FGD5 amplification in breast cancer patients is associated with tumour proliferation and a poorer prognosis

Faciogenital dysplasia 5 confers the cancer stem cell-like traits of gastric cancer cells through enhancing Sox2 protein stability

The promoting roles of faciogenital dysplasia 5 (FGD5) in tumor progression have been identified in various tumors, however, its roles in gastric cancer progression are still confusing. Currently, it was found that FGD5 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and negatively correlated with different types of survival of gastric cancer patients via online dataset analysis. In vitro analysis of different types of gastric cancer cell lines and normal gastric epithelial cells obtained a consistent result. Then FGD5 was knocked down in gastric cancer cell lines through two independent siRNAs against FGD5 and it was identified that FGD5 knockdown suppressed the cancer stem cell (CSC)-like traits of gastric cancer cells through analyzing the expression of CSC markers, ALDH1 activity and spheroid-formation ability. Further mechanistic studies revealed that FGD5 interacted with Sox2 protein, a critical regulator of CSC progression, enhanced Sox2 protein stability and decreased its ubquitination. Additionally, FGD5 supported the CSC-like traits dependent on Sox2 expression. Taken together, this work identified a novel FGD5/Sox2 axis responsible for the CSC-like traits of gastric cancer cells.

Identification and validation of a novel zinc finger protein-related gene-based prognostic model for breast cancer

Background

Breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) is a commonly occurring malignant tumor. Zinc finger proteins (ZNFs) constitute the largest transcription factor family in the human genome and play a mechanistic role in many cancers' development. The prognostic value of ZNFs has yet to be approached systematically for BRCA.

Methods

We analyzed the data of a training set from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and two validation cohort from GSE20685 and METABRIC datasets, composed of 3,231 BRCA patients. After screening the differentially expressed ZNFs, univariate Cox regression, LASSO, and multiple Cox regression analysis were performed to construct a risk-based predictive model. ESTIMATE algorithm, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), and gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) were utilized to assess the potential relations among the tumor immune microenvironment and ZNFs in BRCA.

Results

In this study, we profiled ZNF expression in TCGA based BRCA cohort and developed a novel prognostic model based on 14 genes with ZNF relations. This model was composed of high and low-score groups for BRCA classification. Based upon Kaplan-Meier survival curves, risk-status-based prognosis illustrated significant differences. We integrated the 14 ZNF-gene signature with patient clinicopathological data for nomogram construction with accurate 1-, 3-, and 5-overall survival predictive capabilities. We then accessed the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer database for therapeutic drug response prediction of signature-defined BRCA patient groupings for our selected TCGA population. The signature also predicts sensitivity to chemotherapeutic and molecular-targeted agents in high- and low-risk patients afflicted with BRCA. Functional analysis suggested JAK STAT, VEGF, MAPK, NOTCH TOLL-like receptor, NOD-like receptor signaling pathways, apoptosis, and cancer-based pathways could be key for ZNF-related BRCA development. Interestingly, based on the results of ESTIMATE, ssGSEA, and GSEA analysis, we elucidated that our ZNF-gene signature had pivotal regulatory effects on the tumor immune microenvironment for BRCA.

Conclusion

Our findings shed light on the potential contribution of ZNFs to the pathogenesis of BRCA and may inform clinical practice to guide individualized treatment.

A 2-year prospective analysis of insomnia as a mediator of the relationship between androgen deprivation therapy and perceived cognitive function in men with prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) may affect cognitive function in men with prostate cancer (PCa). This study examined whether insomnia symptoms mediate the relationship between ADT and perceived cognitive function and whether depressive symptoms, fatigue severity, and physical activity moderate the strength of this relationship.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of ADT recipients (n = 83) who were matched with control patients with PCa who were not on ADT (n = 92) and with controls with no history of cancer (n = 112) over a 2-year follow-up period. Perceived cognitive function and satisfaction were assessed with the Everyday Cognition Scale. Insomnia was assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index. Multilevel mediation analyses were conducted to estimate the indirect effect of ADT on perceived cognitive function through insomnia symptoms. Exploratory moderated mediation analyses assessed whether the indirect effect of ADT on perceived cognitive function through insomnia symptoms was dependent on levels of fatigue, depression, or physical activity.

RESULTS

Insomnia symptoms significantly mediated the relationship between receipt of ADT and perceived cognitive function (P < .001) and satisfaction with cognition (P < .001) after controlling for comorbidities. Men with greater fatigue had a more pronounced association of ADT with insomnia severity. Men with greater depressive symptoms had a stronger association between insomnia severity and worse perceived cognitive function. Physical activity was not a significant moderator of the relationship between ADT and perceived cognitive function.

CONCLUSIONS

Insomnia influenced the relationship between ADT and perceived cognitive abilities. Interventions to address insomnia, fatigue, and depression may improve perceived cognitive function.

Faciogenital Dysplasia 5 supports cancer stem cell traits in basal-like breast cancer by enhancing EGFR stability

Most basal-like breast cancers (BLBCs) are triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), which have the worst prognosis and distant metastasis-free survival among breast cancer subtypes. Now, no targeted therapies are available for patients with BLBC due to the lack of reliable and effective molecular targets. Here, we performed the BLBC tissue microarray-based immunohistochemical analysis and showed that Faciogenital Dysplasia 5 (FGD5) abundance is associated with poor prognosis in BLBCs. FGD5 deletion decreased the proliferation, invasion, and tumorsphere formation capacity of BLBC cells. Furthermore, genetic inhibition of Fgd5 in mouse mammary epithelial cells attenuated BLBC initiation and progression by reducing the self-renewal ability of tumor-initiating cells. In addition, FGD5 abundance was positively correlated with the abundance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in BLBCs. FGD5 ablation decreased EGFR abundance by reducing EGFR stability in TNBC cells in 2D and 3D culture conditions. Mechanistically, FGD5 binds to EGFR and interferes with basal EGFR ubiquitination and degradation induced by the E3 ligase ITCH. Impaired EGFR degradation caused BLBC cell proliferation and promoted invasive properties and self-renewal. To verify the role of the FGD5-EGFR interaction in the regulation of EGFR stability, we screened a cell-penetrating α-helical peptide PER3 binding with FGD5 to disrupt the interaction. Treatment of BLBC patient-derived xenograft-bearing mice with the peptide PER3 disrupting the FGD5-EGFR interaction either with or without chemotherapy reduced BLBC progression. Our study identified FGD5 as a positive modulator of tumor-initiating cells and suggests a potential therapeutic option for the BLBC subtype of breast cancer.

FGD5 facilitates tumor growth by regulating EGFR ubiquitination in gastric cancer

FGD5 (faciogenital dysplasia-5), a Rho-family guanine nucleotide exchange factor, has been identified as a key regulator of endothelial cells angiogenesis and apoptosis. However, the expression and role of FGD5 in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer remain unknown. In the present study, we first detected FGD5 expression in tumor tissues of different stages by immunofluorescence and confirmed that FGD5 expression was associated with stages in human gastric cancer. Knockdown FGD5 by shRNA in 7901 and BGC823 human gastric cells lines inhibited tumorigenesis and migration in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay showed that FGD5 interacted with EGFR and decreased EGFR ubiquitination. Additionally, FGD5 sustained the activation of EGFR downstream signaling molecules, including STAT3 and pSTAT3. Furthermore, we showed that FGD5 could induce resistance to chemotherapy 5Fu/CIS, however, a well-known STAT3 inhibitor FLL32 could reverse FGD5-induced chemotherapy resistance in vivo. In conclusion, we are the first to demonstrate that FGD5 expression was associated with tumor stage and proliferation in gastric cancer and targeting FGD5 might be a potential therapeutic target for EGFR-STAT3 resistance gastric cancer.

Fgd5 is a Rac1-specific Rho GEF that is selectively inhibited by aurintricarboxylic acid

Rho proteins are signalling molecules that control cellular dynamics, movement and morphological changes. They are activated by Rho guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (Rho GEFs) that transduce upstream signals into Rho-mediated activation of downstream processes. Fgd5 is a Rho GEF involved in angiogenesis and its target Rho protein for this process has been linked to Cdc42 activation. Here, we examined the function of purified Fgd5, specifically, which Rho proteins it activates and pinpoint the structural domains required for enzymatic activity. Using a GEF enzyme assay, we found that purified Fgd5 showed preferential activation of Rac1 and direct binding of Rac1 in pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Structural comparisons showed that the Fgd5 DH domain is highly similar to the Rac1 GEF, TrioN, supporting a role for Fgd5 as a Rac1 GEF. Compounds that bind to purified Fgd5 DH-PH protein were identified by screening a small molecule library via surface plasmon resonance. The effects of eleven ligands were further examined for their ability to inhibit the Fgd5 GEF enzymatic activity and Rac1 interaction. From these studies, we found that the compound aurintricarboxylic acid, and to a lesser extent mitoxantrone dihydrochloride, inhibited both Fgd5 GEF activation of Rac1 and their interaction. Aurintricarboxylic acid had no effect on the activity or binding of the Rac1 GEF, TrioN, thus demonstrating the feasibility of selectively disrupting Rho GEF activators. Abbreviations: a.a.: amino acid; ATA: aurintricarboxylic acid; DH: Dbl homology; DOCK: dictator of cytokinesis; Fgd: faciogenital dysplasia; GEF: guanine-nucleotide exchange factor; GST: glutathione S-transferase; LOPAC: library of pharmacologically active compounds; PH: pleckstrin homology; PDB: protein data bank; s.e.m.: standard error of the mean; SPR: surface plasmon resonance.

DTX3 copy number increase in breast cancer: a study of associations to molecular subtype, proliferation and prognosis

Purpose

The degree of cell proliferation is important for subclassification of breast cancers into prognostic and therapeutic groups. DTX3 has been identified as a driver of proliferation in luminal breast cancer. In this study, we describe DTX3 copy number in breast cancer primary tumours and corresponding axillary lymph node metastases, and studied associations with molecular subtype, proliferation and prognosis.

Methods

Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we assessed DTX3 and chromosome 12 centromere (CEP12) copy number in 542 primary breast cancers and 117 lymph node metastases, from a well-described cohort of Norwegian breast cancer patients. Proliferation was expressed as mitotic counts and Ki67 score. Associations between DTX3 copy number and molecular subtype and proliferation were assessed using Pearson’s χ² test. We studied the effect of copy number increase on prognosis estimating cumulative incidence of breast cancer death and hazard ratios.

Results

Mean DTX3 copy number ≥ 4 was found in 23 tumours (4%), and mean ≥ 5 in 9 tumours (1.7%). Copy number increase was found within all molecular subtypes except the 5 negative phenotype and the Luminal B (HER2 +) subtype. DTX3 copy number increase was not accompanied by an increase in CEP12. Point estimates showed that there were associations between DTX3 copy number increase and high proliferation and poor prognosis; however, precision depended on copy number cut-off.

Conclusions

DTX3 copy number increase was present in a small proportion of breast cancer cases. There was an association between copy number increase and high tumour cell proliferation and poor prognosis.

Recent Advances in Integrative Multi-Omics Research in Breast and Ovarian Cancer

The underlying molecular heterogeneity of cancer is responsible for the dynamic clinical landscape of this disease. The combination of genomic and proteomic alterations, including both inherited and acquired mutations, promotes tumor diversity and accounts for variable disease progression, therapeutic response, and clinical outcome. Recent advances in high-throughput proteogenomic profiling of tumor samples have resulted in the identification of novel oncogenic drivers, tumor suppressors, and signaling networks; biomarkers for the prediction of drug sensitivity and disease progression; and have contributed to the development of novel and more effective treatment strategies. In this review, we will focus on the impact of historical and recent advances in single platform and integrative proteogenomic studies in breast and ovarian cancer, which constitute two of the most lethal forms of cancer for women, and discuss the molecular similarities of these diseases, the impact of these findings on our understanding of tumor biology as well as the clinical applicability of these discoveries.

Targeting Rac and Cdc42 GEFs in Metastatic Cancer

The Rho family GTPases Rho, Rac, and Cdc42 have emerged as key players in cancer metastasis, due to their essential roles in regulating cell division and actin cytoskeletal rearrangements; and thus, cell growth, migration/invasion, polarity, and adhesion. This review will focus on the close homologs Rac and Cdc42, which have been established as drivers of metastasis and therapy resistance in multiple cancer types. Rac and Cdc42 are often dysregulated in cancer due to hyperactivation by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), belonging to both the diffuse B-cell lymphoma (Dbl) and dedicator of cytokinesis (DOCK) families. Rac/Cdc42 GEFs are activated by a myriad of oncogenic cell surface receptors, such as growth factor receptors, G-protein coupled receptors, cytokine receptors, and integrins; consequently, a number of Rac/Cdc42 GEFs have been implicated in metastatic cancer. Hence, inhibiting GEF-mediated Rac/Cdc42 activation represents a promising strategy for targeted metastatic cancer therapy. Herein, we focus on the role of oncogenic Rac/Cdc42 GEFs and discuss the recent advancements in the development of Rac and Cdc42 GEF-interacting inhibitors as targeted therapy for metastatic cancer, as well as their potential for overcoming cancer therapy resistance.

The prognostic value of faciogenital dysplasias as biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Aim: This present study aims to investigate the prognostic value of FGD genes for predicting the overall survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) patients. Materials & methods: Clinical information and FGD gene expressions of 513 HNSC patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset. Kaplan–Meier survival, Pearson correlation coefficient analyses and enrichment analyses were performed based on The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset, as well as FGD gene expressions analysis in normal tissues. Results: The survival analyses showed that high levels of FGD2 and FGD3 mRNA expressions, and the combination of high levels of FGD2 and FGD3 mRNAs were associated with the favorable overall survival in HNSC patients (p < 0.01). Oppositely, no significant correlations (p > 0.05) were observed between gender and race and OS. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the expression levels of FGD2 and FGD3 mRNAs in HNSC are associated with favorable prognosis and may be regarded as potential prognostic biomarkers.

Characterization of FGD5 Expression in Primary Breast Cancers and Lymph Node Metastases

Faciogenital dysplasia 5 ( FGD5) amplification drives tumor cell proliferation, and is present in 9.5% of breast cancers. We describe FGD5 expression, assess associations between FGD5 amplification and FGD5 expression, and assess FGD5 expression in relation to proliferation and prognosis. FGD5 immunohistochemistry was done on primary tumors ( n=829) and lymph node metastases ( n=231) from a cohort of Norwegian patients. We explored associations between FGD5 amplification, FGD5 expression, and proliferation, and analyzed the prognostic value of FGD5 expression by estimating cumulative risks of death and hazard ratios (HRs). We identified nuclear and cytoplasmic expression in 64% and 73% of primary tumors, respectively, and found an association between gene amplification and nuclear expression ( p=0.02). The proportion of cases with FGD5 expression was higher in lymph node metastases, compared with primary tumors ( p=0.004 for nuclear and p=0.001 for cytoplasmic staining). Neither proliferation nor prognosis was associated with FGD5 expression (age-adjusted HR 1.12 [95% confidence interval = 0.89-1.41] for nuclear expression; and 0.88 [95% CI = 0.70-1.12] for cytoplasmic expression). FGD5 is expressed in a high proportion of breast cancers and lymph node metastases. There was a correlation between FGD5 amplification and nuclear expression, but no association between FGD5 expression and proliferation or prognosis.