The mediators and cellular effectors of inflammation are important constituents of the local environment of tumours. In some types of cancer, inflammatory conditions are present before a malignant change occurs. Conversely, in other types of cancer, an oncogenic change induces an inflammatory microenvironment that promotes the development of tumours. Regardless of its origin, 'smouldering' inflammation in the tumour microenvironment has many tumour-promoting effects. It aids in the proliferation and survival of malignant cells, promotes angiogenesis and metastasis, subverts adaptive immune responses, and alters responses to hormones and chemotherapeutic agents. The molecular pathways of this cancer-related inflammation are now being unravelled, resulting in the identification of new target molecules that could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment.

/pdf/cancer-related-inflammation-ltml0xgfd3.pdf

Cancer-related inflammation.

http://aiocm.org/member/Immunity,%20Inflammation,%20and%20Cancer.pdf

Immunity, Inflammation, and Cancer

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway senses and integrates a variety of environmental cues to regulate organismal growth and homeostasis. The pathway regulates many major cellular processes and is implicated in an increasing number of pathological conditions, including cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegeneration. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the mTOR pathway and its role in health, disease, and aging. We further discuss pharmacological approaches to treat human pathologies linked to mTOR deregulation.

mTOR Signaling in Growth Control and Disease

mTOR signaling in growth control and disease.

https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:18229/ATTACHMENT01

TOR signaling in growth and metabolism.

38 – Molecular Basis of Prostate Cancer

Replying to: M. R. Dawson et al. , 10.1038/nature08254 (2009)
 Commenting on ref. 1, Dawson 2 claim that metastasis formation is independent of VEGFR1 activity, contradicting work by us and many others, including the original description of flt1TK-/- (VEGFR1-TK-/-) mice in the metastatic setting3. Contrasting the findings by Dawson et al.2, here we show that VEGFR1 knockdown in myelomonocytic cells eradicates micro- and macrometastases in a non-amputation/resection tumour model.

Kaplan et al. reply

Obesity is a global epidemic leading to increased mortality and susceptibility to comorbidities, with few viable therapeutic interventions. A hallmark of disease progression is the ectopic deposition of lipids in the form of lipid droplets in vital organs such as the liver. However, the mechanisms underlying the dynamic storage and processing of lipids in peripheral organs remain an outstanding question. Here, we show an unexpected function for the major cap-binding protein, eIF4E, in high-fat-diet-induced obesity. In response to lipid overload, select networks of proteins involved in fat deposition are altered in eIF4E-deficient mice. Specifically, distinct messenger RNAs involved in lipid metabolic processing and storage pathways are enhanced at the translation level by eIF4E. Failure to translationally upregulate these mRNAs results in increased fatty acid oxidation, which enhances energy expenditure. We further show that inhibition of eIF4E phosphorylation genetically-and by a potent clinical compound-restrains weight gain following intake of a high-fat diet. Together, our study uncovers translational control of lipid processing as a driver of high-fat-diet-induced weight gain and provides a pharmacological target to treat obesity.

The major cap-binding protein eIF4E regulates lipid homeostasis and diet-induced obesity.

Early Hematopoietic Progenitors of Dkc1 Hypomorphic Mutant Mice Display Decreased Proliferation Rate and an Impaired Control of Serine/Arginine-Rich Splicing Factor 4 (Srsf4) Translation

The present invention provides methods of selectively killing a cell, comprising contacting the cell with an agent that inhibits phospho-ribosyl pyrophophosphate synthetase 2 (PRPS2). The present invention also provides methods of identifying a candidate agent that selectively kills neoplastic cells that are Myc-hyperactivated via inhibition of PRPS2.

Davide Ruggero

Papers

38 – Molecular Basis of Prostate Cancer

Kaplan et al. reply

The major cap-binding protein eIF4E regulates lipid homeostasis and diet-induced obesity.

Early Hematopoietic Progenitors of Dkc1 Hypomorphic Mutant Mice Display Decreased Proliferation Rate and an Impaired Control of Serine/Arginine-Rich Splicing Factor 4 (Srsf4) Translation

Phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 2 (PRPS2) as a therapeutic target in cancer treatment