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Ishikawa Y, Yamazaki Y, Tezuka Y, Omata K, Ono Y, Tokodai K, Fujishima F, Kawanabe S, Katabami T, Ikeya A, Yamashita M, Oki Y, Nanjo H, Satoh F, Ito A, Unno M, Kamei T, Sasano H, Suzuki T. Histopathological analysis of tumor microenvironment in adrenocortical carcinoma: Possible effects of in situ disorganized glucocorticoid production on tumor immunity. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 238:106462. [PMID: 38232786 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) patients with glucocorticoid excess have been reported to be associated with decreased tumor-infiltrating immune cells, but the effects of in situ glucocorticoid production on tumor immunity have remained unknown. In addition, ACC was also known to harbor marked intra-tumoral heterogeneity of steroidogenesis or disorganized steroidogenesis. Therefore, in this study, we immune-profiled tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and pivotal steroidogenic enzymes of glucocorticoid biosynthesis (CYP17A and CYP11B1) to explore the potential effects of in situ glucocorticoid production and intra-tumoral heterogeneity/disorganized steroidogenesis on tumor immunity of ACC. We also studied the correlations of the status of tumor immunity with that of angiogenesis and tumor grade to further explore the tumor tissue microenvironment of ACC. TILs (CD3, CD4, CD8, and FOXP3), TAMs (CD68 and CD163), key steroidogenic enzymes of glucocorticoid (CYP17A and CYP11B1), angiogenesis (CD31 and vasohibin-1 (VASH-1)), tumor grade (Ki-67 and Weiss score) were immunohistochemically evaluated in 34 ACCs. Increased CYP17A immunoreactivity in the whole tumor area was significantly positively correlated with FOXP3-positive TILs (p = 0.021) and negatively with CD4/CD3 ratio (p = 0.001). Increased CYP11B1 immunoreactivity in the whole tumor area was significantly positively correlated with CD8/CD3 (p = 0.039) and CD163/CD68 ratios (p = 0.006) and negatively with CD4-positive TILs (p = 0.036) and CD4/CD3 ratio (p = 0.001). There were also significant positive correlations between CYP17A and CD8 (r = 0.334, p < 0.001) and FOXP3-positive TILs (r = 0.414, p < 0.001), CD8/CD3 ratio (r = 0.421, p < 0.001), and CD68-positive TAMs (r = 0.298, p < 0.001) in randomly selected areas. Significant positive correlations were also detected between CYP11B1 and CD8/CD3 ratio (r = 0.276, p = 0.001) and negative ones detected between CYP11B1 and CD3- (r = -0.259, p = 0.002) and CD4-positive TILs (r = -0.312, p < 0.001) in those areas above. Increased micro-vessel density (MVD) -VASH-1 was significantly positively correlated with CD68- (p = 0.015) and CD163-positive TAMs (p = 0.009) and CD163/CD68 ratio and the high VASH-1 with CD163-positive TAMs (p = 0.042). Ki-67 labeling index was significantly positively correlated with MAD-VASH-1 (p = 0.006) and VASH-1 (p = 0.006) status. Results of our present study indicated that in situ glucocorticoid production did influence the status of tumor immunity in ACC. In particular, increased levels of CYP17A and CYP11B1, both involved in glucocorticoid producing immunoreactivity played different effects on tumor immunity, i.e., reflecting the involvement of intra-tumoral heterogeneity and disorganized steroidogenesis of ACC, which also did indicate the importance of in situ approaches when analyzing tumor immunity of ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Ishikawa
- Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yuto Yamazaki
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Yuta Tezuka
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Tohoku University Hospital, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan; Division of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Kei Omata
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Tohoku University Hospital, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan; Division of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Yoshikiyo Ono
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Tohoku University Hospital, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan; Division of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Tokodai
- Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Fumiyoshi Fujishima
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Shin Kawanabe
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, St. Marianna University Yokohama Seibu Hospital, Yokohama, Japan; Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Takuyuki Katabami
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Akira Ikeya
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Miho Yamashita
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yutaka Oki
- Diabetes & Endocrinology Center, Hamamatsu-Kita Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nanjo
- Department of Pathology, Akita University Hospital, Akita, Japan
| | - Fumitoshi Satoh
- Division of Clinical Hypertension, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Akihiro Ito
- Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Michiaki Unno
- Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takashi Kamei
- Department of Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hironobu Sasano
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takashi Suzuki
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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Zhang Y, Zhang C, Li K, Deng J, Liu H, Lai G, Xie B, Zhong X. Identification of Molecular Subtypes and Prognostic Characteristics of Adrenocortical Carcinoma Based on Unsupervised Clustering. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15465. [PMID: 37895143 PMCID: PMC10607826 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with a poor prognosis. Increasing evidence highlights the significant role of immune-related genes (IRGs) in ACC progression and immunotherapy, but the research is still limited. Based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, immune-related molecular subtypes were identified by unsupervised consensus clustering. Univariate Cox analysis and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression were employed to further establish immune-related gene signatures (IRGS). An evaluation of immune cell infiltration, biological function, tumor mutation burden (TMB), predicted immunotherapy response, and drug sensitivity in ACC patients was conducted to elucidate the applicative efficacy of IRGS in precision therapy. ACC patients were divided into two molecular subtypes through consistent clustering. Furthermore, the 3-gene signature (including PRKCA, LTBP1, and BIRC5) based on two molecular subtypes demonstrated consistent prognostic efficacy across the TCGA and GEO datasets and emerged as an independent prognostic factor. The low-risk group exhibited heightened immune cell infiltration, TMB, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), associated with a favorable prognosis. Pathways associated with drug metabolism, hormone regulation, and metabolism were activated in the low-risk group. In conclusion, our findings suggest IRGS can be used as an independent prognostic biomarker, providing a foundation for shaping future ACC immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Biao Xie
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Yixue Road, Chongqing 400016, China; (Y.Z.); (C.Z.); (K.L.); (J.D.); (H.L.); (G.L.)
| | - Xiaoni Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Yixue Road, Chongqing 400016, China; (Y.Z.); (C.Z.); (K.L.); (J.D.); (H.L.); (G.L.)
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Kim EK, Koo JS. Expression of Amine Oxidase Proteins in Adrenal Cortical Neoplasm and Pheochromocytoma. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1896. [PMID: 37509535 PMCID: PMC10376964 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We delved into the expression of amine oxidase family proteins and their potential significance in adrenal gland neoplasm. Tissue microarrays were prepared for 132 cases of adrenal cortical neoplasm (ACN) consisting of 115 cases of adrenal cortical adenoma (ACA), 17 cases of adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC), and 163 cases of pheochromocytoma (PCC). Immunohistochemical stainings for MAOA, MAOB, LOX, and AOC3 were performed to evaluate the H-scores and compare them with clinicopathological parameters. The H-scores of MAOA (T; p = 0.005) and MAOB (T; p = 0.006) in tumor cells (T) were high in ACN, whereas LOX (T, S; p < 0.001) in tumor and stromal cells (S) and AOC3 (T; p < 0.001) were higher in PCC. In stromal cells, MAOA (S; p < 0.001) and AOC3 (S; p = 0.010) were more expressed in ACA than in ACC. MAOB (S) in PCC showed higher H-scores when the grading of adrenal pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (GAPP) score was 3 or higher (p = 0.027). In the univariate analysis, low MAOA expression in stromal cells of ACN was associated with shorter overall survival (p = 0.008). In conclusion, monoamine oxidase proteins revealed differences in expression between ACN and PCC and also between benign and malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Kyung Kim
- Department of Pathology, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang 10444, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Seung Koo
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
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Verma P, Chandak A, Shetye SS, Nazar AK, Bagul SD, Malhotra G. Angiogenesis Imaging of Adrenocortical Carcinoma with Ga-68-NODAGA-RGD Positron Emission Tomography: Opening New Horizons in Multimodality Imaging from Theranostic Perspective. Indian J Nucl Med 2023; 38:183-184. [PMID: 37456196 PMCID: PMC10348488 DOI: 10.4103/ijnm.ijnm_186_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A 53-year-old female, with a known case of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), underwent F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for initial staging, which revealed FDG avid large left suprarenal mass contiguous with hypermetabolic tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC) through the left renal vein. Thereafter, she underwent angiogenesis imaging using Ga-68-NODAGA-RGD PET/CT, which showed similar avid tracer uptake in both primary and IVC thrombus. Demonstration of RGD avidity in ACC in this case opens a new horizon for targeted radionuclide therapy (e.g., Lu-177 RGD) in selected patients, who may have limited therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Verma
- Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ashok Chandak
- Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Suyog Sharad Shetye
- Department of Surgery, Seth G S Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Aamir K. Nazar
- Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Swati Dinesh Bagul
- Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Gaurav Malhotra
- Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Clinical Nuclear Medicine, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Can M, Kocabaş M, Karaköse M, Esen HH, Kulaksızoğlu M, Karakurt F. Expression of the angiogenesis markers endocan in Cushing's syndrome due to cortisol producing adenoma. Endocrine 2023; 79:554-558. [PMID: 36350461 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03250-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In this study, we aimed to investigate the endocan expression in tissue samples of patients diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome (CS) due to Cortisol-Producing-Adenoma (CPA) and compare it with normal adrenal cortex tissue, and also to evaluate the correlations of endocan expression with clinical and histopathological features. METHODS 11 patients who were operated for CS due to CPA between 2009-2021 and 14 control subjects with normal adrenal cortex were included in the study. Demographic, laboratory and clinicopathological data of the patients were recorded. Sections of 4-5 µm thickness were taken from paraffin blocks of patients diagnosed with CS due to CPA and control subjects with normal adrenal cortex tissue. The sections were then stained in a closed system automatic immunohistochemical staining device to perform immunohistochemical analysis. The endocan positive grade were determined based on the proportion of stained cells on a scale of negative to strong. RESULTS The number of subjects with positive endocan expression and the mean endocan expression level in the CS group were significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.005, p < 0.001, respectively). No correlation was found between endocan expression and clinical and histopathological features. CONCLUSION According to the results of our study, endocan overexpression in CPA tissues may be related to the hormonal functionality of CPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Can
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Muş State Hospital, Muş, Turkey.
| | - Muhammet Kocabaş
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tokat State Hospital, Tokat, Turkey
| | - Melia Karaköse
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Hacı Hasan Esen
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Kulaksızoğlu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Feridun Karakurt
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
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The Characteristics of Tumor Microenvironment Predict Survival and Response to Immunotherapy in Adrenocortical Carcinomas. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050755. [PMID: 36899891 PMCID: PMC10000893 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence confirms that tumor microenvironment (TME) can influence tumor progression and treatment, but TME is still understudied in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). In this study, we first scored TME using the xCell algorithm, then defined genes associated with TME, and then used consensus unsupervised clustering analysis to construct TME-related subtypes. Meanwhile, weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to identify modules correlated with TME-related subtypes. Ultimately, the LASSO-Cox approach was used to establish a TME-related signature. The results showed that TME-related scores in ACC may not correlate with clinical features but do promote a better overall survival. Patients were classified into two TME-related subtypes. Subtype 2 had more immune signaling features, higher expression of immune checkpoints and MHC molecules, no CTNNB1 mutations, higher infiltration of macrophages and endothelial cells, lower tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion scores, and higher immunophenoscore, suggesting that subtype 2 may be more sensitive to immunotherapy. 231 modular genes highly relevant to TME-related subtypes were identified, and a 7-gene TME-related signature that independently predicted patient prognosis was established. Our study revealed an integrated role of TME in ACC and helped to identify those patients who really responded to immunotherapy, while providing new strategies on risk management and prognosis prediction.
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Silva A, Pereira SS, Brandão JR, Brochado P, Monteiro MP, Araújo A, Faria G. Colon tumor CD31 expression is associated with higher disease-free survival in patients with metabolic syndrome. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 240:154182. [PMID: 36327819 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MS) is recognized as a risk factor for colon cancer (CC). However, how does the interplay between metabolic dysfunction caused by MS and its individual components affect CC microenvironment and prognosis remains unexplored. Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are fundamental processes for tumor progression and dissemination, ensuring oxygen and nutrient delivery and supporting one of the most important pathways of tumor dissemination, contributing to metastasis. Thus, our aim was to evaluate whether the expression of molecular biomarkers involved in angiogenic and lymphangiogenic processes influenced CC clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients with MS. Clinical and pathological data of 300 patients submitted to CC surgical resection at a single tertiary hospital were retrospectively retrieved from hospital records. Tumor tissue microarrays of archived paraffin-embedded blocks were used to assess CD31, VEGF-A and D2-40 tissue expression by immunohistochemistry. The percentage of stained area was quantified by computerized morphometric analysis. No association between tissue expression of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis biomarkers and tumor clinical and pathological characteristics was found. However, in subgroup analysis of patients with MS, dysglycemia was associated with lower D2-40 expression (p = 0.007) and high waist-circumference was associated with higher D2-40 (p = 0.0029) and VEGF-A expression (p = 0.026). In an adjusted Cox proportional hazard model CD31 expression was significantly associated with greater disease-free survival (HR=0.62; 95% CI: 0.41-0.95, p = 0.028). No association was found between D2-40 and VEGF-A expression and CC prognosis. Our data reinforces previous reports that suggest the potential use of CD31 as a CC prognostic biomarker. Additionally, our data further supports the evidence for an interplay between metabolic dysfunction, tumor microenvironment, and vascularization pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Silva
- Pharmacy Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; Department of Endocrine & Metabolic Research, UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal; School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Sofia S Pereira
- Department of Endocrine & Metabolic Research, UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
| | - José Ricardo Brandão
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), 4099-001 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo Brochado
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), 4099-001 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana P Monteiro
- Department of Endocrine & Metabolic Research, UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal; Centre for Obesity Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - António Araújo
- Oncology and Oncobiology Research, Unit for Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research (UMIB), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Medical Oncology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), 4099-001 Porto, Portugal
| | - Gil Faria
- CINTESIS-Center for Research in Health Technologies and Information Systems, Porto, Portugal; General Surgery, Hospital de Pedro Hispano - Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos, Senhora da Hora, Portugal; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Oliveira S, Pereira SS, Costa MM, Monteiro MP, Pignatelli D. Ang-Tie Angiogenic Pathway Is Distinctively Expressed in Benign and Malignant Adrenocortical Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105579. [PMID: 35628389 PMCID: PMC9146687 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The differential diagnosis between adrenocortical adenomas (ACAs) and adrenocortical carcinomas (ACCs) relies on unspecific clinical, imaging and histological features, and, so far, no single molecular biomarker has proved to improve diagnostic accuracy. Similarly, prognostic factors have an insufficient capacity to predict the heterogeneity of ACC clinical outcomes, which consequently lead to inadequate treatment strategies. Angiogenesis is a biological process regulated by multiple signaling pathways, including VEGF and the Ang–Tie pathway. Many studies have stressed the importance of angiogenesis in cancer development and metastasis. In the present study, we evaluated the expression of VEGF and Ang–Tie pathway mediators in adrenocortical tumors (ACTs), with the ultimate goal of assessing whether these molecules could be useful biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy and/or prognosis prediction in ACC. The expression of the proteins involved in angiogenesis, namely CD34, VEGF, VEGF-R2, Ang1, Ang2, Tie1 and Tie2, was assessed by immunohistochemistry in ACC (n = 22), ACA with Cushing syndrome (n = 8) and non-functioning ACA (n = 13). ACC presented a significantly higher Ang1 and Ang2 expression when compared to ACA. Tie1 expression was higher in ACC with venous invasion and in patients with shorter overall survival. In conclusion, although none of these biomarkers showed to be useful for ACT diagnosis, the Ang–Tie pathway is active in ACT and may play a role in regulating ACT angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Oliveira
- UMIB–Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS–Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (S.O.); (M.M.C.); (M.P.M.)
| | - Sofia S. Pereira
- UMIB–Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS–Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (S.O.); (M.M.C.); (M.P.M.)
- ITR–Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-220-428-106
| | - Madalena M. Costa
- UMIB–Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS–Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (S.O.); (M.M.C.); (M.P.M.)
- ITR–Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana P. Monteiro
- UMIB–Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS–Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (S.O.); (M.M.C.); (M.P.M.)
- ITR–Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
| | - Duarte Pignatelli
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital S. João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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Angiogenesis in the Normal Adrenal Fetal Cortex and Adrenocortical Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051030. [PMID: 33804534 PMCID: PMC7957756 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays an important role in several physiological and pathological processes. Pharmacological angiogenesis modulation has been robustly demonstrated to achieve clinical benefits in several cancers. Adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC) are rare tumors that often have a poor prognosis. In addition, therapeutic options for ACC are limited. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate adrenocortical angiogenesis along the embryonic development and in ACC could provide important clues on how these processes could be pharmacologically modulated for ACC treatment. In this report, we performed an integrative review on adrenal cortex angiogenesis regulation in physiological conditions and ACC. During embryonic development, adrenal angiogenesis is regulated by both VEGF and Ang-Tie signaling pathways. In ACC, early research efforts were focused on VEGF signaling and this pathway was identified as a good prognostic factor and thus a promising therapeutic target. However, every clinical trial so far conducted in ACC using VEGF pathway- targeting drugs, alone or in combination, yielded disappointing results. In contrast, although the Ang-Tie pathway has been pointed out as an important regulator of fetal adrenocortical angiogenesis, its role is yet to be explored in ACC. In the future, further research on the role and efficacy of modulating both Ang-Tie and VEGF pathways in ACC is needed.
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Mizdrak M, Tičinović Kurir T, Božić J. The Role of Biomarkers in Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Review of Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. Biomedicines 2021; 9:174. [PMID: 33578890 PMCID: PMC7916711 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy arising from the adrenal cortex often with unexpected biological behavior. It can occur at any age, with two peaks of incidence: in the first and between fifth and seventh decades of life. Although ACC are mostly hormonally active, precursors and metabolites, rather than end products of steroidogenesis are produced by dedifferentiated and immature malignant cells. Distinguishing the etiology of adrenal mass, between benign adenomas, which are quite frequent in general population, and malignant carcinomas with dismal prognosis is often unfeasible. Even after pathohistological analysis, diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinomas is not always straightforward and represents a great challenge for experienced and multidisciplinary expert teams. No single imaging method, hormonal work-up or immunohistochemical labelling can definitively prove the diagnosis of ACC. Over several decades' great efforts have been made in finding novel reliable and available diagnostic and prognostic factors including steroid metabolome profiling or target gene identification. Despite these achievements, the 5-year mortality rate still accounts for approximately 75% to 90%, ACC is frequently diagnosed in advanced stages and therapeutic options are unfortunately limited. Therefore, imperative is to identify new biological markers that can predict patient prognosis and provide new therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Mizdrak
- Department of Nephrology and Hemodialysis, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Tina Tičinović Kurir
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Joško Božić
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
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Muzzi JCD, Magno JM, Cardoso MA, de Moura J, Castro MAA, Figueiredo BC. Adrenocortical Carcinoma Steroid Profiles: In Silico Pan-Cancer Analysis of TCGA Data Uncovers Immunotherapy Targets for Potential Improved Outcomes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:672319. [PMID: 34194394 PMCID: PMC8237859 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.672319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite progress in understanding the biology of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), treatment options have not dramatically changed in the last three decades, nor have we learned how to avoid some of its long-term side effects. Our goal was to improve the understanding of immune pathways that may include druggable targets to enhance immune responses of patients with ACC, focusing on immune evasion and the activation of immune cells against ACC. Our strategy was aimed at improving insight regarding gene expression without steroid interference. Using approaches based on high and low steroid phenotypes (HSP and LSP, respectively), we characterized immune pathways using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ACC cohort data. Although previous studies have suggested that patients with ACC receive minimal benefit from immunotherapy, high expression of immune modulators was noted in patients with LSP, suggesting the activation of these biomarkers may be an important adjuvant therapy target after clearance of excess glucocorticoids. In addition, patients with LSP ACC had higher immune cell infiltration than patients with HSP ACC and other cancer subtypes. Our findings can be summarized as follows (1): we confirmed and improved the definition of two immune response pathways to ACC (HSP and LSP) based on in silico transcriptome analysis (2), we demonstrated the steroid profile should be considered, otherwise analyses of ACC immune characteristics can generate confounding results (3), among the overexpressed immunotherapy targets, we demonstrated that LSP was rich in PDCD1LG2 (PD-L2) and both HSP and LSP overexpressed CD276 (B7-H3), which was associated with resistance to anti-PD1 therapy and may have accounted for the modest results of previous clinical trials, and (4) identification of patients with LSP or HSP ACC can be used to help determine whether immunotherapy should be used. In conclusion, we highlighted the differences between LSP and HSP, drawing attention to potential therapeutic targets (CD276, PDCD1, and PDCD1LG2). Treatments to reduce immune evasion, as well as the use of other natural and pharmacological immune activators, should include prior pharmacological inhibition of steroidogenesis. Attempts to combine these with tumor cell proliferation inhibitors, if they do not affect cells of the immune system, may produce interesting results.
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Affiliation(s)
- João C. D. Muzzi
- Laboratório de Imunoquímica (LIMQ), Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia, Parasitologia e Patologia, Departamento de Patologia Básica, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia de Sistemas, Pós-Graduação em Bioinformática, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Oncology Division, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Jessica M. Magno
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia de Sistemas, Pós-Graduação em Bioinformática, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Oncology Division, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Milena A. Cardoso
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia de Sistemas, Pós-Graduação em Bioinformática, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Oncology Division, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Juliana de Moura
- Laboratório de Imunoquímica (LIMQ), Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia, Parasitologia e Patologia, Departamento de Patologia Básica, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Mauro A. A. Castro
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia de Sistemas, Pós-Graduação em Bioinformática, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Bonald C. Figueiredo
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Oncology Division, Curitiba, Brazil
- Centro de Genética Molecular e Pesquisa do Câncer em Crianças (CEGEMPAC), Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Curitiba, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Bonald C. Figueiredo,
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Ilias I, Zabuliene L. Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors and adrenal incidentalomas. Med Hypotheses 2019; 130:109288. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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