Histone methyltransferase KMT2D promotes prostate cancer progression through paracrine IL-6 signaling

Evaluation of the clinical application value of cytokine expression profiles in the differential diagnosis of prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

The significance of tumor-secreted cytokines in tumor development has gained substantial attention. Nevertheless, the precise role of tumor-related inflammatory cytokines in prostate cancer (PCa) remains ambiguous.

OBJECTIVES

To gain deeper insights into the inflammatory response in the process of PCa.

METHODS

A total of 233 cases were collected, including 80 cases of prostate hyperplasia as disease control, 65 cases of postoperative prostate cancer and 36 cases of prostate cancer as PCa group. Additionally, 52 patients undergoing physical examinations during the same period were collected as the healthy control. The levels of 12 inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood samples were analyzed using flow cytometric bead array technology. The levels of total prostate-specific antigen (TPSA) and free prostate-specific antigen (FPSA) in peripheral blood samples were analyzed using electrochemiluminescence technology.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed significant increases in serum IL-8 levels in PCa group compared to the healthy control group. Additionally, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-12p70 levels were markedly elevated in the PCa group compared to the disease control group (all p < 0.05). Conversely, the level of IL-4, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17A and IFN-α were lower in the PCa group compared to those in control group. Following surgery, the concentration of IL-6 decreased; whereas, the concentrations of IL-4, TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-12p70, and IFN-α increased, demonstrating significant differences (p < 0.05). The differential upregulation of IL-6 or downregulation of IL-17A in peripheral blood exhibited diagnostic efficacy in PCa patients. Moreover, we observed a significant increase in IL-17A levels, accompanied by decreased of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-a, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-12P70 in patients with distant metastasis.

CONCLUSION

The peripheral blood cytokines are closely associated with the occurrence and development of prostate cancer, especially the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-17A may be useful as potential predictors of PCa diagnosis.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines and CXC chemokines as game-changer in age-associated prostate cancer and ovarian cancer: Insights from preclinical and clinical studies' outcomes

Prostate cancer (PC) and Ovarian cancer (OC) are two of the most common types of cancer that affect the reproductive systems of older men and women. These cancers are associated with a poor quality of life among the aged population. Therefore, finding new and innovative ways to detect, treat, and prevent these cancers in older patients is essential. Finding biomarkers for these malignancies will increase the chance of early detection and effective treatment, subsequently improving the survival rate. Studies have shown that the prevalence and health of some illnesses are linked to an impaired immune system. However, the age-associated changes in the immune system during malignancies such as PC and OC are poorly understood. Recent research has suggested that the excessive production of inflammatory immune mediators, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), transforming growth factor (TGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), CXC motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXC motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), and CXC motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13), etc., significantly impact the development of PC and OC in elderly patients. Our review focuses on the latest functional studies of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukins) and CXC chemokines, which serve as biomarkers in elderly patients with PC and OC. Thus, we aim to shed light on how these biomarkers affect the development of PC and OC in elderly patients. We also examine the current status and future perspective of cytokines (interleukins) and CXC chemokines-based therapeutic targets in OC and PC treatment for elderly patients.

The role of proinflammatory cytokines and CXC chemokines (CXCL1-CXCL16) in the progression of prostate cancer: insights on their therapeutic management

Reproductive cancers are malignancies that develop in the reproductive organs. One of the leading cancers affecting the male reproductive system on a global scale is prostate cancer (PCa). The negative consequences of PCa metastases endure and are severe, significantly affecting mortality and life quality for those who are affected. The association between inflammation and PCa has captured interest for a while. Inflammatory cells, cytokines, CXC chemokines, signaling pathways, and other elements make up the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is characterized by inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines and CXC chemokines are especially crucial for PCa development and prognosis. Cytokines (interleukins) and CXC chemokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-7, IL-17, TGF-β, TNF-α, CXCL1-CXCL6, and CXCL8-CXCL16 are thought to be responsible for the pleiotropic effects of PCa, which include inflammation, progression, angiogenesis, leukocyte infiltration in advanced PCa, and therapeutic resistance. The inflammatory cytokine and CXC chemokines systems are also promising candidates for PCa suppression and immunotherapy. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to provide insight on how the spectra of inflammatory cytokines and CXC chemokines evolve as PCa develops and spreads. We also discussed recent developments in our awareness of the diverse molecular signaling pathways of these circulating cytokines and CXC chemokines, as well as their associated receptors, which may one day serve as PCa-targeted therapies. Moreover, the current status and potential of theranostic PCa therapies based on cytokines, CXC chemokines, and CXC receptors (CXCRs) are examined.

KMT2 (MLL) family of methyltransferases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The involvement of the KMT2 methyltransferase family in the pathogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains elusive.

METHOD

This study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines, employing a search strategy in the LIVIVO, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute.

RESULTS

A total of 33 studies involving 4294 individuals with HNSCC were included in this review. The most important alteration was the high mutational frequency in the KMT2C and KMT2D genes, with reported co-occurrence. The expression of the KMT2D gene exhibited considerable heterogeneity across the studies, while limited data was available for the remaining genes.

CONCLUSIONS

KMT2C and KMT2D genes seem to have tumor suppressor activities, with involvement of cell cycle inhibitors, regulating different pathways that can lead to tumor progression, disease aggressiveness, and DNA damage accumulation.