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Zamora PO, Altay G, Santamaria U, Dwarshuis N, Donthi H, Moon CI, Bakalar D, Zamora M. Drug Responses in Plexiform Neurofibroma Type I (PNF1) Cell Lines Using High-Throughput Data and Combined Effectiveness and Potency. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5811. [PMID: 38136356 PMCID: PMC10742026 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder characterized by heterozygous germline NF1 gene mutations that predispose patients to developing plexiform neurofibromas, which are benign but often disfiguring tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath induced by loss of heterozygosity at the NF1 locus. These can progress to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). There are no approved drug treatments for adults with NF1-related inoperable plexiform neurofibromas, and only one drug (selumetinib), which is an FDA-approved targeted therapy for the treatment of symptomatic pediatric plexiform neurofibromas, highlighting the need for additional drug screening and development. In high-throughput screening, the effectiveness of drugs against cell lines is often assessed by measuring in vitro potency (AC50) or the area under the curve (AUC). However, the variability of dose-response curves across drugs and cell lines and the frequency of partial effectiveness suggest that these measures alone fail to provide a full picture of overall efficacy. Methods: Using concentration-response data, we combined response effectiveness (EFF) and potency (AC50) into (a) a score characterizing the effect of a compound on a single cell line, S = log[EFF/AC50], and (b) a relative score, ΔS, characterizing the relative difference between a reference (e.g., non-tumor) and test (tumor) cell line. ΔS was applied to data from high-throughput screening (HTS) of a drug panel tested on NF1-/- tumor cells, using immortalized non-tumor NF1+/- cells as a reference. Results: We identified drugs with sensitivity, targeting expected pathways, such as MAPK-ERK and PI3K-AKT, as well as serotonin-related targets, among others. The ΔS technique used here, in tandem with a supplemental ΔS web tool, simplifies HTS analysis and may provide a springboard for further investigations into drug response in NF1-related cancers. The tool may also prove useful for drug development in a variety of other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Chang In Moon
- Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dana Bakalar
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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2
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Gao WL, Niu L, Chen WL, Zhang YQ, Huang WH. Integrative Analysis of the Expression Levels and Prognostic Values for NEK Family Members in Breast Cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:798170. [PMID: 35368696 PMCID: PMC8967485 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.798170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In the latest rankings, breast cancer ranks first in incidence and fifth in mortality among female malignancies worldwide. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis and prolong the survival of breast cancer (BC) patients. The NIMA-related kinase (NEK), a group of serine/threonine kinase, is a large and conserved gene family that includes NEK1–NEK11. The NEK plays a pivotal role in the cell cycle and microtubule formation. However, an integrative analysis of the effect and prognosis value of NEK family members on BC patients is still lacking. Methods: In this study, the expression profiles of NEK family members in BC and its subgroups were analyzed using UALCAN, GEPIA2, and Human Protein Atlas datasets. The prognostic values of NEK family members in BC were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier plotter. Co-expression profiles and genetic alterations of NEK family members were analyzed using the cBioPortal database. The function and pathway enrichment analysis of the NEK family were performed using the WebGestalt database. The correlation analysis of the NEK family and immune cell infiltration in BC was conducted using the TIMER 2.0 database. Results: In this study, we compared and analyzed the prognosis values of the NEKs. We found that NEK9 was highly expressed in normal breast tissues than BC, and NEK2, NEK6, and NEK11 were significantly highly expressed in BC than adjacent normal tissues. Interestingly, the expression levels of NEK2, NEK6, and NEK10 were not only remarkably correlated with the tumor stage but also with the molecular subtype. Through multilevel research, we found that high expression levels of NEK1, NEK3, NEK8, NEK9, NEK10, and NEK11 suggested a better prognosis value in BC, while high expression levels of NEK2 and NEK6 suggested a poor prognosis value in BC. Conclusion: Our studies show the prognosis values of the NEKs in BC. Thus, we suggest that NEKs may be regarded as novel biomarkers for predicting potential prognosis values and potential therapeutic targets of BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Liang Gao
- Department of Breast-Thyroid-Surgery and Cancer Research Center, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Research Center of Clinical Medicine in Breast and Thyroid Cancers, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Endocrine-Related Cancer Precision Medicine, Xiamen, China
| | - Lei Niu
- Department of Breast-Thyroid-Surgery and Cancer Research Center, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Research Center of Clinical Medicine in Breast and Thyroid Cancers, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Endocrine-Related Cancer Precision Medicine, Xiamen, China
| | - Wei-Ling Chen
- Department of Breast-Thyroid-Surgery and Cancer Research Center, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Research Center of Clinical Medicine in Breast and Thyroid Cancers, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Endocrine-Related Cancer Precision Medicine, Xiamen, China
| | - Yong-Qu Zhang
- Department of Breast-Thyroid-Surgery and Cancer Research Center, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Research Center of Clinical Medicine in Breast and Thyroid Cancers, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Endocrine-Related Cancer Precision Medicine, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Yong-Qu Zhang, ; Wen-He Huang,
| | - Wen-He Huang
- Department of Breast-Thyroid-Surgery and Cancer Research Center, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Research Center of Clinical Medicine in Breast and Thyroid Cancers, Xiamen, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Endocrine-Related Cancer Precision Medicine, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Yong-Qu Zhang, ; Wen-He Huang,
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3
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Dana D, Das T, Choi A, Bhuiyan AI, Das TK, Talele TT, Pathak SK. Nek2 Kinase Signaling in Malaria, Bone, Immune and Kidney Disorders to Metastatic Cancers and Drug Resistance: Progress on Nek2 Inhibitor Development. Molecules 2022; 27:347. [PMID: 35056661 PMCID: PMC8779408 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell cycle kinases represent an important component of the cell machinery that controls signal transduction involved in cell proliferation, growth, and differentiation. Nek2 is a mitotic Ser/Thr kinase that localizes predominantly to centrosomes and kinetochores and orchestrates centrosome disjunction and faithful chromosomal segregation. Its activity is tightly regulated during the cell cycle with the help of other kinases and phosphatases and via proteasomal degradation. Increased levels of Nek2 kinase can promote centrosome amplification (CA), mitotic defects, chromosome instability (CIN), tumor growth, and cancer metastasis. While it remains a highly attractive target for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics, several new roles of the Nek2 enzyme have recently emerged: these include drug resistance, bone, ciliopathies, immune and kidney diseases, and parasitic diseases such as malaria. Therefore, Nek2 is at the interface of multiple cellular processes and can influence numerous cellular signaling networks. Herein, we provide a critical overview of Nek2 kinase biology and discuss the signaling roles it plays in both normal and diseased human physiology. While the majority of research efforts over the last two decades have focused on the roles of Nek2 kinase in tumor development and cancer metastasis, the signaling mechanisms involving the key players associated with several other notable human diseases are highlighted here. We summarize the efforts made so far to develop Nek2 inhibitory small molecules, illustrate their action modalities, and provide our opinion on the future of Nek2-targeted therapeutics. It is anticipated that the functional inhibition of Nek2 kinase will be a key strategy going forward in drug development, with applications across multiple human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dibyendu Dana
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Queens College of the City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA; (D.D.); (T.D.); (A.C.); (A.I.B.)
- KemPharm Inc., 2200 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Tuhin Das
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Queens College of the City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA; (D.D.); (T.D.); (A.C.); (A.I.B.)
| | - Athena Choi
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Queens College of the City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA; (D.D.); (T.D.); (A.C.); (A.I.B.)
- Brooklyn Technical High School, 29 Fort Greene Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA
| | - Ashif I. Bhuiyan
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Queens College of the City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA; (D.D.); (T.D.); (A.C.); (A.I.B.)
- Chemistry Doctoral Program, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Tirtha K. Das
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Tanaji T. Talele
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, USA;
| | - Sanjai K. Pathak
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Queens College of the City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA; (D.D.); (T.D.); (A.C.); (A.I.B.)
- Chemistry Doctoral Program, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Biochemistry Doctoral Program, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA
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4
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Li C, Xia J, Franqui-Machin R, Chen F, He Y, Ashby TC, Teng F, Xu H, Liu D, Gai D, Johnson SK, van Rhee F, Janz S, Shaughnessy JD, Tricot G, Frech I, Zhan F. TRIP13 modulates protein deubiquitination and accelerates tumor development and progression of B cell malignancies. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:e146893. [PMID: 34061780 DOI: 10.1172/jci146893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM), a terminally differentiated B cell malignancy, remains difficult to cure. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of MM may identify therapeutic targets and lead to a fundamental shift in treatment of the disease. Deubiquitination, like ubiquitination, is a highly regulated process, implicated in almost every cellular process. Multiple deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) have been identified, but their regulation is poorly defined. Here, we determined that TRIP13 increases cellular deubiquitination. Overexpression of TRIP13 in mice and cultured cells resulted in excess cellular deubiquitination by enhancing the association of the DUB USP7 with its substrates. We show that TRIP13 is an oncogenic protein because it accelerates B cell tumor development in transgenic mice. TRIP13-induced resistance to proteasome inhibition can be overcome by a USP7 inhibitor in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that TRIP13 expression plays a critical role in B cell lymphoma and MM by regulating deubiquitination of critical oncogenic (NEK2) and tumor suppressor (PTEN, p53) proteins. High TRIP13 identifies a high-risk patient group amenable to adjuvant anti-USP7 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Li
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.,Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiliang Xia
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Fangping Chen
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanjuan He
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Timothy Cody Ashby
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Feixiang Teng
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Dingxiao Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Dongzheng Gai
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.,Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Sarah K Johnson
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Frits van Rhee
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Siegfried Janz
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - John D Shaughnessy
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Guido Tricot
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Ivana Frech
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Fenghuang Zhan
- Myeloma Center, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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5
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Kohlmeyer JL, Kaemmer CA, Pulliam C, Maharjan CK, Samayoa AM, Major HJ, Cornick KE, Knepper-Adrian V, Khanna R, Sieren JC, Leidinger MR, Meyerholz DK, Zamba KD, Weimer JM, Dodd RD, Darbro BW, Tanas MR, Quelle DE. RABL6A Is an Essential Driver of MPNSTs that Negatively Regulates the RB1 Pathway and Sensitizes Tumor Cells to CDK4/6 Inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:2997-3011. [PMID: 32086342 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-2706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are deadly sarcomas that lack effective therapies. In most MPNSTs, the retinoblastoma (RB1) tumor suppressor is disabled by hyperactivation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK), commonly through loss of CDK-inhibitory proteins such as p27(Kip1). RABL6A is an inhibitor of RB1 whose role in MPNSTs is unknown. To gain insight into MPNST development and establish new treatment options, we investigated RABL6A-RB1 signaling and CDK inhibitor-based therapy in MPNSTs. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We examined patient-matched MPNSTs and precursor lesions by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and IHC. Molecular and biological effects of silencing RABL6A and/or p27 in MPNST lines and normal human Schwann cells were determined. Tumor-suppressive effects of CDK inhibitors were measured in MPNST cells and orthotopic tumors. RESULTS RABL6A was dramatically upregulated in human MPNSTs compared with precursor lesions, which correlated inversely with p27 levels. Silencing RABL6A caused MPNST cell death and G1 arrest that coincided with p27 upregulation, CDK downregulation, and RB1 activation. The growth-suppressive effects of RABL6A loss, and its regulation of RB1, were largely rescued by p27 depletion. Importantly, reactivation of RB1 using a CDK4/6 inhibitor (palbociclib) killed MPNST cells in vitro in an RABL6A-dependent manner and suppressed MPNST growth in vivo. Low-dose combination of drugs targeting multiple RB1 kinases (CDK4/6, CDK2) had enhanced antitumorigenic activity associated with potential MPNST cell redifferentiation. CONCLUSIONS RABL6A is a new driver of MPNST pathogenesis that acts in part through p27-RB1 inactivation. Our results suggest RB1 targeted therapy with multiple pathway drugs may effectively treat MPNSTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan L Kohlmeyer
- Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.,The Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Courtney A Kaemmer
- The Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Casey Pulliam
- Human Toxicology Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Chandra K Maharjan
- The Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | | | - Heather J Major
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | | | | | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | | | | | | | - K D Zamba
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Jill M Weimer
- Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
| | - Rebecca D Dodd
- Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | | | - Munir R Tanas
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Dawn E Quelle
- Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. .,The Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.,Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
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6
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Xu X, Qiu B, Yi P, Li H. Overexpression of miR-206 in osteosarcoma and its associated molecular mechanisms as assessed through TCGA and GEO databases. Oncol Lett 2020; 19:1751-1758. [PMID: 32194668 PMCID: PMC7039051 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor that predominantly occurs in adolescents. Different types of OS tumor are highly malignant, associated with a poor prognosis and are invasive with blood-vessel dissemination characteristics, thus affected patients are prone to early lung metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miR) are small non-coding RNA molecules that act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors during tumor development. The present study investigated the role of miR-206 in OS development. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that miR-206 was upregulated in OS and thus may serve as a risk factor for cancer prognosis. Subsequently, in response to miR-206 overexpression, differentially expressed genes were screened and analyzed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery, Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways and protein-protein interaction network construction, in order to identify key miR-206 targets. The results demonstrated that high miR-206 expression inhibited OS cell proliferation, which was associated with a good patient prognosis. Thus, miR-206 may serve as a potential target for OS treatment, in order to improve early disease diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongfeng Xu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Bo Qiu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Peng Yi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Huajie Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
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7
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Papasavvas E, Kossenkov AV, Azzoni L, Zetola NM, Mackiewicz A, Ross BN, Fair M, Vadrevu S, Ramogola-Masire D, Sanne I, Firnhaber C, Montaner LJ. Gene expression profiling informs HPV cervical histopathology but not recurrence/relapse after LEEP in ART-suppressed HIV+HPV+ women. Carcinogenesis 2019; 40:225-233. [PMID: 30364933 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgy149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of factors associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical histopathology or recurrence/relapse following loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) would allow for better management of the disease. We investigated whether gene signatures could (i) associate with HPV cervical histopathology and (ii) identify women with post-LEEP disease recurrence/relapse. Gene array analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded cervical tissue-isolated RNA from two cross-sectional cohorts of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-suppressed HIV+HPV+ coinfected women: (i) 55 women in South Africa recruited into three groups: high risk (HR) (-) (n = 16) and HR (+) (n = 15) HPV without cervical histopathology and HR (+) HPV with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1/2/3 (n = 24), (ii) 28 women in Botswana with CIN2/3 treated with LEEP 12-month prior to recruitment and presenting with (n = 13) and without (n = 15) lesion recurrence/relapse (tissue was analyzed at first LEEP). Three distinct gene expression signatures identified were able to segregate: (i) HR+ HPV and CIN1/2/3, (ii) HR HPV-free and cervical histopathology-free and (iii) HR+ HPV and cervical histopathology-free. Immune activation and neoplasia-associated genes (n = 272 genes; e.g. IL-1A, IL-8, TCAM1, POU4F1, MCM2, SMC1B, CXCL6, MMP12) were a feature of cancer precursor dysplasia within HR HPV infection. No difference in LEEP tissue gene expression was detected between women with or without recurrence/relapse. In conclusion, distinctive gene signatures were associated with presence of cervical histopathology in tissues from ART-suppressed HIV+/HPV+ coinfected women. Lack of detection of LEEP tissue gene signature able to segregate subsequent post-LEEP disease recurrence/relapse indicates additional factors independent of local gene expression as determinants of recurrence/relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouil Papasavvas
- The Wistar Institute, HIV-1 Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew V Kossenkov
- The Wistar Institute, HIV-1 Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Livio Azzoni
- The Wistar Institute, HIV-1 Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicola M Zetola
- The Botswana-UPenn Partnership, Department of Radiation Oncology, Gaborone, Botswana.,The University of Pennsylvania, Department of Radiation Oncology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Agnieszka Mackiewicz
- The Wistar Institute, HIV-1 Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brian N Ross
- The Wistar Institute, HIV-1 Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Matthew Fair
- The Wistar Institute, HIV-1 Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Surya Vadrevu
- The Wistar Institute, HIV-1 Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Ian Sanne
- Clinical HIV Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cynthia Firnhaber
- Clinical HIV Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Right To Care, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Luis J Montaner
- The Wistar Institute, HIV-1 Immunopathogenesis Laboratory, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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8
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Abstract
The diagnosis of low-grade adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) confined to the adrenal gland can be challenging. Although there are diagnostic and prognostic molecular tests for ACC, they remain largely unutilized. We examined the diagnostic and prognostic value of altered reticulin framework and the immunoprofile of biomarkers including IGF-2, proteins involved in cell proliferation and mitotic spindle regulation (Ki67, p53, BUB1B, HURP, NEK2), DNA damage repair (PBK, γ-H2AX), telomere regulation (DAX, ATRX), wnt-signaling pathway (beta-catenin) and PI3K signaling pathway (PTEN, phospho-mTOR) in a tissue microarray of 50 adenomas and 43 carcinomas that were characterized for angioinvasion as defined by strict criteria, Weiss score, and mitotic rate-based tumor grade. IGF-2 and proteins involved in cell proliferation and mitotic spindle regulation (Ki67, p53, BUB1B, HURP, NEK2), DNA damage proteins (PBK, γ-H2AX), regulators of telomeres (DAXX, ATRX), and beta-catenin revealed characteristic expression profiles enabling the distinction of carcinomas from adenomas. Not all biomarkers were informative in all carcinomas. IGF-2 was the most useful biomarker of malignancy irrespective of tumor grade and cytomorphologic features, as juxtanuclear Golgi-pattern IGF-2 reactivity optimized for high specificity was identified in up to 80% of carcinomas and in no adenomas. Loss rather than qualitative alterations of the reticulin framework yielded statistical difference between carcinoma and adenoma. Angioinvasion defined as tumor cells invading through a vessel wall and intravascular tumor cells admixed with thrombus proved to be the best prognostic parameter, predicting adverse outcome in the entire cohort as well as within low-grade ACCs. Low mitotic tumor grade, Weiss score, global loss of DAXX expression, and high phospho-mTOR expression correlated with disease-free survival, but Weiss score and biomarkers failed to predict adverse outcome in low-grade disease. Our results underscore the importance of careful morphologic assessment coupled with ancillary diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of ACC.
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9
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Simonetti G, Bruno S, Padella A, Tenti E, Martinelli G. Aneuploidy: Cancer strength or vulnerability? Int J Cancer 2018; 144:8-25. [PMID: 29981145 PMCID: PMC6587540 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aneuploidy is a very rare and tissue‐specific event in normal conditions, occurring in a low number of brain and liver cells. Its frequency increases in age‐related disorders and is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Aneuploidy has been associated with defects in the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). However, the relationship between chromosome number alterations, SAC genes and tumor susceptibility remains unclear. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of SAC gene alterations at genomic and transcriptional level across human cancers and discuss the oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions of aneuploidy. SAC genes are rarely mutated but frequently overexpressed, with a negative prognostic impact on different tumor types. Both increased and decreased SAC gene expression show oncogenic potential in mice. SAC gene upregulation may drive aneuploidization and tumorigenesis through mitotic delay, coupled with additional oncogenic functions outside mitosis. The genomic background and environmental conditions influence the fate of aneuploid cells. Aneuploidy reduces cellular fitness. It induces growth and contact inhibition, mitotic and proteotoxic stress, cell senescence and production of reactive oxygen species. However, aneuploidy confers an evolutionary flexibility by favoring genome and chromosome instability (CIN), cellular adaptation, stem cell‐like properties and immune escape. These properties represent the driving force of aneuploid cancers, especially under conditions of stress and pharmacological pressure, and are currently under investigation as potential therapeutic targets. Indeed, promising results have been obtained from synthetic lethal combinations exploiting CIN, mitotic defects, and aneuploidy‐tolerating mechanisms as cancer vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Simonetti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and Institute of Hematology "L. e A. Seràgnoli", Bologna, Italy
| | - Samantha Bruno
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and Institute of Hematology "L. e A. Seràgnoli", Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Padella
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and Institute of Hematology "L. e A. Seràgnoli", Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Tenti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna and Institute of Hematology "L. e A. Seràgnoli", Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinelli
- Scientific Directorate, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
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Chai Y, Xue H, Wu Y, Du X, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Zhang S, Zhang Z, Xue Z. MicroRNA-216b-3p inhibits lung adenocarcinoma cell growth via regulating PDZ binding kinase/T-LAK-cell-originated protein kinase. Exp Ther Med 2018; 15:4822-4828. [PMID: 29805502 PMCID: PMC5952093 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.6020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have reported that microRNA (miR)-216b, as a tumor suppressor, is downregulated in a variety of cancer types. PDZ binding kinase (PBK)/T-LAK-cell-originated protein kinase (TOPK) is highly expressed in various types of human cancer, including lung cancer. The expression of miR-216b-3p and its potential roles in lung adenocarcinoma are still unclear and no research has been conducted into the association between miR-216b-3p and PBK/TOPK. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the expression and role of miR-216b-3p in lung adenocarcinoma and to explore whether PBK/TOPK is involved in the underlying mechanisms of lung adenocarcinoma. The expression of miR-216b-3p in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines was detected. PBK/TOPK protein expression levels were also determined within lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. To investigate the association between miR-216b-3p and PBK/TOPK, TargetScan analysis was performed; PBK was predicted to be a potential target gene of miR-216b-3p, and a dual luciferase reporter assay was applied to confirm this prediction. To investigate the role of miR-216b-3p in lung adenocarcinoma, a lung adenocarcinoma cell line (GLC-82) was transfected with miR-216b-3p mimic or its negative control. An MTT assay was applied to detect cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expression levels of associated proteins. The results of the present study suggested that miR-216b-3p was downregulated in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines and PBK/TOPK was highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma cells. miR-216b-3p directly targets PBK and negatively regulates its expression. miR-216b-3p overexpression may inhibit GLC-82 cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. In addition, miR-216b-3p overexpression may increase p53 and p21 expression, and prevent p38 MAPK activation. These effects on GLC-82 cells caused by miR-216b-3p overexpression may be eliminated by PBK/TOPK overexpression. In conclusion, miR-216b-3p was downregulated in lung adenocarcinoma and may function as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting cell growth via regulating PBK/TOPK expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqin Chai
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xi'an XD Group Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, P.R. China
| | - Huijun Xue
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Yanmei Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xi'an XD Group Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, P.R. China
| | - Xiaomei Du
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xi'an XD Group Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, P.R. China
| | - Zhuohong Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xi'an XD Group Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, P.R. China
| | - Yinliang Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xi'an XD Group Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, P.R. China
| | - Lili Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xi'an XD Group Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, P.R. China
| | - Shuanbao Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xi'an XD Group Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, P.R. China
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xi'an XD Group Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, P.R. China
| | - Zhiwen Xue
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xi'an XD Group Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710077, P.R. China
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11
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Koh M, Hayakawa Y, Akai T, Hayashi T, Tomita T, Nagai S, Kuroda S. Novel biomarker, phosphorylated T-LAK cell-originated protein kinase (p-TOPK) can predict outcome in primary central nervous system lymphoma. Neuropathology 2018; 38:228-236. [PMID: 29575092 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess whether T-lymphokine-activated killer cell-originated protein kinase (TOPK) can be a potent novel biomarker to predict the outcome in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). This study enrolled 20 patients who were histologically diagnosed as having diffuse large B-cell type PCNSL between 2005 and 2015. Using surgical specimens, the expression of TOPK and phosphorylated TOPK (p-TOPK) was analyzed on immunohistochemistry. Clinical features such as age, sex, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), ocular involvement, deep brain structure involvement, the number of lesions, chemotherapy and radiation therapy were also collected. Impacts of TOPK/p-TOPK expression on their progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were examined with multivariate analysis. Median PFS/OS were 24.2 and 39.0 months, respectively. On immunostaining, the mean percentage of TOPK-positive cells was 35.5 ± 20.8%, and the mean number of p-TOPK-positive cells was 13.7 ± 15.7 cells/mm2 . The higher expression of p-TOPK was significantly related to multiple lesions (P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only the higher expression of p-TOPK was an independent predictor to shorten both PFS (P = 0.029; hazard ratio (HR), 5.5; 95% confidential interval (CI), 1.2-25.3) and OS (P = 0.014; HR, 7.7; 95% CI, 1.5-41.3). These findings strongly suggest that p-TOPK may be a potent biomarker to determine the outcome of patients with PCNSL and to develop novel drugs to treat PCNSL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Koh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yumiko Hayakawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Takuya Akai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Tomohide Hayashi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Takahiro Tomita
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Shoichi Nagai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuroda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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12
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Kim A, Pratilas CA. The promise of signal transduction in genetically driven sarcomas of the nerve. Exp Neurol 2017; 299:317-325. [PMID: 28859862 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant tumor predisposition syndrome. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are aggressive soft tissue sarcomas arising from peripheral nerve sheaths, and the most commonly lethal feature associated with NF1. The hallmark of NF1 and NF1-related MPNST is the loss of neurofibromin expression. Loss of neurofibromin is considered a tumor-promoting event, and leads to constitutive activation of RAS and its downstream effectors. However, RAS activation alone is not sufficient for MPNST formation, and additional tumor suppressors and signaling pathways have been implicated in tumorigenesis of MPNST. Taking advantage of the rapid development of novel therapeutics targeting key molecular pathways across all cancer types, the best-in-class modulators of these pathways can be assessed in pre-clinical models and translated into clinical trials for patients with MPNST. Here, we describe the genetic changes and molecular pathways that drive MPNST formation and highlight the promise of signal transduction to identify therapies that may treat these tumors more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- AeRang Kim
- Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C., United States
| | - Christine A Pratilas
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Abstract
Never in Mitosis (NIMA) Related Kinase 2 (NEK2) plays a key role in regulating mitotic processes, including centrosome duplication and separation, microtubule stabilization, kinetochore attachment and spindle assembly checkpoint. NEK2 is aberrantly overexpressed in a wide variety of human cancers and has been implicated in various aspects of malignant transformation, including tumorigenesis, drug resistance and tumor progression. The close relationship between NEK2 and cancer has made it an attractive target for anticancer therapeutic development; however, the mechanisms of how NEK2 coordinates altered signaling to malignant transformation remains unclear. In this paper, we discuss the functional roles of NEK2 in cancer development; highlight some of the significant NEK2 signaling in cancer, and summarize recent advances in the development of NEK2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfen Fang
- a Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai , China
| | - Xiongwen Zhang
- a Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai , China
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14
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Zhou F, Huang D, Li Y, Hu G, Rao H, Lu Q, Luo S, Wang Y. Nek2A/SuFu feedback loop regulates Gli-mediated Hedgehog signaling pathway. Int J Oncol 2016; 50:373-380. [PMID: 28035348 PMCID: PMC5238777 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Suppressor of Fused (SuFu), one of the most conserved components of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, binds Gli transcription factors and impedes activation of target gene expression in mammalian cells. Despite the central importance of SuFu in the Hh pathway, little is known about SuFu regulation. In a previous study, we identified NIMA-related expressed kinase 2A (Nek2A) as a SuFu-interacting protein. Here, we show that Nek2A stabilizes SuFu through impairing ubiquitin/proteasome degradation of SuFu. In addition, Nek2A negatively regulates target genes of Hh signaling as well as Gli2 transcriptional activity. In turn, inhibition of Hh signaling by GANT61 diminishes mRNA and protein levels of Nek2A, and Hh agonist promotes transcription of NEK2A gene. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that Gli1 and Gli2 directly bind to the promoter regions of NEK2A gene and induced its transcription. Thus, we uncovered one of the mechanisms by which Nek2A acts as a modulator of the Hh signaling pathway in the context of a novel negative-feedback loop, which may offer new insights into Gli-mediated Hh signaling regulation in development and human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Zhou
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Dengliang Huang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yong Li
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Guanghui Hu
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Hai Rao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Quqin Lu
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Shiwen Luo
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yao Wang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
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15
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Chang CF, Chen SL, Sung WW, Hsieh MJ, Hsu HT, Chen LH, Chen MK, Ko JL, Chen CJ, Chou MC. PBK/TOPK Expression Predicts Prognosis in Oral Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17071007. [PMID: 27347940 PMCID: PMC4964383 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17071007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral cancer is a common cancer with poor prognosis. We evaluated the expression of PBK/TOPK (PDZ-binding kinase/T-LAK cell-originated protein kinase) and its prognostic significance in oral cancer. PBK/TOPK expression was measured by immunohistochemical staining of samples from 287 patients with oral cancer. The association between PBK/TOPK expression and clinicopathological features was analyzed. The prognostic value of PBK/TOPK for overall survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard models. A high PBK/TOPK expression level was correlated with long overall survival. The prognostic role of PBK/TOPK expression was significant in young patients (p < 0.05), patients with smoking habits (p < 0.05), and late stage disease (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that PBK/TOPK expression is enhanced in oral cancer. High PBK/TOPK expression, either alone or in subgroups according to clinicopathological features, may serve as a favorable prognostic marker for patients with oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Fang Chang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Jen-Ai Hospital, Taichung 400, Taiwan.
| | - Sung-Lang Chen
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Department of Urology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
| | - Wen-Wei Sung
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Education, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Technology, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli 356, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Ju Hsieh
- Cancer Research Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
- School of Optometry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
| | - Hui-Ting Hsu
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
| | - Li-Hsin Chen
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
| | - Mu-Kuan Chen
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
| | - Jiunn-Liang Ko
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
| | - Chih-Jung Chen
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Technology, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli 356, Taiwan.
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Chih Chou
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
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16
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Loss of H3K27 tri-methylation is a diagnostic marker for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and an indicator for an inferior survival. Mod Pathol 2016; 29:582-90. [PMID: 26990975 PMCID: PMC4948583 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.2016.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive sarcomas that can show overlapping features with benign neurofibromas as well as high-grade sarcomas. Additional diagnostic markers are needed to aid in this often challenging differential diagnosis. Recently mutations in two critical components of the polycomb repressor 2 (PRC2) complex, SUZ12 and EED, were reported to occur specifically in MPNSTs while such mutations are absent in neurofibromas, both in the setting of neurofibromatosis (NF) and sporadic cases. Furthermore, both SUZ12 and EED mutations in MPNSTs were associated with loss of H3K27 tri-methylation, a downstream target of PRC2. Therefore, we tested whether H3K27me3 immunohistochemistry is useful as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for MPNSTs. We performed H3K27me3 immunohistochemistry in 162 primary MPNSTs, 97 neurofibromas and 341 other tumors using tissue microarray. We observed loss of H3K27me3 in 34% (55/162) of all MPNSTs while expression was retained in all neurofibromas including atypical (n=8) and plexiform subtypes (n=24). Within other tumors we detected loss of H3K27me3 in only 7% (24/341). Surprisingly, 60% (9/15) of synovial sarcomas and 38% (3/8) of fibrosarcomatous dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) showed loss of H3K27 trimethylation. Only 1 out of 44 schwannomas showed loss of H3K27me3 and all 4 perineuriomas showed intact H3K27me3. Furthermore, MPNSTs with loss of H3K27 tri-methylation showed inferior survival compared with MPNSTs with intact H3K27 tri-methylation, which was validated in two independent cohorts. Our results indicate that H3K27me3 immunohistochemistry is useful as a diagnostic marker, in which loss of H3K27me3 favors MPNST above neurofibroma. However, H3K27me3 immunohistochemistry is not suitable to distinguish MPNST from its morphological mimicker synovial sarcoma or fibrosarcomatous DFSP. Since loss of H3K27 tri-methylation was related to poorer survival in MPNST, chromatin modification mediated by this specific histone seems to orchestrate more aggressive tumour biology.
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17
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18
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Role of NEK2A in human cancer and its therapeutic potentials. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:862461. [PMID: 25705694 PMCID: PMC4330945 DOI: 10.1155/2015/862461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chromosome instability (CIN) has been identified as a common feature of most human cancers. A number of centrosomal kinases are thought to cause CIN in cancer cells. Part of those centrosomal kinases exhibit elevated expression in a wide variety of tumours and cancer cell lines. Additionally, critical roles in many aspects of cancer cell growth, proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance have been assigned to some of these centrosomal kinases, such as polo-like kinase 1 (PLk1) and Aurora-A kinase. Recent studies from our group and others revealed that a centrosomal kinase, Never in Mitosis (NIMA) Related Kinase 2A (NEK2A), is frequently upregulated in multiple types of human cancers. Uncontrolled activity of NEK2A activates several oncogenic pathways and ABC transporters, thereby leading to CIN, cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and enhanced drug resistance. In this paper, we highlight recent findings on the aberrant expression and functional significance of NEK2A in human cancers and emphasize their significance for therapeutic potentials.
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19
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Characteristic molecular and proteomic signatures of drug-induced liver injury in a rat model. J Appl Toxicol 2014; 35:152-64. [DOI: 10.1002/jat.3062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 07/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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20
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Park GH, Lee SJ, Yim H, Han JH, Kim HJ, Sohn YB, Ko JM, Jeong SY. TAGLN expression is upregulated in NF1-associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors by hypomethylation in its promoter and subpromoter regions. Oncol Rep 2014; 32:1347-54. [PMID: 25109740 PMCID: PMC4148385 DOI: 10.3892/or.2014.3379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) caused by NF1 gene mutation is a commonly inherited autosomal dominant disorder. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), a type of aggressive sarcoma, are a major cause of mortality in NF1 patients. The malignant transformation of benign plexiform neurofibromas (PNs) to MPNSTs is a marked peculiarity in NF1 patients, yet the pathogenesis remains poorly understood. We found that an actin-associated protein transgelin (SM22) was highly expressed in NF1-deficient MPNST tissues compared to NF1-deficient PN tissues using immunohistological staining and primary cultured MPNST cells in western blot analysis. We further found that this transgelin upregulation was caused by increased transcriptional expression of the TAGLN gene encoding transgelin. Comparison of DNA methylation values in the promoter and subpromoter regions of the TAGLN gene in three types of NF1-deficient primary-cultured cells, derived from an NF1 patient's normal phenotype, a benign PN and MPNST tissues, revealed that the TAGLN gene was hypomethylated in the MPNST cells. Next, to determine the functional role of transgelin in MPNST pathogenesis, we manipulated the TAGLN gene expression and investigated the alteration of the RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in the normal-phenotypic and malignant tumor cells. The downregulation of TAGLN expression in NF1-deficient MPNST tumor cells through the treatment of the small interfering RNA resulted in a decrease in the RAS activation (GTP-RAS) and the downstream ERK1/2 activation (phosphorylated ERK1/2), while the overexpression of TAGLN in normal-phenotypic NF1-deficient cells caused an increase in RAS and ERK1/2 activation. These results indicate that upregulation of transgelin caused by hypomethylation of the TAGLN gene is closely involved in tumor progression in NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gun-Hoo Park
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Jin Lee
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunee Yim
- Department of Pathology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Ho Han
- Department of Pathology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyon J Kim
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Bae Sohn
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Min Ko
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Yong Jeong
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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21
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Neal CP, Fry AM, Moreman C, McGregor A, Garcea G, Berry DP, Manson MM. Overexpression of the Nek2 kinase in colorectal cancer correlates with beta-catenin relocalization and shortened cancer-specific survival. J Surg Oncol 2014; 110:828-38. [PMID: 25043295 DOI: 10.1002/jso.23717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase Nek2 (NIMA-related kinase 2) regulates centrosome separation and mitotic progression, with overexpression causing induction of aneuploidy in vitro. Overexpression may also enable tumour progression through effects upon Akt signalling, cell adhesion markers and the Wnt pathway. The objective of this study was to examine Nek2 protein expression in colorectal cancer (CRC). Nek2 protein expression was examined in a panel of CRC cell lines using Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Nek2 and beta-catenin expression were examined by immunohistochemistry in a series of resected CRC, as well as their matched lymph node and liver metastases, and correlated with clinicopathological characteristics. Nek2 protein expression in all CRC lines examined was higher than in the immortalised colonocyte line HCEC. Nek2 overexpression was present in 86.4% of resected CRC and was significantly associated with advancing AJCC tumour stage and shortened cancer-specific survival. Elevated Nek2 expression was maintained within all matched metastases from overexpressing primary tumours. Nek2 overexpression was significantly associated with lower tumour membranous beta-catenin expression and higher cytoplasmic and nuclear beta-catenin accumulation. These data support a role for Nek2 in CRC progression and confirm potential for Nek2 inhibition as a therapeutic avenue in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Neal
- Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, The Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
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22
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Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor: pathology and genetics. Ann Diagn Pathol 2014; 18:109-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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23
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Stricker TP, Morales La Madrid A, Chlenski A, Guerrero L, Salwen HR, Gosiengfiao Y, Perlman EJ, Furman W, Bahrami A, Shohet JM, Zage PE, Hicks MJ, Shimada H, Suganuma R, Park JR, So S, London WB, Pytel P, Maclean KH, Cohn SL. Validation of a prognostic multi-gene signature in high-risk neuroblastoma using the high throughput digital NanoString nCounter™ system. Mol Oncol 2014; 8:669-78. [PMID: 24560446 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2014.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Revised: 12/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Microarray-based molecular signatures have not been widely integrated into neuroblastoma diagnostic classification systems due to the complexities of the assay and requirement for high-quality RNA. New digital technologies that accurately quantify gene expression using RNA isolated from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues are now available. In this study, we describe the first use of a high-throughput digital system to assay the expression of genes in an "ultra-high risk" microarray classifier in FFPE high-risk neuroblastoma tumors. Customized probes corresponding to the 42 genes in a published multi-gene neuroblastoma signature were hybridized to RNA isolated from 107 FFPE high-risk neuroblastoma samples using the NanoString nCounter™ Analysis System. For classification of each patient, the Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between the standardized nCounter™ data and the molecular signature from the microarray data. We demonstrate that the nCounter™ 42-gene panel sub-stratified the high-risk cohort into two subsets with statistically significantly different overall survival (p = 0.0027) and event-free survival (p = 0.028). In contrast, none of the established prognostic risk markers (age, stage, tumor histology, MYCN status, and ploidy) were significantly associated with survival. We conclude that the nCounter™ System can reproducibly quantify expression levels of signature genes in FFPE tumor samples. Validation of this microarray signature in our high-risk patient cohort using a completely different technology emphasizes the prognostic relevance of this classifier. Prospective studies testing the prognostic value of molecular signatures in high-risk neuroblastoma patients using FFPE tumor samples and the nCounter™ System are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Stricker
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Alexandre Chlenski
- Department of Pediatrics, Comer Children's Hospital, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lisa Guerrero
- Department of Pediatrics, Comer Children's Hospital, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Helen R Salwen
- Department of Pediatrics, Comer Children's Hospital, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yasmin Gosiengfiao
- Department of Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Perlman
- Department of Pathology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Wayne Furman
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Armita Bahrami
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jason M Shohet
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter E Zage
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - M John Hicks
- Department of Pathology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Shimada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rie Suganuma
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Julie R Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sara So
- Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wendy B London
- Children's Oncology Group Statistics and Data Center, Boston, MA, USA; Boston Children's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter Pytel
- Department of Pathology, Comer Children's Hospital, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Susan L Cohn
- Department of Pediatrics, Comer Children's Hospital, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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