Clinical significance of caspase-3 expression in pathologic-stage I, nonsmall-cell lung cancer

Highly in vitro anti-cancer activity of melittin-loaded niosomes on non-small cell lung cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Development of promising medicines from natural sources, specially venom, is of highly necessitated to combat against life-threatening cancers. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a significant percentage of mortalities. Melittin, from bee venom, is a potent anticancer peptide but its toxicity has limited its therapeutic applications. Accordingly, this study aims to synthesize niosomes with suitable stability and capacity for carrying melittin as a drug. Additionally, it seeks to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of melittin-loaded niosomes on non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

The niosome was prepared by thin film hydration method. Cytotoxicity and apoptosis were assessed on A549, Calu-3, and MRC5 cells. Real-time PCR was used to determine expression of apoptotic and pro-apoptotic Bax, Bcl2, and Casp3 genes. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) was also used to confirm expression of the abovementioned genes. Furthermore, wound healing assay was performed to compare inhibition effects of melittin-loaded niosomes with free melittin on migration of cancer cells.

RESULTS

IC50 values of melittin-loaded niosomes for A549, Calu-3, and MRC5 cells were respectively 0.69 μg/mL, 1.02 μg/mL, and 2.56 μg/mL after 72 h. Expression level of Bax and Casp3 increased '10 and 8' and '9 and 10.5' fold in A549 and Calu-3, whereas Bcl2 gene expression decreased 0.19 and 0.18 fold in the mentioned cell lines. The cell migration inhibited by melittin-loaded niosomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Melittin-loaded niosomes had more anti-cancer effects and less toxicity on normal cells than free melittin. Furthermore, it induced apoptosis and inhibited cancer cells migration. Our results showed that melittin-loaded niosomes may be a drug lead and it has the potential to be future developed for lung cancer treatment.

The effectiveness of whey proteins in prevention and treatment of cancer: a review

Cancer prevalence is rising rapidly around the globe, contributing immensely to the burden on health systems, hence the search for more effective and selective treatments still remains enticing. Whey, as a natural source, has received extensive focus in recent years because of its intriguing applications to health benefits. Growing consumer appreciation of the nutraceutical effects of whey components makes them an attractive field within cancer research. Whey is a valuable source of superior-quality proteins, lactose, vitamins, and minerals that contribute to proper nutrition as well as help hamper illness and even complement certain disease-related therapy prognosis. As a result, industry leaders and dairy producers are devising new ways to valorize it. Great emphasis on cancer prevention and treatment has been given to whey protein (WP) by the scientific community. WP intake has been proven to induce anti-cancer effects in various in vitro and in vivo studies. Nutritionists and dietitians are now enormously endorsing the role of WP in the therapeutic field, notably for cancer cachexia management. However, human intervention studies with WP are in their infancy and remain to be established with different tumor entities to provide valid proof of its ability to act as a coadjuvant in cancer treatment.

The Connection Between Selected Caspases Levels in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Severity After Brain Injury

Objective

The interaction between the brain and lungs has been the subject of many clinical reports, while the exact impact of brain injury on the physiology of the respiratory system is still subject to numerous experimental studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the activation of selected caspases levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (mini BALF) of patients after isolated brain injury and their correlation with the severity of the injury.

Methods

The analysis was performed on patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for severe isolated brain injury from March 2018 to April 2020. All patients were intubated and mechanically ventilated. Mini BALF was collected within the first 6–8 h after trauma and on days 3 and 7 after admission. The concentrations of selected caspases were determined and correlated with the severity of brain injury evaluated by the Rotterdam CT Score, Glasgow Coma Score, and 28-day mortality.

Results

Our results showed significantly elevated levels of selected caspases on days 3 and 7 after brain injury, and revealed apoptosis activation during the first 7 days after brain trauma. We found a significant different correlation between the elevation of selected caspases 3, 6, 8, and 9, and the Glasgow Coma Score, Rotterdam CT scale, and 28-day mortality.

Conclusions

The increased levels of selected caspases in the mini BALF in our patients indicate an intensified activation of apoptosis in the lungs, which is related to brain injury itself via various apoptotic pathways and correlates with the severity of brain injury.

Prognostic significance of eight immune-related genes on survival in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma

Aim: To build a valid prognostic model based on immune-related genes for lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Materials & methods: Differential expression of immune-related genes between LUSC and normal specimens from TCGA dataset and underlying molecular mechanisms were systematically analyzed. Constructing and validating the high-risk and low-risk groups for LUSC survival. Results: The immune-related gene-based prognostic index (IRGPI) could predict the overall survival in patients with different clinicopathological characteristics. Functional enrichment analysis of differential expression of immune-related gene signature indicated distinctive molecular pathways between high-risk and low-risk groups. Conclusion: Analysis of IRGs in LUSC enable us to stratify patients into distinct risk groups, which may help to screen LUSC patients at risk and decision making on follow-up therapeutic intervention.

Epigenetic Modifications, and Alterations in Cell Cycle and Apoptosis Pathway in A549 Lung Carcinoma Cell Line upon Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of human-made compounds with strong C-F bonds, and have been used in various manufacturing industries for decades. PFAS have been reported to deleterious effect on human health, which has led to studies identifying the possible toxicity and toxicity routes of these compounds. We report that these compounds have the potential to cause epigenetic modifications, and to induce dysregulation in the cell proliferation cycle as well as apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells when exposed to 10-, 200- and 400 μM concentrations of each compound. Our studies show that exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) may cause hypomethylation in the epigenome, but changes in the epigenetic makeup are not evident upon exposure to GenX. We establish that exposure to lower doses of these compounds causes the cells' balance to shift to cell proliferation, whereas exposure to higher concentrations shifts the balance more towards apoptosis. Furthermore, the apoptosis pathway upon exposure to GenX, PFOA, and PFOS has also been identified. Our findings suggest that exposure to any of these compounds may have profound effects in patients with pre-existing lung conditions or could trigger lung cancinogenesis.

Whey Proteins and Its Derivatives: Bioactivity, Functionality, and Current Applications

With the increased consumer demand for nutritional foods, it is important to develop value-added products, which will not only catch the attention of a wider consumer group but also provide greater benefits in terms of enhanced nutrition and functionality. Milk whey proteins are one of the most valued constituents due to their nutritional and techno-functional attributes. Whey proteins are rich in bioactive peptides, possessing bioactive properties such as being antioxidant and antihypertensive as well as having antimicrobial activities, which, when ingested, confers several health benefits. These peptides have the potential to be used as an active food ingredient in the production of functional foods. In addition to their bioactivities, whey proteins are known to possess enhanced functional attributes that allow them to be utilized in broad applications, such as an encapsulating agent or carrier materials to entrap bioactive compounds, emulsification, and in edible and active packaging. Hence, over the recent years, several whey protein-based ingredients have been developed and utilized in making formulations for a wide range of foods to harness their beneficial properties. This review highlights the bioactive properties, functional characteristics, associated processing limitations, and applications of different whey protein fractions and derivatives in the field of food formulations, encapsulation, and packaging.

LOXL1-AS1 Contributes to Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Progression by Regulating miR-3128/RHOXF2 Axis

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of LncRNA LOXL1-AS1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Lung cancer cell lines (H1299, A549, H520 and H596) and human normal lung epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) were used in this study. Gene expression was measured by qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR). The bioinformatics databases (miRDB and TargetScan7) were used to predict target genes. Luciferase assay and pull-down assay were processed for verifying the binding sites. CCK8 assay was used for detecting proliferation, and transwell assay was undertaken for migration and invasion.

Results

LncRNA LOXL1-AS1 was higher expressed in lung cancer tissues and cells. Moreover, LOXL1-AS1 expression was upregulated in tumor tissues with advanced stages and metastasis. After knocking down LOXL1-AS1, proliferation, invasion and migration of H1299 and A549 cells were inhibited. Interestingly, miR-3128 was negatively regulated by LncRNA LOXL1-AS1, which inhibited the expression of RHOXF2. Rescue assay also confirmed that miR-3128 inhibitor and oeRHOXF2 could rescue the effect of down-regulated LOXL1-AS1 on proliferation, invasion and migration progression.

Conclusion

LOXL1-AS1 promotes the progression of NSCLC by regulating miR-3128/RHOXF2 axis, which might be a new potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC.

Expression of TLR-2 in hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with tumour proliferation, angiogenesis and Caspase-3 expression

AIMS

Unlike other Toll-like receptors (TLRs), the role of toll like receptor 2 (TLR-2) in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not well studied. We, therefore, set out to investigate the expression of TLR-2 in different chronic liver disease states along with other markers of cell death, cellular proliferation and tissue vascularisation METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry was performed on liver tissue microarrays comprising hepatitis, cirrhosis and HCC patient samples using antibodies against TLR-2, Ki-67, Caspase-3 and VEGF. This was done in order to characterise receptor expression and translocation, apoptosis, cell proliferation and vascularisation. Cytoplasmic TLR-2 expression was found to be weak in 5/8 normal liver cases, 10/19 hepatitis cases and 8/21 cirrhosis patients. Moderate to strong TLR-2 expression was observed in some cases of hepatitis and cirrhosis. Both, nuclear and cytoplasmic TLR-2 expression was present in HCC with weak intensity in 11/41 cases, and moderate to strong staining in 19/41 cases. Eleven HCC cases were TLR-2 negative. Surprisingly, both cytoplasmic and nuclear TLR-2 expression in HCC were found to significantly correlate with proliferative index (r = 0.24 and 0.37), Caspase-3 expression (r = 0.27 and 0.38) and vascularisation (r = 0.56 and 0.23). Further, nuclear TLR-2 localisation was predominant in HCC, whereas cytoplasmic expression was more prevalent in hepatitis and cirrhosis. Functionally, treatment of HUH7 HCC cells with a TLR-2 agonist induced the expression of cellular proliferation and vascularisation markers CD34 and VEGF.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate a positive correlation between the expression of TLR-2 and other markers of proliferation and vascularisation in HCC which suggests a possible role for TLR-2 in HCC pathogenesis.

Procaspase-3 Overexpression in Cancer: A Paradoxical Observation with Therapeutic Potential

Many anticancer strategies rely on the promotion of apoptosis in cancer cells as a means to shrink tumors. Crucial for apoptotic function are executioner caspases, most notably caspase-3, that proteolyze a variety of proteins, inducing cell death. Paradoxically, overexpression of procaspase-3 (PC-3), the low-activity zymogen precursor to caspase-3, has been reported in a variety of cancer types. Until recently, this counterintuitive overexpression of a pro-apoptotic protein in cancer has been puzzling. Recent studies suggest subapoptotic caspase-3 activity may promote oncogenic transformation, a possible explanation for the enigmatic overexpression of PC-3. Herein, the overexpression of PC-3 in cancer and its mechanistic basis is reviewed; collectively, the data suggest the potential for exploitation of PC-3 overexpression with PC-3 activators as a targeted anticancer strategy.

Caspase 3 as a Novel Marker to Distinguish Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma from Oncocytoma

Despite advances in our understanding of the biology of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) and renal oncocytoma (RO), the differential diagnosis among these tumors remains one of the most problematic in renal pathology. Today, CK7 is the most recommended marker to distinguish these entities, however it appears insufficiently accurate by itself. This study aimed to find an easily accessible IHC stain that might out-compete CK7 in this field. Expressions of CK7, cyclin D1, p16, survivin, CD138, Ki-67 and caspase 3 (CASP3) were analyzed in a total of 27 cases (20 ROs and 7 ChRCCs). Immunoreactivity was assessed based on a combined score of the extent and intensity of staining. Compared to RO, a higher percentage of the total ChRCCs stained positive for CK7 (67% vs. 22%, respectively) and CASP3 (86% vs. 25%) (P < 0.005). The differences in staining with cyclin D1, p16, survivin, CD138 and Ki-67 turned out to be statistically insignificant in differentiating ChRCC from RO. CASP3 is a promising marker in distinguishing ChRCC from RO and may represent an alternative for CK7. Cyclin D1, p16, survivin, CD138 and Ki-67 cannot be used to distinguish these neoplasms.

Effects of exogenous IL-37 on the biological characteristics of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and the chemotaxis of regulatory T cells

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate the effects of exogenous interleukin (IL)-37 on the biological characteristics of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and the chemotaxis of regulatory T (Treg) cells.

METHODS

After isolating the CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells from the peripheral blood, flow cytometry was used to detect the purity of the Treg cells. A549 cells were divided into blank (no transfection), empty plasmid (transfection with pIRES2-EGFP empty plasmid) or IL-37 group (transfection with pIRES2-EGFP-IL-37 plasmid). RT-PCR was used to detect mRNA expression of IL-37 and ELISA to determine IL-37 and MMP-9 expressions. Western blotting was applied to detect the protein expressions of PCNA, Ki-67, Cyclin D1, CDK4, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9. MTT assay, flow cytometry, scratch test and transwell assay were performed to detect cell proliferation, cycle, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Effect of exogenous IL-37 on the chemotaxis of Treg cells was measured through transwell assay. Xenograft models in nude mice were eastablished to detect the impact of IL-37 on A549 cells.

RESULTS

The IL-37 group had a higher IL-37 expression, cell apoptosis in the early stage and percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase than the blank and empty plasmid groups. The IL-37 group had a lower MMP-9 expression, optical density (OD), percentage of cells in the S and G2/M phases, migration, invasion and chemotaxis of CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells. The xenograft volume and weight of nude mice in the IL-37 group were lower than those in the blank and empty plasmid groups. Compared with the blank and empty plasmid groups, the IL-37 group had significantly reduced expression of PCNA, Ki-67, Cyclin D1 and CDK4 but elevated expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, exogenous IL-37 inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells as well as the chemotaxis of Treg cells while promoting the apoptosis of A549 cells.

Lipid remodelling in human melanoma cells in response to UVA exposure

The UVA exposure have impact on the lipid composition in human melanoma cells.

Genetic Polymorphisms in the Apoptosis-Associated Gene CASP3 and the Risk of Lung Cancer in Chinese Population

Caspase-3 (CASP3) plays a central role in executing cell apoptosis and thus in carcinogenesis. We previously investigated the relationship between functional polymorphisms in CAPS3 829 A>C and 20541 C>T and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However little is known about the role of CASP3 variants in susceptibility to lung cancer. To figure out the contribution of CASP3 polymorphisms to lung cancer risk, genotypes of 1000 lung cancer patients and 1000 controls were conducted by RFLP-PCR (restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR). The transcriptional activity of CASP3 829 A>C was examined by dual luciferase reporter assay. Logistic regression was applied to calculate Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Compared with CASP3 829 AA genotype, AC and CC genotype had significantly increased risk of lung cancer with OR (95% CI) of 1.33 (1.09–1.63) and 1.55 (1.19–2.01), respectively. To further explore the possible impact of 829 A>C SNP on CASP3 transcriptional activity, we detected the dual luciferase activity of PGL3-promoter vectors containing 829A or 829C alleles in lung cancer cell lines and found that report gene expressions driven by 829A containing CASP3 promoter were 1.64-fold, 1.94-fold greater than those driven by CASP3 829C containing counterparts in A549 and NCI-H1975 cells (P<0.001). When stratified by sex, the significantly increased risk associated with CASP3 829 AC or CC genotype was obviousl in males with OR (95% CI) of 1.42 (1.11–1.81) and 1.51 (1.11–2.05), but not in females. When stratified by age, we found that CASP3 829 AC or CC genotype contributed to the risk of lung cancer in youngers with OR (95% CI) of 2.73 (1.71–4.34) and 4.02 (2.20–7.32), but not in elder group. We also found that 829AC or 829CC genotype increased adenocarcinoma risk compared with the AA genotype with OR (95%CI) of 1.33 (1.04–1.70) and 1.51(1.09–2.07). CASP3 polymorphism and smoking interaction was demonstrated related with higher risk of lung cancer. We achieved that the CASP3 829AC or 829CC genotypes was associated with increased risk of lung cancer in both non-smoker and smoker group, with OR (95%CI) of 1.48 (1.08–2.02) and OR (95%CI) of 1.64 (1.09–2.48) among non-smokers and OR (95%CI) of 2.68 (1.89–3.81) and OR (95%CI) of 3.23 (2.21–4.92) among smokers, respectively. Among carriers with 20541CT genotype, the ORs (95%CI) of risk with lung cancer for smoking <16, 16–28, or > 28 pack-years were 1.16(0.65–2.07), 1.66(0.98–2.82) and 5.01(3.31–7.58) compared with the 20541CC carriers. And among carriers with 20541CT genotype, the ORs (95%CI) were 0.86(0.33–2.20), 2.12(0.83–5.41) and 5.71(2.68–12.16). These results highlight apoptosis-related CASP3 as an important gene in human carcinogenesis and further support the CASP3 polymorphisms confer to the lung cancer susceptibility.

Computing interaction probabilities in signaling networks

Biological networks inherently have uncertain topologies. This arises from many factors. For instance, interactions between molecules may or may not take place under varying conditions. Genetic or epigenetic mutations may also alter biological processes like transcription or translation. This uncertainty is often modeled by associating each interaction with a probability value. Studying biological networks under this probabilistic model has already been shown to yield accurate and insightful analysis of interaction data. However, the problem of assigning accurate probability values to interactions remains unresolved. In this paper, we present a novel method for computing interaction probabilities in signaling networks based on transcription levels of genes. The transcription levels define the signal reachability probability between membrane receptors and transcription factors. Our method computes the interaction probabilities that minimize the gap between the observed and the computed signal reachability probabilities. We evaluate our method on four signaling networks from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). For each network, we compute its edge probabilities using the gene expression profiles for seven major leukemia subtypes. We use these values to analyze how the stress induced by different leukemia subtypes affects signaling interactions.

Prognostic value of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) and caspases in prostate cancer: caspase-3 forms and XIAP predict biochemical progression after radical prostatectomy

Background

The expression status of apoptotic regulators, such as caspases and inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), could reflect the aggressiveness of tumors and, therefore, could be useful as prognostic markers. We explored the associations between tumor expression of caspases and IAPs and clinicopathological features of prostate cancer – clinical and pathological T stage, Gleason score, preoperative serum PSA levels, perineural invasion, lymph node involvement, surgical margin status and overall survival – and evaluated its capability to predict biochemical progression after radical prostatectomy.

Methods

Protein expression of caspases (procaspase-8, cleaved caspase-8, procaspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, caspase-7 and procaspase-9) and IAPs (cIAP1/2, cIAP2, NAIP, Survivin and XIAP) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in radical prostatectomy samples from 84 prostate cancer patients. Spearman’s test, Kaplan-Meier curves, and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis were performed.

Results

cIAP1/2, cIAP2, Survivin, procaspase-8, cleaved caspase-8, procaspase-3 and caspase-7 expression correlated with at least one clinicopathological feature of the disease. Patients negative for XIAP, procaspase-3 or cleaved caspase-3 had a significantly worse prognosis. Of note, XIAP, procaspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 were predictors of biochemical progression independent of Gleason score and pathological T stage.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that alterations in the expression of IAPs and caspases contribute to the malignant behavior of prostate tumors and suggest that tumor expression of XIAP, procaspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 may help to identify prostate cancer patients at risk of progression.

Emerging trends in nutraceutical applications of whey protein and its derivatives

The looming food insecurity demands the utilization of nutrient-rich residues from food industries as value-added products. Whey, a dairy industry waste has been characterized to be excellent nourishment with an array of bioactive components. Whey protein comprises 20 % of total milk protein and it is rich in branched and essential amino acids, functional peptides, antioxidants and immunoglobulins. It confers benefits against a wide range of metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular complications, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, cancer and phenylketonuria. The protein has been validated to boost recovery from resistance exercise-injuries, stimulate gut physiology and protect skin against detrimental radiations. Apart from health invigoration, whey protein has proved its suitability as fat replacer and emulsifier. Further, its edible and antimicrobial packaging potential renders its highly desirable in food as well as pharmaceutical sectors. Considering the enormous nutraceutical worth of whey protein, this review emphasizes on its established and emerging biological roles. Present and future scopes in food processing and dietary supplement formulation are discussed. Associated hurdles are identified and how technical advancement might augment its applications are explored. This review is expected to provide valuable insight on whey protein-fortified functional foods, associated technical hurdles and scopes of improvement.

Genetic variations associated with postoperative recurrence in stage I non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

Postoperative recurrence in stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major cause of a poor prognosis. This study aims to identify genetic variants that are associated with the prognosis of early-stage NSCLCs.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted in 250 patients in stage I NSCLCs and the results were replicated in additional 308 patients.

RESULTS

Results from an Affymetrix Genome-wide Human SNP array in 250 patients identified 94 SNPs with significant associations (P < 2 × 10(-4)), which were selected for replication in 308 additional patients. Pooled analysis of the 558 patients determined that rs1454694 in chromosome 4q34 was the most significant marker of lung cancer prognosis in the stage I patients (adjusted HR = 2.81; P = 5.91 × 10(-8)). After the candidate loci were mapped, an additional four markers at chromosome 4q34.3 were significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS; P < 5 × 10(-5)). A haplotype of five SNPs in 4q34 also showed significant association with RFS (P = 4.29 × 10(-6)).

CONCLUSIONS

A genetic polymorphism rs1454694 was identified as a novel genetic risk factor for RFS of stage I NSCLCs. This genome-wide study suggests that genetic markers in 4q34.3 contribute to predict the prognosis of Korean patients with stage I NSCLCs.

Immunoreactivity to caspase-3, caspase-7, caspase-8, and caspase-9 forms is frequently lost in human prostate tumors

Caspases are essential initiators and executioners of apoptosis. Changes in their expression may contribute to the development of proliferative disorders such as cancer, by altering the death-proliferation homeostatic balance. The aim of this work was to analyze the expression of a broad panel of caspases at the epithelial level in human prostate tissues to assess possible prostatic disease-related alterations. We comparatively analyzed by immunohistochemistry the expression of pro-caspase-3, pro-caspase-8, pro-caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8, and caspase-7, in normal and pathologic (benign hyperplasic, premalignant [high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia], and cancerous [prostate cancer]) human prostate epithelium. Expression of caspases was correlated with clinicopathologic features, including preoperative prostate-specific antigen levels, Gleason scores, and biochemical progression. Percentage of positive samples for all the analyzed caspases decreased in prostate cancer versus normal prostate epithelium. The values obtained for benign prostatic hyperplasia and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia more qualitatively resembled those of the prostate cancer group. Our results indicate that caspase expression in prostate malignant cells is reduced in a substantial number of patients and that such an alteration occurs in the premalignant stage. Loss of caspase expression could constitute a useful marker for prostate cancer diagnosis. Therapeutic approaches aimed to recover or enhance caspase expression might be effective against prostate cancer.

Identification of polymorphisms in the Caspase-3 gene and their association with lung cancer risk

Caspase-3 (CASP-3) is a primary effector CASP that executes programmed cell death, and it plays an important role in the development and progression of cancer. Polymorphisms in the CASP-3 gene may influence CASP-3 production and/or activity, thereby modulating the susceptibility to lung cancer. To test this hypothesis, we first screened for polymorphisms in the CASP-3 gene by direct sequencing of genomic DNA samples from 27 healthy Koreans, and then evaluated their associations with lung cancer in a case-control study that consisted of 582 lung cancer patients and 582 healthy controls. Individuals with at least one variant allele of the -928A > G, 77G > A, and 17532A > C polymorphisms were at a significantly decreased risk for lung cancer in comparison to the carriers with each homozygous wild-type allele [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.62-1.00, P = 0.05; adjusted OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.61-0.99, P = 0.04; and adjusted OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58-0.95, P = 0.02, respectively]. Consistent with the results of genotyping analysis, the GAGC haplotype carrying the variant allele at all of the -928A > G, 77G > A, and 17532A > C loci was associated with a significantly decreased risk of lung cancer compared to the AGGA haplotype carrying no variant alleles at the three loci (adjusted OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.51-0.86, P = 0.002 and Bonferroni corrected P = 0.008). These results suggest that the CASP-3 polymorphisms and their haplotypes contribute to the genetic susceptibility to lung cancer.

pp32/PHAPI determines the apoptosis response of non-small-cell lung cancer

During malignant transformation, cancer cells have to evade cell-intrinsic tumor suppressor mechanisms including apoptosis, thus acquiring a phenotype that is relatively resistant to clinically applied anticancer therapies. Molecular characterization of apoptotic signal transduction defects may help to identify prognostic markers and to develop novel therapeutic strategies. To this end we have undertaken functional analyses of drug-induced apoptosis in human non-small cell-lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. We found that primary drug resistance correlated with defects in apoptosome-dependent caspase activation in vitro. While cytochrome c-induced apoptosome formation was maintained, the subsequent activation of caspase-9 and -3 was abolished in resistant NSCLC. The addition of recombinant pp32/putative human HLA class II-associated protein (pp32/PHAPI), described as a putative tumor suppressor in prostate cancer, successfully restored defective cytochrome c-induced caspase activation in vitro. Conditional expression of pp32/PHAPI sensitized NSCLC cells to apoptosis in vitro and in a murine tumor model in vivo. Immunohistochemical analyses of tumor samples from NSCLC patients revealed that the expression of pp32/PHAPI correlated with an improved outcome following chemotherapy. These results identify pp32/PHAPI as regulator of the apoptosis response of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and as a predictor of survival following chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC.

Immunophenotypic profiling of nonsmall cell lung cancer progression using the tissue microarray approach

This study, using tissue microarrays, aimed at the immunomorphologic profiling of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases to reveal clinically relevant disease groups and biomarkers associated with patients' survival and tumor progression including brain metastatic potential. Donor tissue blocks were form 59 patients, including 33 primary tumors without distant metastasis and 26 brain metastatic primary tumors as well as the brain metastases. Sections were immunostained for 29 markers targeting molecules of cell adhesion, cell growth, cell cycle, and apoptosis regulation. beta-Catenin expression was the only independent prognostic marker associated with better outcome. Elevated expression of collagen XVII, CD44v6, and caspase-9, and the reduced production of beta-catenin and cellular apoptosis susceptibility protein were significantly associated with the metastatic potential of primary NSCLC. Expression of positive cell cycle regulators cyclin D1 and cyclin D3 was also increased in metastatic primary tumors. Metastatic tumor progression into the brain was accompanied by prominent p16, syndecan-1, p53 (DO7), and caspase-3 protein levels. Hierarchical clustering of complex immunoprofiles based on the differentially expressed markers grouped NSCLCs of the poorest outcome with high correlation including 2/3 of brain metastases of mixed histology. The brain metastatic potential of NSCLCs may be linked to the elevated levels of cyclinD1, cyclinD3, p16, p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, CD44v6, and collagen XVII and the down-regulation of beta-catenin and cellular apoptosis susceptibility protein. Unsupervised immunoprofiles based on differentially expressed biomarkers may help selecting lung cancers with aggressive behavior.

Prognostic Significance of the Immunohistochemical Staining of Cleaved Caspase-3, an Activated Form of Caspase-3, in Gliomas

PURPOSE

Gliomas are common tumors of the central nervous system, and the majority of patients with gliomas have a poor prognosis. The prediction of prognosis is very important in selecting treatment. In the present study, we retrospectively examined the immunohistochemical staining of cleaved caspase-3 (CC3), an activated form of caspase-3 that acts as a lethal protease at the most distal stage of the apoptosis pathway, in gliomas, and the correlation between the prognosis of patients and caspase-3 activation to find useful prognostic indicators.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Immunohistochemical staining of CC3 was done in 65 patients with gliomas. The percentage of CC3 staining-positive cells was defined as the CC3 immunoreactivity score (IRS). Survival analysis between CC3 IRS of glioma patients and survival time was carried out using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards regression model.

RESULTS

CC3 IRS was statistically analyzed to designate the best provisional cutoff point, and when detected in >10% of glioma cells, it was considered positive. The Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test revealed that patients with CC3 IRS-positive tumors had significantly greater survival than those with CC3 IRS-negative tumors among three grades, 2, 3, and 4 (P = 0.0061), and within grade 3 of anaplastic astrocytoma (P = 0.0458). After adjustment for known clinical prognostic factors, such as age, WHO grade, and performance status, the hazard ratio for CC3 IRS-positive was 0.39 with 95% confidence interval between 0.19 and 0.85 (P = 0.0187). Within high grades, including grades 3 and 4, the hazard ratio was 0.40 with 95% confidence interval between 0.20 and 0.86 (P = 0.0192).

CONCLUSIONS

CC3 IRS could be useful as a good prognostic indicator for glioma patients.

Identification and validation of differences in protein levels in normal, premalignant, and malignant lung cells and tissues using high-throughput Western Array and immunohistochemistry

The identification of proteins, which exhibit different levels in normal, premalignant, and malignant lung cells, could improve early diagnosis and intervention. We compared the levels of proteins in normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) and tumorigenic HBE cells (1170-I) by high-throughput immunoblotting (PowerBlot Western Array) using 800 monoclonal antibodies. This analysis revealed that 87 proteins increased by >2-fold, and 45 proteins decreased by >2-fold, in 1170-I compared with NHBE cells. These proteins are involved in DNA synthesis and repair, cell cycle regulation, RNA transcription and degradation, translation, differentiation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell adhesion, cytoskeleton and cell motility, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway. Conventional Western blotting using lysates of normal, immortalized, transformed, and tumorigenic HBEs and non-small cell lung cancer cell lines confirmed some of these changes. The expression of several of these proteins has been then analyzed by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays containing 323 samples, including normal bronchial epithelium, hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, dysplasias, squamous cell carcinomas, atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, and adenocarcinomas from 144 patients. The results of the immunohistochemical studies correlated with the Western blotting findings and showed gradual increases (caspase-8, signal transducers and activators of transcription 5, and p70s6K) or decrease (E-cadherin) in levels with tumor progression. These results indicate that the changes in proteins detected in this study may occur early in lung carcinogenesis and persist in lung cancer. In addition, some of the proteins detected by this approach may be novel biomarkers for early detection of lung cancer and novel targets for chemoprevention or therapy.

Prognostic implications of cell cycle, apoptosis, and angiogenesis biomarkers in non-small cell lung cancer: a review

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. with survival restricted to a subset of those patients able to undergo surgical resection. However, even with surgery, recurrence rates range from 30% to 60%, depending on the pathologic stage. With the advent of partially effective, but potentially toxic adjuvant chemotherapy, it has become increasingly important to discover biomarkers that will identify those patients who have the highest likelihood of recurrence and who thus might benefit most from adjuvant chemotherapy. Hundreds of papers have appeared over the past several decades proposing a variety of molecular markers or proteins that may have prognostic significance in non-small cell lung cancer. This review analyzes the largest and most rigorous of these studies with the aim of compiling the most important prognostic markers in early stage non-small cell lung cancer. In this review, we focused on biomarkers primarily involved in one of three major pathways: cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Although no single marker has yet been shown to be perfect in predicting patient outcome, a profile based on the best of these markers may prove useful in directing patient therapy. The markers with the strongest evidence as independent predictors of patient outcome include cyclin E, cyclin B1, p21, p27, p16, survivin, collagen XVIII, and vascular endothelial cell growth factor.

Components of the cell death machine and drug sensitivity of the National Cancer Institute Cell Line Panel

PURPOSE

According to some studies, susceptibility of cells to anticancer drug-induced apoptosis is markedly inhibited by targeted deletion of genes encoding apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) or certain caspases. Information about levels of these polypeptides in common cancer cell types and any possible correlation with drug sensitivity in the absence of gene deletion is currently fragmentary.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Immunoblotting was used to estimate levels of Apaf-1 as well as procaspase-2, -3, -6, -7, -8, and -9 in the 60-cell-line panel used for drug screening by the National Cancer Institute. Sensitivity of the same lines to >80,000 compounds was determined with 48-hour sulforhodamine B binding assays. Additional 6-day assays were performed for selected agents.

RESULTS

Levels of Apaf-1 and procaspases varied widely. Apaf-1 and procaspase-9, which are implicated in caspase activation after treatment of cells with various anticancer drugs, were detectable in all of the cell lines, with levels of Apaf-1 ranging from approximately 1 x 10(5) to 2 x 10(6) molecules per cell and procaspase-9 from approximately 5 x 10(3) to approximately 1.6 x 10(5) molecules per cell. Procaspase-8 levels ranged from 1.7 x 10(5) to 8 x 10(6) molecules per cell. Procaspase-3, a major effector caspase, varied from undetectable to approximately 1.6 x 10(6) molecules per cell. Correlations between levels of these polypeptides and sensitivity to any of a variety of experimental or conventional antineoplastic agents in either 2-day or 6-day cytotoxicity assays were weak at best.

CONCLUSIONS

With the exception of caspase-3, all of the components of the core cell-death machinery are expressed in all of the cell lines examined. Despite variations in expression, levels of any one component are not a major determinant of drug sensitivity in these cells in vitro.

Expression of caspase-3 and c-myc in non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

Caspase-3 is a cysteine protease that plays an important role in the process of apoptotic cell death, but little has been studied clinically on caspase-3 in lung cancer. Increased c-myc expression can result in mitosis or apoptosis, and its contribution to the pathogenesis and prognosis of lung cancer has gained interest. In the present study, the expressions of caspase-3 and c-myc, along with their possible correlations with prognostic variables, were analyzed in resected non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Archival tumor tissues from 147 previously untreated NSCLC patients were examined by immunohistochemistry for the expressions of caspase-3 and c-myc proteins. Clinical information was obtained through the computerized retrospective database from the tumor registry.

RESULTS

The expressions of caspase-3 and c-myc were detected in 60 (88/147) and 16% (24/147) of tumors, respectively. No association was found between caspase-3 and c-myc expressions. A multivariate analysis demonstrated the N status and pathologic stage to be significantly correlated with poor survival (p-value=.018 and .002, respectively), but positive expression of caspase-3 was associated with a good prognosis (p=.03).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest the involvement of caspase-3 in the tumorigenesis of NSCLC. It is also noteworthy that caspase-3 expression might be a favorable prognostic indicator in these tumors.

Immunohistochemical analysis of pro- and active-caspase 3 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Active caspase 3 is considered to be the main executioner caspase in apoptotic process. The mechanisms of apoptosis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) have been investigated by examining the expression profiles of pro-caspase 3 and active-caspase 3. The correlation between the two forms of caspase 3 and the p53 status was also determined. LSCCs ( n=65) were studied using immunohistochemistry with antibodies to pro-caspase 3, active-caspase 3 and p53. The expression of pro-caspase 3 was absent or weak in 16 (24.6%), moderate in 21 (32.3%) and strong in 28 (43.1%) cases. Survival curves for different levels of pro-caspase 3 differed, but the differences were not statistically significant. An apoptotic index (AI) was determined by quantifying the active-caspase 3-positive cells. The AI ranged from 0.2% to 9.4% and did not differ among the different levels of pro-caspase 3 expression. Even in cases in which the expression of pro-caspase 3 was considered negative, caspase 3-positive apoptotic cells were found. The AIs were significantly higher in supraglottic tumours compared with glottic counterparts ( P=0.008) and were higher in poorly differentiated tumours compared with well-differentiated and moderately differentiated LSCC ( P=0.06). No correlation between AI and p53 expression was found, although pro-caspase 3 expression trended to be higher in the p53-positive group of LSCC. Our results suggest that the expression of pro-caspase 3, a key executioner caspase in apoptosis, is downregulated in a proportion of LSCC, but this is not associated with decreased apoptotic activity, measured by active-caspase 3 labelling.

Expression of AP-2?, c-kit, and cleaved caspase-6 and -3 in naevi and malignant melanomas of the skin. A possible role for caspases in melanoma progression?

Progression of melanoma is associated with loss of the transcription factor AP-2alpha and tyrosine-kinase receptor c-kit. However, the mechanisms by which these two proteins are down-regulated have not been fully elucidated. Fifty non-selected melanomas comprising ten superficial spreading melanomas (five exhibiting a radial growth phase and five a vertical growth phase), ten primary nodular melanomas, 30 melanoma metastases, and 16 naevi were investigated by direct sequencing analysis of the AP-2alpha and c-kit genes and by immunohistochemistry for the respective proteins. Because it has recently been demonstrated that AP-2alpha is preferentially cleaved by caspase-6 and to a lesser extent by caspase-3, immunohistochemistry for the cleaved (activated) forms of caspase-6 (c-casp-6) and caspase-3 (c-casp-3) was carried out. No mutations were identified in the c-kit gene, but three different point mutations were demonstrated in the activation motif of AP-2alpha in four tumours: one vertical growth phase superficial spreading melanoma, one nodular melanoma, and two metastases. Immunohistochemistry revealed progressive loss of the AP-2alpha and c-kit proteins in primary melanomas and metastases when compared with naevi. The decrease of both markers was more accentuated in the dermal component of all primary tumours, with c-kit more affected than AP-2alpha. All invasive melanomas and metastases expressed c-casp-6. c-casp-3 was expressed by 83% of the metastases and in the dermal component of one nodular melanoma. These findings suggest that the loss of AP-2alpha protein expression during the progression of melanoma could be related to mutation of the gene in only a small number of tumours, whereas the expression and activation of caspases, most prominently caspase-6, may be an important factor for the down-regulation of AP-2alpha protein. Furthermore, this study supports recent data that the activation of caspases does not inevitably result in apoptosis, but may also contribute to tumour progression in melanomas.