PROX1 lymphatic density correlates with adverse clinicopathological factors, lymph node metastases and survival in neuroblastomas

Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 can predict various malignant tumour lympha node metastasis: a meta-analysis

It has been found in several studies and research that the long non-coding RNA (Inc RNA) NEAT1 plays an important role in the development and succession in various malignant tumour. The development and metastasis of tumour mainly happen through lymph node. The purpose of this research is to explore the value of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in cancer. We have collected all the concerned studies about NEAT1 and researched the relationship between NEAT1 and lymph node metastasis. We have searched the studies by seeking database PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (up to 10 January 2019), as well as a total of 821 patients from eight studies topics and made accordingly meta-analysis. By analyzing the data, we have found that the result is the high expression of NEAT1 associate with the metastasis of lymph node in different malignant tumours. The high level of NEAT1 expression can predict the metastasis of lymph node (OR = 3.36, 95% CI = 1.66-6.77, p = .000) and it is a molecular marker of positive lymph node for treatment.

Lymph microvascularization as a prognostic indicator in neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial solid pediatric cancer and causes approximately 15% of all childhood deaths from cancer. Although lymphatic vasculature is a prerequisite for the maintenance of tissue fluid balance and immunity in the body, little is known about the relationship between lymphatic vascularization and prognosis in neuroblastoma. We used our previously-published custom-designed tool to close open-outline vessels and measure the density, size and shape of all lymphatic vessels and microvascular segments in 332 primary neuroblastoma contained in tissue microarrays. The results were correlated with clinical and biological features of known prognostic value and with risk of progression to establish histological lymphatic vascular patterns associated with unfavorable histology. A high proportion of irregular intermediate lymphatic capillaries and irregular small collector vessels were present in tumors from patients with metastatic stage, undifferentiating neuroblasts and/or classified in the high risk. In addition, a higher lymphatic microvascularization density was found to be predictive of overall survival. Our findings show the crucial role of lymphatic vascularization in metastatic development and maintenance of tumor tissue homeostasis. These patterns may therefore help to indicate more accurate pre-treatment risk stratification and could provide candidate targets for novel therapies.

DAB2IP regulates EMT and metastasis of prostate cancer through targeting PROX1 transcription and destabilizing HIF1α protein

Prospero-related homeobox 1 (PROX1) is an essential regulator in lymphangiogenesis and has been implicated in both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions in many types of human cancers. However, the role of PROX1 in prostate cancer (PCa) remains poorly understood. In this study, based on different PCa cell lines and knockout mice, we showed that PROX1 could be suppressed by DAB2IP, a novel member of the Ras GTPase-activating protein family and a critical player in control of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and PCa metastasis. Mechanistically, PROX1 overexpression in DAB2IP-deficient PCa cells could enhance the accumulation of HIF1α protein by inhibiting ubiquitin pathway and then consequently induce an EMT response, which is characterized by repression of E-cadherin, up-regulation of vimentin and matrix metallopeptidases (MMPs) and enhancement of cell migration. Together, our data provides a new insight into mechanism that DAB2IP regulates EMT and PCa metastasis, especially points out the potential roles of its downstream PROX1/HIF1α signaling in a unique non-skeletal metastasis of PCa.

Lymphangiogenesis and Inflammation-Looking for the "Missing Pieces" of the Puzzle

Several papers about lymphangiogenesis and inflammation focused on the detailed and complicated descriptions of the molecular pathways accompanying both non-tumor and tumor inflammatory-induced lymphatic vessel development. Many authors are tempted to present inflammatory-induced lymphangiogenesis in pathologic conditions neglecting the role of inflammatory cells during embryonic lymphatic vessel development. Some of the inflammatory cells are largely characterized in inflammatory-induced lymphangiogenesis, while others as mast cells, eosinophils, or plasma cells are less studied. No phenotypic characterization of inflammation-activated lymphatic endothelial cell is available in this moment. Another paradox is related to the existence of few papers regarding lymphangiogenesis inside lymphoid organs and for their related pathology. There are still several "missing pieces of such a big puzzle" of lymphangiogenesis and inflammation, with a direct impact on the ineffectiveness of the anti-inflammatory therapy as lymphangiogenesis inhibitors. The present paper will focus on the controversial issues of lymphangiogenesis and inflammation.

VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 expression in peripheral neuroblastic tumours

AIMS

More than 50% of neuroblastomas (NBs) present with haematogenous and/or lymphatic metastasis; however, little is known about the clinicopathological significance in NBs of the key lymphangiogenesis growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and VEGF-D and the receptor VEGFR-3.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ninety-three NBs and nine ganglioneuromas (GNs) were immunostained for VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3. VEGF-C and VEGF-D were present in 76% and 82% of the NBs, respectively. There was no significant difference in VEGF-C expression between NBs and GNs. VEGF-D expression was significantly higher in NBs compared with GNs and in MYCN-amplified NBs. VEGFR-3 tumoral cell expression (VEGFR-3c), present in 48% of the NBs, was significantly higher in NBs from children ≥ 18 months at presentation and those belonging to a high-risk group. VEGFR-3 lymphovascular density was increased significantly in NBs compared with GNs and in NBs associated with adverse clinicopathological and biological factors. Lymphovascular invasion, assessed in VEGFR-3-stained vessels, was present in ∼50% of NBs. Cox regression analyses demonstrated that VEGFR-3c expression was associated with a significantly shorter event-free survival and that its effect was independent of the important pathological variable, mitosis-karyorrhexis index.

CONCLUSIONS

VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 up-regulation support tumour progression in NB and VEGFR-3c may provide a useful prognostic marker in NBs.