1
|
Huang Q, Xiao Y, Lan T, Lu Y, Huang L, Zheng D. WNT7A promotes tumorigenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma via activating FZD7/JAK1/STAT3 signaling. Int J Oral Sci 2024; 16:7. [PMID: 38246919 PMCID: PMC10800352 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-024-00279-y] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling are critical pathway involved in organ development, tumorigenesis, and cancer progression. WNT7A, a member of the Wnt family, remains poorly understood in terms of its role and the underlying molecular mechanisms it entails in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). According to the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), transcriptome sequencing data of HNSCC, the expression level of WNT7A in tumors was found to be higher than in adjacent normal tissues, which was validated using Real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Unexpectedly, overexpression of WNT7A did not activate the canonical Wnt-β-catenin pathway in HNSCC. Instead, our findings suggested that WNT7A potentially activated the FZD7/JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway, leading to enhanced cell proliferation, self-renewal, and resistance to apoptosis. Furthermore, in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor model, high expression of WNT7A and phosphorylated STAT3 was observed, which positively correlated with tumor progression. These findings underscore the significance of WNT7A in HNSCC progression and propose the targeting of key molecules within the FZD7/JAK1/STAT3 pathway as a promising strategy for precise treatment of HNSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingling Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ting Lan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Youguang Lu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Li Huang
- Department of Dentistry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Dali Zheng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Van Emmenis L, Ku SY, Gayvert K, Branch JR, Brady NJ, Basu S, Russell M, Cyrta J, Vosoughi A, Sailer V, Alnajar H, Dardenne E, Koumis E, Puca L, Robinson BD, Feldkamp MD, Winkis A, Majewski N, Rupnow B, Gottardis MM, Elemento O, Rubin MA, Beltran H, Rickman DS. The Identification of CELSR3 and Other Potential Cell Surface Targets in Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1447-1459. [PMID: 37546702 PMCID: PMC10401480 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Although recent efforts have led to the development of highly effective androgen receptor (AR)-directed therapies for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, a significant subset of patients will progress with resistant disease including AR-negative tumors that display neuroendocrine features [neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC)]. On the basis of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from a clinical cohort of tissue from benign prostate, locally advanced prostate cancer, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and NEPC, we developed a multi-step bioinformatics pipeline to identify NEPC-specific, overexpressed gene transcripts that encode cell surface proteins. This included the identification of known NEPC surface protein CEACAM5 as well as other potentially targetable proteins (e.g., HMMR and CESLR3). We further showed that cadherin EGF LAG seven-pass G-type receptor 3 (CELSR3) knockdown results in reduced NEPC tumor cell proliferation and migration in vitro. We provide in vivo data including laser capture microdissection followed by RNA-seq data supporting a causal role of CELSR3 in the development and/or maintenance of the phenotype associated with NEPC. Finally, we provide initial data that suggests CELSR3 is a target for T-cell redirection therapeutics. Further work is now needed to fully evaluate the utility of targeting CELSR3 with T-cell redirection or other similar therapeutics as a potential new strategy for patients with NEPC. Significance The development of effective treatment for patients with NEPC remains an unmet clinical need. We have identified specific surface proteins, including CELSR3, that may serve as novel biomarkers or therapeutic targets for NEPC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Van Emmenis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Sheng-Yu Ku
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kaitlyn Gayvert
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | | | - Nicholas J. Brady
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Subhasree Basu
- Janssen Research & Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Joanna Cyrta
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aram Vosoughi
- Department of Pathology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Verena Sailer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Hussein Alnajar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Etienne Dardenne
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Elena Koumis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Loredana Puca
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Brian D. Robinson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | | | | | - Brent Rupnow
- Janssen Research & Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Olivier Elemento
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Mark A. Rubin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Himisha Beltran
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - David S. Rickman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lin C, Chen Y, Pan J, Lu Q, Ji P, Lin S, Liu C, Lin S, Li M, Zong J. Identification of an individualized therapy prognostic signature for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:221. [PMID: 37106442 PMCID: PMC10142243 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09325-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are the most common cancers in the head and neck. Therapeutic response-related genes (TRRGs) are closely associated with carcinogenesis and prognosis in HNSCC. However, the clinical value and prognostic significance of TRRGs are still unclear. We aimed to construct a prognostic risk model to predict therapy response and prognosis in TRRGs-defined subgroups of HNSCC. METHODS The multiomics data and clinical information of HNSCC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The profile data GSE65858 and GSE67614 chip was downloaded from public functional genomics data Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Based on TCGA-HNSC database, patients were divided into a remission group and a non-remission group according to therapy response, and differentially expressed TRRGs between those two groups were screened. Using Cox regression analysis and Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis, candidate TRRGs that can predict the prognosis of HNSCC were identified and used to construct a TRRGs-based signature and a prognostic nomogram. RESULT A total of 1896 differentially expressed TRRGs were screened, including 1530 upregulated genes and 366 downregulated genes. Then, 206 differently expressed TRRGs that was significantly associated with the survival were chosen using univariate Cox regression analysis. Finally, a total of 20 candidate TRRGs genes were identified by LASSO analysis to establish a signature for risk prediction, and the risk score of each patient was calculated. Patients were divided into a high-risk group (Risk-H) and a low-risk group (Risk-L) based on the risk score. Results showed that the Risk-L patients had better overall survival (OS) than Risk-H patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed great predictive performance for 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS in TCGA-HNSC and GEO databases. Moreover, for patients treated with post-operative radiotherapy, Risk-L patients had longer OS and lower recurrence than Risk-H patients. The nomogram involves risk score and other clinical factors had good performance in predicting survival probability. CONCLUSIONS The proposed risk prognostic signature and Nomogram based on TRRGs are novel promising tools for predicting therapy response and overall survival in HNSCC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yuebing Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, Fujian Province, China
| | - Jianji Pan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Xiamen Humanity Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China
| | - Qiongjiao Lu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, Fujian Province, China
| | - Pengjie Ji
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, Fujian Province, China
| | - Shuiqin Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, Fujian Province, China
| | - Chunfeng Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, Fujian Province, China
| | - Shaojun Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, Fujian Province, China
| | - Meifang Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350300, Fujian Province, China.
| | - Jingfeng Zong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, Fujian Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu S, Liu W, Ding Z, Yang X, Jiang Y, Wu Y, Liu Y, Wu J. Identification and validation of a novel tumor driver gene signature for diagnosis and prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:912620. [PMID: 36339718 PMCID: PMC9631213 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.912620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common heterogeneous cancer with complex carcinogenic factors. However, the current TNM staging criteria to judge its severity to formulate treatment plans and evaluate the prognosis are particularly weak. Therefore, a robust diagnostic model capable of accurately diagnosing and predicting HNSCC should be established. Methods: Gene expression and clinical data were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Key prognostic genes associated with HNSCC were screened with the weighted gene co-expression network analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression model analysis. We used the timeROC and survival R packages to conduct time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analyses and calculated the area under the curve at different time points of model prediction. Patients in the training and validation groups were divided into high- and low-risk subgroups, and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curves were plotted for all subgroups. Subsequently, LASSO and support vector machine algorithms were used to screen genes to construct diagnostic model. Furthermore, we used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of common chemotherapy drugs among patients in different risk groups. Finally, the expression levels of eight genes were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Results: Ten genes (SSB, PFKP, NAT10, PCDH9, SHANK2, PAX8, CELSR3, DCLRE1C, MAP2K7, and ODF4) with prognostic potential were identified, and a risk score was derived accordingly. Patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups based on the median risk score. The K-M survival curves confirmed that patients with high scores had significantly worse overall survival. Receiver operating characteristic curves proved that the prognostic signature had good sensitivity and specificity for predicting the prognosis of patients with HNSCC. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses confirmed that the gene signature was an independent prognostic risk factor for HNSCC. Diagnostic model was built by identifying eight genes (SSB, PFKP, NAT10, PCDH9, CELSR3, DCLRE1C, MAP2K7, and ODF4). The high-risk group showed higher sensitivity to various common chemotherapeutic drugs. DCLRE1C expression was higher in normal tissues than in HNSCC tissues. Conclusion: Our study identified the important role of tumor-driver genes in HNSCC and their potential clinical diagnostic and prognostic values to facilitate individualized management of patients with HNSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shixian Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhao Ding
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuan Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yehai Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lan T, Ge Q, Zheng K, Huang L, Yan Y, Zheng L, Lu Y, Zheng D. FAT1 Upregulates in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Promotes Cell Proliferation via Cell Cycle and DNA Repair. Front Oncol 2022; 12:870055. [PMID: 35646625 PMCID: PMC9130556 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.870055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Previous studies have revealed that FAT atypical cadherin 1 (FAT1) plays a tumor-suppressive or oncogenic role in a context-dependent manner in various cancers. However, the functions of FAT1 are ambiguous in tumorigenesis owing to inconsistent research in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The present study aimed at gaining an insight into the role of FAT1 in the tumor genesis and development. Methods The expression, mutant, and survival data analyses were done using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) database, verified with clinical samples via real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot (WB), and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. OSCC cells transfected with siRNA were employed for in vitro assessment in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration ability in appropriate ways. The underlying mechanism was explored by RNA sequencing after FAT1 silencing. Results Overall, FAT1 significantly increased in OSCC with a poor prognosis outcome. The in vitro experiment showed the promoting effect of FAT1 in the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells. FAT1 can also inhibit both the early and late apoptosis of OSCC cells. RNA-sequencing analysis of FAT1 silencing revealed that the cell cycle, DNA replication, and some core genes (MCM2, MCM5, CCNE1 SPC24, MYBL2, KIF2C) may be the potential mechanism in OSCC. Conclusions FAT1 may act as an oncogene in OSCC with potential mechanism influencing the cell cycle and DNA repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Lan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Fujian Biological Materials Engineering and Technology Center of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qi Ge
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Fujian Biological Materials Engineering and Technology Center of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ke Zheng
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Li Huang
- Department of Dentistry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuxiang Yan
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Fujian Biological Materials Engineering and Technology Center of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lixin Zheng
- School of Mathematics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Youguang Lu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Fujian Biological Materials Engineering and Technology Center of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Preventive Dentistry, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dali Zheng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Fujian Biological Materials Engineering and Technology Center of Stomatology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|