Evaluation of urinary XIAP as a diagnostic biomarker of carcinoma of urinary bladder

Urinary mRNA-based biomarkers for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a mini-review

Bladder cancer (BC) is the second most common type of cancer of the urinary system. Approximately 75% of the cases are non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), which has a high recurrence and progression rate. Current diagnosis and surveillance methods present challenges, including risks to the patients. For this reason, urinary biomarkers have been proposed as alternatives to the methods. The goal of this mini-review is to describe urinary mRNA-based biomarkers available in current literature for NMIBC tumors, using the PubMed database. The search included the following keywords: "biomarkers" AND "bladder cancer" AND "urine" and "RNA" and "non-muscle". The search yielded 11 original researchers utilizing mRNA-based urinary biomarkers. Although there is a wide variety of biomarkers described, the cohorts of the studies were not exclusively NMIBC, which is the subtype of BC that would mostly benefit from the introduction of a good follow-up biomarker, highlighting the need for randomized interventional trials for NMIBC.

Liquid biopsy in urothelial carcinoma: Detection techniques and clinical applications

The types of urothelial carcinoma (UC) include urothelial bladder cancer and upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Current diagnostic techniques cannot meet the needs of patients. Liquid biopsy is an accurate method of determining the molecular profile of UC and is a cutting-edge and popular technique that is expected to complement existing detection techniques and benefit patients with UC. Circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA, cell-free RNA, extracellular vesicles, proteins, and metabolites can be found in the blood, urine, or other bodily fluids and are examined during liquid biopsies. This article focuses on the components of liquid biopsies and their clinical applications in UC. Liquid biopsies have tremendous potential in multiple aspects of precision oncology, from early diagnosis and treatment monitoring to predicting prognoses. They may therefore play an important role in the management of UC and precision medicine.

Lentiviral Gene Transfer Corrects Immune Abnormalities in XIAP Deficiency

BACKGROUND

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) deficiency is a severe immunodeficiency with clinical features including hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) due to defective NOD2 responses. Management includes immunomodulatory therapies and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). However, this cohort is particularly susceptible to the chemotherapeutic regimens and acutely affected by graft-vs-host disease (GvHD), driving poor long-term survival in transplanted patients. Autologous HSC gene therapy could offer an alternative treatment option and would abrogate the risks of alloreactivity.

METHODS

Hematopoietic progenitor (Lin-ve) cells from XIAPy/- mice were transduced with a lentiviral vector encoding human XIAP cDNA before transplantation into irradiated XIAP y/- recipients. After 12 weeks animals were challenged with the dectin-1 ligand curdlan and recovery of innate immune function was evaluated though analysis of inflammatory cytokines, body weight, and splenomegaly. XIAP patient-derived CD14+ monocytes were transduced with the same vector and functional recovery was demonstrated using in vitro L18-MDP/NOD2 assays.

RESULTS

In treated XIAPy/- mice, ~40% engraftment of gene-corrected Lin-ve cells led to significant recovery of weight loss, splenomegaly, and inflammatory cytokine responses to curdlan, comparable to wild-type mice. Serum IL-6, IL-10, MCP-1, and TNF were significantly reduced 2-h post-curdlan administration in non-corrected XIAPy/- mice compared to wild-type and gene-corrected animals. Appropriate reduction of inflammatory responses was observed in gene-corrected mice, whereas non-corrected mice developed an inflammatory profile 9 days post-curdlan challenge. In gene-corrected patient CD14+ monocytes, TNF responses were restored following NOD2 activation with L18-MDP.

CONCLUSION

Gene correction of HSCs recovers XIAP-dependent immune defects and could offer a treatment option for patients with XIAP deficiency.

The Role of Mitochondrial miRNAs in the Development of Radon-Induced Lung Cancer

MicroRNAs are short, non-coding RNA molecules regulating gene expression by inhibiting the translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) or leading to degradation. The miRNAs are encoded in the nuclear genome and exported to the cytosol. However, miRNAs have been found in mitochondria and are probably derived from mitochondrial DNA. These miRNAs are able to directly regulate mitochondrial genes and mitochondrial activity. Mitochondrial dysfunction is the cause of many diseases, including cancer. In this review, we consider the role of mitochondrial miRNAs in the pathogenesis of lung cancer with particular reference to radon exposure.

XIAP's Profile in Human Cancer

XIAP, the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, regulates cell death signaling pathways through binding and inhibiting caspases. Mounting experimental research associated with XIAP has shown it to be a master regulator of cell death not only in apoptosis, but also in autophagy and necroptosis. As a vital decider on cell survival, XIAP is involved in the regulation of cancer initiation, promotion and progression. XIAP up-regulation occurs in many human diseases, resulting in a series of undesired effects such as raising the cellular tolerance to genetic lesions, inflammation and cytotoxicity. Hence, anti-tumor drugs targeting XIAP have become an important focus for cancer therapy research. RNA-XIAP interaction is a focus, which has enriched the general profile of XIAP regulation in human cancer. In this review, the basic functions of XIAP, its regulatory role in cancer, anti-XIAP drugs and recent findings about RNA-XIAP interactions are discussed.

LncRNA UCA1 promotes cell proliferation, invasion and migration of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

In view of the poor prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and the functionality of long non-coding (lnc)RNA UCA1 in different types of cancer, the present study aimed to investigate the role of UCA1 in the development and progression of LSCC. A total of 90 patients with LSCC and 90 healthy subjects were enrolled in the present study. Expression levels of UCA1 in tumor tissues and adjacent healthy tissues, as well as serum of patients with LSCC and normal controls were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum UCA1 for LSCC. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and employed to evaluate the prognosic values of serum UCA1 for LSCC. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were detected using the cell proliferation assay, and Transwell migration and invasion assays, respectively. Expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin-associated proteins were detected by western blot analysis. Results indicated that the expression levels of UCA1 were significantly higher in tumor tissues compared with adjacent healthy tissues in the majority of patients with LSCC. In addition, serum levels of UCA1 were significantly higher in patients with LSCC coapred with healthy controls. UCA1 overexpression promoted, whereas UCA1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of LSCC cells. UCA1 overexpression activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in LSCC cells, whereas treatment with Wnt inhibitor reduced the enhancing effects of UCA1 overexpression on the proliferation, migration and invasion of LSCC cells. The present findings suggest that UCA1 can promote cell proliferation, invasion and migration of LSCC cells by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Novel urinary biomarkers for the detection of bladder cancer: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Urinary biomarkers for the diagnosis of bladder cancer represents an area of considerable research which has been tested in both patients presenting with haematuria and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients requiring surveillance cystoscopy. In this systematic review, we identify and appraise the diagnostic sensitive and specificity of reported novel biomarkers of different 'omic' class and highlight promising biomarkers investigated to date.

METHODS

A MEDLINE/Pubmed systematic search was performed between January 2013 and July 2017 using the following keywords: (bladder cancer OR transitional cell carcinoma OR urothelial cell carcinoma) AND (detection OR diagnosis) AND urine AND (biomarker OR assay). All studies had a minimum of 20 patients in both bladder cancer and control arms and reported sensitivity and/or specificity and/or receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. QUADAS-2 tool was used to assess risk of bias and applicability of studies. The search protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42016049918).

RESULTS

Systematic search yielded 115 reports were included for analysis. In single target biomarkers had a sensitivity of 2-94%, specificity of 46-100%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 47-100% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 21-94%. Multi-target biomarkers achieved a sensitivity of 24-100%, specificity of 48-100%, PPV of 42-95% and NPV of 32-100%. 50 studies achieved a sensitivity and specificity of ≥80%. Protein (n = 59) and transcriptomic (n = 21) biomarkers represents the most studied biomarkers. Multi-target biomarker panels had a better diagnostic accuracy compared to single biomarker targets. Urinary cytology with urinary biomarkers improved the diagnostic ability of the biomarker. The sensitivity and specificity of biomarkers were higher for primary diagnosis compared to patients in the surveillance setting. Most studies were case control studies and did not have a predefined threshold to determine a positive test result indicating a possible risk of bias.

CONCLUSION

This comprehensive systematic review provides an update on urinary biomarkers of different 'omic' class and highlights promising biomarkers. Few biomarkers achieve a high sensitivity and negative predictive value. Such biomarkers will require external validation in a prospective observational setting before adoption in clinical practice.

Curcumin induces apoptotic cell death in human pancreatic cancer cells via the miR-340/XIAP signaling pathway

The natural compound curcumin has previously been reported to inhibit pancreatic cancer cell growth. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. Results from the present study demonstrate that the miR-340/X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) signaling pathway mediates curcumin-induced pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis. miR-340 was identified to be significantly upregulated following curcumin treatment. In addition, treatment with curcumin or miR-340 induced pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis, whereas silencing endogenous miR-340 significantly inhibited the proapoptotic effect of curcumin. A luciferase reporter assay and western blot analysis identified that the oncogene XIAP is a direct target of miR-340. Furthermore, curcumin treatment significantly reduced XIAP expression, an effect that was rescued by treatment with anti-miR-340. The results of the present study suggest that the miR-340/XIAP signaling pathway is a downstream target of curcumin that mediates its proapoptotic effects on pancreatic cancer cells. This may provide the basis for novel treatment strategies for patients with pancreatic cancer.

XIAP BIR domain suppresses miR-200a expression and subsequently promotes EGFR protein translation and anchorage-independent growth of bladder cancer cell

BACKGROUND

The X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) is a well-known potent apoptosis suppressor and also participates in cancer cell biological behaviors, therefore attracting great attentions as a potential antineoplastic therapeutic target for past years. Anti-IAP therapy is reported to be closely related to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression level. However, whether and how XIAP modulates EGFR expression remains largely unknown.

METHODS

Human XIAP was knockdown with short-hairpin RNA in two different bladder cancer cell lines, T24T and UMUC3. Two XIAP mutants, XIAP ∆BIR (deletion of N-terminal three BIR domains) and XIAP ∆RING (deletion of C-terminal RING domain and keeping the function of BIR domains), were generated to determine which domain is involved in regulating EGFR.

RESULTS

We found here that lacking of XIAP expression resulted in a remarkable suppression of EGFR expression, consequently leading to the deficiency of anchorage-independent cell growth. Further study demonstrated that BIR domain of XIAP was crucial for regulating the EGFR translation by suppressing the transcription and expression of miR-200a. Mechanistic studies indicated that BIR domain activated the protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A) activity by decreasing the phosphorylation of PP2A at Tyr307 in its catalytic subunit, PP2A-C. Such activated PP2A prevented the deviant phosphorylation and activation of MAPK kinases/MAPKs, their downstream effector c-Jun, and in turn inhibiting transcription of c-Jun-regulated the miR-200a.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study uncovered a novel function of BIR domain of XIAP in regulating the EGFR translation, providing significant insight into the understanding of the XIAP overexpression in the cancer development and progression, further offering a new theoretical support for using XIAP BIR domain and EGFR as targets for cancer therapy.

Anticancer effect of xanthohumol induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of human liver cancer through NF-κB/p53-apoptosis signaling pathway

Xanthohumol may prevent and cure diabetes and atherosis, have oxidation resistance and antiviral function as well as anticancer effect preventing cancer cell metastasis. We investigate whether the anticancer effect of xanthohumol induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of human liver cancer through NF-κB/p53-apoptosis signaling pathway. Human liver cancer HepG2 cell were treated with 10, 20, 30 and 40 µM xanthohumol for 48 h. The present study showed that the anticancer effect of xanthohumol was effective in inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of human liver cancer HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the caspase-3 activity of human liver cancer HepG2 cells was increased by xanthohumol. In addition, 48-h treatment with xanthohumol suppressed NF-κB expression and promoted p53, cleaved PARP, AIF and cytochrome c expression and downregulated XIAP and Bcl-2/Bax expression in human liver cancer HepG2 cells. Therefore, the anticancer effect of xanthohumol induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of human liver cancer through the NF-κB/p53-apoptosis signaling pathway.

MicroRNA expression profiles in muscle-invasive bladder cancer: identification of a four-microRNA signature associated with patient survival

Bladder cancer ranks the second most common genitourinary tract cancer, and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) accounts for approximately 25 % of all bladder cancer cases with high mortality. In the current study, with a total of 202 treatment-naïve primary MIBC patients identified from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset, we comprehensively analyzed the genome-wide microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in MIBC, with the aim to investigate the relationship of miRNA expression with the progression and prognosis of MIBC, and generate a miRNA signature of prognostic capabilities. In the progression-related miRNA profiles, a total of 47, 16, 3, and 84 miRNAs were selected for pathologic T, N, M, and histologic grade, respectively. Of the eight most important progression-related miRNAs, four (let-7c, mir-125b-1, mir-193a, and mir-99a) were significantly associated with survival of patients with MIBC. Finally, a four-miRNA signature was generated and proven as a promising prognostic parameter. In summary, this study identified the specific miRNAs associated with the progression and aggressiveness of MIBC and a four-miRNA signature as a promising prognostic parameter of MIBC.