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Giordano G, Ferioli E, Tafuni A. The Role of Mesothelin Expression in Serous Ovarian Carcinoma: Impacts on Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092283. [PMID: 35565412 PMCID: PMC9103848 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesothelin (MSLN) is a protein expressed in the mesothelial cell lining of the pleura, peritoneum, and pericardium; its biological functions in normal cells are still unknown. Experimental studies using knockout mice have suggested that this molecule does not play an important role in development and reproduction. In contrast, it has been observed that this molecule is produced in abnormal amounts in several malignant neoplasms, such as mesotheliomas and pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Many molecular studies have also demonstrated that mesothelin is overexpressed in HSOCs. Here, we discuss the current knowledge of mesothelin and focus on its role in clinical and pathological diagnoses, as well as its impact on the prognosis of HSOC. Moreover, regarding the binding of MSLN to the ovarian cancer antigen CA125, which has been demonstrated in many studies, we also report on signal transduction pathways that may play an important role in the spread and neoplastic progression of this lethal neoplasm. Given that mesothelin is overexpressed in many solid tumours and has antigenic properties, this molecule could be considered an antigenic target for the treatment of many malignancies. Consequently, we also review the literature to report on mesothelin-targeting therapies for HSOC that have been recently investigated in many clinical studies.
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Rickard BP, Conrad C, Sorrin AJ, Ruhi MK, Reader JC, Huang SA, Franco W, Scarcelli G, Polacheck WJ, Roque DM, del Carmen MG, Huang HC, Demirci U, Rizvi I. Malignant Ascites in Ovarian Cancer: Cellular, Acellular, and Biophysical Determinants of Molecular Characteristics and Therapy Response. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4318. [PMID: 34503128 PMCID: PMC8430600 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascites refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneum resulting from an underlying pathology, such as metastatic cancer. Among all cancers, advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer is most frequently associated with the production of malignant ascites and is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. Despite decades of evidence showing that the accumulation of peritoneal fluid portends the poorest outcomes for cancer patients, the role of malignant ascites in promoting metastasis and therapy resistance remains poorly understood. This review summarizes the current understanding of malignant ascites, with a focus on ovarian cancer. The first section provides an overview of heterogeneity in ovarian cancer and the pathophysiology of malignant ascites. Next, analytical methods used to characterize the cellular and acellular components of malignant ascites, as well the role of these components in modulating cell biology, are discussed. The review then provides a perspective on the pressures and forces that tumors are subjected to in the presence of malignant ascites and the impact of physical stress on therapy resistance. Treatment options for malignant ascites, including surgical, pharmacological and photochemical interventions are then discussed to highlight challenges and opportunities at the interface of drug discovery, device development and physical sciences in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany P. Rickard
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
| | - Christina Conrad
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.C.); (A.J.S.); (G.S.); (H.-C.H.)
| | - Aaron J. Sorrin
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.C.); (A.J.S.); (G.S.); (H.-C.H.)
| | - Mustafa Kemal Ruhi
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
| | - Jocelyn C. Reader
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (J.C.R.); (D.M.R.)
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Stephanie A. Huang
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
| | - Walfre Franco
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA;
| | - Giuliano Scarcelli
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.C.); (A.J.S.); (G.S.); (H.-C.H.)
| | - William J. Polacheck
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Dana M. Roque
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (J.C.R.); (D.M.R.)
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Marcela G. del Carmen
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Huang-Chiao Huang
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.C.); (A.J.S.); (G.S.); (H.-C.H.)
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Utkan Demirci
- Bio-Acoustic MEMS in Medicine (BAMM) Laboratory, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA;
| | - Imran Rizvi
- Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27599, USA; (M.K.R.); (S.A.H.); (W.J.P.)
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Fujii Y, Kamachi H, Matsuzawa F, Mizukami T, Kobayashi N, Fukai M, Taketomi A. Early administration of amatuximab, a chimeric high-affinity anti-mesothelin monoclonal antibody, suppresses liver metastasis of mesothelin-expressing pancreatic cancer cells and enhances gemcitabine sensitivity in a xenograft mouse model. Invest New Drugs 2021; 39:1256-1266. [PMID: 33905019 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-021-01118-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Amatuximab is a promising therapeutic antibody targeting mesothelin, a 40-kDa glycoprotein that is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer. We investigated the effectiveness of early amatuximab treatment, imitating an adjuvant chemotherapy setting, and combination therapy with amatuximab and gemcitabine in liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Liver metastasis mouse models were established in 8-week-old male BALB/c nu/nu mice using the hemisplenic injection method. Tridaily amatuximab monotherapy or combination with gemcitabine was administered to the liver metastasis mouse model before metastatic lesions had formed huge masses. Gaussia luciferase-transfected AsPC-1 was used as a mesothelin-overexpressing pancreatic cancer cell line. The amount of liver metastases and the serum luciferase activity were significantly lower in the treatment groups than those in the control IgG group. Notably, the anti-tumor activity of gemcitabine was synergically enhanced by combination therapy with amatuximab. Furthermore, western blotting revealed that the high expression of phosphorylated c-Met and AKT in liver metastatic lesions treated with gemcitabine monotherapy was canceled by its combination with amatuximab. This result indicated that the observed synergic therapeutic effect may have occurred as a result of the inhibitory effect of amatuximab on the phosphorylation of c-Met and AKT, which were promoted by exposure to GEM. In conclusion, our study revealed that early administration of amatuximab alone or in combination with GEM significantly suppressed the liver metastases of mesothelin-expressing pancreatic cancer cells. A phase II clinical trial of amatuximab as part of an adjuvant chemotherapy regimen for resected pancreatic cancer is expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Fujii
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery 1, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N15W7, Kitaku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Kamachi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery 1, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N15W7, Kitaku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Fumihiko Matsuzawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery 1, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N15W7, Kitaku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Tatsuzo Mizukami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery 1, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N15W7, Kitaku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Nozomi Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery 1, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N15W7, Kitaku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Moto Fukai
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery 1, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N15W7, Kitaku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Akinobu Taketomi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery 1, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N15W7, Kitaku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
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Giampaolino P, Foreste V, Della Corte L, Di Filippo C, Iorio G, Bifulco G. Role of biomarkers for early detection of ovarian cancer recurrence. Gland Surg 2020; 9:1102-1111. [PMID: 32953625 DOI: 10.21037/gs-20-544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage and a fraction of these patients fail to respond to primary therapy and relapses in 70% of cases. On account of the high recurrence probability and the poor outcomes after recurrence, there is an urgent need to predict progression as early as possible and thus found the strategies to detect and prevent a recurrence. Considering that biomarkers have contributed to the management of ovarian cancer by distinguishing benign and malignant pelvic masses and monitoring response to treatment, in this review, we aim to discuss the latest evidence reported in the literature about the use of biomarkers to detect OC recurrence. In detail, we summarized all the evidence of the most quoted biomarkers like HE4, osteopontin, mesothelin (MSLN), Folate receptor α (FOLR1), paraneoplastic antigens, miRNA, cancer stem cells (CSCs) and a combination of them to evaluate their role as prognostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierluigi Giampaolino
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Virginia Foreste
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Della Corte
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Di Filippo
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Iorio
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bifulco
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Sun NY, Chen YL, Lin HW, Chiang YC, Chang CF, Tai YJ, Chen CA, Sun WZ, Chien CL, Cheng WF. Immune checkpoint Ab enhances the antigen-specific anti-tumor effects by modulating both dendritic cells and regulatory T lymphocytes. Cancer Lett 2018; 444:20-34. [PMID: 30543813 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
We determined the anti-tumor effects and possible mechanisms of an antigen-specific DNA vaccine combined with PD-1 or CTLA-4 blockade. Using the HPV16 E6/E7+ syngeneic mouse tumor model, we investigated whether anti-CTLA-4 antibody (Ab) or anti-PD-1 Ab increases the antigen-specific anti-tumor effects and immune response induced by CTGF/E7 chimeric DNA vaccine and the possible mechanisms. Anti-PD-1 Ab or anti-CTLA-4 Ab combined with E7-specific DNA vaccine generated more potent antigen-specific immunity, including anti-E7 Abs and the number and cytotoxic activity of E7-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes, and anti-tumor effects than E7-specific DNA vaccine alone. In addition, the number of systemic and intratumoral Tregs was lower with the anti-PD-1 or anti-CTLA-4 Ab and E7-specific DNA vaccine. Furthermore, anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 Abs could enhance the maturation and abilities of intratumoral DCs to activate E7-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Immune checkpoint blockade overcomes the immunosuppressive status of the tumor-microenvironment to enhance the antigen-specific immunity and anti-tumor effects generated by an antigen-specific DNA vaccine. Antigen-specific immunotherapy combined with immune checkpoint blockade can be a novel strategy in clinical cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nai-Yun Sun
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Li Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Wei Lin
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Cheng Chiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Fang Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jou Tai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-An Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Zen Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Liang Chien
- Graduate Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Fang Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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6
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Chen YL, Chang MC, Chiang YC, Lin HW, Sun NY, Chen CA, Sun WZ, Cheng WF. Immuno-modulators enhance antigen-specific immunity and anti-tumor effects of mesothelin-specific chimeric DNA vaccine through promoting DC maturation. Cancer Lett 2018; 425:152-163. [PMID: 29596890 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
As a tumor antigen, mesothelin (MSLN) can be identified in various malignancies. MSLN is potential for antigen-specific cancer vaccines. We generated a novel chimeric DNA vaccine using antigen-specific connective tissue growth factor lined with MSLN (CTGF/MSLN). The anti-tumor effects of the CTGF/MSLN DNA vaccine combined with anti-CD40 Ab and toll-like receptor 3 ligand-poly(I:C) were validated in an MSLN-expressing model. CTGF/MSLN DNA with anti-CD40Ab and poly(I:C) vaccinated mice demonstrated potent anti-tumor effects with longer survival and less tumor volumes. An increase in MSLN-specific CD8+ T cells and anti-MSLN Ab titers was also noted in CTGF/MSLN DNA with anti-CD40Ab and poly(I:C) vaccinated mice. The CTGF/MSLN DNA vaccine combined with immuno-modulator EGCG also generated potent anti-tumor effects. Immuno-modulators could enhance the antigen-specific anti-tumor effects of CTGF/MSLN DNA vaccine through promoting the DC maturation. In addition, MSLN-specific cell-based vaccine with AAV-IL-12 and the CTGF/MSLN DNA vaccine with anti-CD40Ab/polyp(I:C) generated more potent anti-tumor effects than the other combinational regimens. The results indicate that an MSLN-specific DNA vaccine combined with immuno-modulators may be an effective immunotherapeutic strategy to control MSLN-expressing tumors including ovarian and pancreastic cancers, and malignant mesothelioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Li Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Cheng Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Isotope Application Division, Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Cheng Chiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Wei Lin
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Nai-Yun Sun
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Chi-An Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Zen Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Fang Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
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Chang MC, Chen YL, Chiang YC, Cheng YJ, Jen YW, Chen CA, Cheng WF, Sun WZ. Anti-CD40 antibody and toll-like receptor 3 ligand restore dendritic cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity suppressed by morphine. Am J Cancer Res 2016; 6:157-172. [PMID: 27186393 PMCID: PMC4859650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The influence of morphine on host immunity and the underlying mechanism are still unclear. In the current study, we investigated the influence of morphine on dendritic cells (DCs), its possible mechanism of action, and the molecules that could reverse these effects. Morphine suppressed DC maturation, antigen presenting abilities, and the ability to activate antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells. Morphine-treated DCs also secreted higher concentrations of IL-10, but lower IL-6 and TNF-α. Morphine-treated DCs showed decreased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and reduced p38 dephosphorylation. The in vivo administration of immuno-modulators, anti-CD40 Ab and TLR3 ligand-poly(I:C), enhanced antigen-specific immunity, promoted the anti-tumor effects, and prolonged the survival of morphine-treated, tumor-bearing mice by promoting the maturation and function of BMM-derived DCs by enhancing ERK1/2 phosphorylation and p38 dephosphorylation. We concluded that morphine can inhibit DC-mediated anti-tumor immunity by suppressing DC maturation and function. Immuno-modulators, such as anti-CD40 Abs and TLR agonists, can restore the DC-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Use of immuno-modulators could serve as a useful approach to overcome the immunocompromised state generated by morphine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Cheng Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Li Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University HospitalHsinChu Branch, HsihChu, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Cheng Chiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Jung Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Jen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cathay General HospitalTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-An Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Fang Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Zen Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
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8
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Chang MC, Chen YL, Chiang YC, Chen TC, Tang YC, Chen CA, Sun WZ, Cheng WF. Mesothelin-specific cell-based vaccine generates antigen-specific immunity and potent antitumor effects by combining with IL-12 immunomodulator. Gene Ther 2015; 23:38-49. [PMID: 26262583 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2014] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a gynecologic malignancy with a high mortality rate. In the present study, we developed a novel cell-based vaccine, Meso-VAX, to generate mesothelin antigen-specific immune responses and immunotherapy against ovarian cancer. Mesothelin, a secreted protein anchored at the cell membrane, has recently been identified as a potential new tumor antigen for ovarian cancer. In this study, mice vaccinated with Meso-VAX and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-IL-12 exhibited dramatic increases in the number of mesothelin-specific CD4(+) helper and CD8(+) cytotoxic T-cell precursors, higher titers of anti-mesothelin Abs and in vitro tumor killing activity, and all of these mice were tumor-free after 60 days of tumor challenge. In addition, a significant reduction in peritoneal tumors and longer survival were noted in the mice vaccinated with Meso-VAX combined with AAV-IL-12. CD4(+) helper and CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes were essential for the antitumor effect generated by Meso-VAX combined with AAV-IL-12. The post-vaccination sera of the mice vaccinated with Meso-VAX and AAV-IL-12 also showed mesothelin-specific complement-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that a Meso-VAX cell-based vaccine combined with AAV-IL-12 can generate antigen-specific immunological responses and antitumor effects on ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M-C Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Anesthesiology, Medicine College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y-L Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y-C Chiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - T-C Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Y-C Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - C-A Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - W-Z Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medicine College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - W-F Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Medicine College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Oncology, Medicine College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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9
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Prognostic value of mesothelin expression in patients with triple negative and HER2-positive breast cancers. Biomed Pharmacother 2015; 70:190-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2015.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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10
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Huang CT, Chang MC, Chen YL, Chen TC, Chen CA, Cheng WF. Insulin-like growth factors inhibit dendritic cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity through regulating ERK1/2 phosphorylation and p38 dephosphorylation. Cancer Lett 2015; 359:117-26. [PMID: 25592043 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 12/26/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) can promote tumorigenesis via inhibiting the apoptosis of cancer cells. The relationship between IGFs and dendritic cell (DC)-mediated immunity were investigated. Advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma patients were first evaluated to show higher IGF-1 and IGF-2 concentrations in their ascites than early-stage patients. IGFs could suppress DCs' maturation, antigen presenting abilities, and the ability to activate antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell. IGF-treated DCs also secreted higher concentrations of IL-10 and TNF-α. IGF-treated DCs showed decreased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and reduced p38 dephosphorylation. The percentages of matured DCs in the ascites were significantly lower in the IGF-1 or IGF-2 highly-expressing WF-3 tumor-bearing mice. The IGF1R inhibitor - NVP-AEW541, could block the effects of IGFs to rescue DCs' maturation and to restore DC-mediated antigen-specific immunity through enhancing ERK1/2 phosphorylation and p38 dephosphorylation. IGFs can inhibit DC-mediated anti-tumor immunity through suppressing maturation and function and the IGF1R inhibitor could restore the DC-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Blockade of IGFs could be a potential strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Ting Huang
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Cheng Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Li Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Ching Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-An Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Fang Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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11
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Wu CY, Yang LH, Yang HY, Knoff J, Peng S, Lin YH, Wang C, Alvarez RD, Pai SI, Roden RBS, Hung CF, Wu TC. Enhanced cancer radiotherapy through immunosuppressive stromal cell destruction in tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 20:644-57. [PMID: 24300786 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-1334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiotherapy kills cancer cells by causing DNA damage, and stimulates a systemic antitumor immune response by releasing tumor antigen and endogenous adjuvant within the tumor microenvironment. However, radiotherapy also induces the recruitment of immunosuppressive myeloid cells, which can interfere with the antitumor immune responses elicited by apoptotic tumor cells. We hypothesized that local delivery of vaccine following radiotherapy will lead to the priming of antigen-specific CTL immune responses and render immunosuppressive myeloid cells susceptible to killing by the activated CTLs. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Using several antigenic systems, we tested whether intratumoral injection of antigenic peptide/protein in irradiated tumors would be able to prime CTLs as well as load myeloid cells with antigen, rendering them susceptible to antigen-specific CTL killing. RESULTS We show that by combining radiotherapy and targeted antigenic peptide delivery to the tumor, the adjuvant effect generated by radiotherapy itself was sufficient to elicit the priming and expansion of antigen-specific CTLs, through the type I IFN-dependent pathway, leading to synergistic therapeutic antitumor effects compared with either treatment alone. In addition, using two different types of transgenic mice, we demonstrated that CTL-mediated killing of stromal cells in tumors by our approach is important for tumor control. Finally, we confirmed the efficacy of this approach in our preclinical model using two clinically tested therapeutic human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines. CONCLUSIONS These data serve as an important foundation for the future clinical translation of radiotherapy combined with a clinically tested therapeutic HPV vaccine for the control of HPV-associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Yi Wu
- Authors' Affiliations: Departments of Pathology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oncology, and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions; Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kunming Medical University, Yunnan, China; Nephrology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Gueishan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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12
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Chen YL, Chang MC, Chen CA, Lin HW, Cheng WF, Chien CL. Depletion of regulatory T lymphocytes reverses the imbalance between pro- and anti-tumor immunities via enhancing antigen-specific T cell immune responses. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47190. [PMID: 23082146 PMCID: PMC3474819 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The regulatory T cells (Tregs) can actively suppress the immune responses. However, literature about detailed changes of host effective and suppressive immunities before and after depletion of Tregs in ovarian carcinomas, is rare. Materials and Methods Ovarian cancer patients and the ascitogenic animal model were employed. Immunologic profiles with flow cytometric analyses, immunohistochemistric staining, RT-PCR, ELISA, and ELISPOT assays were performed. In vivo depletion of Treg cells with the mAb PC61was also performed in the animal model. Results The cytokines, including IL-4 (p = 0.017) and TNF-α (p = 0.046), significantly decreased while others such as TGF-β (p = 0.013), IL-6 (p = 0.016), and IL-10 (p = 0.018) were elevated in ascites of ovarian cancer patients, when the disease progressed to advanced stages. The ratio of CD8+ T cell/Treg cell in ascites was also lower in advanced diseases than in early diseases (advanced 7.37±0.64 vs. early 14.25±3.11, p = 0.037). The kinetic low-dose CD25 Ab depletion group had significantly lower intra-peritoneal tumor weight (0.20±0.03 g) than the sequential high-dose (0.69±0.06 g) and sequential low-dose (0.67±0.07 g) CD25 Ab deletion groups (p = 0.001) after 49 days of tumor challenge in the animal. The kinetic low-dose CD25 Ab depletion group generated the highest number of IFN-γ-secreting, mesothelin-specific T lymphocytes compared to the other groups (p<0.001). Conclusions The imbalance between effective and suppressive immunities becomes more severe as a tumor progresses. The depletion of Treg cells can correct the imbalance of immunologic profiles and generate potent anti-tumor effects. Targeting Treg cells can be a new strategy for the immunotherapy of ovarian carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Li Chen
- Graduate Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Gynecologic Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Cheng Chang
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-An Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Wei Lin
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Fang Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (C-LC); (W-FC)
| | - Chung-Liang Chien
- Graduate Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (C-LC); (W-FC)
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Zheng C, Jia W, Tang Y, Zhao H, Jiang Y, Sun S. Mesothelin regulates growth and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells through p53-dependent and -independent signal pathway. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2012; 31:84. [PMID: 23034174 PMCID: PMC3585882 DOI: 10.1186/1756-9966-31-84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Mesothelin, a secreted protein, is overexpressed in some cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Rescent studies have shown that overexpression of mesothelin significantly increased tumor cell proliferation, and downregulation of mesothelin inhibited cell proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells, but its exact function and mechanism remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of mesothelin on proliferation and apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells with different p53 status and to explore its signal pathway. Mesothelin levels were detected by western blot and RT-PCR assay in human pancreatic cancer AsPC-1, HPAC and Capan-2, Capan-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cell lines. Mesothelin was slienced by shRNA in AsPC-1, Capan-2 and Capan-1 cells with rich mesothelin level, and mesothelin was overexpressed in the HPAC and Capan-2 cells with less mesothelin level. We observed that in the AsPC-1 and Capan-1cells with mt-p53, and Capan-2 cells with wt-p53, shRNA mediated sliencing of the mesothelin significantly increased PUMA and Bax expression and caspase-3 activity, and decreased bcl-2 expression, followed by the reduced proliferation and colony forming capability and increased cell apoptosis. When PUMA was slienced by siRNA in the stable mesothelin shRNA transfected cells, proliferative capability was significantly increased, and apoptosis was decreased. However, in the Capan-2 cells with wt-p53, suppression of the mesothelin significantly increased wt-p53 levels. When p53 was blocked by siRNA in the stable mesothelin shRNA transfected Capan-2 cells, PUMA was inhibited, followed by increased proliferative capability and decreased cell apoptosis. In the HPAC and Capan-2 cells with wt-p53 and in the MIA PaCa-2 cells with mt-p53, overexpression of the mesothelin significantly decreased bax levels and increased bcl-2 levels, followed by increased proliferative and colony forming capability. Furthermore, mesothelin-shRNA-transfected cells exhibited a reduced rate of tumor growth under in vivo conditions. However, mesothelin-transfected cells exhibited a increased rate of tumor growth under in vivo conditions. Our data demonstrated that mesothelin promotes proliferation and inhibited apoptosis through p53-dependent pathway in pancreatic cancer cells with wt-p53, and p53-independent pathway in pancreatic cancer cells with mt-p53. Targeting mesothelin by shRNA is the important method for pancreatic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunning Zheng
- General surgery, the affiliated Jinan central hospital of Shandong university, No105, Jiefang Road, District Lixia, Jinan, 250013, R.P China
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Mesothelin enhances invasion of ovarian cancer by inducing MMP-7 through MAPK/ERK and JNK pathways. Biochem J 2012; 442:293-302. [PMID: 21999204 DOI: 10.1042/bj20110282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer has one of the highest mortalities in malignancies in women, but little is known of its tumour progression properties and there is still no effective molecule that can monitor its growth or therapeutic responses. MSLN (mesothelin), a secreted protein that is overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissues with a poor clinical outcome, has been previously identified to activate PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/Akt signalling and inhibit paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. The present study investigates the correlation between MSLN and MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)-7 in the progression of ovarian cancer, and the mechanism of MSLN in enhancing ovarian cancer invasion. The expression of MSLN correlated well with MMP-7 expression in human ovarian cancer tissues. Overexpressing MSLN or ovarian cancer cells treated with MSLN showed enhanced migration and invasion of cancer cells through the induction of MMP-7. MSLN regulated the expression of MMP-7 through the ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) 1/2, Akt and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) pathways. The expression of MMP-7 and the migrating ability of MSLN-treated ovarian cancer cells were suppressed by ERK1/2- or JNK-specific inhibitors, or a decoy AP-1 (activator protein 1) oligonucleotide in in vitro experiments, whereas in vivo animal experiments also demonstrated that mice treated with MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)/ERK- or JNK-specific inhibitors could decrease intratumour MMP-7 expression, delay tumour growth and extend the survival of the mice. In conclusion, MSLN enhances ovarian cancer invasion by MMP-7 expression through the MAPK/ERK and JNK signal transduction pathways. Blocking the MSLN-related pathway could be a potential strategy for inhibiting the growth of ovarian cancer.
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Bharadwaj U, Marin-Muller C, Li M, Chen C, Yao Q. Mesothelin overexpression promotes autocrine IL-6/sIL-6R trans-signaling to stimulate pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. Carcinogenesis 2011; 32:1013-24. [PMID: 21515913 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgr075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesothelin (MSLN) overexpression in pancreatic cancer (PC) leads to enhanced cell survival/proliferation and tumor progression. After screening for a number of growth factors/cytokines, we found that the MSLN expression correlated closely with interleukin (IL)-6 in human PC specimens and cell lines. Stably overexpressing MSLN in different PC cell lines (MIA-MSLN and Panc1-MSLN) led to higher IL-6 production. Silencing MSLN by small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly reduced IL-6 levels. Blocking the observed constitutive activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) with IKK inhibitor wedelolactone in MIA-MSLN cells also reduced IL-6. Silencing IL-6 by siRNA reduced cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and induced apoptosis with significant decrease of c-myc/bcl-2. Interestingly, recombinant IL-6-induced proliferation of MIA-MSLN cells but not MIA-V cells. Although messenger RNA/protein levels of IL-6R did not vary, soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R) was significantly elevated in MIA-MSLN and was reduced by treatment with the TACE/ADAM17 inhibitor TAPI-1, indicating intramembrane IL-6R cleavage and IL-6 trans-signaling may be operative in MIA-MSLN cells. Blocking the IL-6/sIL-6R axis using sIL-6R antibody abrogated basal proliferation/survival as well as recombinant human IL-6-induced cell proliferation. Our data suggest that MSLN-activated NF-κB induces elevated IL-6 expression, which acts as a growth factor to support PC cell survival/proliferation through a novel auto/paracrine IL-6/sIL-6R trans-signaling. In addition, using a panel of PC cells with varying MSLN/IL-6 expressions, we showed that MSLN/IL-6 axis is a major survival axis in PC supporting tumor cell growth under anchorage-dependent and independent conditions. The close correlation between MSLN and IL-6 provides a new rationale for combination therapy for effective control of MSLN-overexpressing PCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uddalak Bharadwaj
- Molecular Surgeon Research Center, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Association of malignant mesothelioma and asbestos related conditions with ovarian cancer: shared biomarkers and a possible etiological link? Clin Chem Lab Med 2011; 49:5-7. [DOI: 10.1515/cclm.2011.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Abstract
Mesothelin, a secreted protein, is overexpressed in some cancers, but its exact function remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible function of mesothelin. Real-time PCR, RT (reverse transcription)-PCR, cytotoxicity assays, proliferative assays, apoptotic assays by Hoechst staining, detection of active caspases 3 and 7 by flow cytometric analysis, and immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting were performed. Cancer tissues in paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer patients expressed higher levels of mesothelin as assessed using real-time PCR than paclitaxel-sensitive ovarian cancer patients (the mean crossing point value change of mesothelin was 26.9+/-0.4 in the resistant group and 34.3+/-0.7 for the sensitive group; P<0.001). Mesothelin also protected cells from paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. The protein expression of Bcl-2 family members, such as Bcl-2 and Mcl-1, was significantly increased regardless of whether cells were treated with exogenous mesothelin or were mesothelin-transfectants. Furthermore, mesothelin-treated cells revealed rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of the p85 subunit of PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) and ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) 1/2 for enhancing MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) activity. The anti-apoptotic ability was suppressed and the expression of Bcl-2 family in response to mesothelin was altered by inhibiting PI3K activity, but not by inhibiting MAPK activity. Thus mesothelin can inhibit paclitaxel-induced cell death mainly by involving PI3K signalling in the regulation of Bcl-2 family expression. Mesothelin is a potential target in reducing resistance to cytotoxic drugs.
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Bharadwaj U, Li M, Chen C, Yao Q. Mesothelin-induced pancreatic cancer cell proliferation involves alteration of cyclin E via activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3. Mol Cancer Res 2009; 6:1755-65. [PMID: 19010822 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-08-0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mesothelin (MSLN) is a cell surface glycoprotein that is overexpressed in human pancreatic cancer. Although its value as a tumor marker for diagnosis and prognosis and as a preferred target of immunointervention has been evaluated, there is little information on the growth advantage of MSLN on tumor cells. In this study, we examined the effect of MSLN on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, and signal transduction pathways in two pancreatic cancer cell lines, MIA-MSLN (overexpressing MSLN in MIA PaCa-2 cells) and BxPC-siMSLN (silencing MSLN in BxPC-3 cells). Increased cyclin E and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 expression found in MIA-MSLN cells correlated with significantly increased cell proliferation and faster cell cycle progression compared with control cells. BxPC-siMSLN cells showed slower proliferation and slower entry into the S phase than control cells. Signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3 (Stat3) was constitutively activated in MIA-MSLN cells, but not in control cells. Inhibition of Stat3 activation in MIA-MSLN cells by the Janus-activated kinase-selective inhibitor tyrphostin AG490 was followed by a marked decrease in proliferation of the cells. Small interfering RNA against Stat3 significantly reduced the MIA-MSLN cell cycle progression with a concomitant decrease in cyclin E expression. Our data indicate that overexpression of MSLN in pancreatic cancer cells leads to constitutive activation of the transcription factor Stat3, which results in enhanced expression of cyclin E and cyclin E/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 complex formation as well as increased G(1)-S transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uddalak Bharadwaj
- Molecular Surgeon Research Center, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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High mesothelin correlates with chemoresistance and poor survival in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Br J Cancer 2009; 100:1144-53. [PMID: 19293794 PMCID: PMC2669998 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to investigate the mesothelin expression level to the clinicopathological features, chemoresponse, and to the outcome of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). Mesothelin mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR in 139 EOC patients. Clinical characteristics, histopathological items, responses to chemotherapy, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were recorded. Tumours with advanced stages had higher mesothelin than those with early stages. The chemoresistant patients showed significantly higher mesothelin than did chemosensitive patients (2.81 vs 0.43, P<0.001), irrespective of optimal or suboptimal surgery in those with advanced stages. Highly expressed levels of mesothelin were an independent but poor prognostic factor in the PFS (2.03 (1.23-3.37) P=0.006) and OS (3.72 (1.64-8.45), P=0.002) of the 139 EOC patients in multivariate analysis. In addition, patients in advanced stages with highly expressed mesothelin also had significantly worse OS, regardless of whether they had undergone optimal (13.85 (1.76-125.60), P=0.013) or suboptimal (4.47 (1.83-10.88), P=0.001) debulking surgery in multivariate analysis. Out results provide new evidence that mesothelin expression is associated with chemoresistance and with shorter disease-free survival and worse OS of patients with EOC.
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Hung CF, Wu TC, Monie A, Roden R. Antigen-specific immunotherapy of cervical and ovarian cancer. Immunol Rev 2009; 222:43-69. [PMID: 18363994 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2008.00622.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We contrast the efforts to treat ovarian cancer and cervical cancer through vaccination because of their different pathobiology. A plethora of approaches have been developed for therapeutic vaccination against cancer, many of which target defined tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). Persistent infection with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types causes cervical cancer. Furthermore, cervical cancer patients frequently mount both humoral and T-cell immune responses to the HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins, whose expression is required for the transformed phenotype. Numerous vaccine studies target these viral TAAs, including recent trials that may enhance clearance of pre-malignant disease. By contrast, little is known about the etiology of epithelial ovarian cancer. Although it is clear that p53 mutation or loss is a critical early event in the development of epithelial ovarian cancer, no precursor lesion has been described for the most common serous histotype, and even the location of its origin is debated. These issues have complicated the selection of appropriate ovarian TAAs and the design of vaccines. Here we focus on mesothelin as a promising ovarian TAA, because it is overexpressed and immunogenic at high frequency in patients, is displayed on the cell surface, and potentially contributes to ovarian cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Fu Hung
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
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