Outputs (70)

FoxO3a Drives the Metabolic Reprogramming in Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells Restoring Tamoxifen Sensitivity (2023)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Ricci, E., Fava, M., Longobucco, C., Sotgia, F., Rizza, P., …Sisci, D. (in press). FoxO3a Drives the Metabolic Reprogramming in Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells Restoring Tamoxifen Sensitivity. Cells, 12(24), 2777. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12242777

Tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells (TamR-BCCs) are characterized by an enhanced metabolic phenotype compared to tamoxifen-sensitive cells. FoxO3a is an important modulator of cell metabolism, and its deregulation has been involved in the acquisi... Read More about FoxO3a Drives the Metabolic Reprogramming in Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells Restoring Tamoxifen Sensitivity.

Antibiotics that target mitochondria extend lifespan in C. elegans (2023)
Journal Article
Bonuccelli, G., Brooks, D. R., Shepherd, S., Sotgia, F., Lisanti, M. P., Brooks, D. R., & Lisanti, M. P. (in press). Antibiotics that target mitochondria extend lifespan in C. elegans. Aging, 15(21), 11764-11781. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.205229

Aging is a continuous degenerative process caused by a progressive decline of cell and tissue functions in an organism. It is induced by the accumulation of damage that affects normal cellular processes, ultimately leading to cell death. It has been... Read More about Antibiotics that target mitochondria extend lifespan in C. elegans.

SOX2-high cancer cells exhibit an aggressive phenotype, with increases in stemness, proliferation and invasion, as well as higher metabolic activity and ATP production (2022)
Journal Article
Mauro Lizcano, M., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2022). SOX2-high cancer cells exhibit an aggressive phenotype, with increases in stemness, proliferation and invasion, as well as higher metabolic activity and ATP production. Aging, 14(24), 9877-9889. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204452

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for cancer recurrence, treatment failure and metastatic dissemination. As such, the elimination of CSCs represents one of the most important approaches for the future of cancer treatment. Among other propertie... Read More about SOX2-high cancer cells exhibit an aggressive phenotype, with increases in stemness, proliferation and invasion, as well as higher metabolic activity and ATP production.

Identification of natural products and FDA-approved drugs for targeting cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation (2022)
Journal Article
Bonuccelli, G., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2022). Identification of natural products and FDA-approved drugs for targeting cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation. Aging, 14(23), 9466-9483. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204412

Here, we report the identification of key compounds that effectively inhibit the anchorage-independent growth and propagation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), as determined via screening using MCF7 cells, a human breast adenocarcinoma cell line. More spe... Read More about Identification of natural products and FDA-approved drugs for targeting cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation.

New insights into cholesterol-mediated ERRα activation in breast cancer progression and pro-tumoral microenvironment orchestration. (2022)
Journal Article
Brindisi, M., Frattaruolo, L., Fiorillo, M., Dolce, V., Sotgia, F., Lisanti, M., & Cappello, A. (2022). New insights into cholesterol-mediated ERRα activation in breast cancer progression and pro-tumoral microenvironment orchestration. FEBS Journal, https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.16651

Breast cancer remains the greatest cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Its aggressiveness and progression derive from intricate processes that occur simultaneously both within the tumour itself and in the neighbouring cells that make up... Read More about New insights into cholesterol-mediated ERRα activation in breast cancer progression and pro-tumoral microenvironment orchestration..

Investigating senescence and senescence-escape in cancer cells (2022)
Thesis
Toth, F. (2022). Investigating senescence and senescence-escape in cancer cells. (Thesis). University of Salford

Despite the general concept that therapy-induced senescence (TIS) has a tumour-suppressive role, the presence of senescent tumour cells and the ability of cancer cells to escape from senescence could potentially lead to therapy resistance and tumour... Read More about Investigating senescence and senescence-escape in cancer cells.

High ATP production fuels cancer drug resistance and metastasis : implications for mitochondrial ATP depletion therapy (2021)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2021). High ATP production fuels cancer drug resistance and metastasis : implications for mitochondrial ATP depletion therapy. Frontiers in Oncology, 11, 740720. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.740720

Recently, we presented evidence that high mitochondrial ATP production is a new therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Using ATP as a biomarker, we isolated the “metabolically fittest” cancer cells from the total cell population. Importantly, ATP-h... Read More about High ATP production fuels cancer drug resistance and metastasis : implications for mitochondrial ATP depletion therapy.

MitoTracker Deep Red (MTDR) is a metabolic inhibitor for targeting mitochondria and eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs), with anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activity in vivo (2021)
Journal Article
Sargiacomo, C., Stonehouse, S., Moftakhar, Z., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2021). MitoTracker Deep Red (MTDR) is a metabolic inhibitor for targeting mitochondria and eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs), with anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activity in vivo. Frontiers in Oncology, 11, 678343. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.678343

MitoTracker Deep Red (MTDR) is a relatively non-toxic, carbocyanine-based, far-red, fluorescent probe that is routinely used to chemically mark and visualize mitochondria in living cells. Previously, we used MTDR at low nano-molar concentrations to... Read More about MitoTracker Deep Red (MTDR) is a metabolic inhibitor for targeting mitochondria and eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs), with anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activity in vivo.

Bedaquiline, an FDA-approved drug, inhibits mitochondrial ATP production and metastasis in vivo, by targeting the gamma subunit (ATP5F1C) of the ATP synthase (2021)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Scatena, C., Naccarato, A., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2021). Bedaquiline, an FDA-approved drug, inhibits mitochondrial ATP production and metastasis in vivo, by targeting the gamma subunit (ATP5F1C) of the ATP synthase. Cell Death and Differentiation, 28(9), 2797-2817. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41418-021-00788-x

Here, we provide evidence that high ATP production by the mitochondrial ATP-synthase is a new therapeutic target for anticancer therapy, especially for preventing tumor progression. More specifically, we isolated a subpopulation of ATP-high cancer ce... Read More about Bedaquiline, an FDA-approved drug, inhibits mitochondrial ATP production and metastasis in vivo, by targeting the gamma subunit (ATP5F1C) of the ATP synthase.

New insights in the expression of stromal caveolin 1 in breast cancer spread to axillary lymph nodes (2021)
Journal Article
Scatena, C., Fanelli, G., Fanelli, G., Menicagli, M., Aretini, P., Ortenzi, V., …Naccarato, A. (2021). New insights in the expression of stromal caveolin 1 in breast cancer spread to axillary lymph nodes. Scientific reports, 11(1), 2755. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82405-y

Recent evidence suggests that a loss of expression of caveolin in the stromal compartment (sCav-1) of human invasive breast carcinoma (IBC) may be a predictor of disease recurrence, metastasis and poor outcome. At present, there is little knowledge r... Read More about New insights in the expression of stromal caveolin 1 in breast cancer spread to axillary lymph nodes.

Mitochondrial Fission Factor (MFF) inhibits mitochondrial metabolism and reduces breast cancer stem cell (CSC) activity (2020)
Journal Article
Sánchez-Alvarez, R., De Francesco, E., Fiorillo, M., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). Mitochondrial Fission Factor (MFF) inhibits mitochondrial metabolism and reduces breast cancer stem cell (CSC) activity. Frontiers in Oncology, 10, 1776. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2020.01776

Elevated mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolism represent key features of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs), whose propagation is conducive to disease onset and progression. Therefore, interfering with mitochondria biology and function may be regarded... Read More about Mitochondrial Fission Factor (MFF) inhibits mitochondrial metabolism and reduces breast cancer stem cell (CSC) activity.

Using the common cold virus as a naturally occurring vaccine to prevent COVID-19 : lessons from Edward Jenner (2020)
Journal Article
Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). Using the common cold virus as a naturally occurring vaccine to prevent COVID-19 : lessons from Edward Jenner. Aging, 12(19), 18797-18803. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.104166

Three recent papers published in Nature, Science and Cell, all present clear evidence that there is cross-reactive T-cell immunity between human coronaviruses (229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1), linked with the common cold, and SARS-CoV-2, the causative ag... Read More about Using the common cold virus as a naturally occurring vaccine to prevent COVID-19 : lessons from Edward Jenner.

A myristoyl amide derivative of doxycycline potently targets cancer stem cells (CSCs) and prevents metastasis, without retaining antibiotic activity (2020)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Magalhaes, L., Latimer, J., Kangasmetsa, J., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). A myristoyl amide derivative of doxycycline potently targets cancer stem cells (CSCs) and prevents metastasis, without retaining antibiotic activity. Frontiers in Oncology, 10, 1528. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2020.01528

Here, we describe the chemical synthesis and biological activity of a new Doxycycline derivative, designed specifically to more effectively target cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this analogue, a myristic acid (14 carbon) moiety is covalently attached t... Read More about A myristoyl amide derivative of doxycycline potently targets cancer stem cells (CSCs) and prevents metastasis, without retaining antibiotic activity.

Cholesterol and mevalonate : two metabolites involved in breast cancer progression and drug resistance through the ERRα pathway (2020)
Journal Article
Brindisi, M., Fiorillo, M., Frattaruolo, L., Sotgia, F., Lisanti, M., & Cappello, A. (2020). Cholesterol and mevalonate : two metabolites involved in breast cancer progression and drug resistance through the ERRα pathway. Cells, 9(8), e1819. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9081819

Breast cancer is the second greatest cause of cancer-related death in women. Resistance to endocrine treatments or chemotherapy is a limiting drawback. In this context, this work aims to evaluate the effects of cholesterol and mevalonate during tumor... Read More about Cholesterol and mevalonate : two metabolites involved in breast cancer progression and drug resistance through the ERRα pathway.

Essential role of STAT5a in DCIS formation and invasion following estrogen treatment (2020)
Journal Article
Dees, S., Pontiggia, L., Jasmin, J., Sotgia, F., Lisanti, M., & Mercier, I. (2020). Essential role of STAT5a in DCIS formation and invasion following estrogen treatment. Aging, 12(14), 15104-15120. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.103586

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is one of the earliest stages of breast cancer (BCa). The mechanisms by which DCIS lesions progress to an invasive state while others remain indolent are yet to be fully characterized and both diagnosis and treatment o... Read More about Essential role of STAT5a in DCIS formation and invasion following estrogen treatment.

Deferiprone (DFP) targets cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation by inhibiting mitochondrial metabolism and inducing ROS production (2020)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Tóth, F., Brindisi, M., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). Deferiprone (DFP) targets cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation by inhibiting mitochondrial metabolism and inducing ROS production. Cells, 9(6), e1529. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9061529

Deferiprone (DFP), also known as Ferriprox, is an FDA-approved, orally active, iron chelator that is currently used clinically for the treatment of iron-overload, especially in thalassaemia major. As iron is a critical factor in Fe-S cluster assembly... Read More about Deferiprone (DFP) targets cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation by inhibiting mitochondrial metabolism and inducing ROS production.

First-in-class candidate therapeutics that target mitochondria and effectively prevent cancer cell metastasis : mitoriboscins and TPP compounds (2020)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). First-in-class candidate therapeutics that target mitochondria and effectively prevent cancer cell metastasis : mitoriboscins and TPP compounds. Aging, 12(11), 10162-10179. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.103336

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been proposed to be responsible for tumor recurrence, distant metastasis and drug-resistance, in the vast majority of cancer patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new drugs that can target and eradicat... Read More about First-in-class candidate therapeutics that target mitochondria and effectively prevent cancer cell metastasis : mitoriboscins and TPP compounds.

COVID-19 and chronological aging : senolytics and other anti-aging drugs for the treatment or prevention of corona virus infection? (2020)
Journal Article
Sargiacomo, C., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). COVID-19 and chronological aging : senolytics and other anti-aging drugs for the treatment or prevention of corona virus infection?. Aging, 12(8), 6511-6517. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.103001

COVID-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2, is a new emerging zoonotic corona virus of the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) family. COVID-19 originated in China and spread world-wide, resulting in the p... Read More about COVID-19 and chronological aging : senolytics and other anti-aging drugs for the treatment or prevention of corona virus infection?.

Hypoxia and hyperglycaemia determine why some endometrial tumours fail to respond to metformin (2019)
Journal Article
Sivalingam, V., Latif, A., Kitson, S., McVey, R., Finegan, K., Marshall, K., …Crosbie, E. (2020). Hypoxia and hyperglycaemia determine why some endometrial tumours fail to respond to metformin. British Journal of Cancer, 122(1), 62-71. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-019-0627-y

High expression of Ki67, a proliferation marker, is associated with reduced endometrial cancer-specific survival. Pre-surgical metformin reduces tumour Ki-67 expression in some women with endometrial cancer. Metformin's anti-cancer activity may relat... Read More about Hypoxia and hyperglycaemia determine why some endometrial tumours fail to respond to metformin.

FoxO3a as a positive prognostic marker and a therapeutic target in Tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer (2019)
Journal Article
Pellegrino, M., Rizza, P., Donà, A., Nigro, A., Ricci, E., Fiorillo, M., …Morelli, C. (2019). FoxO3a as a positive prognostic marker and a therapeutic target in Tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer. Cancers, 11(12), e1858. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers11121858

Background: Resistance to endocrine treatments is a major clinical challenge in the management of estrogen receptor positive breast cancers. Although multiple mechanisms leading to endocrine resistance have been proposed, the poor outcome of this sub... Read More about FoxO3a as a positive prognostic marker and a therapeutic target in Tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer.

Thioalbamide, a thioamidated peptide from amycolatopsis alba, affects tumor growth and stemness by inducing metabolic dysfunction and oxidative stress (2019)
Journal Article
Frattaruolo, L., Fiorillo, M., Brindisi, M., Curcio, R., Dolce, V., Lacret, R., …Cappello, A. (2019). Thioalbamide, a thioamidated peptide from amycolatopsis alba, affects tumor growth and stemness by inducing metabolic dysfunction and oxidative stress. Cells, 8(11), e1408. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells8111408

Thioalbamide, a thioamidated peptide biosynthesized by Amycolatopsis alba, is a thioviridamide-like molecule, and is part of a family of natural products representing a focus of biotechnological and pharmaceutical research in recent years due to thei... Read More about Thioalbamide, a thioamidated peptide from amycolatopsis alba, affects tumor growth and stemness by inducing metabolic dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Dodecyl-TPP Targets Mitochondria and Potently Eradicates Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs): Synergy With FDA-Approved Drugs and Natural Compounds (Vitamin C and Berberine). (2019)
Journal Article
De Francesco, E., Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2019). Dodecyl-TPP Targets Mitochondria and Potently Eradicates Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs): Synergy With FDA-Approved Drugs and Natural Compounds (Vitamin C and Berberine). Frontiers in Oncology, 9, 615. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2019.00615

Elevated mitochondrial biogenesis and/or metabolism are distinguishing features of cancer cells, as well as Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), which are involved in tumor initiation, metastatic dissemination, and therapy resistance. In fact, mitochondria-impa... Read More about Dodecyl-TPP Targets Mitochondria and Potently Eradicates Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs): Synergy With FDA-Approved Drugs and Natural Compounds (Vitamin C and Berberine)..

Mitochondrial and ribosomal biogenesis are new hallmarks of stemness, oncometabolism and biomass accumulation in cancer : mito-stemness and ribo-stemness features (2019)
Journal Article
Peiris-Pagès, M., Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2019). Mitochondrial and ribosomal biogenesis are new hallmarks of stemness, oncometabolism and biomass accumulation in cancer : mito-stemness and ribo-stemness features. Aging, 11(14), 4801-4835. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.102054

Using proteomics analysis, we previously compared MCF7 breast cancer cells grown as 3D tumor spheres, with the same cell line grown as monolayers. Our results indicated that during 3D anchorage‐independent growth, the cellular machinery associated wi... Read More about Mitochondrial and ribosomal biogenesis are new hallmarks of stemness, oncometabolism and biomass accumulation in cancer : mito-stemness and ribo-stemness features.

Doxycycline, Azithromycin and vitamin C (DAV) : a potent combination therapy for targeting mitochondria and eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs) (2019)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Tóth, F., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2019). Doxycycline, Azithromycin and vitamin C (DAV) : a potent combination therapy for targeting mitochondria and eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs). Aging, 11(8), 2202-2216. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101905

Here, we devised a new strategy for eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs), via a "synthetic-metabolic" approach, involving two FDA-approved antibiotics and a dietary vitamin supplement. This approach was designed to induce a "rho-zero-like" phenotype... Read More about Doxycycline, Azithromycin and vitamin C (DAV) : a potent combination therapy for targeting mitochondria and eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Hallmarks of the cancer cell of origin : comparisons with "energetic" cancer stem cells (e-CSCs) (2019)
Journal Article
Sotgia, F., Fiorillo, M., & Lisanti, M. (2019). Hallmarks of the cancer cell of origin : comparisons with "energetic" cancer stem cells (e-CSCs). Aging, 11(3), 1065-1068. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101822

Here, we discuss the expected hallmark(s) of the cancer cell of origin and how this may be related to a new tumor cell phenotype, namely "energetic" cancer stem cells (e-CSCs). e-CSCs show many features that would be characteristic of the cancer cell... Read More about Hallmarks of the cancer cell of origin : comparisons with "energetic" cancer stem cells (e-CSCs).

“Energetic” cancer stem cells (e-CSCs) : a new hyper-metabolic and proliferative tumor cell phenotype, driven by mitochondrial energy (2019)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2019). “Energetic” cancer stem cells (e-CSCs) : a new hyper-metabolic and proliferative tumor cell phenotype, driven by mitochondrial energy. Frontiers in Oncology, 8(677), https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2018.00677

Here, we provide the necessary evidence that mitochondrial metabolism drives the anchorage-independent proliferation of CSCs. Two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF7 [ER(+)] and MDA-MB-468 (triple-negative), were used as model systems. To directly... Read More about “Energetic” cancer stem cells (e-CSCs) : a new hyper-metabolic and proliferative tumor cell phenotype, driven by mitochondrial energy.

The ER-alpha mutation Y537S confers Tamoxifen-resistance via enhanced mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and Rho-GDI/PTEN signaling : implicating TIGAR in somatic resistance to endocrine therapy (2018)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Sanchez-Alvarez, R., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2018). The ER-alpha mutation Y537S confers Tamoxifen-resistance via enhanced mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and Rho-GDI/PTEN signaling : implicating TIGAR in somatic resistance to endocrine therapy. Aging, 10(12), 4000-4023. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101690

Naturally-occurring somatic mutations in the estrogen receptor gene (ESR1) have been previously implicated in the clinical development of resistance to hormonal therapies, such as Tamoxifen. For example, the somatic mutation Y537S has been specifical... Read More about The ER-alpha mutation Y537S confers Tamoxifen-resistance via enhanced mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and Rho-GDI/PTEN signaling : implicating TIGAR in somatic resistance to endocrine therapy.

Azithromycin and Roxithromycin define a new family of “senolytic” drugs that target senescent human fibroblasts (2018)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Nuttall, J., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2018). Azithromycin and Roxithromycin define a new family of “senolytic” drugs that target senescent human fibroblasts. Aging, 10(11), 3294-3307. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101633

Here, we employed a “senolytic” assay system as a screening tool, with the goal of identifying and repurposing FDA-approved antibiotics, for the targeting of the senescent cell population. Briefly, we used two established human fibroblast cell lines... Read More about Azithromycin and Roxithromycin define a new family of “senolytic” drugs that target senescent human fibroblasts.

Doxycycline, an inhibitor of mitochondrial biogenesis, effectively reduces cancer stem cells (CSCs) in early breast cancer patients : a clinical pilot study (2018)
Journal Article
Scatena, C., Roncella, M., Di Paolo, A., Aretini, P., Menicagli, M., Fanelli, G., …Naccarato, A. (2018). Doxycycline, an inhibitor of mitochondrial biogenesis, effectively reduces cancer stem cells (CSCs) in early breast cancer patients : a clinical pilot study. Frontiers in Oncology, 8(452), https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2018.00452

Background and objectives: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been implicated in tumor initiation, recurrence, metastatic spread and poor survival in multiple tumor types, breast cancers included. CSCs selectively overexpress key mitochondrial-related pro... Read More about Doxycycline, an inhibitor of mitochondrial biogenesis, effectively reduces cancer stem cells (CSCs) in early breast cancer patients : a clinical pilot study.

A mitochondrial based oncology platform for targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) : MITO-ONC-RX (2018)
Journal Article
Sotgia, F., Ozsvari, B., Fiorillo, M., De Francesco, E., Bonuccelli, G., & Lisanti, M. (2018). A mitochondrial based oncology platform for targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) : MITO-ONC-RX. Cell Cycle, 17(17), 2091-2100. https://doi.org/10.1080/15384101.2018.1515551

Here, we wish to propose a new systematic approach to cancer therapy, based on the targeting of mitochondrial metabolism, especially in cancer stem cells (CSCs). In the future, we envision that anti-mitochondrial therapy would ultimately be practiced... Read More about A mitochondrial based oncology platform for targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) : MITO-ONC-RX.

Matcha green tea (MGT) inhibits the propagation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), by targeting mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and multiple cell signalling pathways (2018)
Journal Article
Bonuccelli, G., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2018). Matcha green tea (MGT) inhibits the propagation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), by targeting mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and multiple cell signalling pathways. Aging, 10(8), 1867-1883. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101483

Matcha green tea (MGT) is a natural product that is currently used as a dietary supplement and may have significant anti-cancer properties. However, the molecular mechanism(s) underpinning its potential health benefits remain largely unknown. Here, w... Read More about Matcha green tea (MGT) inhibits the propagation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), by targeting mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and multiple cell signalling pathways.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) : metabolic strategies for their identification and eradication (2018)
Journal Article
De Francesco, E., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2018). Cancer stem cells (CSCs) : metabolic strategies for their identification and eradication. Biochemical Journal, 475(9), 1611-1634. https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20170164

Phenotypic and functional heterogeneity is one of the most relevant features of cancer cells within different tumor types and is responsible for treatment failure. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a population of cells with stem cell-like properties that... Read More about Cancer stem cells (CSCs) : metabolic strategies for their identification and eradication.

Bergamot natural products eradicate cancer stem cells (CSCs) by targeting mevalonate, Rho-GDI-signalling and mitochondrial metabolism (2018)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Peiris-Pagès, M., Sanchez-Alvarez, R., Bartella, L., Di Donna, L., Dolce, V., …Lisanti, M. (2018). Bergamot natural products eradicate cancer stem cells (CSCs) by targeting mevalonate, Rho-GDI-signalling and mitochondrial metabolism. BBA - Bioenergetics, 1859(9), 984-996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbabio.2018.03.018

Here, we show that a 2:1 mixture of Brutieridin and Melitidin, termed “BMF”, has a statin-like properties, which blocks the action of the rate-limiting enzyme for mevalonate biosynthesis, namely HMGR (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl- CoA-reductase). Mor... Read More about Bergamot natural products eradicate cancer stem cells (CSCs) by targeting mevalonate, Rho-GDI-signalling and mitochondrial metabolism.

Exploiting mitochondrial targeting signal(s), TPP and bis-TPP, for eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs) (2018)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2018). Exploiting mitochondrial targeting signal(s), TPP and bis-TPP, for eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs). Aging, 10(2), 229-240. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101384

Tri-phenyl-phosphonium (TPP) is a non-toxic chemical moiety that functionally behaves as a mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS) in living cells. Here, we explored the hypothesis that TPP-related compounds could be utilized to inhibit mitochondria in... Read More about Exploiting mitochondrial targeting signal(s), TPP and bis-TPP, for eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Mitochondrial fission as a driver of stemness in tumor cells : mDIVI1 inhibits mitochondrial function, cell migration and cancer stem cell (CSC) signalling (2018)
Journal Article
Peiris-Pagès, M., Bonuccelli, G., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2018). Mitochondrial fission as a driver of stemness in tumor cells : mDIVI1 inhibits mitochondrial function, cell migration and cancer stem cell (CSC) signalling. Oncotarget, 9(17), 13254-13275. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.24285

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles frequently undergoing fission and fusion events to maintain their integrity, bioenergetics and spatial distribution, which is fundamental to the processes of cell survival. Disruption in mitochondrial dynamics play... Read More about Mitochondrial fission as a driver of stemness in tumor cells : mDIVI1 inhibits mitochondrial function, cell migration and cancer stem cell (CSC) signalling.

Targeting flavin-containing enzymes eliminates cancer stem cells (CSCs), by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration : vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in cancer therapy (2017)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Bonuccelli, G., Sanchez-Alvarez, R., Foster, R., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2017). Targeting flavin-containing enzymes eliminates cancer stem cells (CSCs), by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration : vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in cancer therapy. Aging, 9(12), 2610-2628. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101351

Here, we performed high-throughput drug-screening to identify new non-toxic mitochondrial inhibitors. This screening platform was specifically designed to detect compounds that selectively deplete cellular ATP levels, but have little or no toxic side... Read More about Targeting flavin-containing enzymes eliminates cancer stem cells (CSCs), by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration : vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in cancer therapy.

G protein-coupled receptors at the crossroad between physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis : old paradigms and emerging concepts (2017)
Journal Article
De Francesco, E., Sotgia, F., Clarke, R., Lisanti, M., & Maggiolini, M. (2017). G protein-coupled receptors at the crossroad between physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis : old paradigms and emerging concepts. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(12), https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18122713

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been implicated in transmitting signals across the extra- and intra-cellular compartments, thus allowing environmental stimuli to elicit critical biological responses. As GPCRs can be activated by an extensive... Read More about G protein-coupled receptors at the crossroad between physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis : old paradigms and emerging concepts.

GPER mediates the angiocrine actions induced by IGF1 through the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway in the breast tumor microenvironment (2017)
Journal Article
De Francesco, E., Sims, A., Maggiolini, M., Sotgia, F., Lisanti, M., & Clarke, R. (2017). GPER mediates the angiocrine actions induced by IGF1 through the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway in the breast tumor microenvironment. Breast Cancer Research, 19(1), 129. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-017-0923-5

The G protein estrogen receptor GPER/GPR30 mediates estrogen action in breast cancer cells as well as in breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are key components of microenvironment driving tumor progression. GPER is a transcriptional ta... Read More about GPER mediates the angiocrine actions induced by IGF1 through the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway in the breast tumor microenvironment.

A new mutation-independent approach to cancer therapy : inhibiting oncogenic RAS and MYC, by targeting mitochondrial biogenesis. (2017)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2017). A new mutation-independent approach to cancer therapy : inhibiting oncogenic RAS and MYC, by targeting mitochondrial biogenesis. Aging, 9(10), 2098-2116. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101304

Here, we used MCF7 cells as a model system to interrogate how MYC/RAS co-operativity contributes to metabolic flux and stemness in breast cancer cells. We compared the behavior of isogenic MCF7 cell lines transduced with c-Myc or H-Ras (G12V), either... Read More about A new mutation-independent approach to cancer therapy : inhibiting oncogenic RAS and MYC, by targeting mitochondrial biogenesis..

Pilot study demonstrating metabolic and anti-proliferative effects of in vivo anti-oxidant supplementation with N-Acetylcysteine in Breast Cancer (2017)
Journal Article
Monti, D., Sotgia, F., Whitaker-Menezes, D., Tuluc, M., Birbe, R., Berger, A., …Martinez-Outschoorn, U. (2017). Pilot study demonstrating metabolic and anti-proliferative effects of in vivo anti-oxidant supplementation with N-Acetylcysteine in Breast Cancer. Seminars in Oncology, 44(3), 226-232. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.seminoncol.2017.10.001

Background High oxidative stress as defined by hydroxyl and peroxyl activity is often found in the stroma of human breast cancers. Oxidative stress induces stromal catabolism, which promotes cancer aggressiveness. Stromal cells exposed to oxidativ... Read More about Pilot study demonstrating metabolic and anti-proliferative effects of in vivo anti-oxidant supplementation with N-Acetylcysteine in Breast Cancer.

Mitoketoscins : novel mitochondrial inhibitors for targeting ketone metabolism in cancer stem cells (CSCs). (2017)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., Simmons, K., Trowbridge, R., Foster, R., & Lisanti, M. (2017). Mitoketoscins : novel mitochondrial inhibitors for targeting ketone metabolism in cancer stem cells (CSCs). Oncotarget, 8(45), 78340-78350. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.21259

Previous studies have now well-established that epithelial cancer cells can utilize ketone bodies (3-hydroxybutyrate and aceto-acetate) as mitochondrial fuels, to actively promote tumor growth and metastatic dissemination. The two critical metabolic... Read More about Mitoketoscins : novel mitochondrial inhibitors for targeting ketone metabolism in cancer stem cells (CSCs)..

Mitochondrial mRNA transcripts predict overall survival, tumor recurrence and progression in serous ovarian cancer : companion diagnostics for cancer therapy (2017)
Journal Article
Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2017). Mitochondrial mRNA transcripts predict overall survival, tumor recurrence and progression in serous ovarian cancer : companion diagnostics for cancer therapy. Oncotarget, 8(40), 66925-66939. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.19963

Here, we performed a systematic analysis to discover new biomarkers of overall survival and tumor progression in ovarian cancer patients. More specifically, we determined whether nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis... Read More about Mitochondrial mRNA transcripts predict overall survival, tumor recurrence and progression in serous ovarian cancer : companion diagnostics for cancer therapy.

Mitochondrial biomarkers predict tumor progression and poor overall survival in gastric cancers : companion diagnostics for personalized medicine. (2017)
Journal Article
Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2017). Mitochondrial biomarkers predict tumor progression and poor overall survival in gastric cancers : companion diagnostics for personalized medicine. Oncotarget, 8(40), 67117-67128. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.19962

Here, we employed a bioinformatics approach to identify novel molecular determinants to predict tumor progression and overall survival in gastric cancer patients. In particular, we directly assessed whether nuclear-derived mRNA species encoding prote... Read More about Mitochondrial biomarkers predict tumor progression and poor overall survival in gastric cancers : companion diagnostics for personalized medicine..

Mitochondrial markers predict survival and progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients : use as companion diagnostics (2017)
Journal Article
Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2017). Mitochondrial markers predict survival and progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients : use as companion diagnostics. Oncotarget, 8(40), 68095-68107. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.19677

Here, we used an informatics-based approach to identify novel biomarkers of overall survival and tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We determined whether nuclear-encoded genes associated with mitochondrial biogenesis an... Read More about Mitochondrial markers predict survival and progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients : use as companion diagnostics.

Mitochondrial markers predict recurrence, metastasis and Tamoxifen-resistance in breast cancer patients : early detection of treatment failure with companion diagnostics (2017)
Journal Article
Sotgia, F., Fiorillo, M., & Lisanti, M. (2017). Mitochondrial markers predict recurrence, metastasis and Tamoxifen-resistance in breast cancer patients : early detection of treatment failure with companion diagnostics. Oncotarget, 2017(8), 68730-68745. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.19612

Here, we used a data-mining and informatics approach to discover new biomarkers of resistance to hormonal therapy in breast cancer. More specifically, we investigated whether nuclear-encoded genes associated with mitochondrial biogenesis can be used... Read More about Mitochondrial markers predict recurrence, metastasis and Tamoxifen-resistance in breast cancer patients : early detection of treatment failure with companion diagnostics.

Mitoriboscins : mitochondrial-based therapeutics targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs), bacteria and pathogenic yeast (2017)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Fiorillo, M., Bonuccelli, G., Cappello, A., Frattaruolo, L., Sotgia, F., …Lisanti, M. (2017). Mitoriboscins : mitochondrial-based therapeutics targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs), bacteria and pathogenic yeast. Oncotarget, 2017(8), 67457-67472. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.19084

The “endo-symbiotic theory of mitochondrial evolution” states that mitochondrial organelles evolved from engulfed aerobic bacteria, after millions of years of symbiosis and adaptation. Here, we have exploited this premise to design new antibiotics an... Read More about Mitoriboscins : mitochondrial-based therapeutics targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs), bacteria and pathogenic yeast.

Targeting hypoxic cancer stem cells (CSCs) with Doxycycline : implications for optimizing anti-angiogenic therapy (2017)
Journal Article
implications for optimizing anti-angiogenic therapy. Oncotarget, 2017(8), 56126-56142. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.18445

Here, we report new mechanistic insight into how chronic hypoxia increases ‘stemness’ in cancer cells. Using chemical inhibitors, we provide direct experimental evidence that ROS production and mitochondrial biogenesis are both required for the hypox... Read More about Targeting hypoxic cancer stem cells (CSCs) with Doxycycline : implications for optimizing anti-angiogenic therapy.

Vitamin C and Doxycycline : a synthetic lethal combination therapy targeting metabolic flexibility in cancer stem cells (CSCs) (2017)
Journal Article
De Francesco, E., Bonuccelli, G., Maggiolini, M., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2017). Vitamin C and Doxycycline : a synthetic lethal combination therapy targeting metabolic flexibility in cancer stem cells (CSCs). Oncotarget, 2017(8), 67269-67286. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.18428

Here, we developed a new synthetic lethal strategy for further optimizing the eradication of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Briefly, we show that chronic treatment with the FDA-approved antibiotic Doxycycline effectively reduces cellular respiration, by... Read More about Vitamin C and Doxycycline : a synthetic lethal combination therapy targeting metabolic flexibility in cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Hodgkin lymphoma : a complex metabolic ecosystem with glycolytic reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment (2017)
Journal Article
Mikkilineni, L., Whitaker-Menezes, D., Domingo-Vidal, M., Sprandio, J., Avena, P., Cotzia, P., …Martinez-Outschoorn, U. (2017). Hodgkin lymphoma : a complex metabolic ecosystem with glycolytic reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment. Seminars in Oncology, 44(3), 218-225. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.seminoncol.2017.10.003

Background Twenty percent of patients with classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) have aggressive disease defined as relapsed or refractory disease to initial therapy. At present we cannot identify these patients pre-treatment. The microenvironment is v... Read More about Hodgkin lymphoma : a complex metabolic ecosystem with glycolytic reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment.

Current and prospective pharmacotherapies for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma (2017)
Journal Article
Bakker, E., Guazzelli, A., Krstic-Demonacos, M., Lisanti, M., Sotgia, F., & Mutti, L. (2017). Current and prospective pharmacotherapies for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma. Expert Opinion on Orphan Drugs, 5(6), 455-465. https://doi.org/10.1080/21678707.2017.1325358

Introduction: Mesothelioma is a rare asbestos-linked cancer with an expected incidence peak between 2015–2030. Therapies remain ineffective, thus developing and testing novel treatments is important for both oncologists and researchers. Areas co... Read More about Current and prospective pharmacotherapies for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma.

Mitochondrial “power” drives tamoxifen resistance : NQO1 and GCLC are new therapeutic targets in breast cancer (2017)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Sotgia, F., Sisci, D., Cappello, A., & Lisanti, M. (2017). Mitochondrial “power” drives tamoxifen resistance : NQO1 and GCLC are new therapeutic targets in breast cancer. Oncotarget, 2017(8), 20309-20327. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.15852

Here, we identified two new molecular targets, which are functionally sufficient to metabolically confer the tamoxifen-resistance phenotype in human breast cancer cells. Briefly, ~20 proteins were first selected as potential candidates, based on u... Read More about Mitochondrial “power” drives tamoxifen resistance : NQO1 and GCLC are new therapeutic targets in breast cancer.

Anti-CTLA-4 therapy for malignant mesothelioma (2017)
Journal Article
Guazzelli, A., Bakker, E., Krstic-Demonacos, M., Lisanti, M., Sotgia, F., & Mutti, L. (2017). Anti-CTLA-4 therapy for malignant mesothelioma. Immunotherapy, 9(3), 273-280. https://doi.org/10.2217/imt-2016-0123

Immunotherapy is an emerging therapeutic strategy with a promising clinical outcome in some solid tumors, particularly metastatic melanoma. One approach to immunotherapy is immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as blockage of CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1. This... Read More about Anti-CTLA-4 therapy for malignant mesothelioma.

Targeting cancer stem cell propagation with palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor: Telomerase drives tumor cell heterogeneity (2016)
Journal Article
Bonuccelli, G., Peires-Pages, M., Ozsvari, B., Martinez- Outschoorn, U., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2017). Targeting cancer stem cell propagation with palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor: Telomerase drives tumor cell heterogeneity. Oncotarget, 8(6), 9868-9884. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.14196

In this report, we systematically examined the role of telomerase activity in lung and ovarian cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation. For this purpose, we indirectly gauged telomerase activity, by linking the hTERT-promoter to eGFP. Using lung (A549)... Read More about Targeting cancer stem cell propagation with palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor: Telomerase drives tumor cell heterogeneity.

Bedaquiline, an FDA-approved antibiotic, inhibits mitochondrial function and potently blocks the proliferative expansion of stem-like cancer cells (CSCs) (2016)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Lamb, R., Tanowitz, H., Cappello, A., Martinez‐Outschoorn, U., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2016). Bedaquiline, an FDA-approved antibiotic, inhibits mitochondrial function and potently blocks the proliferative expansion of stem-like cancer cells (CSCs). Aging, 8(8), 1593-1607. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.100983

Bedaquiline (a.k.a., Sirturo) is an anti‐microbial agent, which is approved by the FDA for the treatment of multi‐drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Bedaquiline is a first‐in‐class diaryl‐quinoline compound, that mechanistically inhibits the... Read More about Bedaquiline, an FDA-approved antibiotic, inhibits mitochondrial function and potently blocks the proliferative expansion of stem-like cancer cells (CSCs).

Cancer stem cell metabolism (2016)
Journal Article
Peiris-Pagès, M., Martinez-Outschoorn, U., Pestell, R., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2016). Cancer stem cell metabolism. Breast Cancer Research, 18(55), https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-016-0712-6

Cancer is now viewed as a stem cell disease. There is still no consensus on the metabolic characteristics of cancer stem cells, with several studies indicating that they are mainly glycolytic and others pointing instead to mitochondrial metabolism as... Read More about Cancer stem cell metabolism.

Cancer metabolism : a therapeutic perspective (2016)
Journal Article
Martinez-Outschoorn, U., Peiris-Pagés, M., Pestell, R., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2016). Cancer metabolism : a therapeutic perspective. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, 14, 11-31. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2016.60

Awareness that the metabolic phenotype of cells within tumours is heterogeneous — and distinct from that of their normal counterparts — is growing. In general, tumour cells metabolize glucose, lactate, pyruvate, hydroxybutyrate, acetate, glutamine, a... Read More about Cancer metabolism : a therapeutic perspective.

Repurposing atovaquone : targeting mitochondrial complex III and OXPHOS to eradicate cancer stem cells (2016)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Lamb, R., Tanowitz, H., Mutti, L., Krstic- Demonacos, M., Cappello, A., …Lisanti, M. (2016). Repurposing atovaquone : targeting mitochondrial complex III and OXPHOS to eradicate cancer stem cells. Oncotarget, 7(23), 34084-34099. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.9122

Atovaquone is an FDA-approved anti-malarial drug, which first became clinically available in the year 2000. Currently, its main usage is for the treatment of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and/or toxoplasmosis in immune-compromised patients. Atovaquone... Read More about Repurposing atovaquone : targeting mitochondrial complex III and OXPHOS to eradicate cancer stem cells.

Proteomic identification of prognostic tumour biomarkers, using chemotherapy-induced cancer-associated fibroblasts (2015)
Journal Article
Peiris-Pagès, M., Smith, D., Győrffy, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2015). Proteomic identification of prognostic tumour biomarkers, using chemotherapy-induced cancer-associated fibroblasts. Aging, 7(10), 816-838. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.100808

Cancer cells grow in highly complex stromal microenvironments, which through metabolic remodelling, catabolism, autophagy and inflammation nurture them and are able to facilitate metastasis and resistance to therapy. However, these changes in the met... Read More about Proteomic identification of prognostic tumour biomarkers, using chemotherapy-induced cancer-associated fibroblasts.

High mitochondrial mass identifies a sub-population of stem-like cancer cells that are chemo-resistant (2015)
Journal Article
Farnie, G., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2015). High mitochondrial mass identifies a sub-population of stem-like cancer cells that are chemo-resistant. Oncotarget, 6(31), 30472-30486. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.5401

Chemo-resistance is a clinical barrier to more effective anti-cancer therapy. In this context, cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are thought to be chemo-resistant, resulting in tumor recurrence and distant metastasis. Our hypothesis is that chemo-resista... Read More about High mitochondrial mass identifies a sub-population of stem-like cancer cells that are chemo-resistant.

Mitochondrial mass, a new metabolic biomarker for stem-like cancer cells : understanding WNT/FGF-driven anabolic signaling (2015)
Journal Article
Lamb, R., Bonuccelli, G., Ozsvári, B., Peiris-Pagès, M., Fiorillo, M., Smith DL, D., …Lisanti, M. (2015). Mitochondrial mass, a new metabolic biomarker for stem-like cancer cells : understanding WNT/FGF-driven anabolic signaling. Oncotarget, 6(31), 30453-30471. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.5852

Here, we developed an isogenic cell model of “stemness” to facilitate protein biomarker discovery in breast cancer. For this purpose, we used knowledge gained previously from the study of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV). MMTV initiates mammary t... Read More about Mitochondrial mass, a new metabolic biomarker for stem-like cancer cells : understanding WNT/FGF-driven anabolic signaling.

Dissecting tumor metabolic heterogeneity : Telomerase and large cell size metabolically define a sub-population of stem-like, mitochondrial-rich, cancer cells (2015)
Journal Article
Lamb, R., Ozsvari, B., Bonuccelli, G., Smith, D., Pestell, R., Martinez-Outschoorn, U., …Lisanti, M. (2015). Dissecting tumor metabolic heterogeneity : Telomerase and large cell size metabolically define a sub-population of stem-like, mitochondrial-rich, cancer cells. Oncotarget, 6(26), 21892-21905. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.5260

Tumor cell metabolic heterogeneity is thought to contribute to tumor recurrence, distant metastasis and chemo-resistance in cancer patients, driving poor clinical outcome. To better understand tumor metabolic heterogeneity, here we used the MCF7 brea... Read More about Dissecting tumor metabolic heterogeneity : Telomerase and large cell size metabolically define a sub-population of stem-like, mitochondrial-rich, cancer cells.

Doxycycline and therapeutic targeting of the DNA damage response in cancer cells : old drug, new purpose (2015)
Journal Article
Peiris-Pagès, M., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2015). Doxycycline and therapeutic targeting of the DNA damage response in cancer cells : old drug, new purpose. Oncoscience, 2(8), 696-699. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncoscience.215

There is a small proportion of cells within a tumour with self-renewing properties, which is resistant to conventional therapy, and is responsible for tumour initiation, maintenance and metastasis. These cells are known as cancer stem cells (CSCs) or... Read More about Doxycycline and therapeutic targeting of the DNA damage response in cancer cells : old drug, new purpose.

Estrogen related receptor α (ERRα) a promising target for the therapy of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) (2015)
Journal Article
Casaburi, I., Avena, P., De Luca, A., Chimento, A., Sirianni, R., Malivindi, R., …Pezzi, V. (2015). Estrogen related receptor α (ERRα) a promising target for the therapy of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Oncotarget, 6(28), 25135-25148. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.4722

The pathogenesis of the adrenocortical cancer (ACC) involves integration of molecular signals and the interplay of different downstream pathways (i.e. IGFII/IGF1R, β-catenin, Wnt, ESR1). This tumor is characterized by limited therapeutic options and... Read More about Estrogen related receptor α (ERRα) a promising target for the therapy of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC).

Mitochondrial biogenesis is required for the anchorage-independent survival and propagation of stem-like cancer cells (2015)
Journal Article
De Luca, A., Fiorillo, M., Peiris-Pagès, M., Ozsvari, B., Smith, D., Sanchez-Alvarez, R., …Sotgia, F. (2015). Mitochondrial biogenesis is required for the anchorage-independent survival and propagation of stem-like cancer cells. Oncotarget, 6(17), 14777-14795. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.4401

Here, we show that new mitochondrial biogenesis is required for the anchorage independent survival and propagation of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). More specifically, we used the drug XCT790 as an investigational tool, as it functions as a specific... Read More about Mitochondrial biogenesis is required for the anchorage-independent survival and propagation of stem-like cancer cells.

Caveolae and signalling in cancer (2015)
Journal Article
Martinez-Outschoorn, U., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2015). Caveolae and signalling in cancer. Nature Reviews Cancer, 15(4), 225-37. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc3915

It has been over 20 years since the discovery that caveolar lipid rafts function as signalling organelles. Lipid rafts create plasma membrane heterogeneity, and caveolae are the most extensively studied subset of lipid rafts. A newly emerging paradig... Read More about Caveolae and signalling in cancer.

Antibiotics that target mitochondria effectively eradicate cancer stem cells, across multiple tumor types : treating cancer like an infectious disease (2015)
Journal Article
Lamb, R., Ozsvari, B., Lisanti, C., Tanowitz, H., Howell, A., Martinez-Outschoorn, U., …Lisanti, M. (2015). Antibiotics that target mitochondria effectively eradicate cancer stem cells, across multiple tumor types : treating cancer like an infectious disease. Oncotarget, 6(7), 4569-84. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.3174

Here, we propose a new strategy for the treatment of early cancerous lesions and advanced metastatic disease, via the selective targeting of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a.k.a., tumor-initiating cells (TICs). We searched for a global phenotypic characte... Read More about Antibiotics that target mitochondria effectively eradicate cancer stem cells, across multiple tumor types : treating cancer like an infectious disease.

Metabolic asymmetry in cancer : a “balancing act” that promotes tumor growth (2014)
Journal Article
Martinez-Outschoorn, U., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2014). Metabolic asymmetry in cancer : a “balancing act” that promotes tumor growth. Cancer Cell, 26(1), 5-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2014.06.021

Profound metabolic differences between cancer cells and fibroblasts promote tumorigenesis. A study by Valencia and colleagues in this issue of Cancer Cell supports this assertion. They observed that metabolic asymmetry in prostate tumors drives aggre... Read More about Metabolic asymmetry in cancer : a “balancing act” that promotes tumor growth.

CAPER, a novel regulator of human breast cancer progression (2014)
Journal Article
Mercier, I., Gonzales, D., Quann, K., Pestell, T., Molchansky, A., Sotgia, F., …Jasmin, J. (2014). CAPER, a novel regulator of human breast cancer progression. Cell Cycle, 13(8), 1256-1264. https://doi.org/10.4161/cc.28156

CAPE R is an estrogen receptor (ER) co-activator that was recently shown to be involved in human breast cancer pathogenesis. Indeed, we reported increased expression of CAPE R in human breast cancer specimens. We demonstrated that CAPE R was undete... Read More about CAPER, a novel regulator of human breast cancer progression.

Catabolic cancer-associated fibroblasts transfer energy and biomass to anabolic cancer cells, fueling tumor growth (2014)
Journal Article
Martinez-Outschoorn, U., Lisanti, M., & Sotgia, F. (2014). Catabolic cancer-associated fibroblasts transfer energy and biomass to anabolic cancer cells, fueling tumor growth. Seminars in Cancer Biology, 25, 47-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcancer.2014.01.005

Fibroblasts are the most abundant “non-cancerous” cells in tumors. However, it remains largely unknown how these cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote tumor growth and metastasis, driving chemotherapy resistance and poor clinical outcome. Th... Read More about Catabolic cancer-associated fibroblasts transfer energy and biomass to anabolic cancer cells, fueling tumor growth.

JNK1 stress signaling is hyper-activated in high breast density and the tumor stroma: Connecting fibrosis, inflammation, and stemness for cancer prevention (2013)
Journal Article
Lisanti, M., Reeves, K., Peiris-Pagès, M., Chadwick, A., Sanchez-Alvarez, R., Howell, A., …Sotgia, F. (2014). JNK1 stress signaling is hyper-activated in high breast density and the tumor stroma: Connecting fibrosis, inflammation, and stemness for cancer prevention. Cell Cycle, 13(4), 580-599. https://doi.org/10.4161/cc.27379

Mammography is an important screening modality for the early detection of DCIS and breast cancer lesions. More specifically, high mammographic density is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. However, the biological processes underlying... Read More about JNK1 stress signaling is hyper-activated in high breast density and the tumor stroma: Connecting fibrosis, inflammation, and stemness for cancer prevention.