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Díaz-Alvarez L, López-Cortés GI, Pérez-Figueroa E. Immunomodulation exerted by galectins: a land of opportunity in rare cancers. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1301025. [PMID: 38022609 PMCID: PMC10663293 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1301025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Rare cancers represent only 5% of newly diagnosed malignancies. However, in some cases, they account for up to 50% of the deaths attributed to cancer in their corresponding organ. Part of the reason is that treatment options are generally quite limited, non-specific, and very often, only palliative. Needless to say, research for tailored treatments is warranted. Molecules that exert immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment are attractive drug targets. One such group is galectins. Thus, in this review we summarize the current knowledge about galectin-mediated immunomodulation in rare cancers, highlighting the research opportunities in each case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Díaz-Alvarez
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Erandi Pérez-Figueroa
- Unidad Periférica para el Estudio de la Neuroinflamación en Patologías Neurológicas, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas e Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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Propensity Score-Matched Analysis to Identify Pathways Associated with Loss of Sodium Iodide Symporter in Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:1488-1496. [PMID: 35723359 PMCID: PMC9164071 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44040101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Sodium iodide symporter (NIS) expression in thyroid follicular cells plays an important role in normal physiology and radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer. Loss of NIS expression is often seen in thyroid cancers and may lead to radioiodine refractoriness. To explore novel mechanisms of NIS repression beyond oncogenic drivers, clinical and RNA-seq data from the thyroid cancer dataset of The Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed. Propensity score matching was used to control for various genetic background factors. We found that tumoral NIS expression was negatively correlated with tumor size. Additionally, low NIS expression was the only factor associated with recurrence-free survival in a Cox multivariate regression analysis. After matching for clinicopathologic profiles and driver mutations, the principal component analysis revealed distinct gene expressions between the high and low NIS groups. Gene set enrichment analysis suggested the downregulation of hedgehog signaling, immune networks, and cell adhesions. Positively enriched pathways included DNA replication, nucleotide excision repair, MYC, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. In summary, we identified several potential targets which could be exploited to rescue the loss of NIS expression and develop redifferentiation strategies to facilitate radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid cancer.
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Huang G, Chen J, Zhou J, Xiao S, Zeng W, Xia J, Zeng X. Epigenetic modification and BRAF gene mutation in thyroid carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:687. [PMID: 34923978 PMCID: PMC8684614 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02405-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThyroid cancer remains the most prevailing endocrine malignancy, and a progressively increasing incidence rate has been observed in recent years, with 95% of thyroid cancer represented by differentiated thyroid carcinomas. The genetics and epigenetics of thyroid cancer are gradually increasing, and gene mutations and methylation changes play an important roles in its occurrence and development. Although the role of RAS and BRAF mutations in thyroid cancer have been partially clarified,but the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of thyroid cancer remain to be elucidated. Epigenetic modification refer to genetic modification that does not change the DNA sequence of a gene but causes heritable phenotypic changes in its expression. Epigenetic modification mainly includes four aspects: DNA methylation, chromatin remodelling, noncoding RNA regulation, and histone modification. This article reviews the importance of thyroid cancer epigenetic modification and BRAF gene mutation in the treatment of thyroid cancer.
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Corrado A, Aceto R, Silvestri R, Dell'Anno I, Ricci B, Miglietta S, Romei C, Giovannoni R, Poliseno L, Evangelista M, Vitiello M, Cipollini M, Garritano S, Giusti L, Zallocco L, Elisei R, Landi S, Gemignani F. Pro64His (rs4644) Polymorphism Within Galectin-3 Is a Risk Factor of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma and Affects the Transcriptome of Thyrocytes Engineered via CRISPR/Cas9 System. Thyroid 2021; 31:1056-1066. [PMID: 33308024 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2020.0366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background: Galectin-3 (LGALS3) is an important glycoprotein involved in the malignant transformation of thyrocytes acting in the extracellular matrix, cytoplasm, and nucleus where it regulates TTF-1 and TCF4 transcription factors. Within LGALS3 gene, a common single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (c.191C>A, p.Pro64His; rs4644) encoding for the variant Proline to Histidine at codon 64 has been extensively studied. However, data on rs4644 in the context of thyroid cancer are lacking. Thus, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the role of the rs4644 SNP as risk factor for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and to determine the effect on the transcriptome in thyrocytes. Methods: A case/control association study in 1223 controls and 1142 unrelated consecutive DTC patients was carried out to evaluate the association between rs4644-P64H and the risk of DTC. We used the nonmalignant cell line Nthy-Ori (rs4644-C/A) and the CRISPR/Cas9 technique to generate isogenic cells carrying either the rs4644-A/A or rs4644-C/C homozygosis. Then, the transcriptome of the derivative and unmodified parental cells was analyzed by RNA-seq. Genes differentially expressed were validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR and further tested in the parental Nthy-Ori cells after LGALS3 gene silencing, to investigate whether the expression of target genes was dependent on galectin-3 levels. Results: rs4644 AA genotype was associated with a reduced risk of DTC (compared with CC, ORadj = 0.66; 95% confidence interval = 0.46-0.93; Pass = 0.02). We found that rs4644 affects galectin-3 as a transcriptional coregulator. Among 34 genes affected by rs4644, HES1, HSPA6, SPC24, and NHS were of particular interest since their expression was rs4644-dependent (CC>AA for the first and AA>CC for the others), also in 574 thyroid tissues of Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) biobank. Moreover, the expression of these genes was regulated by LGALS3-silencing. Using the proximity ligation assay in Nthy-Ori cells, we found that the TTF-1 interaction was genotype dependent. Conclusions: Our data show that in thyroid, rs4644 is a trans-expression quantitative trait locus that can modify the transcriptional expression of downstream genes, through the modulation of TTF-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alda Corrado
- Genetic Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Romina Aceto
- Genetic Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre-IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Silvestri
- Genetic Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Irene Dell'Anno
- Genetic Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Benedetta Ricci
- Fondazione I.R.C.C.S., Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Miglietta
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Romei
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Laura Poliseno
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Monica Cipollini
- Genetic Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sonia Garritano
- Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Laura Giusti
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zallocco
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossella Elisei
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Landi
- Genetic Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Lee JJ, Hsu YC, Li YS, Cheng SP. Galectin-3 Inhibitors Suppress Anoikis Resistance and Invasive Capacity in Thyroid Cancer Cells. Int J Endocrinol 2021; 2021:5583491. [PMID: 34035807 PMCID: PMC8124007 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5583491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that galectin-3 is a histologic marker of thyroid cancer. However, the pharmacological lectin-based approach has not been well studied. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of novel galectin-3 inhibitors by treating thyroid cancer cells with different concentrations of GB1107 or TD139. At high doses, TD139, but not GB1107, reduced cell viability and clonogenicity of thyroid cancer cells. TD139 induced apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells, as evident by an increase in the percentage of sub-G1 cells on cell cycle analysis, caspase-3 activation, and PARP1 cleavage. Either GB1107 or TD139 significantly inhibited cell coherence and counteracted anoikis resistance. Both inhibitors decreased migratory and invasive abilities in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, GB1107 and TD139 treatment attenuated AKT phosphorylation and decreased the expression of β-catenin and MMP2. In conclusion, these novel galectin-3 inhibitors suppressed the anoikis resistance, motility, and invasive capacity of thyroid cancer cells at least partly through the AKT/β-catenin pathway. Galectin-3 inhibitors are potentially suitable for preclinical evaluation of treatment and/or prevention of metastatic spread in thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Jen Lee
- Department of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital and Mackay Medical College, Taipei 104215, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chiung Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan City 320317, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Syuan Li
- Department of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104215, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ping Cheng
- Department of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital and Mackay Medical College, Taipei 104215, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan
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Liu Y, Xie L, Wang D, Li D, Xu G, Wang L, Zhou H, Yu Y, Lin Z, Lu H. Galectin-3 and β-catenin are associated with a poor prognosis in serous epithelial ovarian cancer. Cancer Manag Res 2018; 10:3963-3971. [PMID: 30310317 PMCID: PMC6165784 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s171146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study was designed to explore the expression levels of Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and β-catenin in serous epithelial ovarian cancer (SEOC), the linkage between their expressions, and the clinicopathological features of SEOC patients. Patients and methods Seventy-four SEOC patients' specimens were detected for Gal-3 and β-Catenin expressions using immunohistochemistry, and the association between β-catenin or Gal-3 protein expressions and clinicopathological features, treatment effects, and prognosis were analyzed using SPSS 19.0. Western blot was used to analyze protein expressions of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in ovarian cancer cell lines. Results There was a statistically significant positive correlation between Gal-3 and β-catenin expressions in SEOC (r=0.304 and P=0.001). Gal-3 expression was related to the grade (P=0.037), clinical stage (P=0.034), platinum resistance (P=0.030), and recurrence (P=0.001) in SEOC. There was a significant correlation between β-catenin with recurrence in SEOC (P=0.035). Platinum resistance (P=0.003) and Gal-3 expression (P<0.001) were independent risk factors for poorer overall survival (OS). OS of the strongly positive Gal-3 group was significantly lower than that of the negative and weakly positive groups (log-rank test, P=0.001). OS of the positive β-catenin group was lower than that of the negative β-catenin group (log-rank test, P=0.034). Downregulating Gal-3 expression attenuated the protein expressions of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in ovarian cancer cell lines. Conclusion Gal-3 might activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in SEOC. Hence, Gal-3 may serve as a prognostic factor for SEOC. Targeting Gal-3 may be a promising new treatment approach for SEOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Liu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, .,Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Gene Regulation and Target Therapy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,
| | - Lingling Xie
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, .,Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Gene Regulation and Target Therapy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,
| | - Dongyan Wang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,
| | - Da Li
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,
| | - Guocai Xu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,
| | - Hui Zhou
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,
| | - Yuefei Yu
- Department of Research and Development, Guangzhou Hengtai Biotech Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Department of Research and Development, Ameritech Biomedicines, Inc., Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhongqiu Lin
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,
| | - Huaiwu Lu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, .,Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Gene Regulation and Target Therapy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China,
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ZHAO YINLONG, LIU XIAODONG, ZHONG LILI, HE MENGZI, CHEN SILIN, WANG TIEJUN, MA SHUMEI. The combined use of miRNAs and mRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Int J Mol Med 2015; 36:1097-103. [DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2015.2305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Labrie M, Vladoiu M, Leclerc BG, Grosset AA, Gaboury L, Stagg J, St-Pierre Y. A Mutation in the Carbohydrate Recognition Domain Drives a Phenotypic Switch in the Role of Galectin-7 in Prostate Cancer. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131307. [PMID: 26168167 PMCID: PMC4500561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The observation that galectin-7 (gal-7) is specifically expressed in mammary myoepithelial (basal) cells prompted us to investigate whether this protein is expressed in the basal cells of other tissues. Given that breast and prostate cancer have remarkable underlying biological similarities and given the important roles of basal cells in prostate cancer, we examined the expression patterns and role of gal-7 in human prostate cancer. Using tissue microarray, we found that although gal-7 is readily expressed in basal cells in normal prostate tissue, it is downregulated in prostate cancer (PCa) cells. De novo expression of gal-7 in prostate cancer cells increases their sensitivity to apoptosis in response to etoposide and cisplatin. The assessment of a carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD)-defective mutant form of gal-7 (R7S) showed that the ability of this protein to modulate apoptosis was independent of its CRD activity. This activity was also independent of its ability to translocate to the mitochondrial and nuclear compartments. However, CRD activity was necessary to inhibit the invasive behaviors of prostate cancer cells. In vivo, gal-7 overexpression in PCa cells led to a modest yet significant reduction in tumor size, while its CRD-defective mutant form significantly increased tumor growth compared to controls. Taken together, these results suggest that although de novo expression of gal-7 may be an interesting means of increasing the tumorigenic phenotypes of PCa cells, alterations in the CRD activity of this protein drive a phenotypic switch in its role in PCa cells. This CRD-independent activity represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of the functions of galectin. The R74S model will be useful to distinguish CRD-dependent and CRD-independent functions of gal-7 in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Vladoiu
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Bruno G. Leclerc
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Andrée-Anne Grosset
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval, Québec, Canada
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Louis Gaboury
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - John Stagg
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Yves St-Pierre
- INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval, Québec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Wang LP, Chen SW, Zhuang SM, Li H, Song M. Galectin-3 accelerates the progression of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma via a Wnt/β-catenin-dependent pathway. Pathol Oncol Res 2013; 19:461-74. [PMID: 23519607 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-013-9603-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinicopathological significance and mechanism of action of galectin-3 in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). Here, the expression of galectin-3 was quantified in OTSCC (n = 68) and paired OTSCC and normal surrounding tissues (n = 10) using immunohistochemical staining. Tca8113 OTSCC cells were transfected with a plasmid expressing galectin-3 cDNA or siRNA against galectin-3. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were measured using the MTT assay, Matrigel-coated Transwell migration assay and wound healing assay. The effect of galectin-3 on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) were investigated using a plasmid expressing the Wnt antagonist dickkopf 1 (DKK1) and Western blotting. Galectin-3 was expressed at significantly higher levels in OTSCC than the normal adjacent tissues; galectin-3 expression correlated strongly with pathological stage, pathological grade and lymph node invasion in OTSCC. Overexpression of galectin-3 promoted Tca8113 cell proliferation, migration and invasion, upregulated Wnt protein expression, activated β-catenin and induced the EMT; knockdown of galectin-3 had the opposite effects. Co-transfection of Tca8113 cells overexpressing galectin-3 with the Wnt antagonist DKK1 reduced the ability of galectin-3 to increase cell proliferation, migration and invasion, reduced upregulation of Wnt, inhibited β-catenin activation and abrogated the EMT, demonstrating that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway mediated the effects of galectin-3. Galectin-3 plays an important role in the progression of OTSCC via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Dong Road, Guangzhou 510060, People's Republic of China
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Comodo AN, Lacerda Bachi AL, Soares MF, Franco M, Castro Teixeira VDP. Galectin-3 expression favors metastasis in murine melanoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/abb.2013.410a3007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Erovic BM, Kim D, Cassol C, Goldstein DP, Irish JC, Asa SL, Mete O. Prognostic and predictive markers in medullary thyroid carcinoma. Endocr Pathol 2012; 23:232-42. [PMID: 23150029 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-012-9225-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Unlike papillary thyroid carcinoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma is insensitive to adjuvant treatment with radioactive iodine. The clinical management of patients with advanced or metastatic disease remains challenging since no effective systemic adjuvant therapy is available. We aimed to identify markers of aggressive disease and novel drugable protein targets that would provide systemic adjuvant treatment for patients with advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma. We therefore examined morphologic features of aggressive behavior and the expression of 41 proteins involved in apoptosis, cell cycle, angiogenesis, inflammation, cell adhesion, tumor-specific markers, and WNT, SHH, and AKT pathways using tissue microarray from 23 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma. Protein expression was determined using computerized image analysis software. Statistical analysis was carried out to correlate clinical data with the average score for each marker. Angioinvasion proved to be the most reliable predictor of disease recurrence and death. The rate of angioinvasion was 43 %. All angioinvasive medullary thyroid carcinomas had locoregional and/or distant metastasis; 60 % of angioinvasive medullary thyroid carcinomas developed distant metastasis. We identified expression of several potentially important protein targets such as COX-1/2, Bcl-2a, Gst-π, Gli-1, Gli-2, Gli-3, and Bmi-1 that may be therapeutically targeted in medullary thyroid carcinoma. More importantly, the immunohistochemical profile of SSTRs in medullary thyroid carcinoma may also have clinical relevance for the administration of peptide receptor radionuclide treatment. Successful outcome of clinical trials directed against these novel targets would provide much needed systemic adjuvant treatment for patients with advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma, and our data suggest the possibility of stratifying patients who are likely to require adjuvant therapy before their burden of disease precludes successful therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boban M Erovic
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery/Surgical Oncology, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Lu C, Zhu X, Willingham MC, Cheng SY. Activation of tumor cell proliferation by thyroid hormone in a mouse model of follicular thyroid carcinoma. Oncogene 2011; 31:2007-16. [PMID: 21909131 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2011.390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancers are the most common malignancy of the endocrine system in humans. To understand the molecular genetic events underlying thyroid carcinogenesis, we have generated a mouse model that spontaneously develops follicular thyroid carcinoma similar to human thyroid cancer (Thrb(PV/PV) mouse). This mutant mouse harbors a dominant-negative mutated thyroid hormone receptor β (denoted PV). The PV mutation was identified in a patient with resistance to thyroid hormone (TH). Thrb(PV/PV) mice exhibit highly elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels and increased TH. We have previously shown that thyroid-stimulating hormone is required, but not sufficient to induce metastatic follicular thyroid cancer in Thrb(PV/PV) mice. However, whether the elevated TH also contributes to the thyroid carcinogenesis of Thrb(PV/PV) mice was not elucidated. To understand the role of TH in thyroid carcinogenesis, we blocked the production of TH by treating Thrb(PV/PV) mice with propylthiouracil (Thrb(PV/PV)-PTU mice) and compared the development of thyroid cancer in Thrb(PV/PV)-PTU and untreated Thrb(PV/PV) mice. We found that thyroid tumor growth was reduced by ∼42% in Thrb(PV/PV)-PTU mice as compared with Thrb(PV/PV) mice. Analysis by bromodeoxyuridine-nuclear labeling showed decreased incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine in thyroid tumor cells of Thrb(PV/PV)-PTU mice, indicative of decreased tumor cell proliferation. However, cleaved-caspase 3 staining showed no apparent changes in apoptosis of tumor cells in Thrb(PV/PV)-PTU mice. Molecular studies identified a marked attenuation of the PI3K-AKT-β-catenin signaling pathway that led to decreased protein levels of cyclin D2, thereby decreasing tumor cell proliferation in Thrb(PV/PV)-PTU mice. Furthermore, matrix metalloproteinase-2, a downstream target of β-catenin and a key regulator during tumor invasion and metastasis, was also decreased. Thus, the present study uncovers a critical role of TH in promoting the thyroid carcinogenesis of Thrb(PV/PV) mice via membrane signaling events. Importantly, these findings suggest that anti-thyroid drugs could be considered as possible therapeutic agents of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Lu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-4264, USA
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Acikalin MF, Etiz D, Gurbuz MK, Ozudogru E, Canaz F, Colak E. Prognostic significance of galectin-3 and cyclin D1 expression in undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Med Oncol 2011; 29:742-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s12032-011-9971-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 04/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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de Faria PR, Chammas R, de Melo TL, Hsu DK, Liu FT, Nonogaki S, Cardoso SV, Loyola AM. Absence of galectin-3 does not affect the development of experimental tongue carcinomas in mice. Exp Mol Pathol 2010; 90:189-93. [PMID: 21194530 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2010.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2010] [Revised: 12/18/2010] [Accepted: 12/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Galectin-3 is a lectin that presents pivotal roles in tumor biology and there are no studies evaluating their expression in dysplasias and carcinomas developed from tongue carcinogenesis models. AIMS To investigate the role of galectin-3 in the development of tongue carcinomas using a mouse model of oral carcinogenesis. METHODS Galectin-3-deficient (gal3(-/-)) and wild-type (gal3(+/+)) mice were challenged with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide in drinking water for 16weeks and killed at different times. Tongues were removed and the number of dysplasias and carcinomas was counted. An immunohistochemical study for galectin-3 was performed only in the tongue from gal3(+/+) mice. RESULTS In both groups, a reduction of dysplasias and an increase of carcinomas from week 16 to week 32 (p>0.05) were observed. A predominance of high cytoplasmic and nuclear galectin-3 expression was observed in carcinomas (64.7%) and dysplasias (55.5%), respectively (p>0.05). The perilesional areas always presented a statistical cytoplasmic and nuclear galectin-3 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS Absence of galectin-3 did not directly affect the process of carcinogenesis and a cytoplasm shift of galectin-3 seems to be associated with development of tongue carcinomas.
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Investigation of galectin-3 and heparanase in endometrioid and serous carcinomas of the endometrium and correlation with known predictors of survival. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2010; 284:1231-9. [PMID: 21153652 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-010-1766-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Accepted: 11/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inhibitors of tumor angiogenesis and metastasis are emerging as important new drug candidates for cancer therapy. Galectin-3 and heparanase have been shown to function in tumor progression and metastatic spread. Both of them exert pleiotropic effects; proliferation, cell migration, differentiation and tissue remodeling. The aim of this study was to investigate heparanase and galectin-3 expression in endometrioid and serous carcinomas of the endometrium and their relation with well-known prognostic factors, in addition to estrogen, progesterone, C-erbB-2, Ki-67 and p53. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-four endometrial cancers, which include 24 serous types, were obtained from previously untreated patients. Immunohistochemical analysis of 64 carcinomas, 20 endometrial hyperplasia (ten of simple hyperplasia and ten of complex atypic hyperplasia) and 20 normal endometrium (ten of proliferative and ten of secretory) was performed. CONCLUSION This investigation suggests that the decreased expression of galectin-3 may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial carcinomas from normal endometrium to carcinoma. Also down-regulated stromal expression of galectin-3 in endometrial carcinoma may be involved in lymph node metastasis. Further studies on a larger advanced stage (FIGO stage 3-4) endometrial carcinoma group may determine the value of heparanase in the endometrial carcinoma.
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Cho NL, Lin CI, Whang EE, Carothers AM, Moore FD, Ruan DT. Sulindac reverses aberrant expression and localization of beta-catenin in papillary thyroid cancer cells with the BRAFV600E mutation. Thyroid 2010; 20:615-22. [PMID: 20470206 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2009.0415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is implicated in thyroid tumorigenesis, and up to 90% of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) demonstrate aberrant expression of beta-catenin. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs reverse aberrant beta-catenin expression and localization in colon cancer. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug sulindac would reverse aberrant beta-catenin activity in thyroid cancer cells. METHODS beta-catenin protein levels were determined in thyroidectomy specimens from six consecutive patients and in three different thyroid cancer cells lines (8505-C, KTC-1, and TPC-1) by immunoblotting. Cells of 8505-C and KTC-1 harbor the BRAF(V600E) mutation, and TPC-1 has the RET/PTC rearrangement. All cell lines were treated with sulindac (100 microM for up to 72 hours). Protein levels of c-myc and cyclin D1 were detected by immunoblotting, and beta-catenin localization was determined by immunocytochemistry in the PTC cell lines. PCCL3 rat thyroid cells that conditionally overexpress either BRAF(V600E) or RET/PTC were also treated with sulindac. RESULTS All PTC specimens and cell lines expressed high levels of beta-catenin protein and displayed aberrant nuclear and cytoplasmic localization of beta-catenin. Exposure to sulindac for 48 hours reduced beta-catenin expression in 8505-C and KTC-1 cells, but not in TPC-1 cells. Further, sulindac treatment reduced c-myc and cyclin D1 levels in 8505-C and KTC-1 cells, but had no effect in TPC-1 cells. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that sulindac treatment redistributed beta-catenin from the nucleus to the membrane in 8505-C and KTC-1 cells. However, sulindac did not affect beta-catenin localization in TPC-1 cells. Finally, sulindac was effective in decreasing beta-catenin expression and cellular proliferation in BRAF(V600E)-overexpressing cells, but not in RET/PTC3-overexpressing cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our findings demonstrate that sulindac treatment reverses beta-catenin activity in 8505-C and KTC-1 cell lines with the BRAF(V600E), but not in TPC-1 cells with the RET/PTC mutation. Future studies should investigate the potential for beta-catenin-directed therapy for patients with advanced thyroid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy L Cho
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Chiu CG, Strugnell SS, Griffith OL, Jones SJM, Gown AM, Walker B, Nabi IR, Wiseman SM. Diagnostic utility of galectin-3 in thyroid cancer. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2010; 176:2067-81. [PMID: 20363921 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.090353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Galectin-3 (Gal-3), which has received significant recent attention for its utility as a diagnostic marker for thyroid cancer, represents the most well-studied molecular candidate for thyroid cancer diagnosis. Gal-3 is a protein that binds to beta-galactosidase residues on cell surface glycoproteins and has also been identified in the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartment. This marker has been implicated in regulation of normal cellular proliferation and apoptosis, as well as malignant transformation and the metastasis of cancer cells. We here present a mechanistic review of Gal-3 and its role in cancer development and progression. Gal-3 expression studies in thyroid tissue and cytologic tumor specimens and their methodological considerations are also discussed in this article. Despite great variance in their methodology, the majority of immunohistochemical studies found that Gal-3 was differentially expressed in thyroid carcinoma compared with benign and normal thyroid specimens, suggesting that Gal-3 is a good diagnostic marker for thyroid cancer. Recent studies have also demonstrated improved methodological reliability. On the other hand, Gal-3 genomic expression studies have shown inconsistent results for diagnostic utility and are not recommended. Overall, the development of Gal-3 as a diagnostic marker for thyroid cancer represents a promising avenue for future study, and its clinical application could significantly reduce the number of diagnostic thyroid operations performed for cases of indeterminant fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology, and thus positively impact the current management of thyroid nodular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie G Chiu
- Department of Surgery, St. Paul's Hospital and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Parameswaran R, Brooks S, Sadler GP. Molecular pathogenesis of follicular cell derived thyroid cancers. Int J Surg 2010; 8:186-93. [PMID: 20097316 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2010.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2009] [Revised: 01/02/2010] [Accepted: 01/10/2010] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancers are the most common endocrine malignancy. Radiation exposure, family history of thyroid cancer and some inherited conditions are the most important predisposing factors for the development of thyroid cancer. Three mitogenic signalling pathways have been described in the thyroid cell, which are influenced by various stimulatory and inhibitory hormones, growth factors and neurotransmitters. Various proto-oncogenes and oncogenes like ras, braf, trk, met and RET also play a role in the signal transduction systems. Two theories have been described in thyroid cancer pathogenesis, the foetal cell carcinogenesis theory and the more common, multistep carcinogenesis theory. The multistep carcinogenesis theory is now the accepted model in many human cancers, including thyroid cancer. The early events of tumour formation are the consequence of activation of either various growth factors or the proto-oncogenes like ras, met or ret. This results in the formation of differentiated thyroid cancers like the papillary, follicular or Hurthle cell cancers. The later stages of tumour formation involve further activation of proto-oncogenes and loss or inactivation of tumour suppressor genes like p53. Based on this theory, follicular carcinomas are generated from follicular adenomas and papillary carcinomas from precursor cells generated from thyrocytes. Anaplastic carcinoma may develop from papillary or follicular carcinoma by dedifferentiation. In this review article, we highlight the molecular pathogenesis of thyroid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Parameswaran
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DY, United Kingdom
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Ferrazzo KL, Neto MM, dos Santos E, dos Santos Pinto D, de Sousa SOM. Differential expression of galectin-3, β-catenin, and cyclin D1 in adenoid cystic carcinoma and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma of salivary glands. J Oral Pathol Med 2009; 38:701-7. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2009.00776.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Song D, Chaerkady R, Tan AC, García-García E, Nalli A, Suárez-Gauthier A, López-Ríos F, Zhang XF, Solomon A, Tong J, Read M, Fritz C, Jimeno A, Pandey A, Hidalgo M. Antitumor activity and molecular effects of the novel heat shock protein 90 inhibitor, IPI-504, in pancreatic cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2008; 7:3275-84. [PMID: 18852131 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-08-0508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Targeting Hsp90 is an attractive strategy for anticancer therapy because the diversity and relevance of biological processes are regulated by these proteins in most cancers. However, the role and mode of action of Hsp90 inhibitors in pancreatic cancer has not been studied. This study aimed to assess the antitumor activity of the Hsp90 inhibitor, IPI-504, in pancreatic cancer and to determine the biological effects of the agent. In vitro, we show that pharmacologic inhibition of Hsp90 by IPI-504 exerts antiproliferative effects in a panel of pancreatic cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In pancreatic cancer xenografts obtained directly from patients with pancreas cancer, the agent resulted in a marked suppression of tumor growth. Although known Hsp90 client proteins were significantly modulated in IPI-504-treated cell line, no consistent alteration of these proteins was observed in vivo other than induction of Hsp70 expression in the treated xenografted tumors. Using a proteomic profiling analysis with isotope tags for relative and absolute quantitation labeling technique, we have identified 20 down-regulated proteins and 42 up-regulated proteins on IPI-504 treatment.tumor growth Identical changes were observed in the expression of the genes coding for these proteins in a subset of proteins including HSPA1B, LGALS3, CALM1, FAM84B, FDPS, GOLPH2, HBA1, HIST1H1C, HLA-B, and MARCKS. The majority of these proteins belong to the functional class of intracellular signal transduction, immune response, cell growth and maintenance, transport, and metabolism. In summary, we show that IPI-504 has potent antitumor activity in pancreatic cancer and identify potential pharmacologic targets using a proteomics and gene expression profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongweon Song
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans Street, Room 1M89, Baltimore, MD 21230, USA
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Saussez S, Glinoer D, Chantrain G, Pattou F, Carnaille B, André S, Gabius HJ, Laurent G. Serum galectin-1 and galectin-3 levels in benign and malignant nodular thyroid disease. Thyroid 2008; 18:705-12. [PMID: 18630998 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2007.0361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the histological expression of galectins is increased in thyroid carcinoma, determination of their serum levels may provide useful preoperative information. The goal of this study was to determine if a difference in galectin serum levels could be detected between benign and malignant nodular thyroid diseases. DESIGN Using validated ELISAs, the concentrations of several galectins were prospectively measured in serum samples from 30 healthy individuals and preoperatively in 90 patients with thyroid disease. Seventy-one patients had multiple thyroid nodules (MTN), 13 patients had a single thyroid nodule (STN), and 6 patients had Graves' disease. Nine of 71 patients with MTN had fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of their nodules and in 7 patients a "benign" diagnosis was made, in 0 patient a "malignant" diagnosis was made, and in 2 patients a "suspicious" diagnosis was made. Six of 13 patients with STN had FNAB of their nodules and in 2 patients a "benign" diagnosis was made, in 3 patients a "malignant" diagnosis was made, and in 1 patient a "suspicious" diagnosis was made. RESULTS Thyroid disease was associated with higher levels of galectins-1 and -3 compared to normal subjects. Using a threshold value of 3.2 ng/mL as a cut-off point, the measurement of serum galectin-3 separated micro- and macropapillary thyroid carcinoma (PAP_CA) from patients with nonmalignant thyroid disease with 74% specificity, 73% sensitivity, 57% positive predictive value, and 85% negative predictive value. Elevated serum galectin-3 concentrations (>3.2 ng/mL) detected 87% of macropapillary thyroid carcinomas and 67% of micropapillary thyroid carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS Serum levels of galectins-1 and -3 are relatively high in patients with thyroid malignancy but there is considerable overlap in serum galectin-3 concentrations between those with benign and malignant nodular thyroid disease and, to a lesser extent, between those with and without nodular thyroid disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Saussez
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mons-Hainaut, Mons, Belgium.
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