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Liu Q, Adhikari E, Lester DK, Fang B, Johnson JO, Tian Y, Mockabee-Macias AT, Izumi V, Guzman KM, White MG, Koomen JM, Wargo JA, Messina JL, Qi J, Lau EK. Androgen drives melanoma invasiveness and metastatic spread by inducing tumorigenic fucosylation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1148. [PMID: 38326303 PMCID: PMC10850104 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45324-w] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma incidence and mortality rates are historically higher for men than women. Although emerging studies have highlighted tumorigenic roles for the male sex hormone androgen and its receptor (AR) in melanoma, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these sex-associated discrepancies are poorly defined. Here, we delineate a previously undisclosed mechanism by which androgen-activated AR transcriptionally upregulates fucosyltransferase 4 (FUT4) expression, which drives melanoma invasiveness by interfering with adherens junctions (AJs). Global phosphoproteomic and fucoproteomic profiling, coupled with in vitro and in vivo functional validation, further reveal that AR-induced FUT4 fucosylates L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), which is required for FUT4-increased metastatic capacity. Tumor microarray and gene expression analyses demonstrate that AR-FUT4-L1CAM-AJs signaling correlates with pathological staging in melanoma patients. By delineating key androgen-triggered signaling that enhances metastatic aggressiveness, our findings help explain sex-associated clinical outcome disparities and highlight AR/FUT4 and its effectors as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Emma Adhikari
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Daniel K Lester
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Bin Fang
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Joseph O Johnson
- Analytic Microscopy Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Yijun Tian
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Andrea T Mockabee-Macias
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Victoria Izumi
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Kelly M Guzman
- Analytic Microscopy Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Michael G White
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John M Koomen
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Core, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jennifer A Wargo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Genomic Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jane L Messina
- Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jianfei Qi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric K Lau
- Department of Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
- Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
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Moatamed NA, Vahdatshariatpanahi S, Gjertson DW, Sachs CR, Kang Y, Ostrzega N, Huang J, Memarzadeh S. Androgen receptor and its correlation with estrogen and progesterone receptors, aimed for identification of cases for future anti-androgen therapy in endometrial cancers. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291361. [PMID: 37725629 PMCID: PMC10508627 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The expression of androgen receptor (AR) is not commonly tested or studied in uterine cancers, unlike estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) which are positive in most endometrial carcinomas. In this series, we evaluated the expression of AR and its comparison to ER and PR in different types of endometrial cancers and have reviewed the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS The status of AR, ER, and PR expression were evaluated in 71 cases which were categorized into endometrial endometrioid cancer (EEC), non-endometrioid endometrial cancers (NEEC), and metastatic carcinomas of endometrium. Expression of the receptors were compared to each other as well as to mismatch repair proteins (MMR), p53, and body mass index (BMI) using Fisher's Exact test in the StatPlus software. RESULTS In EECs, the positivity was 97% for all the three receptors. In NEEC, positivity rates were 68%, 48%, and 35% for AR, ER, and PR respectively. In Metastatic carcinomas, AR and ER positivity was seen in 100% while PR was positive in 75% of the cases. In all cancers, the rates were 17% (11/66) for MMR loss, 57% (30/53) for p53 aberrant expression, and 76% (54/71) for the patients with BMI of ≥ 25 (kg/m2). CONCLUSION AR is expressed in a high percentage of endometrial cancers. Its significance is more evident in high-grade NEEC where ER and PR may not be expressed. These findings warrant further evaluation of AR expression and candidacy of this pathway as a potential therapeutic target in endometrial cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda A. Moatamed
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Saba Vahdatshariatpanahi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - David W. Gjertson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States America
| | - Chana R. Sachs
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Yuna Kang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Nora Ostrzega
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jiaoti Huang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sanaz Memarzadeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- UCLA Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States America
- Johnson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, United Sates of America
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Leo J, Dondossola E, Basham KJ, Wilson NR, Alhalabi O, Gao J, Kurnit KC, White MG, McQuade JL, Westin SN, Wellberg EA, Frigo DE. Stranger Things: New Roles and Opportunities for Androgen Receptor in Oncology Beyond Prostate Cancer. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad071. [PMID: 37154098 PMCID: PMC10413436 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is one of the oldest therapeutic targets in oncology and continues to dominate the treatment landscape for advanced prostate cancer, where nearly all treatment regimens include some form of AR modulation. In this regard, AR remains the central driver of prostate cancer cell biology. Emerging preclinical and clinical data implicate key roles for AR in additional cancer types, thereby expanding the importance of this drug target beyond prostate cancer. In this mini-review, new roles for AR in other cancer types are discussed as well as their potential for treatment with AR-targeted agents. Our understanding of these additional functions for AR in oncology expand this receptor's potential as a therapeutic target and will help guide the development of new treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Leo
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eleonora Dondossola
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kaitlin J Basham
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Nathaniel R Wilson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Omar Alhalabi
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jianjun Gao
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Katherine C Kurnit
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Michael G White
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jennifer L McQuade
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shannon N Westin
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Wellberg
- Department of Pathology, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, and Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Daniel E Frigo
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and the David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
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Wu X, Zhang K, Zhong X, Huo X, Zhang J, Tian W, Yang X, Zhang Y, Wang Y. Androgens in endometrial carcinoma: the killer or helper? J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:457-464. [PMID: 36583833 PMCID: PMC9938034 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01916-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this review is to discuss the role of androgens in the progression of endometrial carcinoma (EC) with particular focus on the different kinds of androgenic hormones, androgen receptor (AR) and intracrine androgen metabolism. METHODS A comprehensive literature search within PubMed was performed. Selected publications related to androgens and EC were reviewed. RESULTS There are different kinds of androgenic hormones, and different kinds of androgens may have different effects. Elevated androgens (especially testosterone) have been associated with an increased EC risk in postmenopausal women. 5α-reductases (5α-Reds) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (17βHSD2) pathway may inhibit the progression of EC mediated by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), but aromatases stimulate further progression of EC. The most of studies accessing the prognostic value of AR have found that AR expression may be a favorable prognostic indicator. CONCLUSION Androgens may have both oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles. Androgen-specific biases in metabolism and the expression of AR may contribute to the different prognosis of patients with EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong City, China
| | - K Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - X Zhong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong City, China
| | - X Huo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong City, China
| | - J Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong City, China
| | - W Tian
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - X Yang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong City, China.
| | - Y Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong City, China.
| | - Y Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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Lv M, Yu J, Huang Y, Ma J, Xiang J, Wang Y, Li L, Zhang Z, Liao H. Androgen Signaling in Uterine Diseases: New Insights and New Targets. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1624. [PMID: 36358974 PMCID: PMC9687413 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Common uterine diseases include endometriosis, uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, and endometrial dysfunction causing infertility. Patients with uterine diseases often suffer from abdominal pain, menorrhagia, infertility and other symptoms, which seriously impair their health and disturb their lives. Androgens play important roles in the normal physiological functions of the uterus and pathological progress of uterine diseases. Androgens in women are synthesized in the ovaries and adrenal glands. The action of androgens in the uterus is mainly mediated by its ligand androgen receptor (AR) that regulates transcription of the target genes. However, much less is known about the signaling pathways through which androgen functions in uterine diseases, and contradictory findings have been reported. This review summarizes and discusses the progress of research on androgens and the involvement of AR in uterine diseases. Future studies should focus on developing new therapeutic strategies that precisely target specific AR and their related signaling pathways in uterine diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mu Lv
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Juanjuan Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 270 Dong-An Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Jun Xiang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yanqiu Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Linxia Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 358 Datong Road, Shanghai 200137, China
| | - Zhenbo Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China
| | - Hong Liao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200040, China
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Wu X, Zhong X, Huo X, Zhang J, Yang X, Zhang Y. The Clinicopathological Significance and Prognostic Value of Androgen Receptor in Endometrial Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:905809. [PMID: 35814433 PMCID: PMC9257049 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.905809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The role of androgen receptor (AR) in evaluating the prognosis of patients with endometrial cancer (EC) remains controversial. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to assess whether AR expression improves EC survival outcomes. Methods We searched related articles published before August 2021 in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. The association between AR expression and patient prognosis was estimated with hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The review is registered on PROSPERO, registration number: CRD42021268591. Results Ten studies including 1,485 patients were enrolled in the meta-analysis. The results showed that AR expression in EC tissues was associated with a better survival in crude analyses (HR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.32–2.02, P < 0.001). However, no significant relation was found after the adjustment of the confounding factors (HR = 1.68, 95% CI = 0.75–3.75, P = 0.205). In subgroup analyses, grade 1–2 disease, stage I–II disease, negative lymph node status, and lack of the lymphovascular invasion were more common in AR-positive groups (OR = 0.47, 0.48, 0.37, and 0.57; 95% CI = 0.45–0.62, 0.35–0.65, 0.24–0.56, and 0.37–0.89). Furthermore, AR expression was more common in endometrioid cancers (OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.79–3.20). Conclusions AR expression is significantly associated favorable characteristics including low-grade disease, early-stage disease, negative lymph node status, and lack of the lymphovascular invasion and a specific histology—endometrioid cancer. However, AR is not an independent prognostic factor.
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