Overexpression of ADAMTS-2 in tumor cells and stroma is predictive of poor clinical prognosis in gastric cancer

ADAMTS12, a novel prognostic predictor, promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The prognostic significance and potential carcinogenic mechanism of ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 12 (ADAMTS12) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) remain unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the correlation between ADAMTS12 protein expression and clinicopathological factors in tumor samples from 195 patients with HNSC. Based on clinicopathological data of patients, Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to identify the prognostic significance of the ADAMTS12 expression. The carcinogenicity of the ADAMTS12 in HNSC cells was analyzed by CCK-8 assay, the wound-healing assay, and transwell assays after transfection of ADAMTS12 overexpression or knock-down vector.

RESULTS

The expression of ADAMTS12 was up-regulated in HNSC compared with normal tissue, related to pathology grade and lymph node metastasis of patients with HNSC, which was an independent prognostic factor. ADAMTS12 overexpression facilitated cell viability, invasion, and migration of HNSC cells, while ADAMTS12 knock-down had inverse results. Moreover, enrichment analysis, ADAMTS12 overexpression assay, and ADAMTS12 knock-down assay confirmed that ADAMTS12 mediated the activation of P13K/Akt pathway in HNSC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our studies indicated that ADAMTS12 was a novel prognostic biomarker and potentially therapeutic target in HNSC.

Diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia on microarray gene expression data using categorical gradient boosted trees

We define an iterative method for dimensionality reduction using categorical gradient boosted trees and Shapley values and created four machine learning models which potentially could be used as diagnostic tests for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). For the final Catboost model we use a dataset of 2177 individuals using as features 16 probe sets and the age in order to classify if someone has AML or is healthy. The dataset is multicentric and consists of data from 27 organizations, 25 cities, 15 countries and 4 continents. The performance of our last model is specificity: 0.9909, sensitivity: 0.9985, F1-score: 0.9976 and its ROC-AUC: 0.9962 using ten fold cross validation. On an inference dataset the perormance is: specificity: 0.9909, sensitivity: 0.9969, F1-score: 0.9969 and its ROC-AUC: 0.9939. To the best of our knowledge the performance of our model is the best one in the literature, as regards the diagnosis of AML using similar or not data. Moreover, there has not been any bibliographic reference which associates AML or any other type of cancer with the 16 probe sets we used as features in our final model.

Transcriptome and methylome sequencing reveals altered long non-coding RNA genes expression and their aberrant DNA methylation in equine sarcoids

Recent publications confirmed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) perform an essential function in gene-specific transcription regulation. Nevertheless, despite its important role, lncRNA has not yet been described in equine sarcoids, the skin neoplasia of horses. Therefore, the aim of this study is to deepen the knowledge about lncRNA expression in the pathogenesis of equine sarcoids and provide new insight into the regulatory function of lncRNA in the bovine papillomavirus-dependent neoplasia of horse dermal tissues. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from 12 equine sarcoid samples and the corresponding controls were reanalyzed in this study. A total of 3396 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and 128 DElncRNA-DE genes (DEGs) pairs were identified. Differentially expressed lncRNAs predicted target genes were enriched in pathways associated with inter alia the extracellular matrix disassembly and cancer pathways. Furthermore, methylation data from the same samples were integrated into the analysis, and 12 DElncRNAs were described as potentially disturbed by aberrant methylation. In conclusion, this study presents novel data about lncRNA's role in the pathogenesis of equine sarcoids.

The Comprehensive Analysis of Specific Proteins as Novel Biomarkers Involved in the Diagnosis and Progression of Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) cases are predicted to rise by 2040 to approximately 1.8 million cases, while GC-caused deaths to 1.3 million yearly worldwide. To change this prognosis, there is a need to improve the diagnosis of GC patients because this deadly malignancy is usually detected at an advanced stage. Therefore, new biomarkers of early GC are sorely needed. In the present paper, we summarized and referred to a number of original pieces of research concerning the clinical significance of specific proteins as potential biomarkers for GC in comparison to well-established tumor markers for this malignancy. It has been proved that selected chemokines and their specific receptors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), specific proteins such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS), as well as DNA- and RNA-based biomarkers, and c-MET (tyrosine-protein kinase Met) play a role in the pathogenesis of GC. Based on the recent scientific literature, our review indicates that presented specific proteins are potential biomarkers in the diagnosis and progression of GC as well as might be used as prognostic factors of GC patients' survival.

Identification of Diagnostic Exosomal LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer Based on the ceRNA Network

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently the fourth most common cancer worldwide. The roles of exosomal competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in CRC remain unclear. In this study, we constructed an exosomal ceRNA network to identify the core ceRNAs and investigate the diagnostic biomarkers in CRC.

Methods and Patients: Serum exosomes were isolated from four CRC patients and two healthy donors by ultracentrifugation, and then subjected to RNA isolation, sequencing and microarray. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses were performed to identify functional enrichment implications of differentially expressed exosomal mRNAs. TargetScan and miRanda were used for identifying the miRNA-mRNA and miRNA-LncRNA interactions. The predicted lncRNAs and mRNAs were intersected with the differentially expressed genes, for which the screening criterion was fold change >1.5 in the microarray. Differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were identified in the GSE71008 dataset, and differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) were further summarized from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.

Results: A total of 1186 exosomal DEmRNAs, 2088 exosomal DElncRNAs and 29 exosomal miRNAs were detected in CRC patients compared to the healthy donors. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that exosomal DEmRNAs might participate in pathways related to carcinogenesis and development of cancer. An exosomal ceRNA regulatory network of CRC was constructed based on 40 lncRNAs, two miRNAs, and five mRNAs. Exosomal miR-150-5p and miR-10b-5p expression levels were increased in healthy donors compared with CRC patients in the GSE71008 dataset, and five DEmRNAs (TOMM70A, RBM48, BEND3, RHOBTB1, and ADAMTS2) were significantly upregulated in TCGA database. Two potential exosomal regulatory axes of lncRNA G016261-miR-150-5p-RBM48 and lncRNA XLOC_011677-miR-10b-5p-BEND3 were identified from the network.

Conclusion: The current study revealed potential molecular biological regulation pathways and diagnostic biomarkers through the exosomal ceRNA regulatory network.

N6 -methyladenosine RNA demethylase FTO regulates extracellular matrix-related genes and promotes pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a deadly disease, and its post-transcriptional gene regulation mechanism remains unclear. The abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) in PC plays an important role in tumor progression. This study is the first to focus on the role of N⁶ -methyladenosine (m⁶ A) RNA methylation, an emerging post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism, in the regulation of the ECM in PC. Here, we found that ADAMTS2, COL12A1, and THBS2 were associated with the prognosis of PC by comprehensive analysis of differentially expressed genes from two independent GEO expression profile datasets and m⁶ A-related genes in RMVar database (PAAD). GO and KEGG enrichment analysis found that these m⁶ A-related targets are chiefly functionally concentrated in the ECM region and participate in ECM signal transduction. Correlation analysis revealed that these genes can be regulated by the demethylase FTO. Cell biology function assays showed that knockdown of FTO-inhibited PC cell abilities to migrate and invade in vitro. qRT-PCR and MeRIP experiments showed that after knockdown of FTO, the mRNA levels of ADAMTS2, COL12A1, and THBS2 and their m⁶ A modification levels were significantly reduced. These results indicate that m⁶ A RNA demethylation is associated with the regulation of ECM in PC. In conclusion, m⁶ A RNA demethylase FTO regulates ECM-related genes and promotes PC cell abilities to migrate and invade, our work provides a new perspective on the molecular mechanism of PC progression.

Identification and Verification of Potential Biomarkers in Gastric Cancer By Integrated Bioinformatic Analysis

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common cancer with high mortality. This study aimed to identify its differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using bioinformatics methods.

Methods: DEGs were screened from four GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) gene expression profiles. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. Expression and prognosis were assessed. Meta-analysis was conducted to further validate prognosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was analyzed to identify diagnostic markers, and a nomogram was developed. Exploration of drugs and immune cell infiltration analysis were conducted.

Results: Nine up-regulated and three down-regulated hub genes were identified, with close relations to gastric functions, extracellular activities, and structures. Overexpressed Collagen Type VIII Alpha 1 Chain (COL8A1), Collagen Type X Alpha 1 Chain (COL10A1), Collagen Triple Helix Repeat Containing 1 (CTHRC1), and Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) correlated with poor prognosis. The area under the curve (AUC) of ADAM Metallopeptidase With Thrombospondin Type 1 Motif 2 (ADAMTS2), COL10A1, Collagen Type XI Alpha 1 Chain (COL11A1), and CTHRC1 was >0.9. A nomogram model based on CTHRC1 was developed. Infiltration of macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells positively correlated with COL8A1, COL10A1, CTHRC1, and FAP. Meta-analysis confirmed poor prognosis of overexpressed CTHRC1.

Conclusion: ADAMTS2, COL10A1, COL11A1, and CTHRC1 have diagnostic values in GC. COL8A1, COL10A1, CTHRC1, and FAP correlated with worse prognosis, showing prognostic and therapeutic values. The immune cell infiltration needs further investigations.

The Mechanism and Role of ADAMTS Protein Family in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a principal cause of aches and disability worldwide. It is characterized by the inflammation of the bone leading to degeneration and loss of cartilage function. Factors, including diet, age, and obesity, impact and/or lead to osteoarthritis. In the past few years, OA has received considerable scholarly attention owing to its increasing prevalence, resulting in a cumbersome burden. At present, most of the interventions only relieve short-term symptoms, and some treatments and drugs can aggravate the disease in the long run. There is a pressing need to address the safety problems due to osteoarthritis. A disintegrin-like and metalloprotease domain with thrombospondin type 1 repeats (ADAMTS) metalloproteinase is a kind of secretory zinc endopeptidase, comprising 19 kinds of zinc endopeptidases. ADAMTS has been implicated in several human diseases, including OA. For example, aggrecanases, ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5, participate in the cleavage of aggrecan in the extracellular matrix (ECM); ADAMTS-7 and ADAMTS-12 participate in the fission of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) into COMP lyase, and ADAMTS-2, ADAMTS-3, and ADAMTS-14 promote the formation of collagen fibers. In this article, we principally review the role of ADAMTS metalloproteinases in osteoarthritis. From three different dimensions, we explain how ADAMTS participates in all the following aspects of osteoarthritis: ECM, cartilage degeneration, and synovial inflammation. Thus, ADAMTS may be a potential therapeutic target in osteoarthritis, and this article may render a theoretical basis for the study of new therapeutic methods for osteoarthritis.

Novel Brain-Stiffness-Mimicking Matrix Gel Enables Comprehensive Invasion Analysis of 3D Cultured GBM Cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults, which is fast growing and tends to invade surrounding normal brain tissues. Uncovering the molecular and cellular mechanisms of GBM high invasion potential is of great importance for the treatment and prognostic prediction. However, the commonly used two-dimensional (2D) cell culture and analysis system suffers from lack of the heterogeneity and in vivo property of brain tissues. Here, we established a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture-based analysis system that could better recapitulate the heterogeneity of GBM and mimic the in vivo conditions in the brain. The GBM cell lines, DBTRG and U251, were cultured by hanging drop culture into the GBM multicellular spheroids, which were embedded in the optimized 3D brain-stiffness-mimicking matrix gel (0.5 mg/ml Collagen Ⅰ + 3 mg/ml Matrigel+ 3.3 mg/ml Hyaluronic Acid (HA)). The biochemical composition of the optimized matrix gel is similar to that of the brain microenvironment, and the elastic modulus is close to that of the brain tissue. The dynamics of the GBM spheroids was examined using high-content imaging for 60 h, and four metrics including invasion distance, invasion area, single-cell invasion velocity, and directionality were employed to quantify the invasion capacity. The result showed that DBTRG cells possess higher invasion capacity than U251 cells, which was consistent with the results of the classic transwell test. Transcriptome analysis of both cell lines was performed to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our novel brain-stiffness-mimicking matrix gel enables comprehensive invasion analysis of the 3D cultured GBM cells and provides a model basis for in-depth exploration of the mechanisms regulating GBM invasion including the interaction between GBM cells and brain stroma.

Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis for Identifying the Significant Genes as Poor Prognostic Markers in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is the most common histological type of gastric cancer and imposes a considerable health burden globally. The purpose of this study was to identify significant genes and key pathways participated in the initiation and progression of GAC. Four datasets (GSE13911, GSE19826, GSE54129, and GSE79973) including 171 GAC and 77 normal tissues from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were collected and analyzed. Through integrated bioinformatics analysis, we obtained 69 commonly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the four datasets, including 20 upregulated and 49 downregulated genes. The prime module in protein-protein interaction network of DEGs, including ADAMTS2, COL10A1, COL1A1, COL1A2, COL8A1, BGN, and SPP1, was enriched in protein digestion and absorption, ECM-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and amoebiasis. Furthermore, expression and survival analysis found that all seven hub genes were highly expressed in GAC tissues and 6 of them (except for SPP1) were able to predict poor prognosis of GAC. Finally, we verified the 6 high-expressed hub genes in GAC tissues via immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and RNA quantification analysis. Altogether, we identified six significantly upregulated DEGs as poor prognostic markers in GAC based on integrated bioinformatical methods, which could be potential molecular markers and therapeutic targets for GAC patients.

ADAMTS8 inhibited lung cancer progression through suppressing VEGFA

BACKGROUND

ADAMTS8 expression has been identified to be low in many cancers including lung cancer. However, the specific functions and regulatory system of ADAMTS8 remain to be unveiled.

PURPOSE

To study the potential modulatory mechanism of ADAMTS8 in lung cancer in cell and xenograft mice models.

METHODS

Differential expression of ADAMTS8 in lung cancer was analyzed on online tools. So was the overall survival curve in association with ADAMTS8/VEGFA expression in lung cancer patients. RT-qPCR was applied to validate the ADAMTS8 expression in lung cancer cell lines H460 and A549, with the normal lung epithelial cell Beas-2b as a control. Thereafter, overexpressed and knockdown plasmids were constructed for transfection. Colony and flow cytometry methods were used for cell proliferation and apoptosis. RT-qPCR and Western blot methods validated the changes in VEGFA after ADAMTS8 regulation in cells. Tube formation and Transwell methods were applied to observe the changes in tube formation and migration in HUVECs induced by tumor conditioned medium (TCM). Stable-transfected cells were injected subcutaneously into nude mice. H&E and Immunohistochemistry were applied to analyze the pathological differences and protein changes of ADAMTS8, VEGFA and CD31.

RESULTS

High ADAMTS8 was correlated with high overall survival rate in lung cancer patients. ADAMTS8 was also abnormally downregulated in NSCLC cells. Upregulation of ADAMTS8 suppressed cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis while downregulation of ADAMTS8 promoted cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis. VEGFA was negatively correlated with ADAMTS8 in lung cancer tissues. Upregulation of ADAMTS8 inhibited VEGFA in mRNA and protein levels. Further, knockdown of ADAMTS8 induced tube formation and migration of HUVECs and upregulation of ADAMTS8 inhibited this. In addition, upregulation of ADAMTS8 in nude mice inhibited tumor growth and also suppressed VEGFA and CD31 in tumors.

CONCLUSION

ADAMTS8 inhibited lung cancer progression through suppressing VEGFA in lung cancer.

OKN-007 Alters Protein Expression Profiles in High-Grade Gliomas: Mass Spectral Analysis of Blood Sera

Current therapies for high-grade gliomas, particularly glioblastomas (GBM), do not extend patient survival beyond 16–22 months. OKN-007 (OKlahoma Nitrone 007), which is currently in phase II (multi-institutional) clinical trials for GBM patients, and has demonstrated efficacy in several rodent and human xenograft glioma models, shows some promise as an anti-glioma therapeutic, as it affects most aspects of tumorigenesis (tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and apoptosis). Combined with the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide (TMZ), OKN-007 is even more effective by affecting chemo-resistant tumor cells. In this study, mass spectrometry (MS) methodology ESI-MS, mass peak analysis (Leave One Out Cross Validation (LOOCV) and tandem MS peptide sequence analyses), and bioinformatics analyses (Ingenuity^® Pathway Analysis (IPA^®)), were used to identify up- or down-regulated proteins in the blood sera of F98 glioma-bearing rats, that were either untreated or treated with OKN-007. Proteins of interest identified by tandem MS-MS that were decreased in sera from tumor-bearing rats that were either OKN-007-treated or untreated included ABCA2, ATP5B, CNTN2, ITGA3, KMT2D, MYCBP2, NOTCH3, and VCAN. Conversely, proteins of interest in tumor-bearing rats that were elevated following OKN-007 treatment included ABCA6, ADAMTS18, VWA8, MACF1, and LAMA5. These findings, in general, support our previous gene analysis, indicating that OKN-007 may be effective against the ECM. These findings also surmise that OKN-007 may be more effective against oligodendrogliomas, other brain tumors such as medulloblastoma, and possibly other types of cancers.

A New Survival Model Based on ADAMTSs for Prognostic Prediction in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

The main purpose of this study was to explore the genetic variation, gene expression, and clinical significance of ADAMTSs (a disintegrin and metalloprotease domains with thrombospondin motifs) across cancer types. Analysis of data from the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database showed that the ADAMTSs have extensive CNV (copy number variation) and SNV (single nucleotide variation) across cancer types. Compared with normal tissues, the methylation of ADAMTSs in cancer tissues is also significantly different, which affects the expression of ADAMTS gene and the prognosis of cancer patients. Through gene expression analysis, we found that ADAMTS family has significant changes in gene expression across cancer types and is closely related to the prognosis of carcinoma, especially in ccRCC (clear cell renal cell carcinoma). LASSO regression analysis was used to establish a prognostic model based on the ADAMTSs to judge the prognosis of patients with ccRCC. Multiple Cox regression analysis suggested that age, grade, stage, and risk score of the prognostic model of ccRCC were independent prognostic factors in patients with renal clear cell carcinoma. These findings indicate that the ADAMTSs-based survival model can accurately predict the prognosis of patients with ccRCC and suggest that ADAMTSs are a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in ccRCC.

Identified a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 6 serve as a novel gastric cancer prognostic biomarker by bioinformatics analysis

Objective: We aimed to explore the prognostic value of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) genes in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: The RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) expression data for 351 GC patients and other relevant clinical data were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Survival analysis and a genome-wide gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed to define the underlying molecular value of the ADAMTS genes in GC development. Besides, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were all employed to validate the relationship between the expression of these genes and GC patient prognosis. Results: The Log rank test with both Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier survival analyses showed that ADAMTS6 expression profile correlated with the GC patients clinical outcome. Patients with a high expression of ADAMTS6 were associated with poor overall survival (OS). Comprehensive survival analysis of the ADAMTS genes suggests that ADAMTS6 might be an independent predictive factor for the OS in patients with GC. Besides, GSEA demonstrated that ADAMTS6 might be involved in multiple biological processes and pathways, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), tumor protein P53, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), cadherin (CDH1) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathways. It was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR that ADAMTS6 is highly expressed in GC, which may be related to the prognosis of GC patients. Conclusion: In summary, our study demonstrated that ADAMTS6 gene could be used as a potential molecular marker for GC prognosis.

ADAMTS19 Suppresses Cell Migration and Invasion by Targeting S100A16 via the NF-κB Pathway in Human Gastric Cancer

A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs 19 (ADAMTS19) has been reported to participate in the pathogenesis of solid cancers. However, its role in gastric cancer (GC) remains undocumented. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) on GC tissues and adjacent normal tissues, we found that ADAMTS19 was downregulated in GC tissues (IHC: p < 0.001; qRT-PCR: p = 0.017). Further investigation revealed that ADAMTS19 correlated with distant metastasis (p = 0.008) and perineural invasion (p = 0.018) and that patients with low ADAMTS19 had worse overall survival (p = 0.021). Gain- and loss-of-function assays showed that ADAMTS19 suppressed cell migration and invasion in vitro. Using bioinformatics analysis and co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays, we confirmed that ADAMTS19 binds with cytoplasm P65, decreasing the nucleus phosphorylation of P65, a crucial transcription factor in the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway, thereby downregulating S100 calcium-binding protein A16 (S100A16) expression. S100A16 acted as the downstream of ADAMTS19, reversing the suppression of cell migration and invasion by ADAMTS19 in vitro. A combination of ADAMTS19 and S100A16 expression provided the optimal prognostic indicator for GC. Patients with ADAMTS19^high-S100A16^low had better overall survival than ADAMTS19^low-S100A16^high patients (p = 0.006). These results suggest that ADAMTS19 suppresses cell migration and invasion by targeting S100A16 via the NF-κB pathway and that ADAMTS19 and S100A16 are potential metastasis and survival biomarkers for GC.

Targeting Lysyl Oxidase Family Meditated Matrix Cross-Linking as an Anti-Stromal Therapy in Solid Tumours

Simple Summary

To improve efficacy of solid cancer treatment, efforts have shifted towards targeting both the cancer cells and the surrounding tumour tissue they grow in. The lysyl oxidase (LOX) family of enzymes underpin the fibrotic remodeling of the tumour microenvironment to promote both cancer growth, spread throughout the body and modulate response to therapies. This review examines how the lysyl oxidase family is involved in tumour development, how they can be targeted, and their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in solid tumours.

Abstract

The lysyl oxidase (LOX) family of enzymes are a major driver in the biogenesis of desmoplastic matrix at the primary tumour and secondary metastatic sites. With the increasing interest in and development of anti-stromal therapies aimed at improving clinical outcomes of cancer patients, the Lox family has emerged as a potentially powerful clinical target. This review examines how lysyl oxidase family dysregulation in solid cancers contributes to disease progression and poor patient outcomes, as well as an evaluation of the preclinical landscape of LOX family targeting therapeutics. We also discuss the suitability of the LOX family as a diagnostic and/or prognostic marker in solid tumours.

Gastric cancer: a comprehensive review of current and future treatment strategies

Gastric cancer remains a major unmet clinical problem with over 1 million new cases worldwide. It is the fourth most commonly occurring cancer in men and the seventh most commonly occurring cancer in women. A major fraction of gastric cancer has been linked to variety of pathogenic infections including but not limited to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) or Epstein Barr virus (EBV). Strategies are being pursued to prevent gastric cancer development such as H. pylori eradication, which has helped to prevent significant proportion of gastric cancer. Today, treatments have helped to manage this disease and the 5-year survival for stage IA and IB tumors treated with surgery are between 60 and 80%. However, patients with stage III tumors undergoing surgery have a dismal 5-year survival rate between 18 and 50% depending on the dataset. These figures indicate the need for more effective molecularly driven treatment strategies. This review discusses the molecular profile of gastric tumors, the success, and challenges with available therapeutic targets along with newer biomarkers and emerging targets.

Prognostic Values for the mRNA Expression of the ADAMTS Family of Genes in Gastric Cancer

The “A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motif” (ADAMTS) family of genes is involved in the occurrence and development of different cancers. However, the prognostic value of these genes in gastric cancer (GC) has not been revealed. The present study was thus conducted to determine the prognostic value for the ADAMTS family of genes in GC. First, we evaluated the mRNA expression levels of the ADAMTS family in GC patients using a GEPIA dataset. Thereafter, we determined the prognostic value of these genes by analyzing their mRNA level using the Kaplan–Meier Plotter database. The mRNA expression level of ADAMTS12 was randomly validated by qRT-PCR and meta-analysis while its coexpression genes were derived using Coexpedia. Finally, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses using the OmicShare Tools. Compared to normal tissues, expression of ADAMTS2 and 12 was significantly higher while that of ADAMTS1, 13, and 15 was significantly lower in GC tissues. According to the RNA-seq and gene chip data, the ADAMTS family (6, 7, 12, 15, and 18) of genes was closely related to the prognosis of GC, and their high expression levels were associated with poor prognosis and survival time. In addition, ADAMTS12 was highly expressed in 20 pairs of GC tissues based on RT-PCR (P=0.016) and meta-analysis (SMD: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.32–1.14, P < 0.001). GO and KEGG pathway analyses indicated that the ADAMTS12 coexpressed genes were enriched in the pathways of extracellular matrix organization, extracellular matrix structural constituent, extracellular matrix, and protein digestion and absorption. Herein, we discovered the prognostic values and biological roles of the ADAMTS genes in GC.

Decreased Cytoplasmic Expression of ADAMTS14 Is Correlated with Reduced Survival Rates in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif 14 (ADAMTS14) is a member of the zinc-dependent protease family that is implicated in the occurrence and progression of tumors. Oral cancer (OC) is a common cancer worldwide, but it is particularly prevalent in Taiwan. However, whether the expression of ADAMTS14 is correlated with the carcinogenesis and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not yet been investigated. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to examine 250 OSCC specimens in order to identify correlations between the cytoplasmic expression of ADAMTS14 and (1) clinicopathological features of OSCC as well as (2) clinical outcomes of OSCC. Our results indicate that cytoplasmic expression of ADAMTS14 was lower in OSCC tissues than in normal tissues. In analyzing correlations between ADAMTS14 expression and clinicopathological features, we found that negative cytoplasmic expression of ADAMTS14 was significantly associated with higher frequencies of lymph node metastasis and more advanced AJCC stages (III/IV). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that negative cytoplasmic expression of ADAMTS14 was also associated with significantly worse OSCC survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that cytoplasmic expression of ADAMTS14 was associated with lymph node metastasis, tumor stage, and tumor grade and also indicated that cytoplasmic ADAMTS14 expression may be an independent prognostic factor for OSCC. This is the first study to report that the cytoplasmic expression level of ADAMTS14 is associated with OSCC prognosis and tumor progression. Our data indicate that ADAMTS14 can serve as a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for OSCC.