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Targeting cancer stem cells as the most aggressive and tumor-initiating cells 靶向肿瘤干细胞作为最具侵袭性和肿瘤起始细胞
IF 5 2区 医学 Q2 Medicine Pub Date : 2026-01-27 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102669
Maryam Sadri , Zahra Shafaghat , Mona Roozbehani , Maryam Dorfaki , Fatemeh Kheiri , Sahel Heidari , Ali Mahmoudi , Fatemeh Faraji
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of tumor cells characterized by their self-renewal capacity and the ability to differentiate into different cell types. These partially differentiated cells exhibit properties of both stem cells and cancer cells. CSCs drive tumor initiation and progression by generating additional stem cells through self-renewal and differentiation into heterogeneous populations of tumor cell. They are among the most aggressive tumor cells that contribute to the development of key features of malignancy such as increased proliferation, metastasis, tumor growth, multidrug resistance (MDR), and resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. CSCs are also associated with relapse and minimal residual disease, highlighting their critical role in cancer persistence. Therefore, targeting CSCs is essential to achieve complete tumor eradication. Available evidence suggests that combination therapies that integrate immunotherapy with cytotoxic therapies to concurrently eliminate CSCs and non-CSCs offer a promising approach to completely eradicate cancer. This review summarizes the current strategies employed to target CSCs and improve cancer treatment outcomes.
肿瘤干细胞(CSCs)是肿瘤细胞的一个小亚群,其特点是具有自我更新能力和分化成不同细胞类型的能力。这些部分分化的细胞表现出干细胞和癌细胞的特性。CSCs通过自我更新和分化成异质肿瘤细胞群来产生额外的干细胞,从而驱动肿瘤的发生和发展。它们是最具侵略性的肿瘤细胞之一,有助于恶性肿瘤的关键特征的发展,如增殖、转移、肿瘤生长、多药耐药(MDR)和对放疗和化疗的耐药。CSCs还与复发和微小残留疾病相关,突出了它们在癌症持续性中的关键作用。因此,靶向CSCs是实现完全根除肿瘤的必要条件。现有证据表明,结合免疫疗法和细胞毒性疗法同时消除CSCs和非CSCs的联合疗法是一种有希望彻底根除癌症的方法。本文综述了目前用于靶向CSCs和改善癌症治疗结果的策略。
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引用次数: 0
Ferroptosis induction enhances anti-PD-1 efficacy in NSCLC via HIF-1α/PD-L1 modulation 铁凋亡诱导通过HIF-1α/PD-L1调节增强非小细胞肺癌的抗pd -1疗效。
IF 5 2区 医学 Q2 Medicine Pub Date : 2026-01-25 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102685
Zimin Wang , Hao Liu , Jiawei Liang , Ying Zhang , William C. Cho , Minhua Ye , Dehua Ma , Min Kong , Chengchu Zhu , Jianfei Shen

Background

The monotherapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains unsatisfactory in patients suffering from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death process, has been identified as a promising immunotherapy adjuvant; however, ferroptosis inducers (such as erastin, RSL3) may paradoxically up-regulate hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) to propel tumor immune evasion. It is critical to explore the molecular mechanism of ferroptosis in NSCLC immunotherapy and verify the efficacy of combined regimens for overcoming ICI limitations clinically.

Methods

This work analyzed 162 NSCLC patients receiving immunotherapy retrospectively to evaluate correlation between PD-L1 expression and progression-free survival (PFS). In vitro, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, qPCR, and Western blotting were utilized to measure impacts of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3) upon cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and PD-L1/HIF-1α expression in A549/H1299 NSCLC cells; ferroptosis-specific effects were validated by means of iron chelators (DFO, ferrostatin-1). In vivo, subcutaneous tumor models were built in C57BL/6 mice with LLC cells; therapeutic effects of ferroptosis inducer (IKE) alone or combined with anti-PD-1 antibody were evaluated through tumor weight measurement and immunohistochemistry (IHC). HIF-1α binding to PD-L1 promoter was confirmed via chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP); related signaling pathways were explored using transcriptome sequencing and KEGG enrichment analysis.

Results

For NSCLC patients who received immunotherapy, high PD-L1 expression correlated with longer PFS, and 4-HNE was associated positively with PD-L1 and CD8⁺T infiltration. In vitro, Erastin/RSL3 induced dose-dependent cell death, ROS accumulation, and PD-L1 up-regulation, reversed by iron chelators. In vivo, IKE+anti-PD-1 inhibited tumor growth significantly, whereas it increased CD8⁺T infiltration. Mechanistically, Erastin up-regulated HIF-1α via PI3K-AKT, which bound PD-L1 promoter (ChIP-verified), reversed by iron chelators.

Conclusions

Ferroptosis inducers have dual effects in NSCLC, namely, promoting tumor cell death and triggering PD-L1-dependent immune evasion via the PI3K-AKT-HIF-1α pathway. However, combining ferroptosis inducers with anti-PD-1 antibodies retains the anti-tumor effect of ferroptosis and overcomes immune evasion by obstructing the PD-L1 pathway, offering a novel strategy for enhancing NSCLC immunotherapy efficacy.
背景:免疫检查点抑制剂(ICIs)单药治疗非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)的疗效仍不理想。铁下垂是一种铁依赖性细胞死亡过程,已被确定为一种有前途的免疫治疗辅助剂;然而,铁ptosis诱导剂(如erastin, RSL3)可能矛盾地上调缺氧诱导因子1α (HIF-1α)和程序性死亡配体1 (PD-L1),以促进肿瘤免疫逃避。在非小细胞肺癌免疫治疗中,探讨铁下垂的分子机制,验证联合治疗方案对克服ICI局限性的临床疗效至关重要。方法:回顾性分析162例接受免疫治疗的非小细胞肺癌患者,评价PD-L1表达与无进展生存期(PFS)的相关性。在体外,采用CCK-8法、流式细胞术、qPCR和Western blotting检测铁凋亡诱导剂(Erastin、RSL3)对A549/H1299 NSCLC细胞活力、活性氧(ROS)水平和PD-L1/HIF-1α表达的影响;通过铁螯合剂(DFO,铁抑素-1)验证了铁致死特异性效应。在体内,用LLC细胞建立C57BL/6小鼠皮下肿瘤模型;通过测量肿瘤重量和免疫组化(IHC)评价铁下垂诱导剂(IKE)单独或联合抗pd -1抗体的治疗效果。通过染色质免疫沉淀(ChIP)证实HIF-1α与PD-L1启动子结合;通过转录组测序和KEGG富集分析探索相关信号通路。结果:在接受免疫治疗的NSCLC患者中,PD-L1高表达与PFS延长相关,4-HNE与PD-L1和CD8 + T浸润呈正相关。在体外,Erastin/RSL3诱导剂量依赖性细胞死亡、ROS积累和PD-L1上调,而铁螯合剂可逆转这一现象。在体内,IKE+抗pd -1明显抑制肿瘤生长,而CD8 + T的浸润增加。在机制上,Erastin通过PI3K-AKT上调HIF-1α, PI3K-AKT结合PD-L1启动子(chip验证),被铁螯合剂逆转。结论:铁凋亡诱导剂在NSCLC中具有双重作用,即通过PI3K-AKT-HIF-1α途径促进肿瘤细胞死亡和触发pd - l1依赖性免疫逃避。然而,将铁ptosis诱导剂与抗pd -1抗体联合使用,可以保留铁ptosis的抗肿瘤作用,并通过阻断PD-L1途径克服免疫逃避,为提高NSCLC免疫治疗效果提供了一种新的策略。
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引用次数: 0
NPM1c⁺-driven lncRNA dysregulation in AML: Mechanisms, Controversies and translational roadblocks NPM1c +驱动的lncRNA在AML中的失调:机制、争议和翻译障碍。
IF 5 2区 医学 Q2 Medicine Pub Date : 2026-01-24 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102683
Qiang Zhang , Yu Fu , Jihong Zhang
In the landscape of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) research, mutations in nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) are the most prevalent genetic alterations. The leukemogenic mutant variant, NPM1c⁺, is associated with a distinct gene expression profile linked to leukemia, but the downstream oncogenic pathways remain only partially understood. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules with known regulatory roles in human development and disease. Research implicates many lncRNAs in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis, revealing correlations between their expression and clinical parameters in AML patients. While NPM1c⁺ AML exhibits a distinct lncRNA signature, it remains contentious whether these molecules are bona fide drivers or passenger events, and how their context-dependent functions can be therapeutically exploited.
This review focuses on lncRNAs in NPM1c⁺ AML, highlighting their roles in pathogenesis, prognosis, and chemoresistance. By systematically elucidating the role of lncRNAs as pivotal factors in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of NPM1c⁺ AML, this study addresses a gap in the existing literature. Our analysis of specific lncRNAs, such as HOTAIRM1, HOXB-AS3, CRNDE, HOXBLINC, LONA, IFEX9, XLOC_109948, and HOTTIP, enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AML in the context of NPM1c⁺. These findings lay the groundwork for developing targeted therapies and improved prognostic tools for NPM1c⁺AML.
在急性髓性白血病(AML)的研究中,核磷蛋白1 (NPM1)的突变是最普遍的遗传改变。导致白血病的突变体NPM1c⁺与一种与白血病相关的独特基因表达谱有关,但下游的致癌途径仍只被部分了解。长链非编码RNA (lncRNAs)是已知在人类发育和疾病中具有调节作用的RNA分子。研究发现许多lncrna参与造血和白血病发生,揭示了它们在AML患者中的表达与临床参数之间的相关性。虽然NPM1c + AML显示出独特的lncRNA特征,但这些分子是真正的驱动者还是乘客事件,以及如何利用它们的环境依赖功能进行治疗,仍然存在争议。本文综述了NPM1c + AML中的lncrna,重点介绍了它们在发病机制、预后和化疗耐药中的作用。通过系统阐明lncRNAs在NPM1c + AML的诊断、治疗和预后中的关键作用,本研究弥补了现有文献的空白。我们对特定lncrna(如HOTAIRM1、HOXB-AS3、CRNDE、HOXBLINC、LONA、IFEX9、XLOC_109948和HOTTIP)的分析增强了我们对NPM1c⁺在AML中的分子机制的理解。这些发现为开发针对NPM1c + AML的靶向治疗和改进的预后工具奠定了基础。
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引用次数: 0
POSTN⁺ cancer-associated fibroblast–CCL3⁺ macrophage crosstalk defines the immune-excluded tumor microenvironment in clear cell renal cell carcinoma POSTN +癌症相关成纤维细胞- ccl3 +巨噬细胞串扰定义透明细胞肾细胞癌免疫排斥肿瘤微环境
IF 5 2区 医学 Q2 Medicine Pub Date : 2026-01-24 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102682
Yingjian Wang , Bingtong Yue , Hongqiang Ni , Jinchun Chen , Run Shi , Zhe Wang , Xinglai Dai , Maolin Sheng

Background

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) frequently exhibits an immune-excluded tumor microenvironment (TME) that limits the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). However, the stromal–immune interactions responsible for this exclusion remain poorly understood.

Methods

We integrated eight single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, two spatial transcriptomic datasets, and bulk transcriptomic cohorts to construct a comprehensive ccRCC TME atlas. Fibroblast subsets were characterized using clustering, trajectory, transcription-factor regulon, and gene-network analyses. Stromal–immune signaling was assessed using CellChat and NicheNet, and spatial colocalization patterns were validated by SpaGene analysis. Prognostic and therapeutic relevance were evaluated in TCGA-KIRC and ICB-treated cohorts.

Results

Seven fibroblast subtypes were identified, among which periostin (POSTN)–positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were selectively enriched in tumors and exhibited strong activation of TGF-β, PI3K–AKT, and extracellular-matrix pathways. Trajectory and regulon inference revealed GATA6 as a key transcriptional regulator driving fibroblast differentiation toward this ECM-remodeling phenotype. Spatial analyses demonstrated that POSTN⁺ CAFs colocalized with CCL3-positive macrophages at the invasive front, forming a hypoxic, fibrotic niche that excluded CD8⁺ T cells. Ligand–receptor mapping identified reciprocal TGF-β, SPP1, and IL-6 signaling that reinforced fibro-myeloid activation. Activation of the POSTN⁺ CAF–CCL3⁺ macrophage axis correlated with poor survival and reduced response to ICB therapy.

Conclusions

This study defines a spatially organized stromal–immune signaling axis that drives immune exclusion and immunotherapy resistance in ccRCC. Targeting the POSTN⁺ CAF–CCL3⁺ macrophage interaction offers a promising strategy to remodel the fibrotic barrier and restore antitumor immunity.
透明细胞肾细胞癌(ccRCC)经常表现出免疫排斥肿瘤微环境(TME),这限制了免疫检查点阻断(ICB)的疗效。然而,导致这种排斥的基质-免疫相互作用仍然知之甚少。方法整合8个单细胞RNA测序数据集、2个空间转录组数据集和大量转录组队列,构建ccRCC TME图谱。使用聚类、轨迹、转录因子调控和基因网络分析来表征成纤维细胞亚群。使用CellChat和NicheNet评估基质免疫信号,并通过SpaGene分析验证空间共定位模式。在TCGA-KIRC和icb治疗组中评估预后和治疗相关性。结果鉴定出7种成纤维细胞亚型,其中骨膜蛋白(POSTN)阳性的癌相关成纤维细胞(CAFs)在肿瘤中选择性富集,并表现出TGF-β、PI3K-AKT和细胞外基质通路的强激活。轨迹和调控推断显示GATA6是驱动成纤维细胞向这种ecm重塑表型分化的关键转录调节因子。空间分析表明,POSTN + CAFs与侵袭前沿的ccl3阳性巨噬细胞共定位,形成一个缺氧的纤维化生态位,排除了CD8 + T细胞。配体受体定位鉴定了相互的TGF-β、SPP1和IL-6信号,增强了纤维髓细胞的激活。POSTN + ca - ccl3 +巨噬细胞轴的激活与较差的生存率和对ICB治疗的反应降低相关。结论本研究确定了ccRCC中驱动免疫排斥和免疫治疗耐药的空间组织基质免疫信号轴。针对POSTN + ca - ccl3 +巨噬细胞的相互作用,为重塑纤维化屏障和恢复抗肿瘤免疫提供了一种有希望的策略。
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引用次数: 0
Utilization of machine learning algorithms for the identification of the RLN associated prognostic model and feature biomarkers of RLN-related subtypes in breast cancer 利用机器学习算法识别乳腺癌中RLN相关亚型的预后模型和特征生物标志物
IF 5 2区 医学 Q2 Medicine Pub Date : 2026-01-24 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102684
Yi Du , Quan Yuan , Hao Yu , Rongjie Ye , Huan Lin , Ge Yu , Ming Niu , Huilei Qiu

Background

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy afflicting women worldwide, yet the role of relaxin-related genes (RLN) in BC progression remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between RLN and BC outcomes through immune microenvironment and metabolic pathway analysis.

Methods

Gene expression and clinical data were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Relaxin-related genes were identified using KEGG and Genecard databases. A prognostic model, the RLN Associated Prognostic Model (TRAPM), was established using 101 combinations of 10 machine learning algorithms and validated at the single-cell level. Multi-omics analysis, including the IMvigor210 cohort, was performed to assess TRAPM’s applicability in immunotherapy and drug selection.

Results

TRAPM, comprising nine prognostic genes (MMP1, RXFP1, PRKCZ, JUN, NFKBIA, GNAI2, NOS2, MMP9, and MMP13), showed significant associations with immune and metabolic profiles. Using TRAPM, a novel BC subtype RC3 and its key marker genes (MTHFD1L, CAVIN4, MMP1, ADGRG6, B3GNT5, SMYD2, and TFRC) were identified. Experimental validation through RT-qPCR and Western Blot confirmed the role of these markers in six BRCA cell lines.

Conclusions

The identification of TRAPM and the RC3 subtype enhances our understanding of BC heterogeneity and highlights potential therapeutic targets. This study provides a foundation for personalized treatment strategies by clarifying the biological significance and clinical relevance of the RC3 subtype.
背景:乳腺癌(BC)是全世界女性最常见的恶性肿瘤,然而松弛素相关基因(RLN)在乳腺癌进展中的作用尚不清楚。本研究旨在通过免疫微环境和代谢途径分析来阐明RLN与BC预后的关系。方法收集肿瘤基因组图谱(TCGA)和基因表达图谱(GEO)的基因表达和临床数据。使用KEGG和Genecard数据库鉴定松弛素相关基因。使用10种机器学习算法的101种组合建立了RLN相关预后模型(TRAPM),并在单细胞水平上进行了验证。包括IMvigor210队列在内的多组学分析评估了TRAPM在免疫治疗和药物选择中的适用性。结果strapm包含9个预后基因(MMP1、RXFP1、PRKCZ、JUN、NFKBIA、GNAI2、NOS2、MMP9和MMP13),与免疫和代谢谱有显著相关性。利用TRAPM技术鉴定了一种新型BC亚型RC3及其关键标记基因(MTHFD1L、CAVIN4、MMP1、ADGRG6、B3GNT5、SMYD2和TFRC)。通过RT-qPCR和Western Blot的实验验证证实了这些标记在6种BRCA细胞系中的作用。结论TRAPM和RC3亚型的鉴定增强了我们对BC异质性的理解,并突出了潜在的治疗靶点。本研究阐明了RC3亚型的生物学意义和临床相关性,为制定个性化治疗策略奠定了基础。
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引用次数: 0
An exploratory study on the relationship between renal cell carcinoma and CAFs infiltration by integrating Pathomics and collagen features 结合病理和胶原特征探讨肾细胞癌与CAFs浸润的关系
IF 5 2区 医学 Q2 Medicine Pub Date : 2026-01-23 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102665
Rongjiang Wang , Mengting Jiang , Zhaojun Li , Zhucheng Zhao , Junwen Shen

Objective

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a critical component of the tumor microenvironment and play a significant role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) progression and treatment response. However, current methods for evaluating CAFs infiltration in RCC are inadequate. This study aims to develop a non-invasive histopathological model based on H&E staining and collagen features to predict CAFs infiltration and investigate its prognostic value and biological relevance.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis using H&E pathological images and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A Pathomics model integrating 465 histopathological features was constructed using machine learning algorithms (n = 354) to predict CAFs infiltration. A preliminary technical validation was performed using multiphoton microscopy-based collagen quantification (n = 25) to assess the correlation between the Pathomics Score and CAF-related fibrotic activity. Enrichment analysis, immune cell infiltration profiling, and mutation analysis were employed to explore the biological mechanisms underlying the model.

Results

The Pathomics model demonstrated high predictive accuracy (AUC=0.813) and correlated significantly with collagen deposition (r = 0.66, P < 0.001). High Pathomics scores were independently associated with poor survival (HR=1.80, P = 0.003) and linked to key biological processes, including YAP/TAZ activation, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, immune suppression (e.g., CD276, IDO1), and frequent mutations in VHL and PBRM1 (>40%).

Conclusion

This study establishes the first H&E-based Pathomics framework for quantifying CAFs infiltration in RCC, providing a cost-effective and non-invasive tool for preliminary risk stratification. The model’s strong correlation with collagen features and its ability to reveal underlying molecular mechanisms highlight its potential for potential value in understanding the stromal microenvironment, though further external validation is required for clinical translation.
癌症相关成纤维细胞(CAFs)是肿瘤微环境的重要组成部分,在肾细胞癌(RCC)的进展和治疗反应中起着重要作用。然而,目前评估CAFs在碾压细胞浸润的方法是不充分的。本研究旨在建立一种基于H&;E染色和胶原蛋白特征的无创组织病理学模型来预测CAFs浸润,并探讨其预后价值和生物学相关性。方法回顾性分析来自美国癌症基因组图谱(TCGA)数据库的H&;E病理图像和临床资料。利用机器学习算法(n = 354)构建了一个包含465个组织病理学特征的病理模型来预测CAFs的浸润。采用基于多光子显微镜的胶原定量(n = 25)进行了初步技术验证,以评估病理评分与ca相关纤维化活性之间的相关性。利用富集分析、免疫细胞浸润分析和突变分析来探索该模型背后的生物学机制。结果病理学模型预测准确率高(AUC=0.813),与胶原沉积有显著相关性(r = 0.66, P < 0.001)。高病理评分与较差的生存率独立相关(HR=1.80, P = 0.003),并与关键的生物学过程相关,包括YAP/TAZ激活、细胞外基质(ECM)重塑、免疫抑制(如CD276、IDO1)以及VHL和PBRM1的频繁突变(>40%)。本研究建立了第一个基于H&的病理框架,用于量化肾癌中CAFs的浸润,为初步风险分层提供了一种经济、无创的工具。该模型与胶原蛋白特征的强相关性及其揭示潜在分子机制的能力突出了其在理解基质微环境方面的潜在价值,尽管临床转化需要进一步的外部验证。
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引用次数: 0
Phosphoglucomutase 5 suppresses gallbladder cancer progression by inhibiting lactate-driven STAT3 signaling 磷酸葡萄糖糖化酶5通过抑制乳酸驱动的STAT3信号传导抑制胆囊癌的进展
IF 5 2区 医学 Q2 Medicine Pub Date : 2026-01-22 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102678
Wencong Ma , Cheng Zhang , Anjiang Gou , Mingtai Hu, Yao Huang, Xiaoqing Jiang, Jianyang Ao, Jinghan Wang
Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a highly aggressive malignancy of the biliary tract with limited therapeutic options. Phosphoglucomutase 5 (PGM5), a key enzyme in glucose metabolism, has been implicated as a tumor suppressor in several cancers, yet its role and mechanism in GBC remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that PGM5 is significantly downregulated in GBC tissues, and its low expression correlates with poor prognosis. Using integrated bioinformatic analysis, we found that PGM5 loss is associated with enhanced glycolysis and activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway. Functionally, PGM5 overexpression significantly inhibited GBC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis, whereas PGM5 knockdown exerted the opposite effects. Mechanistically, PGM5 suppressed lactate production by downregulating lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), leading to decreased phosphorylation of STAT3. The anti-tumor effects of PGM5 were reversed by exogenous lactate supplementation, and the glycolytic inhibitor 2-DG abrogated the oncogenic phenotypes induced by PGM5 silencing. In a mouse xenograft model, PGM5 overexpression significantly restrained tumor growth, reduced LDHA and p-STAT3 levels, and decreased intratumoral lactate content. Our findings reveal that PGM5 acts as a tumor suppressor in GBC through disruption of the lactate-STAT3 signaling axis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for metabolic intervention in GBC.
胆囊癌(GBC)是一种高度侵袭性的胆道恶性肿瘤,治疗选择有限。磷酸葡萄糖糖糖化酶5 (PGM5)是葡萄糖代谢的关键酶,在几种癌症中被认为是肿瘤抑制因子,但其在GBC中的作用和机制尚不清楚。本研究表明PGM5在GBC组织中显著下调,其低表达与预后不良相关。通过综合生物信息学分析,我们发现PGM5缺失与糖酵解增强和STAT3信号通路的激活有关。功能上,PGM5过表达显著抑制GBC细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭,促进细胞凋亡,而PGM5敲低则相反。机制上,PGM5通过下调乳酸脱氢酶A (LDHA)抑制乳酸生成,导致STAT3磷酸化降低。外源性乳酸补充可逆转PGM5的抗肿瘤作用,糖酵解抑制剂2-DG可消除PGM5沉默诱导的致癌表型。在小鼠异种移植瘤模型中,PGM5过表达显著抑制肿瘤生长,降低LDHA和p-STAT3水平,降低瘤内乳酸含量。我们的研究结果表明,PGM5通过破坏乳酸- stat3信号轴在GBC中发挥肿瘤抑制作用,突出了其作为GBC代谢干预治疗靶点的潜力。
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引用次数: 0
NF-κB activation as a pro-survival signal from pharmacological inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 in non-small-cell lung carcinoma cell models 非小细胞肺癌细胞模型中丙酮酸脱氢酶激酶1的药理抑制可激活NF-κB作为促生存信号
IF 5 2区 医学 Q2 Medicine Pub Date : 2026-01-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102681
Quan Liu , Maoxin Ran , Wenying Shan , Shao-Lin Zhang , Kin Yip Tam
Targeting Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) has emerged as one of the potential therapeutic strategies for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). 64, a recently reported PDK1 inhibitor derived from 2,2-dichloroacetophenone (DAP), exhibited promising anticancer effects in NSCLC models. Herein, we sought to investigate the mechanism of action of 64 in two NSCLC cell lines, namely, NCI-H1975 and NCI-H1650. We found that 64 induced intrinsic cancer cell apoptosis by releasing cytochrome C (CytC) from mitochondria, leading to caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, which was mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, we have shown that 64 induced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) depolarization and AMPK/MAPK activations were also ROS driven. With the aid of sequencing studies and follow-up biochemical evaluations, we found that 64 activated the NF-κB pathway through P38 MAPK, while the combination of P38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 with 64 diminished such activation. Interestingly, the combined use of 64 and NF-κB inhibitor (JSH-23) increased pro-apoptosis protein (Bax) expression and decreased pro-survival protein (Bcl-2) expression, resulting in enhanced cancer cell apoptosis via JNK pathway. Our results suggested that 64 induces cancer cell apoptosis in NSCLC models through ROS, while NF-κB activation serves as a survival mechanism upon PDK1 inhibition.
靶向丙酮酸脱氢酶激酶(PDK)已成为非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)的潜在治疗策略之一。64是最近报道的PDK1抑制剂,从2,2-二氯苯乙酮(DAP)中提取,在NSCLC模型中显示出有希望的抗癌作用。在此,我们试图研究64在NCI-H1975和NCI-H1650两种非小细胞肺癌细胞系中的作用机制。我们发现64通过从线粒体释放细胞色素C (CytC),导致caspase-3和聚(adp -核糖)聚合酶(PARP)裂解,从而诱导内在癌细胞凋亡,这一过程由活性氧(ROS)介导。此外,我们已经证明64诱导的线粒体膜电位(MMP)去极化和AMPK/MAPK激活也是ROS驱动的。通过测序研究和后续的生化评价,我们发现64通过P38 MAPK激活NF-κB通路,而P38 MAPK抑制剂SB203580与64的联合抑制了这种激活。有趣的是,64和NF-κB抑制剂(JSH-23)联合使用增加了促凋亡蛋白(Bax)的表达,降低了促生存蛋白(Bcl-2)的表达,从而通过JNK途径增强了癌细胞的凋亡。我们的研究结果表明64通过ROS诱导NSCLC模型的癌细胞凋亡,而NF-κB激活是PDK1抑制后的生存机制。
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引用次数: 0
Five-year survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with alkalization therapy 碱化治疗非小细胞肺癌患者的5年生存率。
IF 5 2区 医学 Q2 Medicine Pub Date : 2026-01-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102677
Shion Kachi , Kazuyuki Suzuki , Reo Hamaguchi , Ryoko Narui , Hiromasa Morikawa , Hiromi Wada
Acidic tumor microenvironments promote malignant progression, immune evasion, and drug resistance. This single-center retrospective cohort study evaluated whether, among patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who participated in a pragmatic “alkalization therapy”—defined as a low potential renal acid load diet plus oral sodium bicarbonate and/or potassium/sodium citrate—urinary pH was associated with long-term survival, and whether these associations differed by EGFR/ALK mutation status. Urinary pH was used as a surrogate marker of systemic alkalization. All consecutive patients with stage IV NSCLC who first attended Karasuma Wada Clinic between January 2014, and December 2019 were included (n = 203; EGFR/ALK mutation-negative, n = 100; EGFR/ALK mutation-positive, n = 103). All outpatients received standardized instruction in alkalization therapy. For each patient, a mean urine pH value (excluding the first visit) was calculated. Survival was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier methods with log-rank and Gehan–Breslow–Wilcoxon tests, and Cox proportional hazards regression models incorporating recurrence status and urine pH. Overall, the 5-year survival rate was 49·0 % and was similar by mutation status (EGFR/ALK mutation-positive, 49·9 %; EGFR/ALK mutation-negative, 48·6 %). Among EGFR/ALK mutation-negative patients, postoperative recurrence was associated with a more favorable outcome than de novo stage IV disease at initial diagnosis (5-year survival 65·5 % vs 42·0 %; log-rank p = 0·02). In this subgroup, a mean urine pH ≥7·5 was associated with superior 5-year survival (70·0 % vs 39·3 %; log-rank p = 0·04). Given potential confounding, this shows association—not a causal benefit. Urinary pH may serve as a pragmatic marker of acid–base status, particularly in EGFR/ALK-mutation-negative disease.
酸性肿瘤微环境促进恶性进展、免疫逃避和耐药。这项单中心回顾性队列研究评估了IV期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者参加实用的“碱化治疗”(定义为低潜在肾酸负荷饮食加口服碳酸氢钠和/或柠檬酸钾/钠)尿液pH是否与长期生存相关,以及这些关联是否因EGFR/ALK突变状态而异。尿液pH值作为全身碱化的替代指标。纳入2014年1月至2019年12月期间首次就诊的所有连续IV期NSCLC患者(n = 203; EGFR/ALK突变阴性,n = 100; EGFR/ALK突变阳性,n = 103)。所有门诊患者均接受标准化的碱化治疗指导。计算每位患者的平均尿液pH值(不包括第一次就诊)。采用Kaplan-Meier法、log-rank检验和Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon检验,以及纳入复发状态和尿ph的Cox比例风险回归模型分析生存率。总体而言,5年生存率为49.0%,突变状态相似(EGFR/ALK突变阳性,49.9%;EGFR/ALK突变阴性,48.6%)。在EGFR/ALK突变阴性的患者中,术后复发比初始诊断时的新发IV期疾病更有利(5年生存率为65.5% vs 42.0%; log-rank p = 0.02)。在该亚组中,平均尿液pH≥7.5与较好的5年生存率相关(70% vs 39.3%; log-rank p = 0.04)。考虑到潜在的混淆,这显示了关联,而不是因果关系。尿pH值可以作为酸碱状态的实用标记,特别是在EGFR/ alk突变阴性的疾病中。
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引用次数: 0
Integrated multi-omics analysis of prognostic model and immune microenvironment in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma 肝内胆管癌预后模型和免疫微环境的综合多组学分析。
IF 5 2区 医学 Q2 Medicine Pub Date : 2026-01-19 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102675
Xi Li , Yixian Wang , Xiangbao Yin , Junwen Hu , Hongcheng Lu , Die Li , Mingming Wu

Background

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is an aggressive malignancy originating from the epithelial lining of second-order bile ducts. Despite advances in immunotherapy, which underscore the pivotal roles of T-cell dynamics and tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling in anti-tumor immunity, iCCA remains a clinical challenge due to its rapid progression. Consequently, there is a pressing need for integrated multi-omics approaches to elucidate the immune landscape of iCCA and guide effective precision immunotherapy.

Methods

To comprehensively characterize iCCA, we integrated single-cell RNA-seq data for microenvironment analysis and bulk RNA-seq cohorts for prognostic model construction using machine learning, followed by external validation and functional experimental verification of key genes.

Results

Integrated single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analysis of iCCA uncovered interacting epithelial-fibroblast subpopulations and guided the machine learning-based derivation of a five-gene prognostic signature. Furthermore, spatial transcriptomics confirmed the physical co-localization between SPP1+ Macrophage and NDRG1+ CAF. Finally, functional experiments established that MT1X, a gene highly expressed in iCCA, drives tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Conclusion

This study establishes a prognostic model based on five key genes and elucidates their role in the immunosuppressive TME. MT1X was validated as a pro-tumorigenic factor, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.
背景:肝内胆管癌(iCCA)是一种起源于二级胆管上皮的侵袭性恶性肿瘤。尽管免疫治疗的进步强调了t细胞动力学和肿瘤微环境(TME)重塑在抗肿瘤免疫中的关键作用,但由于其快速进展,iCCA仍然是一个临床挑战。因此,迫切需要整合多组学方法来阐明iCCA的免疫景观并指导有效的精确免疫治疗。方法:为了全面表征iCCA,我们整合了单细胞RNA-seq数据进行微环境分析,并利用机器学习整合了大量RNA-seq队列进行预后模型构建,随后对关键基因进行外部验证和功能实验验证。结果:iCCA的综合单细胞和空间转录组学分析揭示了相互作用的上皮-成纤维细胞亚群,并指导了基于机器学习的五基因预后标记的推导。此外,空间转录组学证实了SPP1+巨噬细胞和NDRG1+ CAF之间的物理共定位。最后,功能实验证实,在iCCA中高表达的MT1X基因驱动肿瘤增殖、迁移和侵袭。结论:本研究建立了基于5个关键基因的TME预后模型,并阐明了它们在免疫抑制性TME中的作用。MT1X被证实是一种促肿瘤因子,突出了其作为治疗靶点的潜力。
{"title":"Integrated multi-omics analysis of prognostic model and immune microenvironment in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma","authors":"Xi Li ,&nbsp;Yixian Wang ,&nbsp;Xiangbao Yin ,&nbsp;Junwen Hu ,&nbsp;Hongcheng Lu ,&nbsp;Die Li ,&nbsp;Mingming Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102675","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tranon.2026.102675","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is an aggressive malignancy originating from the epithelial lining of second-order bile ducts. Despite advances in immunotherapy, which underscore the pivotal roles of T-cell dynamics and tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling in anti-tumor immunity, iCCA remains a clinical challenge due to its rapid progression. Consequently, there is a pressing need for integrated multi-omics approaches to elucidate the immune landscape of iCCA and guide effective precision immunotherapy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>To comprehensively characterize iCCA, we integrated single-cell RNA-seq data for microenvironment analysis and bulk RNA-seq cohorts for prognostic model construction using machine learning, followed by external validation and functional experimental verification of key genes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Integrated single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analysis of iCCA uncovered interacting epithelial-fibroblast subpopulations and guided the machine learning-based derivation of a five-gene prognostic signature. Furthermore, spatial transcriptomics confirmed the physical co-localization between SPP1+ Macrophage and NDRG1+ CAF. Finally, functional experiments established that MT1X, a gene highly expressed in iCCA, drives tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study establishes a prognostic model based on five key genes and elucidates their role in the immunosuppressive TME. MT1X was validated as a pro-tumorigenic factor, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48975,"journal":{"name":"Translational Oncology","volume":"65 ","pages":"Article 102675"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146012545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
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Translational Oncology
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