Aberrant expression of ADAM9 in ovarian cancer and its clinical significance

NACC1 accelerates the progression of AML by regulating the ADAM9/PI3K/AKT axis

Nucleus accumbens-associated protein 1 (NACC1) regulates various types of biological processes. It is a transcription factor associated with cancer. NACC1 is overexpressed in many human malignancies and can regulate the progression, metastasis, and drug resistance of cancer cells. However, its precise role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unknown. This study aimed to unravel the basic mechanism of NACC1 in AML. Our findings demonstrated that NACC1 is immensely expressed in AML cells. Lentiviral vector-mediated knockdown of NACC1 inhibited the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Simultaneously, NACC1 knockdown promoted apoptosis, suppressed the proliferative capacity of AML cells, and resulted in cell cycle arrest during the G0/G1 phase. Additionally, A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 9 (ADAM9) was markedly expressed in AML cells. NACC1 regulated ADAM9 expression. ADAM9 expression was also downregulated after NACC1 knockdown. Concurrently, ADAM9 knockdown affected the activity of AML cells by decelerating the growth rate, promoting apoptosis, and blocking cell cycle progression. In addition, the AKT activator SC79 restored the inhibited cell proliferation after NACC1 knockdown and ADAM9 knockdown. In conclusion, our study suggested that the NACC1/ADAM9/PI3K/AKT axis is crucial for sustaining the survival of AML cells, indicating that NACC1 may be a viable target for treating AML.

Unlocking the intricacies: Exploring the complex interplay between platelets and ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer, an aggressive malignancy of the female reproductive tract, is frequently linked to an elevated risk of thrombotic events. This association is manifested by a pronounced rise in platelet counts and activation levels. Current research firmly supports the pivotal role of platelets in the oncogenic processes of ovarian cancer, influencing tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. Platelets influence these processes through direct interactions with tumor cells or by secreting cytokines and growth factors that enhance tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This review aims to thoroughly dissect the interactions between platelets and ovarian cancer cells, emphasizing their combined role in tumor progression and associated thrombotic events. Additionally, it summarizes therapeutic strategies targeting platelet-cancer interface which show significant promise. Such approaches could not only be effective in managing the primary ovarian tumor but also play a pivotal role in preventing metastasis and attenuating thrombotic complications associated with ovarian cancer.

ADAM12 as a Clinical Prognostic Indicator Associated with Tumor Immune Infiltration in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Twenty-two functional α-disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) have been identified in humans, 12 of which have proteolytic activity. The role of ADAMs in cancer has attracted increasing attention. However, the expression and significance of ADAMs in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain unclear. Most recently, we investigated the transcriptional data of ADAMs and related overall survival in patients with LUAD based on several databases, including TCGA, cBioPortal, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, LinkedOmics, KEGG, TIMER, and TISIDB. Knockdown of ADAM12 was performed in vitro to verify its biological function. According to our findings, 10 ADAMs exhibited significant differential expression in LUAD compared with cancer-adjacent normal tissues. ADAM12 expression was significantly higher in LUAD tissues than in paracancerous tissues, and lower ADAM12 expression was associated with better survival. Genetic alterations of ADAM12 mainly included missense mutations, amplifications, and deep deletions. ADAM12 and positively correlated genes were mainly enriched in protein digestion and absorption, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, and adhesion plaques. ADAM12 had a moderate correlation with immune cell markers EBIP1, CCNB1, EXO1, KNTC1, PRC1, and FAM198B. Prognostic model was established based on ADAM12 and immune-related genes. In vitro experiments revealed that knocking down ADAM12 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. ADAM12 potentially plays an important role in the occurrence of LUAD and may be utilized as an immunotherapy target and a valuable prognostic biomarker for LUAD.

Insights Into the Regulation of Gynecological Inflammation-Mediated Malignancy by Metalloproteinases

Gynecological illness accounts for around 4.5% of the global disease burden, which is higher than other key global health concerns such as malaria (1.04%), TB (1.9%), ischemic heart disease (2.2%), and maternal disorders (3.5%). Gynecological conditions in women of reproductive age are linked to both in terms of diagnosis and treatment, especially in low-income economies, which poses a serious social problem. A greater understanding of health promotion and illness management can help to prevent diseases in gynecology. Due to the lack of established biomarkers, the identification of gynecological diseases, including malignancies, has proven to be challenging in most situations, and histological exams remain the gold standard. Metalloproteinases (MMPs, ADAMs, ADAMTSs) and their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs) modulate the protease-dependent bioavailability of local niche components (e.g., growth factors), matrix turnover, and cellular interactions to govern specific physical and biochemical characteristics of the environment. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase (ADAM), and A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motif (ADAMTS) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases that contribute significantly to the disintegration of extracellular matrix proteins and shedding of membrane-bound receptor molecules in several diseases, including arthritis. MMPs are noteworthy genes associated with cancer development, functional angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and immune surveillance evasion. These genes are often elevated in cancer and multiple benign gynecological disorders like endometriosis, according to research. Migration through the extracellular matrix, which involves proteolytic activity, is an essential step in tumor cell extravasation and metastasis. However, none of the MMPs’ expression patterns, as well as their diagnostic and prognostic potential, have been studied in a pan-cancer context. The latter plays a very important role in cell signaling and might be used as a cancer treatment target. ADAMs are implicated in tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This review will focus on the contribution of the aforementioned metalloproteinases in regulating gynecological disorders and their subsequent manipulation for therapeutic intervention.

Aberrant expression of ADAM9 in ovarian cancer and its clinical significance

Background

The oncogene a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 9 (ADAM9) was up‐regulated in ovarian cancer tissues, and the present study aims to explore the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of ADAM9 in ovarian cancer (OC).

Methods

A total of 30 paired fresh OC tumor tissues and the paired‐adjacent normal tissue, and 90 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) OC samples and adjacent normal tissue were collected. The expression of OC in FFPE samples was examined by immunohistochemical methods, and the mRNA expression of ADAM9 in fresh tumor samples was examined by RT‐qPCR methods. Receiver operating characteristics curve was drawn to analyze the potential diagnostic value of ADAM9. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was performed to compare the overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) of the ADAM9 positive and negative OC patients.

Results

The positive rate of ADAM9 in FFPE OC tumor tissue was markedly higher than in the non‐tumorous tissue (61/90 vs 47/90), and increased expression level of ADAM9 may associate with higher histological grade, advanced Figo stage and increased risk of metastasis; moreover, the mRNA expression of ADAM9 was also increased in OC tissue compared with the normal tissue (P < .001), and results of ROC analysis suggested that ADAM9 is a sensitive marker for the diagnosis of OC( AUC 0.8389, 95% confidence interval 0.7333 to 0.9445); finally, increased expression of ADAM9 may indicate decreased OS (P = .004) and DFS (P = .014) of the patients.

Conclusion

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 9 was up‐regulated in OC, and ADAM9 may serve as potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for the diagnosis and treatment of OC.