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NO also is co linked to VEGF which in turn increases the antiapoptotic gene bcl-2

The other important influence of NO is in its inhibition of the proapoptoic caspases cascade. This in turn protects the cells from intracellular preprogrammed death.

nitric oxide in immune suppression in relation to oxygen radicals is its inhibitory effect on the binding of leukocytes (PMN) at the endothelial surface

Inhibition of inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS)

NO from the tumor cells actually suppresses the iNOS, and in addition it reduces oxygen radicals to stop the formation of peroxynitrite in these cells. But NO is not the only inhibitor of iNOS in cancer.

Spermine and spermidine, from the rate limiting enzyme for DNA synthases, ODC, also inhibit iNOS

tolerance in the immune system that decreases the immune response to antigens on the tumors

Freund’s adjuvant

increase in kinases in these cells which phosphorylate serine, and tyrosine

responsible for activation of many growth factors and enzymes

phosphorylated amino acids suppress iNOS activity

Hexokinase II

Prostaglandin E2, released from tumor cells is also an inhibitor of iNOS, as well as suppressing the immune system

Th-1 subset of T-cells. These cells are responsible for anti-viral and anti-cancer activities, via their cytokine production including Interleukin-2, (IL-2), and Interleukin-12 which stimulates T-killer cell replication and further activation and release of tumor fighting cytokines.

Th-2 subset of lymphocytes, on the other hand are activated in allergies and parasitic infections to release Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-10

These have respectively inhibitory effects on iNOS and lymphocyte Th-1 activation

Mast cells contain histamine which when released increases the T suppressor cells, to lower the immune system and also acts directly on many tumor Histamine receptors to stimulate tumor growth

Tumor cells release IL-10, and this is thought to be one of the important areas of Th-1 suppression in cancer patients

IL-10 is also increased in cancer causing viral diseases such as HIV, HBV, HCV, and EBV

IL-10 is also a central regulator of cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin production in tumor cells stimulating their angiogenesis and NO production

nitric oxide in tumor cells even prevents the activation of caspases responsible for apoptosis

early stages of carcinogenesis, which we call tumor promotion, one needs a strong immune system, and fewer oxygen radicals to prevent mutations but still enough to destroy the tumor cells should they develop

later stages of cancer development, the oxygen radicals are decreased around the tumors and in the tumor cells themselves, and the entire cancer fighting Th-1 cell replication and movement are suppressed. The results are a decrease in direct toxicity and apoptosis, which is prevented by NO, a suppression of the macrophage and leukocyte toxicity and finally, a suppression of the T-cell induced tumor toxicity

cGMP is increased by NO

NO in cancer is its ability to increase platelet-tumor cell aggregates, which enhances metastases

the greater the malignancies and the greater the metastatic potential of these tumors

The greater the NO production in many types of tumors,

gynecological

elevated lactic acid which neutralizes the toxicity and activity of Lymphocyte immune response and mobility

The lactic acid is also feeding fungi around tumors and that leads to elevated histamine which increases T-suppressor cells.  Histamine alone stimulates many tumor cells.

T-regulatory cells (formerly,T suppressor cells) down regulate the activity of Natural killer cells

last but not least, the Lactic acid from tumor cells and acidic diets shifts the lymphocyte activity to reduce its efficacy against cancer cells and pathogens in addition to altering the bacteria of the intestinal tract.

intestinal tract bacteria in cancer cells release sterols that suppress the immune system and down regulate anticancer activity from lymphocytes.

In addition to the lactic acid, adenosine is also released from tumors. Through IL-10, adenosine and other molecules secreted by regulatory T cells, the CD8+ cells can be inactivated to an anergic state

Adenosine up regulates the PD1 receptor in T-1 Lymphocytes and inhibits their activity

Adenosine is a purine nucleoside found within the interstitial fluid of solid tumors at concentrations that are able to inhibit cell-mediated immune responses to tumor cells

Adenosine appears to up-regulate the PD1 receptor in T-1 Lymphocytes and inhibits the immune system further

Mast cells with their release of histamine lower the immune system and also stimulate tumor growth and activate the metalloproteinases involved in angiogenesis and metastases

COX 2 inhibitors or all trans-retinoic acid

Cimetidine, an antihistamine has been actually shown to increase in apoptosis in MDSC via a separate mechanism than the antihistamine effect

interleukin-8 (IL-8), a chemokine related to invasion and angiogenesis

In vitro analyses revealed a striking induction of IL-8 expression in CAFs and LFs by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)

these data raise the possibility that the majority of CAFs in CLM originate from resident LFs. TNF-alpha-induced up-regulation of IL-8 via nuclear factor-kappaB in CAFs is an inflammatory pathway, potentially permissive for cancer invasion that may represent a novel therapeutic target

most conventional radiation and brain cancer chemotherapies can enhance glioma energy metabolism and invasive properties, which would contribute to tumor recurrence and reduced patient survival [34].

We contend that all cancer regardless of tissue or cellular origin is a disease of abnormal energy metabolism

complex disease phenotypes can be managed through self-organizing networks that display system wide dynamics involving oxidative and non-oxidative (substrate level) phosphorylation

As long as brain tumors are provided a physiological environment conducive for their energy needs they will survive; when this environment is restricted or abruptly changed they will either grow slower, growth arrest, or perish [8] and [19]

New information also suggests that ketones are toxic to some human tumor cells and that ketones and ketogenic diets might restrict availability of glutamine to tumor cells [68], [69] and [70].

The success in dealing with environmental stress and disease is therefore dependent on the integrated action of all cells in the organism

Tumor cells survive in hypoxic environments not because they have inherited genes making them more fit or adaptable than normal cells, but because they have damaged mitochondria and have thus acquired the ability to derive energy largely through substrate level phosphorylation

Cancer cells survive and multiply only in physiological environments that provide fuels (mostly glucose and glutamine) subserving their requirement for substrate level phosphorylation

Integrity of the inner mitochondrial membrane is necessary for ketone body metabolism since β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, which catalyzes the first step in the metabolism of β-OHB to acetoacetate, interacts with cardiolipin and other phospholipids in the inner membrane

the mitochondria of many gliomas and most tumors for that matter are dysfunctional

Cardiolipin is essential for efficient oxidative energy production and mitochondrial function

Any genetic or environmental alteration in the content or composition of cardiolipin will compromise energy production through oxidative phosphorylation

The Crabtree effect involves the inhibition of respiration by high levels of glucose

the Warburg effect involves elevated glycolysis from impaired oxidative phosphorylation

the Crabtree effect can be reversible, the Warburg effect is largely irreversible because its origin is with permanently damaged mitochondria

The continued production of lactic acid in the presence of oxygen is the metabolic hallmark of most cancers and is referred to as aerobic glycolysis or the Warburg effect

We recently described how the retrograde signaling system could induce changes in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes to facilitate tumor cell survival following mitochondrial damage [48].

In addition to glycolysis, glutamine can also increase ATP production under hypoxic conditions through substrate level phosphorylation in the TCA cycle after its metabolism to α-ketoglutarate

mitochondrial lipid abnormalities, which alter electron transport activities, can account in large part for the Warburg effect

targeting both glucose and glutamine metabolism could be effective for managing most cancers including brain cancer

The bulk of experimental evidence indicates that mitochondria are dysfunctional in tumors and incapable of generating sufficient ATP through oxidative phosphorylation

Cardiolipin defects in tumor cells are also associated with reduced activities of several enzymes of the mitochondrial electron transport chain making it unlikely that tumor cells with cardiolipin abnormalities can generate adequate energy through oxidative phosphorylation

The Crabtree effect involves the inhibition of respiration by high levels of glucose

Warburg effect involves elevated glycolysis from impaired oxidative phosphorylation

TCA cycle substrate level phosphorylation could therefore become another source of ATP production in tumor cells with impairments in oxidative phosphorylation

Caloric restriction, which lowers glucose and elevates ketone bodies [63] and [64], improves mitochondrial respiratory function and glutathione redox state in normal cells

DR naturally inhibits glycolysis and tumor growth by lowering circulating glucose levels, while at the same time, enhancing the health and vitality of normal cells and tissues through ketone body metabolism

DR is anti-angiogenic

DR also reduces angiogenesis in prostate and breast cancer

We suggest that apoptosis resistance arises largely from enhanced substrate level phosphorylation of tumor cells and to the genes associated with elevated glycolysis and glutaminolysis, e.g., c-Myc, Hif-1a, etc, which inhibit apoptosis

Modern medicine has not looked favorably on diet therapies for managing complex diseases especially when well-established procedures for acceptable clinical practice are available, regardless of how ineffective these procedures might be in managing the disease

More than 60 years of clinical research indicates that such approaches are largely ineffective in extending survival or improving quality of life

The process is rooted in the well-established scientific principle that tumor cells are largely dependent on substrate level phosphorylation for their survival and growth

Glucose and glutamine drive substrate level phosphorylation

targeting the glycolytically active tumor cells that produce pro-cachexia molecules, restricted diet therapies can potentially reduce tumor cachexia

It is important to recognize, however, that “more is not better” with respect to the ketogenic diet

Blood glucose ranges between 3.0 and 3.5 mM (55–65 mg/dl) and β-OHB ranges between 4 and 7 mM should be effective for tumor management

In this study, we found that curcumin down-regulated DNMT1 expression in AML cells. This occurred, at least in part, through down-modulation of two positive regulators of DNMT1: Sp1 and the NF-κB component, p65. We also found that curcumin-mediated down-regulation of DNMT1 was associated with reactivation of TSGs and tumor suppression, both in vivo and in vitro.

curcumin may selectively downregulate DNMT1 expression in tumor cells, but not in normal cells

DNMT1 expression is positively regulated by Sp1 and the NF-κB signaling component

indicating that curcumin may have significant anti-tumor activity in AML

We found that, compared to the vehicle control, curcumin treatment reduced tumor weight by 70%

Surprisingly, although curcumin significantly inhibited tumor growth in these mice, we were unable to find any obvious toxicity associated with curcumin treatment

Consistent with our observations regarding curcumin’s ability to inhibit tumor growth in vivo (Figure 4) and down-regulate DNMT1 expression in vitro and ex vivo (Figure 1), we found that decreased levels of DNMT1 protein and mRNA were expressed by tumor cells isolated from curcumin-treated mice

we identified curcumin as a substance which acts as an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase enzymatic activity and induces significant global DNA hypomethylation in AML cells

In this study, we first demonstrated that curcumin decreases DNMT1 mRNA and protein expression levels, most likely through inhibiting expression of positive regulators of DNMT1, such as Sp1 and the p65 component of NF-κB component, and/or altering their ability to bind to the promoter region of DNMT1

In normal embryogenesis and homeostasis, the canonical WNT pathway is activated by secreted WNT ligands produced in highly controlled context-dependent manners and in precise amounts. WNT activity is transduced in the cytoplasm, inactivates the APC destruction complex, and results in the translocation of activate β-CATENIN to the nucleus, where it cooperates with DNA-binding TCF/LEF factors to regulate WNT-TCF targets and the ensuing genomic response

beyond the loss of activity of the APC destruction complex, for instance throughAPC mutation, phosphorylation of β-CATENIN at C-terminal sites is required for the full activation of WNT-TCF signaling and the ensuing WNT-TCF responses in cancer.

The WNT-TCF response blockade that we describe for low doses of Ivermectin suggests an action independent to the deregulation of chloride channels

involve the repression of the levels of C-terminally phosphorylated β-CATENIN forms and of CYCLIN D1, a critical target that is an oncogene and positive cell cycle regulator.

the Avermectin single-molecule derivative Selamectin, a drug widely used in veterinarian medicine (Nolan & Lok, 2012), is ten times more potent acting in the nanomolar range

Ivermectin also diminished the protein levels of CYCLIN D1, a direct TCF target and oncogene, in both HT29 and H358 tumor cells

Activated Caspase3 was used as a marker of apoptosis by immunohistochemistry 48 h after drug treatment. Selamectin and Ivermectin induced up to a sevenfold increase in the number of activated Caspase3+ cells in two primary (CC14 and CC36) and two cell line (DLD1 and Ls174T) colon cancer cell types (Fig​(Fig2C).2C). All changes were significative

The strong downregulation of the expression of the intestinal stem cell genesASCL2 andLGR5 (van der Flieret al, 2009; Scheperset al, 2012; Zhuet al, 2012b) by Ivermectin and Selamectin (Fig​(Fig2D)2D) raised the possibility that these drugs could affect WNT-TCF-dependent colon cancer stem cell behavior

Pre-established H358 tumors responded to Ivermectin showing a ˜ 50% repression of growth

Ivermectin hasin vivo efficacy against human colon cancer xenografts sensitive to TCF inhibition with no discernable side effects

Ivermectin (Campbellet al, 1983), an off-patent drug approved for human use, and related macrocyclic lactones, have WNT-TCF pathway response blocking and anti-cancer activities

these drugs block WNT-TCF pathway responses, likely acting at the level of β-CATENIN/TCF function, affecting β-CATENIN phosphorylation status.

anti-WNT-TCF activities of Ivermectin and Selamectin

Ivermectin has a well-known anti-parasitic activity mediated via the deregulation of chloride channels, leading to paralysis and death (Hibbs & Gouaux, 2011; Lynagh & Lynch, 2012). The same mode of action has been suggested to underlie the toxicity of Ivermectin for liquid tumor cells and the potentiation or sensitization effect of Avermectin B1 on classical chemotherapeutics

the specificity of the blockade of WNT-TCF responses we document, at low micromolar doses for Ivermectin and low nanomolar doses for Selamectin, indicate that the blockade of WNT-TCF responses and chloride channel deregulation are distinct modes of action

What is key then is to find a dose and a context where the use of Ivermectin has beneficial effects in patients, paralleling our results with xenografts in mice.

Cell toxicity appears at doses greater (> 10 μM for 12 h or longer or > 5 μM for 48 h or longer for Ivermectin) than those required to block TCF responses and induce apoptosis.

Our data point to a repression of WNT-β-CATENIN/TCF transcriptional responses by Ivermectin, Selamectin and related macrocylic lactones.

(i) The ability of Avermectin B1 to inhibit the activation of WNT-TCF reporter activity by N-terminal mutant (APC-insensitive) β-CATENIN as detected in our screen

(ii) The ability of Avermectin B1, Ivermectin, Doramectin, Moxidectin and Selamectin to parallel the modulation of WNT-TCF targets by dnTCF

(iii) The finding that the specific WNT-TCF response blockade by low doses of Ivermectin and Selamectin is reversed by constitutively active TCF

(iv) The repression of key C-terminal phospho-isoforms of β-CATENIN resulting in the repression of the TCF target and positive cell cycle regulator CYCLIN D1 by Ivermectin and Selamectin

(v) The specific inhibition ofin-vivo-TCF-dependent, but notin-vivo-TCF-independent cancer cells by Ivermectin in xenografts.

These results together with the reduction of the expression of the colon cancer stem cell markersASCL2 andLGR5 (e.g., Hirschet al, 2013; Ziskinet al, 2013) raise the possibility of an inhibitory effect of Ivermectin, Selamectin and related macrocyclic lactones on TCF-dependent cancer stem cells.

the capacity of cancer cells to form 3D spheroids in culture, as well as the growth of these, is also WNT-TCF-dependent (Kanwaret al, 2010) and they were also affected by Ivermectin treatment

If Ivermectin is specific, it should only block TCF-dependent tumor growth. Indeed, the sensitivity and insensitivity of DLD1 and CC14 xenografts to Ivermectin treatment, respectively, together with the desensitization to Ivermectin actionin vivo by constitutively active TCF provide evidence of the specificity of this drug to block an activated WNT-TCF pathway in human cancer.

Ivermectin has a good safety profile since onlyin-vivo-dnTCF-sensitive cancer xenografts are responsive to Ivermectin treatment, and we have not detected side effects in Ivermectin-treated mice at the doses used

previous work has shown that side effects from systemic treatments with clinically relevant doses in humans are rare (Yang, 2012), that birth defects were not observed after exposure of pregnant mothers (Pacquéet al, 1990) and that this drug does not cross the blood–brain barrier (Kokozet al, 1999). Similarly, only dogs with mutantABCB1 (MDR1) alleles leading to a broken blood–brain barrier show Ivermectin neurotoxicity (Mealeyet al, 2001; Orzechowskiet al, 2012)

Indications may include treatment for incurable β-CATENIN/TCF-dependent advanced and metastatic human tumors of the lung, colon, endometrium, and other organs.

Ivermectin, Selamectin, or related macrocyclic lactones could also serve as topical agents for WNT-TCF-dependent skin lesions and tumors such as basal cell carcinomas

they might also be useful as routine prophylactic agents, for instance against nascent TCF-dependent intestinal tumors in patients with familial polyposis and against nascent sporadic colon tumors in the general aging population

mice deficient for telomerase or for telomere binding proteins are characterized by accelerated age-related defects

In humans, short telomeres are considered good indicators of an individual’s health status and correlate with both genetic and environmental factors

Although recent findings strongly support the idea that short telomeres drive several age-related diseases 38 we cannot exclude the possibility that in some situations short telomeres may be a consequence of the disease itself.

the current view is that telomerase deficiency may contribute to the early steps of cancer development by fueling chromosomal instability, while subsequent activation of telomerase may be necessary to allow tumor growth and tumor progression towards more malignant states

telomerase activation can be an early event in cancer, it is not necessary for cancer initiation

telomerase can stimulate tumor progression by ensuring maintenance of telomeres above a critically short length, thus preventing induction of cellular senescence or apoptosis

Almost all human cancers present activation of telomerase as a hallmark, most likely as a mechanism to allow unlimited cell proliferation of tumor cells

recent evidence demonstrated that short telomeres alone could lead to genomic instability and cancer

Getting rid of telomerase can also be problematic; the lack of telomerase could lead to increased chromosomal instability, which in turn could be at the basis for cancer initiation when tumor suppressor barriers are bypassed

telomerase activation is a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of age-related diseases

telomerase activation in adult or old mice by means of a gene therapy strategy was shown to be sufficient to improve metabolic fitness, neuromuscular capacity, and prevent bone loss, as well as significantly increase both median and maximum longevity, without increased cancer incidence

These studies suggest that telomerase expression could be considered a feasible approach to reverse tissue dysfunction and extend healthy lifespan without increasing cancer incidence

humans almost completely lose telomerase activity from somatic tissues in the adulthood

a change of paradigm seems to be occurring in telomerase biology, with a switch from viewing telomerase as fueling cancer to reversing aging

Telomerase expression in a background of high levels of tumor suppressors or in aged organisms seems to prevent its expected pro-cancer activity and yet it still functions as an anti-aging factor

ERβ expression resulted in the inhibition of proliferation and G1 phase cell-cycle arrest

ERβ expression strongly inhibited cMyc and tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model

induced ERβ in CRC cells has an antiproliferative, tumor-suppressive function that is independent of ERα

ERs also have the ability to bind many other compounds with an estrogen-like structure, including phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens (or endocrine disruptors)

Phytoestrogens are a diverse class of natural compounds with structural similarity to estradiol

Barone et al. recently found that two ERβ-selective phytoestrogens effectively counteracted CRC tumorigenesis and surprisingly increased ERβ expression in mice with mutations of the tumor-suppressor gene adenomatous polyposis coli

We can conclude that estrogens are important in protecting against CRC initiation and progression, and that the protective effect most likely is mediated by ERβ

IR also indirectly induces DNA damage by stimulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production

IR is known to induce EMT in vitro

p53 is activated in response to IR-induced DNA damage

IR paradoxically also promotes tumour recurrence and metastasis

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs)

cancer cells undergoing EMT acquire invasive and metastatic properties

changes in the tumour microenvironment (TME)

IR seems to induce EMT and CSC phenotypes by regulating cellular metabolism

EMT, stemness, and oncogenic metabolism are known to be associated with resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Hanahan and Weinberg proposed ten hallmarks of cancer that alter cell physiology to enhance malignant growth: 1) sustained proliferation, 2) evasion of growth suppression, 3) cell death resistance, 4) replicative immortality, 5) evasion of immune destruction, 6) tumour-promoting inflammation, 7) activation of invasion and metastasis, 8) induction of angiogenesis, 9) genome instability, and 10) alteration of metabolism

EMT is a developmental process that plays critical roles in embryogenesis, wound healing, and organ fibrosis

IR is known to induce stemness and metabolic alterations in cancer cells

transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β], epidermal growth factor [EGF]) and their associated signalling proteins (Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, nuclear-factor kappa B [NF-κB], extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK], and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase [PI3K]/Akt

activate EMT-inducing transcription factors, including Snail/Slug, ZEB1/δEF1, ZEB2/SIP1, Twist1/2, and E12/E47

Loss of E-cadherin is considered a hallmark of EMT

IR has been shown to induce EMT to enhance the motility and invasiveness of several cancer cells, including those of breast, lung, and liver cancer, and glioma cells

IR may increase metastasis in both the primary tumour site and in normal tissues under some circumstance

sublethal doses of IR have been shown to enhance the migratory and invasive behaviours of glioma cells

ROS are known to play an important role in IR-induced EMT

High levels of ROS trigger cell death by causing irreversible damage to cellular components such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, whereas low levels of ROS have been shown to promote tumour progression—including tumour growth, invasion, and metastasis

hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is involved in IR-induced EMT

Treatment with the N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a general ROS scavenger, prevents IR-induced EMT, adhesive affinity, and invasion of breast cancer cells

Snail has been shown to play a crucial role in IR-induced EMT, migration, and invasion

IR activates the p38 MAPK pathway, which contributes to the induction of Snail expression to promote EMT and invasion

NF-κB signalling that promotes cell migration

ROS promote EMT to allow cancer cells to avoid hostile environments

HIF-1 is a heterodimer composed of an oxygen-sensitive α subunit and a constitutively expressed β subunit.

Under normoxia, HIF-1α is rapidly degraded, whereas hypoxia induces stabilisation and accumulation of HIF-1α

levels of HIF-1α mRNA are enhanced by activation of the PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)

IR is known to increase stabilisation and nuclear accumulation of HIF-1α, since hypoxia is a major condition for HIF-1 activation

IR induces vascular damage that causes hypoxia

ROS is implicated in IR-induced HIF-1 activation

IR causes the reoxygenation of hypoxic cancer cells to increase ROS production, which leads to the stabilisation and nuclear accumulation of HIF-1

IR increases glucose availability under reoxygenated conditions that promote HIF-1α translation by activating the Akt/mTOR pathway

The stabilised HIF-1α then translocates to the nucleus, dimerizes with HIF-1β, and increases gene expression— including the expression of essential EMT regulators such as Snail—to induce EMT, migration, and invasion

TGF-β signalling has been shown to play a crucial role in IR-induced EMT

AP-1 transcription factor is involved in IR-induced TGF-β1 expression

Wnt/β-catenin signalling is also implicated in IR-induced EMT

Notch signalling is known to be involved in IR-induced EMT

IR also increases Notch-1 expression [99]. Notch-1 is known to induce EMT by upregulating Snail

PAI-1 signalling is also implicated in IR-induced Akt activation that increases Snail levels to induce EMT

EGFR activation is known to be associated with IR-induced EMT, cell migration, and invasion by activating two downstream pathways: PI3K/Akt and Raf/MEK/ERK

ROS and RNS are also implicated in IR-induced EGFR activation

IR has also been shown to activate Hedgehog (Hh) signalling to induce EMT

IR has been shown to induce Akt activation through several signalling pathways (EGFR, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 [CXCR4]/C-X-C motif chemokine 12 [CXCL12], plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 [PAI-1]) and upstream regulators (Bmi1, PTEN) that promote EMT and invasion

CSCs possess a capacity for self-renewal, and they can persistently proliferate to initiate tumours upon serial transplantation, thus enabling them to maintain the whole tumour

Conventional cancer treatments kill most cancer cells, but CSCs survive due to their resistance to therapy, eventually leading to tumour relapse and metastasis

identification of CSCs, three types of markers are utilised: cell surface molecules, transcription factors, and signalling pathway molecules

CSCs express distinct and specific surface markers; commonly used ones are CD24, CD34, CD38, CD44, CD90, CD133, and ALDH

Transcription factors, including Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, c-Myc, and Klf4,

signalling pathways, including those of TGF-β, Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and JAK/STAT

microRNAs (miRNAs), including let-7, miR-22, miR-34a, miR-128, the miR-200 family, and miR-451

Non-CSCs can be reprogrammed to become CSCs by epigenetic and genetic changes

EMT-inducing transcription factors, such as Snail, ZEB1, and Twist1, are known to confer CSC properties

Signalling pathways involved in EMT, including those of TGF-β, Wnt, and Notch, have been shown to play important roles in inducing the CSC phenotype

TGF-β1 not only increases EMT markers (Slug, Twist1, β-catenin, N-cadherin), but also upregulates CSC markers (Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, Klf4) in breast and lung cancer cells

some CSC subpopulations arise independently of EMT

IR has been shown to induce the CSC phenotype in many cancers, including breast, lung, and prostate cancers, as well as melanoma

Genotoxic stress due to IR or chemotherapy promotes a CSC-like phenotype by increasing ROS production

IR has been shown to induce reprogramming of differentiated cancer cells into CSCs

In prostate cancer patients, radiotherapy increases the CD44+ cell population that exhibit CSC properties

IR also induces the re-expression of stem cell regulators, such as Sox2, Oct4, Nanog, and Klf4, to promote stemness in cancer cells

EMT-inducing transcription factors and signalling pathways, including Snail, STAT3, Notch signalling, the PI3K/Akt pathway, and the MAPK cascade, have been shown to play important roles in IR-induced CSC properties

STAT3 directly binds to the Snail promoter and increases Snail transcription, which induces the EMT and CSC phenotypes, in cisplatin-selected resistant cells

Other oncogenic metabolic pathways, including glutamine metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), and synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol, are also enhanced in many cancers

metabolic reprogramming

HIF-1α, p53, and c-Myc, are known to contribute to oncogenic metabolism

metabolic reprogramming

tumour cells exhibit high mitochondrial metabolism as well as aerobic glycolysis

occurring within the same tumour

CSCs can be highly glycolytic-dependent or oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS)-dependen

mitochondrial function is crucial for maintaining CSC functionality

cancer cells depend on mitochondrial metabolism and increase mitochondrial production of ROS that cause pseudo-hypoxia

HIF-1 then enhances glycolysis

CAFs have defective mitochondria that lead to the cells exhibiting the Warburg effect; the cells take up glucose, and then secrete lactate to 'feed' adjacent cancer cells

lactate transporter, monocarboxylate transporter (MCT)

nutrient microenvironment

Epithelial cancer cells express MCT1, while CAFs express MCT4. MCT4-positive, hypoxic CAFs secrete lactate by aerobic glycolysis, and MCT1-expressing epithelial cancer cells then uptake and use that lactate as a substrate for the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle

MCT4-positive cancer cells depend on glycolysis and then efflux lactate, while MCT1-positive cells uptake lactate and rely on OXPHOS

metabolic heterogeneity induces a lactate shuttle between hypoxic/glycolytic cells and oxidative/aerobic tumour cells

bulk tumour cells exhibit a glycolytic phenotype, with increased conversion of glucose to lactate (and enhanced lactate efflux through MCT4), CSC subsets depend on oxidative phosphorylation; most of the glucose entering the cells is converted to pyruvate to fuel the TCA cycle and the electron transport chain (ETC), thereby increasing mitochondrial ROS production

the major fraction of glucose is directed into the pentose phosphate pathway, to produce redox power through the generation of NADPH and ROS scavengers

HIF-1α, p53, and c-Myc, are known to contribute to oncogenic metabolism

regulatory molecules involved in EMT and CSCs, including Snail, Dlx-2, HIF-1, STAT3, TGF-β, Wnt, and Akt, are implicated in the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells

HIF-1 induces the expression of glycolytic enzymes, including the glucose transporter GLUT, hexokinase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and MCT, resulting in the glycolytic switch

HIF-1 represses the expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), which inhibits pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), thereby inhibiting mitochondrial activity

STAT3 has been implicated in EMT-induced metabolic changes as well

TGF-β and Wnt play important roles in the metabolic alteration of cancer cells

Akt is also implicated in the glycolytic switch and in promoting cancer cell invasiveness

EMT, invasion, metastasis, and stemness

pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), LDH, and pyruvate carboxylase (PC), are implicated in the induction of the EMT and CSC phenotypes

decreased activity of PKM2 is known to promote an overall shift in metabolism to aerobic glycolysis

LDH catalyses the bidirectional conversion of lactate to pyruvate

High levels of LDHA are positively correlated with the expression of EMT and CSC markers

IR has been shown to induce metabolic changes in cancer cells

IR enhances glycolysis by upregulating GAPDH (a glycolysis enzyme), and it increases lactate production by activating LDHA, which converts pyruvate to lactate

IR enhances glycolysis by upregulating GAPDH (a glycolysis enzyme), and it increases lactate production by activating LDHA, which converts pyruvate to lactate

IR also elevates MCT1 expression that exports lactate into the extracellular environment, leading to acidification of the tumour microenvironment

IR increases intracellular glucose, glucose 6-phosphate, fructose, and products of pyruvate (lactate and alanine), suggesting a role for IR in the upregulation of cytosolic aerobic glycolysis

Lactate can activate latent TGF-

lactate stimulates cell migration and enhances secretion of hyaluronan from CAF that promote tumour metastasis

promote tumour survival, growth, invasion, and metastasis; enhance the stiffness of the ECM; contribute to angiogenesis; and induce inflammation by releasing several growth factors and cytokines (TGF-β, VEGF, hepatocyte growth factor [HGF], PDGF, and stromal cell-derived factor 1 [SDF1]), as well as MMP

tumours recruit the host tissue’s blood vessel network to perform four mechanisms: angiogenesis (formation of new vessels), vasculogenesis (de novo formation of blood vessels from endothelial precursor cells), co-option, and modification of existing vessels within tissues.

immunosuppressive cells such as tumour-associated macrophages (TAM), MDSCs, and regulatory T cells, and the immunosuppressive cytokines, TGF-β and interleukin-10 (IL-10)

immunosuppressive cells such as tumour-associated macrophages (TAM), MDSCs, and regulatory T cells, and the immunosuppressive cytokines, TGF-β and interleukin-10 (IL-10)

intrinsic immunogenicity or induce tolerance

cancer immunoediting’

three phases: 1) elimination, 2) equilibrium, and 3) escape.

The third phase, tumour escape, is mediated by antigen loss, immunosuppressive cells (TAM, MDSCs, and regulatory T cells), and immunosuppressive cytokines (TGF-β and IL-10).

IR can elicit various changes in the TME, such as CAF activity-mediated ECM remodelling and fibrosis, cycling hypoxia, and an inflammatory response

IR activates CAFs to promote the release of growth factors and ECM modulators, including TGF-β and MMP

TGF-β directly influences tumour cells and CAFs, promotes tumour immune escape, and activates HIF-1 signalling

MMPs degrade ECM that facilitates angiogenesis, tumour cell invasion, and metastasis

IR also promotes MMP-2/9 activation in cancer cells to promote EMT, invasion, and metastasis

IR-induced Snail increases MMP-2 expression to promote EMT

Radiotherapy has the paradoxical side-effect of increasing tumour aggressiveness

IR promotes ROS production in cancer cells, which may induce the activation of oncogenes and the inactivation of tumour suppressors, which further promote oncogenic metabolism

Metabolic alterations

oncogenic metabolism

elicit various changes in the TME

Although IR activates an antitumour immune response, this signalling is frequently suppressed by tumour escape mechanisms