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Lin28 Regulates Cancer Cell Stemness for Tumour Progression

Zhuohui Lin1,2, Mariia Radaeva3, Artem Cherkasov3

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.

Cancers
|October 14, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive therapy resistance. The Lin28/let-7 axis regulates CSC stemness, impacting treatment outcomes and offering new therapeutic targets for resistant cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Stem Cell Biology

Background:

  • Tumorigenesis is frequently driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs) possessing self-renewal and plasticity.
  • CSCs contribute significantly to therapy resistance and tumor progression.
  • Understanding CSC regulation is crucial for developing effective cancer treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of the Lin28/let-7 axis in CSC-mediated therapy resistance.
  • To explore Lin28's function in regulating stemness, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and glucose metabolism.
  • To review Lin28-targeted therapeutics for prostate cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on the Lin28/let-7 axis and cancer stem cells.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms regulating stemness and therapy resistance.
  • Discussion of therapeutic strategies targeting Lin28.

Main Results:

  • Lin28 acts as a key regulator of stemness by inhibiting the tumor-suppressor microRNA let-7.
  • The Lin28/let-7 axis influences epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and glucose metabolism reprogramming.
  • Lin28 plays a critical role in the progression of therapy-resistant prostate cancer.

Conclusions:

  • The Lin28/let-7 axis is a critical determinant of CSC properties and therapy resistance.
  • Targeting Lin28 presents a promising therapeutic strategy for overcoming treatment resistance in prostate cancer.
  • Further research into Lin28-targeted therapeutics and screening methods is warranted.
Keywords:
Lin28Lin28 inhibitorscancer stem cellepithelial-to-mesenchymal transitionlet-7metabolismmetastasisprostate cancer

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