AQP1, AQP5, Bcl-2 and p16 in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The role of Aquaporins in tumorigenesis: implications for therapeutic development

Aquaporins (AQPs) are ubiquitous channel proteins that play a critical role in the homeostasis of the cellular environment by allowing the transit of water, chemicals, and ions. They can be found in many different types of cells and organs, including the lungs, eyes, brain, glands, and blood vessels. By controlling the osmotic water flux in processes like cell growth, energy metabolism, migration, adhesion, and proliferation, AQPs are capable of exerting their regulatory influence over a wide range of cellular processes. Tumour cells of varying sources express AQPs significantly, especially in malignant tumours with a high propensity for metastasis. New insights into the roles of AQPs in cell migration and proliferation reinforce the notion that AQPs are crucial players in tumour biology. AQPs have recently been shown to be a powerful tool in the fight against pathogenic antibodies and metastatic cell migration, despite the fact that the molecular processes of aquaporins in pathology are not entirely established. In this review, we shall discuss the several ways in which AQPs are expressed in the body, the unique roles they play in tumorigenesis, and the novel therapeutic approaches that could be adopted to treat carcinoma.

A 14-Marker Multiplexed Imaging Panel for Prognostic Biomarkers and Tumor Heterogeneity in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Recent advances made in treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) highlight the need for new prediction tools to guide therapeutic strategies. In this study, we aimed to develop a HNSCC-targeting multiplex immunohistochemical (IHC) panel that can evaluate prognostic factors and the intratumor heterogeneity of HNSCC. To identify IHC-based tissue biomarkers that constitute new multiplex IHC panel, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to analyze reported IHC biomarkers in laryngeal and pharyngeal SCC in the period of 2008–2018. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Reactome pathway databases were used to validate the prognostic and functional significance of the identified biomarkers. A 14-marker chromogenic multiplex IHC panel including identified biomarkers was used to analyze untreated HNSCC tissue. Forty-five high-quality studies and thirty-one candidate tissue biomarkers were identified (N = 7062). Prognostic validation in TCGA laryngeal and pharyngeal SCC cohort (N = 205) showed that β-catenin, DKK1, PINCH1, ADAM10, and TIMP1 were significantly associated with poor prognosis, which were related to functional categories such as immune system, cellular response, cell cycle, and developmental systems. Selected biomarkers were assembled to build a 14-marker panel, evaluating heterogeneity and polarized expression of tumor biomarkers in the tissue structures, which was particularly related to activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Integrated IHC analysis based on a systemic review and meta-analysis provides an in situ proteomics tool to assess the aggressiveness and intratumor heterogeneity of HNSCC.

Combined Systematic Review and Transcriptomic Analyses of Mammalian Aquaporin Classes 1 to 10 as Biomarkers and Prognostic Indicators in Diverse Cancers

Aquaporin (AQP) channels enable regulated transport of water and solutes essential for fluid homeostasis, but they are gaining attention as targets for anticancer therapies. Patterns of AQP expression and survival rates for patients were evaluated by systematic review (PubMed and Embase) and transcriptomic analyses of RNAseq data (Human Protein Atlas database). Meta-analyses confirmed predominantly negative associations between AQP protein and RNA expression levels and patient survival times, most notably for AQP1 in lung, breast and prostate cancers; AQP3 in esophageal, liver and breast cancers; and AQP9 in liver cancer. Patterns of AQP expression were clustered for groups of cancers and associated with risk of death. A quantitative transcriptomic analysis of AQP1-10 in human cancer biopsies similarly showed that increased transcript levels of AQPs 1, 3, 5 and 9 were most frequently associated with poor survival. Unexpectedly, increased AQP7 and AQP8 levels were associated with better survival times in glioma, ovarian and endometrial cancers, and increased AQP11 with better survival in colorectal and breast cancers. Although molecular mechanisms of aquaporins in pathology or protection remain to be fully defined, results here support the hypothesis that overexpression of selected classes of AQPs differentially augments cancer progression. Beyond fluid homeostasis, potential roles for AQPs in cancers (suggested from an expanding appreciation of their functions in normal tissues) include cell motility, membrane process extension, transport of signaling molecules, control of proliferation and apoptosis, increased mechanical compliance, and gas exchange. AQP expression also has been linked to differences in sensitivity to chemotherapy treatments, suggesting possible roles as biomarkers for personalized treatments. Development of AQP pharmacological modulators, administered in cancer-specific combinations, might inspire new interventions for controlling malignant carcinomas.

Ion Channel Dysregulation in Head and Neck Cancers: Perspectives for Clinical Application

Head and neck cancers are a highly complex and heterogeneous group of malignancies that involve very diverse anatomical structures and distinct aetiological factors, treatments and clinical outcomes. Among them, head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are predominant and the sixth most common cancer worldwide with still low survival rates. Omic technologies have unravelled the intricacies of tumour biology, harbouring a large diversity of genetic and molecular changes to drive the carcinogenesis process. Nonetheless, this remarkable heterogeneity of molecular alterations opens up an immense opportunity to discover novel biomarkers and develop molecular-targeted therapies. Increasing evidence demonstrates that dysregulation of ion channel expression and/or function is frequently and commonly observed in a variety of cancers from different origin. As a consequence, the concept of ion channels as potential membrane therapeutic targets and/or biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis has attracted growing attention. This chapter intends to comprehensively and critically review the current state-of-art ion channel dysregulation specifically focusing on head and neck cancers and to formulate the major challenges and research needs to translate this knowledge into clinical application. Based on current reported data, various voltage-gated potassium (K_v) channels (i.e. K_v3.4, K_v10.1 and K_v11.1) have been found frequently aberrantly expressed in HNSCC as well as precancerous lesions and are highlighted as clinically and biologically relevant features in both early stages of tumourigenesis and late stages of disease progression. More importantly, they also emerge as promising candidates as cancer risk markers, tumour markers and potential anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic targets for therapeutic interventions; however, the oncogenic properties seem to be independent of their ion-conducting function.

Aquaporins 1, 3 and 5 in Different Tumors, their Expression, Prognosis Value and Role as New Therapeutic Targets

All different types of metabolism of tumors are dependent on the flow of water molecules through the biological membrane, where fluid transfer interceded by aquaporins (AQPs) are the basis means for water entrance into the cells or outside them. Aquaporins play other roles including cellular migration, cellular expansion and cellular adhesion facilitation. Therefore, regulators of AQPs may be useful anticancer agents. Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Sciences were searched. From among the papers found, 106 were related to the subject. All of the examined cancers in relation to AQP1 included adenoid cystic carcinoma, bladder, breast, cervical, colon, colorectal, hepatocellular, lung, ovarian, plural mesothelioma, prostate, renal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. All of the studied cancers in relation with AQP3 included gastric, breast, prostate, lung, pancreas, skin, bladder, squamous cell carcinoma, cervical, adenoid cystic carcinoma, colon, colorectal, ovarian, and hepatocellular cancers and with regard to AQP5 were lung, squamous cell carcinoma, ovarian, adenoid cystic carcinoma, breast, colon, colorectal, hepatic, pancreas, gallbladder, prostate, and gastric cancers. Over or under-expression of AQP1, 3 and is exist in the mentioned cancers across different studies. Over-expression of AQP1, AQP3 and AQP5 is clearly associated with carcinogenesis, metastasis, reduced survival rate, lymph node metastasis, poorer prognosis, and cellular migration. Also, cancer treatments in relation to these markers suggest AQP reduction during the treatment.

Genetic polymorphisms in aquaporin 1 as risk factors for malignant mesothelioma and biomarkers of response to cisplatin treatment

Background Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an asbestos related aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate if aquaporin 1 (AQP1) genetic polymorphisms influence the risk of MM and the response to cisplatin based MM treatment. Patients and methods The case-control study included 231 patients with MM and a control group of 316 healthy blood donors. All subjects were genotyped for three AQP1polymorphisms (rs1049305, rs1476597 and rs28362731). Logistic and Cox regression were used in statistical analysis. Results AQP1 rs1049305 polymorphism was significantly associated with MM risk in dominant model adjusted for gender and age (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.37-0.96, Padj = 0.033). This polymorphism was also significantly associated with cisplatin based treatment related anaemia (unadjusted: OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.27-0.90, P = 0.021; adjusted: for CRP: OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.27-0.99, P = 0.046), with leukopenia (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.00-4.35, P = 0.049) in dominant model and with thrombocytopenia (OR = 3.06, 95% CI = 1.01-9.28, P = 0.048) and alopecia (OR = 2.92, 95% CI = 1.00-8.46, P = 0.049) in additive model. AQP1 rs28362731 was significantly associated with thrombocytopenia (unadjusted: OR = 3.73, 95% CI = 1.00-13.84, P = 0.049; adjusted for pain: OR = 4.63, 95% CI = 1.13-19.05, P = 0.034) in additive model. Conclusions AQP1 may play a role in the risk of MM. Furthermore, AQP1 genotype information could improve the prediction of MM patients at increased risk for cisplatin toxicity.

Aquaporin-1 expression in fluoro-edenite-induced mesothelioma effusions: An approach by cell-block procedure

OBJECTIVE

Aquaporin 1 (AQP-1) is a water channel protein found in cell membranes, whose expression has been considered an independent favourable prognostic factor in pleural malignant mesothelioma (MM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of AQP-1 and its prognostic value in a series of pleural MM effusions, from a geographical area with high concentrations of fluoro-edenite (FE).

METHODS

We selected 25 MM cases from Biancavilla (Italy), an area with high environmental concentrations of FE. Cytological samples, cell-blocks (CB), clinical and follow-up data were available for all cases. Immunohistochemistry for calretinin, CK5/6, WT1, CK7 and TTF1 was used on CB sections to confirm the cytological diagnosis of MM. Immunohistochemistry for AQP-1 was performed and high expression was defined when ≥50% of tumour cells showed linear and circumferential membranous staining.

RESULTS

The cohort included 16 men and nine women (median age: 67.5 years; range: 49-88 years). The median survival was 14 months (range 1.5-60 months), with a significant value (P = 0.006). All cases have been histologically confirmed and classified as epithelioid (16 cases), biphasic (seven cases) and sarcomatoid (two cases). AQP-1 high expression has been observed in 16 cases. Comparing AQP-1 high expression to the survival of corresponding patients, a significant association with a slight increased overall survival of 12 months has been demonstrated. Nine patients with a AQP-1 score less than 50% showed a shorter median overall survival (7 months).

CONCLUSIONS

AQP-1 high expression is detectable on cytological samples of FE-induced MM with a prognostic value.

Aquaporin 1 suppresses apoptosis and affects prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) is a membrane protein whose main function is to transfer water across cellular membranes. Recent studies have described important roles for AQP1 in epithelial carcinogenesis and tumor behavior. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the role of AQP1 in the regulation of genes involved in tumor progression and the clinicopathological significance of its expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). An immunohistochemical analysis was performed on 50 primary tumor samples underwent esophagectomy. AQP1 was primarily located in the cytoplasm and/or the nuclear membrane of carcinoma cells. The 5-year survival rate of patients with the “cytoplasm dominant” expression of AQP1 (47.1%) was significantly lower than other patients (83.2%). The depletion of AQP1 using siRNA induced apoptosis in TE5 and TE15 cells. The results of microarray analysis revealed that Death receptor signaling pathway-related genes were changed in AQP1-depleted TE5 cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that the cytoplasm dominant expression of AQP1 is related to a poor prognosis in patients with ESCC, and that it activates tumor progression by affecting Death receptor signaling pathway. These results provide insights into the role of AQP1 as a mediator of and/or a biomarker for ESCC.

Prognostic values of aquaporins mRNA expression in human ovarian cancer

Aquaporins (AQPs), a family of transmembrane channel, are composed of 13 identified members (AQP0–12). Accumulating evidences reported that AQPs were correlated with various biological roles and represented a prognostic predictor in various cancer types. However, the prognostic value of AQPs expression in ovarian cancer remains unclear. Using ‘Kaplan–Meier plotter’ (KM plotter) online database, we explored the predictive prognostic value of individual AQPs members’ mRNA expression to overall survival (OS) in different clinical data, such as histology, pathological grades, clinical stages, TP53 status, and applied chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients. Our results revealed that higher AQP0, AQP1, and AQP4 mRNA expression were correlated with poor OS, whereas higher AQP3, AQP5, AQP6, AQP8, AQP10, and AQP11 showed better OS in ovarian cancer patients. Moreover, AQP4 and AQP8 showed poor OS in TP53-mutated ovarian cancer patients and AQP1 presented unfavorable OS in both TP53 mutated and wild ovarian cancer patients. Additionally, AQP3, AQP6, and AQP11 mRNA expression were correlated with better OS, whereas AQP0 and AQP1 showed poor OS in all ovarian cancer patients treated with Platin, Taxol, and Taxol + Platin chemotherapy. AQP5, AQP8, and AQP10 were associated with improved OS, however, AQP4 predicted unfavorable OS in all patients treated with Platin chemotherapy. Our results suggest that individual AQPs, except AQP2 and AQP9, are associated with unique prognostic significance and may thus act as new predictive prognostic indicators and potential drug therapeutic target in ovarian cancer.

Usefulness of Aquaporin 1 as a Prognostic Marker in a Prospective Cohort of Malignant Mesotheliomas

(1) Background: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumour of the serosal membranes, associated with exposure to asbestos. Survival is generally poor, but prognostication for individual patients is difficult. We recently described Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) as independent prognostic factor in two separate retrospective cohorts of MM patients. Here we assess the usefulness of AQP1 prospectively, and determine the inter-observer agreement in assessing AQP1 scores; (2) Methods: A total of 104 consecutive cases of MM were included. Sufficient tissue for immunohistochemistry was available for 100 cases, and these cases were labelled for AQP1. Labelling was assessed by two pathologists. Complete clinical information and follow up was available for 91 cases; (3) Results: Labelling of ≥50% of tumour cells for AQP indicated improved prognosis in a univariate model (median survival 13 versus 8 months, p = 0.008), but the significance was decreased in a multivariate analysis. Scoring for AQP1 was robust, with an inter-observer kappa value of 0.722, indicating substantial agreement between observers; (4) Conclusion: AQP1 is a useful prognostic marker that can be easily incorporated in existing diagnostic immunohistochemical panels and which can be reliably interpreted by different pathologists.