Abstract OT2-5-02: Randomized trial evaluating a coordinated survivorship care program for early stage breast cancer

Background: Prior studies suggest that many breast cancer survivors use substantial medical resources but still do not receive all guideline-recommended care. Poorly coordinated care may result in unnecessary visits and testing, and may drive up medical costs without improving outcomes. Data are mixed regarding the ability of survivorship care plans to improve the quality of cancer survivorship care.

Trial Design: Randomized (1:1) 2-arm study of a coordinated survivorship care program (including a breast cancer treatment summary and survivorship care plan shared with the patient and mailed to her providers, as well as phone calls from a patient navigator to the patient every three months for one year) compared with standard follow-up care. Participants are asked to complete a survey at baseline and one year later, and medical record review is performed at the end of a year to collect data on medical care received during the first year of survivorship care. Cost data will be acquired via institutional billing systems.

Specific Aims: To assess the effects of the coordinated survivorship care program compared to standard follow-up care on patients’ receipt of redundant care, receipt of guideline-directed care, and cost of care.

The primary endpoint for the study is:

-The proportion of patients in each group who have 2+ office visits that include breast or chest wall exams (not including by plastic surgeons) within 30 days of each other in the absence of a new breast/chest wall complaint during the year of follow-up.

The secondary endpoints for the study include:

-The proportion of age-appropriate health services (mammograms, gynecologic exams, bone density tests, colon cancer screening, cardiovascular screening) performed for each patient

-The number and cost of imaging, lab, and other tests

-The number of MD/NP visits

-Changes between baseline and 1-year in survey data: Lasry Fear of Recurrence score, anxiety/depression (GHQ-12), quality of life (SF-12), satisfaction with care (PSQ-18), satisfaction with study participation, and understanding of follow-up.

Eligibility Criteria: English-speaking, women age 18 or older with recently diagnosed stage 0-3A breast cancer who are planning to receive follow-up medical oncology care through Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), with a primary care provider who uses the same electronic medical record. Patients are excluded if more than 30 days have elapsed since the end of active treatment (EATD, defined as the final breast surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or visit to decide about one of these, whichever was last, excluding reconstructive surgeries and visits).

Statistical Methods: Descriptive statistics will assess the primary and secondary endpoints. For the primary endpoint, the proportion (95% CI) of patients in each arm who receive 2+ breast/chest wall exams within 30 days during the year following the EATD will be determined. With a sample size of 50 per arm, the maximum width of the 95% CI will be 29%.

Target accrual (met between 1/14/11-4/25/13): 100

Contact information: katieruddy@gmail.com.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr OT2-5-02.

Abstract P4-19-01: Attitudes of medical oncologists towards research biopsies

Background:

There is increasing interest in studying tissue from patients (pts) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Historically, limited tissue has been available. Possible barriers to research biopsies (bx) include pt and provider opinions; the contribution of each factor is unknown.

Methods:

309 academic breast medical oncologists (MOs) identified from the websites of each of the National Cancer Institute - designated cancer centers were invited to complete either a self-administered paper or online survey. Eligible MOs (MOs who saw breast cancer pts and who saw pts 4 hours/week.) were asked to predict what proportion of their pts with MBC would consent to additional bx (ABs, additional bx performed with a clinically indicated bx) or research purposes only bx(RPOBs, research bx performed as a standalone procedure). They were also asked about their comfort levels in asking pts with MBC to consider participating in ABs or RPOBs for various organs. Median values are reported. Two-sided Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical variables using a a level of .05.

Results:

191 (101F,85M, 5 unknown) eligible MOs completed the survey. 29 MOs were ineligible (response rate = 191/280,68%). Median age was 50 (Range 33-80). Median years of oncology experience was 15 (Range 1-45). MOs predicted that 90%, 75%, 70% and 50%, of their pts would definitely/probably consider ABs of blood, skin, breast, or liver respectively. MOs predicted that 90%, 60%, 33%, and 20% of their pts would definitely/probably consider RPOBs of blood, skin, breast, or liver. 98% (95% CI 96%-100%), 96% (95% CI 92%-98%), 93% (95% CI 88%-96%) and 70% (95% CI 63%-77%) of MOs were very/somewhat comfortable asking pts for an AB of blood, skin, breast and liver respectively. 98% (95% CI 95%-99%), 93% (95% CI 89%-96%), 78% (95% CI 72%-84%) and 50% (95% CI 43%-58%) of MOs were very/somewhat comfortable asking pts to participate in a RPOB of blood, skin, breast and liver respectively.

No demographic characteristics (eg. sex, age) were associated with MOs’ comfort levels of asking pts to have an AB of blood, skin and breast.

Factors associated with increased comfort discussing an AB of the liver were: age < 50 years (p = 0.01), in practice for < 15 years (p = 0.01), ≥ 1 pt enrolled on clinical trials per month (p = 0.02), or having pts who had undergone bx for research in prior 3 months (p<0.01).

MOs with ≥ 4 patients enrolled on clinical trials/month or whose pts had undergone research bx in the past 3 months were more likely to feel comfortable asking pts to have a RPOB of the breast (p<0.01; p<0.01) or liver (p = 0.03; p<0.01).

The 3 most common reasons why MOs were reluctant to refer pts for participation in an AB include risk of a bx procedure (n = 128, 67%), pain/discomfort of a bx (n = 125, 65%), and logistical barriers (n = 42, 22%). These reasons are similar for RPOB; risk of a bx procedure, (n = 137, 72%), pain/discomfort of a bx (n = 134, 70%), and inconvenience to pt (time involved, travel, etc) (n = 58, 30%).

Conclusions:

Many MOs predict that the majority of their MBC pts will consider ABs of various organs. However, this decreases with RPOBs, particularly as the procedure becomes more invasive. More research is needed to understand factors that may influence MOs’ comfort levels asking pts to participate in such studies.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-19-01.

Use of the translabyrinthine approach to repair congenital spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leakage in five Chinese patients with Mondini dysplasia

OBJECTIVES

To introduce a more effective surgical technique for the repair of spontaneous incurable cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage (CSF otorrhea).

METHODS

The cases of five Chinese patients with Mondini dysplasia and CSF leakage were reviewed. All patients presented with rhinorrhea or otorrhea from childhood and recurrent meningitis attacks. CSF leakage was repaired surgically using the translabyrinthine approach.

RESULTS

Facial paralysis occurred in the first two patients, but was cured 2 months later. The other three patients recovered well and had no facial paralysis or complication. CSF leakage did not recur in any patient after follow-up periods of 0.5-3 years.

CONCLUSION

Mondini dysplasia with CSF leakage is rare. Adequate diagnosis and treatment are required to avoid life-threatening complications, such as meningitis. We recommend the translabyrinthine approach as an alternative surgical technique that reduces recurrence.

Ground penetrating detection using miniaturized radar system based on solid state microwave sensor

We propose a solid-state-sensor-based miniaturized microwave radar technique, which allows a rapid microwave phase detection for continuous wave operation using a lock-in amplifier rather than using expensive and complicated instruments such as vector network analyzers. To demonstrate the capability of this sensor-based imaging technique, the miniaturized system has been used to detect embedded targets in sand by measuring the reflection for broadband microwaves. Using the reconstruction algorithm, the imaging of the embedded target with a diameter less than 5 cm buried in the sands with a depth of 5 cm or greater is clearly detected. Therefore, the sensor-based approach emerges as an innovative and cost-effective way for ground penetrating detection.

Homozygous loss-of-function mutation of the LEPREL1 gene causes severe non-syndromic high myopia with early-onset cataract

High myopia is a severe visual impairment which can increase the risk of retinal degeneration, subretinal hemorrhage, choroidal neovascularization, cataract and retinal detachment. We recruited an autosomal-recessive high myopia family, with affected subjects who also present early-onset cataract, retinal degeneration and other complications. Using targeted capturing and whole exome sequencing, we identified a homozygous non-sense mutation in the LEPREL1 gene which causes premature termination of the translation at the fifth amino acid (c.13C>T; p.Q5X), co-segregating with the phenotypes. LEPREL1 encodes a proline hydroxylase called prolyl 3-hydroxylase 2 (P3H2), a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase that hydroxylates collagens. The results show that LEPREL1 plays an important role in eye development and homozygous loss-of-function mutation of this gene can cause severely high myopia and early-onset cataract. Our study also strongly suggests that the disruption of collagen modification is one of the pathogenic mechanisms of high myopia and cataract.

Acetylpuerarin reduces inflammation and improves memory function in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease induced by Abeta1-42

This study was performed to determine if acetylpuerarin (compound N-2211) could reduce amyloid-beta1-42 (Abeta1-42) induced learning and memory deficits and to examine its anti-neuroinflammatory effects in a rat model. Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 each): control, model (Abeta1-42 injected), low-dose and high-dose acetylpuerarin groups. The acetylpuerarin groups received peritoneal acetylpuerarin every day for 12 days after 2 weeks of Abeta1-42 (5 microg/1 microl) intrahippocampal injections. The Morris water maze (MWM) was used to assess rats' learning and memory abilities. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess expression levels of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule (Ibal), protein kinase C delta (PKCdelta), IkappaB kinase beta (IKKbeta), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in hippocampus. After Abeta1-42 injection, the learning and memory abilities of rats were reduced, and acetylpuerarin treatment ameliorated the observed deficits. Abeta1-42 injection resulted in microglia transforming from resting microglia into an activated state, but this was reduced by acetylpuerarin treatment. Furthermore, hippocampal expression of PKCdelta, IKKbeta, and iNOS increased following Abeta1-42 treatment, and acetylpuerarin could suppressed the levels of PKCdelta, iNOS, and IKKbeta. Acetylpuerarin improves learning and memory functions in Abeta1-42 induced rat models. These effects may be due to anti-neuroinflammatory effects.

Efficacy and safety of lixisenatide once daily versus placebo in type 2 diabetes insufficiently controlled on pioglitazone (GetGoal-P)

AIMS

To compare the efficacy and safety of once-daily prandial lixisenatide with placebo in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) insufficiently controlled by pioglitazone ± metformin.

METHODS

This randomized, double-blind study included a 24-week main treatment period and a ≥52-week variable extension period. Patients were randomized 2 : 1 to receive lixisenatide 20 µg once daily or placebo. The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) at week 24.

RESULTS

In total, 484 patients were randomized: 323 to lixisenatide; 161 to placebo. After 24 weeks, lixisenatide once daily significantly improved HbA1c (-0.56% vs. placebo; p < 0.0001) and increased the proportion of patients achieving HbA1c <7% compared with placebo (52.3% vs. 26.4%, respectively; p < 0.0001) and significantly improved fasting plasma glucose (-0.84 mmol/l vs. placebo; p < 0.0001). There was a small decrease in body weight with lixisenatide once daily and a small increase with placebo, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Overall, lixisenatide once daily was well tolerated, with a similar proportion of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and serious TEAEs between groups (lixisenatide: 72.4% and 2.5%; placebo: 72.7% and 1.9%). Symptomatic hypoglycaemia rates were also relatively low in both groups (lixisenatide 3.4% and placebo 1.2%), with no severe episodes. Lixisenatide continued to be efficacious and well tolerated during the variable extension period.

CONCLUSIONS

Lixisenatide once daily significantly improved glycaemic control with a low risk of hypoglycaemia, and was well tolerated over 24 weeks and during the long-term, double-blind extension period in patients with T2DM insufficiently controlled on pioglitazone ± metformin.

Detection of prostate cancer related copy number variations with SNP genotyping array

AIM

Prostate cancer is characterized by the accumulation of multiple copy number variants (CNVs) across the genome. We aim to identify potential prostate cancer related CNVs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Whole-genome SNP genotyping data of 18 prostate cancer patients was downloaded from the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database. PennCNV was used to detect CNVs. All genes and miRNAs affected by CNVs were annotated. We also identified biological processes where these genes over-represented to capture the characteristics of prostate cancer.

RESULTS

Dominance of deletions was identified in all subjects. A total of 131 genes and 2 miRNAs which were affected by CNVs supported by at least two samples were detected. Over-representations of biological processes related with immune or inflammation response and cell cycle were identified. Two miRNAs, hsa-miR-1302 and hsa-miR-548j, were affected by CNVs and their target genes were reported to be related with prostate cancer according to the Mendelian Inheritance in Man database.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified genes known to be affected by prostate cancer associated CNVs in previous studies; we also identified new genes and miRNAs not reported as interesting. The discoveries in this study may advance the knowledge of the prostate cancer pathogenesis.

Protection against a fungal pathogen conferred by the aphid facultative endosymbionts Rickettsia and Spiroplasma is expressed in multiple host genotypes and species and is not influenced by co-infection with another symbiont

Many insects harbour facultative endosymbiotic bacteria, often more than one type at a time. These symbionts can have major effects on their hosts' biology, which may be modulated by the presence of other symbiont species and by the host's genetic background. We investigated these effects by transferring two sets of facultative endosymbionts (one Hamiltonella and Rickettsia, the other Hamiltonella and Spiroplasma) from naturally double-infected pea aphid hosts into five novel host genotypes of two aphid species. The symbionts were transferred either together or separately. We then measured aphid fecundity and susceptibility to an entomopathogenic fungus. The pathogen-protective phenotype conferred by the symbionts Rickettsia and Spiroplasma varied among host genotypes, but was not influenced by co-infection with Hamiltonella. Fecundity varied across single and double infections and between symbiont types, aphid genotypes and species. Some host genotypes benefit from harbouring more than one symbiont type.

p-Type InN nanowires

In this Letter, we demonstrate that with the merit of nanowire structure and a self-catalytic growth process p-type InN can be realized for the first time by "direct" magnesium (Mg) doping. The presence of Mg acceptor energy levels in InN is confirmed by photoluminescence experiments, and a direct evidence of p-type conduction is demonstrated unambiguously by studying the transfer characteristics of InN nanowire field effect transistors. Moreover, the near-surface Fermi-level of InN can be tuned from nearly intrinsic to p-type degenerate by controlling Mg dopant incorporation, which is in contrast to the commonly observed electron accumulation on the grown surfaces of Mg-doped InN films. First-principle calculation using the VASP electronic package further shows that the p-type surface formed on Mg-doped InN nanowires is highly stable energetically.

Establishing a conceptual model for photochemical ozone pollution in subtropical Hong Kong

Photochemical ozone (O₃) formation is related to its precursors and meteorological conditions. A conceptual model of O₃ air pollution is developed based on the analysis of data obtained at Tung Chung (TC) in Hong Kong. By comparing meteorological parameters between O₃ and non-O₃ episode days, it was found that high temperatures, strong solar radiation, low wind speeds and relative humidity, northeasterly and/or northwesterly prevailing winds were favorable for the O₃ formation, while tropical cyclones were most conducive to the occurrence of O₃ episodes. Backward trajectories simulation and graphical illustration of O₃ pollution suggested that super-regional (i.e. central and eastern China) and regional (i.e. Pearl River Delta, southern China) transport was another factor that contributed to high O₃ levels in Hong Kong. The photochemical O₃ formation, generally VOC-limited in Hong Kong, was controlled by a small number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Furthermore, the positive matrix factorization (PMF) simulation suggested that solvent usage and vehicular emissions are the major contributors to ambient VOCs in Hong Kong. Finally, this paper presents recommendations for further O₃ research and implementation of O₃ control strategies.

Anti-inflammatory effect of purified dietary anthocyanin in adults with hypercholesterolemia: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease and previous studies have demonstrated that anthocyanin inhibits atherosclerosis. In the present study, we explored the effects of anthocyanins on inflammatory cytokines in hypercholesterolemic adults and cell lines.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 150 subjects with hypercholesterolemia consumed a purified anthocyanin mixture (320 mg/d) or a placebo twice a day for 24 weeks in a randomized, double-blind trial. Anthocyanin consumption significantly decreased the levels of serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (-21.6% vs. -2.5%, P = 0.001), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) (-12.3% vs. 0.4%, P = 0.005) and plasma IL-1β (-12.8% vs. -1.3%, P = 0.019) compared to the placebo. We also found a significant difference in the LDL-cholesterol (-10.4% vs. 0.3%, P = 0.030) and HDL-cholesterol level changes (14.0% vs. -0.9%, P = 0.036) between the two groups. In cell culture assays in vitro, purified anthocyanin mixture, delphinidin-3-Ο-β-glucoside (Dp-3g) and cyanidin-3-Ο-β-glucoside (Cy-3g) inhibited IL-6 and IL-1β-induced CRP production (P < 0.05) in HepG2 cell line and LPS-induced VCAM-1 secretion (P < 0.05) in porcine iliac artery endothelial cell line respectively in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the reduction of inflammatory cytokines associated with anthocyanin mixture was stronger when compared with the effects of Dp-3g and Cy-3g separately (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Anthocyanin mixture reduced the inflammatory response in hypercholesterolemic subjects. In addition, different anthocyanin compounds were found to have additive or synergistic effects in mediating anti-inflammatory responses in vitro cell culture assays.

Photochemical trajectory modeling of ozone concentrations in Hong Kong

In this study, tropical cyclones over the East and South China Seas were found to be the most predominant weather conditions associated with the occurrence of high ozone (O3) episodes in Hong Kong in 2005-2009. A photochemical trajectory model coupled with Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) was adapted to simulate the O3 concentrations during two O3 pollution episodes. The results agreed well with the observed data. A representative backward air mass trajectory was used to determine the contribution of each volatile organic compound (VOC) to the O3 levels. After taking into account both reactivity and mass emission of each VOC, 10 species were found to be the key O3 precursors in Hong Kong. Further analysis identified solvent related products accounting for 70% of the modeled O3 concentration in Hong Kong. The results highlight the importance of considering together reactivity and source sector emissions in developing targeted VOC reduction for O3 abatement strategies.

Galectin-7 in cardiac allografts in mice: increased expression compared with isografts and localization in infiltrating lymphocytes and vascular endothelial cells

We sought to identify elevated expression of galectin-7, a T-cell-binding protein, in renal allograft recipients undergoing acute rejection episodes. Allografts and isografts were examined immunohistologically and using quantitative Western blot analysis for galectin-7 protein. The expression of galectin-7 in T lymphocytes from draining lymph nodes in the recipient mice was examined using flow cytometry. We observed galectin-7 to gradually increase with time in the allografts to be significantly higher than that in isografts at days 3, 5, and 7 postoperative: 0.85 ± 0.03 versus 0.69 ± 0.05; 1.15 ± 0.11 versus 0.81 ± 0.02; and 2.02 ± 0.12 versus 0.81 ± 0.05 (P < .05). The majority of galectin-7 was located in the infiltrating lymphocytes and vascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, the percentage of CD4+galectin-7+ and CD8+galectin-7+ T cells from draining lymph nodes in the allograft group was higher than that in the isograft group: 28.0 ± 1.0% versus 1.2 ± 0.2%; and 12.4 ± 0.8% versus 0.4 ± 0.1% (P < .01). In conclusion, galectin-7 relates to acute allograft rejection and T-cell responses possibly as an accelerant.

Coordinate phosphorylation of multiple residues on single AKT1 and AKT2 molecules

Aberrant AKT activation is prevalent across multiple human cancer lineages providing an important new target for therapy. Twenty-two independent phosphorylation sites have been identified on specific AKT isoforms likely contributing to differential isoform regulation. However, the mechanisms regulating phosphorylation of individual AKT isoform molecules have not been elucidated because of the lack of robust approaches able to assess phosphorylation of multiple sites on a single AKT molecule. Using a nanofluidic proteomic immunoassay (NIA), consisting of isoelectric focusing followed by sensitive chemiluminescence detection, we demonstrate that under basal and ligand-induced conditions that the pattern of phosphorylation events is markedly different between AKT1 and AKT2. Indeed, there are at least 12 AKT1 peaks and at least 5 AKT2 peaks consistent with complex combinations of phosphorylation of different sites on individual AKT molecules. Following insulin stimulation, AKT1 was phosphorylated at Thr308 in the T-loop and Ser473 in the hydrophobic domain. In contrast, AKT2 was only phosphorylated at the equivalent sites (Thr309 and Ser474) at low levels. Further, Thr308 and Ser473 phosphorylation occurred predominantly on the same AKT1 molecules, whereas Thr309 and Ser474 were phosphorylated primarily on different AKT2 molecules. Although basal AKT2 phosphorylation was sensitive to inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), basal AKT1 phosphorylation was essentially resistant. PI3K inhibition decreased pThr451 on AKT2 but not pThr450 on AKT1. Thus, NIA technology provides an ability to characterize coordinate phosphorylation of individual AKT molecules providing important information about AKT isoform-specific phosphorylation, which is required for optimal development and implementation of drugs targeting aberrant AKT activation.

[Phosphorylation-independent desensitization of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 in HEK 293 cells]

The metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) is one of the important excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system, and its desensitization by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) plays an important role in neuron protection against receptor overstimulation. It is reported that GRK2 could down-regulate the mGluR5 signaling in both HEK 293 cells and neurons. However, whether GRK2-mediated mGluR5 desensitization is phosphorylation dependent remains controversial. Here, we demonstrated that the signal intensity and kinetics of mGluRS desensitization was inhibited or changed by GRK2 in HEK 293 cells. By using the catalytically inactive GRK2 mutant K220R, and the receptor mutants that lack potential phosphorylation sites in the C-terminal tail, we demonstrated that the GRK2-mediated mGluR5 desensitization was phosphorylation-independent. Furthermore, overexpression of an N-terminal regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) homology (RH) domain of GRK2 was sufficient to attenuate the mGluR5 signaling, whereas the expression of GRK2 D110A mutant devoid in Galphaq binding was unable to inhibit mGluRS signaling. In summary, this study provides evidence that GRK2 mediates phosphorylation-independent mGluR5 desensitization via the interaction between the RGS domain and Galphaq in HEK 293 cells.

Jamming behavior of domains in a spiral antiferromagnetic system

Using resonant magnetic x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy, we show that the domains of a spiral antiferromagnet enter a jammed state at the onset of long-range order. We find that the slow thermal fluctuations of the domain walls exhibit a compressed exponential relaxation with an exponent of 1.5 found in a wide variety of solidlike jammed systems and can be qualitatively explained in terms of stress release in a stressed network. As the temperature decreases, the energy barrier for fluctuations becomes large enough to arrest further domain wall fluctuations, and the domains freeze into a spatial configuration within 10 K of the Néel temperature. The relaxation times can be fitted with the Vogel-Fulcher law as observed in polymers, glasses, and colloids, thereby indicating that the dynamics of domain walls in an ordered antiferromagnet exhibit some of the universal features associated with jamming behavior.

Synthesis of an Imidazoline Phosphate Surfactant and its Application on Corrosion Inhibition

An imidazoline phosphate surfactant is designed and synthesized, and its application on corrosion inhibition is evaluated from the following aspects: (1) concentration of inhibitor; (2) temperature; (3) concentration of acid. The imidazoline phosphate is also mixed with KI as an assistant agent, and the results from weight loss measurement show better inhibition efficiency.

Identification of serum CCL15 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background:

Early serum detection is of critical importance to improve the therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most deadly cancers. Hepatitis infection is a leading cause of HCC.

Methods:

In the present study, we collected total serum samples with informed consent from 80 HCC patients with HBV (+)/cirrhosis (+), 80 patients with benign diseases (50 liver cirrhosis patients and 30 HBV-infected patients) and 60 healthy controls. Analysis was by using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionisation-time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (SELDI-TOF-MS) to find new serum markers of HCC. SELDI peaks were isolated by SDS–PAGE, identified by LC-MS/MS and validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in liver tissues. Migration and invasion assay were performed to test the ability of cell migration and invasion in vitro.

Results:

SELDI-TOF-MS revealed a band at 7777 M/Z in the serum samples from HCC patients but not from healthy controls or patients with benign diseases. The protein (7777.27 M/Z) in the proteomic signature was identified as C-C motif chemokine 15 (CCL15) by peptide mass fingerprinting. A significant increase in serum CCL15 was detected in HCC patients. Functional analysis showed that HCC cell expressed CCL15, which in turn promoted HCC cell migration and invasion.

Conclusion:

CCL15 may be a specific proteomic biomarker of HCC, which has an important role in tumorigenesis and tumour invasion.