High expression of nuclear survivin and Aurora B predicts poor overall survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer

Interaction between Human Papillomavirus-Encoded E6 Protein and AurB Induces Cell Immortalization and Proliferation-A Potential Target of Intervention

The human papillomavirus E6 and E7 oncoproteins interact with a different subset of host proteins, leading to dysregulation of the apoptotic, cell cycle, and signaling pathways. In this study, we identified, for the first time, that Aurora kinase B (AurB) is a bona fide interacting partner of E6. We systematically characterized the AurB-E6 complex formation and its consequences in carcinogenesis using a series of in vitro and cell-based assays. We also assessed the efficacy of Aurora kinase inhibitors in halting HPV-mediated carcinogenesis using in vitro and in vivo models. We showed that AurB activity was elevated in HPV-positive cells, and this correlated positively with the E6 protein level. E6 interacted directly with AurB in the nucleus or mitotic cells. A previously unidentified region of E6, located upstream of C-terminal E6-PBM, was important for AurB-E6 complex formation. AurB-E6 complex led to reduced AurB kinase activity. However, the AurB-E6 complex increased the hTERT protein level and its telomerase activity. On the other hand, AurB inhibition led to the inhibition of telomerase activity, cell proliferation, and tumor formation, even though this may occur in an HPV-independent manner. In summary, this study dissected the molecular mechanism of how E6 recruits AurB to induce cell immortalization and proliferation, leading to the eventual cancer development. Our findings revealed that the treatment of AZD1152 exerted a non-specific anti-tumor effect. Hence, a continuous effort to seek a specific and selective inhibitor that can halt HPV-mediated carcinogenesis should be warranted.

The deubiquitinating enzyme complex BRISC regulates Aurora B activation via lysine-63-linked ubiquitination in mitosis

Faithful chromosome segregation requires bi-oriented kinetochore-microtubule attachment on the metaphase spindle. Aurora B kinase, the catalytic core of the chromosome passage complex (CPC), plays a crucial role in this process. Aurora B activation has widely been investigated in the context of protein phosphorylation. Here, we report that Aurora B is ubiquitinated in mitosis through lysine-63 ubiquitin chains (K63-Ub), which is required for its activation. Mutation of Aurora B at its primary K63 ubiquitin site inhibits its activation, reduces its kinase activity, and disrupts the association of Aurora B with other components of CPC, leading to severe mitotic defects and cell apoptosis. Moreover, we identify that BRCC36 isopeptidase complex (BRISC) is the K63-specific deubiquitinating enzyme for Aurora B. BRISC deficiency augments the accumulation of Aurora B K63-Ubs, leading to Aurora B hyperactivation and erroneous chromosome-microtubule attachments. These findings define the role of K63-linked ubiquitination in regulating Aurora B activation and provide a potential site for Aurora B-targeting drug design.

Anti-cancer effect of boron derivatives on small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Anti-cancer activity of boron has been reported. Although many boron derivatives such as boric acid (BA) have been discovered to have anticancer effects, there are many boron derivatives whose anticancer effects have not yet been discovered. Some of these include sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (NaB), which has had limited research on its anticancer effects, and sodium perborate tetrahydrate (SPT), whose anticancer effect has yet to be discovered. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of boric acid (BA), sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (NaB), and sodium perborate tetrahydrate (SPT) against small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell line DMS-114 cells in vitro.

METHODS

EC50 concentrations and effects of BA, NaB, and SPT on cell survival were detected with an MTS assay. The colony-forming unit (CFU) assay was used to assess their effects on cell colony formation capability. Their effects on apoptosis were determined by an Annexin-V assay. A cell cycle analysis was performed to understand at what phase the cell cycle is arrested. Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA levels of apoptotic, anti-apoptotic, and tumor suppressor genes. Western blotting was used to determine the protein levels of p53 and Caspase 3.

RESULTS

The survival rates of DMS-114 cells decreased with BA, NaB and SPT after 72 h of treatment and the EC50 concentrations ​​of DMS-114 and MRC-5 cells differed 5.5-fold in BA treatment, 5,2-fold in NaB treatment and 10-fold in SPT treatment. Colony unit numbers were decreased from 350 to 128, from 320 to 95, and from 430 to 96 in the BA, NaB, and SPT treatment groups, respectively. The apoptosis increased by 10, 19, and 42 percent after treatment with BA, NaB, and SPT for 72 h, respectively. Following 72 h of treatment with BA, NaB, and SPT, some pro-apoptotic and tumor suppressor genes were upregulated and some anti-apoptotic genes were downregulated. Cell cycle arrests were detected at the G2/M phase in the BA, and NaB treatment groups and at the Sub-G1 phase in the SPT treatment group. The protein levels of P53 and Caspase 3 increased with BA, NaB and SPT treatment for 72 h.

CONCLUSIONS

BA, NaB and SPT show anti-cancer activity in the DMS-114 cell line without damaging MRC-5 cells, and some of the molecular mechanisms are involved in apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

Perturbation of HSP Network in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line Triggers Inducible HSP70 Expression and Leads to Tumor Suppression

BACKGROUND

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is constitutively expressed in normal cells but aberrantly expressed in several types of tumor cells, helping their survival in extreme conditions. Thus, specific inhibition of HSP70 in tumor cells is a promising strategy in the treatment of cancer. HSP70 has a variety of isoforms in the cellular organelles and form different functions by coordinating and cooperating with cochaperones. Cancer cells overexpress HSPs during cell growth and proliferation and HSP network provides resistance against apoptosis. The present study aimed to evaluate quantitative changes in HSPs- and cancerassociated gene expressions and their interactions in the presence of 2-phenylethyenesulfonamide (PES) in MCF-7 cells.

METHODS

Antiproliferative activity of PES was evaluated using the XTT assay. Inducible HSP70 (HSP70i) levels in the PES-treated cells were determined using the ELISA kit. PCR Array was performed to assess the HSPs- and cancer-pathway focused gene expression profiling. Gene network analysis was performed using the X2K, yEd (V.3.18.1) programs, and web-based gene list enrichment analysis tool Enrichr.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that PES exposure increased the amount of both HSP70i gene and protein expression surprisingly. However, the expression of HSP70 isoforms as well as other co-chaperones, and 17 cancer-associated genes decreased remarkably as expected. Additionally, interaction network analysis revealed a different mechanism; PES induction of HSP70i employs a cell cycle negative regulator, RB1, which is a tumor suppressor gene.

CONCLUSION

PES treatment inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation and changed several HSPs- and cancer-related gene expressions along with their interactions through a unique mechanism although it causes an interesting increase at HSP70i gene and protein expressions. RB1 gene expression may play an important role in this effect as revealed by the interaction network analysis.

The prognostic significance of survivin expression in patients with HNSCC: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Survivin has been recently identified as a promising novel therapeutic target and prognostic marker in different types of cancer. Here we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to better clarify they the precise prognostic and diagnostic value of survivin in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

Database of PubMed (Medline), Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched for related published literature up to September 2020. Pooled hazards ratios (HR) and related 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate the association of survivin expression and survival outcomes in HNSCC patients.

Results

Twenty eight studies with 4891 patients were finally included in this meta-analysis, the pooled analysis indicated that the survivin expression was significantly correlated with poorer overall survival (OS) (HR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.65–2.47, P < 0.001), and poorer disease-free survival (DFS)/ disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR = 2.03, 95%CI: 1.64–2.52, P < 0.001; HR = 1.92, 95%CI: 1.41–2.60, P < 0.001, receptively). Similar results were observed in subgroup analysis stratified by different cancer types, such as laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) (HR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.05–1.74, P < 0.001), oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) (HR = 2.45, 95%CI: 1.89–3.17, P < 0.001), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) (HR = 2.53, 95%CI: 1.76–3.62, P < 0.001) and HNSCC (HR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.25–1.86, P < 0.001). Furthermore, ethnicity-stratified analysis indicated that survivin was significantly associated with poorer OS among both Asian and Non- Asian HNSCC patients (HR = 2.16, 95%CI: 1.76–2.66; HR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.33–1.82, respectively).

Conclusions

Our results suggested that survivin is predictors of worse prognosis in HNSCC patients. Hence, survivin is a potential therapeutic target for HNSCC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08170-3.

miR-101-3p sensitizes lung adenocarcinoma cells to irradiation via targeting BIRC5

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has been considered as the most common cause of cancer-associated mortality. Radiotherapy resistance is one of the main reasons for LUAD treatment failure. The microRNA (miR)-101-3p has been previously reported to function as a tumor suppressor in several types of cancer, including LUAD. The present study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of miR-101-3p on radioresistance of lung adenocarcinoma cells through bioinformatics analysis and biological experiments. Based on the analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data, it was demonstrated that the expression of miR-101-3p was low in LUAD tissues compared with normal lung tissues and was associated with poor prognosis of patients with LUAD. The results of the CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, immunofluorescence staining, caspase-3 activity assay and western blotting demonstrated that miR-101-3p overexpression sensitized LUAD cells to ionizing radiation by decreasing the abilities of LUAD cell proliferation, colony formation, DNA damage repair and increasing caspase-3 activity and apoptosis of LUAD cells following ionizing radiation. Furthermore, according to bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay, baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (BIRC5) was identified as a direct target of miR-101-3p. Increased BIRC5 expression reversed the miR-101-3p-mediated increase in LUAD cell radiotherapy sensitivity. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that miR-101-3p may be considered as a potential target that can enhance LUAD cell sensitivity to radiotherapy, which may provide a new strategy to improve therapy in patients with LUAD.

Survivin expression and impact on head and neck cancer outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis that is proposed as a target for anti-cancer therapy because of its high expression in cancer cells. It has potential as a prognostic and predictive biomarker of response to radiation and systemic therapies. We report its expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and its correlation with treatment response and survival.

METHODS

We measured survivin protein expression in tumor specimens from 96 patients with HNSCC treated at Fox Chase Cancer Center, of whom 21 were p16+. Quantitative automated immunofluorescence was employed to score nuclear and cytoplasmic survivin in 5 tissue microarrays (TMAs) consisting of 316 H&N tumor cores and 107 control tissue cores. Survivin levels were then correlated to therapy response and survival outcomes.

RESULTS

Using the median score as the cutoff, overall survival (OS) was significantly shorter for the group expressing higher survivin in nuclear (p = 0.013), cytoplasmic (p = 0.018) and total compartments (p = 0.006). No correlation was seen between survivin expression and patient sex or grade of tumor, T or N stage, or p16 status. Survivin expression in metastases did not significantly differ from that in primary tumors. Levels of p53 expression showed a significant positive correlation with higher survivin expression in the cytoplasm (p = 0.0264) and total compartments (p = 0.0264), but not in the nucleus (p = 0.0729).

CONCLUSIONS

Survivin expression above the median is associated with shorter overall survival in HNSCC, including for patients treated with chemotherapy or radiation. p16 expression did not correlate with survivin levels.

Identification of Core Prognosis-Related Candidate Genes in Cervical Cancer via Integrated Bioinformatical Analysis

Purposes

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the highest frequently occurred malignant gynecological tumors with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Here, we aimed to identify significant genes associated with poor outcome. Materials and methods. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CC tissues and normal cervical tissues were picked out by GEO2R tool and Venn diagram software. Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) was performed to analyze gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway. The protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of these DEGs were visualized by Cytoscape with Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING). Afterwards, Kaplan-Meier analysis was applied to analyze the overall survival among these genes. The Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) was applied for further validation of the expression level of these genes.

Results

The mRNA expression profile datasets of GSE63514, GSE27678, and GSE6791 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO). In total, 76 CC tissues and 35 normal tissues were collected in the three profile datasets. There were totally 73 consistently expressed genes in the three datasets, including 65 up-regulated genes and 8 down-regulated genes. Of PPI network analyzed by Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plug-in, all 65 up-regulated genes and 4 down-regulated genes were selected. The results of the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that 3 of the 65 up-regulated genes had a significantly worse prognosis, while 3 of the 4 down-regulated genes had a significantly better outcome. For validation in GEPIA, 4 of 6 genes (PLOD2, ANLN, AURKA, and AR) were confirmed to be significantly deregulated in CC tissues compared to normal tissues.

Conclusion

We have identified three up-regulated (PLOD2, ANLN, and AURKA) and a down-regulated DEGs (AR) with poor prognosis in CC on the basis of integrated bioinformatical methods, which could be regarded as potential therapeutic targets for CC patients.

Plasma Cell-Free DNA as a Predictive Marker after Radiotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PURPOSE

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is gaining attention as a novel biomarker for oncologic outcomes. We investigated the clinical significance of cfDNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with radiotherapy (RT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-five patients with HCC who received RT were recruited from two prospective study cohorts: one cohort of 34 patients who underwent conventionally fractionated RT and a second of 21 patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy. cfDNA was extracted and quantified.

RESULTS

In total, 30% of the patients had multiple tumors, 77% had tumors >2 cm, and 32% had portal vein tumor thrombus. Optimal cut-off values for cfDNA levels (33.65 ng/mL and 37.25 ng/mL, before and after RT) were used to divide patients into low-DNA (LDNA) and high-DNA (HDNA) groups. The pre-RT HDNA group tended to have more advanced disease and larger tumors (p=0.049 and p=0.017, respectively). Tumor response, intrahepatic failure-free rates, and local control (LC) rates were significantly better in the post-RT LDNA group (p=0.017, p=0.035, and p=0.006, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Quantitative analysis of cfDNA was feasible in our cohorts. Post-RT cfDNA levels were negatively correlated with treatment outcomes, indicating the potential for the use of post-RT cfDNA levels as an early predictor of treatment responses and LC after RT for HCC patients.

The Aurora-Kinase A Phe31-Ile polymorphism as possible predictor of response to treatment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Recently the Aurora-Kinases (Aurk) moved into the focus as novel disease related biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Elevated Aurora-Kinase expression has been found in a number of malignancies, amongst them HNSCC. For esophageal cancer, the AurkA Phe31-Ile polymorphism has previously been associated with tumor progression. Here we evaluated the treatment efficiency of HNSCC cell radiation as a function of Aurora-Kinases in HNSCC cell lines. Moreover, we investigated a potential sensitization to radiation by a cell treatment with the inhibitors Alisertib, Barasertib, Docetaxel and VX-680.

In parallel the radiation dependent expression and regulation of AurkA/B, p-Akt Ser 473 and Survivin and the AurkA polymorphism were investigated in primary tumor samples. We identified a high-risk collective with elevated AurkA and Survivin or AurkA and p-Akt Ser 473 expression.

High AurkA, AurkB, and p-Akt Ser 473 expression was exclusively found in the heterozygous cell line. We found a polymorphism dependent sensitivity to treatments with different Aurk inhibitors: The homozygous cell line UD-SCC-5 could be sensitized to radiation with Docetaxel in combination with any of the Aurora-Kinase inhibitors. In contrast, treatment with Docetaxel or radiation did not enhance the inhibitory effect of Barasertib or VX-680 in the heterozygous SAS cell line.

These findings indicate that the Aurora-Kinase A Phe31-Ile-polymorphism is a possibly predictive factor for response to radiation in combination with Docetaxel and Aurora-Kinase inhibitor treatments.

Biological predictors of radiosensitivity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of prognostic biomarkers on radiosensitivity and survival of advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas treated by primary (chemo)radiation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The clinicopathological data and immunohistochemical staining of p16, c-Met, survivin, PD-1, and PD-L1 of 82 primarily (chemo)irradiated patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed. Associations with local and locoregional radiation response, overall survival (OS), disease-free (DFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) were assessed.

RESULTS

Complete tumor response was associated with increased patient age (p = 0.007), N0-status (p = 0.022), M0-status (p = 0.007), and p16-positivity (p = 0.022). High PD-L1 was associated with M0-status (p = 0.026) and indicated tumor response to irradiation (p = 0.057); survivin expression showed higher rates of response failure (p = 0.073). Low PD-1 was associated with increased T-stage (p = 0.029) and local recurrence (p = 0.014). High PD-1 was strongly correlated with PD-L1-positive tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (p < 0.001). Low PD-L1 showed a significant correlation with high c-Met expression (p = 0.01). Significant predictors for unfavorable univariate survival were incomplete tumor response (DSS, p < 0.001), single radiotherapy (DSS, p = 0.002), M1-status (DSS, p < 0.001), decreased radiation dose (DSS, p = 0.014), high survivin (DSS, p = 0.045), and high c-Met (OS, p < 0.05). Survivin and c-Met also showed prognostic significance in multivariate survival analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

P16 and PD-L1 indicate radiosensitivity, whereas survivin and c-Met implicate radioresistance in primarily (chemo)irradiated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. The role of the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoints in radiation response and survival merits further investigation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The findings may improve patient-specific therapy according to individual tumor characteristics.

A mathematical model of Aurora B activity in prophase and metaphase

Aurora B kinase is a protein that controls several processes in mitosis when it is found associated with INCENP, Survivin and Borealin in a complex known as the Chromosomal Passenger Complex. Aurora B in complex with INCENP is phosphorylated on three sites, resulting in the full activation of Aurora B. In prophase and metaphase, Aurora B is activated at centromeres, the region of chromatin linking sister chromatids, due to an autophosphorylation mechanism, and it has been hypothesised that Aurora B is activated throughout the cytoplasm due to its concentration at centromeres. In this article, we first develop a time-dependent model of Aurora B activation that does not incorporate spatial variation. This model is used to demonstrate the various qualitative behaviours that the activation of Aurora B is capable of displaying for different model parameters. Next, we develop a spatio-temporal model of Aurora B activation that includes diffusion of soluble Aurora B and binding of Aurora B to immobile centromeric binding sites. This model describes the activation of Aurora B throughout the cytoplasm due to its concentration-dependent activation at centromeres. The models demonstrate the effects that a soluble phosphatase concentration, multisite phosphorylation and diffusion have on the activation of Aurora B.

Aurora-B and HDAC synergistically regulate survival and proliferation of lymphoma cell via AKT, mTOR and Notch pathways

Aurora-B is a protein kinase that functions mainly in the attachment of the mitotic spindle to the centromere. Overexpression of Aurora-B causes unequal distribution of genetic information, creating aneuploidy cells, a hallmark of cancer. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a class of enzymes that remove acetyl groups from a ε-N-acetyl lysine amino acid on a histone, allowing the histones to wrap the DNA more tightly, thus globally regulating gene transcription. Additionally, these HDACs can also modify non-histone proteins. Inhibition of HDACs is a potent strategy for cancer treatment. Here, we report that inhibition of Aurora-B and HDAC exerts similar tumor suppressive effects in cells. Knockdown of Aurora-B or inhibition of HDAC achieved the same effect on repression of cell proliferation. Furthermore, we found that the tumor suppressive effect of Aurora-B and HDAC inhibition is due to the induction of cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that Aurora-B and HDAC can cooperatively regulate AKT, mTOR and Notch pathways.

High proliferation index, as determined by immunohistochemical expression of Aurora kinase B and geminin, indicates poor prognosis in neuroblastomas

Expression profile analysis of cell cycle biomarkers provides a powerful index of the proliferative state of tumors, which is linked to disease aggressiveness. We investigated the impact of the biomarkers of S-G2-M phases of cell cycle, Aurora kinase B (AURKB) and geminin (GMNN), on disease progression in neuroblastomas. The expression of AURKB and GMNN was studied by immunostaining 84 neuroblastomas. A proliferation index (PI) was obtained on scanned immunostained slides using image analysis software. The median PI was 8.5 % for AURKB- and 16.8 % for GMNN-stained slides with a high correlation between the two (r s = 0.72, P < 0.001). The PI for both markers was significantly higher in neuroblastomas from patients with unfavorable clinical (high-risk group, advanced stage, age ≥18 months at presentation, primary abdominal compared to extra-abdominal sites), biological (MYCN amplification, 1p deletion, 17q gain), and pathological (undifferentiated or poorly differentiated status, high mitosis-karyorrhexis index, [MKI], unfavorable histology) factors. Using Cox regression models, a higher-than-median AURKB and GMNN PI was associated with a significantly shorter overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in univariable analysis. In multivariable analysis, a high AURKB PI was associated with significantly shorter OS and EFS, independent of MYCN amplification, and significantly shorter EFS, independent of MKI. High GMNN PI was also associated with significantly shorter OS and EFS after adjusting for MYCN amplification but failed to reach statistical significance after adjusting for MKI. Our study shows that in neuroblastomas, AURKB- or GMNN-based PI provides valuable prognostic information and high PI indicates aggressive disease.

Knockdown of Aurora-B inhibits the growth of non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells

Elevated expression of Aurora-B affects cell apoptosis and proliferation in a variety of solid tumors. However, the role of Aurora-B has been poorly evaluated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present study, it was found that Aurora-B was overexpressed in tissue specimens obtained from 174 patients with lung cancer. It was also demonstrated that knockdown of Aurora-B induces apoptosis and inhibits the growth of lung cancer A549 cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, it was found that silencing Aurora-B decreased the activity of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway. Therefore, it was concluded that knockdown of Aurora-B induces apoptosis and inhibits growth in NSCLC A549 cells, in addition to inhibiting the activity of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Targeting Aurora-B may provide a novel target for lung cancer therapy.

Expression of Aurora-B and FOXM1 predict poor survival in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE

The purpose of this work was to investigate the relationship between Aurora-B, FOXM1, and clinical outcomes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who were treated with a combination of induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of Aurora-B and FOXM1 were investigated by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray (TMA) containing samples from 166 NPC patients who were treated with cisplatin (DDP) + fluorouracil (5-FU) induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy between 1999 and 2005. The relationship of Aurora-B, FOXM1, and survival of these NPC patients was analyzed.

RESULTS

Informative TMA results were obtained in 91 tumor cases for Aurora-B and 93 tumor cases for FOXM1. The 8-year failure-free survival rate (FFS) for the Aurora-B-negative and Aurora-B-positive group was 65.6 and 37.3%, respectively (p = 0.024), and the 8-year distant FFS (D-FFS) rate was 65.6 and 41.5%, respectively (p = 0.047). The 8-year overall survival (OS) in the FOXM1-negative group was moderately higher than in the FOXM1-positive group (58.4 vs 39.1%, p = 0.081). Cox regression analysis revealed that for FFS, Aurora-B expression was a significant prognostic factor (p = 0.025), while for D-FFS, Aurora-B expression was a marginally significant prognostic factor (p = 0.056). When FOXM1 expression was analyzed, the Cox regression analyses showed that FOXM1 expression was a marginally significant prognostic factor (p = 0.056) for OS. Correlation analysis showed that Aurora-B and FOXM1 expression had no significant correlation.

CONCLUSION

Aurora-B and FOXM1 were both adverse prognostic markers for NPC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy. However, the two markers had no significant correlation.

Aurora kinase B is important for antiestrogen resistant cell growth and a potential biomarker for tamoxifen resistant breast cancer

Background

Resistance to antiestrogen therapy is a major clinical challenge in the treatment of estrogen receptor α (ER)-positive breast cancer. The aim of the study was to explore the growth promoting pathways of antiestrogen resistant breast cancer cells to identify biomarkers and novel treatment targets.

Methods

Antiestrogen sensitive and resistant T47D breast cancer cell lines were used as model systems. Parental and fulvestrant resistant cell lines were subjected to a kinase inhibitor library. Kinase inhibitors preferentially targeting growth of fulvestrant resistant cells were identified and the growth inhibitory effect verified by dose–response cell growth experiments. Protein expression and phosphorylation were investigated by western blot analysis. Cell cycle phase distribution and cell death were analyzed by flow cytometry. To evaluate Aurora kinase B as a biomarker for endocrine resistance, immunohistochemistry was performed on archival primary tumor tissue from breast cancer patients who have received adjuvant endocrine treatment with tamoxifen.

Results

The selective Aurora kinase B inhibitor barasertib was identified to preferentially inhibit growth of fulvestrant resistant T47D breast cancer cell lines. Compared with parental cells, phosphorylation of Aurora kinase B was higher in the fulvestrant resistant T47D cells. Barasertib induced degradation of Aurora kinase B, caused mitotic errors, and induced apoptotic cell death as measured by accumulation of SubG1 cells and PARP cleavage in the fulvestrant resistant cells. Barasertib also exerted preferential growth inhibition of tamoxifen resistant T47D cell lines. Finally, high percentage of Aurora kinase B positive tumor cells was significantly associated with reduced disease-free and overall survival in 261 ER-positive breast cancer patients, who have received tamoxifen as first-line adjuvant endocrine treatment.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that Aurora kinase B is a driving factor for growth of antiestrogen resistant T47D breast cancer cell lines, and a biomarker for reduced benefit of tamoxifen treatment. Thus, inhibition of Aurora kinase B, e.g. with the highly selective kinase inhibitor barasertib, could be a candidate new treatment for breast cancer patients with acquired resistance to antiestrogens.

A chromosomal passenger complex protein signature model predicts poor prognosis for non-small-cell lung cancer

AIM

The chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) acts as a key modulator for mitosis and cell cytokinesis. High levels of CPC proteins are frequently observed in multiple cancers and are correlated with more progressive malignant behaviors. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether CPC components or their combinations could be used to assess the clinical risk of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

The expression levels of four CPC proteins - aurora B kinase (AURKB), borealin, inner centromere protein (INCENP), and survivin - were evaluated using immunohistochemistry in an independent cohort of NSCLC specimens. A molecular predictor model was developed based on the combination of the four CPC proteins.

RESULTS

All the CPC components were overexpressed in NSCLC tumors compared with their paired adjacent normal lung tissues. Survivin overexpression was significantly correlated with late tumor stage (P=0.0166). High expressions of AURKB, INCENP, and survivin, but not borealin, were associated with shorter survival in patients with NSCLC. The constructed 4-CPC-gene model divided the cohort into two different subgroups with significantly different prognoses (hazard ratio, HR =2.8915 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.5187-5.5052]; P=0.0013) and was retained as an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (HR =2.4398 [95% CI: 1.2631-4.7127], P=0.0082). Moreover, the 4-CPC-gene model demonstrated a higher predictive ability for overall survival than each individual CPC biomarker.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our study suggests that a molecular prognostic model based on simultaneous detection of CPC components could serve as a complement to current clinical risk stratification approaches for patients with NSCLC.

Deregulated expression of Aurora kinases is not a prognostic biomarker in papillary thyroid cancer patients

A number of reports indicated that Aurora-A or Aurora-B overexpression represented a negative prognostic factor in several human malignancies. In thyroid cancer tissues a deregulated expression of Aurora kinases has been also demonstrated, but no information regarding its possible prognostic role in differentiated thyroid cancer is available. Here, we evaluated Aurora-A and Aurora-B mRNA expression and its prognostic relevance in a series of 87 papillary thyroid cancers (PTC), with a median follow-up of 63 months. The analysis of Aurora-A and Aurora-B mRNA levels in PTC tissues, compared to normal matched tissues, revealed that their expression was either up- or down-regulated in the majority of cancer tissues. In particular, Aurora-A and Aurora-B mRNA levels were altered, respectively, in 55 (63.2%) and 79 (90.8%) out of the 87 PTC analyzed.A significant positive correlation between Aurora-A and Aurora-B mRNAs was observed (p=0.001). The expression of both Aurora genes was not affected by the BRAFV600E mutation. Univariate, multivariate and Kaplan-Mayer analyses documented the lack of association between Aurora-A or Aurora-B expression and clinicopathological parameters such as gender, age, tumor size, histology, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and BRAF status as well as disease recurrences or disease-free interval. Only Aurora-B mRNA was significantly higher in T(3-4) tissues, with respect to T(1-2) PTC tissues. The data reported here demonstrate that the expression of Aurora kinases is deregulated in the majority of PTC tissues, likely contributing to PTC progression. However, differently from other human solid cancers, detection of Aurora-A or Aurora-B mRNAs is not a prognostic biomarker in PTC patients.

Proteins of the mitotic checkpoint and spindle are related to chromosomal instability and unfavourable prognosis in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

AIMS

To study the immunoexpression of proteins related to the mitotic checkpoint (cell division cycle 20 (CDC20), mitotic arrest deficient 2 (MAD2)) and the mitotic spindle (Aurora-B) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

METHODS

Protein expression was analysed in bone marrow tissue samples from 40 patients with MDS using immunohistochemistry. Prognostic markers (transfusion dependency, depth of cytopenias, chromosomal abnormalities and survival) were also studied.

RESULTS

Higher MAD2 expression was observed among patients with platelets <50×10(9)/L than among patients with platelets ≥50×10(9)/L (42.6±22.8% vs 22.7±19.1%, respectively). Higher CDC20 expression was identified among patients with three dysplasias compared with patients who presented with one or two dysplasias (33.9±24.1% vs 10.5±5.7% vs 12.8±7.8%, respectively), among patients who exhibited a complex versus non-complex karyotype (50.0±30.2% vs 18.4±14%, respectively) and among patients with platelets <50×10(9)/L vs platelets ≥50×10(9)/L (38.2±26.2% vs 16.1±12.4%, respectively). Higher Aurora-B expression was found in patients with an abnormal versus normal karyotype (21.2±13.2% vs 7.5±5.0%, respectively). High expression of MAD2 and CDC20 (≥50%) was associated with severe thrombocytopenia. We also found statistically significant differences in the overall survival rate when comparing different degrees of CDC20, MAD2 and Aurora-B protein expression.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate that these proteins are associated with chromosomal abnormalities and poor prognosis in patients with MDS.

BRCA1-IRIS inactivation overcomes paclitaxel resistance in triple negative breast cancers

Introduction

Intrinsic or acquired chemoresistance is a major problem in oncology. Although highly responsive to chemotherapies such as paclitaxel, most triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients develop chemoresistance. Here we investigate the role of BRCA1-IRIS as a novel treatment target for TNBCs and their paclitaxel-resistant recurrences.

Methods

We analyzed the response of BRCA1-IRIS overexpressing normal mammary cells or established TNBC cells silenced from BRCA1-IRIS to paclitaxel in vitro and in vivo. We analyzed BRCA1-IRIS downstream signaling pathways in relation to paclitaxel treatment. We also analyzed a large cohort of breast tumor samples for BRCA1-IRIS, Forkhead box class O3a (FOXO3a) and survivin expression. Finally, we analyzed the effect of BRCA1-IRIS silencing or inactivation on TNBCs formation, maintenance and response to paclitaxel in an orthotopic model.

Results

We show that low concentrations of paclitaxel triggers BRCA1-IRIS expression in vitro and in vivo, and that BRCA1-IRIS activates two autocrine signaling loops (epidermal growth factor (EGF)/EGF receptor 1 (EGFR)-EGF receptor 2 (ErbB2) and neurogulin 1 (NRG1)/ErbB2-EGF receptor 3 (ErbB3), which enhances protein kinase B (AKT) and thus survivin expression/activation through promoting FOXO3a degradation. This signaling pathway is intact in TNBCs endogenously overexpressing BRCA1-IRIS. These events trigger the intrinsic and acquired paclitaxel resistance phenotype known for BRCA1-IRIS-overexpressing TNBCs. Inactivating BRCA1-IRIS signaling using a novel inhibitory mimetic peptide inactivates these autocrine loops, AKT and survivin activity/expression, in part by restoring FOXO3a expression, and sensitizes TNBC cells to low paclitaxel concentrations in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we show BRCA1-IRIS and survivin overexpression is correlated with lack of FOXO3a expression in a large cohort of primary tumor samples, and that BRCA1-IRIS overexpression-induced signature is associated with decreased disease free survival in heavily treated estrogen receptor alpha-negative patients.

Conclusions

In addition to driving TNBC tumor formation, BRCA1-IRIS overexpression drives their intrinsic and acquired paclitaxel resistance, partly by activating autocrine signaling loops EGF/EGFR-ErbB2 and NRG1/ErbB2-ErbB3. These loops activate AKT, causing FOXO3a degradation and survivin overexpression. Taken together, this underscores the need for BRCA1-IRIS-specific therapy and strongly suggests that BRCA1-IRIS and/or signaling loops activated by it could be rational therapeutic targets for advanced TNBCs.

Small molecule inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia: from the bench to the clinic

Many patients with acute myeloid leukemia will eventually develop refractory or relapsed disease. In the absence of standard therapy for this population, there is currently an urgent unmet need for novel therapeutic agents. Targeted therapy with small molecule inhibitors represents a new therapeutic intervention that has been successful for the treatment of multiple tumors (e.g., gastrointestinal stromal tumors, chronic myelogenous leukemia). Hence, there has been great interest in generating selective small molecule inhibitors targeting critical pathways of proliferation and survival in acute myeloid leukemia. This review highlights a selective group of intriguing therapeutic agents and their presumed targets in both preclinical models and in early human clinical trials.

Effect of nimesulide on the growth of human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of nimesulide on the growth of human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of NIM on Hep-2 cell proliferation was measured by the MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the cell cycle and apoptosis in Hep-2 cells. A Western blot analysis was used to detect changes in the protein expression levels of COX-2, Survivin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in Hep-2 cells. A Hep-2 tumor xenograft model was established in nude mice to observe tumor growth. The changes in the xenograft tumors were observed after hematoxylin/eosin staining. The expression levels of COX-2, Survivin and PCNA proteins and mRNA were measured by immunohistochemical analysis and RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTS

NIM had time- and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of Hep-2 cells. NIM could prevent the progression of the cell cycle. After NIM treatment, COX-2, Survivin and PCNA protein levels were reduced in the Hep-2 cells. The volume and weight of the xenograft tumors in the NIM treatment group were significantly reduced. The NIM treatment group also exhibited significantly reduced expression levels of COX-2, Survivin and PCNA at both the protein and mRNA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that NIM has significant inhibitory effects on the growth of Hep-2 cells and xenograft tumors in nude mice. Selective COX-2 inhibitors could potentially become part of a comprehensive treatment for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Additional research and development will provide new and broader prospects for the prevention and treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

The effect of cilengitide in combination with irradiation and chemotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

BACKGROUND

Integrins are highly attractive targets in oncology due to their involvement in angiogenesis in a wide spectrum of cancer entities. Among several integrin inhibitors under clinical evaluation, cilengitide is the most promising compound. However, little is known about the cellular processes induced during cilengitide therapy in combination with irradiation and cisplatin in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cytostatic effect of cilengitide was assessed by proliferation assay in the three HNSCC cell lines SCC25, FaDu and CAL27. Combination experiments with cisplatin and irradiation were performed. Possible synergistic effects were calculated in combination index (CI) analyses. Colony forming inhibition was investigated in clonogenic assays. Real-time PCR arrays were used to evaluate target protein gene expression patterns. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis.

RESULTS

Used alone, cilengitide has only minor cytotoxic effects in HNSCC cell lines. However, combination with cisplatin resulted in synergistic growth inhibition in all three cell lines. Irradiation showed synergism in short-term experiments and in colony forming assays, an additive effect was detected. Real-time PCR assay detected downregulation of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 after exposure of cells to cilengitide.

CONCLUSION

Cilengitide in combination with cisplatin and irradiation may be a feasible option for the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. However, further investigations are required to understand the exact mechanism that leads to synergistic cytotoxicity.

Inhibition of Aurora B by CCT137690 sensitizes colorectal cells to radiotherapy

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Although surgery remains the best treatment for this disease, adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also very important in clinical practice. However, the notorious refractory lack of responses to radiochemotherapy greatly limits the application of radiochemotherapy in the context of colorectal cancer.There is a growing interest in the role that Aurora B may play in colorectal cancer cell survival as well as other cancer subtypes. In the current study, we sought to ascertain whether blocking of Aurora B signaling machinery by a small molecule inhibitor, CCT137690, could synergize radiation-induced colorectal cancer cell death. Results showed that CCT137690 increases the sensitivity of SW620 cells to radiation. Mechanistic studies revealed that Aurora B-Survivin pathway may be involved in this synergistic effect.Taken together, our results for the first time show that Aurora B inhibition and radiation exert a synergistic effect, resulting in enhanced colorectal cancer cell death. This synergistic effect is clinically relevant as lower doses of radiation could be used for cancer treatment, and could provide significant clinical benefits in terms of colorectal cancer management, while reducing unwanted side-effects.

Aurora kinases in head and neck cancer

In healthy cells, controlled activation of aurora kinases regulates mitosis. Overexpression and hyperactivation of aurora kinases A and B have major roles in tumorigenesis, and can induce aneuploidy and genomic instability. In squamous-cell carcinomas of the head and neck, overexpression of aurora kinase A is associated with decreased survival, and a reduction in aurora kinase A and aurora kinase B expression inhibits cell growth and increases apoptosis. In this Review, we provide an overview of the biological functions of aurora kinases in healthy cells and in cancer cells, and we review small studies and high-throughput datasets that particularly implicate aurora kinase A in the pathogenesis of squamous-cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Early phase trials are beginning to assess the activity of small-molecule inhibitors of aurora kinases. We summarise trials of aurora kinase inhibitors in squamous-cell carcinomas of the head and neck, and discuss directions for future drug combination trials and biomarkers to use with drugs that inhibit aurora kinases.

Aurora-B overexpression is correlated with aneuploidy and poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer

Aurora-B is a key regulator of mitosis, and the overexpression has been detected in a variety of solid tumors. The Aurora-B overexpression has been suggested to correlate with clinical aggressiveness and aneuploidy in vitro, however, the frequency of overexpression of Aurora-B protein, the association with clinicopathologic parameters and aneuploidy remain poorly defined in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Using 157 surgical specimens of human NSCLC, we here show that overexpression of Aurora-B proteins are significantly correlated with aneuploidy and poor outcomes in NSCLC. We examined immunohistochemical protein expression of Aurora-B, and DNA ploidy by laser scanning cytometry in 157 NSCLC cases. Aurora-B overexpression was found in 83 cases (53%) of NSCLC, and was significantly correlated with vascular invasion (p=0.012), poor differentiation (p<0.001), larger tumor size (p=0.010) and lymph node metastasis (p=0.05) and poor prognosis (p=0.011). Aneuploidy was found in 87 cases (57%), and was significantly correlated with Aurora-B overexpression (p=0.0065). Logistic multivariate analysis revealed overexpression of Aurora-B protein to be significant risk factors for aneuploidy compared with other factors. These results indicate that Aurora-B overexpression may contribute to malignant potential and increased aneuploidy in NSCLC. Thus, Aurora-B may serve as a new therapeutic target in against patients with NSCLC, although further studies will be necessary.

Nuclear, but not cytoplasmic, localization of survivin as a negative prognostic factor for survival in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein gene family, inhibits apoptosis and promotes mitosis. We determined whether nuclear or cytoplasmic localization of survivin could predict survival of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUTUC). Immunohistochemical staining for survivin was carried out on archival specimens from 125 consecutive patients with UUTUC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy. Nuclear and cytoplasmic staining of survivin was scored and compared with clinicopathologic features and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Nuclear expression of survivin was significantly correlated with tumor grade (p < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.022) and poor survival with an estimated 5-year CSS probability of 54 % for tumors with nuclear expression of survivin vs. 73 % for those without nuclear expression of survivin (hazard ratio = 2.19; 95 % confidence interval = 1.02-4.70; p = 0.043). The 5-year cancer-specific survival rates of patients with cytoplasmic survivin-negative and -positive tumors were 66 and 67 %, respectively. There was no difference in survival between patients with cytoplasmic survivin-negative tumors and those with cytoplasmic survivin-positive tumors. Using univariate analysis, nuclear survivin expression, tumor grade, pathological T stage, pathological N stage, and lymphovascular invasion were the predictive variables for CSS. In contrast, cytoplasmic survivin expression had no prognostic relevance. These data suggest that nuclear accumulation of survivin represents biologic aggressiveness and that nuclear survivin is a negative prognostic marker in patients with resected UUTUC.

Survivin, a target to modulate the radiosensitivity of Ewing's sarcoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Radiotherapy constitutes an essential element in the multimodal therapy of Ewing's sarcoma. Compared to other sarcomas, Ewing tumors normally show a good response to radiotherapy. However, there are consistently tumors with a radioresistant phenotype, and the underlying mechanisms are not known in detail. Here we investigated the association between survivin protein expression and the radiosensitivity of Ewing's sarcoma in vitro.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An siRNA-based knockdown approach was used to investigate the influence of survivin expression on cell proliferation, double-strand break (DSB) induction and repair, apoptosis and colony-forming ability in four Ewing's sarcoma cell lines with and without irradiation.

RESULTS

Survivin protein and mRNA were upregulated in all cell lines tested in a dose-dependent manner. As a result of survivin knockdown, STA-ET-1 cells showed reduced cell proliferation, an increased number of radiation-induced DSBs, and reduced repair. Apoptosis was increased by knockdown alone and increased further in combination with irradiation. Colony formation was significantly reduced by survivin knockdown in combination with irradiation.

CONCLUSION

Survivin is a radiation-inducible protein in Ewing's sarcoma and its down-regulation sensitizes cells toward irradiation. Survivin knockdown in combination with radiation inhibits cell proliferation, repair, and colony formation significantly and increases apoptosis more than each single treatment alone. This might open new perspectives in the radiation treatment of Ewing's sarcoma.