast possibilities offered by combined PARPi cancer therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8782,"journal":{"name":"Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer","volume":"1880 2","pages":"Article 189282"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143416606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}