β6 -integrin serves as a novel serum tumor marker for colorectal carcinoma

Current landscape of targeted therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal cancer is the seventh most common malignancy worldwide and is primarily categorized into adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), with the predominant histological type varying by region. In Western countries, including the United States, adenocarcinoma is more prevalent, whereas in East Asian countries, SCC is more common, with it constituting 86% of cases in Japan. Although there has been an increasing trend of adenocarcinoma in Western populations, SCC still accounts for the majority of esophageal cancer cases globally. Cytotoxic chemotherapy has been the mainstay of treatment, however, targeted therapies including EGFR, FGFR, PI3K, or CDK4/6, despite showing preliminary efficacy signals, have not yet received regulatory approval. Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown therapeutic efficacy and have been approved as a monotherapy or combination therapy for advanced esophageal SCC (ESCC). Although PD-L1 expression is the only clinically applicable biomarker for first-line therapy with ICIs in ESCC, responses to ICIs are various, and novel predictive biomarkers are under investigation. Furthermore, novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) hold promise for advanced ESCC. This review includes the current landscape and future perspectives of potential targeted therapy for advanced ESCC.

Emerging Targets in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is responsible for a high burden of disease globally. Over the last two decades, the discovery of targetable oncogenic genomic alterations has revolutionized the treatment landscape for early-stage and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). New molecular drivers continue to emerge as promising therapeutic targets, including KRAS non-G12C, RAF/MEK, HER3, Nectin-4, folate receptor alpha, ITGB6, and PRMT5. In this review, we summarize the emerging molecular targets with a potential clinical impact in advanced NSCLC, elaborating on their clinical characteristics and specific mechanisms and molecular pathways for which targeted treatments are currently available. Additionally, we present an aggregate of ongoing clinical trials investigating the available treatment options targeting such alterations, in addition to their current recruitment status and preliminary efficacy data. These advancements may guide further research endeavors and inform future treatment strategies to improve the management of and transform outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC.

Peritoneal infection after colorectal cancer surgery induces substantial alterations in postoperative protein levels: an exploratory study

PURPOSE

Peritoneal infection, due to anastomotic leakage, after resection for colorectal cancer have been shown to associate with increased cancer recurrence and mortality, as well as cardiovascsular morbidity. Alterations in circulating protein levels could help shed light on the underlying mechanisms, prompting this exploratory study of 64 patients operated for colorectal cancer with anastomosis.

METHODS

Thirty-two cases who suffered a postoperative peritoneal infection were matched with 32 controls who had a complication-free postoperative stay. Proteins in serum samples at their first postoperative visit and at one year after surgery were analysed using proximity extension assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Multivariate projection methods, adjusted for multiple testing, were used to compare levels between groups, and enrichment and network analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven proteins, out of 270 tested, were differentially expressed at a median sampling time of 41 days postoperatively. These proteins were all normalised one year after surgery. Many of the differentially expressed top hub proteins have known involvement in cancer progression, survival, invasiveness and metastasis. Over-represented pathways were related to cardiomyopathy, cell-adhesion, extracellular matrix, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt (PI3K-Akt) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling.

CONCLUSION

These affected proteins and pathways could provide clues as to why patients with peritoneal infection might suffer increased cancer recurrence, mortality and cardiovascular morbidity.

Exploring the role of ITGB6: fibrosis, cancer, and other diseases

Integrin β6 (ITGB6), a member of the integrin family of proteins, is only present in epithelial tissues and frequently associates with integrin subunit αv to form transmembrane heterodimers named integrin αvβ6. Importantly, ITGB6 determines αvβ6 expression and availability. In addition to being engaged in organ fibrosis, ITGB6 is also directly linked to the emergence of cancer, periodontitis, and several potential genetic diseases. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the molecular-biological mechanism of ITGB6, which could provide novel insights for future clinical diagnosis and therapy. This review introduces the structure, distribution, and biological function of ITGB6. This review also expounds on ITGB6-related diseases, detailing the known biological effects of ITGB6.

Elevated ITGA1 levels in type 2 diabetes: implications for cardiac function impairment

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is known to contribute to the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, identifying HFpEF in individuals with type 2 diabetes early on is often challenging due to a limited array of biomarkers. This study aims to investigate specific biomarkers associated with the progression of HFpEF in individuals with type 2 diabetes, for the purpose of enabling early detection and more effective management strategies.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected from individuals with type 2 diabetes, both with and without HFpEF, for proteomic analysis. Plasma integrin α1 (ITGA1) levels were measured and compared between the two groups. Participants were further categorised based on ITGA1 levels and underwent detailed transthoracic echocardiography at baseline and during a median follow-up period of 30 months. Multivariable linear and Cox regression analyses were conducted separately to assess the associations between plasma ITGA1 levels and changes in echocardiography indicators and re-hospitalisation risk. Additionally, proteomic data for the individuals' left ventricles, from ProteomeXchange database, were analysed to uncover mechanisms underlying the change in ITGA1 levels in HFpEF.

RESULTS

Individuals with type 2 diabetes and HFpEF showed significantly higher plasma ITGA1 levels than the individuals with type 2 diabetes without HFpEF. These elevated ITGA1 levels were associated with left ventricular remodelling and impaired diastolic function. Furthermore, during a median follow-up of 30 months, multivariable analysis revealed that elevated ITGA1 levels independently correlated with deterioration of both diastolic and systolic cardiac functions. Additionally, higher baseline plasma ITGA1 levels independently predicted re-hospitalisation risk (HR 2.331 [95% CI 1.387, 3.917], p=0.001). Proteomic analysis of left ventricular myocardial tissue provided insights into the impact of increased ITGA1 levels on cardiac fibrosis-related pathways and the contribution made by these changes to the development and progression of HFpEF.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

ITGA1 serves as a biomarker for monitoring cardiac structural and functional damage, can be used to accurately diagnose the presence of HFpEF, and can be used to predict potential deterioration in cardiac structure and function as well as re-hospitalisation for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Its measurement holds promise for facilitating risk stratification and early intervention to mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects associated with diabetes.

DATA AVAILABILITY

The proteomic data of left ventricular myocardial tissue from individuals with type 2 diabetes, encompassing both those with and without HFpEF, is available from the ProteomeXchange database at http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org .

Tumor circulating biomarkers in colorectal cancer

CRC is a major global health concern and is responsible for a significant number of cancer-related deaths each year. The successful treatment of CRC becomes more difficult when it goes undetected until it has advanced to a later stage. Diagnostic biomarkers can play a critical role in the early detection of CRC, which leads to improved patient outcomes and increased survival rates. It is important to develop reliable biomarkers for the early detection of CRC to enable timely diagnosis and treatment. To date, CRC detection methods such as endoscopy, blood, and stool tests are imperfect and often only identify cases in the later stages of the disease. To overcome these limitations, researchers are turning to molecular biomarkers as a promising avenue for improving CRC detection. Diagnostic information can be provided more reliably through a noninvasive approach using biomarkers such as mRNA, circulating cell-free DNA, micro-RNA, long non-coding RNA, and proteins. These biomarkers can be found in blood, tissue, feces, and volatile organic compounds. The identification of molecular biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity for early detection of CRC that are safe, cost-effective, and easily measurable remains a significant challenge for researchers. In this article, we will explore the latest advancements in blood-based diagnostic biomarkers for CRC and their potential impact on improving patient survival rates.

SGN-B6A: A New Vedotin Antibody-Drug Conjugate Directed to Integrin Beta-6 for Multiple Carcinoma Indications

Integrin beta-6, a component of the heterodimeric adhesion receptor alpha-v/beta-6, is overexpressed in numerous solid tumors. Its expression has been shown by multiple investigators to be a negative prognostic indicator in diverse cancers including colorectal, non-small cell lung, gastric, and cervical. We developed SGN-B6A as an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to integrin beta-6 to deliver the clinically validated payload monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) to cancer cells. The antibody component of SGN-B6A is specific for integrin beta-6 and does not bind other alpha-v family members. In preclinical studies, this ADC has demonstrated activity in vivo in models derived from non-small cell lung, pancreatic, pharyngeal, and bladder carcinomas spanning a range of antigen expression levels. In nonclinical toxicology studies in cynomolgus monkeys, doses of up to 5 mg/kg weekly for four doses or 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks for two doses were tolerated. Hematologic toxicities typical of MMAE ADCs were dose limiting, and no significant target-mediated toxicity was observed. A phase I first-in-human study is in progress to evaluate the safety and antitumor activity of SGN-B6A in a variety of solid tumors known to express integrin beta-6 (NCT04389632).

Current advances in detecting genetic and epigenetic biomarkers of colorectal cancer

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common cancer in terms of diagnosis and the second in terms of mortality. Recent studies have shown that various proteins, extracellular vesicles (i.e., exosomes), specific genetic variants, gene transcripts, cell-free DNA (cfDNA), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and altered epigenetic patterns, can be used to detect, and assess the prognosis of CRC. Over the last decade, a plethora of conventional methodologies (e.g., polymerase chain reaction [PCR], direct sequencing, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], microarray, in situ hybridization) as well as advanced analytical methodologies (e.g., microfluidics, electrochemical biosensors, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy [SERS]) have been developed for analyzing genetic and epigenetic biomarkers using both optical and non-optical tools. Despite these methodologies, no gold standard detection method has yet been implemented that can analyze CRC with high specificity and sensitivity in an inexpensive, simple, and time-efficient manner. Moreover, until now, no study has critically reviewed the advantages and limitations of these methodologies. Here, an overview of the most used genetic and epigenetic biomarkers for CRC and their detection methods are discussed. Furthermore, a summary of the major biological, technical, and clinical challenges and advantages/limitations of existing techniques is also presented.

Antitumor mechanism of Saikosaponin A in the Xiaoying Sanjie Decoction for treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer by network pharmacology analysis and experiments in vitro and in vivo

Effective therapies for anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) are still limited due to its dedifferentiated phenotype and high invasiveness. Xiaoying Sanjie Decoction (XYSJD), a clinically empirical Chinese medicine compound, has shown positive effects for ATC treatment and recovery. However, the pharmacological mechanisms of effective active compound in XYSJD remain unclear. In this study, we aimed at elucidating the antitumor mechanism of the active compound and identifying the kernel molecular mechanisms of XYSJD against ATC. Firstly, the main chemical constituents of XYSJD were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS). Then we used network pharmacology and ClusterONE algorithm to analyze the possible targets and pathways of the prescription and active compound Saikosaponin A (SSA). Seven core targets, including P2RY12, PDK1, PPP1CC, PPP2CA, TBK1, ITGB1 and ITGB6, which may be involved in the anti-tumor activity of XYSJD were screened. Finally, using cell biology, molecular biology and experimental zoology techniques, we investigated the mechanism of active compound SSA in the treatment of ATC. The results of qRT-PCR indicated that these seven nuclear targets might play an important role in SSA, the active compound of XYSJD. The combined data provide preliminary study of the pharmacological mechanisms of SSA in XYSJD. SSA may be a promising potential therapeutic and chemopreventive candidate for ATC.

Prognostic value and potential molecular mechanism of ITGB superfamily members in hepatocellular carcinoma

We analyzed the prognostic value and potential molecular mechanisms of the members of integrin β (ITGB)superfamily in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), cBioPortal, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), Human Protein Atlas (HPA) HPA, Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins, GeneMANIA, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), TIMER and Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) databases. ITGB4/5 mRNA was upregulated in HCC tissues in contrast to the normal liver tissues, whereas ITGB2/3/8 levels were lower in the former. ITGB4 was the most frequently mutated ITGB gene in HCC. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that the expression levels of ITGB2/3/4/5/7/8 had significant diagnostic value in distinguishing HCC tissues from healthy liver tissues, ITGB8 had the highest diagnostic efficacy. The ITGB1/3/6/8 were also upregulated in the HCC tissues in contrast to healthy liver tissues. The expression of ITGB8 was verified by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Furthermore, ITGB6 and ITGB7 expression levels were strongly associated with the overall survival (OS) of HCC patients. The ITGB superfamily members exhibited homology and interactions in protein structure. In addition, ITGB6 together with ITGB7 were negatively related to the infiltration of multiple immune cell populations. GSEA results showed that ITGB6 was enriched in HCC migration and recurrence, whereas ITGB7 was significantly enriched in HIPPO, TOLL and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. In conclusion, ITGB6 and ITGB7 genes are possible to be prognostic biomarkers for HCC.

A newly defined basement membrane-related gene signature for the prognosis of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

Background: Basement membranes (BMs) are associated with cell polarity, differentiation, migration, and survival. Previous studies have shown that BMs play a key role in the progression of cancer, and thus could serve as potential targets for inhibiting the development of cancer. However, the association between basement membrane-related genes (BMRGs) and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. To address that gap, we constructed a novel risk signature utilizing BMRGs to explore the relationship between ccRCC and BMs.

Methods: We gathered transcriptome and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and randomly separated the data into training and test sets to look for new potential biomarkers and create a predictive signature of BMRGs for ccRCC. We applied univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression analyses to establish the model. The risk signature was further verified and evaluated through principal component analysis (PCA), the Kaplan-Meier technique, and time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC). A nomogram was constructed to predict the overall survival (OS). The possible biological pathways were investigated through functional enrichment analysis. In this study, we also determined tumor mutation burden (TMB) and performed immunological analysis and immunotherapeutic drug analysis between the high- and low-risk groups.

Results: We identified 33 differentially expressed genes and constructed a risk model of eight BMRGs, including COL4A4, FREM1, CSPG4, COL4A5, ITGB6, ADAMTS14, MMP17, and THBS4. The PCA analysis showed that the signature could distinguish the high- and low-risk groups well. The K-M and ROC analysis demonstrated that the model could predict the prognosis well from the areas under the curves (AUCs), which was 0.731. Moreover, the nomogram showed good predictability. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis validated that the model results supported the hypothesis that BMRGs were independent risk factors for ccRCC. Furthermore, immune cell infiltration, immunological checkpoints, TMB, and the half-inhibitory concentration varied considerably between high- and low-risk groups.

Conclusion: Employing eight BMRGs to construct a risk model as a prognostic indicator of ccRCC could provide us with a potential progression trajectory as well as predictions of therapeutic response.

β1-Integrin plays a major role in resveratrol-mediated anti-invasion effects in the CRC microenvironment

Background: Tumor microenvironment (TME) is one of the most important factors in tumor aggressiveness, with an active exchange between tumor and other TME-associated cells that promotes metastasis. The tumor-inhibitory effect of resveratrol on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells has been frequently reported. However, whether resveratrol can specifically suppress TME-induced CRC invasion via β1-integrin receptors has not been fully elucidated yet.

Methods: Two CRC cell lines (HCT116, RKO) were cultured in multicellular, pro-inflammatory 3D-alginate TME cultures (containing fibroblasts, T-lymphocytes) to investigate the role of β1-integrin receptors in the anti-invasive and anti-metastatic effect of resveratrol by antisense oligonucleotides (ASO).

Results: Our results show that resveratrol dose-dependently suppressed the migration-promoting adhesion adapter protein paxillin and simultaneously enhanced the expression of E-cadherin associated with the phenotype change of CRC cells, and their invasion. Moreover, resveratrol blocked TME-induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65-NF-κB, which was associated with changes in the expression pattern of epithelial-mesenchymal-transition-related biomarkers (slug, vimentin, E-cadherin), metastasis-related factors (CXCR4, MMP-9, FAK), and apoptosis (caspase-3). Finally, transient transfection of β1-integrin, in contrast to knockdown of NF-κB, abrogated most anti-invasive, anti-metastatic effects as well as downstream signaling of resveratrol, resulting in a concomitant increase in CRC cell invasion, indicating a central role of β1-integrin receptors in the anti-invasive function of resveratrol.

Conclusion: These results demonstrate for the first time that silencing β1-integrins may suppress, at least in part the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on invasion and migration of CRC cells, underscoring the crucial homeostatic role of β1-integrin receptors.

Inhibition of integrin αvβ6 sparks T-cell antitumor response and enhances immune checkpoint blockade therapy in colorectal cancer

Background

Integrin αvβ6 is a heterodimeric cell surface protein whose cellular expression is determined by the availability of the integrin β6 subunit (ITGB6). It is expressed at very low levels in most organs during tissue homeostasis but shows highly upregulated expression during the process of tumorigenesis in many cancers of epithelial origin. Notably, enhanced expression of integrin αvβ6 is associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis in numerous carcinoma entities. Integrin αvβ6 is one of the major physiological activators of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which has been shown to inhibit the antitumor T-cell response and cause resistance to immunotherapy in mouse models of colorectal and mammary cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of ITGB6 expression and antibody-mediated integrin αvβ6 inhibition on the tumor immune response in colorectal cancer.

Methods

Using orthotopic and heterotopic tumor cell injection, we assessed the effect of ITGB6 on tumor growth and tumor immune response in wild type mice, mice with defective TGF-β signaling, and mice treated with anti-integrin αvβ6 antibodies. To examine the effect of ITGB6 in human colorectal cancer, we analyzed RNAseq data from the colon adenocarcinoma dataset of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-COAD).

Results

We demonstrate that expression of ITGB6 is an immune evasion strategy in colorectal cancer, causing inhibition of the antitumor immune response and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy by activating latent TGF-β. Antibody-mediated inhibition of integrin αvβ6 sparked a potent cytotoxic T-cell response and overcame resistance to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade therapy in ITGB6 expressing tumors, provoking a drastic increase in anti-PD-1 treatment efficacy. Further, we show that the majority of tumors in patients with colorectal cancer express sufficient ITGB6 to provoke inhibition of the cytotoxic T-cell response, indicating that most patients could benefit from integrin αvβ6 blockade therapy.

Conclusions

These findings propose inhibition of integrin αvβ6 as a promising new therapy for colorectal cancer, which blocks tumor-promoting TGF-β activation, prevents tumor exclusion of cytotoxic T-cells and enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

Systematic Analysis of an Invasion-Related 3-Gene Signature and Its Validation as a Prognostic Model for Pancreatic Cancer

Background

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a malignant tumor of the digestive system that is associated with a poor prognosis in patients owing to its rapid progression and high invasiveness.

Methods

Ninety-seven invasive-related genes obtained from the CancerSEA database were clustered to obtain the molecular subtype of pancreatic cancer based on the RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between subtypes were obtained using the limma package in R, and the multi-gene risk model based on DEGs was constructed by Lasso regression analysis. Independent datasets GSE57495 and GSE62452 were used to validate the prognostic value of the risk model. To further explore the expression of the hub genes, immunohistochemistry was performed on PAAD tissues obtained from a large cohort.

Results

The TCGA-PAAD samples were divided into two subtypes based on the expression of the invasion-related genes: C1 and C2. Most genes were overexpressed in the C1 subtype. The C1 subtype was mainly enriched in tumor-related signaling pathways, and the prognosis of patients with the C1 subtype was significantly worse than those with the C2 subtype. A 3-gene signature consisting of LY6D, BCAT1, and ITGB6 based on 538 DEGs between both subtypes serves as a stable prognostic marker in patients with pancreatic cancer across multiple cohorts. LY6D, BCAT1, and ITGB6 were over-expressed in 120 PAAD samples compared to normal samples.

Conclusions

The constructed 3-gene signature can be used as a molecular marker to assess the prognostic risk in patients with PAAD.

Current advances in prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for solid cancers: Detection techniques and future challenges

Solid cancers are one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths, characterized by rapid growth of tumour, and local and distant metastases. Current advances on multimodality care have substantially improved local control and metastasis-free survival of patients by resection of primary tumour. The major concern in disease prognosis is the timely detection of resectable or metastatic tumour, thus reinforcing the need for identification of biomarkers for premalignant lesions of solid cancer. This ultimately improves the outcome for the patients. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to update the recent advancements on prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers to enhance early detection of common solid cancers including, breast, lung, colorectal, prostate and stomach cancer. We also provide an insight into Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved solid cancers biomarkers; various conventional techniques used for detection of prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers and discuss approaches to turn challenges in this field into opportunities.

Integrin-β6 Serves as a Potential Prognostic Serum Biomarker for Gastric Cancer

Discovering novel biomarkers that easily accessed is a key step towards the personalized medicine approach for gastric cancer patients. Integrin-β6 (ITGB6) is a subtype of integrin that is exclusively expressed on the surface of epithelial cells and is up-regulated in various tumors. In the present study, a retrospective cohort with 135 gastric cancer patients and a prospective cohort with 34 gastric cancer patients were constructed, ITGB6 expression were detected in both the serum specimens and the tissue specimens. Detailed clinicopathological parameters as well as patients' survival were recorded. A nomogram including ITGB6 expression was also constructed and validated to predict the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Results showed that serum ITGB6 expression was obviously increased and associated with tumor stage in gastric cancer patients, serum ITGB6 expression was relatively high in patients with liver metastasis. High ITGB6 expression indicated a poor prognosis, and nomogram including serum ITGB6 expression could predict the prognosis of gastric cancer patients effectively. Moreover, serum ITGB6 expression was associated with ITGB6 expression in tumor tissues. Furthermore, combined serum ITGB6 and CEA levels contributed to the risk stratification and prognostic prediction for gastric cancer patients. In addition, the serum expression of ITGB6 decreased significantly after radical surgery, and a new rise in serum ITGB6 expression indicated tumor recurrence or progression. The present study identified a novel serum biomarker for the risk stratification, prognostic prediction and surveillance of gastric cancer patients.

A SMYD3/ITGB6/TGFβ1 Positive Feedback Loop Promotes the Invasion and Adhesion of Ovarian Cancer Spheroids

Background

Implantation metastasis is the main means of dissemination in ovarian cancer. Our previous studies showed that SET and MYND domain-containing protein 3 (SMYD3) expression was higher in ovarian cancer spheroids than in monolayers. SMYD3 enhancement of spheroid invasion and adhesion is mediated by the downstream effectors ITGB6 and ITGAM. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the SMYD3/integrin-mediated invasion and adhesion of spheroids still need to be explored.

Methods

Western blotting was used to examine the expression of SMYD3, ITGB6 and downstream molecules under different treatments. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of F-actin, E-cadherin and N-cadherin. Anti-ITGB6 antibody-based inhibition and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to confirm the binding between ITGB6 and latent TGFβ1. Transwell invasion, adherence and 3D tumor spheroid invasion assays were employed to test the effects of TGFβ1 on the invasion and adhesion of ovarian cancer spheroids. ELISA was performed to assess the release of latent TGFβ1 from ovarian cancer spheroids.

Results

SMYD3 and ITGB6 activated the TGFβ1/Smad3 pathway and then induced the upregulation of Snail, Vimentin and N-cadherin and the downregulation of E-cadherin in 3D-cultured ovarian cancer spheroids. In this process, latent TGFβ1 could bind to ITGB6 and become activated to stimulate the Smad3 pathway. Moreover, SMYD3 and ITGB6 could facilitate the release of latent TGFβ1 from 3D-cultured ovarian cancer spheroids. Interestingly, TGFβ1 could promote the expression of SMYD3 and ITGB6 via feedback. This positive feedback loop could further amplify the biological effect and promote the invasion and adhesion of ovarian cancer spheroids.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that the SMYD3/ITGB6/TGFβ1-Smad3 positive feedback loop could promote the invasion and adhesion of ovarian cancer spheroids by upregulating the expression of N-cadherin, Snail, and Vimentin and downregulating the expression of E-cadherin. Thus, our study unmasked the mechanism of SMYD3- and ITGB6-induced ovarian cancer metastasis and provides new ideas for targeted ovarian cancer treatment.

NCOR1 Sustains Colorectal Cancer Cell Growth and Protects against Cellular Senescence

Simple Summary

NCOR1 is a scaffold protein that interacts with multiple partners to repress gene transcription. NCOR1 controls immunometabolic functions in several tissues and has been recently shown to protect against experimental colitis in mice. Our laboratory has observed a pro-proliferative role of NCOR1 in normal intestinal epithelial cells. However, it is unclear whether NCOR1 is functionally involved in colon cancer. This study demonstrated that NCOR1 is required for colorectal cancer cell growth. Depletion of NCOR1 caused these cells to become senescent. Transcriptomic signatures confirmed these observations but also predicted the potential for these cells to become pro-invasive. Thus, NCOR1 plays a novel role in preventing cancer-associated senescence and could represent a target for controlling colon cancer progression.

Abstract

NCOR1 is a corepressor that mediates transcriptional repression through its association with nuclear receptors and specific transcription factors. Some evidence supports a role for NCOR1 in neonatal intestinal epithelium maturation and the maintenance of epithelial integrity during experimental colitis in mice. We hypothesized that NCOR1 could control colorectal cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenicity. Conditional intestinal epithelial deletion of Ncor1 in Apc^Min/+ mice resulted in a significant reduction in polyposis. RNAi targeting of NCOR1 in Caco-2/15 and HT-29 cell lines led to a reduction in cell growth, characterized by cellular senescence associated with a secretory phenotype. Tumor growth of HT-29 cells was reduced in the absence of NCOR1 in the mouse xenografts. RNA-seq transcriptome profiling of colon cancer cells confirmed the senescence phenotype in the absence of NCOR1 and predicted the occurrence of a pro-migration cellular signature in this context. SOX2, a transcription factor essential for pluripotency of embryonic stem cells, was induced under these conditions. In conclusion, depletion of NCOR1 reduced intestinal polyposis in mice and caused growth arrest, leading to senescence in human colorectal cell lines. The acquisition of a pro-metastasis signature in the absence of NCOR1 could indicate long-term potential adverse consequences of colon-cancer-induced senescence.

β6-Integrin Serves as a Potential Serum Marker for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Despite enormous efforts during the past decades, pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) remains one of the most deleterious cancer entities. A useful biomarker for early detection or prognosis of PAC does not yet exist. The goal of our study was the characterization of β6-integrin (ITGB6) as a novel serum tumor marker for refined diagnosis and prognosis of PAC. Serum ITGB6 levels were analyzed in 3 independent PAC cohorts consisting of retrospectively and prospectively collected serum and/or (metastatic) PAC tissue specimens.

METHODS

Using 2 independent cohorts, we measured serum ITGB6 concentrations in 10 chronic pancreatitis patients, 10 controls, as well as in 27 (cohort 1) and 24 (cohort 2) patients with PAC, respectively. In these patients, we investigated whether ITGB6 serum levels correlate with known clinical and prognostic markers for PAC and whether they might differ between patients with PAC or benign inflammatory diseases of the pancreas.

RESULTS

We found that elevated serum ITGB6 levels (≥0.100 ng/mL) in patients suffering from metastasizing PAC presented an unfavorable prognostic outcome. By correlating the ITGB6 tissue expression in primary and metastatic PAC with clinical parameters, we found that positive ITGB6 expression in the tumor tissue is linked to increased serum ITGB6 levels in nonmetastatic PAC and correlates with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and clinical outcome.

DISCUSSION

Our findings suggest that ITGB6 might serve as a novel serum biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis of PAC. Given the limited specificity and sensitivity of currently used carbohydrate antigen 19-9-based assays, ITGB6 may have the potential to improve the diagnostic accuracy for PAC.

Advances in Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer: A Focus on Non-invasive Biomarkers

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Currently, colonoscopy remains the gold standard diagnostic test for CRC detection. Nonetheless, this technique is invasive and expensive. Remarkable ongoing strategies are focusing on the development of affordable methods to diagnose CRC at earlier stages. The introduction of suitable noninvasive, sensitive and specified diagnostic tests for early CRC detection by employing biomarker analysis seems to be a fundamental need to reduce the numbers of unnecessary colonoscopies. In this review, we provide an overview of single- and multi-panel biomarkers (Genomic markers, transcriptome markers, proteomic markers, inflammatory markers, and microbiome markers) encompassing noninvasive tests in blood and stool for early CRC detection.

METHODS

A bibliographic search using PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost databases was performed to find relevant published studies over the last 6 years. Forty-three pertinent studies were included in this review.

RESULTS

The primary outcome highlights the sensitivity and specificity of single diagnostic biomarkers studied in blood or stool. The secondary outcome reveals the sensitivity and specificity of the biomarkers panel (combinations) in blood or stool. While some markers show better performance, others are not suitable for screening purposes.

CONCLUSION

There is a need to adjust experimental and analytical tests that can interfere with a robust result to replace or supplement those markers that are currently in use. Nevertheless, robust verification and validation with large clinical cohorts are needed for successful noninvasive tests that can fulfill the role of colonoscopy.

Updates on Clinical Use of Liquid Biopsy in Colorectal Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, Follow-Up, and Treatment Guidance

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, being the third most diagnosed in the world and the second deadliest. Solid biopsy provides an essential guide for the clinical management of patients with colorectal cancer; however, this method presents several limitations, in particular invasiveness, and cannot be used repeatedly. Recently, clinical research directed toward the use of liquid biopsy, as an alternative tool to solid biopsy, showed significant promise in several CRC clinical applications, as (1) detect CRC patients at early stage, (2) make treatment decision, (3) monitor treatment response, (4) predict relapses and metastases, (5) unravel tumor heterogeneity, and (6) detect minimal residual disease. The purpose of this short review is to describe the concept, the characteristics, the genetic components, and the technologies used in liquid biopsy in the context of the management of colorectal cancer, and finally we reviewed gene alterations, recently described in the literature, as promising potential biomarkers that may be specifically used in liquid biopsy tests.

Silencing of ITGB6 inhibits the progression of cervical carcinoma via regulating JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway

Background

Integrin β6 (ITGB6), a key submonomer of integrin αvβ6, plays an important role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), wound healing, epithelial-derived tumor growth, fibrosis, and epithelial repair. However, the role of ITGB6 in cervical carcinoma (CC) remains elusive.

Methods

The expression levels of ITGB6 in CC tissues and cell lines were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony-forming, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay, respectively. The expression of related proteins, including EMT markers and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT3) signaling markers, were detected using western blotting.

Results

The ITGB6 expression in CC tissues and cells (C-33A, Hela, SiHa, and Caski) was remarkably higher than that in paracarcinoma tissues and ECT1/E6E7 cells. The data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data set suggested that patients with CC with high ITGB6 expression showed poorer overall survival (OS). Compared with the empty transfection group (si-NC), si-ITGB6 restrained the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SiHa and Hela cells, while promoting cell apoptosis. si-ITGB6 suppression decreased the expression of Snail, vimentin, and N-cadherin, while increasing E-cadherin expression. Further research showed that si-ITGB6 reduced p-JAK1/JAK1, p-JAK2/JAK2, and p-STAT3/STAT3 expression in the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. Interestingly, proliferation, migration, invasion, and the expressions of the molecular markers of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway and EMT pathway induced by ITGB6 were altered by RO8191 (JAK/STAT3 pathway activator). Furthermore, the protein expression levels of Snail, vimentin, N-cadherin, p-STAT3/STAT3, p-JAK1/JAK1, and p-JAK2/JAK2 in tumor tissues were higher than those in adjacent normal tissue, while the expression level of E-cadherin was downregulated in tumor tissues.

Conclusions

Silencing of ITGB6 restrains cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promotes apoptosis in CC by inhibiting JAK/STAT signaling pathways. Thus, ITGB6 may perhaps be a new and useful candidate target for treating CC.

Towards Novel Non-Invasive Colorectal Cancer Screening Methods: A Comprehensive Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cancer-related causes of death in the world. Since the 70s, many countries have adopted different CRC screening programs, which has resulted in a decrease in mortality. However, current screening test options still present downsides. The commercialized stool-based tests present high false-positive rates and low sensitivity, which negatively affects the detection of early stage carcinogenesis. The gold standard colonoscopy has low uptake due to its invasiveness and the perception of discomfort and embarrassment that the procedure may bring. In this review, we collected and described the latest data about alternative CRC screening techniques that can overcome these disadvantages. Web of Science and PubMed were employed as search engines for studies reporting on CRC screening tests and future perspectives. The searches generated 555 articles, of which 93 titles were selected. Finally, a total of 50 studies, describing 14 different CRC alternative tests, were included. Among the investigated techniques, the main feature that could have an impact on CRC screening perception and uptake was the ease of sample collection. Urine, exhaled breath, and blood-based tests promise to achieve good diagnostic performance (sensitivity of 63-100%, 90-95%, and 47-97%, respectively) while minimizing stress and discomfort for the patient.

Use of a Recombinant Biomarker Protein DDA Library Increases DIA Coverage of Low Abundance Plasma Proteins

Credible detection and quantification of low abundance proteins from human blood plasma is a major challenge in precision medicine biomarker discovery when using mass spectrometry (MS). In this proof-of-concept study, we employed a mixture of selected recombinant proteins in DDA libraries to subsequently identify (not quantify) cancer-associated low abundance plasma proteins using SWATH/DIA. The exemplar DDA recombinant protein spectral library (rPSL) was derived from tryptic digestion of 36 recombinant human proteins that had been previously implicated as possible cancer biomarkers from both our own and other studies. The rPSL was then used to identify proteins from nondepleted colorectal cancer (CRC) EDTA plasmas by SWATH-MS. Most (32/36) of the proteins used in the rPSL were reliably identified from CRC plasma samples, including 8 proteins (i.e., BTC, CXCL10, IL1B, IL6, ITGB6, TGFα, TNF, TP53) not previously detected using high-stringency protein inference MS according to PeptideAtlas. The rPSL SWATH-MS protocol was compared to DDA-MS using MARS-depleted and postdigestion peptide fractionated plasmas (here referred to as a human plasma DDA library). Of the 32 proteins identified using rPSL SWATH, only 12 could be identified using DDA-MS. The 20 additional proteins exclusively identified using the rPSL SWATH approach were almost exclusively lower abundance (i.e., <10 ng/mL) proteins. To mitigate justified FDR concerns, and to replicate a more typical library creation approach, the DDA rPSL library was merged with a human plasma DDA library and SWATH identification repeated using such a merged library. The majority (33/36) of the low abundance plasma proteins added from the rPSL were still able to be identified using such a merged library when high-stringency HPP Guidelines v3.0 protein inference criteria were applied to our data set. The MS data set has been deposited to ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository (PXD022361).

Expression and Prognostic Analysis of Integrins in Gastric Cancer

Background

Integrins are involved in the biological process of a variety of cancers, but their importance in the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. Therefore, this study aimed at exploring the significance of ITG gene expression in GC to evaluate its diagnosis and prognosis.

Methods

GEPIA data were used to evaluate the mRNA expression of ITG genes in GC patients. The prognostic value of these genes was assessed by analyzing their mRNA expression using the Kaplan–Meier curve. The biological function of ITG genes was evaluated by GC tissue sequencing combined with GSEA bioinformatics. Based on the sequencing data, ITGA5 with the largest expression difference was selected for verification, and RT-PCR was used to verify its mRNA expression level in 40 pairs of GC and normal tissues.

Results

ITG (A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A11, AE, AL, AM, AV, AX, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, and B8) was highly expressed in GC tissues, while ITGA8 was low, compared with their expression in normal tissues. RNA-seq data shows that ITG (A2, A5, A11, AV, and B1) expression was associated with poor prognosis and overall survival. In addition, combined with the results of GC tissue mRNA sequencing, it was further found that the differentially expressed genes in the ITGs genes. ITGA5 was highly expressed in GC tissues compared with its expression in normal tissues, as evaluated by qRT–PCR (P < 0.001) and ROC (P < 0.001, AUC (95% CI) = 0.747 (0.641–0.851)), and confirmed that ITGA5 expression was a potential diagnostic marker for GC. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the signaling pathway involved in ITGA5 was mainly enriched in focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, and PI3K-AKT and was mainly involved in biological processes such as cell adhesion, extracellular matrix, and cell migration.

Conclusion

This study suggested that ITGs were associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of GC and discovered the prognostic value and biological role of ITGA5 in GC. Thus, ITGA5 might be used as a potential diagnostic marker for GC.

Expression of Integrin β6 and HAX-1 Correlates with Aggressive Features and Poor Prognosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose

The development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a complicated process in which cell adhesion and motility, mediated by integrins, are involved through connecting the cytoskeleton to extracellular matrix. Different mechanisms via which integrin β6 participates in cancer invasion and metastasis have been described by numerous studies; however, the expression and clinical significance of integrin β6 in ESCC remain unknown.

Methods

To investigate the differential expression of integrin β6 in ESCC, qPCR and immunohistochemistry assays were performed in 10 paired human samples. A total of 137 ESCC samples were further enrolled to evaluate the expression levels of integrin β6 and its endocytic trafficking regulator HS1-associated protein X-1 (HAX-1), followed by the evaluation of their correlation with clinicopathological parameters. The overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method, with significant variables further evaluated by multivariate Cox regression analyses.

Results

The expression of integrin β6 was markedly increased in ESCC compared with matched adjacent normal tissues. Among the ESCC samples, positive expression of integrin β6 was observed in 41.6% tumors, which was associated with histological differentiation, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. High expression of HAX-1 was detected in 47.4% tumors, and there was a positive relationship between the expression levels of integrin β6 and HAX-1. Furthermore, the expression of integrin β6 and HAX-1 were independent unfavorable indicators for prognosis. Patients with positive integrin β6 and high HAX-1 expression demonstrated worst outcomes.

Conclusion

The present findings suggested the predictive value of integrin β6 and HAX-1 as independent indicators of poor prognosis for patients with ESCC, both of which may contribute to the tumor proliferation and metastasis, leading to ESCC progression. Therefore, combined targeting of integrin β6 and HAX-1 may provide a potential novel approach for the treatment of ESCC.

Markers of metastatic colorectal cancer

Metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related death. However, early diagnosis of CRC metastases offers a chance of long-term survival in as much as 40% of patients after curative treatment. Current guidelines are based on clinical examination, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) testing, computed tomography scanning, and endoscopic surveillance. Although CEA is the most widely used laboratory test, it has very low sensitivity (30–40%). Moreover, there is no evidence to support the association of CEA testing with improved survival or quality of life. Thus, novel markers with greater specificity and sensitivity are needed. The aim of this review was to define the role of available laboratory markers in early diagnosis of metastatic CRC. We identified novel tests with the highest association to metastatic CRC: circulating tumour DNA, growth/differentiation factor 15, and β6-integrin. We also discuss other promising markers, although most of the studies are preliminary and require validation.

Biomarkers for detecting colorectal cancer non-invasively: DNA, RNA or proteins?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global problem affecting millions of people worldwide. This disease is unique because of its slow progress that makes it preventable and often curable. CRC symptoms usually emerge only at advanced stages of the disease, consequently its early detection can be achieved only through active population screening, which markedly reduces mortality due to this cancer. CRC screening tests that employ non-invasively detectable biomarkers are currently being actively developed and, in most cases, samples of either stool or blood are used. However, alternative biological substances that can be collected non-invasively (colorectal mucus, urine, saliva, exhaled air) have now emerged as new sources of diagnostic biomarkers. The main categories of currently explored CRC biomarkers are: (1) Proteins (comprising widely used haemoglobin); (2) DNA (including mutations and methylation markers); (3) RNA (in particular microRNAs); (4) Low molecular weight metabolites (comprising volatile organic compounds) detectable by metabolomic techniques; and (5) Shifts in gut microbiome composition. Numerous tests for early CRC detection employing such non-invasive biomarkers have been proposed and clinically studied. While some of these studies generated promising early results, very few of the proposed tests have been transformed into clinically validated diagnostic/screening techniques. Such DNA-based tests as Food and Drug Administration-approved multitarget stool test (marketed as Cologuard®) or blood test for methylated septin 9 (marketed as Epi proColon® 2.0 CE) show good diagnostic performance but remain too expensive and technically complex to become effective CRC screening tools. It can be concluded that, despite its deficiencies, the protein (haemoglobin) detection-based faecal immunochemical test (FIT) today presents the most cost-effective option for non-invasive CRC screening. The combination of non-invasive FIT and confirmatory invasive colonoscopy is the current strategy of choice for CRC screening. However, continuing intense research in the area promises the emergence of new superior non-invasive CRC screening tests that will allow the development of improved disease prevention strategies.

Identification of a Nine-Gene Signature and Establishment of a Prognostic Nomogram Predicting Overall Survival of Pancreatic Cancer

Background: Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal and aggressive with increasing trend of mortality in both genders. An effective prediction model is needed to assess prognosis of patients for optimization of treatment. Materials and Methods: Seven datasets of mRNA expression and clinical data were obtained from gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Level 3 mRNA expression and clinicopathological data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (TCGA-PAAD) dataset. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between pancreatic tumor and normal tissue were identified by integrated analysis of multiple GEO datasets. Univariate and Lasso Cox regression analyses were applied to identify overall survival-related DEGs and establish a prognostic gene signature whose performance was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), Harrell's concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve. GSE62452 and GSE57495 were used for external validation. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and tumor immunity analysis were applied to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and immune relevance. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent prognostic factors in pancreatic cancer. Finally, a prognostic nomogram was established based on the TCGA PAAD dataset. Results: A nine-gene signature comprising MET, KLK10, COL17A1, CEP55, ANKRD22, ITGB6, ARNTL2, MCOLN3, and SLC25A45 was established to predict overall survival of pancreatic cancer. The ROC curve and C-index indicated good performance of the nine-gene signature at predicting overall survival in the TCGA dataset and external validation datasets relative to classic AJCC staging. The nine-gene signature could classify patients into high- and low-risk groups with distinct overall survival and differentiate tumor from normal tissue. Univariate Cox regression revealed that the nine-gene signature was an independent prognostic factor in pancreatic cancer. The nomogram incorporating the gene signature and clinical prognostic factors was superior to AJCC staging in predicting overall survival. The high-risk group was enriched with multiple oncological signatures and aggressiveness-related pathways and associated with significantly lower levels of CD4⁺ T cell infiltration. Conclusion: Our study identified a nine-gene signature and established a prognostic nomogram that reliably predict overall survival in pancreatic cancer. The findings may be beneficial to therapeutic customization and medical decision-making.