Role of integrins in the metastatic spread of high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Unlocking Exosome-Based Theragnostic Signatures: Deciphering Secrets of Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common gynecological cancer worldwide. Unfortunately, the lack of early detection methods translates into a substantial cohort of women grappling with the pressing health crisis. The discovery of extracellular vesicles (EVs) (their major subpopulation exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies) has provided new insights into the understanding of cancer. Exosomes, a subpopulation of EVs, play a crucial role in cellular communication and reflect the cellular status under both healthy and pathological conditions. Tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) dynamically influence ovarian cancer progression by regulating uncontrolled cell growth, immune suppression, angiogenesis, metastasis, and the development of drug and therapeutic resistance. In the field of OC diagnostics, TEXs offer potential biomarkers in various body fluids. On the other hand, exosomes have also shown promising abilities to cure ovarian cancer. In this review, we address the interlink between exosomes and ovarian cancer and explore their theragnostic signature. Finally, we highlight future directions of exosome-based ovarian cancer research.

Design, Pharmacological Characterization, and Molecular Docking of Minimalist Peptidomimetic Antagonists of α4β1 Integrin

Integrin receptors mediate cell-cell interactions via the recognition of cell-adhesion glycoproteins, as well as via the interactions of cells with proteins of the extracellular matrix, and upon activation they transduce signals bi-directionally across the cell membrane. In the case of injury, infection, or inflammation, integrins of β₂ and α₄ families participate in the recruitment of leukocytes, a multi-step process initiated by the capturing of rolling leukocytes and terminated by their extravasation. In particular, α₄β₁ integrin is deeply involved in leukocyte firm adhesion preceding extravasation. Besides its well-known role in inflammatory diseases, α₄β₁ integrin is also involved in cancer, being expressed in various tumors and showing an important role in cancer formation and spreading. Hence, targeting this integrin represents an opportunity for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, some autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In this context, taking inspiration from the recognition motives of α₄β₁ integrin with its natural ligands FN and VCAM-1, we designed minimalist α/β hybrid peptide ligands, with our approach being associated with a retro strategy. These modifications are expected to improve the compounds' stability and bioavailability. As it turned out, some of the ligands were found to be antagonists, being able to inhibit the adhesion of integrin-expressing cells to plates coated with the natural ligands without inducing any conformational switch and any activation of intracellular signaling pathways. An original model structure of the receptor was generated using protein-protein docking to evaluate the bioactive conformations of the antagonists via molecular docking. Since the experimental structure of α₄β₁ integrin is still unknown, the simulations might also shed light on the interactions between the receptor and its native protein ligands.

Depression and anxiety in women with malignant ovarian germ cell (MOGCT) and sex cord stromal tumors (SCST): an analysis of the AGO-CORSETT database

INTRODUCTION

The intention of this study was to evaluate the level of anxiety and depression of malignant ovarian germ cell (MOGCT) and sex cord stromal tumors (SCST) survivors and to identify possible alterable cofactors.

METHODS

CORSETT was an observational, multicenter, mixed retrospective/prospective cohort study of the AGO Studygroup. Women who had been diagnosed with MOGCTs and SCSTs between 2001 and 2011 were asked to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to evaluate distress. Predictors of distress (type of surgery, chemotherapy, time since diagnosis, recurrence, second tumor, pain) were investigated using multivariate linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

150 MOGCT and SCST patients with confirmed histological diagnosis completed the questionnaire median seven years after diagnosis. They had a HADS total score ≥ 13 indicating severe mental distress in 34% of cases. Patients after fertility-conserving surgery had lower probability of severe mental distress than those without fertility-conserving treatment (β = - 3.1, p = 0.04). Pain was associated with the level of distress in uni- and multivariate analysis (coef 0.1, p < 0.01, coef. Beta 0.5).

DISCUSSION

Severe mental distress was frequent in patients with MOGCT and SCST and the level of pain was associated with the level of distress. Fertility conserving therapy, however, was associated with less mental distress. Screening and treatment of pain and depression is required to improve mental well-being in survivors of MOGCT and SCST.