Sperm protein 17 is a novel marker for predicting cisplatin response in esophageal squamous cancer cell lines

Esophageal cancer screening, early detection and treatment: Current insights and future directions

Esophageal cancer ranks among the most prevalent malignant tumors globally, primarily due to its highly aggressive nature and poor survival rates. According to the 2020 global cancer statistics, there were approximately 604000 new cases of esophageal cancer, resulting in 544000 deaths. The 5-year survival rate hovers around a mere 15%-25%. Notably, distinct variations exist in the risk factors associated with the two primary histological types, influencing their worldwide incidence and distribution. Squamous cell carcinoma displays a high incidence in specific regions, such as certain areas in China, where it meets the cost-effectiveness criteria for widespread endoscopy-based early diagnosis within the local population. Conversely, adenocarcinoma (EAC) represents the most common histological subtype of esophageal cancer in Europe and the United States. The role of early diagnosis in cases of EAC originating from Barrett's esophagus (BE) remains a subject of controversy. The effectiveness of early detection for EAC, particularly those arising from BE, continues to be a debated topic. The variations in how early-stage esophageal carcinoma is treated in different regions are largely due to the differing rates of early-stage cancer diagnoses. In areas with higher incidences, such as China and Japan, early diagnosis is more common, which has led to the advancement of endoscopic methods as definitive treatments. These techniques have demonstrated remarkable efficacy with minimal complications while preserving esophageal functionality. Early screening, prompt diagnosis, and timely treatment are key strategies that can significantly lower both the occurrence and death rates associated with esophageal cancer.

Effects of miR‑106b‑3p on cell proliferation and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition, and targeting of ZNRF3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Previous studies have demonstrated that the dysregulation of microRNAs (miRs) is frequently associated with cancer progression. Deregulation of miR-106b-3p has been observed in various types of human cancer. However, the biological function of miR-106b-3p in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-106b-3p in ESCC. In the current study, the results indicated that miR-106b-3p was upregulated in ESCC cell lines and tissues. An increase in miR-106b-3p using miR mimics significantly promoted the proliferation of ESCC cells in vitro. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that miR-106b-3p overexpression promoted migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of ESCC cells. In addition, zinc and ring finger 3 (ZNRF3) was identified as a target of miR-106b-3p in ESCC cells, and the ZNRF3 expression level was inversely associated with miR-106b-3p. It was also demonstrated that miR-106b-3p has a role in EMT by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in ESCC. In conclusion, these data suggested that miR-106b-3p promotes cell proliferation and invasion, partially by downregulating ZNRF3 and inducing EMT via Wnt/β-catenin signaling in ESCC cells. Thus, miR-106b-3p and ZNRF3 may be novel molecular targets for the future treatment of ESCC.

Development of a M cell-targeted microparticulate platform, BSK02™, for oral immunization against the ovarian cancer antigen, sperm protein 17

Although it only accounts for approximately 5% of all female cancer cases, ovarian cancer (OC) ranks as the fifth leading cause of death due to cancer in women. We have evaluated the potential of an orally administered microparticulate vaccine incorporating an immunodominant epitope peptide derived from the cancer/testis antigen sperm protein 17 (SP17) aberrantly expressed in OC, to retard the progression of the disease. The peptide antigen and the immune-stimulatory toll-like receptor 9 ligand CpG oligonucleotide were incorporated into spray dried microparticles composed of enteric and sustained release polymers together with the Aleuria aurantia lectin targeting microfold cells present in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. These particles were administered via oral route to mice challenged week prior with SP17-expressing ID8 OC cells. Analysis of splenocytes harvested from vaccinated mice revealed strong activation of IFN-γ+/CD8+ lymphocytes in response to re-stimulation with the SP17 antigen. Moreover, vaccinated animals showed significant retardation of ascites/tumor volume in comparison to placebo-treated animals four weeks after the tumor challenge (p = 0.005). Taken together, our results suggest that vaccination against SP17 using orally administered microparticles could potentially be used as an effective consolidation strategy for OC patients with residual tumor or high probability for relapse following first-line treatments. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 107B: 29-36, 2019.

Cancer testis antigen Sperm Protein 17 as a new target for triple negative breast cancer immunotherapy

Breast carcinoma is a major health issue for millions of women. Current therapies have serious side effects, and are only partially effective in patients with metastatic tumors. Thus, the need for novel and less toxic therapies is urgent. Moreover, hormonal and antibody therapies effective in other subtypes are not effective in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Immunotherapeutic strategies directed against specific tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and mediated by specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) have been largely underexplored in this disease. Cancer-testis antigens (CTA) are a group of TAAs displaying the ideal characteristics of promising vaccine targets, i.e. strong immunogenicity and cancer specificity. The CTA, Sperm Protein 17 (SP17), has been found to be aberrantly expressed in different neoplasms, including ovarian and esophageal cancers, nervous system tumors and multiple myeloma, and has been suggested as a candidate target for immunotherapy.

Here, we evaluated SP17 expression levels in breast cancer cell lines, invasive ductal breast carcinoma, including patients with TNBC, and adjacent non-neoplastic breast tissue, and determined whether SP17 was capable of generating SP17-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vitro.

We showed that SP17 is expressed in breast cancer cell lines and primary breast tumors and importantly in TNBC subtype, but not in adjacent non-tumoral breast tissue or unaffected tissues, except in male germinal cells. Furthermore, we detected specific anti-SP17 antibodies in patients’ sera and we generated SP17-specific, HLA class I-restricted, cytotoxic T lymphocytes capable of efficiently killing breast cancer cells.

High expression of long non-coding RNA AFAP1-AS1 predicts chemoradioresistance and poor prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy

To evaluate the clinical significance of lncRNAs in the resistance to cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We focused on lncRNAs which were frequently reported in ESCC or were involved in chemoradiotherapy resistance. LncRNA expressions were examined in paired cisplatin-resistant and parental ESCC cell lines. Dysregulated lncRNAs were further measured in 162 pretreatment biopsy specimens of ESCC who received definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT). Then the correlations between lncRNA expression and response to dCRT and prognosis were analyzed. Three lncRNAs (AFAP1-AS1, UCA1, HOTAIR) were found to be deregulated in cisplatin-resistant cells compared with their parent cells. AFAP1-AS1 was significantly up-regulated in tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues (P = 0.006). Furthermore, overexpression of AFAP1-AS1 was closely associated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), distant metastasis (P = 0.016), advanced clinical stage (P = 0.002), and response to dCRT (P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that high expression of AFAP1-AS1 was significantly associated with shorter progression free survival (PFS) (median, 15 months vs. 27 months, P < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (median, 29 months vs. 42 months, P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, high expression of AFAP1-AS1 was found to be an independent risk factor to predict poor PFS (HR, 1.626; P = 0.027) and OS (HR, 1.888; P = 0.004). Thus, high expression of AFAP1-AS1 could serve as a potential biomarker to predict tumor response and survival. Determination of this lncRNA expression might be useful for selection ESCC patients for dCRT. © 2016 The Authors. Molecular Carcinogenesis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Wdr66 is a novel marker for risk stratification and involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

We attempted to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by gene expression profiling of frozen esophageal squamous carcinoma specimens and examined the functional relevance of a newly discovered marker gene, WDR66.

METHODS

Laser capture microdissection technique was applied to collect the cells from well-defined tumor areas in collaboration with an experienced pathologist. Whole human gene expression profiling of frozen esophageal squamous carcinoma specimens (n = 10) and normal esophageal squamous tissue (n = 18) was performed using microarray technology. A gene encoding WDR66, WD repeat-containing protein 66 was significantly highly expressed in esophageal squamous carcinoma specimens. Microarray results were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in a second and independent cohort (n = 71) consisting of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (n = 25), normal esophagus (n = 11), esophageal adenocarcinoma (n = 13), gastric adenocarcinoma (n = 15) and colorectal cancers (n = 7). In order to understand WDR66's functional relevance siRNA-mediated knockdown was performed in a human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line, KYSE520 and the effects of this treatment were then checked by another microarray analysis.

RESULTS

High WDR66 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (P = 0.031) of patients suffering from esophageal squamous carcinomas. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that WDR66 expression remained an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.042). WDR66 knockdown by RNA interference resulted particularly in changes of the expression of membrane components. Expression of vimentin was down regulated in WDR66 knockdown cells while that of the tight junction protein occludin was markedly up regulated. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated knockdown of WDR66 resulted in suppression of cell growth and reduced cell motility.

CONCLUSIONS

WDR66 might be a useful biomarker for risk stratification of esophageal squamous carcinomas. WDR66 expression is likely to play an important role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth and invasion as a positive modulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, due to its high expression and possible functional relevance, WDR66 might be a novel drug target for the treatment of squamous carcinoma.